Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13690 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-02-26
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 197 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
There are many reasons why Torchwood is unlikely to ever match the appeal of its parent show, Doctor Who, and this collection of episodes from its maiden series ably demonstrates why.

Firstly, the show is blatantly aimed at an older demographic, both through crude and clever means, and that’s already lost it as many fans as it’s won. Secondly, there’s a real sense of risk-taking to some of the writing, and that’s why those who wrote the show off after just a couple of episodes should perhaps give it another whirl.

On this disc are four more shows from the first series, the highlight of which is the first: Countrycide. The following three aren’t too shabby either, although Greeks Bearing Gifts, They Keep Killing Susie and Random Shoes aren’t as consistent or engaging.

But here’s the thing about Torchwood. Even on an off day, it’s still interesting. Sure, it’s a muddled sci-fi programme, with plenty of peaks and troughs, but it’s also a grower, a programme that’ll gradually win you over should you give it a reasonable chance to do so. This particular DVD release is worth it for the one episode alone. Treat the others as an added bonus, and you’ll have little quarrel over the value you get from the disc. --Jon Foster

Synopsis
Volume 2 of the exciting and leftfield DOCTOR WHO spin-off finds philanderer of the future, Jack Harness arriving in contemporary Cardiff and being inducted into Torchwood – a covert extra terrestrial and paranormal investigation agency. Episodes include: 'Countryside', 'Greeks Bearing Gifts', 'The Keep Killing Suzie' and 'Random Shoes'.

Customer Reviews

It's getting better all the time

The 4 episodes on this DVD release contain 2 strong episodes, and two which didn't feel as strong. I wavered on giving this 3 stars but ultimately felt it deserved 4.

Countricide was a fantastic episode, probability the best on this release - a good dose of scariness and gruesome scenes!

Greeks Bearing Gifts (Episode 7) was a great too. We got to see more of Toshiko, but some of the early scenes seemed a bit contrived just for that episode to make sure we knew that she felt like a bit of an outsider. Still, it was nice to see her 'bloom' as a character. Daniela Denby-Ashe was brilliant as Mary. Another sexually charged episode, and it worked in this episode - it didn't feel as though it was there just for the sake of it like it had in others.

We saw a reference to the first episode in "They Keep Killing Suzie" (Episode 8) and this was not as strong as the first two on this release, but still a good yarn. An ex-colleague is brought back to life, unfortunately for the TW guys, she has a few issues and goes a tad mental.

Random Shoes (Episode 9) had a weird feeling to it. It was a bit like the "Love and Monsters" episode from Doctor Who (new series 2) as the Torchwood team weren't as involved, it focussed more around the character of Eugene, the young guy who found the Alien Eye. Some dislike this episode, I enjoyed it - but the ending seemed a bit rushed.

We get to understand the characters more and Captain Jack becomes more compelling to watch as you long to find out more about him.

Fantastic spin-off
I've been a DW fan for years and with a new spin-off I was curious about it. When I watched it with Doctor Who on BBC3, I was instantly hooked on this series. It stands on its own whether or not you've watched the Doctor.

The stories are dramatic and emotional driven by strong characters and relationships. I highly recommend "Torchwood" and for some enlightening reading try "Nexus" by Deborah Morrison & Arvind Singh.

Fun and sexy
Torchwood is one of those series that you either love or hate and I for one have really loved it.

I initially got drawn into this series because of John Barrowman but I found myself loving it more and more the further the series went on. It's fun scinece fiction that shouldn't be taken too seriously, you don't have to have seen a single episode of Doctor Who to enjoy it because Torchwood is very much its own series and it's very character and relationship driven, which is the main reason why I like this show so much.

Some reviews have said that Torchwood has too much sex. Well it doesn't. It does have a fair amount of sexuality in the form of kissing - whether hetrosexual or homosexual - but most of this seems appropriate for the feel of the series.

There is also violence, swearing and a few plot holes but non of them are ever over used. Countrycide is probably the most violent of the episodes on this DVD but the violence is never graphic.

If you normally don't like science fiction but want to try something different and you're just as interested in character relationships as you are aliens and alien artifacts, then this could be the series for you.