Doux News: March 11, 2012

This week: Happy birthday, Buffy! -- Justified, Community, Terra Nova -- But what about Torchwood? -- Great casting news -- Poll stuff -- Readers of the Week -- New at Doux

Doctor Who/Torchwood/The Sarah Jane Adventures Crossover Guide

Doctor Who has spawned three spin-off series' since its return in 2005. Doctor Who sits at the heart of the franchise, with The Sarah Jane Adventures, Class and Torchwood catering for the children, teenager, and adult markets respectively. The question is: how does it all fit together? Below is a chronology of the show's main crossover episodes. It's by no means exhaustive, but what follows should be enough to give the new viewer a rough idea of what to expect, and the order in which to expect it.

Torchwood Miracle Day: The Blood Line

Gwen: "Just you wait. If this goes right, murder's coming back."

Terrific finale. And the last few moments made me smile.

Torchwood Miracle Day: The Gathering

"We have a theory. We say the Blessing shows you to yourself."

It's two months later, and things aren't going so well. Economic depression, a halt to immigration, rolling blackouts, and very Anne Frank home invasions looking for category ones. Everyone has become accustomed to living with the horror. Gwen pulled off an adept robbery for medical supplies, and I got the impression it wasn't her first. Rhys was even considering a job driving lorries with category ones to the ovens because they needed the money.

Torchwood Miracle Day: End of the Road

Gwen: "Start again. Any chance of a drink?"

I'm a bit of a Pollyanna when it comes to shows that I love. But this episode was like someone just tossed a bunch of plot elements in a bowl and stirred, and some of them slopped out of the sides.

Torchwood Miracle Day: Immortal Sins

Jack: "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. So many times, and that's just today."

I had a mixed reaction to this one.

Torchwood Miracle Day: The Middle Men

Owens: "You think I'm the epitome of evil. The devil in a three piece suit."
Jack: "In my experience, that's how it works."

Some fans have been saying that ten episodes may be too long for a story like this. But if Miracle Day were shorter, we might not have gotten this one. And I liked what they were saying here about the complexity of life and death issues, and the mediocrity of evil.

Torchwood Miracle Day: The Categories of Life

Vera: "So am I Torchwood now?"
Jack: "Welcome aboard."

It took four episodes of set up, but we finally got the payoff. Jeez Louise.

Torchwood Miracle Day: Escape to LA

Gwen: "He was just about to tell us!"
Rex: "Thanks? Anybody? Thanks?"

I wasn't emotionally engaged before, but I am now. This was a much stronger episode than the first three. It feels like we finally arrived.

Torchwood Miracle Day: Dead of Night

"It's the perfect drug for the new world order."

We know more now. There's a vast conspiracy by PhiCorp to corner the painkiller drug market, suggesting that PhiCorp caused Miracle Day. But what humans could possibly have the technology to do something like that? It still feels like something alien is behind it. This is Torchwood, after all.

Torchwood Miracle Day: Rendition

Lynn: "You're the best England's got to offer, then God help you."
Gwen: "I'm Welsh."

This episode just galloped past, but I found it difficult to write about. And I usually love writing about Torchwood. Maybe I'm just not acclimating yet.

Torchwood Miracle Day: The New World

Rex: "You mean Wales is separate? It's like the British equivalent of New Jersey."

New cast, new setting, new story -- I expected the first installment of a ten-episode story to consist of set-up, and it was. Very good set-up.

Got Welsh?

As though you could forget...but just in case you did: Torchwood's new season Miracle Day premieres on Friday. For those of us stateside, that means we have to get Starz.

Warning: getting Starz might mean that you stay up until sunrise watching the oddly addictive movie The Social Network. I suppose it's a small price to pay for more Captain Jack.

Billie, of course, will review the new episodes as they air. In the meantime, please enjoy this clip of John Barrowman singing "Anything Goes."

NewsFlash: Torchwood trailer

I know I'm being repetitive, and it's going to suck if it turns out terribly, but I am very excited about the return of Torchwood. And we finally have a trailer! "I'm Welsh."




Enjoy. Anticipate. Subscribe to Starz.

Summer Shows, Exclamation Point

I used to refer to summer as the "television wasteland." Not any more. Just take a look at what summer 2011 has in store for us.


Covert Affairs

Returns
Tuesday, June 7
on USA

This Alias wannabe hasn't quite caught me yet, but it has likable leads (particularly Chris Gorham as Augie) and doesn't put me to sleep. Season two might be when this show takes off. Or not. If only Piper Perabo didn't look and act so much like Jennifer Garner. It drives me nuts.

Are we covering it? Not yet.




Falling Skies

Premieres
Sunday, June 19
on TNT

Falling Skies is a new alien invasion/apocalypse-type show starring Noah Wyle, who should have made enough money off fifteen seasons of ER to never have to work again. (Maybe he lost a fortune in the stock market.) It certainly sounds intriguing and quite possibly my cup of tea, but I'm getting Jericho vibes. Let's hope I'm wrong.

Are we covering it? Actually, I think I just might review the premiere.





Wilfred

Premieres
Thursday, June 23
on FX

Wilfred is about a guy named Ryan (Elijah Wood) who sees his neighbor's dog as a man in a dog suit (Jason Gann). This feels like a one-joke show and I honestly don't have any idea whether it will work or not. But I do know that every time I see an ad for it, it makes me laugh out loud.

Are we covering it? It's a half-hour comedy, which just isn't us, so probably not. But you never can tell. We'll see how it goes.




True Blood

Returns
Sunday, June 26
on HBO

True Blood is about a mind-reading waitress named Sookie Stackhouse who lives in a world where vampires have come out of the coffin and are trying to integrate into society. It's sexy, obscene, violent and terribly funny, and I get a huge charge out of it. And Eric Northman is my favorite vampire since Spike.

Are we covering it? Absolutely. I reviewed the first three seasons and I'm certainly not planning to stop now.




Leverage

Returns
Sunday, June 26
on TNT

So it's not really a genre show. Leverage is just fun to watch. It's about five former outlaws who con criminals in order to help the hopeless. And it stars Christian Kane, who was one of my favorites on Angel.

Are we covering it? No. But it would be nice if we could.




Torchwood

Returns
Friday, July 8
on Starz and the BBC

Torchwood is the spinoff series of Doctor Who starring John Barrowman as 51st century time agent Captain Jack Harkness. We've been waiting two years for another season after the incredible miniseries Torchwood: Children of Earth, and we're finally getting it this summer.

Are we covering it? Absolutely. And since it will be airing on Starz and the BBC at the same time, I won't have to wait like I did with Children of Earth.





Warehouse 13

Returns
Monday, July 11
on SyFy

Warehouse 13 is about two secret service agents who locate mystical, supernatural and dangerous artifacts that (of course) wreak havoc until they are found and safely stored in a huge, secret storage facility.

Are we covering it? Yes, we are. Starting this summer, Jess Lynde will be reviewing Warehouse 13 for us. She'll also be covering....



Eureka

Returns
Monday, July 11
on SyFy

Eureka is a small town in the Pacific Northwest where America's greatest geniuses live, work, and make a lot of dangerous and exotic mistakes. It's a wonderful geekfest of a show, and we've recently added it to the site; Jess Lynde will be reviewing Eureka for us this summer, and may even catch up with retro reviews before the second half of the fourth season starts airing.




Alphas

Premieres
Monday, July 11
on SyFy

Okay, it's yet another X-Men/Heroes sort of show. But this is the SyFy channel, so maybe they'll do it right this time. They certainly pulled off a major casting coup with David Staithairn as the lead. Just that makes me want to give it a try.

Are we covering it? I'm certain we'll be covering the premiere. More than that? Only if one of us falls in love with it.



Haven

Returns
Friday, July 15
on SyFy

Haven is yet another series based on a work by Stephen King. It's about an FBI agent (Emily Rose) searching for clues to her past while working in a very strange town in Maine full of people with frightening supernatural afflictions.

I enjoyed Haven last summer -- especially the last few episodes, when the arc story started coming together -- and I'm happy to announce that we'll be covering the second season this summer. Dr. Nana Mom, who has reviewed an odd episode and movie for us in the past, will be taking on Haven.


Reality shows? What are they?

I confess. I like HGTV and the Food Channel. I particularly like the hot guys on Over Your Head and Income Property, because how can you not like a man who can successfully renovate a bathroom in twenty-two minutes? And Iron Chef America is always so much fun, and so true to life. (Yes, I can make five distinct and unusual dishes featuring squid, snails, or eggnog served on ice sculpture in only an hour. Why do you ask?)

So every summer, I enjoy my two favorite reality show competitions: The Next Food Network Star and HGTV Design Star. Summer fun for everyone.

The Next Food Network Star returns Sunday, June 5 on the Food network.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-food-network-star/index.html

HGTV Design Star returns... actually, when does it return? Shouldn't the date be listed prominently on their site? What sort of fly by night outfit are they?
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-design-star/show/index.html

So I hope you all will be watching some great summer shows with us here at douxreviews.com. Do stop by.

NewsFlash: Torchwood casting

Really interesting casting news for the fourth season of Torchwood, airing this summer on the BBC and Starz. Mekhi Phifer (whose name I always have a terrible time spelling) has been cast as FBI agent Rex Matheson. And Bill Pullman has been cast as Oswald Jones, a convicted murderer and pedophile. They'll be joining original series stars John Barrowman and Eve Myles.

I'm okay with Mekhi. He's a dynamic actor who can handle difficult stuff, although I have a hard time seeing him as something other than a doctor or a cop. (So I guess it's good that he's playing a cop; it's just the sci-fi venue that's new, so he gets to arrest aliens now.) I was a bit put out, though, because I'd heard a rumor that Enver Gjokaj (whose name I also have a terrible time spelling), the guy who did such amazing work as Victor in Dollhouse, was up for the role.

And I'm oddly weirded out by the casting of Bill Pullman, and I'm not sure why. He can definitely act, and I know he can do heavy; he's certainly done a lot more than romantic leads, goofballs, and the test pilot president in Independence Day. Maybe the description of the character is a turnoff. It's hard to picture the star of Spaceballs playing a homicidal pedophile. And maybe it's just weird to see a British show acquiring American cast members.

Casting weirdness aside, I am SO looking forward to the return of Torchwood this summer. And yes, I'm definitely reviewing it.

More about it on The Sci-Fi Wire That Isn't The Sci-Fi Wire Any More

NewsFlash: Torchwood returns!

We are getting a fourth season of Torchwood! (Thanks for posting the news, Mark.) Ten episodes, starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles, and yay for that because I love them both. Apparently, Starz is going to run it in the U.S., and it might even be R-rated. Wow.

Yes, I'm definitely reviewing it. If I have to get Starz, I'll get Starz.

*happy dance*

NewsFlash: Torchwood not getting Foxed

According to my favorite news source, Fox has decided not to take on Torchwood. Since pretty much everyone was perturbed by the very idea of Fox screwing with Captain Jack Harkness, and quite possibly even (horrors) making him straight, this is sort of good news. Except for the fact that Torchwood is still in limbo. I don't want Torchwood in limbo! I want more Torchwood, and no one is giving it to me!

NewsFlash: Torchwood jumping the pond?

I love Torchwood. I love it a lot. Their miniseries "Children of Earth" was the best thing I saw last summer, and John Barrowman is nearly my favorite hot guy on the tube (after Jensen Ackles, of course). Being a Torchwood fan in the states can be difficult, though; we have to wait for it to air on BBC America. The Sci-Fi Channel carries Doctor Who (but late, late, late) but hasn't chosen to run its spinoff series (some say for a reason that rhymes with shmomophobia).

Well, according to LiveFeed, we might be getting Torchwood in the U.S., on Fox – with the original production team and, most critically, John Barrowman as Captain Jack. Frankly, if Barrowman isn't on board, forget it.

I'm feeling apprehensive about this whole thing. It's Fox, and I hate Fox. I hate the possibility of Torchwood without John Barrowman, too. And what about Eve Myles?

Torchwood: Exit Wounds

Jack: "I forgive you."

Tosh and Owen went out like heroes. I've never been fond of Owen, but I did rather like Tosh, and their spectacular deaths in tandem were quite moving. Tosh didn't tell Owen that she was dying, too; she was just there for him in his final moments, an incredible final act of unselfish love. Owen acquitted himself well, too. In his last moments, he was calm and brave, and he wouldn't let Tosh take the blame. I also loved Tosh's recorded farewell from the grave. What a classy way to go out, Tosh. Her backstory in "Fragments" explained a lot about her. She was sort of living on borrowed time, anyway.