Comments on: Torchwood trailer! http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:14:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Chris Swanson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154642 Chris Swanson Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:19:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154642 "bad wolf" woulda been funnier. ;) “bad wolf” woulda been funnier. ;)

]]> By: Cusp http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154457 Cusp Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:31:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154457 Actually, it means "the church of St Catwg" - bad wolf is something like 'n ddrwg blaidd Actually, it means “the church of St Catwg” – bad wolf is something like ‘n ddrwg blaidd

]]> By: Chris Swanson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154450 Chris Swanson Sat, 07 Feb 2009 20:18:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154450 Heh on the Sulu joke. ;) The only non-straight male character I've ever seen on American sci-fi would be Felix Gaeta on BSG and the last few episodes for him have been... not pretty. Plus the only time we got anything on his sexuality was in webisodes. One would think his boyfriend might have told him a thing or two during the recent events on the show, but apparently not, and now it seems unlikely we'll ever have it addressed on the actual TV program itself. Heh on the Sulu joke. ;) The only non-straight male character I’ve ever seen on American sci-fi would be Felix Gaeta on BSG and the last few episodes for him have been… not pretty. Plus the only time we got anything on his sexuality was in webisodes. One would think his boyfriend might have told him a thing or two during the recent events on the show, but apparently not, and now it seems unlikely we’ll ever have it addressed on the actual TV program itself.

]]> By: gopher65 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154314 gopher65 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:19:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154314 Various Star Trek writers wanted to do gay male characters in the show from time to time, all the way back to the first seasons of TNG, but it always got canned at the studio level. There's not much they can do when the studio says "take it out, or you're fired". Course, nothing was stopping them from having a gay character on the later seasons of Voyager, or in any part of Enterprise. I always thought that Malcolm would have made a good gay guy:). Various Star Trek writers wanted to do gay male characters in the show from time to time, all the way back to the first seasons of TNG, but it always got canned at the studio level. There’s not much they can do when the studio says “take it out, or you’re fired”. Course, nothing was stopping them from having a gay character on the later seasons of Voyager, or in any part of Enterprise. I always thought that Malcolm would have made a good gay guy:).

]]> By: firemancarl http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154233 firemancarl Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:54:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154233 Hey Chris! Star Trek did have a gay character...Sulu!! He was just...closeted. Hey Chris! Star Trek did have a gay character…Sulu!! He was just…closeted.

]]> By: Jamal Wills http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154157 Jamal Wills Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:02:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154157 Cool! I'm glad it's coming back. (I got worried when they killed nearly everyone off!) Show I like are usually good, but don't last long. I've learned that good shows sometimes have a rocky start, but if they survive the chopping block, they might be worth hanging on to. I like the multigeneration approach taken with the spinoffs, but I haven't gotten into the Sarah Jane adventures. The stories seemed a bit young for me. I'd like to get the kids hooked on that show to prepare them for when they are old enough for Doctor Who. I grew up with BBC shows on PBS and that's definitly something I'd like to pass along. I even had the girls singing "The Lumberjack Song" along with my iPod the other day. Their mom is the 'cool' one so I have to covertly infiltrate the 'geek' culture. :-) Cool! I’m glad it’s coming back. (I got worried when they killed nearly everyone off!) Show I like are usually good, but don’t last long. I’ve learned that good shows sometimes have a rocky start, but if they survive the chopping block, they might be worth hanging on to.

I like the multigeneration approach taken with the spinoffs, but I haven’t gotten into the Sarah Jane adventures. The stories seemed a bit young for me. I’d like to get the kids hooked on that show to prepare them for when they are old enough for Doctor Who.

I grew up with BBC shows on PBS and that’s definitly something I’d like to pass along. I even had the girls singing “The Lumberjack Song” along with my iPod the other day. Their mom is the ‘cool’ one so I have to covertly infiltrate the ‘geek’ culture. :-)

]]> By: Unspeakably Violent Jack http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154097 Unspeakably Violent Jack Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:52:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154097 Well I like the idea of Torchwood - unfortunately I hated almost everything else about it. I don't think the BBC really committed to making it a show for adults, so that all the swearing & violence & such just seemed tacked on at the last minute. I'm all in favour of swearing & violence but if you can remove it & have the show still watchable (as they do with the pre-watershed edition) then it probably didn't need to be there in the first place. But I'm sure I'll watch the new series. I'm so predictable sometimes :) Well I like the idea of Torchwood – unfortunately I hated almost everything else about it. I don’t think the BBC really committed to making it a show for adults, so that all the swearing & violence & such just seemed tacked on at the last minute.
I’m all in favour of swearing & violence but if you can remove it & have the show still watchable (as they do with the pre-watershed edition) then it probably didn’t need to be there in the first place.
But I’m sure I’ll watch the new series. I’m so predictable sometimes :)

]]> By: Redcoat http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154068 Redcoat Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:57:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154068 Torchwood and (new)Who have both suffered from having to emperil and save the Earth (or The Whole Universe) on a weekly basis, as well as having to shoe-horn in a whole bunch of be-all-you-can-be/diversity empowerment stuff in lieu of character development at the same time (and I'm not referring to sexual politics specifically here, just the heavy handed way in which characters' emotions are portrayed). Much of both series' output has been over-contrived, melodramatic dross and because of that the producers are guilty of short-changing the public, no matter how popular the shows have been. Very encouraging to see that in this series a story might be allowed to grow, branch and resolve properly over several episodes so I'll be tuning in (as we used to say), since, the above carping aside, I love this stuff. Also, as to hanging with Naoko and Julie, I'm sure that's cool. Hanging with Barrowman? Let me tell you, he really, really is that person (and way beyond great with kids). Torchwood and (new)Who have both suffered from having to emperil and save the Earth (or The Whole Universe) on a weekly basis, as well as having to shoe-horn in a whole bunch of be-all-you-can-be/diversity empowerment stuff in lieu of character development at the same time (and I’m not referring to sexual politics specifically here, just the heavy handed way in which characters’ emotions are portrayed). Much of both series’ output has been over-contrived, melodramatic dross and because of that the producers are guilty of short-changing the public, no matter how popular the shows have been. Very encouraging to see that in this series a story might be allowed to grow, branch and resolve properly over several episodes so I’ll be tuning in (as we used to say), since, the above carping aside, I love this stuff.

Also, as to hanging with Naoko and Julie, I’m sure that’s cool. Hanging with Barrowman? Let me tell you, he really, really is that person (and way beyond great with kids).

]]> By: Monkey's Uncle http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154064 Monkey's Uncle Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:46:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154064 Oi!!! Completely O/T but relevant to the UK where Torchwood is made (see what I did there?)...Rumour and Mr Randi sez there will be an Amaz!ng Meeting in London in October...I am so there! Often read about these really cool things that you lot organise but never actually got to go to one being impoverished and living in a permanent 'recession' as a wage slave. Can you PLEASE let us inquiring and sceptical (note the transatlantic spelling) UK readers of your blog from way back and buyers of your books (death from the skies coming to me soon from Amazon) where the Meeting is likely to be? Me, I prefer The Sarah Jane adventures, only because my son was in it! /proud dad Oi!!!
Completely O/T but relevant to the UK where Torchwood is made (see what I did there?)…Rumour and Mr Randi sez there will be an Amaz!ng Meeting in London in October…I am so there! Often read about these really cool things that you lot organise but never actually got to go to one being impoverished and living in a permanent ‘recession’ as a wage slave.

Can you PLEASE let us inquiring and sceptical (note the transatlantic spelling) UK readers of your blog from way back and buyers of your books (death from the skies coming to me soon from Amazon) where the Meeting is likely to be?

Me, I prefer The Sarah Jane adventures, only because my son was in it!
/proud dad

]]> By: !AstralProjectile http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154057 !AstralProjectile Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:47:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154057 Just what I need-WOOT! (I still have not seen the last episode of THE DOCTOR- oversight to be remedied tomorrow on BBCA) Of course Beverly falls in love with a Trill in a male host and can't adjust to the new female one. At that time the Trill were apparently hiding from everyone except Cisco...) But then again I'm not even the dumbest Trek fan ;-) Just what I need-WOOT! (I still have not seen the last episode of THE DOCTOR- oversight to be remedied tomorrow on BBCA)

Of course Beverly falls in love with a Trill in a male host and can’t adjust to the new female one. At that time the Trill were apparently hiding from everyone except Cisco…) But then again I’m not even the dumbest Trek fan ;-)

]]> By: Bevans http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154042 Bevans Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:04:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154042 The first season of Torchwood was definitely hit and miss. A third of the episodes were great, a third were mediocre, and a third were pure crap. But, the second season was brilliant. Every episode was good, and the last episode was pretty surprising. It looked like Martha and Mickey were joining the cast (based on the last ep of Dr.W) and that'll be pretty cool. I've seen a few instances of gay females on BSG (like in Razor) but I don't recall seeing any gay male characters. Who are you referring to? Apparently, Garek on DS9 was supposed to be gay (or bisexual) but I guess somebody put a stop to that. It's kind of a shame too - Star Trek has broken so much new ground historically. The original series had Russian AND Japanese officers, a woman on the bridge, and a black woman at that! It even had the first bi-racial kiss on TV. The first season of Torchwood was definitely hit and miss. A third of the episodes were great, a third were mediocre, and a third were pure crap. But, the second season was brilliant. Every episode was good, and the last episode was pretty surprising. It looked like Martha and Mickey were joining the cast (based on the last ep of Dr.W) and that’ll be pretty cool.

I’ve seen a few instances of gay females on BSG (like in Razor) but I don’t recall seeing any gay male characters. Who are you referring to?

Apparently, Garek on DS9 was supposed to be gay (or bisexual) but I guess somebody put a stop to that. It’s kind of a shame too – Star Trek has broken so much new ground historically. The original series had Russian AND Japanese officers, a woman on the bridge, and a black woman at that! It even had the first bi-racial kiss on TV.

]]> By: Emerson Ross http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154041 Emerson Ross Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:41:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154041 John Barrowman is a sexy man. John Barrowman is a sexy man.

]]> By: Chris Swanson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154038 Chris Swanson Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:55:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154038 Oh, and let me guess, "Llangatwg" translates to "bad wolf"? ;) Oh, and let me guess, “Llangatwg” translates to “bad wolf”? ;)

]]> By: Chris Swanson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154037 Chris Swanson Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:54:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154037 If you're willing to put up with production values that were low even for the time, but were made up for with great acting and writting, then start with <em>An Unearthly Child</em>, the first episode and now available on DVD. If you want something decidedly more modern, but frankly not as well-written, check out the first season of the new series. Both can be bought on Amazon. If you’re willing to put up with production values that were low even for the time, but were made up for with great acting and writting, then start with An Unearthly Child, the first episode and now available on DVD. If you want something decidedly more modern, but frankly not as well-written, check out the first season of the new series. Both can be bought on Amazon.

]]> By: Cusp http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154032 Cusp Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:59:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154032 The school was called Llangatwg. The school was called Llangatwg.

]]> By: Nick http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154030 Nick Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:38:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154030 So... I must admit I have never watched an episode of Doctor Who before. I'm thinking of remedying to this situation. How well as the old series aged? Is it worth starting with the first episodes from the 60's? So… I must admit I have never watched an episode of Doctor Who before. I’m thinking of remedying to this situation. How well as the old series aged? Is it worth starting with the first episodes from the 60′s?

]]> By: DrNathaniel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154023 DrNathaniel Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:22:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154023 Feh. I hated the first season of Torchwood. They started out with an excellent hook (the glove) and then.. did nothing with it and threw it in the trash. They pulled it out later and... threw it in the trash again. I found the whole show to be a constant disappointment, both for character and for 'neat idea' factor. Bipedal: yes, Trek did deal with homosexuality by providing us with a believable inversion. It was tasteful, well-executed, and made the point. And was totally insufficient: yes, there should have been a gay character long ago. Feh. I hated the first season of Torchwood. They started out with an excellent hook (the glove) and then.. did nothing with it and threw it in the trash. They pulled it out later and… threw it in the trash again. I found the whole show to be a constant disappointment, both for character and for ‘neat idea’ factor.

Bipedal: yes, Trek did deal with homosexuality by providing us with a believable inversion. It was tasteful, well-executed, and made the point. And was totally insufficient: yes, there should have been a gay character long ago.

]]> By: Bipedal Tetrapod http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154021 Bipedal Tetrapod Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:02:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154021 There was that one episode of TNG where riker falls for an alien woman who is persecuted for being heterosexual. Does that count for something? There was that one episode of TNG where riker falls for an alien woman who is persecuted for being heterosexual. Does that count for something?

]]> By: Lyr http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154015 Lyr Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:18:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154015 I totally agree about Trek. They've danced around it a few times, but they've never actually done it. I totally agree about Trek. They’ve danced around it a few times, but they’ve never actually done it.

]]> By: Chris Swanson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154013 Chris Swanson Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:14:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154013 Hey, usually when we see people other-than-straight on TV they <em>are</em> female. The fact that this show and <em>Battlestar Galactica</em> have male characters who are bisexual (and actually get some instead of just saying they're not straight), is pretty darn nifty! Heck, BSG even had a lesbian relationship. Me, I'm happy to see a bit of progress on this front. All that said, <em>Trek</em>, in all its incarnations, should've had a gay or bi character long, long ago. Hey, usually when we see people other-than-straight on TV they are female. The fact that this show and Battlestar Galactica have male characters who are bisexual (and actually get some instead of just saying they’re not straight), is pretty darn nifty! Heck, BSG even had a lesbian relationship. Me, I’m happy to see a bit of progress on this front.

All that said, Trek, in all its incarnations, should’ve had a gay or bi character long, long ago.

]]> By: firemancarl http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154008 firemancarl Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:50:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154008 Oh, yeah, great wots-his-name likes men and women. Would it be too much to have a female star who likes men and women? Oh, yeah, great wots-his-name likes men and women. Would it be too much to have a female star who likes men and women?

]]> By: firemancarl http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154006 firemancarl Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:48:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154006 On a Doctor related note, Chris Eggleston is staring in the new G.I. Joe movie. he plays... the bad guy!!! On a Doctor related note, Chris Eggleston is staring in the new G.I. Joe movie. he plays… the bad guy!!!

]]> By: OutOfMind http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-154005 OutOfMind Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:40:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-154005 I'm reminded of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood%27s_End" rel="nofollow">Childhood's End</a>. I’m reminded of Childhood’s End.

]]> By: Arthwollipot http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-153999 Arthwollipot Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:15:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-153999 *one story told over a giant five-night arc* What, you mean the way Doctor Who *used* to be? *one story told over a giant five-night arc*

What, you mean the way Doctor Who *used* to be?

]]> By: KAitlin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-153996 KAitlin Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:05:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/02/05/torchwood-trailer/#comment-153996 I love torchwood. I find the show to be more aimed for adults. Although I am fanatic about doctor who I can't get over the Ianto Jack relationship. There just too cute together. I love torchwood. I find the show to be more aimed for adults. Although I am fanatic about doctor who I can’t get over the Ianto Jack relationship. There just too cute together.

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