BBC | 2009 | 300 mins | Not rated
Certainly, the news that the third season of Torchwood had been cut from twelve episodes to a five episode mini-series to be aired on consecutive nights in July of 2009 caused great concern among the shows most avid fans. If Children of the Earth was Torchwood’s swan song, the show went out in grand style.
For those not familiar with the show, Torchwood is the name of a secret organization formed by the British government to battle extraterrestrial threats to Earth. Led in Cardiff by the charismatic and confident Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), Each Episode would find members of Torchwood investigating some unexplained phenomena, often related to alien activity.
At the end of season two, several staff members were killed off, leaving a core of just three–Gwen, Ianto and of Captain Jack Harkness–this change was a smart one, allowing the writers to really focus in on these interesting and complex characters. Children of the Earth finds each of them forced to make life changing decisions and in some cases, face up to the dark secrets of their past.
Suddenly, every child on Earth begins announcing the coming of a deadly alien race known as the 456. Torchwood investigates and discovers one adult chanting with the children. He is identified as Clement McDonald (Paul Copley), who evaded abduction by the aliens in 1965. He has a heightened sense of smell and through this ability reveals that Gwen (Eve Myles) is three weeks pregnant. Anyone who is familiar with Torchwood knows that Gwen’s pregnancy is a shocker. In the first two seasons, she was a fairly shy woman with a kind spirit. This mini-series finds her a little rough around the edges, with a much tougher skin. While her husband Rhys (Kai Owen) wants her to keep the baby, Gwen makes it clear the final decision will be hers.
Jack faces the biggest emotional challenge of the group, as it is revealed that he was involved in a scheme that gave twelve children to the 456 back in 1965. He gave the children away in exchange for a cure for a new strain of Indonesian flu, which the 456 claimed would kill 25 million people and now, the 456 threaten the world with annihilation unless their demands for 10% of the world’s children are met. In the course of all this, Jack faces some gut wrenching decisions no person should ever have to make; the path he takes in regards to 456’s demands is shocking but it also explains a lot about his personality.
Of course, one can’t really discuss Jack without mentioning Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd). The way the writers have handled their relationship is superb; the emotional side of it is allowed to shine through but it never becomes distracting–it seems, real. Children of the Earth begins with Ianto questioning his relationship with Jack; however, there’s an emotional moment between the two that leaves no doubt as to the sincerity of their relationship and is bound to tug at the heart strings of viewers, gay or straight.
We are also introduced to Ianto’s sister Rhiannon (Katy Wix) and brother-in-law Johnny Davies (Rhodri Lewis). They play an important role in the series, while also helping to humanize the story, preventing it from becoming a sci-fi schlock fest. If Torchwood does return in some sort of incarnation, Lois Habiba, portrayed by Cush Jumbo does a great job as a government insider helping the team, so it’s easy to see her becoming part of the Torchwood team.
Given the situation, the British government needs to hide their collusion with 456. As part of that plan, the decision is made to get rid of Torchwood and its members. The Prime Minister Brian Green (Nicholas Farrell) gives responsibility for the situation to senior Home Office civil servant John Frobisher (Peter Capaldi). Though he does his best to dutifully carry out his orders, what Frobisher does in the end is yet another shocking moment.
Children of the Earth is extremely unsettling. Dark and heavy, there really is no silver lining. The series asks questions that have no definite answers. They’re questions thick with moral and ethical dilemmas that will leave viewers pondering long after the show is over. The themes explored are bound to be dissected and analyzed by fans down to the last detail. Children of the Earth did things that have never been done in science fiction television and that alone makes this a must own for any science fiction fan.
Shot in hi-def, this standard DVD looks as good as it possibly can. The 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer is fabulous. Colors are vibrant and blacks are deep and rich. Most surprisingly, detail is surprisingly first rate. This is one of the best SD titles I’ve seen in a long time.
The sound is excellent too, as the Dolby 5.1 soundtrack really brings things to life and immerses viewers in the entire experience. English subtitles are included for the deaf and hearing impaired.
Torchwood: Children of the Earth includes only one special feature:
• Torchwood: Declassified (32:00) A behind the scenes look at things, as well as interviews with several cast and crew. While there’s nothing earth shattering here, fans will likely enjoy the actors thoughts on some of the developments in the series.
*As stated on the DVD box, the music in episode five differs from the broadcast version.
[xrrgroup][xrr label=”Video:” rating=”3.5/5″ group=”s1″ ] [xrr label=”Audio:” rating=”3.5/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Extras:” rating=”3.0/5″ group=”s1″] [xrr label=”Film Value:” rating=”4.5/5″ group=”s1″] [/xrrgroup]
