Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Torchwood Miracle Day NYC Premiere

Crazy line before
the Torchwood premiere!
Last night was filled with awesomeness because I got to attend an early screening of the first episode of the new Torchwood season.  Now let me tell you what I think. ;) This was a great event held at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema and sponsored by Starz Entertainment. Big thanks to Landmark and Starz for hosting such a fantastic event. They were so great and I even got my very own tiny Torchwood squishy world to take home!

But first, just in case you haven't watched Torchwood, here is a really quick recap. It is about a clandestine agency that protects the British realm from alien forces. In the past seasons, the Torchwood team has run into a lot of problems, leaving only two survivors, Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper. Now they are hiding out from anyone that comes looking, except then a miracle happens and "Torchwood" is the key.  The miracle is that no one dies anywhere. This sends Mekhi Phifer's CIA agent Rex Matheson on search to discover why he and the world are surviving.  FYI, this is actually the fourth season of Torchwood but the first that is being co-produced by Starz and BBC. Unfortunately, I can't give away too much without spoiling everything, so I'm gonna be vague. Sorry but it's for the best since it is premiering a week later in the UK.

Now I know what some of you are thinking, "I didn't watch Torchwood before this, will I understand what's going on?" Well, you have two options. One, go on Netflix and catch up. There aren't many episodes so you can totally call out sick and make it through the series before the premiere. Two, the first ep gives enough backstory to catch you up pretty quickly. You may not catch all of the little jokes but you won't be lost by the story.

For fans of the show, this definitely has a more "American" feel to the show. There is a noticeable difference in how the story unfolds, everything seems a bit more rushed. However, don't worry. Russell T. Davies is still at the helm and you still get warm, naughty fuzzies when Capt. Jack takes the screen.  Yeah, I went there.

The cast is superb all around. John Barrowman and Eve Myles bring their characters back to life with ease, like they never left.  It was also great to see Kai Owen back as Gwen's other half, Rhys.  He looks so comfortable with the baby!   Bringing up the old cast is Tom Price as Andy, Gwen's former partner and he is as sturdy as ever.  For the newbies, we have Alexa Havins as Esther Drummond, the CIA agent that uncovers Torchwood.  She needs to have a bigger role because it felt at times as if she was being overshadowed but it feels like this actress can do more.  Mekhi Phifer brings his strong character to life and brings out his comedic chops at all the right moments.  Bill Pullman is kinda weird and dry, but I believe that there is a bigger purpose to that.  He does play a pedophile/murderer, so I think he supposed to creep me out. Good job Bill. My one disappointment was no Dichen Lachman in this episode. After the trailers, I was dying to see her. We got to see a sneak at the end and it looks like she makes her entrance in ep 2.

To recap, cancel all of your plans for this Friday so you can hangout with Torchwood as they save the world from humanity.


Like what you just read? Let us know in the comments below and keep up to date by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr!