Torchwood

[sqbr]

So I've been watching the new Dr Who and enjoying it well enough, and getting into season 2 there's a bunch of intriguing mentions of "The Torchwood Institute". Unfortunately, I watched an episode of Torchwood season one and it was terrible, and from all accounts it doesn't get any good till season 2. So, is it worth starting in season 2? Or are there individual season 1 episodes I should watch to get the backstory? They have season 1 at the local video store so that's no trouble. Or should I not bother at all?

And is there a point in Dr Who I should get to before starting Torchwood? I just finished season 2 disk 2.

Thank youse all :) I really shouldn't be asking more questions before answering my mail (the point of a poll was to avoid having lots of comments to reply to) but I want stuff to watch! (Video store doesn't have disk 3, dammit)

Comments

[tevriel.livejournal.com]

First season Torchwood is semi-unnecessary. (Also, I *hated* Countrycide, the one getting lots of recommendations, and it's the least-fitting of the season.) Their's *some* character background stuff in season 1, but I'm not sure it's that necessary, and some of the episodes are frankly bad. Also Captain Jack is badly written in first season, and it's all much better in the second.

If you think you could handle watching some moderately bad television as precursor to better television, go for it, and it has some cool ideas, but they're cool ideas badly handled. (On the other hand, if you only watch season 2, you may not have adequate reason to loathe Owen.)

As for relative to Doctor Who - well. That gets a bit interesting, because the Torchwood Institute you hear about is a bit... different. Which you only really hear about in season 3 Doctor Who, which comes between seasons for Torchwood.

I think overall I recommend watching Torchwood, just seriously, bear in mind that at least one character will be kind of infuriating, some of it is extremely dodgy, and season two will be SO MUCH BETTER.

[alias_sqbr]

Yeah, Torchwood in Dr Who seemed fairly unsympathetic, which is interesting. I think I'll watch it, but give myself leave top give up pretty easily :)