TV News and Reviews

If you thought 13 episode Torchwood and Doctor Who series were too small, you’re in for a surprise. This year you’ll only get 7 episodes–total. That’s right, season 3 of Torchwood will be a five episode mini-series that will run all in one week on BBC, and then very soon after will air on BBC America. (That’s the good news for American fans!) There’s still no set air date for Torchwood’s new season, but the DVD is set for release in July, so obviously it’ll be airing some time before then. I’m trying not to read up on any spoilers for the “Children of Earth” miniseries, but will say that the offical poster over at FEAR.net looks pretty cool. (There’re also some good interviews with Eve Myles and the director at that link.)

As for Doctor Who, according to both Den of Geek and Outpost Gallifrey, the next “special” in David Tennant’s last season is set for Easter on BBC. Then it’s nothing until Christmas. The finale of Tennant’s Doctor likely won’t occur until 2010. This is a depressingly long wait for Doctor Who goodness, and with Torchwood slated for a mere five episodes in the first half of this year, it’s going to be a long summer, fall, and winter for fans of these two series.

Not that I’m in any hurry to see Tennant leave, but I would have preferred a real length final season for him. The only upside to the latest news about the specials is that the wonderful Lindsay Duncan (Rome, Under the Tuscan Sun, An Ideal Husband) will be appearing in the Christmas special.

Stay tuned for further developments/confirmations on air dates for both shows. When I know it, you’ll know it.

In honor of the upcoming season of Torchwood, I thought I’d share a few screencaps from the first season. One of the original goals of Torchwood was to be a racier version of Doctor Who. Sure, there are aliens and ghosts and threats to the entire planet, but there’s also a lot of flirting and sex. The fact that Captain Jack is omnisexual inspires the entire crew to be more flexible in defining their sexuality. Thus we get boy/girl flirtations right along with boy/boy and girl/girl. So there’s something for everyone.

While it does seem forced sometimes, subtextually shouting “look how progressive we are!” as the main characters explore their sexualities, it’s still refreshing to have a TV show with an anything-goes attitude. No mere hints of affection or fade-to-black scenarios. If two guys are going to snog, they’re really going to snog. We get a sense of real people enjoying the moment rather than two actors simply doing it for their “art”. And that makes it all the more tantalizing and enjoyable.

From season one, we have police officer Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles), getting a little wibbly over the mysterious Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) of Torchwood.
(*Click* pics for larger versions.)

The Torchwood team at work. And a glimpse of Captain Jack’s stunning height and shapely physique.

Owen (Burn Gorman) finds that the unauthorized use of a love potion gets him a few kisses he hadn’t bargained for.

Captain Jack shows Gwen how to use a big gun. Need I say more?

Gwen gets unexpectedly feisty with a seductive Torchwood prisoner.

This is the lovely honey Matt (Justin McDonald). As with Doctor Who, pretty boys on Torchwood are like the guys wearing red shirts on the original Star Trek. You know something bad is going to happen to them. (Or Captain Jack is going to make out with them. And then something bad will happen.)

He at least gets to have some fun first.

Jack and Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd) kisses are more common on Torchwood these days, but it was a novelty back in season one.

Captain Jack savors the latest in a long line of make-out sessions. I will try not to gush over his ridiculously flawless skin.

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Torchwood, “Everything Changes” and “Day One” screencaps, c2006, BBC Wales.

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