The Coffee Shop Miracle Day by Steve Taylor Bryant

TORCHWOOD:MIRACLE DAY

By Steve Taylor Bryant

TheCultDen

It's time to go on the offensive again and stick up for a work of genius that is much maligned, even by avid fans of the show...Torchwood:Miracle Day.

Season 3 of Torchwood saw the show branch out into long story arc territory; surprisingly what Russell T Davies replacement on Doctor Who Steven Moffat got vilified for and, with Children Of Earth, the bar was raised in Torchwood and in sci-fi drama itself. Following the best that the show had ever offered, Children of Earth, was always going to be a tough task. You had to do something different, go somewhere new with it, and therein lies everyone's problem...

They don't like change!

Using a ten episode format was considered a risk, as was pretty much moving lock, stock and barrel to the States. Ten episodes may have been slightly long but I don't agree with those that say the story dragged.  I honestly think it's a quick and easy insult to say that and, if there is a problem, it lies elsewhere.

People moaned about the casting before the show was even on our screens.  Doubt built up to enormous levels that just weren't fair and I'm sure this harmed enjoyment and viewing figures. The thing is, in a world of 24 hour social network opinions, everyone is a casting agent or director. If they weren't, I'd be out of work and I am as guilty as others of thinking I could do a better job. The difference is that I will give everything a go and judge it on its own merit.

I knew it wouldn't be "Children of Earth" again but wasn't expecting people to view it as a two headed dragon either. My colleague here, Rick Austin, likened it to the reaction that a third series of Fawlty Towers set in Jamaica would garner and, whilst the point is valid, it saddens me that people are so judgemental before a show's release.

I have long called for a Torchwood/X-Files crossover. I thought an F.B.I link up with Captain Jack would be an exciting proposition so, when the concept for Miracle Day was announced, I for one was over the moon and was already defending my opinion to the naysayers.

One day, nobody dies. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next. People keep ageing. They get hurt and sick, but they never die. The populace of the planet dub this "Miracle Day" for the immortality they now seem to have. However, this leads to a negative result: a population boom, overnight. With all the extra people unable to die and continuing births, resources have become limited. It’s suggested that in four months’ time, the human race will cease to be viable. But this can’t be a natural event – someone must have caused "Miracle Day". It’s a race against time as C.I.A. agent Rex Matheson investigates a global conspiracy. The answers lie within an old, secret British institute. As Rex keeps asking “What is Torchwood?", he’s drawn into a world of adventure, and a threat to change what it means to be human, forever.

The casting was strong. Alongside the always great John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness), Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper), and Kai Owen (Rhys Williams), was a strong support ensemble with two massive highlights.  Among the great support cast were Alexa Havins as Esther Drummond and Lauren Ambrose as the dastardly Jilly Kitzinger. But the stand-outs every time they were on screen were Bill Pullman and Mekhi Phifer.

I thought Mekhi Phifer as Rex Matheson was inspirational casting. He shook off his 8-Mile Eminem shackles, built a chemistry that he seemed to lack in E.R. and played really well alongside John Barrowman's often quirky Captain.

Bill Pullman as Oswald Danes played a psychotic like he really was, whilst exploring depression, redemption and fame hunger with such style.

The story concept was believable and shocking in equal measure. The writing itself was of a level unseen in Sci-Fi drama before.  Russell was head writer and brought with him John Fay (Torchwood:Children Of Earth/Mobile) and filled the creative room with the best of American TV writers. Jane Espenson (Buffy/Angel/Eureka), John Shiban (X-Files/Breaking Bad), and Doris Egan (House M.D/Numbers) between them produced a complex but slick plot and told the story extremely well.

Not everyone will agree with me and that's their entitled opinion. But before you join the bandwagon of haters, ask yourself one question "Do I hate it because it's intelligent and I like my shows dumbed down and celebrity based?"

When "Made in Chelsea" is winning Bafta’s and people are moaning about the story arcs in Doctor Who and Torchwood being too complicated, then we live in sad times. I say to those fans wanting a series five of Torchwood - you should have been more receptive to the changes in series four. When your screens are filled with fake tan wannabes you only have yourself to blame.

Articles If Torchwood Came Back For A Fifth Season...

There has never been another show quite like Torchwood, where a group of people worked below Cardiff, and saved the world from their underground bunker.  A group of people who we fell in love with and felt their every day pain and struggles, when they loved and lost people they cared about, when certain aspects of their job was more than just for the planet, when romantic attachments were fought to preserve and where ‘the 21^st century was where everything changes, and ‘Torchwood is ready...’

We followed the series from episode 1, Series 1, to the final episode of Miracle Day, Series 4, when another immortal man would find himself linked to Torchwood.  But after two years and still no sign of the series returning, we wonder if there will be another series and if it will return to Cardiff, or continue in America.

     If Torchwood came back for a 5^th season what would you prefer to see, as in episode structures? Would you like it as it was back in Series 1 & 2 where there were different episodes every week but still with a running story arc, or would you prefer the longer episodes of one major storyline such as Series 3 & 4?

On our Facebook Page we put this question to our fans who all had their own opinions about this.

Emma Brockman Definitely back to like 1 & 2! Shame they couldn't bring the others back too 

Annika Gabriella Brink I really loved CoE so perhaps they could alternate between a longer running season with a kind of "monster of the week"-story and then have a shorter season with one continous story. I also remember Jack and Gwen talk in the very first episode, how TW Cardiff is number 3, after one in London, one in Scotland and another one that were temporarily missing. Maybe they could build on that?

Kirsty Price One and Two they were the best.

Psyche Gry Christoffersen I loved CoE as well because of the suspenseful and dark writing. But I prefer procedural shows with stand alone episodes and a story arch that pops up every now and then.  Sticking to reality, if there's more Torchwood, I'd also like to meet the other branches, or maybe see a prequel from the younger days of Jack and Torchwood. That would be interesting I think.

Katja Armbruster I want for the first a regular base like the HUB. That was the thing I missed in Miracle Day. As long the story is good I am fine with both things.

Mel Purplemonkeydishwasher Bennett I don't mind. I actually really enjoyed Miracle Day, I thought it was the perfect.mix of terrifying, heartbreaking, clever and funny. As long as the story works for me, I'm happy. CoE was too painful for me to watch, but I loved the story arc. I wouldn't mind if they did little arcs, like Doctor Who used to do, that was incredible!

Nicola Stevens Definitely preferred series 1 and 2

There are so many avenues for Torchwood to return to, perhaps a series covering the Victorian era of Jack’s life.  A look at life from previous Torchwood’s, we’ve seen Yvonne Hartman’s Torchwood 1 fall to the Cybermen in Doctor Who, but what about Torchwood 2, Torchwood 4, there are so many opportunities for a series.  Although we know the reason for the hiatus, it doesn’t stop us thinking and hoping that one day Torchwood will return, but whether it has the same stars we’ve grown to love right from the first episode, or whether it has new characters, remains to be seen.  But the one thing we can always depend upon is that Torchwood will never be forgotten...

Special thanks to all those who put their thoughts to this debate we look forward to this continuing on here!

Articles If You Could Take Home An Alien Artefact What Would It Be?

In Everything Changes, while Jack told Gwen about his team he adamantly stated that nobody took anything from the Hub, however we know that Suzie took the glove to practice at home, Owen used the alien cologne, and Toshiko used the data scanner as her very own eBook.  So if you had the opportunity of taking home a piece of alien kit, an artefact from Torchwood, what would you take?  Below are a few answers from the fans of our Page please feel free to add your thoughts, the more the merrier.

Mel Purplemonkeydishwasher Bennett I'd probably be like Owen and have something that made people sexually attracted to me! Lolz!

Tamie Wiggins Hmm... based on the artifacts in the actual episode?  The book scanner. And then I'd scan every book I've got and make digital copies. Though I'd start with the ones that don't already have official ebook versions; depending on my income, I might be honest enough to actually buy new copies of the others.

An artifact I'd like to find, though...Something that would let me psychically interface with any computer like they did on Satellite Five (DW Long Game). The "basic" method, that is, not the brain spike.  Or something that lets me use and understand any language I want. And when I say "language," that includes fictional (Klingon or Elvish, anyone?) computer (ultra programmer!) and dead languages. Past, present, and future, to the point that I can correctly anticipate new words and phrases before they've even been created.

Victoria Manson Anything? I would want something that allows me to see in aliens minds. To see what the aliens are thinking about us,humans. To see what plans they’re plotting which could really help Torchwood.

Claudia Lindner I would take that device with which you could go back and forth in time, witnessing certain events. You know, the one from s1 ep.3 that had two parts...but only, if I could control to which event in time I would go, not being thrown anywhere randomly.

Tamie Wiggins I should also say: my dream artifact, at this precise moment in time, is something that could rewrite my cells, and possibly DNA, to eliminate anything that I PERSONALLY identify as health problems... and change nothing else. In other words, it wouldn't be nanogenes "healing" whatever their programming says is wrong with me (Are you my mummy?), but I wouldn't have to put up with these allergies any longer. ACHOO!

Special thanks to everyone who took part in this on the Page

Thanks to Google and BBC for images

Articles What If? A Torchwood - X Files Crossover By Steve Taylor-Bryant

A Torchwood/X Files Crossover

By Steve Taylor-Bryant 

Taking a look at what should have been, could be or simply would make an interesting idea. There are so many possibilities...What If?

A while ago I had one of those chats online. It was just after Torchwood: Miracle Day had finished, and I was waxing lyrical about how I thought it had been the best Torchwood we had received, a view not shared by everyone. I received a bit of backlash for my opinion and one of those comments that really struck me was "It was a bit X-Files". Now it doesn't take me a lot to get over excited, and my brain started picturing an X-Files meets Torchwood idea. Something happened and I never progressed with the writing of scripts I was going to do and maybe it was just me being a geeky fan.

That said the idea does have merit. We all like how Russell T. Davies writes and we all (if were old enough) remember how awesome we found the X-Files don't we? So a project involving both would surely be great. Chris Carter and RTD locked in a writers room with no food until it’s written, what could possibly be wrong with that?

Working within the parameters Of classic X-Files and the casting of Torchwood: Miracle Day, we base it in Washington D.C. Rex Matheson, Captain Jack, Gwen Cooper and poor old Rhys, chasing a race of Aliens that are the actual Skull and Bones secret society, trying to control the planet through political power. They cant infiltrate all on there own and need help so Rex calls his old F.B.I. buddy Fox Mulder and explains he has the biggest X-File ever. Enter Scully to the team and we are all set for at least 7 episodes.

The thought of heavyweight writers like Chris Carter and Russell T Davies taking joint control on a proper New World Order/Alien conspiracy is mouth-watering.

Now I am not computer literate enough to design a petition site but someone must be, a law must be made to bring these two giant writers of Sci-Fi together, for the good of all mankind.

What do you think?