I'm not sure I'm enjoying Miracle Day any more. As an entertaining TV show it still ticks all the boxes, but as Torchwood? Well...I recorded the most recent episode on Saturday and finally got around to watching it on Thursday. In between, I watched 20-year-old episodes of Inspector Morse and Jonathan Creek. That says it all, really.

I've been a massive Torchwood fan since the very first episode and I was SOOOO excited about it returning. Maybe I got *too* excited and expected too much from it? I don't know what's missing, but something is. I just don't feel that Torchwood vibe.

Two major points of contention for me (not really spoilers, I hope):
1) Jack appears to be gay. Jack is NOT gay! He comes from a time where traditional gender norms and sexual orientation don't really exist. He's had sex with men, women and various alien beings. His sexuality is not 'gay'. His sexuality just *IS*. I haven't seen him flirt with a single woman in this series - worse, they've completely written out the sexual tension between him and Gwen (and the rivalry between Jack and Rhys). I don't like the way they're portraying his new-found homosexuality, either. He used to be playful and cheeky. Now he's a man-hungry sexual predator, hitting on every bloke within spanking distance. I don't know why this bugs me so much, but it does. It's taken away a large part of his charm. (I'm wondering how much influence, or lack thereof, RTD had on this aspect. Such a stereotypical gay character is sooo not his style!)

2) With every episode, it's feeling more and more like a revamp of Children of Earth. Same concepts, same 'moral', slightly different execution. Anyone else feeling that?

[flickr-photo:id=4730034487,size=m] ~S&N Bouncer and Official Hitwoman for the Gutter Sistren~ That Australian bitch with the stupid accent and all the subtlety of a splatterfart

Coming from the eight-year-old.... 

The Pure Essence of Randomness, Captain of the Touchback, Two-Time Pusher and Proud member of the Gutter Sistren

While Torchwood always had threads of moral struggle involving both humans and aliens (thinking specifically of Ghost Machine and Countrycide) I have to agree fully on your first point. 

In the original series, Jack was described as "omnisexual", even scoffing at the other members of TOrchwood when they used terms like gay and straight.  The idea was that by the 51st century (his original timeline) that humans evolved past those types of sexual categorizations. I thought that was a brilliant concept and it was fun to see Jack being cheeky with no regard to gender or species (remember ChoThan from Doctor Who? Hilarious!).  But this incarnation of Torchwood seems to have focused him on men... maybe it's longing for Ianto? Maybe it's knowing he can't have Gwen? Maybe it's RTD focusing Jack to much on one team versus the other... not sure. But I thought his chemistry with Gwen in the first season was an intriguing storyline and would love to see a bit of that tension return. And it would be great to bring back his flirty nature regardless of sex or species. That really set him apart from the other characters.

Not sure why they decided to go so over-the-top with the man-on-man scenes. Jack's supposed to be an equal opportunity seducer!
[flickr-photo:id=5069365035, size=m] [flickr-photo:id=4347154616] Pusher and member of the Gutter Sistren

But if you will remember, I think it was in the second series, they had a scene in Torchwood where Jack is going through photos of old lovers. All of these are pictures of him with men, except for one picture of Jack standing behind a woman in a wedding dress. To me the implication was that while Jack will sleep with anything, he pretty much only forms relationships with men. My theory is that the woman he married was someone he loved so deeply that the loss of her broke his heart. He can't bring himself to build a relationship with another woman because of the memory of this lost wife.

Doc

I only know everything if you ask the right questions.

....with him exclusively dating men - many bisexual folk lean more towards one sex when it comes to forming relationships. My problem is that, as you said, Jack will usually "sleep with anything". I'm just not getting the feeling that he would in this series.

Somewhat OT, but I read something a while back suggesting American audiences were uncomfortable with (on screen) bisexuality. It said bisexual characters were perceived as indecisive, dishonest or wanton - none of which being qualities you'd want a role model or 'strong' character to have - so bisexuality is generally reserved for 'bad guys' and portrayed as a character flaw. The only way bisexual leads can redeem themselves is by eventually choosing one sex and sticking with it (and entering into a longterm monogamous relationship), in which case their bisexuality is treated as a defect or obstacle that they heroically managed to overcome. I notice it a bit in Australian TV shows, too, but I do see it a lot in American productions.

Do you guys think that's true? Do American audiences prefer their leads to be straight or gay, with no grey areas? Not being judgemental - I'm just really into queer politics and I know a few of you share my passion. Also, it would be interesting to know in case I ever publish a global best-seller with uber-queer characters. :p

[flickr-photo:id=4730034487,size=m] ~S&N Bouncer and Official Hitwoman for the Gutter Sistren~ That Australian bitch with the stupid accent and all the subtlety of a splatterfart

Remember his first few appearances in Doctor Who? He flirted with everything in sight! It was a running joke that he couldn't even look at someone without hitting on them, or at least saying something loaded with sexual innuendo. Now he only has eyes for the boys... which is great and all, but it's just not Jack. 

In the past, he also encouraged the Torchwood members to embrace the fluidity of sexuality whenever they had an unexpected experience with the same sex (and/or alien!), which is something I always loved and admired about Torchwood. ALL of the central cast messed with someone of the opposite sex at some point and it was TOTALLY OK. I don't think I've seen that scale of sexual permissiveness in any TV show, ever!

I said before that I didn't know why Jack's sudden exclusive homosexuality bugged me, but I think that might be it. Torchwood was a really positive 'celebration' of alternative desires and sexualities, but the new series has forced everyone into a neat little gay or straight box. While I'm glad that Jack is still unashamedly attracted to men, and that Starz is not afraid to show graphic man-on-man action, it has a whiff of what I just said to Doc, above - of Jack 'redeeming' himself by choosing one sex and sticking with it. Not cool.

[flickr-photo:id=4730034487,size=m] ~S&N Bouncer and Official Hitwoman for the Gutter Sistren~ That Australian bitch with the stupid accent and all the subtlety of a splatterfart

That given the fact that homosexuality is a "hot" issue politically, Jack, as a character, is playing up the man-on-man action in his flirting and innuendo because it is an easy way to throw the Americans off balance. For all that Captian Jack Harkness is supposed to be an American, his values and attitudes are much more European.

If Starz is influencing the depection of the character for the series, it is more likely that they are downplaying Jack's flirting with women in order to gain more viewers among the gay community. I don't buy the notion of gays being accepted and bisexuals being indecisive, etc. Anything that isn't straight will have about the same effect on the American Audience. In many ways we still are impacted by our puritanical roots.

Doc

I only know everything if you ask the right questions.

In fact, the only flaw I'd give it is that it reveals too much.

Doc

I only know everything if you ask the right questions.

However that would suggest that the Estelle -- from the Series 1 Episode 5 (Small Worlds) -- would have to have been that same woman in the photo...else Estelle would count as at least his second marriage. Difficulty is, so much of Jack's world is unknown. He was born in the 51st century, jumped timelines as a Time Agent, jumped times as a "freelancer" and then standed in the 1800's. It's feasible that he could have been married several times ( to a man, woman or alien) and we just don't know about it yet.

I think the problem is continuity. I agree with Del that it was established early on that Jack came from a time and place that didn't believe in labels on sexuality. That's further enforced by Capt. John's (James Marsters') character, as he's even finding Poodles desirable.

Season 1 Episode 3 (Ghost Machine) solidified the desire between Gwen and Jack, and then it was reinforced all the way through season 2 to when Gwen is getting married.  Again I have to think is a reminance of the Ianto storyline that Jack's focus remains on men. And as Del also mentioned...there's nothing wrong with it... the problem is with continuity and I'd hate to see them sacrifice long term story continuity by placing an over-emphasis on male relationships now.

I think it is hilarious that Rory is pretty much more bad-ass than The Doctor now, but everyone expects him to be just a nebbish, so he plays that part. The Doctor may be a 900 year old Time Lord and brilliant, but Rory has over 2000 years of experience to draw on. He's capable, just insecure.

Doc

I only know everything if you ask the right questions.

She was sooo mad at that episode.  She couldn't believe how "horrible and awful and mean" those people were.  I almost didn't want to explain that most of humanity is just about that bad.  It was quite an experience for me as a mom, I can tell you that!

The Pure Essence of Randomness, Captain of the Touchback, Two-Time Pusher and Proud member of the Gutter Sistren

one of my favorite episodes. And one of Tennant's best.  Actually, the last few episodes of that season are all favorites of mine.

* * Head Biker Babe & [flickr-photo:id=4891502501], Dead Sexy Dealer, The Juicer, Co-Founder of the Gutter Sistren & Proud Member of GirlCo. * *

Midnight was definitely top ten in my Doctor Who episodes. 1) Because there's very little Catherine Tate (ha!) and 2) because you're absolutely right about most of humanity being the way those people were. This episode is situated in the same place for 99% of the epsiode and completely depends on the actors to convey (believably) the descent into "mob mentality".  Very well excuted with an amazing supporting cast (even though they aren't recognizable actors).  And as usual, Tennant was astonishing in this episode.

Probably the thing I liked best was it showed a harsh truth in the way humans treat each other when the noramlcy of society breaks down.  The storyline is also unforgiving... it doesn't necessarily end happily ... there are consequences for people's actions and everyone invovled is forever changed because of the experience. Simply brilliant storytelling.

But you hate to see them find out!  Of course, I'm the mom who told her 2-year-old how sorry she was that this was the world she would inherit.  I wish I could give her something better.

The Pure Essence of Randomness, Captain of the Touchback, Two-Time Pusher and Proud member of the Gutter Sistren

OMG! I never saw the Patrick Troughton episodes but ... I am quite the Sci-Fi nerdling cuz the first thing I thought when I saw the name of this "extra" 10 minute video just now was ... The Doctor, Sara Jane Smith and Harry Sullivan ... Revenge of the Cybermen ... LOL except for the teeth this rendition is cuter LOL can't wait! Ugh ... yeah ... studying .... g'nite ...

I waiting to watch Miracle Day!!
[flickr-photo:id=5353037802,size=m] & Proud member of the Gutter Sistren

She doesn't want a new doctor.  She apparently decided to go back to the beginning again.  My father let her watch 6 straight hours of Doctor Who while I was at work yesterday!!  I've created a monster!

The Pure Essence of Randomness, Captain of the Touchback, Two-Time Pusher and Proud member of the Gutter Sistren

...the creating the monster bit.  But tell her it'll be ok. I didn't want a new Doctor either but she has to give him a chance. I think she'll enjoy the 1st episode of the new season quite a bit and maybe that'll help her with the transition.

* * Head Biker Babe & [flickr-photo:id=4891502501], Dead Sexy Dealer, The Juicer, Co-Founder of the Gutter Sistren & Proud Member of GirlCo AND I'm [REDACTED]'s [REDACTED]!!!!!. * *