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fangrrl_squeesWell, thank god, it was better than Cyberwoman.
A grumble: Don't tell me that you're going to shun magic and then have fairies - pardon me, ancient spirits that exist throughout time and are often mistaken for fairies. I've never been a great one for fairy-things so, overall, the story itself left me a bit cold. I mean, I suppose it was a nice little twist on well-known folklore, and the writer clearly tried to hit the traditional creep-out buttons but, really, I didn't give a damn about some "Chosen One" of the fairies, even if she was pulling a Carrie and racking up a bodycount. I wasn't so keen on the f/x either, but I have no right to really complain until I see a set element wobble alarmingly.
However, I liked everything the characters did - although Barrowman still seems to be playing it like he's on stage (reach for the back row, kid!) at times. The whole Jack/Estelle thing was so very sweet - and necessary to broaden Jack's character a bit, although he's still brooding about like Angel in the Hub, dammit.. Poor Owen was a bit useless in this one but not everyone can be the star all the time. Interesting how Tosh seems to be jumping back and forth from coroner-mode to techgeek-mode. She's just that multitalented, I guess. I'm extremely happy that the team is pissed at Jack at the end of the episode. Sure, you had no choice, Jack, but that doesn't mean anyone has to like it.
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squeakydalek has speculated that the team's done something to Ianto's head - rather than, y'know, disappearing him after the debacle that was Lisa. I wouldn't be surprised, truth be told. After all, people will do a lot for a damn good cup of coffee...
I'm forced to assume that Torchwood has a public face covering up their actual mission, because that Men-In-Blackmobile of theirs is so uncovert. Or do they tell everyone that they're a covert alien-investigation agency and count on the Sunnydale/Grosse Point Blank effect to cover for them?
Next week's trailer looks pretty good, too. Yay!
As usual, there'll be a more in-depth critique later in the week when I've had a chance to think about it some more. Overall, I'd give this one 6.5 out of 10. For the record, I'd give Everything Changes a 7, Day One a 7.5, Ghost Machine an 8 (maaaybe 8.5) and Cyberwoman a 3. Just so you know what my thresholds are.
Whew. Now I can go read what other folks have to say over on the comms...
***
On another note entirely, have you seen my shameless plug re: Eight's pocket watch?
A grumble: Don't tell me that you're going to shun magic and then have fairies - pardon me, ancient spirits that exist throughout time and are often mistaken for fairies. I've never been a great one for fairy-things so, overall, the story itself left me a bit cold. I mean, I suppose it was a nice little twist on well-known folklore, and the writer clearly tried to hit the traditional creep-out buttons but, really, I didn't give a damn about some "Chosen One" of the fairies, even if she was pulling a Carrie and racking up a bodycount. I wasn't so keen on the f/x either, but I have no right to really complain until I see a set element wobble alarmingly.
However, I liked everything the characters did - although Barrowman still seems to be playing it like he's on stage (reach for the back row, kid!) at times. The whole Jack/Estelle thing was so very sweet - and necessary to broaden Jack's character a bit, although he's still brooding about like Angel in the Hub, dammit.. Poor Owen was a bit useless in this one but not everyone can be the star all the time. Interesting how Tosh seems to be jumping back and forth from coroner-mode to techgeek-mode. She's just that multitalented, I guess. I'm extremely happy that the team is pissed at Jack at the end of the episode. Sure, you had no choice, Jack, but that doesn't mean anyone has to like it.
squeakydalek has speculated that the team's done something to Ianto's head - rather than, y'know, disappearing him after the debacle that was Lisa. I wouldn't be surprised, truth be told. After all, people will do a lot for a damn good cup of coffee... I'm forced to assume that Torchwood has a public face covering up their actual mission, because that Men-In-Blackmobile of theirs is so uncovert. Or do they tell everyone that they're a covert alien-investigation agency and count on the Sunnydale/Grosse Point Blank effect to cover for them?
Next week's trailer looks pretty good, too. Yay!
As usual, there'll be a more in-depth critique later in the week when I've had a chance to think about it some more. Overall, I'd give this one 6.5 out of 10. For the record, I'd give Everything Changes a 7, Day One a 7.5, Ghost Machine an 8 (maaaybe 8.5) and Cyberwoman a 3. Just so you know what my thresholds are.
Whew. Now I can go read what other folks have to say over on the comms...
***
On another note entirely, have you seen my shameless plug re: Eight's pocket watch?
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no subject
Date: 2006-11-13 06:28 am (UTC)I'll be doing my crit later, but I liked this so much more than the previous one, probably more an 8.5 for me, but I've not really thought pros/cons yet so we'll see...
no subject
Date: 2006-11-13 06:30 am (UTC)Although, personally, I'd be a lot happier with "almost never sleeps and when he does it stinks" rather than "never ever sleeps", any day. But really, aren't the continuity folks paying attention?
Torchwood episode
Date: 2006-11-13 01:41 pm (UTC)Regarding Torchwood having a public face - as they pointed out in an earlier they are just Torchwood Cardiff. There might be the remnants of Torchwood London left as well as perhaps a Torchwood Glasgow or Edinburgh (after all Queen Victoria originally set it up in Scotland).
You seem a little more critical of Torchwood than I. As it's aimed at a UK market (not ex-pats) and with your background in film studies maybe that's why. Then again maybe you just don't like fairy stories. I think the frustrating thing was though that the other Torchwood stories have had a more scientific slant and alien involvement. This was too much "airy, fairy magic" stuff with Captain Jack doing a poor job of explaining. I wonder when he'll get round to bedding Gwen.
Re: Torchwood episode
Date: 2006-11-13 02:38 pm (UTC)I don't think the intended audience makes much difference in this case, primarily because you can't convince me that RTD et al aren't hoping to sell the product to the US - although I sorta doubt it'll make Sci-Fi Channel - not without a lot of cuts! Basic cable isn't quite ready for some of that dialogue. ;)
A *good* story (or programme) will appeal to a broad audience, regardless of point of origin - squeamishness in Peoria, aside, that is.
I think the writers are just showing signs of laziness. Give 'em enough whizz-bang and hope we don't ask too many questions. Methinks SF writers sometimes forget that their audience can be amongst the pickiest, most detail-oriented around...
I wonder when he'll get round to bedding Gwen.
I sincerely doubt he will. Too obvious and 'side, spoilers suggest otherwise. ;) My money's on angstiness between him and Ianto and no, that's not just the fan-o-slash speaking. ;)
Re: Torchwood episode
Date: 2006-11-13 08:52 pm (UTC)True, but if you're of that mindset you should just make your own rather than make do with what's there.
Basic cable isn't quite ready for some of that dialogue. ;)
How would the censors butcher the dialogue then? Are they that prudish about sex/violence in the States still?
I wonder when he'll get round to bedding Gwen.
I sincerely doubt he will. Too obvious and 'side, spoilers suggest otherwise. ;) My money's on angstiness between him and Ianto and no, that's not just the fan-o-slash speaking. ;)
Ahh, what a shame after than gun pr0n scene. I'm sure the fan fiction slash writers will scribble away at least a passable Jack/Gwen scene where he invites her to his quarters at Torchwood for a bit of extra curricular activities. *hint hint - provide links if possible in replies so I can read*
Re: Torchwood episode
Date: 2006-11-13 09:52 pm (UTC)I could have expressed that better. TW shows every sign of having excellent potential, which it's only occasionally living up to. Does that make more sense?
Are they that prudish about sex/violence in the States still?
About sex, yes. I can't imagine "Day One" being okay for anything but pay-cable by FCC standards, and SciFi is a basic channel in most regions these days, so it won't fly, there.
*hint hint - provide links if possible in replies so I can read*
If I find anything worth reading, I'll let you know. :)
Re: Torchwood episode
Date: 2006-11-13 10:19 pm (UTC)It's a shame America's so prudish about sex. Mind you there was the Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" the FCC gave a lot of disproportionate fines for. Most people in the states have cable or satellite anyway (from what I can tell). Very few just have terrestrial TV.
In Day One a lot of the sex is implied and not done in a particularly titillating or pornographic way. In fact it could be more seen as an anti-sex film (have sex and you'll end up a handful of sand and dead!).
Regarding the V-chip I can understand why a country with such a burgeoning adult entertainment industry would go that route. It still seems incompatible with free speech though and shows the dead hand of the censor getting ever more powerful.
The whole "think of the children" argument is a little overblown. However America is way too much into it's crime/punishment rules/fines authoritarian - we'll tell the populace what they should/shouldn't do routine. At least it was when I was there in 2004.
*hint hint - provide links if possible in replies so I can read*
If I find anything worth reading, I'll let you know. :)
Even something not worth reading might make me laugh! :)