Torchwood: Children Of Earth - Day Three

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: BBC America

Before I get into talking about tonight's episode, "Day Three", I want to do like I did in yesterday's post and rehash "Day Two" for a moment.

Boy, Russell T Davies really knows how to build up suspense! Granted "Day Two" didn't end on the type of major 'cliff-hanger' that "Day One" did, but everything in this episode was building on the story and drawing us all in even further.

The one major advantage to making, what is essentially a five-hour-plus episode, is that there is plenty of time to build a story and develop the characters in ways that get rushed through in an hour episode.

This one is building and building and building, and there has never been a boring moment.

This episode really is a showcase for Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles). Normally the character in the series who relies on her heart and emotions, and almost always looks for alternatives to violence, takes a major turn in the opposite direction. This time around it is Gwen who is 'kicking ass and taking names.' No longer in Jack's shadow, at least for the majority of the episode, she takes the initiative and goes on the offensive. How cool is it to see Gwen as an aggressor!

Then again, running and fighting for your life would probably bring out these traits in just about anyone.

Did you check out Gwen jumping through the air firing two guns? (See "Hot Fuzz" for a parody of this cliche move from countless action films.)

Getting back to the suspense, who are the 456? and when were they here before? and why is the government trying to cover everything up?

Tonight we get to see the aliens for the first time, amazing that we have waited two-plus hours just for this moment.

So far.....brilliant!

Children of Earth - Day Three

The eyes of the world turn to Britain and members of Torchwood must battle to protect their own families, as the fight gets personal. Part 3 airs Wednesday, July 22nd, 9:00 - 10:15 p.m. p.m. et/pt.



What Critics Are Saying:

Hero Press - Written By Acrobatic Flea

The "big reveal" of the alien species known as the 456 was always going to be a make or break moment for Torchwood: Children Of Earth.

I was keeping everything crossed that they didn't turn out to be Russell T Davies' standard "creature-that-looks-like-some-animal-from-Earth" that has become as much a cliché for the Whoniverse as the strange nose ridges on alien races in Star Trek.

At the other extreme, I would have been equally unimpressed with will-o-the-wisp balls of light, after the two and a half-day build-up to their arrival.

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See Also: Torchwood: Children Of Earth - Day Two / Torchwood: Children Of Earth - Day One / Torchwood: Children Of Earth (2009)(BBC) / Torchwood: Children Earth Doctor Who On BBC America In July / Torchwood Children Of Earth Air Date And Spoilers / New Michael Golden Artwork For The Cover Of Torchwood Magazine / Torchwood Jack Harkness And Gwen Cooper Mug / Tonight's The Night Gives One Doctor Who Fan The Chance Of A Lifetime / Torchwood: Children Of Earth - Trailer / Torchwood Children Of Earth Trailer To Screen On Both Sides Of The Atlantic / Torchwood Wave 1 Action Figure Set / Eve Myles - New Myspace Photos And Convention Appearance / Freema Agyeman Talks About Doctor Who, Torchwood And Her Latest Series Survivors / 400 Fans Go Behind The Scenes Of Doctor Who And Torchwood / A Devastating Virus Wipes Out Most Of The World Population In Survivors / Fans Are Given A Rare Chance To Visit The Sets Of Doctor Who, Torchwood, And Sarah Jane / Torchwood: Children Of Earth Begins Filming / Torchwood Is Set To Experience The Big Bang / Torchwood Star Eve Myles Is A Knockout For BBC Radio / Torchwood - Are You Missing The Best Series On TV?