Going Deeper Into "Deep Breath"

Article first published as 'Doctor Who' Review - Season Premiere: 'Deep Breath' on Blogcritics.

Finally! The long-anticipated eighth season of Doctor Who is upon us with “Deep Breath.”  Ever since watching the 11th Doctor’s (Matt Smith) touching goodbye in last year’s Christmas special, fans eagerly (and somewhat impatiently) have awaited the arrival of the 12th Doctor (Peter Capaldi, The Thick Of It, World War Z). Up till now, we’ve 0nly glimpsed him in the holiday special, and, even more briefly, last fall’s 50th anniversary tribute. Now, we get to meet him in all his glory as he takes over the legendary role.

The opening of “Deep Breath,” is terrific. Whether it makes sense or not, a dinosaur walking about Victorian London makes for a cool visual, and so much more. The beast and its relationship with The Doctor, and its eventual tragic death (which tugs at the heartstrings) plays well, and in unexpected ways. We can always count on Doctor Who to deliver both wonderment and pathos, and this opening does that. But, I would like to know how the TARDIS ended up inside the dinosaur’s throat!

In his first appearance as The Doctor, Capaldi gets an A. We still don’t know exactly what kind of Doctor he will make, acting crazy for most of the installment, but he plays the eccentricities so well, it’s clear his more settled version will be good, too. Capaldi’s antics in “Deep Breath” echo past Doctors, in particular Matt Smith and Tom Baker, letting us know the character audiences have been watching for half a century is still in there. His comments about needing more “round things” in his TARDIS will surely please those who are fans of the original series runs. Capaldi is a fan himself from way back, and apparently has internalized those past Doctors, which resonates in his performance.

There are hints of what we might expect of this new Doctor, especially when he is calm enough to stand still for a second. This new version intrigues me, but also makes me wish for Smith’s return. Every time there is a new Doctor, there’s a certain adjustment period for fans, and it’s not easy to jump right back in with someone else. That’s why the first episode of the new series frequently takes time for the character to ‘adjust,’ and “Deep Breath” does that even more so than past versions. It’s very transitional, and that can be unsettling, but as I trust Steven Moffat, the show runner, because of his past track record with Doctor Who, I’m confident in saying this one will likely be good, too.

Because The Doctor is crazy, “Deep Breath” has to rely more on his companion, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), to drive the episode. Other companions, even brand new ones, have done a good job of this (Rose Tyler, Amy Pond), but Clara, who had already appeared in several episodes with the previous Doctor, doesn’t. I find her annoying and grating, assuming many of the worst things about her that Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh) does this week. Unlike the lizard lady, though, I am not sold by the end. I’m not sure what it is about Clara that bugs me, but there’s something there that doesn’t feel as nice and sweet as the other main characters of the past, and I look forward to her departure.

That being said, The Doctor clearly does value her. The surprise scene near the end of “Deep Breath,” in which The Doctor (Smith’s version) calls her as he is dying to ask her to help out with the new guy is touching. We see the bond between Clara and the 11th Doctor, what they mean to each other. Only the 11th could convince her to stay with the 12th. The way the 12th Doctor plays this scene, also helps carry that relationship into the new series, as we see Smith and Capaldi as the same person here. In an hour-plus where The Doctor is so unrecognizable, it’s good Moffat chose to ultimately smooth the transition.

Despite my objections to Clara, I don’t accuse her of everything Vastra does, specifically that she is upset by the new Doctor’s appearance because he’s older and less attractive to her. I believe Clara when she is genuinely worried the grey hair is a sign of something deeper being wrong inside, and I think she’s onto something. The Doctor also asks why this face has been chosen, and it remains a mystery. I hope it’s tied into one of Capaldi’s past Who-verse characters, perhaps his part in the Torchwood: Children of Earth, since it was such a notable role. Even if it doesn’t, I do think we’ll find out in time why The Doctor looks old now. There is definitely something to this.

I mentioned Vastra before, and she isn’t the only returning favorite to Doctor Who. Often, when a new Doctor begins his tenure,  past connections and relationships are forgotten. None of the 10th’s old companions play into the 11th Docotor’s run (except in the 50th anniversary special). However, Vastra, Jenny (Catrin Stewart), and Strax (Dan Starkey), like UNIT before them, don’t really ‘belong’ to one Doctor. They are their own group, The Paternoster Gang, one that deserves a spin-off, or, at the very least, repeat appearances for years to come, no matter who is in the title role.

Strax is my favorite of this trio, hilarious as ever. Whether hitting Clara in the face or trying to take her clothes (since she’s not wearing a coat), his naivety is a major selling point. When he slips and says something about pouring acid on The Doctor, it isn’t malicious. And when he fails to enter a room as gracefully as his companions, well, at least he tries. He’s a cartoonish personality, but one with a sweetness and authenticity to him that just makes him grab attention every time he’s on screen.

Vastra and Jenny are good, too, though, and “Deep Breath” takes their development a step further. Their relationship has been firmly established in the past, but every time we spend some time with them, we see another facet. The scene in which Vastra is working and Jenny is posing, wrongly thinking Vastra is painting her, is excellent. Even better, when it seems Vastra and Clara are flirting and Clara gets in a good dig, Jenny whoops triumphantly. Their partnership does not always seem to be one of equals, Jenny posing as Vastra’s maid in private as well as public, and when Jenny gets a leg up and feels superior for even a second, it makes them seem more realistic as a couple. The dynamic works for them, and it’s one rich enough to play around with.

Now, Doctor Who is sort of a procedural, even though it has strong serial elements, and “Deep Breath” is no exception to that. There is a case-of-the-week in the clockwork robots, similar enough that they are probably the same breed as the ones in the fan-favorite episode “The Girl in the Fireplace,” which are harvesting people’s organs. I don’t particularly care for these guys because they’re not malicious and they have nothing against The Doctor personally. Even if they discovered he knew of their schemes, I’m not sure they’d go after him. Instead, they are machines doing what they are programmed to do, which to me is less scary than other foes.

There is one frightening moment in “Deep Breath.” The Doctor and Clara are down in their lair, and The Doctor abandons Clara, saying there’s no sense in both of them dying. As much as I want to be rid of Clara, having The Doctor complicit in her death wouldn’t work because of the effect it would have on him when he comes to his senses. I didn’t really think The Doctor would abandon her, but since he isn’t himself here, one never quite knows. The terror comes in the potential cost for The Doctor, not in any death itself.

Much better than this one-shot is the mystery at the end of “Deep Breath.” We are introduced to Missy (Michelle Gomez, Bad Education), who claims to run the promised land, as she escorts the main clockwork guy (Peter Ferdinando, Snow White and the Hunstman), last seen impaled and dead, into her garden. She’s creepy, refers to The Doctor as her ‘boyfriend,’ and is definitely demented. Why does she want Clara and The Doctor together if she loves The Doctor? Why does she send them both into danger? Who is she and what does she mean for this eighth season?

Popular theories popping up online have her as the TARDIS, which has called The Doctor its boyfriend in the past, or a regeneration of River Song or The Master, both of whom have been crazy and bent on killing The Doctor at one time or another. I love River Song dearly, though, and Alex Kingston, who plays her. I can’t imagine the show would ruin her, and besides, her quest of murder has already been done. The Master seems the most likely of these three theories based on the personality Missy exhibits alone, but I predict she’s something else entirely, quite likely someone we’ve never seen before.

There are a couple of clues that could point to an answer, or may just be red herrings. There is character named Missy in the Cybermen-fueled episode of season seven, “Nightmare in Silver,” who is seemingly killed by them. Moffat has started the season eight is building to a huge two-part Cybermen showdown. Coincidence? Missy also calls her home ‘heaven’ and The Doctor has just died. Might she be trying to escort him into the ‘afterlife’?

Overall, “Deep Breath,” while somewhat dragged down by being too Clara-heavy and containing a mediocre monster, has enough gems hidden within to entice one to tune in for the rest of the series. I doubt it will rank among my favorite episodes, which is a shame, but it doesn’t totally fail, either. I’m almost as anxious as I was a week ago to find out what kind of Doctor Capaldi will be, and I guess that compulsion to watch again is the goal of any television series.

Doctor Who airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America.

'Torchwood: Miracle Day' now on Blu-ray and DVD

Last summer, Starz brought BBC's Torchwood back for a fourth series with Torchwood: Miracle Day. A true British/American continuation of the popular U.K. series, the 10 episode season was filmed partially in Hollywood. This week, Torchwood: Miracle Day was released on Blu-ray and DVD in a four-disc set. 


Torchwood: Miracle Day asks the question, what happens if everyone on Earth stops dying? When that actually happens, it prompts Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) to return to Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles), and together, they travel across the Atlantic to the United States, where they team up with the should-be-dead CIA Agent, Rex Matheson (Mekhi Phifer), and his colleague, Esther Drummond (Alexa Havins). Actually, Rex forces this union, but that's just semantics, as Jack is always in charge.

With Torchwood staffed again, they track the cause of this disaster to stop it. And "not dying" is definitely a huge disaster; when no one dies, resources quickly become scarce. The only one who seems able to die now is the previously-unkillable Jack. Governments across the globe have their own (very unpleasant) ways of dealing with the crisis, including rounding up and incinerating the should-be-dead victims. Jack and company decide that balance needs to be restored, with nature instead of bureaucracy making the decisions, and they set out to do so.

Meanwhile, Oswald Danes (Bill Pullman) rises and falls in popularity. Spared from execution just as the "miracle" begins, Oswald becomes an inspirational celebrity. He travels the country, spouting new found belief in "the miracle," aided by sleazy publicist Jilly Kitzinger (Lauren Ambrose). That is, until his benefactors turn on him. And, of course, there is more going on here than meets the eye.

Torchwood is beloved by many of its fans for the relationship between Jack and Gwen. It is present here, just as it had been left at the end of series three. Jack still has to compete for Gwen's attention with her adoring husband, Rhys Williams (Kai Owen), and their baby. But Jack does have the lure of an otherworldy threat around him, and she lives for that danger. The two men in her life accept that Gwen is going to choose both the danger and the stable marital relationship.

Some fans complain that Miracle Day is not as good as the other three Torchwood series. This may be at least partially attributed to the new, global settings and characters. This adventure is still Torchwood in tone and feel, but the new locales and characters are actually quite nice, growing the established world in exciting and unexpected ways.

The moral question of this story is one that cannot be overlooked. Torchwood: Miracle Day asks viewers to put on a value on life. When is it OK to kill someone? What if they don't have to die? How can the species be saved when there is not enough food to go around? Who gets to make these decisions? Who holds the decision makers accountable?

There are also elements of acceptance. Once society is made aware of the horrors their leaders are carrying out, and convinced that there is nothing they can do about it, what will people agree to live with? And where will they turn? These questions and a lot more are posed, but there aren't really answers provided. Not all of the characters agree on what the responses should be. Audiences are tasked with thinking for themselves, always a hallmark of great television.

Instead of grouping all of the features on the last disc, Torchwood: Miracle Day spreads out the extras over all four. On disc one, character profiles are presented for Jack, Gwen, Oswald, and Rhys, totaling about ten minutes in length. They give a little background, as well as explaining some of the motivations in this series.

Disc two has a sixteen minute look at the special effects of Miracle Day. This takes fans behind the scenes at some of the most exciting sequences, including Rex's impalement and Gwen shooting down the helicopter. A lot of green screen and computer-generated imagery is used, to great effect. It is a testament to the talents of the effects crew just how real much of this looks in finished form.

The third disc boasts a half hour 'Behind the Scenes' featurette. Several of the cast reminisce about the infamous helicopter scene, which no one can seem to get enough of. Myles and Phifer gives some insight into what it's like filming across the pond from their norm. Sets are explored, with various elements and connections pointed out. Plot arcs are discussed at length, and actors are praised for their terrific work on the series. Plus, explosions!

Finally, the fourth disc in the set has almost eight minutes of deleted scenes, as well as the "Web of Lies" motion comic written by Jane Espenson and Ryan Scott. The comic follows Gwen in 2007 as she searches for a missing Jack, and has some of the origin story of Miracle Day. In a second story, set during Miracle Day, a young woman (Eliza Dushku) follows the clues her gunned-down brother leaves for her to uncover a startling secret concerning the Miracle.

Blu-ray is a must for Torchwood: Miracle Day. As a sci-fi series, there are a lot of special effects. "The Blessing" alone screams to be seen in high definition. The look just won't be the same on a regular DVD. The colors, especially the blacks, are presented as deep and rich. The details are amazing. The pictures is crystal clear in 1080i. A 5.1 DTS surround sound adds to the experience, with a great mix. The music never overpowers, and dialogue can always be clearly heard. Many of the special features share the visual, but not the auditory, high definition experience.


Will there be a fifth series of Torchwood? One can only hope, as no further adventures have been ordered yet. But for the present, tide yourself over with Torchwood: Miracle Day, on sale now.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Article first published as Blu-ray Review: Torchwood: Miracle Day on Blogcritics.

Torchwood The Complete Original UK Series on DVD

     BBC's Torchwood begins when Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles), a cop, encounters Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman). Jack is the leader of Torchwood, a shadowy government organization, that is actually a group helping defend Earth from aliens, centered near a spatial rift in Cardiff, Wales. Team member Suzie (Indira Varma) betrays her friends, testing a glove that can bring bodies back from the dead. Suzie kills Jack, who can come back to life, and then dies herself. Gwen takes Suzie's place, joining Torchwood full-time. 

     Torchwood is technically a spin-off of the reboot of Doctor Who, but no prior knowledge of Doctor Who is necessary to jump into the Torchwood adventure. It can completely stand on its own.

     In series one, Gwen, Jack, and the rest of the team tackle a number of mostly stand-alone cases. Suzie returns, and the glove is explored more fully. Torchwood takes on enemies such as a purple cloud, a cyberwoman that Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd) keeps in the basement, a dealer in alien artifacts, and Weevils. There are also time travel and flashbacks, expanding the world beyond there and now. Gwen doesn't deal too well with her immersion into this world, acting out in an affair with Owen (Burn Gorman). Perhaps because she can't tell her boyfriend, Rhys (Kai Owen), what exactly she does. At the end of the season, they must do battle with Abaddon, a giant demon, and Jack leaves.

     Series two finds Jack back, with former lover and partner Captain John (James Marsters, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) not far behind. Later, another old acquaintance of Jack's, Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) visits. Jack relives his tragic past; Rhys learns all about Gwen's job, to his horror. Yet, he marries her anyway. Tosh (Naoko Mori) looks for love, and sees Owen with fresh eyes. Unfortunately, Owen is killed. He continues to exist, but can no longer heal from injuries, and his permanent demise becomes a threat hanging over his every action. Jack's brother is the real threat, though, and his actions lead to not only the end of Owen, but Tosh, as well.

     With the third series, Torchwood presents a miniseries entitled "Children of Earth." Aliens arrive and want a large percentage of the planet's young. Government officials consider the threat, and begin preparing to deliver just that. Jack and Ianto have personal reasons that they do not want this to happen, as well as the general save-the-world mission. With Gwen, they manage to put a stop to the madness, and save kids everywhere. But there is a steep cost, with Jack's lover, Ianto, paying a fatal price in this go-round.

     Now all three series are available in one box set, Torchwood The Complete Original UK Series. This fourteen disc DVD collection contains not only the episodes, but also a ton of special features. Torchwood lives on in an American continuation, airing on Starz this past summer, but this set will allow viewers in the States to catch up on the original run. It's the perfect Christmas present.

     The most exciting bonus is the popular Torchwood Declassified entries, a look behind the scenes of the show. Other featurettes delve into everything from certain alien life forms, to technology shown on screen, to character development. Most are short, but informative. "The Team and their Troubles" and "Moments in the Making" are recurring themes. Series one has, by far, the most of these extras, which really gets the ball rolling.

     There are also the standard deleted scenes, outtakes and audio commentaries. Again, its series one with the lion's share, featuring a commentary track for every single episode. It's too bad this level of care doesn't go into all three series. But since series one is the least interesting on its own, and also sets up many of the things that come later, it is the smart one to focus on.

     The packaging for Torchwood The Complete Original UK Series is quite nice. A booklet of discs pulls out of the case, and there are lots of graphics illustrating some of the best moments. Those flipping through the set will see exactly what they are in for before even popping a DVD into the player, which should entice new fans along.

     Torchwood is an excellent sci-fi series, with lots of great adventure, but also some serious character development. With wreckless, witty Jack and determined, fearless Gwen leading the way, the team tackles many a challenge in an entertaining way. Death looms heavily, and emotional strings are tugged. For any viewer looking for the best the UK has to offer, Torchwood is a great place to start.

     I highly recommend Torchwood The Complete Original UK Series.

    If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published as DVD Review: Torchwood The Complete Original UK Series on Blogcritics.

Torchwood: Miracle Day follows "The Blood Line"

     Starz's Torchwood: Miracle Day, the fourth season of the British series, Torchwood, comes to an end this week with "The Blood Line." Torchwood team members new and old converge on the focal points of "The Blessing" in Buenos Aires and Shanghai. A mole threatens both teams, and destroys their CIA allies. Soon, it is discovered that only Jack's (John Barrowman) blood, fed to both sides of The Blessing simultaneously will reverse the Miracle, and restore death to the planet. Luckily, Rex (Mekhi Phifer) has had his blood replaced with Jack's, and with some sacrifice, Torchwood ends the disaster. 

     Torchwood: Miracle Day turns the notion of everlasting life on its head, and explores some real possibilities when immortality is unleashed on the real world. The horrors visited upon the population by governments may be necessary for the survival of the species, but is hard for individuals to swallow. A two month time jump shows just how much people are willing to accept things with authority says they must be so. No one is fighting back, except for Torchwood, as the medical community burns millions of still-living bodies.

     But is death so bad? This is a question that Gwen (Eve Myles) must face as she prepares to save the world. After all, restoring death to its proper place means that her father will be among the first to stop living. Gwen must acknowledge that, with the possible exception of Jack, most people need to have an end to their life. Quality of living is a consideration, and while Gwen tries mightily to hang onto her father, long after it becomes practical, in the end, she must face that reality. It's a moving moment, and a great way to personalize some of the large issues going on in the show.

     As expected from Torchwood, the finale ends with much death. Of particular sadness is the unexpected loss of Esther Drummond (Alexa Havins). Along with Rex, Esther joins the Torchwood team for this mission. After ten episodes, fans are surely rooting for Rex and Esther to make it through safely, so they can join Gwen and Jack, the essentials, on future adventures. Sadly, though, Esther is murdered right before Rex can save the day, This hits home even harder than Vera's (Arlene Tur) murder in an earlier episode, as it is easy to grow attached to these newcomers. Especially the plucky, earnest Esther.

     Since Rex's transfusion is what allows the team to save the world, it almost seems like he will be gone, too. But for those paying attention, the "surprise" twist that Rex now cannot die, like Jack, is anything but. It's a welcome new story, with plenty to explore in future Torchwood installments. It also makes Rex very important for upcoming adventures, and permanently changes the dynamic for the Torchwood crew. For these reasons, and the fact that Phifer makes Rex extremely intriguing, it is a welcome change for the current run to end with.

     The second surprise is that Jilly (Lauren Ambrose) survives. She must have "fun faster," as Oswald (Bill Pullman) says. Not only that, but she is soon re-recruited by the Families, which call Miracle Day simple a test run for what they have in store. Which the stakes so high in this latest Torchwood, it is hard to imagine how they can be topped. With those handful of words to Jilly at the end, it's enough to make viewers' blood run cold, and begin to imagine what can be worse than Miracle Day. Let's hope the Torchwood team gets a chance to show us. And maybe Ambrose can be upgraded to main character?

      Finally, it's worth noting the message that Oswald's sacrifice sends. Here is a real sociopath, who is shown countless times to care nothing for anyone but himself. Yet, in the end, he makes the choice to take himself and some of the bad guys out. Yes, he just faced his soul, and after that, he could not live with himself. But he finds the strength to make his death count, rather than just take himself out when it was convenient for him. There's actually almost a strength of character to admire, though it's only a desperate, last gasp to make up for the heinous acts he previously committed. It doesn't make Oswald likeable, but it finds a tiny morsel of good in a person who isn't expected to have any.

     Thank you, Starz, for Torchwood: Miracle Day.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here for books, DVDs and streaming episodes of Torchwood.

The Hour ticks away

     It's 1956 when BBC America's The Hour begins. Freddie Lyon (Ben Whishaw, Criminal Justice, Layer Cake) and Bel Rowley (Romola Garai, The Crimson Petal and the White) are growing more and more frustrated with their job working on inane newsreels for BBC. A glimmer of hope shines, as they interview with Clarence Fendley (Anton Lesser, Primeval), who is putting together a more serious news program called The Hour. Bel is awarded the producer role, and Freddie is forced to settle, after much consideration, with riding the Home Affairs desk. But a chance encounter with an old friend (Vanessa Kirby, Love/Loss) draws Freddie into a much bigger story.

     It's hard not to compare The Hour to Mad Men, as many have done, because of the time period. Even though The Hour takes place in 1956, it feels more like the 1960s, and some mistakes, such as 1960s telephones, contribute to that. Yet, the tone is slower and darker, the people less defined, and the action more plot-driven than character-driven, so it's certainly not a copy. Overall, the first hour is intriguing, but pacing needs to be ratcheted up, and viewers must be made to care about the characters more, if the series wants to truly succeed.

     There's nothing wrong with a conspiracy plot that will span the season, and Freddie is drawn into the plot by his friend. The first clue, involving an academic killed by a mysterious man (Burn Gorman, Torchwood) whom the academic sought to kill is pretty interesting. But Freddie, the main character in solving the plot, is abrasive and stubborn, which make him a little hard to like. He almost passes up a job at The Hour just because he can't take the position he wants, in front of the camera. Never mind; he will get to keep working with Bel, whom he adores, and have the freedom to pursue the types of scoops he likes.

     Bel is a much better character. She is kind and tough, though the series doesn't focus on how unusual it is for a woman to rise to such a high ranking position in a 1950s newsroom. Was it that different in England than in the states? Anyway, it's a bit refreshing, though odd, that in 1956 Bel is treated just like any other professional, other than the fact that she isn't allowed to gather in the brandy room after lunch. The impression is quickly given that Bel can handle her job, and will prove herself without making unnecessary waves.

     Joining Bel and Freddie is Hector Madden (Dominic West, The Wire, 300), a playful anchor. Hector's first appearance on screen is loathsome in the way that he treats Bel, but once viewers realize he is simply messing with her, it's hard not to be won over. He seems like a decent human being, if a bit ornery. He has the right look for the role, and should provide a good third angle in the Bel/Freddie love triangle. Yes, Bel has a boring banker boyfriend, but only Freddie and Hector seem to actually engage her in a way that she likes. She will dump her beau soon enough.

     With a great cast, it is up to the writers to make The Hour worth watching. The seeds are planted for a very interesting, somewhat original show. But the plant is far from sprouted.

     Watch The Hour Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on BBC America.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Please click here to watch streaming episodes or preorder The Hour on Blu-ray and DVD.

Article first published as TV Review: The Hour - "Pilot" on Blogcritics.

Torchwood: Miracle Day sorts "The Categories of Life"

     In this week's episode of Starz's Torchwood: Miracle Day, the U.S. and other government unveils new categories of life, sorting people into three subsets. As dead no longer applies, this is the next best thing. Or so people are told. Gwen (Eve Myles) and Rhys (Kai Owen) break into a Wales medical facility to rescue Gwen's father (William Thomas, Alys), while Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and the rest of the new Torchwood team infiltrate a similar compound in California. What both teams discover is that anyone labeled category one, those who are not conscious, are burned to ashes. Gwen's father is labeled such, and Dr. Vera Juarez (Arlene Tur, Crash) ends up inside a chamber as the fire ignites.

     While Tur's name does not appear in the opening credits, five episodes in she certainly seems like a main character of this new season. Which is why it is surprising and sad when she is burned alive. Considering how no one can die on Earth right now in the series, and even a burned, detached head shows some sign of life, it is worth wondering if Juarez is still aware as a pile of ashes. Unconsciousness can happen, so she likely won't feel anything. But what happens to her soul, and those of the other victims? When they can be healed, why destroy them? Juarez's death comes as Torchwood begins to understand more of what is going on, but it wasn't necessary for her to die for that to happen. Instead, one must watch helplessly by, as Rex (Mekhi Phifer) does, while she perishes.

     Why would the drug company who is behind the whole thing choose to destroy living bodies instead of heal them? Certainly creating never-dying humans increases their business, so from an economic standpoint, it would make sense for PhiCorp to unleash Miracle Day. After all, they now have an endless supply of patients they can sell drugs to. Though it seems odd that a group sophisticated enough to put the "miracle" in place wouldn't also forsee the diastorous consequences. Is that why they are killing off some people? To try to prevent the human race from overpopulating too quickly, though it will still happen? And surely they have a plan to get over the planet before people begin starving en masse?

     Now the big question remains, what can Jack, Gwen, and the others do about it? Rex should be able to overcome loosking Juarez, whom was a love interest for him, with even more determination to stop what is going on. Jack and Gwen have been through worse, as long as Gwen can rescue her father. But the only other member of their team, Esther (Alexa Havins), isn't showing much field prowness, and losing Juarez, even though the two didn't know each other very well, may make her emotionally crippled to their operations. A small group going up against such a large corporate represents a long shot anyway. Things are not looking good for Torchwood.

     The other important thing going on in "Categories of Life" is the crowning of Oswald Danes (Bill Pullman) as a religious leader. Up til now, Oswald has had his fans, and put in appearances. But speaking at a rally is his first true test, and one that can easily go a number of ways. Jilly (Lauren Ambrose) does her best to prepare Oswald, but she can't speak for him. The moments Oswald is on stage, with Jilly and Jack's competing agendas in front of him, is a powerful trial by fire. Loathe Oswald as one must, it is hard not to be impressed by the reaction he provokes with his revelation that mankind has evolved into angels. It's obviously crazy talk, but Pullman has the charisma and gravitas to be a leader of gullible masses, and he shines.

     Torchwood: Miracle Day continues Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on Starz.

      If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here for books, DVDs and streaming episodes of Torchwood.

Torchwood: Miracle Day finds "The New World"

     The newest, fourth season of Torchwood, dubbed "Miracle Day," now on Starz, as well as BBC, begins with "The New World." In it, everyone on Earth suddenly stops dying, including Oswald Danes (Bill Pullman, Independence Day, Too Big to Fail), a convicted pedophile and murderer, whose execution fails to take. People can still be severely injured, but even being blown up and having one's head severed from the body does not stop consciousness or life. Strangely, the event extends only to people, not animals, insects, or other forms of life. Which means that the planet has four months before total destruction, instead of the two days it would have taken otherwise.

     Oswald forces a debate over whether he should be released, as he has technically served his sentence, but the governor doesn't wish to let go of such a dangerous person. In the end, the legal arguments win out, and Oswald becomes a free man once more. What he will do with that freedom remains a mystery.

     At the same time, CIA Agent Esther Drummond (Alexa Havins, All My Children) sees the word 'Torchwood' flash across her computer screen, and begins to investigate a possible connection between Torchwood and the lack of death. As she tries to find paper files on the mysterious Torchwood, the computer ones being wiped, she is found by Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), one of the subjects of her investigation. Jack is normally immortal, but it soon becomes clear that he doesn't heal the way he used to, and is likely the only human being capable of dying on the planet. Jack heads to Wales to find his former co-worker, and the only other member of Torchwood left alive, Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles).

     Esther learns, as fans of the first three, British-made, seasons already know, that Torchwood is an institute set up by Queen Victoria to defend the Earth from all manner of strange things, including alien incursions. Many times over, Gwen, Jack, and friends save all life on the planet. But those comrades that work alongside them die off one by one, until only those two are left. While now defunct, Torchwood may be just what Earth needs now.

     Esther's superior, Rex Matheson (Mekhi Phifer, ER, Lie to Me), is in a car accident, and would be dead, if not for the "miracle" overtaking the planet. He awakens, and Esther tries to push him into finding Torchwood. Rex agrees, and flies to Wales, managing to find Gwen, who is in hiding with her husband, Rhys (Kai Owen), and their infant child. Gwen is suspicious of Rex, but before they have time to get to know each other, they are attacked. Luckily, Jack comes to the rescue. After the bullets stop flying, Rex has Gwen and Jack extradited to the United States to help him find out the cause of "Miracle Day."

     To have Jack and Gwen back after such a long absence (season three aired two years ago, and only has five episodes) is gratifying. While time has surely passed for them, and many things are different, they seem much the same people at heart. Gwen is hiding with her new family, and Jack stays missing to protect her. But their glee at reconnecting and having a new mission is as satisfying for them as it is for the fans. Whether Rhys likes it or not, the two are back in action, and with some new friends, it is likely they will save the day once more.

     As "Miracle Day" will be longer than "Children of Earth," the subtitle for season three, there is no urgency for everything to happen right away. More than one critic has complained that it makes "The New World" move a little slower than one would like. I disagree with this assessment, glad that time will be spent getting to know the new players in the game, as well as to slowly unravel the mystery behind what is going on. Torchwood once did cases of the weeks, but a longer arc is a much more gratifying way to digest the adventure.

     A fun little bit of trivia, Jack introduces himself at a hospital as Dr. Owen Harper. Owen is a character in the universe, and serves as Torchwood's doctor. Played by Burn Gorman, Owen perishes midway through season two, but continues on the show until the end of the year in an arc where he deals with being a dead person. Then Owen is gone for good. With just that offhand line, Torchwood manages to bring back the memory of a great character who is sorely missed.

     Also nice is PC Andy's (Tom Price) brief role in "New World," which brings Gwen and Rhys out of hiding. Though he is never a major player in Torchwood, the familiar face evokes nostalgia of days past. It's good the Americans working on the show now choose to include him.

     At first glance, it appears that the whole Miracle Day event may be a personal attack. Surely, it is extreme to doom a whole planet, throwing it into instant chaos, just to kill one person. But with an unknown assailant trying to kill Jack, and Jack being, for the first time we've seen him, vulnerable, it may just be a plot to eradicate the good Captain. This is only a theory, and after a mere one hour, it is hard to argue that it will be the correct one. Yet, it is the most obvious as the story begins, and sometimes obvious is what works.

     The new characters are pretty interesting, too, expanding the world of Torchwood, which has become rather small by the time season four begins. Bill Pullman is expertly playing a psychopathic creep. It's Pullman as he's never been seen, gaunt and pale, with malice in his eyes. Every word exudes a sort of evil. While Pullman has played the hero in other projects, it is great fun to see him slither into such a bad man, and it will be intriguing how this killer's plot plays into the overall state of the world at large.

     Rex Matheson is a hero, but a much more modern one than Jack. While Jack oozes with chivalry and old fashioned morality, Rex goes for the guns blazing method. Mekhi Phifer plays him with veiled intentions, and it is difficult to see whether Rex will be more of a help or hindrance to Gwen and Jack. He could go either way, and will likely be both at times. At the moment, Rex is much more concerned about saving his country than helping anyone else. His stubborn refusal to stay in a hospital bed proves he has great, noble qualities. But instead of asking Gwen for her help, he shows up with a gun, and has her and Jack forced to do what he wants. It's a very different type of character for Torchwood, and it is unknown how he will fit into the mix.

     Esther Drummond is much more likeable. She is not the action type, at least from what has been seen of her so far, though she does get into it a little when Jack comes around. But she is clever and determined, which can be just as good. Hopefully, Esther will soon join the Torchwood team and assist them. She is wasted behind a desk, even as she continues to dig up secrets that will help, because she is kept separate and out of the loop. Though Havins is not a familiar face, she is surely already winning admiration for her portrayal of the bold woman.

     Other new faces will soon enter the fray including Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Arlene Tur (Crash), Candace Brown (Head Case), and Dichen Lachman (Dollhouse, Neighbours). All of these are complete unknowns. Which is fine. Torchwood works best when the surprises come fast and furious.

     One question that hangs in the air, and will not be answered anytime soon, is, what becomes of Torchwood after this crisis? Both seasons two and three end fairly definitively, with the institute suffering heavy loss. Gwen clearly isn't happy in an isolated house. It seems unlikely she will be willing to go back there. Presumably Jack will survive. Could Miracle Day by the beginning of a whole new series, with a large ensemble besides the duo? Or will it be a ten episode adventure that ends with Torchwood still defunct? The former is the better option.


     Watch Torchwood Friday nights at 10 p.m. ET on Starz.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here for books, DVDs and streaming episodes of Torchwood.

Article first published as TV Review: Torchwood - "Miracle Day: The New World" on Blogcritics.

Being Human (UK) meets "Lia"

***This review would sound better if read in a British accent. It is not necessary, of course, but that would be my personal preference. :)***

     While you blokes across the pond are already halfway through Being Human's eight-episode third series, those of us in the States just got the series premiere this past Saturday night. I'm not complaining; other than incessant reruns of Top Gear, BBC America has become my new favorite obsession, though I suspect we do get edited versions of the show. We have our own (lesser) version of Being Human now on SyFy, of which season one will deliver 13 episodes, enough to cover all the plot in the first two British series. However, as the series premiere "Lia" showed once again, yours is better.

     Series three moves the roommates from Bristol, where things ended in a bloody mess last season, to Wales. Nina (Sinéad Keenan), reunites with George (Russell Tovey), and isn't happy that they will still be living with his friend, Mitchell (Aidan Turner). But George can't stand to kick Mitchell out, seeing as he seems to be losing his marbles. Despite a rocky second series, Nina and George seem to fully commit to each other once more, though she'd like a bit of privacy. Mitchell is bent on finding Annie (Lenora Crinchlow), who disappeared in the series two finale through The Door to the other side. Plus, there is nary a glimpse of old villain Herrick (Jason Watkins), whom we saw resurrected at the end of last year, so there's that dread hanging over everything. The audience knows that he will be back soon. Basically, things are chaotic.

     I do like the new setting. The original apartment was a bit drab, definitely just set trapping. It served its purpose, but will not really be missed. The new dwelling, on the other hand, has some serious character, including the tropical wall and the counter in the middle of the room. It could become a character unto itself, especially if there are some strange secrets hidden within that we haven't discovered yet. If not, it's still fun to see the stars dance in front of painted palm trees.

     We also got to meet some new characters this week. McNair (Robson Green, Wire in the Blood) and his son, Tom (Michael Socha, This is England), are werewolves shown quite a bit, mostly in scenes without any of our main characters around. McNair is captured by vampires, and Tom rescues him. What are they up to? Are they just trying to live a quiet life, as our roommates are? Have they come to town with some kind of mission? How will they affect George and Nina, or are they just there to show that there are some dangerous vampires around that like to play with wolves? So little is revealed, they definitely spark more questions than they answer.

     Mitchell spends the first part of the episode acting deliciously crazy, delivering a funny scene with a realtor, not knowing how to even begin to find his missing friend. Then Annie calls to Mitchell through a television, and he figures out a way to hitchhike on the back of a recently deceased man through The Door and come after her. Little does he know, the powers controlling the other side want exactly that. They are not holding Annie for her own sake, but to lure Mitchell. You see, he went on a bloody rampage in the tunnel and killed a bunch of people last season. Lia (Lacey Turner), his guide, was one of the victims. Mitchell is unaware of this fact and Lia walks him through some of his embarrassingly brutal past, dredging up all sorts of emotions.

     The Mitchell-in-purgatory bit is easily the most creative part of the episode, and is a highlight of the series as a whole. Lia is great, both memorable, but not overpowering. Mitchell has always been a tortured soul, but never has it been more explicitly demonstrated than this sequence. Having a victim he doesn't even remember killing as his escort only adds to his depravity. Mitchell seems stripped bare, incredibly vulnerable. It is masterful writing, and Turner handles it with great care and talent.

     George, who is often the comic relief, mixes his comedy with some real danger, and also gets to show some real depth. His arrest in the woods with the sexual deviants, including Bob (Torchwood's delightful Kai Owen), seems merely a funny happenstance. And then, as Owen battles his change in a cell with Bob, it takes a much darker turn. Kennan is amazing as Nina struggles not to change while bailing George out. There is an intense energy to the exchange that did not disappoint. Later, watching George cry at Annie's return, I realize he played anger, sadness, joy, lust, and the wolf ferociousness all in one hour, often intermixed, with serious skill.

     There are some strange implications to ponder in this episode. For instance, what does it mean that George and Nina seemingly have sex in wolf form? Will Nina carry a wolf baby? Or a fetus that changes inside of her on the full moon? Because that would be mighty strange. Who is the werewolf that will kill Mitchell, and will we see his death this series, or much later, if there is a later? If he does die this series, how will he be brought back for another series? Or will that be the end of him entirely? Will Annie have any lasting effects from her time in purgatory? I can't wait to find out!

     Being Human airs Saturday nights at 9 p.m. on BBC America.

Article first published as TV Review: Being Human (UK)- "Lia" on Blogcritics.


For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.