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Does Torchwood Hold Up as Well as It Did 18 Years Ago?

today28 August 2024 56

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Torchwood and I.

Hello! My name is Amber, and I’m a new volunteer at Newport City Radio. On my first day at the station, I discovered they produce many blogs for their website, which seemed like a fun way to contribute. When I was given the opportunity to write one, I immediately thought about exploring one of my favourite topics—TV shows. Right now, I’m particularly interested in the Doctor Who franchise, and one of my favourite parts of that universe is its spinoff, Torchwood, which was released in 2006. 

 As well as Doctor Who, I’m most interested in the spinoff show Torchwood. I particularly like the show because of the setting, being set mostly in Cardiff. I love being able to see my country represented in the media as most British series are set in London. Especially a city which is so close to where I live. Another part of the series which appeals to me the most is the comedy. As the series is targeted towards older viewers, it can do much more in terms of comedic moments. As a young adult, the more mature jokes and scenes appeal to me more and I find lots of enjoyment out of them. Also, the more episodic nature of the earlier episodes appeals to me more as it’s nice to just sit back and watch something without having to think much about an overarching storyline. It’s been around 18 years since Torchwood first aired, and the world of TV has changed a lot since then. I wanted to look back at the show, focusing on each series, to see if it still holds up as well as when it first came out. For this first blog, I’ll be focusing on Series 1, with plans to review the other series in future posts. 

Overview of season 1 initial reception.

Torchwood Series 1 aired from October 2006 to January 2007. The show centres on a group of amateur alien hunters (aptly named Torchwood) based in Cardiff, who fight aliens and protect the city. Series 1 focuses heavily on this plot, with Gwen Cooper (played by Eve Myles) at the heart of the action as she joins Torchwood and begins to encounter and deal with extra-terrestrial life. This series gives viewers an introduction to the key characters and concepts that will continue throughout the show. 

When Series 1 first aired, it received mostly positive reviews. Many viewers praised it as “a strong start” and “great fun.” Some reviews even mentioned that it was “better than expected,” which is always a good sign for a new show. However, not all feedback was glowing. Some viewers felt that the show was “trying too hard,” particularly in its attempt to be more mature and darker than its predecessor, Doctor Who. These critics felt the mature content came across as overdone. Others described the series as “just alright,” with stories that were average rather than spectacular. 

I also looked at more recent reviews to gauge how Torchwood is perceived today. Interestingly, while many fans still praise the show, calling it “amazing” and even “better than Doctor Who,” the number of negative reviews has increased. Some modern viewers describe the show as “boring” or “mediocre,” with comments like “promised so much but gave so little.” This shift in opinion suggests that Torchwood might not be as well-received if it were released in today’s TV landscape.

My Take: Would Torchwood Work Today?

Based on these reviews, I believe Series 1 of Torchwood wouldn’t be as successful today as it was in 2006. In the current TV environment, where shows with strong overarching plots and unique concepts tend to thrive, Torchwood might struggle to stand out. The first series lacks an overarching plot, which could make it less compelling to a modern audience who might not stick around long enough to appreciate the later, stronger seasons.

That said, Torchwoods unique concept—a secret team battling aliens in Cardiff—still has potential. But without the more intricate plotting and character development that modern audiences expect, it might not gain the same popularity it once enjoyed.

What’s Next?

Of course, looking at just one series doesn’t give a full picture of how well Torchwood has aged. I plan to revisit the next three series of the show and explore how they hold up today. Like with Series 1, I’ll be examining both past and present reviews to see how perceptions have changed and whether my opinion of the show evolves as I progress through the series.

Written by Amber 

Written by: Ian.Lamsdale

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