TW: Miracle Day 1

[janne_d]

I watched the first episode of Miracle Day today, and I'm... hmm, don't really know what I am. I've seen a lot of people posting reactions along the theme of 'it's not my show anymore' and I can't say I was massively hooked by the episode - but then I thought the very first episode of TW I ever watched sucked and wouldn't have watched anymore if it hadn't been for other people's recs (Ghost Machine, if you're wondering).

And it got me thinking: was Torchwood ever my show in the first place? A lot of these posts have been comparing the latest installment to the previous series and reminiscing about all the reasons they loved earlier versions, and I've realised I just don't feel like that about it anymore. I enjoyed some of the S1 and S2 episodes a lot, some I thought were bloody awful and some were just meh, and I have no urge to rewatch any of them. CoE I thought was overall a brutal, stunning piece of TV drama and I actively don't want to ever rewatch it.

And it's odd. I've looked back at my posts from way back then and I was genuinely excited for the return of S2 but then I look back at my memories of watching and there's a whole lot of emotional connection gone missing. Whereas with BtVS I am still turning over character beats and thinking through plotlines and getting angry and happy and excited over what happened.

Anyway. To go back to Miracle Day, it was intriguing enough that I'll keep watching it for another few episodes but it didn't exactly stir the blood. (And does anyone else think John Barrowman is looking awful thin in the face these days?)

Comments

[buzzylittleb.livejournal.com]

I was marvelling about Jack's undercover accent and making weird super-hero parallels with his living environment. But, yes, it didn't stir all that much, it was quite okay, but didn't resonate much. [Okay, besides an urge to watch 101, "They Keep Killing Suzie" and 201 - the last for gratuitious Jack] but the one thing that miffed me was the over-long "this season" trailer that basically handed out every single plot development for at least six episodes... meh.

[okay. I really liked the later S2 stuff, but never got together the balls to actually watch CoE (hey, I'm looking at that abbrev and getting the giggles way too much, Church of England *snort* YMMV)

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

I spent most of the trailer going "where's Dichen Lachman?" and worrying that she apparently didn't have a big enough part to figure in it - she popped up right at the end of it though so I am hopeful still.

I really liked the later S2 stuff, but never got together the balls to actually watch CoE (hey, I'm looking at that abbrev and getting the giggles way too much

Ha, fandom abbreviations vs. RL ones is always fun. CoE was screened very cleverly really - it being every day so there was no time to digest, and it was so intense all the time, it was impossible to stop because I had to know what was going to happen next. Now that I know what happened though, I don't want to watch it again because I remember how intense it was! So as a one off it works great, but if you're already spoiled then I don't know it's worth it unless you are feeling really masochistic (or want to admire the production from a detached viewpoint which I know some people can).

[buzzylittleb.livejournal.com]

Weird fanfiction thought I shared with the dosk: Captain Scarlet.

Once you think about it, you know it makes sense.

[Uh, I'm trying to commit HCL/dS fic today with a heavy dose of AU and David Bowie -- I might need to get out more, or at least write more than two paragraphs in three hours, I got very picky after writing long-form, which is why nobody has seen anything out of me... *handwave*]

I spent the first four days of CoE in bed with the mother of all migraines which was quite masochistic enough.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Captain Scarlet.

Once you think about it, you know it makes sense.

Uh... if I knew anything at all about Captain Scarlet it might, but since I don't I'm a little lost!

in which I try to convey excitement through supermarionation

[buzzylittleb.livejournal.com]

*sins badly* (I think that was meant to be sings badly*

They crash him/ and his body may bu-rn-rn-rn
They smash him/ but they know he'll return TO LIVE AGAIN...

I am entirely too fond of the cool ending credits, my favourite being the shark scene. The Cliff Notes version: Captain Scarlet is rendered indestructible after the manipulations of creepy unseen aliens of evil and he thus returns to life drive incredibly cool vehicles, fight creepy unseen aliens and stop the plans of his opposite number -enemy agent- Captain Black.

(It's Gerry Anderson, it's a bit Die Hard with puppets]

I can totally hear Gwen referring to Jack as Captain Scarlet. It will drive him round the bed. Eh, bend. Otherwise, the show always began with Captain Scarlet being shot at with bullet holes only to slowly raise his gun hand and shoot back. I don't know, maybe some time in the 21st century, Jack goes and joins Spectrum and works on Cloud Base (which is so entirely the inspiration for "Saxon" and his flying HQ.

Re: in which I try to convey excitement through supermarionation

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Captain Scarlet is rendered indestructible after the manipulations of creepy unseen aliens of evil and he thus returns to life drive incredibly cool vehicles, fight creepy unseen aliens

Ah, yes that does sound a lot like Jack! Though I maintain that a bright red uniform is a bad idea for any hero that isn't indestructible (I'm looking at you, Fraser), I suppose Captain Scarlet is the only one who can actually get away with it.

[buzzylittleb.livejournal.com]

I found the sharks: here and looking lovely.

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

I wasn't overly involved either in this first episode of Miracle Day, but look, it used to be the only show where I got my canon bisexuality ALL OVER THE SCREEN LOOK. ;) I'll keep going...

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

look, it used to be the only show where I got my canon bisexuality ALL OVER THE SCREEN LOOK

*grins* Very true! Which was one of the best things about TW and Captain Jack in the first place. And from the trailer it looks likely to continue.

I am expecting it to get more involving as the plot unfolds. And I hope the new characters get some development - especially if they develop Rex away from his current status of 'total prick'.

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

especially if they develop Rex away from his current status of 'total prick'.

Srsly. I wanted to like Rex, I really did, but what the hell, writers; how about some layers?

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

I wanted to like Rex, I really did, but what the hell, writers; how about some layers?

Or if they can't manage layers, how about a shred of likability?

And I'm fairly sure that real CIA agents don't go around shouting "CIA" at the general public to get their way - not that I expect much realism on things like that from TW, but still.

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

Or if they can't manage layers, how about a shred of likability?

Or that. *g*

I thought he was marginally better this time around -- he's So Not My Type, hero-wise, but I liked his quick thinking and willingness to go rogue at a word from his partner (what can I say; evidence of that semi-mythical partnership bond in law enforcement gets me every time ;).

not that I expect much realism on things like that from TW, but still.

I had forgotten how Out There(tm) Torchwood is, or used to be -- Children of Earth was hyper-realistic in so many ways, but of course the first two series did not really follow Earth logic, despite being set on it. This one's a weird hybrid so far, more like CoE in its dark and gruesome glory in all the big-picture ways...but when you look at the details, there's little sense sometimes.

But I have to hand it to RTD: I'm hooked; I very definitely need to know what's happening now...