Watching Doctor Who

Well, now that Torchwood series two is over in both the US and the UK I bring you the inevitable question. Which episode of Torchwood series two did you enjoy the most? I’m not asking which episode you felt was best written or best acted, merely a value judgment based upon your enjoyment. Were you mad about one of the Martha episodes? Did you particularly enjoy our trip to the department of backstory? Did you most enjoy the sleeper awakening? What shall it be? I’ve linked the list of episodes below to the reaction posts for each episode, just in case you need to jog your memory.

Torchwood Series 2:
1. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
2. Sleeper
3. To The Last Man
4. Meat
5. Adam
6. Reset
7. Dead Man Walking
8. A Day In The Death
9. Something Borrowed
10. From Out of the Rain
11. Adrift
12. Fragments
13. Exit Wounds

After due consideration, I’ve decided that Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was my favorite episode this time. It contained both action and mystery with a large dose of teamwork and foreshadowing. And really, it quite entertained me. A fish driving a sports car. Owen leaning out of the window to shoot at the fleeing vehicle. Jack returning just in time. Oh, and Captain John Hart. How can you go wrong with all that? My second favorite would have to be Something Borrowed. Not only was I vastly entertained by the whole thing, but it also contained one thing I adore in shows like these: our heroes dealing with the clueless general public. My friends call me The Earth Lobby for a reason. They had to retcon everyone for goodness sakes. Overall, I liked this series better than the last. It was a great deal more even.

Anyway, that’s my vote. Which did you choose?

Torchwood, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Something Borrowed

This is a Reference Post to help provide easier access to all of the Torchwood Series 2 Reaction Posts. Links to all of the Reaction Posts appear in order below. Yep. I have successfully reacted to every episode for series 2.

Torchwood Series 2:
1. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
2. Sleeper
3. To The Last Man
4. Meat
5. Adam
6. Reset
7. Dead Man Walking
8. A Day In The Death
9. Something Borrowed
10. From Out of the Rain
11. Adrift
12. Fragments
13. Exit Wounds

Reference Post, Torchwood, Reaction Post

Hello all. It occurred to me that things might be a little bit confusing in the Whoniverse at present considering the difference in premiere dates, etc. between the US and UK. There’s also the fact that we are trying to keep track of three shows at this point. So, here is a quick State of the Whoniverse checkup.

Doctor Who:

UK - Series 4 began on 5 April with Partners in Crime.

US - 18 April will see Voyage of the Damned premiere on the SciFi Channel. Partners in Crime is scheduled to follow on 25 April.

Australia - I hear that they are still waiting for the Christmas Episode.

Torchwood:

UK - Series two ended on 4 April. There are already rumours about series three, but nothing official.

US - It looks like episode 12 will be playing this Saturday on BBCAmerica, with the final episode following on the 19th.

The Sarah Jane Adventures:

UK - Series one is complete, and I hear that they are working on series 2, but no word as to when it will begin.

US - Series one will begin with Invasion of the Bane on 11 April on the SciFi Channel.

And that’s where we stand at this point. Anyone have the Torchwood or SJA information for Australia?

Doctor Who, Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures

This is the Reaction Post for Torchwood series 2: episode 13 - Exit Wounds.

Um…let’s just say that it’s a really good thing that Doctor Who starts tomorrow and leave it at that. For further ramblings on this episode, click past the spoiler barrier. Trust me when I say that you want to see the episode first. Yeah.

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Torchwood, Exit Wounds

Thank you so much for sticking with me while I’ve been ill, and a big welcome to all of the new folks stopping by. There’s lots to talk about, so let’s get started.

The BBC Doctor Who Site is planning a huge redesign, starting with the stuff for the new series and then working backwards. The new site is planned to launch on Wednesday, 2 April 2008, so keep your eyes peeled for that. Personally, I curious about the “new features” that they are adding.

Paul Whitelaw, who is obviously a fan of Doctor Who, from The Scotsman recently interviewed Russell T. Davies. They discussed Davies’ career, his firm commitment to entertaining the kids who watch Doctor Who, and how to stop smoking. Whitelaw did try to weasel some information about the upcoming series out of Davies, but to no avail. Thanks for trying, Paul.

Digital Spy is reporting that BBC Radio 4 is planning to air a Torchwood one-off story to coincide with the opening of the world’s biggest particle accelerator, located in Switzerland. This is scheduled to occur sometime this summer, and I’m quite curious to see what they’ll come up with. I’ll let you know when I hear more.

Louise Jameson, known to Doctor Who fans as the Fourth Doctor’s companion Leela, has picked up a new job on the BBC’s Scottish soap opera, River City. She will be playing a hairdresser by the name of Viv. Here’s hoping that it’s a long-term engagement, as apparently she’s quite enjoying Glasgow. She’s already enjoying herself more than during her stint on EastEnders.

Gareth David-Lloyd, Torchwood’s Ianto Jones, has his own website! So, if you’re curious about his band, or what he’s been up to, you might pop by and have a look.

Don’t forget! Doctor Who series 4 premieres in the UK at 6:20pm on Saturday, 5 April.

Image Source: The BBC Doctor Who Site

Doctor Who, The Scotsman, Louise Jameson, Gareth David-Lloyd

I heartily apologize for the interruption in service, and I’m glad to let you all know that my temperature is no longer 102.6F/39.2C. I guess I need a few trips in the TARDIS to strengthen my immune system. Do you think that the Doctor would believe that excuse?

Anyway…

Series 4 of Doctor Who will be beginning in the UK at 6:20pm on 5 April 2008 (with an episode titled “Partners in Crime“). Yes, that is Saturday. This coming Saturday. On Friday, 4 April, the last episode of Torchwood series 2 (”Exit Wounds“) will air. The wait is almost over, folks!

And speaking of Doctor Who series 4, the newest trailer (the “campfire trailer”) is up on the official site. Perhaps it’s just the resolution of my computer screen, but the videos over on the BBC site always seem a bit too small. So…I bring you the Youtube version.

Image Source: The BBC Doctor Who Site

Doctor Who, Partners in Crime, Torchwood, Exit Wounds

This is the Reaction Post for Torchwood series 2, episode 12: Fragments. Before I even begin, let me say that I enjoyed this episode. It answered quite a few questions. The next episode isn’t until 4 April 2008 in the UK, which is, perhaps by design, the day before the new series of Doctor Who is set to start.

Anyway, my usual brand of disjointed reactionary ramblings can be found past the spoiler barrier. Please hold while we transfer you to the department of backstory…

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Torchwood, Fragments

This is the reaction post for Torchwood series 2, episode 11: Adrift. Bit of a tear-jerker, this one. Not bad as far as Chris Chibnall scripts go, though. What did you think about this episode? If you are interested in my usual brand of random reaction post, click past the spoiler barrier.

You know you want to…

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Torchwood, Adrift

The Sarah Jane Adventures will premiere in the USA on Friday, 11 April 2008 at 8pm (7 Central) on the SciFi Channel!

Series four of Doctor Who will begin in the USA on the SciFi Channel on 18 April 2008, according to the schedulebot. Still no official word on the UK premiere, as the official site still says “Spring 2008.” (The internet rumours still say sometime around Easter…which is coming up soon.)

The Torchwood Archives by Gary Russell is now listed over at Amazon.co.uk. No word yet as to when it will actually be available, but you can pre-order it already. Yay for the official book! Yet another thing to add to my want list.

The eagle-eyed Gillian from Food History passed along an amusing little article that she found online. It purports to be an early rehearsal from David Tennant’s run as Hamlet. It doesn’t matter either way, as “Doctor Who and the moody Dane” will give any Shakespeare fan a good giggle. Thanks for the link, Gillian!

In a recent SFX magazine article, Russell T. Davies said that Doctor Who was on the twenty year plan, and that this upcoming gap year was planned from the start. (Digital Spy quotes some of the article here.) Hey, I could go for twenty years of Who. Here’s hoping.

Image Source: BBC - The Sarah Jane Adventures

The Sarah Jane Adventures, Doctor Who, The Torchwood Archives, Gary Russell, Food History, Doctor Who and the moody Dane, Russell T. Davies

This is the Reaction Post for Torchwood series 2, episode 10: From Out of the Rain. This episode was written by Peter J. Hammond, who wrote Small Worlds from series one. I feel that I should have perhaps watched this episode from behind the sofa, as it was on the freaky side. Anyway, my rambling thoughts on this episode are behind the spoiler barrier. Come and tell me what you thought of this one.

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Reaction Post, Torchwood, From Out of the Rain

This is the Reaction Post for Torchwood series 2, episode 9: Something Borrowed. So, what did you think of the episode? My usual long meandering thoughts on the topic are past the spoiler barrier.

You know that you want to click…

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Reaction Post, Torchwood, Something Borrowed

This is the late, but just in time, Reaction Post for Torchwood series 2, episode 8: A Day in the Death. This is the last in a three episode story arc. …And three interesting episodes they were. What did you think? Have an opinion or favorite scene? Coma and discuss it with me beyond the spoiler barrier.

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Reaction Post, Torchwood, A Day in the Death

I welcome you all to a new week with the news that I have my computer back. Yay! Hopefully I’ll get everything back on track here soon. In the meantime, here is the first question that I’ve asked in a couple of weeks. Think back, if you will, to Torchwood series one. Who is your favorite Torchwood series one Scriptwriter? Do you like Chris Chibnall’s many scripts? Perhaps you preferred Helen Raynor’s Ghost Machine? Which of the nine series one scriptwriters do you think did the best job with what they offered? As usual, I have a list for you to peruse.

The Torchwood Series One Script Team:
1) Russell T. Davies (Everything Changes)
2) Chris Chibnall (Day One, Cyberwoman, Countrycide, End Of Days)
3) Helen Raynor (Ghost Machine)
4) P. J. Hammond (Small Worlds)
5) Toby Whithouse (Greeks Bearing Gifts)
6) Paul Tomalin/Dan McCulloch (They Keep Killing Suzie)
7) Jaquetta May (Random Shoes)
Catherine Tregenna (Out of Time, Captain Jack Harkness)
9) Noel Clarke (Combat)

This was actually a really easy one for me. There were things I loved about several of the scripts, but I felt that Toby Whithouse’s Greeks Bearing Gifts was the best of the lot. If only Toby had done more scripts. Sigh. He managed to give all of the characters interesting screen time. That’s not easy in an ensemble show like this. We even learned new things about Jack. All in a Tosh-centric episode.

So…who is your pick?

Torchwood, Russell T. Davies, Chris Chibnall, Helen Raynor, P. J. Hammond, Toby Whithouse, Paul Tomalin, Dan McCulloch, Jaquetta May, Catherine Tregenna, Noel Clarke

Freema Agyeman arrives at the Elle Style Awards, 12 Feb 2008.

So…above is your pictorial news of the week. Now, here’s the rest of it…

News, Rumours, and Randomness

Recently, AfterElton interviewed Gareth David-Lloyd about Ianto’s relationship with Captain Jack, among other things. If you don’t mind some spoilers for series two of Torchwood, you might pop by and give it a read.

Speaking of interviews, About.com’s SciFi/Fantasy Guide has a four page long interview with Naoko Mori up. It isn’t particularly spoiler-y, though it does give away something about an episode later on in series two of Torchwood. I already knew about it, so chances are you all have, too.

Truth or Rumour? Now Magazine is reporting that John Barrowman will be appearing in the finale of Doctor Who series four. Remember that the finale is three episodes long once again. This isn’t a new story. Barrowman’s possible reappearance on the mother ship show has been rumoured for quite some time. At this point, though, I’m beginning to think that this is the truth. I guess we’ll see.

Christopher Eccleston has only good things to say about a theater company for people with learning disabilities called Celebrity Pig. In fact, he’s become one of their patrons. Good on him.

Torchwood gets its own Convention! You’d expect it to be in Cardiff, but no…it’s in London on 26 April. Is anyone planning on being there?

Gareth David-Lloyd, Torchwood, Naoko Mori, John Barrowman, Doctor Who, Christopher Eccleston, Celebrity Pig

Ever so slowly, I am catching up. I’m only one episode behind now. This is the Reaction Post for Torchwood series 2, episode 7: Dead Man Walking. This is the second episode in a three episode long roller coaster ride. Ready for my rambling commentary? Let’s discuss, shall we?

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Torchwood, Dead Man Walking