#009- Torchwood: Children of Earth- Ep. 2- Day Two

Airdate: July 21st, 2009
Episode Title: Day Two
Episode #: 302 (Season 3, Episode 2)
Starring: John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd

Fizzle. All the explosiveness and the intrigue of Day One are somehow side-tracked by the slow-pace, character-driven Day Two. The mystery and thrills of the impending alien invasion are overshadowed by Ianto's interactions with his sister and her children, as well as the eternity it takes for the the Torchwood team to reunite after Jack's death (and slow, ugly rebirth). I'll forgive the slow pace of this episode because it utilized its dialogue heavy structure to provide us with a lot of background information and explanation for some of the happenings. The focal point of the episode and story arc forward was the children delivering the message "We are coming tomorrow". Spooky. Also, the 456 frequency picked up a message, or more so, instructions provided from the aliens that wants the British government to build something for them. Fearing the rest of the world has received similar instructions, and not wanting to draw attention to themselves, they build the device without telling any other country. It really makes me want to know just what they did in 1965 that is causing them to so willfully build a device for mysterious aliens. Meanwhile, the public begins to become concerned by the previous days message "We are coming back" which makes them wonder "When were they here before?". Gwen, along with her husband Rhys, set out on a mission to save Jack, and its funny to watch them interact, and it more than made up for Ianto's moping. Despite the government best efforts, not even a bomb in the stomach can kill mighty Captain Harkness, and he slowly regenerates from just a few shattered bones to the living, breathing lovable hero he is. John Barrowman is fantastic on-screen, and really does make Torchwood so fun to watch. Eve Myles and Gareth David-Lloyld compliment him well and create a solid cast that can be funny, serious and bad-ass all at once. So far, Torchwood: Children of Earth is catching America's eye.

Episode Score (out of 10) 8.2
Story: C+
Characters: B+
Creativity: B-
Impact: B

#007- Torchwood: Children of Earth- Ep. 1.- Day One

Airdate: July 20th, 2009
Episode Title: Day One
Episode #: 301 (Season 3, Episode 1)
Starring: John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd

Torchwood is coming. Season 3 of the Russell T Davies Adult "Doctor Who" spin-off will be just 5 episodes, running just THIS week in the summer, complying of a story arc involving all the children of Earth...stopping at the exact same time. The plot line follows the complications with a deal the British government struck with an alien race known only as the "456" (the radio frequency on which they broadcast) forty-four years ago without the rest of the world knowledge. However, when all of Earth's children stop and began repeating in unison "We are coming" over and over, the British government has to do everything it can to cover its own asses. That includes wiping out the local alien experts, Torchwood. The Torchwood institute, which was created by Queen Victoria circa 1869 in preparation to defend the Earth against any pending alien anomalies (such as The Doctor) is headed by Captain Jack Harkness (Barrowman) a man who can never die, and is compellingly loyal to his team. Gwen Cooper (Myles) is the leading lady, a determined, strong-minded butt-kicker who is Jack's right-hand man (ahem, woman). The finally member of the team Ianto Jones (David-Lloyd) (pronounced Yanto) is the quiet, shy, intelligent type, and also plays the role of Captain Jack's romantic interest. The team is on the run from the government, who is set on wiping them out and preventing any leak that the Brits are responsible for the impending alien threat, but they aren't going quietly.

The first episode, titled "Day One" follows the strange behavior of all the worlds children stopping and shouting in unison. The Government is immediately alarmed when reports that it could be "them" are determined. Much of the episode surrounds on the children, and the sheer creepiness that they bring. Really, could you imagine EVERY SINGLE child on planet Earth barking in a deep voice "We are coming!". That is nightmare fodder at its most brilliant. After determining that this is the work of an unknown alien race called the "456", the government decides to "Blank page" Britain's involvement in a yet to be discussed deal made in 1965. Because of this, orders are sent out to kill Captain Jack Harkness and eliminate Torchwood. Meanwhile, the Torchwood team begins their investigations of the mysterious happenings. They visit a mental patient, who has been hiding under a false name for the last forty-years claiming that he was part of the original deal Great Britain made with the 456, in which he watched all his friends vanish in a bright light, however he remained behind. When the children start delivering their eerie message, he unwillingly joins in, repeating "We are coming" and when he comes around utters, "They found me!". The episode has an explosive ending that really got me excited for the next days installment. All I know is that when Torchwood: Children of Earth airs tonight, I will definitely be coming...back.

Episode Score (out of 10) 9.0
Story: A
Characters: B+
Creativity: A-
Impact: B