Torchwood Episode 4x06 Review

Episode Title: The Middle Men
Overall Season Rating: A-
Episode Rating: A-

Another very good episode. This week was different from the past few episodes since this one was very self-contained. It's not a stand alone episode to be sure, but very little outside of the simple continuation from last week occurred. Personally, I think that was a smart decision. Last week was a very heavy episode in terms of information, and character loss with the very gruesome death of Dr. Juarez. This week, as I said we get a much simpler, but equally exciting episode.

There was one huge information packed scene, and while I enjoyed the info, I wish it could have been delivered in a less expository way. I'll be getting to that a little later though since the majority of the episode was about our two teams trying to get out of the camps, and expose them for what they really are. One fascinating bit that keeps cropping up is the idea that these people "are just following orders". That phrase always brings Nazi Germany to mind, and I'm impressed that the show didn't go out of their way to say that. It's obvious, and doesn't need to be verbalized. With that said, the governments of the World ARE supporting this measure. Maloney himself says Congress approved it. That doesn't absolve him, or anyone else, but it adds another wrinkle. These are not just evil death camps being run by an evil corporation, or out of control dictator. These are death camps that have been approved by governments in nations that we like to think are to superior for that, and I love the fact that Torchwood is quietly saying that no nation is above this kind of action in times of crisis.

Torchwood Episode 4x05 Review

Episode Title: The Categories of Life
Overall Season Rating: A-
Episode Rating: A

Firstly, I want to apologize for there being no review last week. I got pretty busy and actually wasn't able to watch the episode until tonight. This will only be a review of the most recent episode, but I loved Escape to L.A. This show is getting more and more disturbing. Episode 4x05 was no different, and went even more so in that direction. We learn the true lengths to which the governments of the world, and PhiCorp are willing to go. In all honesty there were parts of this episode that were had to watch. I think the most disturbing part is that, while horrible, I can understand why they do what they do. I don't know how I feel about that.

There also is a serious shock value to this episode. Years of watching television have made me think certain events just won't happen. Torchwood is one of the few shows where things like that DO happen. There is nothing most TV viewers like more than to be surprised and Torchwood is giving us that on a weekly basis. This week, more than ever since the beginning the season. Read on for the episode recap

Torchwood Episode 4x03 Review

Episode Title: Dead of Night
Overall Season Rating: A
Episode Rating: A-

Another wild episode of Torchwood. In this episode we see Oswald Danes show why he's a total psychopath. Also, lots of sex, and finally a villain. The sex part I think was evidence why Fox turned down this show. At first I thought it was because it was about people living after death, and would be pretty gruesome. But honestly, is anything on this show any more gruesome than what is on Fringe, or was on the X-Files? I really do believe the show was too "gay" for them. The Fox Network(Not Fox News), has some pretty wild things on, but this may have gone too far.

With that said, thank God it's on Starz! Starz on the other hand is really showing that they are up to the task. All three episodes have been very well produced, and we know Starz will go all out. Back to the show though. The big villain is finally revealed, but I hope there is more to this story. I suspect there is since it's not like Davies to reveal anything at all this early. We also do get more of a back story for Esther. Not much, but it's good to know they are developing her. I was worried when the show began that she would simply be the computer person, and never get anything interesting. Oswald Danes however, took a big step this week. Last week it seemed like he was becoming more sympathetic, and that continued for a bit in this episode too. That ended though in probably the creepiest performance of Bill Pullman's career. That's saying something too cause he was in a David Lynch movie.

Oh yeah, the little "American" lessons Esther is giving Gwen are hilarious. I imagine it's more for the British audience, but after all the American TV they watch I'm pretty sure they know what we mean by "pants".

Read on for the episode recap.

Torchwood Episode 4x02 Review

Episode Title: Rendition
Overall Season Rating: A
Episode Rating: A

This week brought us yet another excellent episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day. I think what I love about this show so much is they seem to mix creepy and fun so well. Fringe and The X-Files always were great at that, and I love both of those shows to death. This week we also find out that maybe this isn't exactly a miracle after all. All the problems they mention seem to just be the tip of the iceberg, and while there are some positive global effects, we get the idea that those will be short lasting.

We also meet three new members of the cast. First, Lauren Ambrose from Six Feet Under, plays a PR representative named Jilly Kitzinger who's going through the cast like wildfire trying to pick up clients. The second is Dichen Lachman from Dollhouse. She plays Lyn, who also is a CIA agent. I will save commentary on her for the spoiler section, but know that she still scares me from her days on Dollhouse. Finally, the third is Wayne Knight(Newman on Seinfeld). He plays(I think) CIA Director Brian Friedkin. If he's not the CIA Director, then he's someone else of mass power. This brings me to an interesting coincidence in Torchwood. The number of people showing up, or who will show up in the cast who I have loved in other shows is quite a lot:

John Barrowman(Doctor Who, and Torchwood of course)
Wayne Knight(Seinfeld)
Lauren Ambrose(Six Feet Under)
Dichen Lachman(Dollhouse)
Nana Visitor(Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)
John de Lancie(Star Trek: TNG. Breaking Bad)
Bill Pullman(not from a show, but he was Lone Star!)

Two of those have not appeared yet, so I'm sorry if that was a spoiler. But I don't see how a cast member is a spoiler. I have no idea in what capacity they will appear after all. Anyway, on to the spoilers!

Torchwood: Miracle Day Premiere Review

Overall Season Rating: A
Episode Rating: A

Okay, before you say that rating is too high, and that I'm biased you should know one thing. I am biased. I LOVE Doctor Who more than I can explain, and Torchwood is a Doctor Who spin-off. I've loved John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness since we first met him way back in Series 1 of DW. Don't worry, there will be close to no Doctor Who spoilers in these reviews, but to discuss some aspects of the Torchwood I will need to bring up some Who mentions, so be cautious if you really don't want to know anything.

Why did I love this show so much? Well, I simply think it's a brilliant introduction to a show that already has a few seasons on the books. I have seen a couple Torchwood episodes, but really have no idea what happens in the series prior to Miracle Day. The best part is, you don't need to know anything about that to enjoy the new series. I'm sure it helps to know the relationship between Jack and Gwen, and the reason Torchwood was shut down, but you don't need to know. I read that Torchwood originally was going to be a combination of The X-Files, and Doctor Who, and I think that's so great. Miracle Day shows that that partnership works perfectly, and opens the door to such incredible possibilities. Finally, questions asked about what would happen if no one could die are truly mind-opening. If you're a fan of science fiction shows that are about more than pretty special effects, watch this series. You will love it.

Spoilers below the fold

What's new for July?

It's officially Summer and TV is about to get crazy. There are a lot of shows starting in July that we'll be covering here on The Flashbacks Podcast Blog. There also are a few big movies that I've been looking forward to for a long time. Let's get started shall we?

Television: 

Torchwood: Miracle Day(July 8 on Starz): The epic Doctor Who spin-off series returns for its fourth season. Now taking place in the United States, and airing Starz. I love Doctor Who, and I LOVE John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness! All I know about the season is that due to some craziness no one on Earth can die. Welcome to Miracle Day! I will be doing regular reviews of this show, and it will hopefully keep me happy while I wait for the 2nd half of Series 6 of Doctor Who to start.

Curb Your Enthusiasm(July 10 on HBO): Larry David is back as everyone's favorite neurotic for an incredible 8th season.. I have no idea how they are going to top last season's "Seinfeld Reunion" arc, but we shall see. I love this show, and if you were a Seinfeld fan you will too. Unlike most shows on TV you can pretty much jump into this show whenever you want. Much like Seinfeld none of the characters have a very long memory, and each episode is just about Larry getting into trouble, and then freaking out. The show also proves that the real comic genius at Seinfeld was in fact Larry David.

Alphas(July 11 on Syfy): This is a new show that is exactly like Heroes, except they actually team up as superheroes instead of "trying to fit in". I might be totally wrong, but the commercials make it seem like there is more of a centralized mission of both the good guys, and the bad. Super hero shows have not been successful over the past few years, but I hope this one changes that trend. Syfy did an outstanding job with Being Human, hopefully the same will be true for Alphas.

Eureka(July 11 on Syfy): Everyone's favorite town of geniuses returns for the 2nd half of its 4th season. I've always been a fan of this show. Every week they take real scientific principles and tweak them just a bit to make it fun, and work in the fictional world they've created. Since I've always been interested in all kinds of sciences, that aspect gets my geeky blood pumping. Plus, who doesn't love Colin Ferguson as Sheriff Jack Carter, and Twitter beast Neil Grayston as Dr. Douglas Fargo. It might be too silly at times, but I love it.

Breaking Bad(July 17 on AMC): The best show on Television finally returns after more than a year for its 4th season. The season 3 finale ended with a spectacular cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to see how it turned out, and what the repercussions will be. I won't be spoilery here at all, but if you are not watching Breaking Bad you are missing out on the best show on TV, period.

If there is a show you want us to cover, just put it in the comments, and we will seriously consider it.

Movies: 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2(July 15): What else is there to say? The EPIC finale of the decade long film series based on the best selling series by J. K. Rowling. I will be watching this at a midnight showing with many many people. Not sure at all when I'll get home, but I'll have the review up sometime early on Friday. Expecto Patronum!!!

Captain America(July 22): Chris Evans(who already played Human Torch in the Fantastic Four) plays Steve Rogers. A skinny and small kid who wants to fight for his nation in World War Two is asked to participate in an experiment. It works, and turns him into one of Marvel's most popular, and well known super heroes, Captain America! Captain America is pretty much the Marvel version of Superman sans all the super human alien powers. The trailers for this movie look outstanding, and I'm a big fan of Chris Evans. This movie is also the main one leading into next year's The Avengers. Can't wait.

Cowboys and Aliens(July 29): It's directed by Jon Favreau, and stars Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, and Olivia Wilde. What else is there to say? This movie looks insane, and I'm not even sure there's a plot. All we know is that aliens attack a group of cowboys, and they fight back. I imagine they were just pulling words out of a hat, and then decided they had to come up with a story. Favreau directed both Iron Mans so we know he can do this type of movie very well. I am definitely looking forward to this silly popcorn movie with a dream cast.


Podcast: 
Due to the influx of TV shows on Monday, the podcast recording is being moved to Tuesdays.

July 5 - The X-Files: Dark of the Moon: On this show we'll discuss the new Transformers movie. Probably make fun of it, and comment on the amazing cameos. Then the main part of the show will be about The X-Files. I'll give a little history lesson, talk about the seasons with as few spoilers as I can, and talk about the two movies. Then maybe talk about the impact it had on the genre, which was fairly large.

July 19 - The Deathly Flashbacks - This show will be almost exclusively about the new Harry Potter movie. Except for the beginning, it will be quite spoilery. This show should have quite a group since several friends of the show are big fans.


Once again, if there is anything you think we should add to the blog, or the podcast please post it in the comments.