Torchwood (UK)

:

Season 1
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 91 out of 113
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 113
  3. Negative: 11 out of 113

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User Reviews

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  1. mark
    Sep 8, 2007
    4
    A few ok episodes, but a humorless mess most of the time. Have no idea how they managed to make Jack Harkness such a dull and boring character. Can't hold a candle to Dr. Who.
  2. SindreF.
    Sep 11, 2007
    8
    Not as good as Doctor Who but still awsome!
  3. JackConstantine
    Jan 4, 2015
    10
    I'm just gunna pretend that Miracle day, didn't happen. However I guess that wouldn't be eas if Torchwood was real. Sorry need extra characters, hope you found this interesting.
  4. Jeff
    Apr 15, 2008
    3
    This first season was terrible. Eric E's earlier review hits on pretty much every point I think needs to be made about the show and the Newark Star-Ledger's review puts it in perfectly concise terms. I'm not sure the show was created as an agenda pusher, but I'm pretty sure every character in the show is gay/bi and that's just ridiculously hard to believe (also This first season was terrible. Eric E's earlier review hits on pretty much every point I think needs to be made about the show and the Newark Star-Ledger's review puts it in perfectly concise terms. I'm not sure the show was created as an agenda pusher, but I'm pretty sure every character in the show is gay/bi and that's just ridiculously hard to believe (also makes it hard to believe it's not an agenda pushing show, but I digress). The biggest tragedy of the season was how they spend several episodes building up the "big bad" for the last episode and it's solved quickly and in a MOST unfulfilling manner. The only episode I liked this season was the one that had nothing supernatural going on (Countrycide, I believe).… Expand
  5. Zaruthustran
    Jan 7, 2011
    10
    Terrible show. Torchwood is supposedly a top-secret organization given unlimited resources and authority by UK government, and charged with defending Earth and being custodian of powerful alien artifacts. Yet: none of the personnel know anything about each other or have had background checks; none of the personnel have formal military training; all of the personnel are emotionalTerrible show. Torchwood is supposedly a top-secret organization given unlimited resources and authority by UK government, and charged with defending Earth and being custodian of powerful alien artifacts. Yet: none of the personnel know anything about each other or have had background checks; none of the personnel have formal military training; all of the personnel are emotional trainwrecks. Seriously: it seems like each episode, someone breaks down and cries as a result of the normal day-to-day duties of their job. The Earth is defended by incompetent crybabies. On the plus side, Captain Jack is an interesting character portrayed by a skilled actor. They should fire everyone else on the team, and start over.… Expand
  6. Deko
    Jul 16, 2011
    8
    "Torchwood: Miracle Day" doesn't have the old (british) feel to it. I'm enjoying the new season nonetheless. Mekhi Phifer is doing a great job. Can't wait to see what happens next.
  7. suzie
    Sep 10, 2007
    10
    Brilliant show, not every episode is a 10 out of 10, but even the bad ones get an 8+ - How many shows can you say that about? It's a breath of TV fresh air, thank goodness. I'm so sick of reality television and mindless soap opera, it's nice to find a program that makes me want to turn on the television (why oh why did they cancel Angel after the excellent season 5??) Go Brilliant show, not every episode is a 10 out of 10, but even the bad ones get an 8+ - How many shows can you say that about? It's a breath of TV fresh air, thank goodness. I'm so sick of reality television and mindless soap opera, it's nice to find a program that makes me want to turn on the television (why oh why did they cancel Angel after the excellent season 5??) Go Torchwood, I'm looking forward to season 2.… Expand
  8. JoshF
    Sep 10, 2007
    8
    This show is great - one of my favorite shows right now. It's equally humorous, intense, campy, insightful and action-packed. I was never a Doctor Who fan, and I think most TV Sci-Fi is pretty lame. There's just something about this show, though, and I love the setting (Wales). Can't wait for Season 2 - there better be one!
  9. GilesE.
    Sep 6, 2007
    9
    Excellent series, saw it in the UK. Can't wait for season 2 over here! The last couple of episodes are epic btw :)
  10. MikeM.
    Oct 25, 2007
    9
    In the shadow of Doctor Who it suffers, but on it's own, it's a fun show which is the best parts of other genre favorites (like The X Files and Alias). I have a feeling Season 2 will be even better as the show finds it's own voice.
  11. DuncanL
    Sep 11, 2007
    0
    I watched this when it first came out in the UK, and was bitterly, bitterly disappointed. The characters are appalling and unpleasant, the stories are dreadfull and the acting is abysmal. I gave up entirely after the cyberwoman episode, which was one of the worst hours of TV I've ever witnessed.
  12. SheliaS.
    Sep 11, 2007
    9
    So far, so good, I have heard that this show just keep getting better. Captain Jack harkness is something we haven
  13. clairew.
    Sep 6, 2007
    9
    Some fantiastic episodes, John Barrowman as Captain Jack is fantastic but watch out for Ianto Jones who is just excellent, and looks damn cute in a suit too!
  14. EricE.
    Jan 18, 2008
    2
    This shows first season was absolutely terrible. The story lines went from terrible to mediocre. The acting was mediocre. The show says it is for grown ups and proves that it is by swearing here and there and showing nudity for no purpose other than to prove that it is for grown ups. The swearing and nudity does not further the story line at all. They just seem to be thrown in as an This shows first season was absolutely terrible. The story lines went from terrible to mediocre. The acting was mediocre. The show says it is for grown ups and proves that it is by swearing here and there and showing nudity for no purpose other than to prove that it is for grown ups. The swearing and nudity does not further the story line at all. They just seem to be thrown in as an afterthought. Oh ya thats right we are for grown ups, so lets have you show your butt and you say the f word. The story lines don't seem to be story lines for grown ups, in fact most of them seem very cheesy/tongue in cheek like Doctor Who (which I don't mind cheesy because I love Doctor Who), they just don't fit with their "adult theme". Each character has had a gay scene just for the sake of showing gay scenes. I can understand one/two gay character but all of them? This show is just about pushing agenda's through bad storytelling. If they want to push agenda's at least tell us a good story.… Expand
  15. BrandonA
    Mar 4, 2008
    9
    While set in the Dr. Who universe, it is not constrained by Dr. Who's unflinching optimism. The characters are much stronger and the plots are darker. It is the best parts of the X-files combined with flair of Dr. Who.
  16. DonaldD.
    Sep 5, 2008
    10
    The best show to come to america, well one of the best, have to include Dr.Who, and Skins.
  17. LelandK.
    Oct 16, 2007
    10
    A great companion piece to Doctor Who. Its X-Files meets NCIS. I digged the "Pan's Labyrinth" episode "Small Worlds". It was the sadness episode of the season.
  18. RachelK.
    Oct 8, 2007
    9
    This new show on BBC is a fantastic veiw! The acting in the series is granted a two thumbs up, As for the romantic sections, the actors/actresses did a phenomenal job making the mood feel right. The special effects lack that of big blockbuster films, but this is still a Television show and there are more financial difficulties. My favorite actor plays the role of Owen Harper, a cunning This new show on BBC is a fantastic veiw! The acting in the series is granted a two thumbs up, As for the romantic sections, the actors/actresses did a phenomenal job making the mood feel right. The special effects lack that of big blockbuster films, but this is still a Television show and there are more financial difficulties. My favorite actor plays the role of Owen Harper, a cunning and sly chap! But I'll let you decide for yourself.… Expand
  19. CaitlinK.
    Sep 10, 2007
    9
    Full of wit, sex, and darkness,
  20. KorenB.
    Sep 10, 2007
    9
    Anyone that is a fan of Doctor Who (old or new series) will love Torchwood. It brings back fan-favorite Captain Jack from the 2005 series. Jack finds himself back in Cardiff, a town on the Welsh border that has been emphasized in the new DW series. How and why he's there is left a mystery. Just because it's a Doctor Who spin of doesn't mean it's for kids. This series Anyone that is a fan of Doctor Who (old or new series) will love Torchwood. It brings back fan-favorite Captain Jack from the 2005 series. Jack finds himself back in Cardiff, a town on the Welsh border that has been emphasized in the new DW series. How and why he's there is left a mystery. Just because it's a Doctor Who spin of doesn't mean it's for kids. This series is darker and more adult, but has the same tones of campiness that older DW fans can love. The seriousness allows for deeper exploration of the characters.… Expand
  21. jim
    Sep 12, 2007
    9
    Great show, great cast, best new show in years!
  22. PeterBellamy
    Sep 21, 2007
    8
    I watched the first series in the UK and was dubious on a number of levels... I'm watching it again in the US with glee.. the second time around seems less burdoned by the whole Dr Who spinoff syndrome. And knowing the story arc means I can enjoy the wickedness even more.
  23. MirandaP.
    Sep 23, 2007
    7
    No, it's not a classic, and it's not as good as the current incarnation of "Doctor Who," but it's still a heck of a lot better than (for example) "Flash Gordon." Definitely watchable.
  24. JosephL.
    Sep 6, 2007
    10
    A show that starts of good, quirky and sexy but ends up by the final episode romantic, tearjerking, actionpacked and even sexier.
  25. DrewF
    Sep 6, 2007
    8
    I also caught this series in the UK. It starts off a bit slow, and the main character is a bit of a twit, but at around Episode 4 it REALLY kicks into high gear and is fantastic the rest of the way. Definitely worth checking out for any Doctor Who fan! Though be warned, it IS meant for adults. Don't let the kiddies watch this one....
  26. LauraM.
    Sep 6, 2007
    3
    Did you all see the same Torchwood I saw? It makes NO sense and isn't even fun like Dr Who, where its OK to not make that much sense? The characters are SO not believable at all and the acting (except for a couple of the episodes) is wooden and contrived. The stories are all "been there, done that" - (can you say, 'fight club'?) Dont get me wrong I want it to do well, I Did you all see the same Torchwood I saw? It makes NO sense and isn't even fun like Dr Who, where its OK to not make that much sense? The characters are SO not believable at all and the acting (except for a couple of the episodes) is wooden and contrived. The stories are all "been there, done that" - (can you say, 'fight club'?) Dont get me wrong I want it to do well, I really do! I loooove Dr Who and LOOOVED Captain Jack in Dr Who, but for some reason this show falls flat. I watched all of season 1 already and found 4 episodes that were what I would expect in this spinoff. Sadly, the rest were so illogical that I think I actually felt a brain aneurysm starting to form. Unfortunately, this is a great premise that really takes itself too seriously, and with the writing it has, it shouldn't. Maybe season 2 will be better... I sure hope so!… Expand
  27. LynnL.
    Sep 7, 2007
    9
    Fantastic show -- different than anything we get here in the US. Can't wait for series 2.
  28. [Anonymous]
    Mar 28, 2008
    10
    Great show, with the thrills and spills of doctor who with added kick.
  29. RebeccaP
    Apr 4, 2008
    10
    I love this show and hope they don't take it off the air. It's raw, dark, sexy and completely origional, as are the characters.
  30. MartinS.
    Aug 22, 2008
    2
    I don't know whats worse the acting or the writing. A major disappointment.
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Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best TV Season of 2006
47
#47 Most Discussed TV Season of 2006
41
#41 Most Shared TV Season of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    100
    There are a fair number of leaps of logic in the light-hearted Torchwood and mysteries abound. The special effects are generally decent and the writing and characterizations leaps and bounds better than in "Flash Gordon," "Eureka" or "The Dresden Files," to name just a few pathetic contemporary sci-fi shows.
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  2. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Charlie McCollum
    80
    Torchwood is grand fun and great adult entertainment.
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  3. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    30
    It at times seems like a pornographic parody of "The X-Files."
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