"Torchwood"

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Last week, I mentioned seeing at YouTube the very romantic and sad same-sex kiss from the BBC's "Torchwood". But it did not occur to me to look any further. However, as I looked at the "Torchwood" entries at YouTube, I first noticed that trailers for the various shows were available; maybe 30 seconds in length. Then I discovered that assorted interviews were available.

But the real find was realizing that entire programs were available in six parts, with each part running about 10 minutes. However, part one might be in one place; two, somewhere else; etc. Then I figured out that some episodes were listed by program number, but others by program title.

I looked around on the web and came across a list of Episodes for "Torchwood" at IMDB.

Next I tried watching the first part of the first episode at YouTube - visit Torchwood Episode 01 Everything Changes Part 1.But it was a very unpleasant experience: the video was very jerky, and the audio broke up constantly. My next effort was to disable the fire wall and try again. A wee bit better, but still a trying effort.

I'd been trying this under Netscape 8.1 with all its bells and whistles and caches and cookies, etc. My next move was to close down Netscape and use which a stripped down browser that does not keep a history, does not accept cookies, no auto-complete, not even bookmarks. This was a much better experience. But there were still problem areas.

Then I came across a forum that mentioned that you could download and save Torchwood complete episodes at Google Video. I found episode one and tried downloading with the firewall on under Netscape 8.1. But I had no idea what was going on. I re-tried with the firewall off, and it took awhile, but finally I had a complete episode. I got episodes 1 -3 via this method.

Next try was to leave the firewall off, close Netscape, open Browzar. Amazing! It downloaded the entire 48-minute episode in about 90 seconds.

At this point I had downloads of episodes 1 - 4. But the selections at Google are limited. The only other one I see is episode 11, which I've just downloaded. So I had to go back to YouTube for episodes 5 and 7. Episode 6 was available, but the plot summary reads like a typical slasher movie, the only thing missing are nubile. teenagers with big boobs. (I wonder if they go skinny dipping in the storm.)

At last, my appraisal: I love it! Of course anything with John Barrowman is bound to catch my fancy. But I like all the cast.

But I had trouble figuring out who "Yoan-toe" was. Then I remembered that since it takes places in Cardiff, Wales, the Welsh "I" has a different pronunciation. For example Ioan Gruffudd's name is pronounced "Yo-wahn Griffith." So "Yoan-toe" is Ianto Jones.

The headquarters under the streets of Cardiff is the first one I've ever seen with its own pterodactyl. (Took me 15 minutes to decide how to spell that.)

The language is certainly a change from "Doctor Who." Explicit terms abound. Who's having sex with who is a tad complicated, since everyone appears to be bi-sexual. Most definitely a first.

The stories contain bits and pieces from a dozen sources. Wikipedia - Torchwood has an exhaustive reference for each show.

Something noticeable is that all the characters are flawed with personal secrets and dark visions. Our knowledge of each person is at best nebulous and even contradictory.

Production values are high. Lots of gorgeous shots of Cardiff at night. Far more action that "Who."

According to the BBC News Torchwood scores record audience for first episode. "The opening episodes of Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood drew the largest digital channel audience for a non-sport programme, says the BBC.

The first two installments of the series, starring John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, also attracted BBC Three's largest ever audience."

By the way, I'm checking out some other web video sources in hopes of finding additional episodes.

("Torchwood" cast photo: BBC - Torchwood - The Official Site homepage)

PAX!