Torchwood: Children of Earth
| Torchwood: Children of Earth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Showrunner | Russell T Davies |
| Starring | |
| No.of episodes | 5 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC One |
| Original release | 6 July– 10 July 2009 |
| Season chronology | |
Children of Earthis the banner title of the third and penultimate series of theBritish television science fictionprogrammeTorchwood,which broadcast for five episodes onBBC Onefrom 6 to 10 July 2009. The series had new producerPeter Bennettand was directed byEuros Lyn,who had considerable experience on the revivedDoctor Who,Torchwood'sparent show. The eponymous series is about an organization known asTorchwoodwhich defends the Earth against alien threats. The plot ofChildren of Earthdeals with aliens demanding 10% of the Earth's children, and a related earlier conspiracy 40 years ago; as such, Torchwood is pitted against theBritish governmentwhen the government attempts to conceal its past actions and accede to the present-day aliens' demands. The first, third, and fifth episodes of the serial were written by executive producerRussell T Davies,who also conceived its overall storyline. The third episode was co-written byJames Moranwhilst the second and fourth were penned by newcomerJohn Fay.
Torchwoodwas shown on the network's premiere channel, BBC One, every weeknight for one week in July 2009. Despite the move to BBC One, the show was cut from a standard thirteen-episode run to just five, something that lead actorJohn Barrowmanfelt was almost like a "punishment" from the BBC.[1]Production on the mini-series began in August 2008, and Barrowman along with actorsEve Myles,Gareth David-LloydandKai Owenall returned. The serial significantly features new actors to the series over the course of its five episodes, includingPeter Capaldi.Davies had to substantially rewrite parts of the serial to accommodate the unavailability of actorsFreema AgyemanandNoel Clarke,whose presence in the serial had been set up in the2008Doctor Whofinale.
When the series defied expectations by achieving good ratings (peaking at 6.76 million), Davies stated that a surprised BBC Controller rang to congratulate him. Mid-summer evenings are typically considered agraveyard slotfor television series.[2]The serial also received acclaim, particularly in comparison to the programme's previous two series, as well as aBAFTA Cymru Award,aSaturn AwardandCeltic Media Festival Award,all for best serial. The success of the series led to a fourth series,Torchwood: Miracle Day,which was commissioned in conjunction with the USpremium cablenetworkStarz.
Plot[edit]
In 1965 Scotland, an alien race calledthe 456offer theBritish governmenta cure to an influenza strain that would wipe out 25 million people, in exchange for 12 children. One of these children, Clement McDonald, is pubescent and no longer produces the chemical the 456uses recreationally.Clement escapes and is institutionalised for over 40 years.
Over the course of two days in the present, all the children in the world, along with Clement, are paralysed in place and speak several messages in unison announcing the 456's return on the third day. To cover upJack's involvement in the events of 1965, civil servantJohn Frobisherorders a black-ops kill squad to assassinate him. To this end,Agent Johnsonplants a bomb in Jack's abdomen, which detonates inside theTorchwoodHub in Cardiff, destroying it, though Jack survives due to his immortality.
On the third day, the ambassador for the 456 arrives inThames House,occupying a specially built chamber containing a certain composition of gases. Frobisher and his staff, including his personal assistantLois Habiba,who wears special contact lenses given to her by Torchwood to record what she sees, hold confidential meetings with the 456 to understand why they have returned. The 456 speak through a translation device and demand that 10% of the world's children are handed over to them, or else they will destroy the human race. The governments of the world comply, and Lois records the British government's agreement.
Torchwood threaten to haveGwen's husbandRhysleak the government's agreement to the world. Jack andIantostorm Thames House, confront the 456 and warn them humanity will fight back. In response, the 456 release a lethal virus. Thames House automatically locks down, and Ianto is killed along with many others. At the same time, the 456 kill Clement with an auditory signal.
The government choose to use the failing schools at the bottom of theleague tablesto give to the 456. To convince the public of the cover story of an inoculation programme against the paralysing effect,Prime MinisterBrian Greenorders Frobisher to submit his own children to them. Frobisher agrees, returns home and kills his two daughters to spare them this fate. He then kills his wife and himself. When some parents keep their children home from school, the military tries to secure the remaining children.
Jack uses the same audio signal that was used to kill Clement against the 456, but he is forced to use his own grandson, Steven Carter, as a transmitter, demonstrating hisutilitarianmoral stance, as previously shown in "Small Worlds".
The 456 writhe in agony, bursting in a spray of blood, before withdrawing from the Earth. Steven is killed. Devastated, Steven's mother Alice refuses to acknowledge her father ever again while Jack also cuts Alice off from his life, their relationship irrevocably destroyed.
Green suggests that they cover up the tragedy and place the blame on the United States, butBridget Spears,Lois's superior, reveals that she has recorded this conversation on the contact lenses and will release it, ending Green's political career.
After six months of travelling Earth, a guilty Jack decides to leave for space to start a new life, saying goodbye to a pregnant Gwen and Rhys. With Jack gone, the Hub destroyed, most of the team dead and Gwen pregnant, Torchwood is seemingly shut down for good.
Episodes[edit]
| No. overall | No.in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | UK viewers (millions) [3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 1 | "Day One" | Euros Lyn | Russell T Davies | 6 July 2009 | 3.1 | 6.47 |
| 28 | 2 | "Day Two" | Euros Lyn | John Fay | 7 July 2009 | 3.2 | 6.14 |
| 29 | 3 | "Day Three" | Euros Lyn | Russell T Davies & James Moran | 8 July 2009 | 3.3 | 6.40 |
| 30 | 4 | "Day Four" | Euros Lyn | John Fay | 9 July 2009 | 3.4 | 6.76 |
| 31 | 5 | "Day Five" | Euros Lyn | Russell T Davies | 10 July 2009 | 3.5 | 6.58 |
Production[edit]
Locations[edit]
Filming for the series started inCardiffin August 2008, with a week's filming taking place inLondon.[4]Additional filming took place in the Maindee area of Newport for the pub scene,[5]and on the set ofBBC'sCasualtyinBristol,which doubled as the fictional St. Helen's Hospital in Cardiff.[6]The set for Floor 13 was the largest ever built atUpper Boat Studios.[6]However, many of the scenes set in the corridors of the same building (supposedlyThames Housein London) were shot in the corridors of theGuildhall, Swansea.
Casting[edit]
John Barrowman,Eve Myles,Gareth David Lloyd,Kai OwenandTom Priceall reprise their respectiveTorchwoodroles for the serial. David-Lloyd had first concluded that Ianto was being killed off when his agent told him he was only needed for four out of five episodes.[7]
Peter CapaldiandNick Briggshad both previously been involved inDoctor Whoproductions prior toChildren of Earth.Capaldi, who portrays Home Office Permanent Secretary John Frobisher, previously played Lobus Caecilius in theDoctor Whoepisode "The Fires of Pompeii",and would return toDoctor Whoin 2013 to play theTwelfth Doctor.Briggs, the voice actor who provides voices for several creatures in the revived series ofDoctor Who,including theDaleks,appears as Rick Yates, a member of Brian Green's Cabinet. He had also previously played many roles in theBig Finishrange of officially licensed audio dramas. Having been set up to do so by the conclusion of their storylines in "Journey's End",Doctor WhoalumniFreema AgyemanandNoel Clarkewere due to reprise their roles asMartha JonesandMickey Smithrespectively, but were unable to participate due to "scheduling issues".[8]Davies explained that Agyeman was cast inLaw & Order: UKbeforeChildren of Earthhad been officially commissioned. BecauseLaw & Orderoffered her thirteen episodes a year, she went with that overTorchwoodwhich had been reduced to five.[9]In response, Davies introduced the character ofLois Habiba,played byCush Jumbo,to be a "kind of a Martha figure", one with added innocence who is out of her depth.[10]Agyeman didn't rule out returning to the show at a later date, however,[11]and Davies also expressed interest in her returning to the role.[10]Jack and Gwen explain Martha's absence by saying that she is on her honeymoon, and theDoctor Whoserial "The End of Time"reveals that she married Mickey rather than her previous fiancé Thomas Milligan (Tom Ellis).
Children of Earthfeatured a largely new supporting cast for the duration of the five-episode serial. Further new characters includedClem McDonald(Paul Copley), senior Home Office officialBridget Spears(Susan Brown),Prime Minister Brian Green(Nicholas Farrell), and ruthless operativeAgent Johnson(Liz May Brice). Katy Wix and Rhodri Lewis play Rhiannon and Johnny Davies, Ianto's sister and brother-in-law respectively.[12]Lucy Cohuplays Captain Jack Harkness's daughter Alice.[13]The voice of the 456 was provided by actor and voiceover artist Simon Poland.[14]
Preview[edit]
A preview ofChildren of Earthwas screened at theNational Film Theatreon 12 June 2009.[15]
Broadcast[edit]
Children of Earthwas first broadcast onBBC Oneover five nights from 6 to 10 July 2009.[16]It was the programme's first transmission on BBC One, after its first series debuted onBBC Threein 2006 and its second series moved toBBC Twoin 2008.[17][18]
Internationally, it was broadcast inAustraliafrom 7 July 2009[19]onUKTV Australia,and was shown from 20 July 2009[20]onSpacein Canada andBBC Americain theU.S.(the air date was set to coincide with the launch of BBC America's HD simulcast).[21]
Soundtrack[edit]
| Torchwood: Children of Earth | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Soundtrack albumby | ||||
| Released | 7 July 2009 | |||
| Recorded | 2008–2009 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 78:35 | |||
| Label | Silva Screen Records | |||
| Producer | Ben Foster | |||
| Torchwoodsoundtrack chronology | ||||
| ||||
Torchwood: Children of Earthis a soundtrack album which was released on 7 July 2009, containing incidental music composed byBen Fosterused in thethird series("Children of Earth") of the Britishscience fictiontelevision programmeTorchwood,which aired July 2009. Unlike with theTorchwood: Original Television Soundtrackthe album was released simultaneously for download with the official release of 7 July 2009.
Track listing[edit]
| Track no. | Track[22][23] | Track Length | Episodes used in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The First Sacrifice" | 1:25 | "Day One" |
| 2 | "What's Occurring?" | 2:10 | |
| 3 | "Jack's Daughter" | 1:28 | |
| 4 | "Diplomatic Cars" | 1:20 | |
| 5 | "We are Coming" | 1:12 | |
| 6 | "Thames House" | 1:53 | |
| 7 | "Double Crossed" | 1:26 | |
| 8 | "Countdown to Destruction" | 1:52 | |
| 9 | "The Crater" | 1:00 | "Day Two" |
| 10 | "Torchwood Hunted" | 1:42 | |
| 11 | "Gwen's Baby " | 1:03 | |
| 12 | "On The Run" | 1:13 | |
| 13 | "Jack in A Box" | 1:34 | |
| 14 | "Ianto Jones" | 0:50 | |
| 15 | "Tractor Attack" | 2:21 | |
| 16 | "Resurrection" | 1:11 | |
| 17 | "Clement MacDonald" | 2:05 | "Day Three" |
| 18 | "Something's Coming" | 2:35 | |
| 19 | "Eye Spy" | 1:20 | |
| 20 | "Trust Nobody" | 1:46 | |
| 21 | "The World Looks to the Skies" | 2:10 | |
| 22 | "Jack's Secret" | 1:36 | "Day Four" |
| 23 | "Clem Remembers" | 1:34 | |
| 24 | "Judgement Day | 4:05 | |
| 25 | "Requiem for the Fallen" | 1:23 | |
| 26 | "The Ballad of Ianto Jones" | 4:36 | |
| 27 | "The Final Day" | 0:40 | "Day Five" |
| 28 | "Calm Before the Storm" | 3:22 | |
| 29 | "Phase Two Has Begun" | 1:50 | |
| 30 | "Requisition 31" | 2:38 | |
| 31 | "He Was a Good Man" | 1:40 | |
| 32 | "The Children of The Earth" | 3:27 | |
| 33 | "Breaking the Connection" | 2:25 | |
| 34 | "Fighting Back" | 2:02 | |
| 35 | "Run for Your Lives" | 1:13 | |
| 36 | "Sacrifice and Salvation" | 1:39 | |
| 37 | "Redemption" | 3:13 | |
| 38 | "I Can Run Forever" | 3:28 | |
| 39 | "Here Comes Torchwood" | 2:24 | Various episodes |
| 40 | "Next Time on Torchwood" | 0:31 |
Home media[edit]
TheRegion 2DVD release was released on 13 July 2009, followed by theRegion 1release on both DVD and Blu-ray on 28 July 2009. The Best Buy limited edition included the CD for the audio dramaLost Souls.Music for the fifth episode differed from the original broadcast version. TheRegion 4DVD release became available on 1 October 2009.[24]
Reception[edit]
Reviews[edit]
The series was met with critical acclaim.Metacritic,an American review aggregator website, givesChildren of Eartha normalised rating of 80 out of 100 (based on a sample of 12 reviews), indicating "generally favourable reviews", with the highest score being a 91 fromTimeand the lowest a 60 fromThe New York Times.[25]
Daniel Martin ran a day-by-day review of the show onThe Guardian'swebsiteguardian.co.ukwhich culminated in a positive assessment of the mini-series as a whole: "... what an incredible week. From its hideous Sex Alien vs Cyberwoman beginnings,Torchwoodhas become a true treasure. "He speculated on the programme's thematic implication that" as people realise their potential in this world, they die ", and remarked:" If the same thing does happen to the series it would be awful. But God, it would be poetic. "[26]
Ben Rawson-Jones ofDigital Spygave a very favourable pre-review to the first three episodes of the serial. He particularly praised Davies' script for its "economical" and "seamless" re-establishment of the show's returning trio for new viewers whilst not alienating fans. The inter-weaving of the stories for "credible and appealing" supporting characters Rupesh, Clement and Lois was praised; as were the performances from Paul Copley and Liz May Brice. He did however feel that the second episode paled after the explosiveness of the first episode, on which they "failed to capitalise".[27]Summing up the series, Rawson-Jones describedChildren of Earthas "a powerful human drama, reliant not on special effects but incredible acting, direction and writing" that was a "massive success."[28]
IGNwriter Ahsan Haque gave the miniseries a rating of 9.5 out of 10, also awarding it their Editor's Choice Award. John Barrowman's performance was highly praised, saying that he handled "these gut-wrenching moments with poise, yet manages to give us just enough to know how much his choices are tearing him up inside. He might not be able to die physically, but emotionally, what Jack has to suffer and live with is a fate far worse than death." Also, Haque felt that the additions of Rhiannon and Johnny "supply a lot of the grounded humanizing moments that really help the story stay grounded to the human condition, and not turn into a mindless sci-fi action-fest." However, Haque pointed out the "slightly campy feel" as well as technobabble as faults. The review ended with: "Best. Torchwood. Ever. Really, we mean it!"[29]
Mike Hale ofThe New York Timeswas more mixed in his review, noting that the mini-series pays tribute to the 1960 British sci-fi filmVillage of the Damned,and sums up by saying "Children of Earthis still good fun, if not good, exactly. "[30]Hale also mentioned the problem with maintaining a 5-hour mini-series over 5 nights, a sentiment echoed byLos Angeles Timesreviewer Robert Lloyd who felt that the format led to an inevitable lag in the middle.[31]
Not all reviews were positive. Jim Shelley ofThe Daily Mirrorgave the mini-series an unfavourable review, commenting that "Torchwoodis the modern-dayBlake's 7:ludicrous plot, hammy acting, an adolescent penchant for 'Issues'. This week's plot was plagiarised from 50s sci-fi classic,The Midwich Cuckoos.Contrary to its scheduling,Torchwoodalways seems to me likeDr Wholite. "He went on to say that he felt a large part of the problem was with lead actor John Barrowman:" UnlikeDavid Tennant's Doctor, Barrowman's endless appearances on friendly drivel likeTonight's the Night,The Kids Are All RightandAny Dream Will Do,is so over-exposed, 'Captain Jack' is about as intriguing or alien as aWeetabixand twice as irritating. Unlike Tennant, as an actor he is just not good enough. "[32]
Fan reaction[edit]
The death of Ianto Jones inChildren of Earthtriggered protests from fans of the show, including the "Save Ianto Jones" campaign, which collected more than £10,000 for theChildren in Needcharity.[33]Other fans resorted to abuse and threats, causing writer James Moran to fire off an angry missive in a blog post.[34]Showrunner Russell T Davies made no apologies for the decision to kill off the character, saying, "I'm just delighted that the fans are so wrapped up in the character to have that reaction."[35]Writer John Fay, in executing Davies' vision, noted that Ianto's death was a means for the viewer to see the price of Jack's immortality and seeing those he cares for die around him.[36]Ianto's death led several fans to accuse the show's creators of subscribing to homophobic narrative conventions.[37]AfterElton,one of the websites critical of the decision, later published an opposing view that analysed the death in view of the character's earlier refusal to admit to his relationship, and claimed that, instead of being an expression of homophobia, the death was a sign that theLGBTcommunity was leaving behind its image of victimhood.[38]
Awards[edit]
In 2010,Children of Earthwon theBAFTA Cymruaward for best drama series,[39]aSaturn AwardforBest Television Presentationduring the36th Saturn Awards[40]and a 2010 Celtic Media Festival Award for best drama series.[41]It was also nominated for aGLAAD Media Awardby theGay & Lesbian Alliance Against DefamationforOutstanding TV Movie or Mini-Seriesduring the21st GLAAD Media Awards[42]and for aTelevision Critics AssociationAward for Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials.[43]Lead actress Eve Myles won the 'Best Actress "award in theSFXReader's awards poll,[44]and was crowned best actress in the 11th annual Airlock Alpha Portal Awards.[45]Myles was also nominated for a 2010BAFTA CymruBest Actress award,[46]whilstJohn Barrowmanmade the shortlist of the 2010TV Choice Awards,where he was up againstEleventh DoctoractorMatt Smith.[47]
References[edit]
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- ^Behbakht, Andy (11 May 2021)."Doctor Who: Why Martha & Donna Were Only Companions For One Season Each".ScreenRant.Retrieved20 September2021.
- ^abSepinwall, Alan (26 June 2009)."Russell T. Davies talks 'Doctor Who' & 'Torchwood'".New Jersey Star Legder.Retrieved9 July2009.
- ^Wilkes, Neil (7 February 2009)."Freema talks 'Doctor Who' return".Digital Spy.Retrieved8 February2009.
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- ^Jackson, Alan (10 January 2009)."I didn't get where I am today without... Lucy Cohu, 38, actress".The Times.London.Retrieved10 January2009.
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- ^"The Official Site".John Barrowman. Archived fromthe originalon 20 April 2009.Retrieved30 April2009.
- ^"Programme Information - Network TV BBC Week 27: Unplaced 2009"(Press release). BBC Press Office. 18 June 2009.Retrieved18 June2009.
- ^"Torchwood: Children of Earth Trailer gets UK/US Preview".BBC Online. 2 February 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 9 February 2009.Retrieved5 February2009.
- ^Torchwood will light up BBC1 prime time,Western Mail,14 August 2008
- ^"UKTV >> TORCHWOOD CHILDREN OF EARTH".Archived fromthe originalon 24 October 2009.Retrieved27 June2009.
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- ^""Torchwood: Children of Earth" to air this summer over consecutive nights? ".AfterElton.com.10 January 2009.Retrieved16 January2009.
- ^Amazon.com Track Listing.Retrieved 2010-10-09
- ^Torchwood: Children of Earth(CD Booklet).Ben Foster.Silva Screen Records.2009. SILCD1290.
{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^[1]Archived4 September 2009 at theWayback Machine.Retrieved 26 August 2009.
- ^"Torchwood: Children of Earth series three reviews".Metacritic.com.Retrieved26 July2009.
- ^Martin, Daniel (11 July 2009)."Torchwood: Children of Earth: Day Five".The Guardian.London.Retrieved13 August2009.
- ^Rawson-Jones, Ben (28 June 2009)."How good is the new 'Torchwood'? Find out!".Digital Spy.Retrieved8 July2009.
- ^Rawson-Jones, Ben (11 July 2009)."Torchwood's Final And Finest Hour".Digital Spy.Retrieved11 July2009.
- ^Haque, Ahsan (17 July 2009)."Torchwood:" Children of Earth "Review".IGN.Retrieved18 March2012.
- ^Hale, Mike (17 July 2009)."Gay Heroes and a Reptilian Monster, from the BBC".The New York Times.Retrieved23 July2009.
- ^Lloyd, Robert (20 July 2009)."Review: Torchwood Season 3 on BBC America".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved23 July2009.
- ^Shelley, Jim (13 July 2009)."Why Torchwood is the modern version of Blakes 7".Daily Mirror.Archived fromthe originalon 29 July 2012.Retrieved23 July2009.
- ^"Saving Ianto Jones".Archived fromthe originalon 23 July 2012.
- ^James Moran."the pen is mightier than the spork".
- ^"Torchwood" 's Russell T Davies Makes No Apologies — For Anything
- ^Caron, Nathalie (10 September 2010)."Torchwood Writer reveals the reasons why Ianto Jones had to die".SyFy.Archived fromthe originalon 12 September 2010.Retrieved10 September2010.
- ^"Buffy" Vs. "Torchwood": Which Did a Better Job Killing Its Gay Character?
- ^Death By "Torchwood": Captain Jack, Ianto Jones, And The Rise Of The Queer Superhero
- ^"Bafta Cymru success for Welsh TV at awards ceremony".BBC News. 24 May 2010.Retrieved10 March2011.
- ^Wightman, Catriona (23 June 2010)."In Full: Saturn TV Awards 2010 - Winners".Digital Spy.Retrieved10 March2011.
- ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 8 July 2011.Retrieved20 March2013.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^"21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards - English Language Nominees".Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.2010.Retrieved21 February2010.
- ^Wightman, Catriona (1 August 2011)."In Full: TCA Awards 2010 - Winners".Digital Spy.Retrieved13 March2011.
- ^"'Torchwood's' Myles named Best Actress ".Digital Spy.16 February 2010.Retrieved8 August2010.
- ^"'Doctor Who' Dominates 2010 Portal Awards ".Airlock Alpha. 1 August 2010.Retrieved8 August2010.
- ^"Bafta Cymru Nominations"(PDF).
- ^"Doctor to battle Captain Jack at TV Choice awards".BBC News.29 June 2010.Retrieved7 July2010.
External links[edit]
- Torchwood: Children of EarthonTardis Wiki,theDoctor WhoWiki