So I never got a chance to talk about Torchwood: Children of Earth on here. I watched it on August 1st as a reward for getting 1,700 words done. At the time I told myself that if I got 1,666 done a day, I’d have 50K done by the end of the month. If I knew then what I know now, I would have kept going while I was still in the groove because there were days when I couldn’t write a damn thing. Oh well, you live and you learn. Anyway, since it’s been out for so long, this review will be spoiler heavy, so don’t read it unless you’ve already watched it!
The Good:
Overall I thought it was really great. I mean, it’s Torchwood after all, so it has to be good. The slow build up with the children was great, and the 456 was creepy as heck. The whole storyline of Jack being blown to bits and regenerating was really cool. AND THEN OMG IANTO SAVING THE DAY WEARING A HARD HAT I ALMOST DIED. Seriously, that could possibly be one of my favorite moments ever. Just so unexpected and fun and harkened back to the earlier, lighter days of Torchwood.
I also really liked Lois and the whole government subplot. Being a miniseries really allowed them to get bigger and bolder, and I think this was the defining aspect of the government plot. The scenes where they were around the table deciding which children to sacrifice was both tense and excruciating, and I mean that in a good way. Being a miniseries also allowed them to fleshout some stuff like Jack having a daughter and grandson, and Ianto’s sister and brother-in-law, which I think added some necessary depth that we haven’t always gotten throughout the series.
And finally, I love the way Gwen Cooper slowly evolved throughout the series into a kickass action heroine. I mean, any woman who can fire two guns at the same time is pure awesome in my book.
The Bad:
While I love the fact that Torchwood can get dark, as in Countrycide and others, I think this got a bit too dark, and that it was done more for drama’s sake, rather than the actual storytelling. Did the government guy really need to kill his whole family? Couldn’t they just have run away? While it was a great scene (the way it went back and forth between him and his secretary) I just felt it was unnecessary, and that they only did it to get an emotional response from us. The same thing with the final resolution using Jack’s grandson. It just went a bit too far. There was really no other way? It just made the whole storyline of Jack having a daughter and grandson mean a little less because now you knew they only put it in there so Jack could sacrifice his grandson in the end.
And then there’s Ianto. Oh, poor Ianto. Again, the scene was impeccably done (“In a thousand years, will you remember me?”) but was it really necessary? Maybe I wouldn’t mind as much if we hadn’t just lost Tosh and Owen also, leaving the team already in shambles, but now there is only Jack and Gwen? And now Jack isn’t even around? It was just a bit too much, and at the end of the series, although the world is saved, it’s just too depressing. How do you come back from that? Even after Tosh and Owen died, you got a sense that things will go on, we’ll keep on going. But this you just got such a miserable feeling from, and with the show constantly hanging on the edge of cancellation, I want to make sure things get wrapped up properly!
Conclusion:
Like I said above, overall I think it was really great, despite the forced drama at times. But if we get a season 4, can we please return to some lighter times? I never thought I’d ask for standalone episodes (I loathe standalone episodes!) but I think I’m ready for some light Torchwood fun again!
Season 4 Dream Team:
Jack, Gwen, Martha Jones, Lois, PC Andy.
I think I read somewhere the Russell T. Davis, or whatever the producer/writer’s name is, signed already for season 4. But it will be very strange, no Ianto, no Tosh, no Ianto, no Owen, no Ianto, no hub, no Ianto, no Pterodactyl, no Janto make-out sessions. did I mention that Ianto will not be in season 4?
The thing with Russell is that he solves the problem with an out-of-the-blue solution in the last 5 minutes of his shows. And this was no different. I was hoping it would be different, but, alas, it wasn’t.
But that being said, I totally agree with you on most of your points. It was a hell of a lot of fun for so much of it, but a total bummer at the end. And they gave *no* indication of *anything* at the end. No hint as to what might happen next. No hope for anything. And that’s really unforgivable in my opinion.
And I totally cried when Ianto died. Seriously. I was a mess. Great dialogue during that scene that just tore my heart out, served it coffee, and left it bleeding on the floor.
But Polt’s totally right (even though I fought against his particular critique) — Torchwood could’ve been pulled out of “Children of Earth” and it wouldn’t have changed a damn thing.
I didn’t read any of this since I still wanna watch the show.
So I’ll come back at a later date and share my thoughts. lol
I agree with most of your comments. I didn’t have a problem with the drama and really enjoyed the ride. I really hated that they got rid of Ianto, that seemed to be unnecessary. I really don’t care about Tosh or Owen, but Ianto was a great character.
Craig: Who is PC Andy?
Gwen’s police friend:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood/images/s3/characters/pc_andy_446.jpg
PC Andy is the blonde kinda ditzy cop that follows Gwen around like a lost puppy dog.
Dave S. already mentioned what I’m gonna say here, but Craiggers this is my take on it: It was outSTANDing science fiction! I mean, the 456, and the kid in there with them, and..well, everything. BUT it wasn’t Torchwood. You could have totally removed the Torchwood characters, substituted generic never before seen characters, and it would have been the same. The team was totally reactive, and in fact, in one episode, they did nothing but sit around a warehouse and watch the minister talk to the aliens.
I was disappointed in it for the fact that they did really nothing and really weren’t crucial or even involved in, much of the main plot, until the last 5 minutes. Plus, the killing of Ianto was totally worthless, totally wasted, totally unnecessary. Just there to jerks some tears, it didn’t advance the plot, or character development or anything.
What will they do Season 4? What I’d like to see…
Jack returns after at least a year in outer space. Gwen has restarted the team on her own. She’s brought in Lois, Mickey (from Dr. Who) Martha Jones, if they can get her, and some body else (I don’t really want PC Andy there, as he’s a good foil for Gwen as he is now). They’re back in the Hub, because even though the upper are was blown up, the basements and the vaults go way underground and were bulit in the Victorian era when everything was built stronger, and reinforced over time. And things take up from where they left off.
But they’re gonna have to do something drastically different from this series 3, cause it really left a seriously bad taste in my mouth.
HUGS..
OK, now I know who PC Andy is.
Watching the miniseries was strange for me, because I thought each episode was less exciting than the previous one. I loved Epi 1, especially the cliffhanger ending with Jack being blown to bits and loathed epi 5 when the show just hit all heartstrings with jackhammers in a vain attempt to ‘up’ Ianto’s death at the end of epi 4. Ianto’s death was the last surprising twist in the last 3 episodes.
I like your series 4 scenario, Polt! Though I’m not a big fan of either Mickey or Martha, I could get over it.
I really really hope they get back into the Hub, though everything seems to point to moving to London, which would totally suck. I always liked them headquartered in Cardiff, which was such an unlikely location for a crack team of alien hunters.
Oh, which reminds me — I’ve been watching episodes of the 1967 Gerry Anderson series “Captain Scarlet” (in Super-Marionation!) on DVD and it’s remarkable how many parallels there are to Torchwood. Particularly when it comes to Captain Scarlet and Jack.
Polt, very good point about being able to replace the Torchwood characters with other characters. Never thought of that, but it’s very true.
Gotta watch Dr. Who so I can find out who Mickey is.
Dave S.: Not sure how the move to London would work, as the Rift goes through Cardiff. Did the 456 move the Rift? Or would the new Torchwood not be so concrened with Rift stuff? I too think they’d lost a lot by moving to London.
Craiggers: this is Mickey.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Smith
HUGS…
Craig: Watch Doctor Who.
Well yes, john, I should have said it your way, cause Craiggers DEFINITELY needs to watch Dr. Who. It rocks. I’m certain he could get all four seasons from Netflix, instead of buying them all like I did. But he needs to watch it.
hmmm…perhaps I should start a Dr. Who crusade like I did for Torchwood….
HUGS….
What’s the scoop with Dr. Who? I heard we’re getting a new one.
Polt, John was already kind enough to burn me all 4 seasons of Dr. Who. I just haven’t had time to watch them yet.
Polt: I like your synopsis for series 4 as well. I hope that’s the direction they take. I really thought after the end of series 4 of Dr. Who that Martha and Mickey were going to join Torchwood. I do think they’ll go back to Cardiff as the Rift was the basis for all the ET incursions.
Dave S.: How can you not like Mickey and Martha?! I love them. Although, I do have to say that I was a bit displeased with the direction they took her character after she left the Doctor and went to UNIT.
Craig: Yes, you should watch Dr. Who. It’s a bit more kiddie, but I think it’s loads of fun.
I do have to say that I felt the same way about killing Ianto. It seemed pointless. Maybe that WAS the point, but it still irritated me. Sad, yes. Needed, no. It was pretty crummy to introduce his family just so he could screw them over and alienate them forever. Nice meeting you…too bad we’ll never see you again. BUT, some Torchwood was better than no Torchwood.
Dave S.: Doctor Who is made of awesome. That’s about all you need to know. And yes, it is public knowledge that we will be getting a new Doctor for the next series, but I don’t think we know how the current Doctor will be leaving…
Dave S.: Yes, a younger one, I beleive. I’ve seen a photo of him in character (a bow tie…really?), but I don’t know his name. I’m trying NOT to read or see anything about it, cause I want it to be as big a surprise as possible when I see it.
Craiggers: Since this is a long, holiday weekend, I think you should commit yourself to getting through at least the first season of Dr. Who, since you have them all (way to go, john!). They’re only like 13 episodes a season or so. You’ll thank me later….if for no other reason than I got you to meet Cassandra sooner rather than later…that character cracks me up.
Phillip, I too totally thought Martha and Mickey were gonna be there too! But I guess since they couldn’t get the actress playing Martha, and they were planning on all out destroying Torchwood in Season 3, they didn’t want to include Mickey? Kinda glad they didn’t, now they can use him in Season 4.
HUGS…
If you have Netflix you can actually watch the first three seasons of Dr. Who on Instant Play (That’s how I got caught up, I am now watching season 4 on DVD). I am sorry to disagree but, I REALLY hope they don’t bring Mickey on board, even when they butched him up he was still to whiny for me.
I am going to say they make Rhys more of a real member of the team. He made a good balance to Gwen toward the end of season 3 when she started to become a little too hard-hearted. And they HAVE to bring Martha on full time, I love her!
And yes, killing Ianto was teh sux. Absolutely no point to it.
M. Nico: I get what you mean about Mickey, but I do wonder how he would be in a show that it geared to adults and in which he didn’t function as the foil.
Polt: I *LOVE* the Bitchy Trampoline! Did you catch her line about where and how she grew up?
John & Polt: Cassandra was such a great character, that role was really too much fun.
I loved that episode in season two in New New York, they really took the character through the whole range of humanity; uncaring bitch to… well I don’t want to spoil it for Craiggers. 
We’re only now working on series 1 of Torchwood (having watched the last 3 series of Dr. Who at least twice), but I’d sussed out what happened to Ianto thanks to certain people’s Twitter feeds. Never one to be bothered by spoilers, though, thanks for the review. I look forward to getting around to this one eventually.
john and M. Nico: Yeah, it was hilarious when Cassandra…interacted with Rose and the Doctor. Great acting!
Mel: Welcome to Torchwood! Enjoy the ride!!!
HUGS….
“It’s like living in a bouncy castle!”
I’d have to agree with a bit of what was said here already. Children of Earth was a great miniseries, but only a fair-to-middling Torchwood series. I just didn’t like the backseat role Torchwood took for dealing with most of the 456 menace.
I think a Season 4 would stay in Cardiff. Torchwood London went kablooey a few seasons ago in Doctor Who, and I don’t see it being rebuilt. I think all new characters would be introduced. The actress who plays Martha Jones is now on Law and Order UK, so it’s unlikely she would return, and without her, there’s no use for Mickey. Time to bring in some fresh people.
I love Cassandra! “Flatness costs a fortune.”
I don’t know if anyone watches the third series “The Sarah Jane Adventures”, but its next season starts up in October.
FDot: I haven’t seen it, but it is in my NetFlix queue. I understand it is the “kid friendly” Dr. Who, is it worth the watch?
FDot: I watched “The Sarah Jane Adventures”. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be back for another season.
M. Nico: I think TSJA is worth a watch. It has a bit of a different format that I’m not sure if I like, dislike, or am indifferent about. I like that it creates a continuum of how Who-verse characters deal with crises. It also provides a nice link to the original series. AND, who doesn’t love sonic lipstick?!
I felt much the same way after we finished it.
M. Nico: Philip pretty much says it. SJA is more kid-friendly, but it fits neatly into the Whoniverse. The episodes are only 30 minutes long, so it doesn’t take all that much time to watch.
You also have to be willing to suspend disbelief just a touch more, because, since SJA is geared a little younger, you have to believe that 13 year olds are capable of outsmarting aliens that The Doctor had trouble with.
Like ones from Raxacoricofallapatorius?
God I love that name.
Hey, I forgot to include this earlier, but I really felt that the Torchwood storyline in Children of Earth (backseat though it was) was really about the breaking of Jack. If you remember, he did nothing right. If he would’ve done something when he was first involved with the 456, they wouldn’t have come back. He totally misread the situation in the present and was the sole reason that Ianto was killed. He was ultimately to blame for his grandson’s death. Jack was a cocky, confident, devil-may-care swashbuckler turned into a mush of a man who no longer knows who he is, doesn’t know his place in the universe, and now realizes the grisly truth of what he’s truly capable of.
I just hope that plays into the beginnings of series 4, so this emotionally downer of a series wasn’t for nothing.
Raxacoricofallapatorius…even though the sound of them is something quite atrocius, if we call them loud enough we’ll always sound precious, Raxacoricofallapatious. Um-diddle-le-le, um-diddle-lie!
HUGS….
Dave S.: Agreed. I thought much of the series was about putting Jack in the crucible.
Oh, and I wasn’t surprised by Jack having a child. He mentions in his introduction that not only has he been a parent, but he has been pregnant as well.
Polt: LOL!
John: No, just the ones from Clom.
Good lord, this is the penultimate Puntabulous geekfest…
(love it!)
I’m so glad to be back. This is like home…
FDot: LOL! The only name I like more is Max’s full name.
It has been a while since a I saw the program (Craig: Try to watch this stuff sooner, so we can discuss it while it is still fresh in my mind!
).
I really liked the first few nights. Sometimes the standalone episodes of past seasons felt rushed, so I enjoyed the build up of the mini-series. I did not like that Ianto died. He and Jack were my favorite characters. I also did not like that Jack went to pieces once Ianto died. If an entity murdered my lover I would be deeply committed to destroying that entity with every last ounce of my being. I just feel like strength would come before weakness in that situation.
I also did not like that the solution was pulled out of nowhere at the end. The idea of sacrifice is important, but it just felt too simplistic the way it was done. The buildup in the series was great, but the end was weak.
I hope for another series. I wonder if there will be some way Ianto could come back? Perhaps, through his dalliances with Jack, Ianto was in some way, “infected”, with some of Jack’s immortality! Maybe even just enough for one resurrection! Just maybe…
Chris D.: A rift in space time passes right through Cardiff. I think it would be quite simple to bring an alternative universe Ianto through that Rift. Course, there IS the alternative universe prohibition from the Dr. Who series…but that’s been violated enough so that this isn’t an impossibiltiy.
Course, if they did do that, Ianto would probably be from the ‘opposite universe’ where he’s evil…and totally straight. And how much fun would THAT be?
HUGS…
I know nuffin’ about Torchwood…but damn, those dudez are pretty darn hermoso!
I just had a theory, not a good one, but a theory none the less. Contains spoilers for season one for those who haven’t watched.
Ianto pointed out at the end of “They Keep Killing Suzie” that gloves come in pairs in reference to the resurrection glove. Perhaps Jack is searching for the missing glove to use to bring Ianto back. He could wield the glove and bring back Ianto without dying.
A stretch I know, but I miss Ianto.
They already had and used the second glove, in the episode when he brought Owen back. So, unless the race that made them has three hands (which I suppose in Torchwood is entirely possible) that’s not an option.
HUGS….
I think the series suffered from the writers wanting Jack to be in a certain place at the end and forcing the plot into contortions to get there. Having Ianto die in a failed attempt to stop the aliens is fine, but there has to be some sort of plan.
PS – Doctor Who: Planet of the Damned is next in my queue!
I feel like everyone just thought Ianto was too attractive to die, and that they are all missing the fact that he needed to. If Ianto didn’t die Jack couldn’t move forward and he never would have killed his grandson. Ianto and Jack had stagnated there wasn’t much to add to the relationship. I kept thinking that some of Jacks unending lifeforce existed in his grandson and that he wouldn’t really die. Jack needed to make both sacrifices though to make up for doing nothing when the 456 first came. And as a whole i felt the mini series was more a commentary on feeling helpless when dealing with the government.
I dont really understand what people think would have been better in place of all the drama. Instead of the man shooting his family he buys them bunnies? The 456 gas doesnt kill but makes you horny and Jack and Ianto get in on for the cameras?
I also disagree that torchwood could have been removed and different characters added in would have made it the same. We identify with torchwood, we know that they are a powerful team, who at times are more powerful then the civil service and the government. Torchwood losing its control and being helpless was a giant theme i feel was needed to make the mini have an impact.
Series 4 should start out with just Gwen and whatever team she has assembled(I’m hoping for Lois, Rhys and a new male they flesh out backstory with later). Jack shouldn’t appear until later on, otherwise its too reminiscent of the start of Series 2. With the hub being destroyed i think that it should create extraordinary problems due to the rift being opened even larger.
anyway that’s my 2 cents.
Matthew: My problem isn’t that Ianto died but that he died as a result of a plan that had no path to victory. As far as I can tell, Jack’s plan was:
1. Verbally challenge 456.
2. ???
3. Profit.
I’d be fine with a desperate, one chance in a million plan that fails. No plan at all doesn’t cut it.
I’m sorry I didn’t read this before. I am extremely grateful that you got me hooked on this show because I LOVE it. But I have to agree with everything that you said about Children of Earth. Most of it was great but the rest – especially the end was too dark and depressing. The end really annoyed me too because they seemed to undue the whole theme they had about no sacrifice is acceptable. I also agree that it seemed like an excuse to get Jack to a dark place. I think all these shows are trying to be like the Dark Knight with Batman leaving at the end. Even Smallville is trying this by killing Jimmy Olsen and having Clark lose his faith in humanity. I hope they all straighten up soon. What’s fine for Batman is not for our other shows.