‘Torchwood’ – Comparisons From Across The Pond

Posted Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 08:53 am GMT -4 by 0

As a loyal ‘Torchwood’ fan from day one, I found myself apprehensive about the transition to STARZ from BBC. After watching the first several minutes of the premiere, ‘Torchwood: Miracle Day’, I found myself inadvertently comparing the old familiar ‘Torchwood’ with the Welsh roots and the slick, big budget American version.

At quick glance, it would seem the one major difference was less of the Welsh accents. As an American myself, I thrive on diverse culture. All a lovely lass has to do is speak in that lush, enticing accent and my black heart melts!

I digress, however, and bring us back to my original premise here, the difference between the original ‘Torchwood’, and the STARZ ‘Torchwood’.

Original: Cardiff. Plain and simple, it’s the beautiful landscapes and bustling old streets. From an American’s point of view, it’s strikingly different than we are normally accustomed to.

It’s all about the close knit team; a small group of stalwart adventurers battling the unknown and the extraterrestrial. The original Torchwood is also about the relationships; we grew to love each member of ‘Torchwood’. When we’re offered a glimpse into their souls, we saw there, ourselves, and in doing so we we’re able to relate and empathize with them. This is one of the reasons Ianto Jones, played by Gareth David Lloyd, grew so vigorously as a fan favorite. His death in ‘Torchwood: Children of Earth’ hit very hard in the hearts of fans. Even now, fans are fighting to get him resurrected from Sci-Fi death.

STARZ: Grand scale is the theme; big production, larger landscapes and slicker production value, which is a point of contention among many original alumni. The old ‘Torchwood’, while dealing with the alien threat,  had the action still take place close to home, and home was Cardiff.

There are crowds of people in ‘Miracle Day,’ from all walks of life, scurrying about trying their best to get our attention. Granted, it is a bit early to speculate, but it seems there is so much going on in the background that there is very little time to get to know anyone. As many of us know, it is very difficult to “break in” new characters and have them curl up in a warm and fuzzy place in our hearts. It takes time, it always does. It may be somewhat early to do such a comparison, with only one episode under the proverbial belt, so let’s give Russel T. Davies and company a chance to stir the magic cauldron. I have a strong feeling many of us are going to be pleasantly surprised!

All in all, my friends, being an open minded and loyal fan myself, I can see very little detrimental changes in this season. We still have Russel T. Davies, John Barrowman and Eve Myles, what could be better?

OK, I know what you’re going to say… Ianto Jones again. Fine, now granted if those behind Miracle Day can bestow immortality on the whole of the human race, take away Jack’s, it might create a microscopic loophole for Ianto to squeeze through. Will it happen? Guess we shall have to tune in and see for ourselves! Having spoken to Jane Espenson, the likelihood of this happening is, well, zero. For whatever reason, Ianto is effectively… DEAD. For those voracious fans who simply cannot let go, I have good news! The BBC is producing a series of ‘Torchwood’ radio shows, in which the voice of Ianto Jones will be gracing our speakers!

Now, faithful followers, we want to hear your opinions. If you see more dramatic differences that may determine your decision to tune in further, by all means, let us know!

Related posts:

torchwood-miracle-day‘Torchwood: Miracle Day’ Premiere Recap! Torchwood‘Torchwood: The New World’ Adds Bill Pullman To Cast Torchwood_‘Torchwood: Miracle Day’ Coming To Starz Network Adds To Cast
  • http://twitter.com/Phasefirefilms R Hunt

    Miracle Day is great!  Ianto was awesome and maybe they can finangle him back in the next season/miniseries.  I like that they’re trying something new, it means we don’t know what to expect.

    • http://twitter.com/Nyrhalahotep Bryan Hardbarger

      Now that was very well said, many fans refuse to give it a chance. One episode is not enough to make a complete decision regarding the quality of the show as a whole.

      As far as Gareth making an appearance, Jane Espenson says that it simply won’t happen. However, for those die hard devotee’s of Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto Jones will rejoice with zeal at the BBC’s Radio Dramas. Gareth, along with John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Kai Owen and others lend their voices to: “Torchwood: The Lost Files, The House of the Dead,” “The Lost Files, Submission” and More Torchwood radio dramas are in the works! Enjoy!

      • Arthur

        At least “real Torchwood” lives on in the radio drama, because it definitely died with that monstrosity Miracle Day.

  • Banshee

    Well, having watched the first episode of Miracle Day, I can say that, whatever it is, it is not Torchwood as I know it. Torchwood was a British show, with British sensibilities and a lot of humour amidst the darkness. Torchwood was hope on the human race despite everything. Torchwood was pacy and shocking and stupid at times. While I can appreciate what a bigger budget could bring to a show that started small, I think the price paid was too high.

    For me, Miracle Day is nothing more than another American show, with sleek scenes and high budgets and beautiful people. And it’s not even a sci-fi show at that, as far as I’m concerned. “CSI Torchwood”, “shooting by numbers” and “24 with a hint of the X-files here and there” have been used to describe it. It’s too centered around American characters and American storylines for it to have anything left of the quirky, shadowy and sometimes plain stupid Welsh show I grew to love. No matter how good they make Wales look on screen with those aerial shots of the coastline.

    There were very few references to the show’s past, and those that were are obviously not designed to promote curiosity of new viewers about the previous series, but felt like a bone thrown to loyal fans who took this show from its obscure beginnings on BBC3 to primetime slot on BBC1.

    Also the fact that a) we had enough official spoilers to put together the plot and I’m not expecting any twists left to surprise me, b) the first episode felt like a remake of “Everything Changes” (Series 1 episode 1), and c) it’s airing in the UK a week later (so much for it “still being a British show”), it’s being utterly boring, predictable and unremarkable.

    The only one scene I save from episode one is Jack alone in that dilapidated room, still trying to protect everybody. Those 3 seconds of screen time was the closest to Torchwood I saw in that first episode.

    I’m fully expecting Gwen Cooper to take over everything from now on, and relegate Jack to the background in an attempt to keep him safe. I guess some people finally got what they wanted, but I lost an amazing show.

    • http://twitter.com/Nyrhalahotep Bryan Hardbarger

      A very eloquently written synopsis Banshee. I still count myself among those who want to continue enjoying Torchwood, massive changes aside.
      I miss the old cast, and Cardiff greatly. I hope that Torchwood will, at the very least once again return to Wales and attempt to regain the fire it had in the beginning. As a “glass is half full” type of person, I will waive any animosity I may have in hopes that the fans voices will be heard, and indeed, acknowledged.

      May Russel T. Davies hear the plight of his fans and return to Cardiff.

      • Banshee

        Given the contempt that Mr Davies has already demonstrated for the fans, I’m not at all holding my breath that he’ll ever take the show back. I hope those of you still enjoying the show get something got watching, but for me… Torchwood died a long time ago. 

        • http://twitter.com/Nyrhalahotep Bryan Hardbarger

          I am attempting to contact Russel for an interview, the contempt of which you speak will be on my list of questions for him.
          And may I offer my condolences, Banshee, I feel your pain. My Wife feels the same and it is quite disheartening.
          For everyone’s sake, I hope things change for the better, I hope you will at the very least give it another go. If indeed you decide to watch, and the Torchwood we all know and love comes to light, I will feel as if I had a part in bringing you back.Regards, Bryan

          • Banshee

            Well, good luck with that interview!

            I’m glad to find some understanding of my position regarding Miracle Day, it’s only too often those of us who are not happy with the direction of the show have to endure less than pleasant attitudes not only from members of the production team in interviews but also from other fans of the show who do little more than whirling accusations at us. I do appreciate your respect for both sides of the argument.

            About watching more of Miracle Day, I think episode 2 reaches The point at which lack of research of elements included in the plot makes me stop believing the concept as a whole. Someone once said that in order for your readers/viewers to believe the fiction, you must, as a writer, get the facts right, or explain why your facts are different from what your readers/viewers expect. While this is a problem in quite a fee shows nowadays, I, as a viewer, am more inclined to forgive these factual errors if the overall result is entertaining and enjoyable. In the case of Miracle Day, however, there are too many already, and we are only two hours in. Will I wTchthe rest? As an exercise on dissecting the writing so as to learn from other people’s mistakes, maybe. As a show that I can enjoy? Unfortunately not.

  • http://twitter.com/brionyjae Briony Jae

    I particularly liked the part in your article about the relationships in old Torchwood – this is exactly what I fell in love with. The characters, their complexities and interesting sides, and their relations with each other. I’m giving Miracle Day a chance because if RTD and team could create beautiful characters such as Ianto, Tosh and Owen, then I just have to trust they can do it again. I agree that’s it really to early to judge at this stage, but as long as people give it a chance, it should be okay.

    • http://twitter.com/Nyrhalahotep Bryan Hardbarger

      Thanks for you comment Briony! And I tend to agree, I still believe in RTD and his abilities. People lose faith so easily these days.
      There is… talk, of Russel’s indifference toward’s his fans. No one understands how difficult it is to take on all he has. Give him some credit for what he has done, and understand how busy he is.

  • TK

    Maybe they can make a season of the pre gwen team… as much as i love gwen it would be great to see the old gang together again battling aliens and what not.