Torchwood

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I was disappointed that Indira Varma's character (pictured in the group photo above, second from the left) was present only for one episode.

(She was in season 1 of Rome as Niobe)





I've scanned through the first 6 episodes, and have not watched much of the remainder of the first season. I have to say that I've been disappointed so far--it can be rather cheesy (a problem which plagues some of the episodes of the new Who), and is not even close to the X-Files. Science-fiction has to have some measure of gravitas--if it doesn't take itself seriously, it undermines itself as science fiction; episodes (like the 2-episode "Satan" arc during the second season of Who) are more successful. Russell T. Davies definitely has an agenda with regard to promoting different sexual "lifestyles." His sense of humor is juvenile and I believe he has admitted that he has been heavily influenced by Joss Whedon, great scribe for adultlescent drama. (Alas, even the dialogue and acting in Firefly suffers from some measure of adultlescence.)

As for Captain Jack--I would have to watch the first season more carefully, and while his bisexuality seems to be displayed in full advocacy mode in the second half of the season, in the first half he is fine, reminding us of the "heroism" he is capable of as he exercises leadership for the Torchwood Cardiff group. The other characters are... the typical young adults populated TV shows, even if they are dealing with alien phenomena. And of course, since it's a BBC show, it's an endorsement of the new multicultural Britain--is Torchwood still committed to the creation of a new British Empire? Or is it just committed to the typical liberal goal of keeping people safe, and nothing more?

There's this tidbit about RTD and whom he would like to cast for Who, from a news post from Outpost Gallifrey:

According to Yahoo (via WENN) Britney Spears will be offered the chance to play a group of sex-mad aliens on sci-fi TV show Doctor Who. Russell T Davies, a fan of the pop princess, wants to take the series to Hollywood so Spears can make a spectacular cameo playing a cloned extra-terrestrial. Davies says, "I'd love Britney to do it - it would be so much fun. I'm not sure she'll come to Cardiff where the show is shot so I'm nagging the BBC to fund a Hollywood special."

How serious this quote was is unknown. The story first appeared in the UK tabloid the Daily Star, so perhaps we can place this story safely in the rumor department.

The rumor may just be that, but it would not surprise me if RTD is infatuated with pop culture. Some have complained about the references to The Weakest Link, and so on in the new Who. I think they're justified. Even if the old series did borrow from other sources, at least it tried to create an alternate universe with its own "mythology." At least the old series tried to have an air of intelligence. Too much of the new series is "find out who the Big Bad is, defeat or destroy the Big Bad" without much cleverness. (And this is due in large part to the limitations of the current format of 45 minute episodes.)

Perhaps an unbiased viewer would find the new Doctor Who cheesy as well (and there definitely are those moments), but for me it has various associations with the past series, both good and bad. Yes, there is nostalgia at work when I view the new Who more positively than Torchwood. Geeks are just looking for a place in the universe. But I'd also like to think that the new series has a real shot at greatness, if they'd only be more consistent in the writing and tone, and move away from being a Whedonesque fantasy/soap opera. (Get rid of RTD and his ilk!)

Then again, perhaps the old Who would fail with the audiences of today--the "classic" BBC restraint in story-telling is gone, replaced by an over-the-top emotional style (especially with the use of music).










Freema Agyeman as the new companion Martha. (Wallpapers)

Some other news about the upcoming season of Doctor Who:

One of Britain's best known actors, Sir Derek Jacobi, is to guest star in the forthcoming third series of Doctor Who, according to Thursday's Daily Mirror.

The tabloid paper also reveals the name of his character. Click on the spoiler box below to see the details. While the BBC have confirmed Jacobi's involvement, they have neither confirmed nor denied the spoiler which has resulted in much speculation in our forum.

While this is Jacobi's first appearance in televised Doctor Who, he has previously voiced the Master in the six-part animated BBCi webcast Scream of the Shalka, as well as taking a starring role in one of the Dr Who Unbound audio dramas for Big Finish in 2003.

The spoiler:

According to the Daily Mirror, Jacobi will appear as a "good guy" called The Professor who helps the Doctor and Martha to save Earth and the human race.

official confirmation