If you know a Torchwood fan—and as dweeby as we are, you assuredly already know whether you do—they’ve practically been hyperventilating over Children of the Earth because no one in this country has seen a new Torchwood episode in well over a year. At any rate, if you do know such a tortured soul, do not tell them I told you this: I’ve already seen the whole thing. That’s right, I stayed up way past my bedtime a week ago Sunday night watching the screeners, thinking of course that I’d savor them, and watch an episode a night. No such restraint. I ended up marathoning the whole thing, completely mesmerized. The not-too-spoilery backstory is that while all of the world’s children suddenly freeze at precisely the same moment, the British government puts an officially sanctioned hit on the Torchwood team members, for reasons unknown. It’s all very How-can-Torchwood-save-us-if-they-can’t-save-themselves? But the real intrigue, the SPOILERY stuff folks will be talking about, is Capt. Jack. The character’s always lacked, well, character. He couldn’t walk the straight and narrow if he tried, so it’s probably for the best that trying doesn’t even occur to him. Still, he’s always come across as largely harmless. No more. The stuff we find out about our beloved charming wag is stunning and will completely shift our perception of him.
I won’t say more, both because I don’t want to ruin it, but know this: Torchwood: Children of the Earth airs tonight at 8pm on BBC America. Any of you excited?
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Your review has me intrigued. But will I be completely lost if I’ve never watched an episode of Torchwood?
DB: No! I’d only ever seen two other episodes of TW before I saw CoE. Look at it as a five hour mini-series movie and you’ll be fine. It’s insanely great TV.
Alynda: Uh, yeah. What we found out about Captain Jack? Yikes! I am still not sure where I stand on it.
anything that deals with Doctor Who I’m game!! I wish I had BBC America though. I gotta see it online!!
I’m beyond the beyonds with excitement for this series! I am still disappointed that they’re only doing 5 eps this time around as opposed to a full run, but it sounds like the show isn’t lacking anything. Hopefully this won’t be the last we see of Capt. Jack and crew.
Oh Alynda, I usually agree with your take on things, so I’m doubly psyched for this to start tonight!!!
Yay! Finally, Torchwood! We are ready to watch a marathon of Torchwood. Thank goodness for DVR, so we can watch the show over and over again. And, it looks BBC America has lots of extra info, both before and after each night’s episode.
I’ve already seen it, but I’ll be watching it again on BBCA. You don’t even need to know anything about Torchwood to enjoy it, except perhaps one thing: Jack is immortal, because of reasons too complicated to explain here.
Aside from the main cast who survived the last Torchwood season, the supporting cast of this miniseries is excellent. Above all, Children of the Earth is thought-provoking drama. Don’t miss it.
I am very much looking forward to this. I tripped across an episode during season 2 on BBC America and was immediately hooked. It was so sad when they killed off Tosh and Owen.
I have read several reviews and have seen some of the major spoilers on YouTube. Still this will be an awesome miniseries.
Oh I am most definititely excited about this one. I am more excited about this show than any other show this season. (I have missed the Captain!).
I’ve read elsewhere that BBC America is releasing the DVD version of Children next week. With extras. Now why can’t the US networks release their shows in such a timely manner?
I’ve seen it, and it was phenomenal! It really pushes the boundaries of television and makes you think. I will give a warning: to those who are kind of sensitive to issues with children, this will kick you in the gut a few times. I spent most of the last two episodes in tears.
Pretentious silliness for the masses that takes itself waaaay too seriously. The way it handles some of its themes is beyond childish.
Still, better that what the show’s done so far. But I think everyone is getting a bit too excited with this one.
I have seen the entire mini-series already, and I will add that it completely eschews the silliness and light tone that some prior Torchwood episodes have had. These episodes get very dark and very grim, and I mean that in the best way possible. Stellar supporting cast, too.
I’m wondering, are BBC America shows eligible for any of our US awards – Emmys, Golden Globes, etc? From the reviews I’ve read, this is the tv event of the season and I wonder if our US awards can even recognize it?
Frankly, I hated it. The script is careless and manipulative, and, worst, falls back on the same old hated homophobic tropes used since the 1950’s. If you’re into the show for Jack, you might like it. If you like the show for Ianto, you’re not going to like it one bit. It’s extremely dark – too dark for my taste.
I’ve seen the entire mini-series, too and I was completely blown away. I mean seriously freakin’ BLOWN AWAY. Out of the five hours, I must have spent 4 1/2 on the edge of my seat, mesmerized and enthralled. Hands down this is “that show” that not only cements Captain Jack Harkness as a three-dimensional character, but proves that Torchwood is not afraid to tackle stories and issues most “soft” science fiction shows eschew.
On a scale of 1-10 T:CoE gets an easy 12.