TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH
8 p.m. Monday-Friday, BBC America
With special presentations to follow.
Tune in or out? 
out of four.
Many TV viewers automatically tune out when they hear the term "science fiction." So let's forget about genre labels for a minute.
The British import "Torchwood: Children of Earth" is the best conspiracy thriller you will see on American TV this summer.
It has everything any adrenaline junkie could want. A corrupt government conspires with an evil organization to take control of what is most precious to its citizens. The deadly duo hunts down the only people who can save the day while those heroes, who actually work for the government that wants to kill them, deals with skeletons in their own closet.
Action, humor, drama, sex, strong acting: These elements rocket across your TV screens during five nights of sizzling hot TV.
Now, if you do have an aversion to all things sci fi, imagine that evil organization is a malevolent, multi-million dollar corporation and not an all-powerful alien race that's using the world's children as messengers to tell civilization it is about to be destroyed.
"Torchwood: Children of Earth" may be the shortened third season of BBC America's most popular series, but no one will feel cheated that it begins at 8 p.m. Monday and ends at the same time Friday.
It's an epic journey into the darkest parts of human nature. "Torchwood" creator/writer Russell T. Davies and director Euros Lyn have fashioned a high-stakes story about secrets, lies, and sacrifice.
Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd), Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles). BBC America
The Torchwood team of alien hunters doesn't escape unscathed.
Led by Capt. Jack Harkness (swaggering John Barrowman) and consisting of Capt. Jack's love, nattily dressed Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd), former cop Gwen Cooper (captivating Eve Myles) and its unofficial fourth member, Gwen's hubby Rhys (Kai Owen), the team still is reeling from the deaths of two members when the miniseries begins.
Their grief is quickly pushed aside when the Earth's children suddenly stop. They freeze where they stand, then just as suddenly snap out of it. When it happens again, they begin speaking in unison, "We are coming."
To say more, honestly, would be doing viewers a disservice. I want you to enjoy the twists, turns, shock and awe as much as I have.
3 Comments
torchmother said:
I completely disagree with your review of season 3 of Torchwood. Although there was excellent acting, there were so many plot holes, the story resembled imitation Swiss cheese! The viewer was manipulated into watching by using child abuse, governmental corruption, and even thinly veiled religious references, and the end did not justify the depressing 5 hours. Wish I could get them back. ...EDITED TO REMOVE SPOILER ... You can be sure that many of the loyal Torchwood fans won't be back either. This just appeared to be a story that Russell T. Davies wanted to tell, and he exploited the platform that he had, Torchwood, to tell it, regardless of the cost to the show. Well, I hope he's satisfied. If reviewers think this is excellent television, it just demonstrates how low our standards really have become.
Curt Wagner said:
Thanks for your comments, Torchmother. Plot holes (toward the end moreso) or not, the acting, the action, the twists kept me riveted. I think Davies had a worthy story to tell about loss and sacrifice and told it well. And I can't wait for more "Torchwood." I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Thanks for reading and commenting.
vaughnchicago said:
I have been watching Torchwood: Children of Earth every night this week, and I have found it to truly be must-see t.v. I have enjoyed the great storyline, the great character interplay, and the story arch. True, there are some questionably glaring gaps in the plotine, but overall this has been great television experience. Yep, a good political sci-fi thriller.
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