Thoughts on Torchwood [SERIES 1 REVIEW]

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

I feel like I need to state that Harry almost walked away after Episode 5. I managed to talk him into Countrycide tho.

[@mattthesilent777RED]

I liked Countrycide for being both a terror-filled adventure and having a villain that wasn't an alien, even if it was revealed that the villain's minds had been influenced by an alien chemical or something like that

[@littlemy1773]

Who is Harry please?

[@mattthesilent777RED]

@@littlemy1773 Harry's the name of the guy running the KZbin channel that made the video

[@littlemy1773]

@@mattthesilent777RED Thanks. Having a blonde moment there lol, thought there was a character I’d missed who was walking from the show!!🤣

[@craycray8098]

@@mattthesilent777RED There wasn't any alien chemical. They were just fucked up people

[@Deathlygunn]

Regarding the Hot Fuzz mention, that Episode of Torchwood would have aired in October 2006, whilst Hot Fuzz was February 2007, just shows how cliché the chase was that Hot Fuzz was already parodying it.

[@HarrysMovingMedia]

Curiously, this was uploaded the day I passed 100,000 subscribers so thanks for that one boys n girls!

[@tothersoundtrack8855]

It's my pleasure! (also, will you be doing a Torchwood series 2 review? This was excellent!!)

[@asifscool2811]

How is this comment 1 year old when the video was uploaded today?

[@DiamondFire]

@@asifscool2811 Uh... no. It was uploaded a year ago.

[@mrknowhere6457]

@@asifscool2811 time travel

[@GreekHouseEffect]

Also Suzie really stands out as a character. I really wish we had seen more of her

[@georgewaterman1925]

But they just keep killing suzie!

[@helpme2719]

Apparently in the early stages of writing series 2, Suzie would have filled Owen's role during the whole dead man walking thing. Unfortunately, Indira Varma was unavailable at the time.

[@VallornDeathblade]

Overall, I find Torchwood solid. It's not perfect, but the characters really stand out in many episodes. There are some really lacking episodes that seem like 'filler' but there are also some really good, standout episodes. Season 2 on the other hand has some character arcs (poor fucking Owen) that are utterly superb.

[@tothersoundtrack8855]

Yep. Owen didn't deserve that utter horror...

[@DWAkhaten]

22:06 - 22:22 Gwen Cooper being a massive creep. She wanted to have her cake and eat it too - tell Rhys about her affair so she could feel better about herself, and then make him forget it so she wouldn't have to deal with the consequences of her actions - and I'm glad to see it didn't pan out for her.

[@theodorehanchett4201]

honestly gwen has always rubbed me the wrong way. shes honestly a pretty terrible person before COE, she willingly cheats on rhys multiple times and like you said when she confessed she had drugged him anyways so it was only for HER so she could feel like she had been rid of the guilt.

[@littlemy1773]

I was watching a reaction channel and the guy kept saying gosh they’re really all sh***y people bar Tosh and Rhys . Never noticed at the time, but watching it again yeah he’s right, they are awful!

[@ealadubh4800]

RTD writes one pilot episode and fucks off. Chris Chibnall oversees the rest of two seasons. RTD comes back and writes Children Of Earth. ...No, YOU figure it out.

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

Chibnall didn’t actually oversee any of Torchwood.

[@DiamondFire]

@@DanTheMan2150AD what Daniel said lmao

[@ealadubh4800]

@@DanTheMan2150AD Hm. Could have sworn, since he wrote by far the most episodes. Definitely fooled me at the time when I was part of the Behind The Sofa review team. But it would help further explain how no two writers ever seemed to be on the same page when it came to characterisation. This was also during the time where Chibs was well prepared to throw all semblence of character out of the window just for the sake of a cheap gag.

[@LabradorIndependent]

Well, RTD remained Executive Producer throughout, though Chibnall was the de-facto lead writer of Series 1 and 2, writing most of the key episodes including the series 2 premier and both finales. RTD then took over as lead writer in Series 3. Quite the extent of involvement RTD had as Executive Producer in the first two seasons I'm not sure. Chibnall wasn't a producer so the extent to which he oversaw the show I'm not sure, but he was clearly given the latitude to write the key stories, so take that as you will. I actually think Chibnall wrote some fantastic episodes for Torchwood, shame that never translated into Doctor Who.

[@ealadubh4800]

@@LabradorIndependent ​ Well with RTD having to split his attention between developing and then maintaining three shows at once, it probably explains the lack of focus that so much of Torchwood suffers from, and is perhaps a good argument that Chris Chibnall *should* have been overseeing it more, particularly as he's just getting into his stride by the end of series two. His best episode by far is Adrift.

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

That’s the thing about reviews... *they come in pairs*

[@entenkopper]

trust me episode 9 random shoes is way better than you think. It growed on me. I really did enjoy it

[@Confessy]

Jack handing over the little girl to the fairies was really cool in my opinion. Shows his cold side.

[@littlemy1773]

He repeated that with his own grandkid in children of earth. I hated that. Put me off Jack and I gave up on Torchwood after that

[@Confessy]

@@littlemy1773 no I liked it. Made it a dark show and a main character that was far from perfect

[@littlemy1773]

@@Confessy each to their own . But I do know a lot of people who were repulsed by it, it wasn’t just me . I think cos it’s connected to Who, and the way Jack was presented in that as happy go lucky, and ruled by his trouser dept . To see this it felt out of character, to me at least

[@Confessy]

@@littlemy1773 Yeah fair enough I can see that. He is my favourite character in both shows

[@littlemy1773]

@@Confessy up to that point yes he was my fave too. I had quite a crush on him. I loved him the best when he was getting his makeover from Trinny and Susannah . That scene for some reason never fails to crease me up

[@MattitudePlays]

"Gwen is our most relatable character" I can see where the human race went wrong with all the pointless cheating and deception

[@CableB_]

Torchwood’s low point is Cyberwoman, after that it’s all uphill from there

[@666tiger7]

2:13 - I am so glad I'm not the only one who noticed this. Second to 'Spitting Games' is 'Sing' by Travis.

[@k.jamescarters9557]

Torchwood stopped yas from being murdered as a kid lol. You have just made that character a million times better!

[@Temptation666]

a million times 0 is still 0 though 🤣

[@k.jamescarters9557]

@@Temptation666 true! I mean at least it’s some backstory or area of interest.

[@thegamingturner5103]

Random shoes was actually rather enjoyable for me it was interesting to see someone who was desperate to feel important getting his shot at being seen by the people he desperately wanted to be apart of

[@littlemy1773]

I really liked it too. It made me cry at the end Ngl

[@shadowshart1]

Ah finally! Can't wait for you to do the rest of torchwood thank you for this! Torchwood is legit in my top 3 favourite shows abd its so good to see your doing reviews ^_^

[@Cyber_Smoke]

Torchwood feels a missed opportunity everything is set up really well in series 1-2 of Doctor who for torchwood but it felt as though they didn't understand what to do with the adult rating. Take the Cyberwomen episode it's a poor interpretation of the Cybermen missing key points that Cybermen are "uniform" all the same gender, race all eliminated. We could of had a gritty Cybermen story where the main series would be restrained this could have played its adult tone to it's strength and made a truly memorable story. We also could have seen more Classic and new series monsters/characters like SJA.

[@WaterCarrier07]

Series 2 does well to adjust its tone compared to series 1 :)

[@MadScientist512]

Really should have shown Chinball being both writer and co-producer on the terrible "Cyberwoman", and indeed much of Torchwood. No wonder that all the 'adult' drama was an ironically childish missed opportunity to genuinely explore dark and adult-oriented territory that relied mostly on shock value.

[@cw5522]

I haven't watched the full video yet, just putting in my thoughts. Series 1 was largely a miss, I'd say 3 decent episodes, those being Everything Changes, Countrycide and Captain Jack Harkness. Series 2 is largely better, dialling down some of the more outrageous traits of the show and certain characters as well as building more backstories, introducing a villain that has a presence multiple times throughout the series, and also connects back to Doctor Who by bringing in one of the past companions. However, there are 2 or 3 episodes that still feel a bit pointless. Series 3 (Children of Earth), in my opinion by far, is the best, it had a long continuous story that allows them to flesh out more characters without needing to shoehorn in a threat then dispose of it every time. This also has the effect of allowing them to build up a more threatening villain. Series 4 (Miricle Day), ehhhhhhh, although it definitely has Torchwood's dark flare and isolated it's an ok story, I feel the series should've been limited to somewhere around 5 or 6 episodes, also coming off the back of CoE it didn't work given how that finished.

[@helpme2719]

Honestly, all those episodes are decent, but I think Captain Jack Harkness is the only s1 episode I'd define as "good". Everything Changes is definitely well written, but it mostly feels like setup for an incredibly disappointing series. Countryside I know is popular, but I really don't enjoy it, I think it's just not for me. I would like to add They Keep Killing Suzie to the list of "decent" episodes though. Its not really good, but it remains one of the few s1 episodes that actually holds my attention throughout.

[@scalpingsnake]

Season 3 came out of nowhere and it was so incredibly good. I was just so shocked how good it was.

[@ibtunesoriginals2629]

Out of Time was also fantastic

[@nightowl8477]

They Keep Killing Suzie is beautiful. Only episode of Series 1 you should watch; the rest are serviceable, on a good day.

[@hydra_lisk]

christ his face at 11:25 had me sobbing with laughter

[@dansmudge135]

Nice to have some world building though, I can usually live through bad everything knowing it’s the DW universe. I know that’s just everything with doctor who these days but I still like the 2000’s style…despite the bad stuff

[@Mooglatan]

The funniest thing about the final episode for me is how all the normal people who on average will have lived like, a few decades, get their lives absorbed instantly by the shadow. But then Jack takes minutes even though he's only lived a few decades as a time agent (judging by how old he looks) and then about 150 years since the 1800s. He only has like 5 times as much life as anyone else, why does it take him so long? lol

[@jakewavey2257]

Can't wait for ur series 3 review !

[@Midtable1881]

Love Torchwood and it’s of its time.

[@CodeAndGin]

I like Torchwood, but series 1, 2 and 4 are mostly misses with some good elements. Series 3 is peak TV tho

[@ericrobins5188]

You straight got me with the Berserk reference bravo 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@drakengarfinkel3133]

HMM: It’s now a Berserk video essay so you know what that means! “Behelit” OST cut and looped over b-roll of Berserk manga!

[@Temptation666]

uploadet 8th Sep 2020 and nothing since. Guess Harry never had the stomach to rewatch series 2

[@lucasgillon8964]

Hoping for a season 2 review too

[@annehornby592]

Ep 2 that story was in USA the outer limits in the early 200

[@The8BitPianist]

Weird to put Rudi Guliani in the thumbnail but okay

[@millienorton3781]

You sir have just made my Christmas

[@bren3986]

That Welsh accent was amazingly funny

[@thewayfarer8849]

Only seen the sf debris Miracle Day review of Torchwood, so interested to hear a funny analysis of the show

[@wn7781]

PLEASE SO SERIES 2 PLEEEEASE

[@Rowandgs]

You should review The Fades. Criminal that it was cancelled after season 1

[@ItsJustLuke656]

How tf are there comments from a year ago

[@kneau]

Christmas chrono magic?

[@yannatoko9898]

A re-upload from over a year ago.

[@matthewbolitho-jones]

I like Torchwood

[@GoblinSing]

Unbelievably harsh on Random Shoes, and an episode that makes much more sense if you watch more than the first half -_- Pretty decent series analysis for the most part though.

[@blade-kj8fe]

Harry can you review rest of inside no 9

[@artyb27]

3:18 whyyyyyy were you watching this show at 10? 😯 How?!

[@joebees21]

I have fond memories of Torchwood although if we're honest it isn't great is it. Feels like they told a 15 year old to write it so they just went "yeah lets have dinosaurs and guns and violence and everyone shags!"

[@achromat666]

Series 1 and 2 are terrible. I get that it was literally just them throwing stuff at a wall to see what would stick, but I felt so little for most of the new cast. Hated (and still hate) Owen, Tosh felt pointless, and Ianto was just around for Jack to make googly eyes and screw. They didn't dig into Any of their origins until the second season and that would have helped a lot for most of them in the first. Too often stuff focuses around sex or adult subjects seemingly because they just realized they can get away with it, but very little of it actually added to any drama. Because Ianto is so very one dimensional in the 1st 2 seasons his relationship with Jack felt empty. Owen and Gwen's relationship seemed out of place and pointless from the start and at no point did Rhys get the opportunity to be rightfully pissed at both of them long enough to punch Owen (have I mentioned I don't like him? I refer to him as senor date rape when talking with my wife). Too much nonsense with little to no payoff most of the time, with maybe 5 really good episodes between the 1st 2 seasons for me. Children of Earth and Miracle Day are better, but mainly because the other 2 are such a mess to watch. And Miracle Day has plenty of its own problems.

[@littlemy1773]

Miracle day was awful tho . It was too slick and too American . I kind of like how goofy the whoverse is. I think this was made for edgy teens not grown ups tbh

[@wilson.647.whovian.Maxley]

Merry Christmas

[@noneya3635]

It’s sad how they think juvenile things like cussing and fcking make things adult. One of the reasons that I hated enterprise. T and A doesn’t make a thing grown up.

[@leipherd8118]

Countrycide was the episode I gave up on Torchwood. The nonsense of the "professional team" splitting up & walking into obvious trap after trap in the most incompetent manner imaginable just broke it for me. Chibnall's "people do stupid things because the plot demands it" was peak here, but never goes away.

[@-Berry.]

Sarah Jane Smith adventures review when?

[@scottlawson9504]

Dalek said it bit of a mixed bag

[@meg_sz]

Am begging you to review Sarah Jane Adventures

[@thurmanstevenson5692]

Omg rice boy is vicious!!!

[@Αφροδιτη-ψ9ο]

They digged into their origins just to kill them. Not only pointless but also their background stories were out of place , the scenes of their past seemed more as fillers and weren't matching what we had already see from their characters. Owen's life was a roller coaster like they couldn't decide what sort of a guy he is , Tosh was Asian and that says pretty much everything about her and Ianto was a reminder of Jack's sexuality. I liked Gwen and her dynamic with Jack ,as a team cause I found pointless their love interest for each it other ,didn't lead anywhere and was popping out of nowhere . Kinda hated that Gwen seemed to be there mostly for emotional support and a moral counselor while she was supposed to be a cop. Not only she didn't had a clue on how to use a gun but girl was acting like it was a selfie stick or something . Actually now that I'm thinking of it probably I liked more Mendes acting and not so much Gwen as a character. As for Ris , well, he was there only so Gwen can prove that it was possible to combine the two ways of life. Suzie was probably the only actual decent character that stood out . S1 and S2 just screams Chibnall, poor characters and plots , starting things without any idea of how to end them and many times he just forgot about them and the adult drama was mostly based on sock value.

[@krustykrabmeat6881]

Season one was fun I liked it a bit more than u I think

[@mjolner6792]

Come on mate do the whole show.

[@abigailwildlife1322]

Not torchwood slander

[@ruthalber4658]

The elves look a lot like Gollum from The Lord of the Rings repeat that guy looked Pet Doctor Who get me a fart bucket

[@alecmillward355]

I think if i was gonna show someone torchwood for the first time I'd watch episode 1 then skip straight to episode 6 and watch the series through to the end (apart from random shoes). The start of the series has too many back to back poor episodes.

[@barry1369]

ABADOOOOOON

[@THIZZAVELI]

LOL chibs didn't really do much writing till the last season(which was boring except for the episodes not done by chibs). He only did like 2 or 3 episodes, the 1st, middle, and end. That's why season 1 and 2 were pretty good because they were doctor who writers. But the endings all fell flat(classic chibs). The last season was super boring and it had a great set up but failed at the finale. The best episode was written by the dude who wrote the impossible planet/the satan pit in doctor who. That guy needs to do more episodes with doctor who. It was the episode with "death". Perfect set up for an ending. But chibs ruined it.

[@patchey8019]

5:00 you weren't paying attention in the first episode then. Torchwood is above the police, the police know about Torchwood and take orders from them. Also in real life the police have guns

[@jplegend98]

Less than 10% of british police carry firearms.

[@reasonablyserious]

Is this a joke

[@Jel01975]

I enjoyed this too!

[@angelahull6374]

One person I hated is grewn

[@DanielDaaar]

Big oy show oy oOOOoooHH

[@raresmacovei8382]

Season 1 and 2 are such abominations and Season 3 is such a masterpiece. S4 is alright.

[@PoleTooke]

Oh no Chris chibnal?

[@PoleTooke]

Episode 1 of not Davies - and this "oh no" is already proving to be the right reaction lol

[@xsquidd]

69th comment Nice

[@mattthesilent777RED]

WAIT, YOU ARE A FAN OF THE THIRTEENTH DOCTOR ERA!? SHAME ON YOU! YOU HAVE BETRAYED THE DOCTOR WHO FANS!

[@aaronwilson7947]

In Day One the reason Owen and Gwen go into the cage is explained and youve just ignored it. But standard for harry ig