Watched first 2 eps of Torchwood. Do I keep going?

kvrdave · 10-13-08, 12:14 PM

I didn't really like the first 2 eps, so does it get better? I will admit that I rarely like BBC stuff. I find the production values to be low, the acting to be average, etc. And I always think, "Damn, these guys are really overacting the British thing." Yeah, that's stupid, but that's my reaction.

What do you think?

Tracer Bullet · 10-13-08, 12:23 PM

No. It sucks.

rfduncan · 10-13-08, 12:27 PM

I will admit that I struggled to watch it the first few episodes of the first season, but I was really into by the end. The biggest problem I had was the pacing of the overall story arcs. However once the humor starts coming through, the show really hits its stride. Season two was just really great. But hey, it is entirely possible that you'll never like it.

kvrdave · 10-13-08, 12:35 PM

I love the premise. But I can't get into the characters who really seem unemotional, don't care, etc. Except the new chick who is overboard in the other direction.

riley_dude · 10-13-08, 01:00 PM

The characters are what is lacking and Captain Jack, well he isn't the same Captain Jack (personality wise) that he was in Doctor Who. Second season gets a bit better but this show is just mediocre in my book.

orangecrush18 · 10-13-08, 01:24 PM

If you stick around, you will get to see more f/f kissing. You will also get more m/m kissing. So, you make the call.

RoboDad · 10-13-08, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riley_dude

The characters are what is lacking and Captain Jack, well he isn't the same Captain Jack (personality wise) that he was in Doctor Who. Second season gets a bit better but this show is just mediocre in my book.

QFT

And, to expand a bit on the topic, no, the characters don't really become any less unemotional. There are a few bright spots where that changes, but for the most part, the only emotion they seem capable of displaying with any consistency is badly-acted anger. At their situations, their lives, and each other (except for Gwen, who punctuates her monotonous anger with frequent bursts of tears, often angry ones).

I tried to get into the show, I really did. Doctor Who is easily in my top ten shows, but this dreck? Not so much.

Groucho · 10-13-08, 01:49 PM

A better show along the same lines is Fringe.

kvrdave · 10-13-08, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groucho

A better show along the same lines is Fringe.

I have enjoyed Fringe. Not great, but good enough.

JasonF · 10-13-08, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groucho

A better show along the same lines is Fringe.

Does "better" mean the opposite of what I think it does? I'm not saying Fringe is horrible or Torchwood is great, but if you told me I could only watch one of the two, it would be Torchwood without hesitation.

Superman07 · 10-13-08, 02:45 PM

Of the roughly 26 episodes to date, I would say perhaps 6 or 7 have been outstanding. Sadly, much like one of the more recent Stargate Atlantis episodes, this was too close to a turning point in the series. As a result you don't necessarily see the benefit from such a great episode.

A quick rehash of the next few episodes tells me you have a bumpy ride ahead. However, I'll echo what rfduncan said - it gets much better towards the end of the season. Looking back you'll appreciate the subtle hints dropped over the course of the season that build up.

It's only 13 episodes, so you're already about 1/6 of the way through. I'd say you don't have much to lose by watching some more. If by 3-4 more episodes you're not satisfied beyond what you are now I'd drop it.

kvrdave · 10-13-08, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman07

It's only 13 episodes, so you're already about 1/6 of the way through. I'd say you don't have much to lose by watching some more. If by 3-4 more episodes you're not satisfied beyond what you are now I'd drop it.

AHA!!! Shows what you know. I have about 40 hours of dvr and over 100 things in my queue with Blockbuster. I have much to lose.

It's a lot of work this time of year just keeping up with regular tv.

RoboDad · 10-13-08, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonF

Does "better" mean the opposite of what I think it does? I'm not saying Fringe is horrible or Torchwood is great, but if you told me I could only watch one of the two, it would be Torchwood without hesitation.

I think it means it's a subjective term, open to personal opinion. Given the choice between one or the other, I would easily choose Fringe (but then, I've already given up on Torchwood, so that much is a given

).

Chew · 10-13-08, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoboDad

I think it means it's a subjective term, open to personal opinion. Given the choice between one or the other, I would easily choose Fringe (but then, I've already given up on Torchwood, so that much is a given

).

I gave up on both.

Tracer Bullet · 10-13-08, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonF

Does "better" mean the opposite of what I think it does? I'm not saying Fringe is horrible or Torchwood is great, but if you told me I could only watch one of the two, it would be Torchwood without hesitation.

If you told me I could only watch one of the two, I'd break my television.

wmansir · 10-13-08, 07:22 PM

I gave up after 9-10 episodes.

This show was suppose to be DW for adults, but that somehow translated into adding sex, cursing and angst. The result seemed less geared towards adults than 16 year old bisexual emo kids. In fact, I could see replacing most of the cast with bi-mo-teens and needing few script alterations.

Superman07 · 10-13-08, 08:35 PM

I'll quickly interject: Series 3 has been commissioned. However, it will only consist of 5 episodes to be broadcast over the preiod of a week. RTD (there has to be a joke in there somewhere...) is penning the opener and closer.

Groucho · 10-14-08, 04:19 PM

Unlike Doctor Who, I trust RTD to write a decent ep of this show. But it sounds like its on its way out the door.

cornflakeguy · 10-14-08, 10:55 PM

Not much of a 2 cents, since I have never seen a bit of Torchwood but have seen and loved the Doctor Who continuation...

A friend of mine is a DW fanatic from the 70's. He loves it all. He watched Torchwood in such a way that he saw it before it hit the networks in the US....

...so when it came on here I asked him if its good and if I should watch it.

He told me directly, distinctly, without hesitation...no, it sucks.

Super X · 10-15-08, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groucho

Unlike Doctor Who, I trust RTD to write a decent ep of this show. But it sounds like its on its way out the door.

Actually, anything but. In fact, the show's done well enough that the new series is being moved to BBC1.

Lastdaysofrain · 10-15-08, 08:48 AM

It's not great, the second season was definetely better, but it's a bit of a mess.

Groucho · 10-15-08, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super X

Actually, anything but. In fact, the show's done well enough that the new series is being moved to BBC1.

So what's with the 5 episode season? That's short even by UK standards.

rfduncan · 10-15-08, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groucho

So what's with the 5 episode season? That's short even by UK standards.

It is likely going to be run as a miniseries all in one week in the UK and then on BBCAmerica right after that. If you know what happens in S2, then you probably understand the need for a shorter, tighter story-arc to proceed.

Spoiler:

10-13-08, 12:14 PM	#1
kvrdave DVD Talk Godfather Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 61,746	Watched first 2 eps of Torchwood. Do I keep going? I didn't really like the first 2 eps, so does it get better? I will admit that I rarely like BBC stuff. I find the production values to be low, the acting to be average, etc. And I always think, "Damn, these guys are really overacting the British thing." Yeah, that's stupid, but that's my reaction. What do you think? __________________ Who run Bartertown? Fur is murder. Soft, silky, luxurious murder.

10-13-08, 12:23 PM	#2
Tracer Bullet DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Astoria, NY Posts: 12,597	No. It sucks. __________________ I'm so straight, I won't even look down when I masterbate. -kvrdave Never underestimate the white man and white woman's ability to get offended at the stupidest shit imaginable. -El Scorcho

10-13-08, 12:27 PM	#3
rfduncan DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 7,278	I will admit that I struggled to watch it the first few episodes of the first season, but I was really into by the end. The biggest problem I had was the pacing of the overall story arcs. However once the humor starts coming through, the show really hits its stride. Season two was just really great. But hey, it is entirely possible that you'll never like it. __________________ Hi, Super Nintendo Chalmers! - Ralph Wiggum A Grilled Charlie has peanut butter last! Peanut butter outside, chocolate inside! Butter inside, cheese outside! - Charlie Kelly

10-13-08, 12:35 PM	#4
kvrdave DVD Talk Godfather Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 61,746	I love the premise. But I can't get into the characters who really seem unemotional, don't care, etc. Except the new chick who is overboard in the other direction. __________________ Who run Bartertown? Fur is murder. Soft, silky, luxurious murder.

10-13-08, 01:00 PM	#5
riley_dude DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: San Leandro/San Francisco Posts: 4,984	The characters are what is lacking and Captain Jack, well he isn't the same Captain Jack (personality wise) that he was in Doctor Who. Second season gets a bit better but this show is just mediocre in my book. __________________ What's more harmful to society, two well-dressed men getting married and settling down, or two idiots tying the knot and cranking out any number of additional idiots?

10-13-08, 01:24 PM	#6
orangecrush18 DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 2,379	If you stick around, you will get to see more f/f kissing. You will also get more m/m kissing. So, you make the call. __________________ A father has to be a provider, a teacher, a role model, but most importantly, a distant authority figure who can never be pleased. - My life coach.

10-13-08, 01:49 PM	#8
Groucho DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 41,687	A better show along the same lines is Fringe. __________________ Xbox Live Gamertag: Runner Groucho

10-13-08, 02:45 PM	#11
Superman07 DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 2,630	Of the roughly 26 episodes to date, I would say perhaps 6 or 7 have been outstanding. Sadly, much like one of the more recent Stargate Atlantis episodes, this was too close to a turning point in the series. As a result you don't necessarily see the benefit from such a great episode. A quick rehash of the next few episodes tells me you have a bumpy ride ahead. However, I'll echo what rfduncan said - it gets much better towards the end of the season. Looking back you'll appreciate the subtle hints dropped over the course of the season that build up. It's only 13 episodes, so you're already about 1/6 of the way through. I'd say you don't have much to lose by watching some more. If by 3-4 more episodes you're not satisfied beyond what you are now I'd drop it. __________________ "Hey, I'm Eddie. How do you like me so far?" - Keen Eddie I've seen him. He's like fire, and ice, and rage. Like the night, and the storm in the heart of the sun. He's ancient and forever. He burns at the center of time and sees the turn of the univrse.

10-13-08, 07:22 PM	#16
wmansir DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Land of the Lobstrosities Posts: 4,831	I gave up after 9-10 episodes. This show was suppose to be DW for adults, but that somehow translated into adding sex, cursing and angst. The result seemed less geared towards adults than 16 year old bisexual emo kids. In fact, I could see replacing most of the cast with bi-mo-teens and needing few script alterations. __________________ wes

10-13-08, 08:35 PM	#17
Superman07 DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 2,630	I'll quickly interject: Series 3 has been commissioned. However, it will only consist of 5 episodes to be broadcast over the preiod of a week. RTD (there has to be a joke in there somewhere...) is penning the opener and closer. __________________ "Hey, I'm Eddie. How do you like me so far?" - Keen Eddie I've seen him. He's like fire, and ice, and rage. Like the night, and the storm in the heart of the sun. He's ancient and forever. He burns at the center of time and sees the turn of the univrse.

10-14-08, 04:19 PM	#18
Groucho DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 41,687	Unlike Doctor Who, I trust RTD to write a decent ep of this show. But it sounds like its on its way out the door. __________________ Xbox Live Gamertag: Runner Groucho

10-14-08, 10:55 PM	#19
cornflakeguy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 910	Not much of a 2 cents, since I have never seen a bit of Torchwood but have seen and loved the Doctor Who continuation... A friend of mine is a DW fanatic from the 70's. He loves it all. He watched Torchwood in such a way that he saw it before it hit the networks in the US.... ...so when it came on here I asked him if its good and if I should watch it. He told me directly, distinctly, without hesitation...no, it sucks. __________________ CFG! Format Neutral since 7-15-07. HD-A1 and PS3 Living in Harmony. Sling It Around Headlines and opinions and humor. Oh My!

10-15-08, 08:48 AM	#21
Lastdaysofrain Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 695	It's not great, the second season was definetely better, but it's a bit of a mess. __________________ "If you're down to an echo they just might remember your name" - Scott Walker