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Torchwood - The Complete Second Season 
Actors : John Barrowman
Studio : BBC Warner
by BBC Warner
Release Date : 2008-09-16
Publisher : BBC Warner
Availability : Not yet released and eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.
Number of Items : 5
EAN : 0883929025046
UPC : 883929025046
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 12 reviews)
List Price : $79.98
Our Price : $51.99
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Americancivilwar.com |
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The following are included in the second season of Torchwood: repeated bouts of unrequited love, homicidal ex-lovers, monsters from space and impending doom for major characters. Now, that's how a series' second season should play out! But what makes Russell T. (Doctor Who) Davies' sophomore set of adventure for Torchwood so engaging is that he bundles them together in a tight and cohesive package that remains dramatically involving while maintaining the proper level of science fiction adventure. John Barrowman's Captain Jack Harkness is back, having materialized in the final episode of Doctor Who's third series ("Last of the Time Lords"), and with him comes one of the show's most inventive characters: fellow Time Agent and former lover Captain John Hart, played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer's James Marsters. Hart wreaks considerable havoc in the series opener, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," and returns several episodes later in "Fragments" to reveal Harkness' long lost brother Gray, who brings the series to a close in "Exit Wounds" with a horrific rash of violence that rends the Torchwood team permanently asunder. It's a finale that will leave fans agape by the final frame, but it's not the only stunner in the second season. "Reset" should also raise eyebrows with both the introduction of Doctor Who companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) in a three-episode arc, but also the shocking death and resurrection of a Torchwood member. Other highlights include "From Out of the Rain," which introduces one of the series' most intriguing villains, the Ghostmaker, and the alien "Adam," who throws the team into chaos with his power to suggest false memories. But the season's key storyline is the conflict between Jack, his brother Gray, and Captain Hart, which brings emotional heat and weight to the show's complex science and fantasy elements. Extras include all 13 episodes of Torchwood Declassified, the 10-minute companion series which explores elements of each episode, as well as "The Life and Deaths of Captain Jack Harkness," a 22-minute featurette (narrated by Freema Agyeman) about the character's immortal status that includes comments by Barrowman and Davies. Nine minutes of amusing outtakes and 18 minutes of deleted scenes bring this satisfying set to a close. --Paul Gaita |
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homosexual version of Kolshak the Night Stalker |
Not much imaginative here in season 2. Really seems to play on 'homosexual shock value'...when being gay just isn't a big deal. When the producers run out of ideas they go for having the lead and various other men passionately tongue each other to try and liven things up...and they run out of ideas often. If you are looking for good sci-fi, you need to look somewhere else.
A low point was 'save the space whale', but then again it was just one poor episode among many. The first season showed promise but this season failed to deliver. It is no surprise that the ratings have gone through the floor. Save your money (and space in your dvd collection) for Firefly or Babylon 5!!! |
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Season 2! |
Most series have uneven first seasons. Usually part way though the first season, the actors know their characters, and the writers (if they are regulars) have the feel of the series down.
This series got very good very quickly... by the second season it was even better. I like the darker tone of the second season... and I like the 'heroes' of this series. Like real people, they all have issues, they all try their best, and they don't always succeed. None of them are the boring, perfect, and fearless hero types as shown on a certain Paramount franchise.
I have heard nasty rumors about season 3, I hope none of them are true.... except Freema Agyeman's character joining the cast as the new.... Doctor... well Medic anyway! I like her character, she is a great actress and a gorgeous woman! |
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Great show |
John Barrowman is one of my favorite actors and he delivers in this show. It's an intriguing sci-fi adventure with excellent stories.
And I love all the snogging and shagging going on!
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A Treat |
This is a great series. In some ways, John Barrowman's character is more fun and more mysterious than the unknowable "Doctor Who."
The second series answers many questions about Torchwood and Captain Jack, and poses many more.
These are great episodes - all thirteen. But I would recommend saving a few dollars - I bought the season for my iPod months ago via download, and for a lot less money than the DVDs' current price - even with Americancivilwar's discounted rate. |
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No sophomore slump, but an unexpected season |
**WARNING- spoiler review at the end.** Torchwood, Season 1 (or as the Brits say, series 1) hit the States in early 2007 and had a definite impact on many viewers. Fans of Doctor Who either loved the show or hated it. Russell T. Davies definitely brought a different flavor in terms of sexuality, humor, and drama to this spin-off show. I think Season 1 has been unfairly portrayed as uneven by several viewers. (The quirky "Random Shoes" is my favorite episode of season 1.) Any series is finding its footing and idenity in its first season. I think series 1 did develop its personality quite successfully and attracted a loyal and enthusiastic audience. The season developed the characters and storylines that reached an exciting and satifying crescendo in its finale.
The second season one can say. "took the ball and ran with it." Mr. Davies continued to develop both the comedic, sexual, serious, heartfelt, and dark themes both in "fleshing out" the characters' personalities and stories. Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto) absolutely broke stride this season with his affecting performances both in comedy and drama. Torchwood became not just a habit this season, but a semi-addiction. Just when I thought Torchwood couldn't top a prior episode, it did just that. Like a fine wine, this emsemble of five diverse actors developed a chemistry and timing that is rarely reached in all but a few television shows. They interacted together as if this was their tenth season, not their second. The "wheels of the show" started turning a bit unevenly when Owen was killed, but brought back to "life" as a "Dead Man Walking" or "zombie" character. While it added some interesting aspects to the remaining episodes, it affected the overall quality of the episodes to me and left me confused and perflexed at times as to what Owen's ultimate ending would be.
The heartbreaker occurred in the season finale when both Tosh and Owen were killed. I had phone calls and e-mails with several of my friends were upset, crying, and running the spectrum of emotions from sadness to anger the balance of the weekend. One friend said, "It felt like losing my husband in some horrible accident." Another stated he would never watch the show again. My thought (to Russell T. Davies) was as the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Yes, I can say a part of me died or went to sleep for a long time the last five minutes or so in the season finale. While I have season 1 on DVD and play it many times, I am undecided if I want to relive season 2 on DVD knowing the fates of Tosh and Owen. The season left viewers with little hope and overwhelming sadness and grief. Yes, it made for great drama, but not much else. I can't see replacement actors equalling and/or sustaining the level of chemistry Burn Gorman and Naoko Mori brought to this original cast. Torchwood was still building an audience and developing its persona in the second season. While this drastic storyline may have been acceptable in its fourth or fifth season, I think it was a premature mistake now. Torchwood HAS been forever changed. While Mr. Davies' penchant has always been to replace the actor who plays Dr. Who seasons in and seasons out, I don't think a similar philosophy will work to the longevity of Torchwood as a television series. At this point, I am not sure if I can commit to watching a possible series 3 with the heavy heart series 2 left me. In a parody from "Dallas," let's hope season 3 opens with Jack in the shower and Ianto steps in and says.... LOL
This review is NOT to say to the readers to skip season 2. Many of these episodes play out in the quality of a mini-movie, not a simple TV show. Mr. Davies has given viewers a wonderful "gift" called Torchwood, season 1 AND season 2. I recommend episodes #3, #4, #6, #7, #11, #12, and #13 with #11 ("Adrift") being my favorite in season 2. Just make sure you have plenty of tissues on hand for this boxed set. (smile) |
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