Now, before we set foot on this journey of Torchwood: Miracle Day, there’s two things I’ve got to come clean about. The first, that I haven’t seen any instance of Torchwood before this one; I’m painfully aware of the show’s insane British following, I'm determined to watch them once Miracle Dayfinishes its run on Starz, and I genuinely hope I don’t piss any true fans off with my inexperience. I was truly hooked by the premise of Miracle Day, and I’ve already committed to riding this thing out. Be patient with me, and let’s take it slow; it’s my first time and I’d appreciate a little sensitivity. And protection, if you don't mind.
The second: I don’t think any show has wholly gotten the science-fiction drama nearly as right asLOST, and since that’s my bar (and by coincidence, both leads are named Jack), forgive me if I draw constant comparisons. If it makes you feel better, I don’t have a vendetta against Torchwood or an invincible worship of LOST; I’d just like one to be as good as the other. What made LOST near-perfect is the fact that, as lead writers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse promised from beginning to end, the series was more character-driven than science-driven, and for better or worse, while some mysteries were forever-left unexplained, those interpersonal relations and memorable personas are arguably the one reason that it resonated so well with viewers in its well-recieved (and calcuated) six-year run.
The truth is, I’m far more interested in the social implications of a worldwide phenomenon as opposed the impossible forces behind it; since solutions to problems such as this are nearly always going to disappoint, it’s important (to me, anyway) that a show focus on how human relationships are affected by the supernatural, rather than the other way around. Thankfully, Torchwood: Miracle Day seems to be whole-heartedly headed in that direction, with a premiere that was moved by its intriguing premise, mixed with a robust dose of action, but still had great character establishments and interesting questions that should last the season.
It straddles the line in scale, at times actually managing to achieve the scope of what an Earth miracle would look and feel like, and others seeming far too small to be realistic, but for the purpose of having a focus, to zero in on how the threat of immortality affects just three people- our heroes Gwen, Jack, and Rex- is done fair enough. The pilot hour tells the tale of how Rex, a CIA operative, survives several metal poles shooting through his body, and is so moved by his job and badassness that he hobbles on a plane to Wales to track down Gwen, who seems more than willing to leave the quiet life, husband, and child that she spent so long establishing, to escape the very Torchwood Institute she is headed back into- the last go-around, she apparently was the lone survivor.
Of course, that excludes Captain Jack Harkness (is he really a pirate?) whose superhero trait is that healready can’t die- but with the worldwide miracle affecting the entire planet, Jack cuts himself and realizes that it won’t heal, leaving Jack and Gwen to believe that he may now be mortal- and the only person in the world who is capable of death.
It's a rather impressive cast: John Barrowman is rather approachable as Jack Harkness, with a charming wit and swave demeanor that can clearly get him into and out of the stickiest of situations, but also seems to come with a good heart. Eva Myles reminds me far too much of Justina Vail (fromSeven Days, ever watch that? No?), but she's about five times better, and ten times feistier. Mekhi Phifer can get a little melodramatic and over-rehearsed at times as Rex, but it's hardly distracting from what he does well, so I have to let myself overlook it- besides, he fits between the smooth Jack and quick-to-shoot Gwen as well as a tightly wound CIA operative can. Bill Pullman as Oswald Danes absolutely gave me chills, and I can't wait to see what he brings to the season.
By far, the best thing about the pilot is all of the questions it establishes for the season. What happens when a convicted criminal and nationwide symbol of evil is freed (Sidenote: I highly doubt that this would have happened in the real world, but there is a loophole here, and to explore this idea in a television series is fine by me) into the same country that ordered him to death? When the miracle stops, what happens to everyone that cheated death? How far can we push ourselves in our invincibility? What happens when the world over populates (ETA: 4 months)? If Jack is the only man in the world that can die, will the world come to a point that theory has to be tested? And there’s the obvious setup of who caused the phenomenon and why they’re after the Torchwood gang, but if that were the only point of the season, I don’t think I’d care quite as much. Thankfully, we’re in for one thought-provoking, mind-blowing thrill ride. Love to hear your thoughts on the premiere in the comments.
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