Torchwood: Everything Changes (series premiere)
(S01E01) It's really not surprising to discover that the BBC's Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood notched up the biggest audience for a non-sport program on a digital TV channel (in the UK, at least). Having just watched the first episode of the opening two-parter, I can honestly predict with a degree of certainty that the BBC has found itself another sure-fire hit from the mind of Russell T. Davies.
And do you really want to know what happened in this innaugural episode?
Warning: spoilers after the jump.
I'll tell you what happened; nothing.
Well, that's not exactly true. Everything happened. And nothing.To an outsider, this was nothing more than a standard introduction to relatively new characters and settings. It was basically a typical pilot.
In fact, it felt like I was watching the first hour or so of Hellboy; a mysterious paranormal-type government organization with a secret base hidden in a public building; weird aliens killing innocent people; unusual weapons and artifacts; a smart new recruitment (who also happens to be a cop) and a team of misfits guided by a charming leader.
But where Torchwood differed from the BBC's normal approach to science-fiction was in its edge.
This is a show which clearly has its sights on a mature audience; from the first F-word to the blatant multi-sexual overtones, and in the fairly graphic violence clearly designed to shock.
We had a guy being revived from the dead for questioning, an alien attacking an orderly in a hospital, and a tense stand-off near the end.
As I often say about the exceptional BBC shows which tend to make it big, this had everything a viewer would want -- including the viewers who don't really like science-fiction -- quality script writing, excellent production values, great acting and, above all, a terrific premise updated for a sophisticated audience.
The important thing to remember, is that first and foremost, this is a drama. The science-fiction is a secondary consideration, and it really shouldn't prevent any discerning viewer from enjoying every minute of it.
Do you want me to tell you anything about what actually happened in Everything Changes?
Sure you do, but it was technically a two-parter, so you'll just have to wait until I've watched the next one.

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