The problems with the FX in the opening episode partly revolve around the decision to film with what turned out to be a pretty dodgy high definition video camera (Torchwood is HD, unlike Doctor Who, which is still standard definition), which was replaced by a superior model in the second shooting block. So the picture quality in general isn’t as good as it is later, and the CG work has to blend in to the picture. But there’s a lot less CG in Torchwood than in Doctor Who, which is a good thing because it costs at least twice as much to build and texture HD models as it does for the same in SD.

Either that, or the Beeb weren’t sure whether it would be a big hit when the series was commissioned, and the budget wasn’t big.

*Also, I couldn’t get past the fact that allowing a giant flying reptile into a room full of delicate equipment is perhaps not the wisest thing. What if it craps on something valuable?!

Amen my brother, on the ads. Same with SBS. If Labor gets in, all you Luvvies with influence MUST make them totally separate the GayBC and SBS from government. I fear a BBC-style TV licensing fee is the only way.

SBS News is one of the best in the world - possibly even better than PBSs’ Newshour with Jim Lehrer, which I LOVE for the “homeliness” of its Lady journos.

However, SBS’s recent interspersing of five minutes of video and analysis from Gaza with “Go Harvey, Go Harvey, Go Harvey Norman, NOW is insupportable. How much more can a Koala bear!

(OK, I admit that it may be slightly hypocritical to defend so vociferously a show I have a few reservations about, but I’m a bit tired of how lazy some of the criticism is.)

And I’ll just post the following from Outpost Gallifrey (the one-stop trainspotter site for Doctor Who Fans):

Torchwood has made a strong Australian debut in the ratings. It averaged 1,003,000 viewers in the five major capitals, winning its (time-adjusted) 9.40pm timeslot over Channel 7 (average 964,000 viewers) and Channel 9 (average 963,000 viewers). It enjoyed a 40% audience share in the 18-49 age group.

Apart from the accent I don’t like Gwen either. She’s too passive to be a central character IMPO. Things happen to her and she reacts rather than acts to drive the story forward. I hope that changes over the course of the series. Having Capt. Jack already established and stealing every scene will make that difficult, however.

Oh, and using Cardiff is one of the more inspired location decisions in recent television history.

I think the decision was inspired by the fact that the show is made by BBC Wales!

Yes, truly excellent. Those statues…

I can’t see it lasting past another season.

It was the most watched show on digital TV in the UK every week and it broke ratings records.

Of course, do not even mention Media Watch!

Ah yes, the Gwynneth Paltrow Effect. The gap in her front bosoms is not without charm also.

Dr. Who in Cardiff with a lot of bisexuality

Is he a lipsniger, tho’?

I didn’t mind it and I went in with my eyes shut, as i didn’t realise it had anything to do with Dr Who. A show i was quite a big fan of as a child. Will continue watching i think until it either gets really stupid or i lose the attraction to Gwen.

the cats who will not be herded preferred to talk about… the stuff they usually talk about

Possibly the wrong animal metaphor, Kim. How about the dogs who keep returning to each other’s vomit, or the dead horses engaged in mutual flagellation?