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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Torchwood: Miracle Day opens with a fantastic premise: one day, everyone on earth stops dying. A murderous pedophile being executed survives; a CIA agent who gets punctured with rebar survives; victims of heart attacks and strokes and disease survive. The world population begins to skyrocket and the only clue is a word that flashed across the CIA's computers for only a moment: Torchwood--which all fans of BBC science fiction know is a British agency dedicated to investigating impossible and alien events. In short order, Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) returns from his self-imposed exile and Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) comes out of retirement to discover what's behind this instant immortality. Reluctantly merged with Jack and Gwen are two members of the CIA: an aggressive field agent who should be dead (Mekhi Phifer, 8 Mile) and an analyst who's never done field work at all (Alexa Havins). And how will that pedophile (Bill Pullman, Independence Day) fit into everything as he gradually becomes a cult figure and a media sensation? Unfortunately, the 10-episode series soon gets bogged down in conflicting impulses. Half of the show wants to be a thoughtful examination of how humanity would grapple with such a transformation, while the other half wants to be a thrill ride as Torchwood peels back layers of conspiracy. These halves seem like they ought to mesh, but they undercut each other; what would be a compelling revelation for one of these threads seems lackluster for the purposes of the other. What makes Miracle Day still worth watching are the human moments: a wonderful backstory romance for Jack and an encounter between the pedophile and an escort have an emotional payoff that's far more significant than the conspiracy, which grows increasingly forced. And Gwen Cooper remains a delightful character, grounded in the prosaic world while wrestling with the mysterious unknown; she's the perfect audience surrogate. The basic pleasures of Torchwood are muddled in Miracle Day, but what succeeds will still be essential to the show's fans. --Bret Fetzer
Product Description
John Barrowman (Doctor Who, Desperate Housewives) and Eve Myles (Doctor Who, Little Dorrit) are joined by stars Mekhi Phifer (ER, Lie to Me) and Bill Pullman (While You Were Sleeping, Independence Day) for a new heart-pounding season of Torchwood.
When convicted child killer Oswald Danes (Pullman) miraculously survives his own execution, the footage holds America transfixed. And then everyone realizes that nobody is dying. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next. People keep aging -- they get hurt and sick -- but they never die. The result: a population boom, overnight.
With all the extra people, resources are finite. It’s said that in four month's time, the human race will cease to be viable. But this can’t be a natural event – someone’s got to be behind it. It’s a race against time as CIA agent Rex Matheson (Phifer) investigates a secret British institution named Torchwood that seems to hold the answers, and finds only two surviving members: Gwen Cooper (Myles), who has retreated to a remote Welsh hideaway with her new family, and the mysterious, brilliant Captain Jack Harkness (Barrowman). But soon they all find themselves in the same fight against the greatest threat humanity has ever known – humanity itself.
When convicted child killer Oswald Danes (Pullman) miraculously survives his own execution, the footage holds America transfixed. And then everyone realizes that nobody is dying. All across the world, nobody dies. And then the next day, and the next, and the next. People keep aging -- they get hurt and sick -- but they never die. The result: a population boom, overnight.
With all the extra people, resources are finite. It’s said that in four month's time, the human race will cease to be viable. But this can’t be a natural event – someone’s got to be behind it. It’s a race against time as CIA agent Rex Matheson (Phifer) investigates a secret British institution named Torchwood that seems to hold the answers, and finds only two surviving members: Gwen Cooper (Myles), who has retreated to a remote Welsh hideaway with her new family, and the mysterious, brilliant Captain Jack Harkness (Barrowman). But soon they all find themselves in the same fight against the greatest threat humanity has ever known – humanity itself.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
94 of 106 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Redefining Life And Death In A Totalitarian State--A Torchwood Reboot Hits American Soil
December 9, 2011
Format:Blu-ray
Note: To help avoid potential confusion, the reviews from the upcoming U.S. release have been mixed with the earlier reviews for the DVDs available from the international marketplace. The reviews describing compatability issues have NOTHING to do with the U.S. release which, naturally, will be fully compliant with the appropriate technology. The reviews should NOT have been mixed, but that sometimes happens here.
For the first time, the Torchwood team (or what's left of it) head to America for this ambitious ten part series for the Starz network. In Captain Jack Harkness, creator Russell T. Davies and actor John Barrowman created a truly unique warrior for the science fiction and paranormal set. The dashing bi-sexual hero was first introduced on Davies' "Dr. Who" reinvention and quickly became a fan favorite. So, it was with some amount of excitement that I followed Barrowman to his own show expecting some variation of the "Dr. Who" narrative. But no, the show was stylized in a very different way. The "Torchwood" spin-off played like a high octane and oftentimes quite amusing cousin to the "X-files." For two seasons, the show exceeded as adult escapism at every level. The controversial miniseries "Children of Earth" redefined everything in the Torchwood universe and is alternately loved and hated by the show's most fervent fans. For my money, though, it was a dark and unforgettable experience.
"Miracle Day" arrives some time after the remaining Torchwood members have disbanded and are in seclusion. Miracle Day refers to the show's dynamic premise--one day, no one in the world dies. No matter how traumatic an injury or illness, death has simply vanished as an option. As simple as that, the entire world faces a universal dilemma about what constitutes life. The ethical, societal, political, economic, and practical ramifications of an ever expanding world population sets the entire planet into a frenzy. It seems that the occurrence might have been knowingly orchestrated by unseen entities and expected by large pharmaceutical interests. More concerning, it may have to do with Barrowman's Harkness. Previously immortal, Harkness is experiencing the opposite effect of everyone else--now he is vulnerable to injury. And he (as well as Gwen and her family) are on the firing line.
The show's concept, in this case, is the star. Complicated and truly thought provoking, the idea behind Miracle Day raises so many intriguing questions. More akin to "Children of Earth" than to the original show, if you disliked that miniseries--you will no doubt be disappointed in this as well. And while I don't think that this incarnation has the operatic grandeur of "Children of Earth," it still works on its own terms. It doesn't, however, feel particularly like the Torchwood you've come to know--this is an entirely different beast. With only a couple of the original cast members left, the program relies on many new faces. Mekhi Phifer is a new lead, filled with bluster and bravado, and is not someone I particularly connected with. More successful is Bill Pullman as a messianic death row inmate who survived his execution, Arlene Tur as a doctor caught up in the unraveling the medical conspiracy, Lauren Ambrose as an unscrupulous public relations agent, and Alexa Havins as a CIA analyst who finds herself in the field.
Again, it is the plot that is the most intriguing aspect of "Miracle Day." With so many new characters and such a broad international narrative, I sometimes felt Barrowman was sidelined. I always want more Jack! But the intricate mythology and the unraveling conspiracies compensate for this disappointment. As the days progress, the world plunges deeper into a ruthless government state and the fate of humanity is once again in the hands of the Torchwood team. An easy recommendation, despite some minor reservations. KGHarris, 8/11.
For the first time, the Torchwood team (or what's left of it) head to America for this ambitious ten part series for the Starz network. In Captain Jack Harkness, creator Russell T. Davies and actor John Barrowman created a truly unique warrior for the science fiction and paranormal set. The dashing bi-sexual hero was first introduced on Davies' "Dr. Who" reinvention and quickly became a fan favorite. So, it was with some amount of excitement that I followed Barrowman to his own show expecting some variation of the "Dr. Who" narrative. But no, the show was stylized in a very different way. The "Torchwood" spin-off played like a high octane and oftentimes quite amusing cousin to the "X-files." For two seasons, the show exceeded as adult escapism at every level. The controversial miniseries "Children of Earth" redefined everything in the Torchwood universe and is alternately loved and hated by the show's most fervent fans. For my money, though, it was a dark and unforgettable experience.
"Miracle Day" arrives some time after the remaining Torchwood members have disbanded and are in seclusion. Miracle Day refers to the show's dynamic premise--one day, no one in the world dies. No matter how traumatic an injury or illness, death has simply vanished as an option. As simple as that, the entire world faces a universal dilemma about what constitutes life. The ethical, societal, political, economic, and practical ramifications of an ever expanding world population sets the entire planet into a frenzy. It seems that the occurrence might have been knowingly orchestrated by unseen entities and expected by large pharmaceutical interests. More concerning, it may have to do with Barrowman's Harkness. Previously immortal, Harkness is experiencing the opposite effect of everyone else--now he is vulnerable to injury. And he (as well as Gwen and her family) are on the firing line.
The show's concept, in this case, is the star. Complicated and truly thought provoking, the idea behind Miracle Day raises so many intriguing questions. More akin to "Children of Earth" than to the original show, if you disliked that miniseries--you will no doubt be disappointed in this as well. And while I don't think that this incarnation has the operatic grandeur of "Children of Earth," it still works on its own terms. It doesn't, however, feel particularly like the Torchwood you've come to know--this is an entirely different beast. With only a couple of the original cast members left, the program relies on many new faces. Mekhi Phifer is a new lead, filled with bluster and bravado, and is not someone I particularly connected with. More successful is Bill Pullman as a messianic death row inmate who survived his execution, Arlene Tur as a doctor caught up in the unraveling the medical conspiracy, Lauren Ambrose as an unscrupulous public relations agent, and Alexa Havins as a CIA analyst who finds herself in the field.
Again, it is the plot that is the most intriguing aspect of "Miracle Day." With so many new characters and such a broad international narrative, I sometimes felt Barrowman was sidelined. I always want more Jack! But the intricate mythology and the unraveling conspiracies compensate for this disappointment. As the days progress, the world plunges deeper into a ruthless government state and the fate of humanity is once again in the hands of the Torchwood team. An easy recommendation, despite some minor reservations. KGHarris, 8/11.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Redefining Life And Death In A Totalitarian State--A Torchwood Reboot Hits American Soil
May 8, 2012
For the first time, the Torchwood team (or what's left of it) head to America for this ambitious ten part series for the Starz network. In Captain Jack Harkness, creator Russell T. Davies and actor John Barrowman created a truly unique warrior for the science fiction and paranormal set. The dashing bi-sexual hero was first introduced on Davies' "Dr. Who" reinvention and quickly became a fan favorite. So, it was with some amount of excitement that I followed Barrowman to his own show expecting some variation of the "Dr. Who" narrative. But no, the show was stylized in a very different way. The "Torchwood" spin-off played like a high octane and oftentimes quite amusing cousin to the "X-files." For two seasons, the show exceeded as adult escapism at every level. The controversial miniseries "Children of Earth" redefined everything in the Torchwood universe and is alternately loved and hated by the show's most fervent fans. For my money, though, it was a dark and unforgettable experience.
"Miracle Day" arrives some time after the remaining Torchwood members have disbanded and are in seclusion. Miracle Day refers to the show's dynamic premise--one day, no one in the world dies. No matter how traumatic an injury or illness, death has simply vanished as an option. As simple as that, the entire world faces a universal dilemma about what constitutes life. The ethical, societal, political, economic, and practical ramifications of an ever expanding world population sets the entire planet into a frenzy. It seems that the occurrence might have been knowingly orchestrated by unseen entities and expected by large pharmaceutical interests. More concerning, it may have to do with Barrowman's Harkness. Previously immortal, Harkness is experiencing the opposite effect of everyone else--now he is vulnerable to injury. And he (as well as Gwen and her family) are on the firing line.
The show's concept, in this case, is the star. Complicated and truly thought provoking, the idea behind Miracle Day raises so many intriguing questions. More akin to "Children of Earth" than to the original show, if you disliked that miniseries--you will no doubt be disappointed in this as well. And while I don't think that this incarnation has the operatic grandeur of "Children of Earth," it still works on its own terms. It doesn't, however, feel particularly like the Torchwood you've come to know--this is an entirely different beast. With only a couple of the original cast members left, the program relies on many new faces. Mekhi Phifer is a new lead, filled with bluster and bravado, and is not someone I particularly connected with. More successful is Bill Pullman as a messianic death row inmate who survived his execution, Arlene Tur as a doctor caught up in the unraveling the medical conspiracy, Lauren Ambrose as an unscrupulous public relations agent, and Alexa Havins as a CIA analyst who finds herself in the field.
Again, it is the plot that is the most intriguing aspect of "Miracle Day." With so many new characters and such a broad international narrative, I sometimes felt Barrowman was sidelined. I always want more Jack! But the intricate mythology and the unraveling conspiracies compensate for this disappointment. As the days progress, the world plunges deeper into a ruthless government state and the fate of humanity is once again in the hands of the Torchwood team. An easy recommendation, despite some minor reservations. KGHarris, 8/11.
"Miracle Day" arrives some time after the remaining Torchwood members have disbanded and are in seclusion. Miracle Day refers to the show's dynamic premise--one day, no one in the world dies. No matter how traumatic an injury or illness, death has simply vanished as an option. As simple as that, the entire world faces a universal dilemma about what constitutes life. The ethical, societal, political, economic, and practical ramifications of an ever expanding world population sets the entire planet into a frenzy. It seems that the occurrence might have been knowingly orchestrated by unseen entities and expected by large pharmaceutical interests. More concerning, it may have to do with Barrowman's Harkness. Previously immortal, Harkness is experiencing the opposite effect of everyone else--now he is vulnerable to injury. And he (as well as Gwen and her family) are on the firing line.
The show's concept, in this case, is the star. Complicated and truly thought provoking, the idea behind Miracle Day raises so many intriguing questions. More akin to "Children of Earth" than to the original show, if you disliked that miniseries--you will no doubt be disappointed in this as well. And while I don't think that this incarnation has the operatic grandeur of "Children of Earth," it still works on its own terms. It doesn't, however, feel particularly like the Torchwood you've come to know--this is an entirely different beast. With only a couple of the original cast members left, the program relies on many new faces. Mekhi Phifer is a new lead, filled with bluster and bravado, and is not someone I particularly connected with. More successful is Bill Pullman as a messianic death row inmate who survived his execution, Arlene Tur as a doctor caught up in the unraveling the medical conspiracy, Lauren Ambrose as an unscrupulous public relations agent, and Alexa Havins as a CIA analyst who finds herself in the field.
Again, it is the plot that is the most intriguing aspect of "Miracle Day." With so many new characters and such a broad international narrative, I sometimes felt Barrowman was sidelined. I always want more Jack! But the intricate mythology and the unraveling conspiracies compensate for this disappointment. As the days progress, the world plunges deeper into a ruthless government state and the fate of humanity is once again in the hands of the Torchwood team. An easy recommendation, despite some minor reservations. KGHarris, 8/11.
105 of 129 people found the following review helpful
By Lindsay
Format:DVD
Miracle Day had its moments (mostly when Jack, who was sorely underutilized, was on screen), but if you're a fan of the original series then you probably shouldn't waste your time or your money. It feels nothing at all like the first three seasons, which are what made me fall in love with Torchwood in the first place. The format of the show has changed, the new characters are highly unlikeable, and I found the episodes slow-moving and not very well-written (with few exceptions). And ten episodes was FAR too long for the plot they had.
It's like an AU (that's alternate universe, in case you aren't familiar with the term) version of Torchwood. And honestly, since Jack and Gwen were practically background characters, it shouldn't even be called Torchwood, because it just felt like any other bad American action show that just happened to have Gwen, Jack, and Rhys involved.
Torchwood should have ended after Children of Earth - which was a well-written, tight, dramatic miniseries that I actually got involved in. Children of Earth actually felt like an ending - Gwen was left to start her beautiful family with Rhys, and Jack was freed from earth when he had nothing (Ianto) to make him stay. It wouldn't have been a happy ending, but it would have been an ending and as far as I'm concerned, it was the end of Torchwood.
Miracle Day was just flat, apart from a handful of scenes. But in my opinion, they killed the show when they killed Ianto - it doesn't feel like Torchwood without him. I didn't care about the new characters, Jack was barely in the show, and there was too little Wales.
I did like episode seven, though I felt the chemistry between Jack and Angelo fell a little flat, and that Angelo was a fairly unlikeable character. The roadtrip scenes in that episode with Jack and Gwen were stellar, though - glad to see that it illustrated that their priority is no longer each other. It made their dynamic even more interesting. I'd actually love to see them turn on each other if they (god forbid) did another series. THAT would be fascinating.
I am also glad they knocked off the forced romantic tension between Jack and Gwen from the first one and a half series that frankly, in my opinion, hampered their characters. I love Gwen and Rhys's relationship - it's nice to have that normalcy and love to "even out" all the action. Which is also the reason why I miss Ianto - his absence was very painfully felt through the entire run of Miracle Day. He was a nice bit of humor, and he brought out a side of Jack that no one else has. It was very telling every time Jack mentioned Ianto in Miracle Day that he is not over what happened on Day Four of COE. He may put on a brave face, but he's broken now and I don't think he'll get past it in a very long time. Big misstep in getting rid of Gareth - he's a fantastic actor and the show isn't the same without him.
If you want to see a great show, just watch the original U.K. series. THAT is what Torchwood is all about. If they can't bring back the original cast and feel of the show, I don't know how interested I would be in watching another series.
It's like an AU (that's alternate universe, in case you aren't familiar with the term) version of Torchwood. And honestly, since Jack and Gwen were practically background characters, it shouldn't even be called Torchwood, because it just felt like any other bad American action show that just happened to have Gwen, Jack, and Rhys involved.
Torchwood should have ended after Children of Earth - which was a well-written, tight, dramatic miniseries that I actually got involved in. Children of Earth actually felt like an ending - Gwen was left to start her beautiful family with Rhys, and Jack was freed from earth when he had nothing (Ianto) to make him stay. It wouldn't have been a happy ending, but it would have been an ending and as far as I'm concerned, it was the end of Torchwood.
Miracle Day was just flat, apart from a handful of scenes. But in my opinion, they killed the show when they killed Ianto - it doesn't feel like Torchwood without him. I didn't care about the new characters, Jack was barely in the show, and there was too little Wales.
I did like episode seven, though I felt the chemistry between Jack and Angelo fell a little flat, and that Angelo was a fairly unlikeable character. The roadtrip scenes in that episode with Jack and Gwen were stellar, though - glad to see that it illustrated that their priority is no longer each other. It made their dynamic even more interesting. I'd actually love to see them turn on each other if they (god forbid) did another series. THAT would be fascinating.
I am also glad they knocked off the forced romantic tension between Jack and Gwen from the first one and a half series that frankly, in my opinion, hampered their characters. I love Gwen and Rhys's relationship - it's nice to have that normalcy and love to "even out" all the action. Which is also the reason why I miss Ianto - his absence was very painfully felt through the entire run of Miracle Day. He was a nice bit of humor, and he brought out a side of Jack that no one else has. It was very telling every time Jack mentioned Ianto in Miracle Day that he is not over what happened on Day Four of COE. He may put on a brave face, but he's broken now and I don't think he'll get past it in a very long time. Big misstep in getting rid of Gareth - he's a fantastic actor and the show isn't the same without him.
If you want to see a great show, just watch the original U.K. series. THAT is what Torchwood is all about. If they can't bring back the original cast and feel of the show, I don't know how interested I would be in watching another series.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
a
Cutting and pasting this sentence into the box is realy more effort than I care to put into this project.
Published 8 days ago by James C Andringa
3.0 out of 5 stars
Torchwood Lite ...Almost But Not Quite Wonderful
You would think by now that when a televison show gathers a fervent cult following you don't play with the formula. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Donald Powers
4.0 out of 5 stars
never thought
I never thought I would like a homosexual as a main charecter for a sci-fi series, but they really pull it off in this one. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Gregory B. McKnight II
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Adventure
As a past Torchwood fan, "Torchwood Miracle Day was great. The Miracle Day Series, starts off very slow and builds up to an exciting end. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Willie McMillian Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bring Back Torchwood
I loved this series!!! What a shame it's over. The characters were great, the stories wonderful and they had me hooked right from the start!!!
Published 16 days ago by Julie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Torchwood is always fantastic, and this season is even better! I wish I didn't have to pay for it with already being a Prime member, but in order to watch the series, I had to pay... Read more
Published 17 days ago by Wendell Clendennen
3.0 out of 5 stars
bleh
I love the original torchwood. There's not enough Captain Jack and Gwen in this! The result is a bit formulaic and boring.
Published 18 days ago by Seth McLaughlin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply amazing series
if you like Dr WHo, you'll love Jack and his crew. Ton of action, the new crew is just great, Jack is unstopable. Love it!!!
Published 19 days ago by Inga Wuerges
5.0 out of 5 stars
Torchwood: Miracle Day
I have enjoyed adding this to my collection of Torchwood. I enjoyed the show immensely. Captain Jack Harkness is a dynamic character that started in Dr. Who. Read more
Published 19 days ago by T. Riedel
4.0 out of 5 stars
It was ok
I preferred when torchwood was in cardiff. They changed the show when they sent torchwood to america. If they do make a fifth season I hope it is cardiff again!
Published 20 days ago by alyssa dotson
