Torchwood cut 'like punishment'

[tomalak301]

I guess my problem with this whole 5 episodes in one week thing is we've been waiting over 2 years for the new season. They bring in Mickey and Martha (Whom doesn't seem to be in the new season) and the third season is only 5 episodes long. Is that really worth the wait? I liked the show even in the first season, I'm a loyal viewer but to think Monday is the premeire and then Friday is the season finale already feels like a slap in the face. What will it be, another 2 years before we get another 5 night season? That's not cool.

It hasn't been 2 years, Series 2 started airing in Jan and ended in April 2008.

Ok, it feels like it's been 2 years.

Who said Martha and Mickey were going to be in it? No one, just assumptions from the way Doctor Who series 4 ended..

I thought that was the point, to set up Mickey and Martha to join the cast of Torchwood since the two other torchwood characters died. I guess I was mistaken.

I wish American's would stop thinking seasons, it's a British show, we work in series and they're generally not that long. British TV works different, get over it.

Oh yes I know British tv works different. Typically it's 13 episodes instead of the American length of 22-26. No matter how long a series is, 5 episodes in one week doesn't seem long enough, but of course that is an opinion.

I wish people would stop whinging.

Is that the british spelling for the American word "whine"

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I guess my problem with this whole 5 episodes in one week thing is we've been waiting over 2 years for the new season. They bring in Mickey and Martha (Whom doesn't seem to be in the new season) and the third season is only 5 episodes long. Is that really worth the wait? I liked the show even in the first season, I'm a loyal viewer but to think Monday is the premeire and then Friday is the season finale already feels like a slap in the face. What will it be, another 2 years before we get another 5 night season? That's not cool.

It hasn't been 2 years, Series 2 started airing in Jan and ended in April 2008.

Ok, it feels like it's been 2 years.

So you're eager for more, that's a bad thing?

I thought that was the point, to set up Mickey and Martha to join the cast of Torchwood since the two other torchwood characters died. I guess I was mistaken.

Rumour has it Martha was supposed to be, but Freema decided to take a role on Law & Order UK. Real life interferes.

I wish American's would stop thinking seasons, it's a British show, we work in series and they're generally not that long. British TV works different, get over it.

Oh yes I know British tv works different. Typically it's 13 episodes instead of the American length of 22-26. No matter how long a series is, 5 episodes in one week doesn't seem long enough, but of course that is an opinion.

No, typically it's 6 episodes a series, there are more 10/12/13 episodes series happening to appeal to the international market, but at the end of the day it's made for the British audience, to fill British schedules.
Personally I prefer they make a decent show, and aren't fixed on making 22 eps a year, hoping for 100 eps for syndication, etc.

I wish people would stop whinging.

Is that the british spelling for the American word "whine"

No, it's the British spelling of whinge. Similar thing to whine but more whingey.

 

[Stevil2001]

The whole 13 episode format is an attempt to appeal to the international market anyway, 5 or 6 quality episodes instead of a long diluted series is more like what you'd normally expect from the BBC, so I don't really see the problem.

Only a Brit could call a 13-episode season "long and diluted."

Only Torchwood could make a thirteen-episode season feel long and diluted.

Okay, that's a lie. Blake's 7 could also manage it.

 

[Sci]

The whole 13 episode format is an attempt to appeal to the international market anyway, 5 or 6 quality episodes instead of a long diluted series is more like what you'd normally expect from the BBC, so I don't really see the problem.

Only a Brit could call a 13-episode season "long and diluted."

Only Torchwood could make a thirteen-episode season feel long and diluted.

Fair enough. Can't say I'm much of a Torchwood fan myself.

 

[Tulin]

Buy a DVR like the rest of the civilized world.

I already have one.

Then what's the bloody big deal?

I thought it was only half-demented old ladies in council flats who can't work out how to program their VCRs and then complain in letters to the tv guide because "That 1953 film with Humphrey Grant is on at the ungodly hour of 10:30pm and I go to sleep at 7:00!!!"


Cannot STAND people who have not worked out that the little box with the flashing 00:00 timecode on top of their 1970's telly will actually tape the shows you want to watch so you can watch them at your own convenience!!!

 

[HappyDayRiot]

^ It's even more ridiculous when you consider wamdue, and indeed anyone else, can watch the episode on iplayer for up to a month afterwards within half an hour of the original broadcast finishing!

^ apologies, yes I was thinking of the serials. You are right that they ran into much longer seasons.

When I talk about BBC comedies, I refer to things like Blackadder, Fawlty Towers, Absolutley Fabulous, Red Dwarf, Smith and Jones, Fry and Laurie, The Young Ones, Alexei Sayle, Alan Partridge, Bottom, Extras, The Office, Dad's Army, Vicar of Dibley, Reeves & Mortimer, Big Train, Yes Prime Minister etc etc etc, all of which had a very definite 6 episode format, which is certainly the norm for the BBC.

Big Train had 7 episodes a series and Red Dwarf VII-VIII had 7-8 *nitpick*

The thing with this reduced series is, if it works, it'll be great. If it doesn't work, well at least it's over pretty quick. Will it convey a sense of great event? Maybe. It's trying something new, and that's always worth supporting in my opinion. And at least each episode is an hour instead of 50 minutes, so it's equal to 6 episodes of series 1 or 2, not 5. Not quite as reduced as it seems.

 

[Starkers]

The whole 13 episode format is an attempt to appeal to the international market anyway, 5 or 6 quality episodes instead of a long diluted series is more like what you'd normally expect from the BBC, so I don't really see the problem.

Only a Brit could call a 13-episode season "long and diluted."

Only Torchwood could make a thirteen-episode season feel long and diluted.

Okay, that's a lie. Blake's 7 could also manage it.

I'm counting to ten, I'm counting to ten...

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Only a Brit could call a 13-episode season "long and diluted."

Only Torchwood could make a thirteen-episode season feel long and diluted.

Okay, that's a lie. Blake's 7 could also manage it.

I'm counting to ten, I'm counting to ten...

Aww, I was waiting for a flame war.

 

[Starkers]

stick around I'm sure its coming

 

[mswood]

Well simply put the adage less means greater quality is absolutely false. Just as there are shows that manage 22 episodes and keep good or better quality, (just as there are shows that run off of 13, 10, or 6 that manage the same), there are those that produce average to poor with the same production schedule.

Frankly the majority of tv (no matter the production format) is average to bad. And in my 45 years thats always been the case.

But I think the real problem I have with this is that its been advertised as season 3, when it in fact seems to be designed more as a mini series (though in the US that is typically at least 6 hours, but why quibble).

And I have no problems with miniseries, in fact I have long wondered why Trek didn't go that route when its weekly audience numbers tanked. Especially since they showed that with pilots they could generate very sizable audience numbers. Oh well.

With Torchwood (and Doctor who), I think the generally produce a lot of average episodes (something that has always bothered me by Who is for being so popular its quality is all over the place, at least for modern Who, I haven't been that exposed to earlier who so can give a valid opinion on it). So I am hoping that this is going to be good (though again numbers don't mean it will be). I will certainly settle for 5 good episodes. But if its 5 typical episodes of torchwood or Who in quality then I will be exceptionally disappointed.

 

[Aurian]

The only way I will accept 5 epis only in a series, would be if those were bloody fantastic! I can totally understand Barrowman being disappointed, it sends a negative spin onto the series.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

What is wrong with you people? I mean I can understand wanting more, but all this is just stupid. Some of the BBC most critically acclaimed shows recently have been in this format, Five Days and Criminal Justice.

Also remember 5 hours is 5 hours, not 3 hours like American shows.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

W
But I think the real problem I have with this is that its been advertised as season 3,

Series 3, not season. Bit of a difference.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

W
But I think the real problem I have with this is that its been advertised as season 3,

Series 3, not season. Bit of a difference.

I was going to say the same thing, but I'm assuming BBC America is advertising it as Season 3.

 

[Starkers]

What is wrong with you people? I mean I can understand wanting more, but all this is just stupid. Some of the BBC most critically acclaimed shows recently have been in this format, Five Days and Criminal Justice.

Also remember 5 hours is 5 hours, not 3 hours like American shows.

I agree...actually since this is hour long eps not 45 minute ones this is over 6 episodes worth in actuality!

If it sucks well at least we only had to put it would for a week, and if it's brilliant then people will be gagging for series 4! Win/win really.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

What is wrong with you people? I mean I can understand wanting more, but all this is just stupid. Some of the BBC most critically acclaimed shows recently have been in this format, Five Days and Criminal Justice.

Also remember 5 hours is 5 hours, not 3 hours like American shows.

I agree...actually since this is hour long eps not 45 minute ones this is over 6 episodes worth in actuality!

If it sucks well at least we only had to put it would for a week, and if it's brilliant then people will be gagging for series 4! Win/win really.

Exactly, I'd rather be left wanting more, than feeling sorry for a show that out stayed it's welcome.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

W
But I think the real problem I have with this is that its been advertised as season 3,

Series 3, not season. Bit of a difference.

I was going to say the same thing, but I'm assuming BBC America is advertising it as Season 3.

I'm not positive but I'd guess that's the word they're using. They do call them "seasons" instead of "series" on the 1st 2 American Torchwood DVD releases, although the Doctor Who box sets still say "series."

As someone who mostly just watches these BBC shows on DVD releases, it bugs me that, in spite of the seasons being so short, the DVDs are still so expensive! It costs $70-$100 for 13/14 episodes of Doctor Who/Torchwood while I can get 22 episodes of something like Buffy/Angel or Stargate SG-1 for around $20-$30.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Series 3, not season. Bit of a difference.

I was going to say the same thing, but I'm assuming BBC America is advertising it as Season 3.

I'm not positive but I'd guess that's the word they're using. They do call them "seasons" instead of "series" on the 1st 2 American Torchwood DVD releases, although the Doctor Who box sets still say "series."

As someone who mostly just watches these BBC shows on DVD releases, it bugs me that, in spite of the seasons being so short, the DVDs are still so expensive! It costs $70-$100 for 13/14 episodes of Doctor Who/Torchwood while I can get 22 episodes of something like Buffy/Angel or Stargate SG-1 for around $20-$30.

It's the same over here, don't worry we're probably getting shafted a bit worse in the case of new releases...

I am surprised they're not advertising it as a "mini-series event" like they seem to be here. They're not saying series they're just calling it Torchwood: Children of Earth

 

[Captain Fine]

I don't mind the shorter series per se, but I wish that it had been 5 different stories rather than just one story drawn out. At least if there's 5 stories, you have 5 chances that you'll like the story. If you only have one story, there's only one chance whether you'll like the overall story (as opposed to individual episodes).

 

[Bob The Skutter]

This series has been fantastic so far, I don't get the complaints. Personally I think they should do more like this.