Torchwood

[tygati]

So, of late I've been watching the first season of Torchwood. Now, mind you, I've never seen a single episode of Dr Who, have pretty much zero idea what it's about, and am going into this cold.

That said, I find myself fascinated. Naturally, the sci-fi aspect of it appeals to me, but it's also so very real that has me rather floored at times. I tend to write rather idealized characters, it's a weakness in my writing, but these... they're so very real, human. They have faults, weaknesses, dreams and fears... they're the most solidly-written characters that I've ever seen on the screen.

The lead female chick irritates the hell out of me, but at the same time, she's far from perfect Mary Sue. She's made a lot of very stupid decisions, and things don't always go right for her. Though I am surprised at times that she's still alive. -__-;;

The doctor fellow, Owen, is an immature hothead that you just want to smack and tell to grow up. Yet at the same time, it's so easy to picture meeting him on the street, because real people are just like that. Same goes for stupid-chick. Gwen. She's a normal, everyday sort of person you'd expect to encounter in the real world, rather than the usual flat, cookie-cutter personas normally found in television.

Then there's the completely unapologetic portrayal of fluid sexualities. I think every single main character has at least kissed a member of the same sex, if not moreso. And it's handled as though it's all perfectly normal, not OMG taboo, not some director trying to make a point, just real people living real lives in the real world... who just happen to have a really Whack job at the same time.

I'm on the last episode of season 1 now. Jack remains my favorite character. He's my favorite type, you know. Strong, commanding, confident, but at the same time alone and hurting. He knows what he wants, yet he hasn't got a clue what he's doing. A dichotomy. And a mystery. Probably would be less of a mystery if I'd seen the Dr Who episodes he comes from, but eh.

Whoever it was who posted the little drabble-thing and got me curious, thanks. :)
(Though I'm not particularly looking forward to That Episode either...)

Comments

[lokiloo.livejournal.com]

FFFFFFFFFFFFF Ianto is still me favorite. Hands down. HE IS SO WOOBIE AND I LUFFS HIM.


Really, you don't need to watch to Dr. Who for Jack background. Although, to understand what happens between season 1 ans 2, you may want to wiki it and read up. Some serious shit goes down.


What did you think of 'Countycide'? I thought, personally, that that episode was one of the best sci-fi ever. And the raw emotion of fear and courage really got me.

Plus, you know, Ianto getting beat up made me...:( and :D at the same time. I DON'T EVEN KNOW ANYMORE.

[tygati.livejournal.com]

Ianto's awesome too. ^__^ I love the fact that he can handle almost everything with a perfectly straight face and pressed suit, and yet every so often the mask slips and there's raw emotion underneath and you're never quite sure who the 'real' Ianto is, underneath his perfect demeanor. <3

I have actually read up a bit on what happens, though I didn't understand a whole lot of it for obvious reasons. ^^; I still don't get what the whole thing is with Jack and the Doctor's severed hand. >.>;;

Countrycide was... weird. Freaky weird. And yet had nothing to do with the Rift, which just made it all the freakier. @_@

And man, the actor who plays Jack... Gah. The insane range of emotion he can convey without a single word... just floors me.
Up until now I was convinced that British film was awful, because all I'd ever been subjected to was British Comedy, which is awful. But this is on a whole different level. Wow.

[lokiloo.livejournal.com]

Well, Jacks kinda-sorta in love with the Doctor. He changed him from a con man with no heart into a hero. But he's in love with the 10th doctor, and since he's regenerated...well, 11 isn't 10 at all.

He still has the hand, though, because it's able to detect if the doctors close, and he needs the doctor to 'fix' him.

and yah, John Barrowman's pretty rad. I LOVE his theater work. <3

[tygati.livejournal.com]

Huh. I might have to look up the appropriate Dr Who episodes then. ^^

[alice_montrose]

British = Good. And now you have to see the BBC Merlin and Robin Hood reinvention shows, for obvious reasons. Just sayin'.

[tygati.livejournal.com]

I did watch Merlin, actually. It was okay, but got tiresome quickly. If it had a second season, I didn't make it that far.

[alice_montrose]

It did have a second season. It will have a third, too, and hopefully soon.

But yay for Jack Harkness!

[tygati.livejournal.com]

AHAHAHAHA, Spike just called Ianto "eye candy"! ^___^

[lokiloo.livejournal.com]

FFFFFFFFFFFFF is James Marsters wasn't so pretty I'd hate John for that. >__>;;

[tygati.livejournal.com]

Hee. Now, I thought it was pretty accurate, actually. ;)

[mechante-fille.livejournal.com]

Oh, you need to type Barrowman into youtube and get lost for a bit. I adore him and have never even seen Torchwood.

This gives me hope, though, because I would like the watch Torchwood (little scared of the more recent stuff, though) and had wondered how far back I would have to go, you know? 5 years? 20? 40? I suppose if I'm ever laid up I'll know what to do with all that time, though.

You have to watch this video!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfq5UAk1Bxc) One of the best things on the internet, so cute! There are also a video with John kissing his real-life boyfriend.

[lokiloo.livejournal.com]

Torchwood actually only has 2 seasons. Dr. Who, on the other hand, has...I dunno, 50+? Although only the last 5-6 are really relevant- Dr. Who had died off for a long time, and got kick booted up again. <3

[lokiloo.livejournal.com]

OH- and David Tennant isn't his boyfriend. he's the actor who played the 11th doctor lol. His real boyfriend is a man named Scott Gils. They've been together 10+ years. <3

[tygati.livejournal.com]

I think she meant there's a different video of him kissing his boyfriend. ^_^ I found that one.

[lokiloo.livejournal.com]

oh LOL. I suck. <3

[tygati.livejournal.com]

Oh so cute! Him being actually gay certainly explains his very nice on-screen kissing skillz with the variety of lovely men he's smooched. ^___^

Yeah, Jack is the only thing in Torchwood that would make more sense with some Dr Who knowledge, and even that doesn't detract from enjoying it, certainly. I kind of like going into it cold.

[mechante-fille.livejournal.com]

*grins* Yeah. And he occasionally speaks out about gay issues, too. I find him such a great 'role model' because he is so unapologetically gay but somehow still ... I don't know, exactly. He is very him. Being also gay doesn't overshadow his personality. He sings and does crazy dances and posts it online, not because he is gay, but because he is crazy. Make sense? Maybe not. ^_^

Good to know!! *glomps*

[tygress.livejournal.com]

Hmmm Torchwood. I got into it from my love of Dr. Who, but it's an excellent series and I like that people can get into it without watching all of Dr. Who either. There are some relevant episodes however that you might want to try and track down.

The show will absolutely break your heart at the end. I think I cried for HOURS. o.O

[tygati.livejournal.com]

>_< Yeah, I knew about that before getting into it. So not looking forward to it. Maybe I'll just stop before I get to season 3.