A little sigh...

[elisi]

I think I've worked out the problem with Torchwood: It has potential.

It has a great set-up, good characters (played by good actors), nice sets, a long history and a wide 'verse to build on. It's got all the ingredients for being truly brilliant, and yet it keeps being under-cooked or burned. It's a bit like that Fast Show sketch with the painter who finds the black and suddenly can't stop.

There's been a lot of talk about how this show is supposed to be dark. It isn't - it's bleak. It's like the difference between... *thinks*... AtS and the Wish!Verse.

What Torchwood desperately needs is depth - nuances, layers, development, characters who aren't just complex, but grow. So far it's just been v. simple storytelling - that's enough for some shows, but this one could be so much more. It's entertaining to watch - but I want it to make me think. I really, really hope it gets there - currently the fic writers are light years ahead (and not just on the porn!).

Comments

[shapinglight]

Pretty much agree with you.

[elisi]

Thought you might. ;)

[rahirah]

In the words of Rosencrantz (or was it Guildenstern?) I keep waiting for them to delve, and they don't.

[elisi]

I keep waiting for them to delve, and they don't.
Exactly.

[kathyh]

I agree. I was hoping for a lot more than I've got so far. The potential is there but they're just not fulfilling it.

What Torchwood desperately needs is depth - nuances, layers, development, characters who aren't just complex, but grow.

Yes. I need some follow up to what's happened to them so far and some background as to how the others came to be there, not just Jack and Gwen.

The bleakness is a standard of British SF. I think Dr Who is rather the anomaly in having a lighter touch, but shows like Survivors and Blake's 7 brought new meaning to bleak, so RTD may be following in their tradition.

[elisi]

I was hoping for a lot more than I've got so far.
Could we gift them with some talented fic writers do you think?

not just Jack and Gwen.
Reading the_royal_anna's post about Firefly, it again reminded me how fantastically good Joss is at this stuff. At the end of the Firefly pilot I knew who all the characters were and what they were like. Joss can build character exposition into any scene.

RTD may be following in their tradition.
Well that's no fun! *pouts*

[calturner.livejournal.com]

I have to say I agree with you. I'm still watching and enjoying, but I can't help but feel disappointed. *sigh*

[elisi]

It's becoming likt Tru Calling - I'll watch, but mostly for the pretty.

[gillo]

It needs more space, I think. The 45-minute length is enough to tell an outline of a story but not to flesh out the characters - they are all cyphers at present, even Jack and Gwen. And loud music and flashy cutting do not alone make exciting viewing. I'm disappointed, but not completely surprised - RTD's DW episodes rely heavily on backstory to create depth, and Torchwood just hasn't got enough backstory yet.

[elisi]

The 45-minute length is enough to tell an outline of a story but not to flesh out the characters
Well this is where Joss reigns supreme. As I said to kathyh - the Firefly pilot manges to introduce and make memorable 9 main characters, and it at no point feels forced. *sigh*

Torchwood just hasn't got enough backstory yet.
Also true...

[gillo]

RTD is not without talent, but he's no Joss. I verily feel Whedon could make me care about a telephone directory if he wrote, cast and directed it...

[elisi]

RTD is not without talent, but he's no Joss.
Now I don't suppose we could get Joss to write Torchwood... Or soem of his writers. Steven DeKnight for instance... *drifts off to happy TVland*

I verily feel Whedon could make me care about a telephone directory
Yeah, but he'd also kill half of it!

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

I have still hope for it. I want to love it - it really has all that potential.

Oh well, I can always use the pretty. and the pterodactyl.

Plus, the jennyo kefuffle was very educational (I learned a lot about Wales!).

[elisi]

I want to love it - it really has all that potential.
Me too! *keeps hoping*

And Capt Jack is mighty pretty!

Plus, the jennyo kefuffle was very educational (I learned a lot about Wales!).
Well that's certainly a good attitude. :)