elisi | Miracle Day. Part 1.

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torchwood

Miracle Day. Part 1.

It was... nice? I don't mean that in a bad way. It was well written, nicely filmed, the new characters smoothly introduced, Bechdel Test passed, Gwen was kick-ass (and there was stuff I can use for My Immortal), Jack was... Jack (oh Jack), and yeah. Good stuff.

It wasn't my show, but I'll certainly watch it. Although I must admit that it is WEIRD watching a continuation on the same day I finally found closure and managed to come to peace with everything.

To explain a bit better what I mean, let me pull this out of my user info:

"A great film is something you can take a brief holiday in; a [funny] television series, with proper character development, is something you can live in."
Tom Cox, The Sunday Times Culture Magazine, 15th Apr. 2007

Torchwood was somewhere I lived. CoE killed it, by turning it into 'event TV' or whatever it's called. The title isn't important. The point is that the story - the specific story - is what matters, and the characters are subservient to it. S1 - 2 of Torchwood gave people a base, a tapestry, a palette: Something for fans to play with, endlessly. CoE broke that template, and instead served up a single story. Miracle Day, similarly, is a single story. You can write around it, but it doesn't generate new stuff.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a bad thing. CoE was a brilliant story. Miracle Day looks good so far. But they're holidays. Destinations. Not somewhere to live.

But I'm OK with that. My tea boy did good. My tea boy did better than good. And I can let him go. Shiny new stuff? Nice. But not mine.

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It's strange. I have both very similar reactions and very different reactions to you, but sometimes arranged differently. S1 Torchwood, I can barely stand (though there were a couple great eps). S2 got better but there were still aspects of it that never really caught me. S1 and S2 Torchwood were something I'd usually watch only because there was other stuff out there for it. Like you said, it could be lived in. So in some ways, I was in it because it was interesting to talk about and later, because people went interesting places in it in fandom. You seem to like it for the livability as you put it . . . however, to me that made it always feel like it never really went where it could or it was too distracted with being the edgier part of the DW-verse to really find its voice beyond that. It was something that made me know the show COULD be great . . . but most the time, I hated almost all the characters and only truly liked/believed about half the plots. S3 though. Oh, that's when I fell in love with Torchwood. That's when I fell in love with Gwen. That's when I fell in love with Ianto. That's when I started finding Jack really interesting again. Yes, it was an ending in so many ways, but that's where it finally felt like the story and the characters came alive and made sense to me. Not to say that S3 was perfect or that the characterizations were perfect, because I had gripes. But what's weird and what I meant by in some ways our perceptions are similar is what you said about S4 so far, about it feeling like it's not 'your show'. I had much the same feeling while watching it. I don't know if that's happened because of their attempt to 'Americanize' it (which is hilarious because their take on Americanizing things, even with the help of Americans, is often a little crackish and in some cases outright laughable with Ep 1 as a great example) or if it's just because I haven't seen enough of the storyline so far or what . . . But in some ways, it feels like watching DW without the TARDIS, you know what I mean? It's all there but something intrinsic (and otherwise easily overlooked) is missing. Oh well, I suppose I will wait and watch more to see if it lives up to S3 to me. If not... *Shrug* I might just move on from Torchwood completely. There's only so much time I can devote to a show because I sense what it COULD be.

(And btw that one blonde CIA woman is so American!SallySparrow that I can't even watch her. But seeing Jack? Oh, I didn't even realize I had missed him that much! And Gwen is awesome. Which is weird because I couldn't even STAND her in S1 or S2 but since S3, she rocks.)

I don't know if that's happened because of their attempt to 'Americanize' it (which is hilarious because their take on Americanizing things, even with the help of Americans, is often a little crackish and in some cases outright laughable with Ep 1 as a great example)

My full opinion of episode one is pretty much WHUT, WHUT IS REX MATHESON'S CHARACTER I CANNOT EVEN.

*sporfle*

NOBODY CARES ABOUT PAYING FOR BRIDGES, SHUT UP.

. . .

Still trying to decide if this is terrible or the best part of the episode. Which, actually, does feel like Torchwood, come to think of it . . .

There were essentially four settings to me while watching this episode. Strangely, they really are the four settings I function in when watching Torchwood normally. They are as follows:

1.) :D - Intrigued by the concept and delighted by thinky-thoughts.

2.) :O - WTF in various forms, ranging from what-crack-are-they-smoking to do-they-have-a-head-injury?

3.) :/ - Bored.

4.) 8D - Ooooooooooooh, BAMF!

Rex Matheson was funny and annoying (and boring at times too - sorry). Ester Drummond is now American!SallySparrow to me so I can't take her seriously. But really, the show is stolen by Oswald Danes who represents such a WTF!ckery of US law that I actually laughed out loud and continue to LOL whenever I think about it. I mean, with the Oswald storylines, I actually said to the TV-screen, out-loud, "Really, Russell? REALLY?!"

It's certainly a ride. And in that way, you're right; that *does* feel like Torchwood, come to think of it.

Lol--accurate summation of the Torchwood experience O_o

Rex Matheson was funny and annoying (and boring at times too - sorry).
Oh, don't apologize--I found him quite boring for long stretches too. And then ludicrous, possibly in a good way.

Ester Drummond is now American!SallySparrow to me so I can't take her seriously.
Huh--I guess I can see that. I mostly found her innocuous. Love the name, though.

But really, the show is stolen by Oswald Danes who represents such a WTF!ckery of US law that I actually laughed out loud and continue to LOL whenever I think about it.
Is it really? I mean, TW is always making a mockery of some aspect of reality, so I kind of assumed it would be best not to think about what was going on with him too hard . . . I do have to assume that RTD starting the first ep of the "American" season of TW with an execution is something of a passive aggressive political statement.

:D - Intrigued by the concept and delighted by thinky-thoughts.
I think this may be where I'm the most disappointed so far. I was at least expecting to like this as an exploration of a pretty cool science fiction concept, but so far I sort of . . . don't care? They almost got me intrigued with the remains of the bomb victim, so I guess there's hope there, but I was expecting the concept to grab me and it didn't really. It does somehow seem fantastically appropriate that RTD, Mr. All-About-Death, is now writing a show where nobody can die. It's like, if nobody saw this coming, they probably should have . . . Of course, if RTD's death-fixation didn't do much for me in any of its other incarnations, maybe I shouldn't be too surprised that it's not grabbing me here either :-\

So you watched it then? :)

I think this may be where I'm the most disappointed so far.
It's funny, because it's almost exactly what I thought it'd be. That is - very much like CoE. I expect that they'll delve a lot further into the whole thing, having extended Jack's UNNATURAL immortality to all of humanity (I bet it's ALL ABOUT HIM, and someone has done a thing a bit like the Immortality Gate and put his template onto the whole world, but leaving him mortal. And then he'll have to choose to be immortal again or something to save the world. /random speculation). But, like CoE, it'll be... art? I sort of hesitate to use the word, but it's the only things that really fits. It's what I mean when I talk about it being like a movie - it will have one singular focus, and I never have much to say about that. Look at Guernica - it's a brutal depiction of warfare, but there's nothing to add to it. I admire it, but it doesn't *do* anything - I never wrote much meta on CoE f.ex. because it didn't need adding to.

Plus there's the fact that it's all story-driven, with the characters subservient to the story, which is fair enough, but I always go for the character stuff. Original Torchwood was all character-driven. Doctor Who is ridiculously character-driven. (Also see Buffy and Angel.) I like me some layers, rather than ONE BIG IDEA.

So I expect the concept to be neat. I expect people like

solitary_summer and

green_maia to write exquisite meta. Which I will nod along to, and then go do something else. Like write Jack/Ianto meta... ♥

So you watched it then? :)
I did. With a bit of divided attention, admittedly.

It's funny, because it's almost exactly what I thought it'd be. That is - very much like CoE.
Yeah, me too. I just figured I'd find that a bit more inherently interesting. But it's early yet.

And then he'll have to choose to be immortal again or something to save the world. /random speculation
I suspect your speculation is right. And I do remember about an hour after watching the episode suddenly realizing--in a state of bored, slightly sarcastic pseudo-panic--'oh no, but now how will someone sacrifice themself to save the world?!?' But your suggestion should do well, heh.

But, like CoE, it'll be... art? I sort of hesitate to use the word, but it's the only things that really fits.
A self-contained story? I know what you mean, though. More of a mini-series than a tv show. Feel similarly about Sherlock. Rather confused as to how anyone got such a huge fandom out of that. It can't *just* be the slash, can it?

I like me some layers, rather than ONE BIG IDEA.
Preach.

Yeah, me too. I just figured I'd find that a bit more inherently interesting. But it's early yet.
10 episodes...

I suspect your speculation is right. And I do remember about an hour after watching the episode suddenly realizing--in a state of bored, slightly sarcastic pseudo-panic--'oh no, but now how will someone sacrifice themself to save the world?!?' But your suggestion should do well, heh.
I'd bet money on it, actually. I mean, the connection is SO OBVIOUS! (Plus there's the webisode thing which I watched, and apparently Jack was kidnapped back in 2007, plus someone wrote about how 'the government' - or whoever - were planning to eliminate death. A week before it happened. He then gets shot. DON'T go looking for it, it was VERY VERY dull.)

A self-contained story? I know what you mean, though. More of a mini-series than a tv show.
*nods* And it's that thing of the characters beign subservient to the story... (In The House of the Dead, the plot is so RIDICULOUSLY carefully tailored to the characters that it makes me laugh. Oh Torchwood. I love you when you're daft. ETA: Plus, there's MAGIC PEBBLES! There is no level on which I don't love it...) ETA2: This review OMG!. It's very positive. Drooling, almost. And sums up *perfectly* what the problems are (although the reviewer sees them as strengths).

Rather confused as to how anyone got such a huge fandom out of that. It can't *just* be the slash, can it?
Well, there's the slash. And, then it draws on a long history - Sherlock Holmes has been told, and re-told, goodness knows how many times. Only now they're all up to date. And have gorgeous cheekbones.

Edited 2011-07-17 21:09 (UTC)

(Plus there's the webisode thing which I watched, and apparently Jack was kidnapped back in 2007, plus someone wrote about how 'the government' - or whoever - were planning to eliminate death. A week before it happened. He then gets shot. DON'T go looking for it, it was VERY VERY dull.)
Enthusiasm . . . for . . . MD . . . failing . . .

Rusty, I know you and I have never gotten on all that well, but do you know how much crack and Gwen blowing shit up is gonna have to happen to compensate for this?

ETA: Plus, there's MAGIC PEBBLES! There is no level on which I don't love it...
Are we talking about TW at this point, or a children's breakfast cereal?

ETA2: This review OMG!. It's very positive. Drooling, almost. And sums up *perfectly* what the problems are (although the reviewer sees them as strengths).
*iz bemused* I rather wish I could get in that mindset--it seems a lot more fun. I'll give them this, that is one of the more entertaining reviews I've ever read. Cardboard box/pyramid/duck remnants food and all.

Enthusiasm . . . for . . . MD . . . failing . . .
Just pretend it doesn't exist. It's just a fan service thing extra. And so *ugly*... /o\

Rusty, I know you and I have never gotten on all that well, but do you know how much crack and Gwen blowing shit up is gonna have to happen to compensate for this?
Well

lynnenne watched ep 2, and her comments were all about the awesomeness of Gwen... So you might get your wish.

Are we talking about TW at this point, or a children's breakfast cereal?
House of the Dead. *draws pink sparkly hearts*

*iz bemused* I rather wish I could get in that mindset--it seems a lot more fun. I'll give them this, that is one of the more entertaining reviews I've ever read. Cardboard box/pyramid/duck remnants food and all.
It's... odd, certainly. But the enthusiasm is nice.

Edited 2011-07-18 18:58 (UTC)

Well lynnenne watched ep 2, and her comments were all about the awesomeness of Gwen... So you might get your wish.
Lol. After watching ep one I was like "ok, that's definitely it--I'll just wait and watch it all at once." Then ep two came out and people were like "it's Gwen on a motherf*cking plane!" and now I don't know what to do. Will probably give in /o\

House of the Dead. *draws pink sparkly hearts*
I know, I'm making fun of you ; ) And children's breakfast cereal commercials.

"They're always after me lucky charms..."

Oh Austin Powers. ♥

It's funny, because I know quite a few people like you - people who suddenly connected with the show properly during CoE. What's also funny is that I - long ago, back when S1 was being broadcast - said that Torchwood's problem was its potential. And I still remember watching Day 1 of CoE, jaw hitting the floor and just going: "HOLY CRAP TORCHWOOD GREW UP!!!" But... it was a catch-22: In fulfilling its potential it also destroyed itself. (Rusty has talked about how he felt that he was cannibalising his own show, and he wasn't wrong.)

Re. the split in quality, then I remember my frustration during S1, because it was not as well written as it ought to be, plus the RELENTLESS MISERY was a bit wearying. But... I liked Ianto. Right from the start, I liked the Watcher-type (what a surprise). I was rather furious with Cyberwoman for [so it seemed at the time] ruining him, but then the writers - JOY OF JOYS - actually followed up on the Jack/Ianto thing, and that was it for me. *points to icon*. That scene - that scene was like MAGIC. (Some thoughts here, written after S1 had finished.) And the thing is, Jack/Ianto hit like... ALL my shipping buttons. So that's one reason it's my show.

The other thing is this (to steal a quote from I-forget-who), but it sums it up beautifully:

"It involves alien-hunting and a cyborg fighting a pterodactyl, and I am quite, quite certain that every single pairing is canon. Just watch an episode, pick any two of the main characters, and I can pretty much assure you that it's either canon or will be canon in the near future. It's just a fanfic-writer's dream."

I have often said that I can cope with plot holes the size of Wales as long as the characters ring true and the metaphors work. (This is partly due to being a Buffy fan - I can elaborate if you like.) Torchwood tested that theory and found that it's true. Torchwood was daft, but it was daft in a way I could cope with. Plus - the fic. Oh ye Gods, the fic. You could do ANYTHING, and it would work, and could be canon. The show was crack half the time, and angst the rest - heck, they made mpreg canon within the first five minutes of episode 1. That really tells you everything you need to know. And with a 'verse like that, what can't you do? Like I said - anything could happen. ANYTHING. And that's magical.

I also have a VERY high tolerance for unlikeable characters - I don't care about *liking* them, I care whether they make sense. Torchwood people being fucked up and cynical made perfect sense, so I never hated them. And then of course we got flashback episodes of AWESOME. Oh the fanservice... The fanservice on that show is/was second to none. ♥

which is hilarious because their take on Americanizing things, even with the help of Americans, is often a little crackish and in some cases outright laughable with Ep 1 as a great example
IT IS PAYBACK OMG! *cackles*

Anyway, must run. Hope you like my rambling...

It's totally besides your point, but I thought CoE was something I might've liked to have read. I just couldn't take it as TV. I'm kind of a visual media wimp. MD looks even worse on the baby in peril, gore front. I Did love the Wales = New Jersey joke.

It's totally besides your point, but I thought CoE was something I might've liked to have read. I just couldn't take it as TV. I'm kind of a visual media wimp.
Hmmm, interesting thought. And yeah, Day 5 of CoE was... unwatchable, in certain respects. I respect RTD for going there and not backing out or finding a way around it, but... can't watch it.

MD looks even worse on the baby in peril, gore front.
It's odd, but I didn't mind? Not so far, anyway. And oddly it's sort of put CoE in perspective. Not the Steven bit, but Jack being blown up and buried in concrete and all that. Because when he seems utterly devoid of empathy or anything resembling human feelings ("What if you detach the head?"), then we know that he's been there himself. And that makes a difference. It's a gruesome difference, but a difference nonetheless.

"It wasn't my show"

I had exactly the same reaction. It was good. I liked it. I totally squeed over all the Buffy connections in the credits. If this was the first part of something completely new, I'd have watched it and would be definitely be watching the next episode on the strength of it. It's looking like a great spectacle in the making. It just wasn't quite the Torchwood that I mocked to high heaven but grew to absolutely cherish. Maybe I'll grow to love this too. Maybe. I don't know. I didn't think I'd end up loving the old one so much, so anything is possible. :)

That last radio play - all bad acting, over the top emotions, silly storyline - yeah, that was my Torchwood. It does seem very weird to have experienced both in the same day. I think I feel the same as you here. The play really helped me let go of it. I think I can enjoy this new thing more because of having heard the echo of old show one last time, cried a little and said goodbye to it.

I had exactly the same reaction. It was good. I liked it. I totally squeed over all the Buffy connections in the credits. If this was the first part of something completely new, I'd have watched it and would be definitely be watching the next episode on the strength of it. It's looking like a great spectacle in the making. It just wasn't quite the Torchwood that I mocked to high heaven but grew to absolutely cherish.
It's funny, but I didn't expect it to be, and I was right. CoE changed things - killed the old and brought in the new. Which is fair enough. But it's the old that I loved... The new is just that - new.

Maybe I'll grow to love this too. Maybe. I don't know. I didn't think I'd end up loving the old one so much, so anything is possible. :)
I might like it, but I don't think I can love it. Certainly not in the same way. Too different.

That last radio play - all bad acting, over the top emotions, silly storyline - yeah, that was my Torchwood. It does seem very weird to have experienced both in the same day. I think I feel the same as you here. The play really helped me let go of it. I think I can enjoy this new thing more because of having heard the echo of old show one last time, cried a little and said goodbye to it.
*nods* It's all gone now. And I'm OK with that. My boy did good. (All I ever wanted was for him to save the world single-handedly and to have Jack say that he loved him. Not so much to ask, surely? Heh. *squishes radio play*)

There'll be meta btw. Oh yes. One last shippy indulgence. ♥

I was super bored. :( Whole thing felt rushed. I understand what their trying to do, but.... no. Did not like. It's like they switch my crack with meth. : /

Btw: IF YOU LOOK ETHAN RAYNE WAS A NEWS REPORTER. I squeeled so hard, man.

Yeah, I only comment like once every nine months 'cuz lurkings is a thing I do.

Edited 2011-07-16 20:37 (UTC)

I think one problem is that... it looks like a lot of other stuff out there. S1 -2 Torchwood (and CoE, in part at least) had its own look and feel (and that awesome Hub to centre everything around), but now it's working on concept alone, and the concept is pretty standard sci-fi. It might be good sci-fi, but it's not unique anymore.

Btw: IF YOU LOOK ETHAN RAYNE WAS A NEWS REPORTER. I squeeled so hard, man.
REALLY? Ooooh, must go find that. (I was rather distracted throughout, sadly, so didn't catch everything.)

And hello! Lurking is absolutely fine, but it's nice to see you. *waves*

This is going to be weird for me.. Being North American and being an episode ahead. Ep 1: very... expositional. Bringing old viewers and new viewers up to date with the story, slowly reeling them in. Introduce the old characters, introduce the new characters, introduce the predicament. It did indeed feel slow to me, up till the whole gang was together. Once Rex showed up at the house, it felt it was starting to work. New added to old. Then it ended what felt too abruptly. So it was a bit odd. Episode 2 continues well, and the story amps up a bit. You'll get more mystery... more peril, yadda. I think this story is a slow boiler. And after the second episode, I think MD may end up being more character driven than CoE. But I think our character focues will be Rex, Oswald, and Jack (but further in as the story links to him - much like CoE where we get that character plotline soon as his grandson is involved). Esther gets a bit better in the second episode too. Also, the doctor character and Lauren Ambrose's character are starting to intrigue me. Aanyways, it's not season 1 and 2 no. But it's also not CoE, but it's definitely a direct continuation from CoE (456 protocol, LOL!). For me though, it's still my Torchwood.

Well I'm glad it's still your show - that's the case for a lot of people. For me, though, Ianto was Torchwood, so...

Anyway, MD is shiny, and I shall be watching. Gwen is awesomecakes, and I could watch Jack forever. It just... feels like a spinoff of a spinoff?

But! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it's appreciated. <3 And I'm looking forward to ep 2! :)

Grr. Am three eps in. It's still Torchwood (which is to say, not as infuriating as DW, but continually provoking to "and you had them do that why?"ness), but it also still has Eve Myles. With a surface-to-air handheld rocket launcher and handgunning with baby-ear-muffed.
Heh. It's got a LOT less of the 'these things happen when you're on a ~~hellmouth~~ [insert appropriate substitute]' stuff (which RTD uses as happily as Joss), indeed I remember watching Day 1 of CoE with my jaw on the floor going 'HOLY CRAP TW GREW UP!!!', but there are still traces...

DW gets away with a TON of stuff because the Doctor can do almost anything. I rather like that, to be honest - it means the constraints come from elsewhere, and gives you a different kind of story.

And Gwen. ♥

Nice to see Jane Espenson getting work again, though.
Don't think she's ever been *out* of work to be honest. I know she worked on BSG and Caprica and there was probably other stuff too.

Though if they kill of everyone I care about again (season 2 - didn't try CoE because I knew how bleak it would be), it'll probably be another several years before I come back...
Well currently everyone's immortal, so... ;) Although it'll be interesting to see, actually, if RTD feels he has to kill people in order to 'keep it real'.

Perhaps I should say "getting work on stuff I'd be even slightly tempted to watch" - though I should go see about her Game of Thrones episode - I stopped watching after about three, but I was curious about how she'd do.

I actually wouldn't mind them killing Rex or whatever the CIA agent's name is - he may be heroic, but he's also somewhere between really and extremely callous (joking that his rival's wife's cancer gives him career opportunity). But if they kill the nice blond analyst, that would feel like Tosh's death/backstory, or Owen's backstory. Just kind of cruel to be cruel and wring the audience.

Good distinction, and one I share. :)

*nods* Although being a Joss acolyte has warped me - I always expect the worst. If people are happy, I know one of them will die. If the hero needs to be hurt, the one(s) he loves will die. THEM'S THE BREAKS! (Did I mention that I love Moffat, and the way he completely turns these tropes on their head? I *trust* him. Can't remember the last time I trusted a writer.)

But why does the hero need to be hurt, is my question?

Interesting - I've not seen enough of Moffat to know whether or not to trust him. I trust a few writers of novels, but currently not a lot of TV or film writers I expect to provide excellent structure, thematic development, characters and dialogue, as well as satisfying emotional narrative.

Tis a tall order, so I spose I shouldn't be surprised.

Oh because PAIN IS GOOD! Make people cry, and then they'll be invested. (See man!pain for all the ways in which this is hugely problematic.)

And Moffat's Who (S5 ->)... Let me quote

promethia_tenk:

"I always loved poetry because you can treat a poem like a puzzle. Everything matters on all the levels: literal meaning, symbolic meaning, allusions, associations, sounds, the rhythm, the relation of each part to whole, the structure of it all, the configuration on the page... the sheer density of information you can encode in a poem is just awesome. There is NO WAY to read poetry passively.

AND THEY MADE A WHOLE TV SHOW LIKE THAT."

It is LIKE MAGIC! And the amazing thing is that if you pay attention to the metaphors, you can see where it's going. Storywise it's nigh-on impossible to predict, but looking at all the stuff beneath the surface the structure is clear. I love it to a ridiculous extent. Also the Eleventh Doctor is delightfulness incarnate, and I could watch him reading the phonebook. Actually, that would be pretty amazing. Hmmm. There should be fic.

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Miracle Day. Part 1.

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