Torchwood: Miracle Day conclusion

Ummm...So what exactly was the point of Torchwood, then?

Yes, it's been an enjoyable - very American - run, but at the end of 10 episodes I can't help but feel a little bit deflated, as if the brilliant initial premise of the Grim Reaper jacking it all in and leaving people to live forever had been squandered somewhat.

Perhaps having 10 episodes was the problem. Too much space to fill and not enough with which to fill it? If they'd produced only half the number of episodes it might have been a stronger narrative. But that's the trouble when you get into bed with huge broadcasting companies and have to obey international syndication rules; you have to abide by their laws, even if it affects the overall product. Seasoned couch potatoes will, of course, be nodding sagely at this point and saying, 'Ah, that's exactly what happened to Patrick McGoohan and The Prisoner in the 1960s. He only wanted to do six episodes, you know, but ended up doing 13 because of Lew Grade's deal with the US networks. And at least one of those episodes, that body swap one, was utter rubbish."

Torchwood wasn't utter rubbish. Hokum, certainly; tosh, definitely, but not rubbish. It was entertaining and flashy, dark and gruesome, but it always seemed to have a smile on its face. However, by the end it felt like it had been stretched to breaking point. This was a glitzy, empty box, if you like. (Or even if you don't like. It's my review.)

And I may be being a bit thick here, but I really had lost the plot by the time we got to the end, with Captain Jack and Rex Matheson showering their blood into the rift/canyon/thing that was behind Miracle Day. Captain Jack died. Rex Matheson died. That bird with the blonde hair died. Yup, another season of Torchwood concluded with most of the team killed in action.

Except they weren't. Captain Jack cannot die, so he came back, and Rex did die, except now he can't either, so he was alive at the end, too. I imagine they'll bring the other one back somehow. (Blood transfusion into her body? Yes, that would probably do it.) But that depends on them getting another run.

Judging by this series I hope they do, but it might be a bit better if they aim a bit smaller next time.

By Andrew Owen