Episodes 1 & 2 Revisited - Everything Changes & Day One

[Si Hunt]

I've rewatched these this week as the DVD has just come out, and have re-evaluated them a bit. I'm wondering if anyone else has done the same?

There seem to be a few concepts that have just been forgotton over the course of the series - in hindsight it's odd that none of the others know anything about Jack, even his sexuality, at the start, as they all seemed to know him instantly very well over the rest of the series. How long are they supposed to have been operating with Suze if they hardly know him? And why does the snazzy 'sliding paving stone' entrance to the Hub exist if there is a far-more-easily-used back door? And why do we never see it again?

I liked "Everything Changes" and found it still an effective introduction to the show, though it's a shame the Weevil turned out to be Torchwood's only real monster - it's about as effective as the thing at the start of "Love & Monsters" and that got 15 seconds of screen time. The Weevils, of which we don't even get more than one on screen at once, seem to be the only non-CGI aliens on Earth, and were used 2 or 3 times over the rest of the series. I loved the business with Gwen joining Torchwood and the pizza, though the 'revelation' about Suze being a traitor seemed a little pointless in the first ever episode. Why should we care, we didn't know her?

"Day One", undoubtedly the clunker of the series the first time round, is still not "all that", though the central premise isn't as pointlessly sensationalist the second time around. Possibly the only bits we could have done without (because they shock for the sake of it) were topless Owen (though he's built very nicely) and Gwen's lesbian kiss. Why on Earth did it kiss Gwen if it needed a man to have sex with? It seems to realise this after tonguing her for five minutes, and the whole sequence came over as a bit 'shock for shocks sake'. I didn't like the concept of the orgasmic energy either, it was still a bit silly. On the upside, I liked the idea of Gwen making a mistake on her first day, and the tractor beam thing, as well as the notion of them all taking bits and bobs home to play with. Well, you would wouldn't you?

Good, but not great, opening episodes to a fab series.

Si.

[Andy Frankham]

We do see the slab-lift entrance used several times in the series after 'Everything Changes'. In 'Cyberwoman' for instance.

[Ralph]

I just watched my first episode of Torchwood.

Clearly I've been lukewarm to new DW but I wasn't entirely surprised by that because I think I'm unique on these boards to have a 20 year gap when the show was not on my radar. Therefore I think I also have the unusual stance of finding the original series as fresh and new and the new series - I think it gives me a very different perspective.

I was hoping perhaps I'd like this spin off more. Thanks to Wayne lending me his copies I've been able to see this. So first ep watched tonight - it was better than I thought it might be as I've never been particularly keen on John Barrowman and I know he would be quite prominent. Despite this I found myself interested and found it much better viewing than the average episode of that other series. Eve Myles is really the star of this first episode and I enjoyed her performance. I think it would be better if there was a broader range of people though within the Torchwood operation - there appears to be an employment policy of 20 somethings which just seems strange to me as a concept for this organisation. I assume it's simply the show aiming for a 20 something audience rather than a general one?

All this aside it was an engaging first episode which has left me intrigued to see more

[Wayne]

Well that's a promising start considering that the first 2 eps are by far the weakest of the season, (especially the 2nd ep: 'Day One') IMO anyway.

[Ralph]

It would be a nice change to feel moitvated to watch this series rather than feel obliged

[Wayne]

Well i think for the most part that 'Torchwood' got better & better as it went along, so we'll have to see what you think.

[Dirk Gently]

Yes, I'd definitely recommend that you stick with it passed the next episode. It does get better...honest.

[Ralph]

I'm looking forward to it guys, thanks!

[Jonno]

Glad to hear it's piqued your interest, Ralph - I figured it would and to be honest was surprised you've put it off this long!

As for "the other series", well why do you feel "obliged" to watch it? I never watch anything as an obligation, only things I know I like (it helps having sole use of the remote of course!). It's in its third year now, and if you really don't enjoy watching it, stop would be my advice! If you don't like it by now, I would suggest you never will.

This is NOT intended as a dig BTW, and please don't take offence. I just simply don't understand why you seem to be torturing yourself!

[Ralph]

I don't find the new series torturous Jonno (well apart from the odd episode ) as such - I guess what I mean is I watch it more so that I can join in and understand what everyone's excited about

[Ralph]

Day One

This is pretty poor. The focus does appear to be to show this is for adults or more accurately randy teenagers. A monster that travels across the galaxy for the sole purpose of getting into a girl's body to shag every bloke she meets for the high of the universe... It's the kind of topic you find picked up by the makers of Shaving Ryan's privates or other soft porn vehicles.

I agree with Si's comments that one of the best bits was seeing Gwen make a botch the first day. It added some good character development. Otherwise even the worst of X fIles wipes the floor with this one.

I did like ep 3 though!

[Dirk Gently]

Day One is just something you need to go through I feel. They series wouldn't start well without it but at least it never gets this bad again.

[Wayne]

I did like ep 3 though!

Tell us more!

[Ralph]

I was looking for where ep 3 is on the board...

I didn't realise it was "Blake" Gareth Thomas towards the end - does he really have that pot belly these days or was that just extra padding? I thought his performance was really good as a bitter old man troubled by his past.

Gwen was good in this again, a real asset to the show - She seems to me the most solid character - still it's early days I'm sure the rest of the team can be developed further. I like the way they've made her a bit feisty
Plus also the home life troubles gives the character a good grounding in reality.

The sci -fi gadget allowing experiences of the past to be seen and emotionally felt made IMO for an interesting story.

[P-Bal]

Gwen wears the same red Converse shoes as P-Bal in the first episode.

[Wayne]

Interesting to see what you thought, Ralph.
Btw... The first few eps are on the old board, but there's a general Torchwood thread that you could add your thoughts to, or just carry on using this one. I don't think it really matters too much.

[Lord President]

Well i think for the most part that 'Torchwood' got better & better as it went along, so we'll have to see what you think.

I agree entirely, some of the later episodes are truly great! Roll on Season 2!