Diary of a Torchwood Virgin – Children of Earth

First, there is really only one word I can think of after having watched Children of Earth, and that word is “Wow.” Between the increased scope of what a Torchwood story could become, and the depths of darkness that our characters encountered, Children was outstanding. If this is the kind of thing that we’re going to be able to expect out of Miracle Day, I’m glad I only have to wait two days, versus all of you having been waiting much, much longer.

Before I get into the brilliance that was the Torchwood miniseries, a quick bit of housekeeping: This post will cover the whole of Children of Earth, and not break things out by episode as I’ve done previously. And, starting on Friday, I’ll be covering Miracle Day because I was able to cram three series of Torchwood in less than a month (though I’m sure I’ll have to take a week off when I head out to San Diego for Comic Con, but I’ll be sure to bring you whatever Torchwood goodness I can pick up).

Children of Earth

First, the series as a whole. As mentioned, this series was much bigger than either of the two that came before it. The action moved between Cardiff and London, and included (gasp!) Americans, even though we turned out to be quasi-bad guys. Actually acknowledging that the government would like to be involved with the threat of an extraterrestrial invasion was a pretty big — and, if you ask me, realistic — step for the show.

Plus, there were some weighty ethical questions asked. Long before we had to see Jack sacrifice his grandson, there was a very interesting conversation held amongst the senior members of the British government. If actually faced with the question of how to determine who to sacrifice, whom would you pick? The dregs of society, who are statistically more likely to be a drain on society than bettering it, or do you pick the random lottery? (Or do you sit down and thank your maker that you don’t have to ever make life or death decisions like that?)

Jack Harkness

When Captain Jack takes off at the end of “Day Five,” it is hard to blame him for never wanting to come back. I was honestly more surprised that he had a secret family than by the decision he made to sacrifice it for the sake of the world’s kids (and, honestly, if you don’t think just because his daughter was still standing in the end that he didn’t basically sacrifice her as well, then you have another thing coming). Nothing that he has done in his long life, not losing his old team, nor Ianto, nothing will be like the guilt he will now carry with him.

Gwen and Rhys

Gwenny’s gonna have a baby? They’ll make great parents … even Rhys. I’ve talked about how much I’ve turned around on Rhys, and was constantly reminded during this whole run of episodes how much I was wrong, and how much all of you guys leaving comments were right. Well played, folks, well played.

Gwen has grown so much into her role with Torchwood that she could conceivably run her own unit. Sure, she’s no Jack Harkness, but Torchwood existed long before he did … or, at least it existed long before he joined the team. I’m not saying Torchwood the SHOW could live without Jack, though.

Ianto

It was a little convenient that we met Jack and Ianto’s families all in a series that was about the abduction of children. Despite that serendipity, the story of Ianto’s family was much more palatable than Jack’s. They loved him and believed in him, even though they didn’t know what Ianto was really up to. The scene in which his sister rounded up all of the kids in the neighborhood — this time without babysitting fees — to protect them was just one of those moments where you hope you can be that noble if ever faced with the same situation (Speaking of perfect moments, Andy had a similar perfect moment when he tossed aside his police gear to aid in the children’s escape).

Children of Earth set a whole new bar for what Torchwood can be. It went from a fun little show to damn good science fiction. I’m glad I took on this Virgin Diary when I did, because I end up much better off than everyone who has been a fan from early on … I only have to wait two days; everyone else waited two years for Miracle Day.

Make sure to check out previous entries in my Torchwood Virgin Diary.

Clacked by Ivey West
on Jul 07, 2011 @ 13:00 EST5EDT