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Torchwood

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For plants known as torchwood, see Burseraceae.
For the eponymous fictional institute, see Torchwood Institute.


Torchwood
File:Torchwoodtitle.jpg
Intertitle of Torchwood
Created byRussell T. Davies
Starringsee below
Theme music composerMurray Gold
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes13 (to date) (list of episodes)
Production
Running timeapprox. 50 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC Three (Series one)
BBC Two (Series two)
Release22 October 2006 –
present

Torchwood is a science fiction drama television programme, created by Russell T. Davies and starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles. It deals with the machinations and activities of the Cardiff branch of the fictional Torchwood Institute, who deal with supernatural occurrences. An initial 13-part series was commissioned by the BBC as a spin-off from the long-running science fiction series Doctor Who with which it is closely interlinked. On 12 December 2006, the BBC announced that it was commissioning a second series.[1] The programme is produced in-house by BBC Wales, whose Head of Drama Julie Gardner serves as executive producer alongside Davies.

The first two episodes of Torchwood premiered on 22 October 2006 at 9 p.m. on BBC Three and BBC HD with all subsequent episodes of the first series shown at 10 p.m. every Sunday evening; each episode was repeated on BBC Two every Wednesday at 9 p.m. The post-watershed airings provide more adult content than found in the traditionally family-orientated Doctor Who. The second series will premiere exclusively on BBC Two.[1] According to actor John Barrowman[2] and executive producer Julie Gardner,[3] it will likely air in 2008.

Overview

The title "Torchwood" is an anagram of " Doctor Who". The name was used as the "codename" for the new series of Doctor Who while filming its first few episodes and on the 'rushes' tapes to ensure they were not intercepted.[4] Davies connected the name of Torchwood to an idea for a modern British telefantasy programme in the style of American dramas like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel that he had been developing before he began work on Doctor Who.[5] The name was subsequently used in the series, leading to this spin-off.

The series is set in Cardiff, some time after the Doctor Who series two finale, setting it in 2007 and later in early 2008 ahead of its actual air date. It follows the Wales branch of a covert agency called the Torchwood Institute which investigates extraterrestrial incidents on Earth and scavenges alien technology for its own use. To paraphrase Torchwood Three's commander-in-chief, Captain Jack Harkness, the organisation is separate from the government, outside the police, and beyond the United Nations. Their public perception is as merely a 'special ops' group.

The main writer alongside Davies is Chris Chibnall, creator of the BBC light drama show Born and Bred. Other writers include P.J. Hammond, Toby Whithouse, Doctor Who script editor Helen Raynor, Cath Tregenna, and Doctor Who cast member Noel Clarke, who gained acclaim for his screenplay for the film Kidulthood. Russell T. Davies wrote just the first episode.[6][7]

In a 17 October 2005 announcement, BBC Three controller Stuart Murphy described Torchwood as "sinister and psychological...As well as being very British and modern and real." Davies further described it as "a British sci-fi paranoid thriller, a cop show with a sense of humour. [...] Dark, wild and sexy, it's The X-Files meets This Life." [8] Davies later denied ever making this comparison, instead describing the show as "alleyways, rain, the city".[9] As Torchwood is a post-watershed show — that is, after 9 p.m. — it has more mature content than Doctor Who. Davies told SFX: "We can be a bit more visceral, more violent, and more sexual, if we want to. Though bear in mind that it's very teenage to indulge yourself in blood and gore, and Torchwood is going to be smarter than that. But it’s the essential difference between BBC One at 7 pm, and BBC Three at, say, 9 pm. That says it all — instinctively, every viewer can see the huge difference there." [6] According to Barrowman:

"I don't do any nude scenes in series one; they're saving that for the next series! I don't have a problem with getting my kit off. As long as they pay me the right money, I'm ready to get out my cock and balls." [10]

Davies also joked to a BBC Radio Wales interviewer that he was "not allowed" to refer to the programme as "Doctor Who for grown-ups".[11]

BBC Three described Torchwood as the centrepiece of their autumn 2006 schedule.[12]

Cast and crew

Regular characters

File:Torchwoodgroup.jpg
The Torchwood team assembled. Clockwise from top left: Gwen, Suzie, Ianto, Owen, Toshiko and Jack

Torchwood, unlike its parent programme, centres on a team instead of a single character and companion(s). The show is based around Torchwood Three, the Cardiff branch of the Torchwood Institute, (created by Queen Victoria to defend the realm against 'supernatural and alien' threats after Her meeting with the Doctor and a werewolf at a house named Torchwood in the Scottish Highlands),[13] tasked (among other things) to keep an eye on the space/time Rift that runs through the city, and whatever washes through it. Torchwood Three is a team of five operatives, led by Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), with Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) as the "new girl" who joins in the first episode and acts as a point-of-view character for the viewer. Aside from the team, one recurring character is Rhys Williams, Gwen's live-in boyfriend, who is unaware of the nature of Gwen's new job.

Other characters who have appeared in more than one episode include Tom Price as PC Andy, Caroline Chikezie as Lisa Hallett, and Louise Delamere as Diane Holmes. Toward the end of the first series, the character of Bilis Manger was introduced as a villain. It has not been indicated whether these characters will reappear in the second series.

Prior to the programme's debut, publicity materials prominently featured Indira Varma as Suzie Costello among the other regular cast members, giving the impression that she would appear beyond the first episode. However, Suzie was unexpectedly killed off at the end of the first episode, though she has appeared once since as a villain.

Series two is set to feature Doctor Who's Martha Jones[14] - played by Freema Agyeman - who will crossover to Torchwood for a three-episode arc in the second series before returning midway through the fourth series of Doctor Who alongside new companion Donna Noble. In addition to Martha's appearances, American actor James Marsters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville and the band Ghost of the Robot is set to make at least one guest appearance.[15][16]

Actor Character Position
John Barrowman Captain Jack Harkness Leader, Torchwood Three
Eve Myles Gwen Cooper Police liaison
Burn Gorman Dr. Owen Harper Doctor; second-in-command
Naoko Mori Toshiko Sato Computer specialist
Gareth David-Lloyd Ianto Jones General support

Crew

Richard Stokes produces Torchwood. Originally, Doctor Who director James Hawes was lined up as producer. After directing the BBC Four drama The Chatterley Affair, Hawes backed out of the project. Davies told Doctor Who Magazine that Hawes "has been having such a good time... that he's decided directing is his greatest passion, and as a result, he's stepped down." [17][18]

Helen Raynor and Brian Minchin are the programme's script editors.[17] The series also shares Doctor Who's production designer, Edward Thomas. The show's theme tune is written by Doctor Who 's composer Murray Gold, and music for the series is composed by Ben Foster and Murray Gold.

Production

Torchwood began filming on May 1 2006. Speaking at the London Film and Comic Con on 2 July 2006, Barrowman said that he would finish filming Torchwood in October, "just as it's going on air", after which he has been contracted to appear in the third series of Doctor Who, once again as Harkness; [19] Jack appeared in the episode "Utopia", having returned to the TARDIS in "End of Days".

Some of the writers for the second series have been announced. Lead Writer Chris Chibnall will write the opening episode[20] and two further episodes[citation needed]. Catherine Tregenna will write two. Helen Raynor, James Moran, Matt Jones, JC Wilsher and PJ Hammond are all believed to be writing one episode each. Block One, which consists of episodes by Rayner and Tregenna and is directed by Andy Goddard, has now finished shooting. Colin Teague is directing Block Two, which consists of Episode 2 by Moran and Episode 4 by Tregenna, with Ashley Way helming Block Three, consisting of Episode 1 by Chibnall and Episode 6 by JC Wilsher[21].

International broadcasts

The Canadian network CBC is co-producer of the series, [22] and will air the show starting in October 2007.[23][24] The show will air for French-speaking Canadian audiences on Ztélé. The first series will be broadcast on TV2 [25] in New Zealand, and on Cuatro TV [26] in Spain in 2007. In January 2007, it was reported that the ABC was to broadcast the series in Australia, [27] however according to a later report in TV Week, both of the free-to-air government-funded television networks - the ABC and SBS - passed on the series.[28] On February 28 2007, it was finally announced that Network Ten have acquired the rights to air the series in the country.[29] On June 4 2007, Network Ten began airing trailers for the series that stated the show would begin broadcast on 18 June 2007. On April 2 2007 it was announced that BBC America had acquired the rights to broadcast the series in the United States.[30] The series is scheduled to start on September 9 2007; the broadcast of the series is tied-in to a "radical makeover" of the channel that is to occur later in 2007.[30]

In Australia, Torchwood premiered on 18th June 2007 on Channel Ten. The show was well received. The Sydney Morning Herald's The Guide's reviewer said "The appeal of Torchwood is not so much that it's gloriously implausible sci-fi pulp, but that it knows it's gloriously implausible, sci-fi pulp." [31]

In Sweden, Torchwood premiered on 24th June 2007 on TV4 Plus.

The show is set to run in France on NRJ 12. It will also air on KNN in South Korea and on TRT in Turkey.

Setting

Roald Dahl Plass, the exterior of the Hub.

Torchwood is filmed and set in Cardiff. Russell T. Davies told the South Wales Echo, "With Doctor Who we often had to pretend that bits of Cardiff were London, or Utah, or the planet Zog. Where as this series is going to be honest-to-God Cardiff. We will happily walk past the Millennium Centre and say, 'Look, there's the Millennium Centre'." [32] The makers of Torchwood deliberately portray Cardiff as a modern urban centre, contrasting with past stereotypical portrayals of Wales. "There's not a male voice choir ... or a miner in sight," said BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards.[33] Conservative MP Michael Gove described the debut of Torchwood as the moment confirming "Wales' move from overlooked Celtic cousin to underwired erotic coquette." [34][35]

The team's headquarters, referred to as the Hub, is beneath Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay — formerly known as the Oval Basin. This is where the TARDIS landed in the Doctor Who episodes "Boom Town" and "Utopia" to refuel, and is the location of the spacetime Rift first seen in "The Unquiet Dead". The Hub itself is around 3 storeys high, with a large column running through the middle that is an extension of the fountain above (which in turn acts as an emergency escape route from the Hub).

Reception

Main article: Criticism of Torchwood

As a spin-off of long-running British cultural artifact Doctor Who, Torchwood's launch into British popular culture has received much positive and negative review, commentary and parody following the hype of its inception, especially in regards to its status as an "adult" Doctor Who spin-off as well as its characterisation and portrayal of sex. The series initially attracted record high ratings, [36] which later dropped to a degree, [37] but ensured the programme at least a second series.

In April 2007, Torchwood beat its parent series to win the Best Drama Series category at the BAFTA Cymru Awards. The awards, given by the Welsh branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, celebrate the achievements of film and television productions made in Wales. Eve Myles won the Best Actress category at the same awards, ahead of Doctor Who 's Billie Piper.[38]

Themes

Main article: Themes in Torchwood

Torchwood explores several themes in its narrative, in particular LGBT themes. Various characters are portrayed as sexually fluid; through those characters, the series examines homosexual and bisexual relationships, and their problems. Although the nature of their sexual flexibility is not explicitly discussed, characters like Jack, Ianto, and Toshiko offer varying perspectives on orientation.

Through the use of repetition, in particular of thematically important lines and by drawing parallels between characters, the show also delves somewhat into existentialism, the value of human life, and the corrupting nature of power.

Episodes

Main article: List of Torchwood episodes

Torchwood opened with a two-parter. The premiere episode "Everything Changes" was written by Russell T. Davies and served to introduce the main characters and roles within the series, using newcomer Gwen as the audience surrogate in a similar style to the introduction of the companion characters in Doctor Who. The second episode, aired immediately afterwards followed on with Gwen's neophyte role, titled "Day One", with a classic "sex monster" science fiction storyline[39] in the vein of The Outer Limits episode "Caught in the Act" and Angel's second episode "Lonely Hearts".

The 13 episode series similarly ended with a two-parter on January 1 2007. The first part entitled "Captain Jack Harkness" was a gay love story set in wartime Britain, with a subplot which served to push the setting towards an "apocalypse" for series finale "End of Days" which dealt with the ramifications of diseases and persons from throughout history falling through time and across the universe, arriving in the present day, its focal point in Cardiff. The episode also set up Jack's return in Doctor Who episode "Utopia". The second series of Torchwood is also expected to comprise 13 episodes.

Spin-offs

Torchwood has "a heavy online presence".[40] At the Edinburgh International Television Festival, BBC Director of Television Jana Bennett said that the online features will include the ability to explore the Hub, an imaginary desktop, weekly 10-minute behind-the-scenes vodcasts. Due to digital media rights restrictions most video content on the BBC3 websites is only accessible to users within the UK. "You can join the corporation of Torchwood and be one of its employees," said Bennett.[41] The Flash-based interactive website, including the Hub Tour, debuted on 12 October 2006.[42]

BBC Three is airing Torchwood Declassified, a making-of program not unlike Doctor Who Confidential. Each Declassified episode runs under ten minutes, in contrast to Confidential 's 45 (formerly 30).[43] Torchwood Declassified is also available online at the BBC's Torchwood site.

On 4 January 2007, BBC Books published the first three original, adult-focused [44] novels based upon Torchwood. The books were published in paperback-sized hardcover format, the same format BBC Books uses for its New Series Adventures line for Doctor Who. The books are Another Life by Peter Anghelides, Border Princes by Dan Abnett, and Slow Decay by Andrew Lane. The stories are set between the episodes "Ghost Machine" and "Cyberwoman". Eight more Torchwood books are confirmed to accompany the second series.[45]

DVD releases

DVD Name Release Date
Series One Part One (Episodes 1-5): 26 December 2006
Part Two (Episodes 6-9): 26 February 2007
Part Three (Episodes 10-13): 26 March 2007

References

  1. ^ a b "Torchwood to return for second series" (Press release). BBC - Press Office. 12 December, 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-12. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Torchwood Season Two to premier in January 2008". Outpost Gallifrey. 11 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  3. ^ "Julie Gardner on Torchwood". The Stage. 5 April 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  4. ^ "Doctor Who spin-off made in Wales". BBC News. 17 October 2005. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Rawson-Jones, Ben (2006-10-17). "Davies: 'Buffy', 'Angel' inspired 'Torchwood'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2006-10-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b "Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies talks about Torchwood spin-off series". SFX. Christmas 2005 issue. Retrieved 2006-03-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= and |date= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: year (link)
  7. ^ Hickman, C. (2006-04-26 cover date). "Torchwood takes off!". Doctor Who Magazine (368): 8–9. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "Captain Jack to get his own series in new Russell T. Davies drama for BBC THREE" (Press release). BBC Press Office. 2005-10-17. Retrieved 2006-08-17. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Griffiths, Nick (2006-10-21–2006-10-27). "The Torchwood Files". Radio Times. 331 (4307). BBC Worldwide: 11. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Williams, Andrew (2006-11-02, hard copy 2006-11-03). "60 Second Interview : John Barrowman". Metro. Retrieved 2006-11-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ "Russell T. Davies talks about Torchwood" (MP3). BBC Radio Wales. 17 October 2005. Retrieved 2006-03-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  12. ^ "BBC THREE Autumn 2006" (Press release). BBC Press Office. 2006-07-24. Retrieved 2006-08-17. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Russell T. Davies (2006-04-22). "Tooth and Claw". Doctor Who. BBC. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |episodelink= ignored (|episode-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "More Martha!". BBC Doctor Who. Retrieved 2007-07-02.
  15. ^ "Daffodils, Dragons and Demons". James Marsters Live. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
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  18. ^ "Team Torchwood" (Press release). BBC Press Office. 2006-02-24. Retrieved 2006-11-04. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "John Barrowman at LFCC: 2 July 2006 Q&A Transcript". johnbarrowman.com. Retrieved 2006-07-18.
  20. ^ Doctor Who Magazine 384
  21. ^ Doctor Who Magazine 384
  22. ^ Akyuz, Gün (April 6 2006). "BBC sci-fi thriller finds partner". C21 Media. Retrieved 2006-04-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  23. ^ MacDonald, Gayle (May 30 2007). "CBC's 'new direction': more drama, reality TV". Globe & Mail. Retrieved 2007-06-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  24. ^ Dertzo, Randi A. (June 4 2007). "Fall TV Preview" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-06-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  25. ^ "BBC Drama and Factual Titles Head to TVNZ". Scoop.co.nz. January 10 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  26. ^ De Pablos, Emiliano (January 16 2007). "Cuatro stocks up on U.S. fare". Variety. Retrieved 2007-01-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ Michael Idato (January 4 2007). "2007 from the couch". The Age. Retrieved 2007-02-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  28. ^ TV Week. February 12 2007
  29. ^ "Ten signs BBC's hit Dr Who spin-off". National Nine News. AAP. February 28 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ a b "Coming Soon on BBC AMERICA: "MI-5," "Hollyoaks," "Torchwood"..." (Press release). BBC America. April 2 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-04. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Torchwood: Think Men in Black, but without the budget Jim Pembri, June 18, 2007, accessed June 19, 2007 Sydney Morning Herald
  32. ^ James, David (2006-04-17). "Dr Who spin-off based in Bay". South Wales Echo. Retrieved 2006-04-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Price, Karen (2006-10-19). "Action, aliens - and it's filmed in Wales". Western Mail. Retrieved 2006-11-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Gove, Michael (2006-10-25). "What could be sexier than South Wales?". The Times. Retrieved 2006-11-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ Gove, Michael (2006-10-25). "What could be sexier than South Wales?". www.michaelgove.com. Retrieved 2006-11-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ "Torchwood scores record audience". BBC News. 2006-10-23. Retrieved 2006-10-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ Weekly Multichannel Top 10 programmes, BARB. Accessed 7 December 2006
  38. ^ "Dr Who sweeps Bafta Cymru board". BBC News Online. 2007-04-29. Retrieved 2007-04-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ Russell T. Davies (2006-10-23). Torchwood Declassified, Episode 2, Bad Day at the Office (Television Series/Webcast). United Kingdom: BBC.
  40. ^ Robinson, James (2006-08-27). "BBC chief sees future in computer generation". The Observer. Retrieved 2006-08-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ Wilkes, Neil (2006-08-26). "BBC goes interactive with 'Torchwood'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2006-08-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ "Torchwood Videos". www.BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  43. ^ "Torchwood Declassified". RadioTimes.co.uk. Retrieved 2006-10-14.
  44. ^ Middleton, Adrian (2006-07-17). "Justin Richards Talk - Birmingham". Jade Pagoda discussion group. Yahoo!. Retrieved 2006-08-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  45. ^ Johnson, Richard (2007-03-11). "Russell T Davies interview with The Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-03-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

Footnotes

See also

Wikiquote has quotations related to Torchwood.
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