All Stories FeedTorchwood: Children of Earth
Whatever you have planned from next Tuesday to Saturday, cancel it. Torchwood is here.
In a very bold programming move the UK TV channel is fast tracking the third series to Australia merely hours after it screens in Britain. Unlike the previous two series, the third is structured as a mini-series event screening over five consecutive nights. If that isn’t incentive enough for you to plant yourself down in front of the television for the week, I don’t know what is.
‘Children of Earth’, as it is branded, veers toward epic storytelling. It begins ominously in Scotland in the 1960s, when a busload of children encounters an eerie light on a dark, country road. We know instantly that there are probably body snatchers, close encounters or child actors walking blindingly into a truckload of lights manned by a production crew. Either way, we’re hooked.
Fast forward to the present and what has been set up comes back to haunt us. Without warning, an ordinary day is interrupted when all the children on the planet freeze momentarily, before resuming their daily lives.
Most of the adults are too self-absorbed to notice this ripple in time, except the inner workings of government, and our faithful Torchwood team. It’s been some time since we’ve seen our beloved Institute, now manned by a mere three: Captain Jack (John Barrowman), his partner Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd) and Gwen (Eve Myles). But what they lack in numbers, they make up in further character development.
Ianto is now romantically entrenched with Captain Jack (even articulating his feelings when his sister bluntly asks, “Have you gone bender?”), while Gwen’s relationship with hubby Rhys (Kal Owens) will see him unwillingly drawn into the defence.
Unsurprisingly, the children are again stopped in their tracks, warning “We Are Coming”. Earth is about to be attacked.
Broadly mapped on a mini-series canvas, this tale is more measured than action-driven episodes. In an asylum we meet one man from that 1960s close encounter who mimics the children’s warning. Inside the offices of the government, a newly-employed administration assistant Lois (Cush Jumbo) begins to suspect authorities are targeting Torchwood. She serves as Gwen’s insider.
But Captain Jack is the reason we love Torchwood. With his dashing looks, contemporary lifestyle and matinee idol action skills, he faces his biggest challenge in this thrilling, expansive ride. Timeless fun.
Torchwood airs 8:30pm Tuesday – Saturday on UK TV and BBC HD.
- Previous post: Fiona’s dance card scratched?
- Next post: Mark Ferguson signs with Seven
Series 4 would have to be quite different from everything that’s gone before, since there wasn’t much left by the end of “Children…”!
Russell T Davies mentioned nothing about 4 already filmed. He told me he hopes it is approved for 4.
Was absolutely superb!!!
Wendy: Last I heard, there is a new series filmed and ready to go. The BBC were waiting to gauge response to this one first coz they promoted it to BBC1 so if it was popular, that would open the possibility of the new series going to BBC1, too.
Is there going tobe a series of torchwood after tonights final on uktv of children of earth
Jimmy this isn’t something I need to explain. It’s a good review for a good work.
again 4.5 out of 5! What’s the half star missing???
I am so, so, so excited. As a non Doctor Who fan, I find Torchwood to be almost like UK Buffy with its adult relationships, dark comedy and then there’s Ianto and Captain Jack to look at it. Even James Marsters guests spots with his horrible Spike part English, part American accent.
And placed conveniently at the end of my monthly quota, too. Thank you BBC
For those of us that don’t have UKTV or BBC HD pay access, I am sure the series will be available in the usual places, logo free and uninterrupted.
Love this show – it’s daring and unpredictable – bring it on!
Excellent Review David!
I’m really looking forward to this Torchwood mini series (or whatever it’s billed as).
I have cheated a little by setting my Foxtel IQ to tape it each night so that I can hopefully watch it all in one day.
yee haw, let the ride begin….cant wait for this one
oh what a great review, thanks David…. I’m so excited! Any idea if ABC2 will continue season 2 and this mini series directly after they’ve finished season 1?
I’ve got my PVR set! Just a pity Austar doesn’t get BBC HD but at least we have UKTV. I just feel sorry of those with no PayTV access…
I love this show. I will be ordering a DVD as soon as it becomes available.;-)
“We are coming”
I am ready.