h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Traveller in Time searching the Guide
"Anyone know where and when Torchwood starts ? Or did I mis it already ? "

Tomorrow, BBC2.

Tomorrow night - 9 pm (UK) BBC2

No, you've not missed it. Tomorrow 9pm BBC2.

I think it's Tomorrow on BBC2.

Traveller in Time
"That was fast, I have been browsing the TV guides but could not find it "

Repeated next Wednesday at 7pm in cut down format for the younger viewer.

BBC site has numerous spoiler trailers... you have been warned.

A pre-watershed repeat? There were certain storylines last season that would have made that tricky...

Yes - the family-friendly version of 'Countrycide', the one about the cannibals , would have lasted about five minutes!

I'm really looking forward to the new series, though. Especially with James Marsters out of 'Buffy' as guest baddie.

I'm quite looking forward to this. From what I've seen of it (brief preview clip) it's looking better than the rather messy series one.

I'm not sure about this "toned-down" pre-watershed repeat. The pre-watershed broadcasts of the adult "Buffy" spin-off, "Angel", were criticised for their heavy editing and either "Torchwood" will have to endure that or the original broadcasts will be barely post-watershed anyway. That bothers me; although most of the adult content in series one felt gratuitous and bolted-on, I liked the "Torchwood" could make explicit what was usually only hinted-at in "Who" and could explore ideas from the latter in a more adult-oriented way. If that's been lost in the name of expanding the potential-audience then that's a shame.

It looks like alot more money has been spent on it this time too...

It is tonight at 9pm on BBC2, and repeated (also tonight) at 11.30pm on BBC3. Declassified starts in a couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to it very much, and I will need to remind my other half of the Torchwood rules - no talking while I'm watching it!

Can't wait to see James Marsters in it. 2 of my favourite chaps together on the same show!

Well it's been on... and it was okay. Ish. Won't spoil anything for them who've not seen it yet.

I thought it was good. Big improvement on the first series based on this episode.

Good things: the dialogue and general writing is better; the "feel" of the show is better, gone is the "kids' show with swearing and sex" feel the first series sometimes had; Spike from Buffy was ace; the members of Torchwood are generally more interesting; I liked how it took "Doctor Who"-ish ideas (ie aliens that look like fish) and put them in an adult-oriented scenario.

Bad things: The ariel shots of Cardiff, whilst less ponderous, are still a bit annoying; there are still some "how come they did/didn't..." bits (albeit much less than series one).

Be interesting to see if the quality switch stays on for the rest of the series and if they keep avoiding the pratfalls series one had (whilst not neglecting the few strengths it definitely had).

Incidentally, with all the "Torchwood has been a really big success, we're so proud" BBC puffery that followed series one, isn't it interesting how the continuity-announcer practically said "It's back and it's not crap any more" before the new episode?

Traveller in Time managed to watch it in one go
"Was great, there is even a secondary plot running "

Without wishing to provoke spoilers (given that I haven't watched it yet - was watching City beat West Ham ) is there a hint of a story arc, TiT?

Watched it. Thought it was okay. Scene setting mostly for the uninitiated and those wondering what hapened between series. Noted the ployamouros metrosexuality theme is still intact.

Turned it off. doot de doot. When suddenly it hit me.

That other time agent - it was Spike from Buffy.

Took me a while to place the sarcasm/wit/smirk.

One visit to imdb later confirms it:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0557686/

...and then a cursory glance at the other threads already running show this wasn't as revelatory as I thought.

Bum.

Other thoughts: the montage at the end - clips from the entire season or just next week?

Loved it! Like the humour they are bringing in - "help me Obe Wan Kanobe!". Some new special FX and generally just a better feel to it. Long may it continue through the rest of the series.

Clive - I think the montage must have been for the rest of the series and not just next week, there was quite a lot packed in there!

>Loved it! Like the humour they are bringing in - "help me Obe Wan Kanobe!". Some new special FX and generally just a better feel to it. Long may it continue through the rest of the series.

I agree about the "better feel" which I think is the main difference (based on this one episode) between this new series and the very disappointing series one. Despite all the bluster about what a resounding success series one was from the Beeb they clearly listened to the (considerable) criticism and did something about it. That shouldn't have had to happen, mind, because series one shouldn't have been the lazy, crypto-juvenile, shoddy work it largely was in the first place. I can't help but worry that series one was so badly recieved that a lot of people won't have bothered watching series two, or will have such deep-seated prejudices against the show by now that it won't be possible for them to shrug them off.