What is Torchwood?
Dec. 10th, 2006 11:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beccaelizabethI've been reading a book on screenwriting for TV, and it says the important thing is to make it deliver the same goods every week. Because if people tune in for happy laughing and get gritty melodrama, you do not attract a new audience of melodrama people, you just scare off the happy.
So, what is it we're tuning in to Torchwood for every week?
What are the essential elements of a Torchwood episode?
My feeling is that the writers have slightly different ideas than I do, which is why I adore some episodes and can't be bothered with some and actively hate others.
What I'm here for is to see something different - something SF, something that no other show could do. Action and adventure is key - investigation is all very well, but the hazard level should be as extraordinary as the setting. Team Torchwood should get in trouble, but the kind of trouble they couldn't get into on any other show. How they save themselves can vary. Getting in SF trouble that is fixed by a screwdriver is funny. Getting in screwdriver trouble that is fixed by a SF-only device is ridiculously overkill. Maybe, if written right, funny, but generally a let down.
Getting in trouble that isn't fixed is acceptably Torchwood too.
... Just as long as it doesn't involve killing my favourites. Because then I sulk. And join campaigns and stuff.
(And also, at this point, I think they're pretty much all queer, and my opinions on killing queer characters are LOUDER.)
The other unique and fun thing about Torchwood I'm here for? The kissing. Because how many other shows on TV can I watch where there's same sex kissing?
Considering I only watch F&SF, there's basically this and Buffy.
I'd kind of like Torchwood to be slashier - fit in more of the emotions and relationship stuff, have happy snuggles sometimes, maybe have an actual ongoing relationship.
But kissing is kind of nice too.
The other thing about Torchwood, and this part makes me kind of uncomfortable with it sometimes, is I don't think we're watching the heroes. The way they keep on acting, this is about the other guys. Only they haven't noticed yet.
Christmas invasion quote - Humans as the monsters.
But they're trying not to be. Some of them, sometimes, maybe. So there's the chance of a redemption arc.
Trouble is the biggest problem is the keeping aliens secret thing, and changing that doesn't just change the action it changes the setting.
Tricksy.
I realise one thing they sold the show on heavily to start with is Captain Jack Harkness, because he's the character as got his own spin-off. But by this point in the season they've had time to invent other characters, so hopefully he isn't 100% of the reason any more.
... A whole lot, and a lack of Jack is a serious flaw in an episode, but not 100%
Opinions? Other definitions?
So, what is it we're tuning in to Torchwood for every week?
What are the essential elements of a Torchwood episode?
My feeling is that the writers have slightly different ideas than I do, which is why I adore some episodes and can't be bothered with some and actively hate others.
What I'm here for is to see something different - something SF, something that no other show could do. Action and adventure is key - investigation is all very well, but the hazard level should be as extraordinary as the setting. Team Torchwood should get in trouble, but the kind of trouble they couldn't get into on any other show. How they save themselves can vary. Getting in SF trouble that is fixed by a screwdriver is funny. Getting in screwdriver trouble that is fixed by a SF-only device is ridiculously overkill. Maybe, if written right, funny, but generally a let down.
Getting in trouble that isn't fixed is acceptably Torchwood too.
... Just as long as it doesn't involve killing my favourites. Because then I sulk. And join campaigns and stuff.
(And also, at this point, I think they're pretty much all queer, and my opinions on killing queer characters are LOUDER.)
The other unique and fun thing about Torchwood I'm here for? The kissing. Because how many other shows on TV can I watch where there's same sex kissing?
Considering I only watch F&SF, there's basically this and Buffy.
I'd kind of like Torchwood to be slashier - fit in more of the emotions and relationship stuff, have happy snuggles sometimes, maybe have an actual ongoing relationship.
But kissing is kind of nice too.
The other thing about Torchwood, and this part makes me kind of uncomfortable with it sometimes, is I don't think we're watching the heroes. The way they keep on acting, this is about the other guys. Only they haven't noticed yet.
Christmas invasion quote - Humans as the monsters.
But they're trying not to be. Some of them, sometimes, maybe. So there's the chance of a redemption arc.
Trouble is the biggest problem is the keeping aliens secret thing, and changing that doesn't just change the action it changes the setting.
Tricksy.
I realise one thing they sold the show on heavily to start with is Captain Jack Harkness, because he's the character as got his own spin-off. But by this point in the season they've had time to invent other characters, so hopefully he isn't 100% of the reason any more.
... A whole lot, and a lack of Jack is a serious flaw in an episode, but not 100%
Opinions? Other definitions?