Torchwood 1x05

[telophase]

The problem with this Torchwood episode, which is emblematic of the rest of them, is that I never really get emotionally attached to anything that's going on. In this episode, it really felt like half of it was missing - all the bits where I'd see why Jack's decision at the end was inevitable, and where I'd feel sad for the mother and where I'd get more glimpses of the creatures that would give some sort of tantalizing hints as to who and what they are and why they're forces of nature. Instead all we get is Jack whinging on about them near the beginning while the camera spins around him and Gwen, and after thet it's all plot, plot, plot, then Jack giving the girl to the creatures after a token effort to get them to let her go.

I really, really hope that this episode is referred back to by the end of the series. Because in addition to missing half the story - the half with the emotional development - it feels unfinished.

At any rate, the reason I'm watching Torchwood is to see the hints of Jack's past history on Earth building up. I don't like any of the characters, even Gwen, because she's never given any time to really build a relationship with the viewers. I don't even really hate Owen for being a skeeze. He's just there.

I really liked the history of Jack with the old woman, but I wanted more of the interplay between the two, to really make me feel devastated that she died and to cry along with Jack. As it is, it feels like I missed the first half of a serial and the bits where I got to know her and to watch their relationship all took place in the part I missed.