Fall TV: Torchwood - Doctor Who Spin Off

Torchwood isn't the first Doctor Who spin off, over the years there have been several, including K-9 and friends, but Torchwood has stepped over the daring edge from what might normally expected from a British science fiction series.

So far the series has touched on bi-sexuality, aliens living off sexual energy, scientists killing people in order to test and learn to control new equipment, and Torchwood using a stash of bodies to help cover up alien related deaths. And, of course there are always other uses for some of the equipment that Torchwood has access to, as one of the team proves when he uses a spray to entice sexual partners of both genders.

Episode one introduced Gwen as the new face in the Torchwood team as she struggled to get to the bottom of the mystery that is Torchwood. Despite witnessing bodies being brought back to life, having her memory stolen by an amnesia pill, then her life threatened by one of the good guys, Gwen fails to fall into the old classic of running down corridors screaming as events unfold (yes, I'm well aware that the Doctor's companions stopped doing that about fifteen years ago, but it will always be an on going joke for Doctor Who, just as I will never forget hiding behind the sofa from the monsters)

By episode two Gwen has dived right into the action with her first girl on girl kiss, as she ends up kissing an alien possessed woman.

The humor is dark, edgy and very sharp, with Torchwood's central character being Captain Jack Harkness played by John Barrowman, who made an appearance in season one of the new Doctor Who and Gwen Cooper played by Eve Myles. The two characters spark off each other with a fast paced dialogue that is reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Fitting as at least one episode of series two will be starring one of the cast of Buffy, James Marsters whose character is rumored to engage in a sexual and violent relationship with Jack. Dark romance and dangerous liaisons appear to be a running theme in Torchwood - way to go BBC!