Doctor Who

Originally posted by Spectral Knight Originally posted by Blackcyclops . And that fact that sexual orientation isn't treated like a big deal, I LOVE THAT. ...and yet that is one of the most annoying parts of some Torchwood. Russel T Davies' insistence on making everyone essentially sex-addicts.

I haven't gotten that far in (thanks for spoiling Spectral LOL) but I did notice its very different than Dr. Who. That first episode when that one guy used that pheromone spray...that was essentially date rape.

I don't think Torchwood has ever figured out what it wants to be, really. The first series was fun, but not great. The second was darker and better dramatically. Then everything changed with Children of Earth which wasn't remotely fun, but very very good. Then Miracle Day, which tried to make the show american, make it both rompy and massively serious, and, in my opinion, didn't succeed.
I'm not sure where it's going to go from here really

I think my problem with Torchwood Jack is that he's, I don't know, static. He wears the WW2 gear all the time, because now it's sort of iconic of him, but in his first appearance he was only wearing it as a disguise, he changed clothes with each different place he visited with the Doctor (albeit it was only 3 stops before being abandoned).

Then his sexuality, he gets written as pretty much exclusively homosexual in Torchwood, it's not necessarily a bad thing, I enjoyed his relationship with Ianto, but in his first appearance he was meant to be this future pansexual, he should be flirting with both the female, male and alien characters equally. I liked the idea of someone coming from a time where gay/straight didn't exist anymore it's just whatever you want. A fantastic example is Captain John Hart (James Marster's character). Regardless of the quality of season 2 of torchwood, that first episode was great.

The Master is indeed amazing, season 3 is probably the best season finale in my oppinion.


Edited by Wolfthomas - 06-Nov-2011 at 12:55am

Capt. Jack Harkness is one of the best additions to the DW Universe in quite awhile. Time Lords may have an extended life span due to regenerations, but Jack is the first real immortal (Watch the classic series episode 'The Five Doctors' to see what happens when a Time Lord seeks true immortality like Jack's).

Thus his relationship to the Doctor is unique as evidenced by the fact that being near to or even seeing Jack is an annoyance for the Doctor because he is a fixed point in space & time. Even the TARDIS feels the same way. (Jack's ride on the exterior of the TARDIS towards the End of the Universe is reminiscent of the DW comic arc 'The Tides of Time' featuring the Fifth Doctor wherein a supporting character does the exact same stunt, although with better results. Quite happy to see it repeated here).

Jack is quite the swashbuckler too along with con man, romantic, and secret agent. Torchwood is a more serious look at the DW Universe, but the first season does suffer as the show struggles to figure it's own identity.  But I do like Jack's intentions on trying to emulate the Doctor's helpfulness and good deeds.

For the record, Children of the Earth is one of the best sci-fi shows I've ever seen. Really, really hits you in the guts and never let goes. Really liked Gwen's monologue speech, I think at the beginning of Episode 3 or 4, where she speaks of the Doctor, how Jack has spoken of him before, that if he is so good, where is he now when Humanity needs him the most? Really highlights the differences and perceptions of certain central characters, overall terrific mini series.

Nod to the classic series - when the Master first boards the USS Valiant (before killing the President) he offers his wife some jelly babies, a terrific shout-out to Tom Baker, the Fourth Doctor, who made a similar habit with the candy throughout his run.


Tennant really is an amazing Doctor. His range of emotion, from frantic manic energy to stark serious deadly warrior to somber suvivor is quite remarkable. The Time War is a new conceit to the overall show and Tennant portrays a wounded, scarred, powerful survivor very well.

Love Donna Noble. Not so much a romantic interest, but more of a best mate friendship. She grew and matured so well over this season. Keep an ear out for the delightful running joke of various people mistaking them for being married or together that way.

River Song is pretty cool, it's true. I loved the Doctor and Donna being friends more than anything else. And whilst I disliked the character at the start of the series, by the end of the Season I was completely in love with her

Midnight was an amazing episode, both in terms of dramatic story and acting. The Doctor's usual excitement over the strangeness and horror around him turns against him here and nearly gets him killed. Tennant gives an outstanding performance here, I'd rank this performance right up there with the Part 2 of the Family of Blood story (where he's conflicted over remaining human and becoming himself again)

Nod to the classic series - the aged Professor in this episode is played by the son of Patrick Troughton, the Second Doctor.

Past nod to the classic series - I take it you've seen the Doctor's Daughter episode. If so, Jenny is played by the daughter of Peter Davison, the Fifth Doctor.

If you don't love Donna after Turn Left, then there's no hope for you.

All that sets up for the AMAZING season finale.  Lots, lots of fun.

The Family of Blood two parter was bloody fantastic. And written by Paul Cornell, who did the Wisdom mini and the shortlived Captain Britain and MI:13 series, and a few other bits, but is now DC Exclusive, I believe.

Turn Left is one of my favourite Doctor Who episodes. Ever.

Well i love Jack...I would prolly date him if he came on to me LOL...the man's magnetic.

Okay ended series 4...yeah that finale was like an event LOL...had a crossover, dangling plots resolved, and left room for a new story LOL...this was Doctor Who's Muir Island Saga LOL

So i'm starting series 5 (just watched the first 2 episodes)...I'm not sure about this Doctor 11. The Tenth Doc was with me so long and he was such a bundle of emotions: one minute contemplative, the next pensive, then the next elated with joy (Allonsy is my new catch phrase btw). This new Doc seems to want to cut himself off from that pass pain. Not sure how I see him yet as a person, but I'm definitely interested. I'm curious about this Silence thing and the Pandorica and what is cracking the space/time.

I like RIver...she's strange and I like that...

I watched all but the day of the dead, I think that's the name. They were very good. End of Time made me cry, I won't lie LOL

I will keep that in mind...

Favorite villains for everybody? I'm a fan of the Daleks just because they are kinda funny looking and "EXTERMINATE" is hilarious. But I'd say the Weeping ANgels genuinely frighten me.

Amy Pond has actually been my favourite companion of the revival, particularly in the latest series. I loved Tennant's Doctor, and while Tate as a companion gave him a shot in the arm, by the tme of the closing specials he was running on empty a bit - we'd seen too much from him in (arguably?) too short a time and his bouts of anguish were becoming too frequent. The 11th Doctor has still stayed rather calm and measured, for the most part, so am waiting for things to really heat up and see the dark side of him really.