The New World (Torchwood)
32 – "The New World" | |||
---|---|---|---|
Torchwood episode | |||
Cast | |||
Starring | |||
Guest
| |||
Production | |||
Directed by | Bharat Nalluri | ||
Written by | Russell T Davies | ||
Produced by |
| ||
Executive producer(s) |
| ||
Music by | Murray Gold | ||
Production code | 101 | ||
Series | Miracle Day | ||
Running time | 50 mins | ||
First broadcast | 8 July 2011 14 July 2011 (UK) | (US)||
Chronology | |||
| |||
"The New World" is the first episode of
Torchwood: Miracle Day follows the aftermath of a day where humanity has stopped being able to die. In the episode, the last of a disbanded team called Torchwood becomes active again after an email at the start of this "Miracle Day" is sent to intelligence agencies containing the word "Torchwood".
Plot
Synopsis
In
Individuals can still become sick and injured, but continue to live regardless. As Esther investigates the remaining files on Torchwood in the CIA archives,
Oswald meets a representative of the Governor of Kentucky who has come to apologize for any pain Oswald suffered during his failed execution, but Oswald demands that he should be released since he technically already served his sentence or else he will sue the State for breaching his Eighth and Fifth Amendment rights for unlawful imprisonment and unnecessary pain. Realizing the lawsuit could cost millions for the State, the Governor reluctantly releases Oswald due to Force majeure, much to public anger.
In Wales, former Torchwood operative and young mother Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) is called out of exile by her old colleague Andy Davidson (Tom Price), who informs her that her father Geraint (William Thomas) has had two heart attacks, but has not died. Gwen is persuaded not to investigate the strange events any further by her husband Rhys Williams (Kai Owen), but Rex links Torchwood with the worldwide miracle and, with Esther's help, tracks Gwen down using the phone call data from Davidson's phone.
Upon arriving at Gwen's seaside house, a helicopter arrives with the intention of incapacitating Gwen. Gwen fights off the helicopter, and escapes with the help of Jack, who has arrived to watch out for her. The remaining members of Torchwood escape to Roald Dahl Plass, the site of the original Torchwood 3 hub, where Jack reveals that he hasn't healed from an injury sustained at the CIA archives, which his immortal nature should have quickly healed. He concludes that whatever caused the miracle has restored his humanity and mortality, just as the entire populace is now immortal. Gwen discusses what actions they should take, but is interrupted by the arrival of the South Wales Police force and Rex's announcement that he is renditioning the Torchwood team to the U.S..
Reception and broadcast
On
The episode received positive reviews.
HitFix was more equivocal on the episode saying that "it aims high, and wide, and near and far, and if it doesn't hit all of its many targets, it hits several" before concluding "that's probably enough to justify the time and expense everyone put into bringing "Torchwood" more firmly onto American soil".[10] Across the Atlantic British critics also praised the episode with The Mirror's Jane Simon praising its new larger budget as a mean to bring in "Hollywood blockbusters" as co-stars such as Phifer and Pullman to accompany Barrowman and Myles.[11] Seenit was keen to praise the "genius" of writer Russell T Davies while complimenting Torchwood on outshining "almost anything else the BBC is offering, including its parent show"[12] while SFX awarded the episode four stars saying "as an hour's worth of gripping entertainment, Miracle Day "The New World" is hard to beat".[13]
Trailer
The BBC One broadcast ended with a three-minute trailer to compensate for the time differences between American and British broadcast times.
The trailer featured scenes from the next four episodes with citizens being placed in 'Overflow Camps' by PhiCorp, a fictional Pharmaceutical company, while various explosions, of both buildings and cars, feature alongside shots of Oswald Danes claiming knowledge into the origins of Miracle Day and a cult named The Soulless walking the streets of major cities.
References
- Doctor Who News Page. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
- Doctor Who News Page. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ Marcus (11 July 2011). "Starz' 'Torchwood' Draws Combined 1.5 Million for Premiere". Broadcasting and cable. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
- ^ "Torchwood Episode Three: Final Ratings". Doctor Who News Page. 8 August 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
- ^ "Mandatory | Laugh. Learn. Do Some Good".
- ^ Marcus (27 July 2011). "Torchwood: Miracle Day". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ Marcus (27 July 2011). "'Torchwood' dazzles in its Starz premiere". USA Today. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ Marcus (27 July 2011). "Passing the Torch". New York Post. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ Marcus (27 July 2011). "Torchwood: Miracle Day: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- Hitfix. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
- ^ Marcus (27 July 2011). "Torchwood: Miracle Day – BBC1, 9pm". The Mirror. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ Marcus (27 July 2011). "Torchwood's amazing return proves the genius of Russell T Davies". Seenit. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ Marcus (27 July 2011). "Torchwood: Miracle Day. Death? Get over it". SFX. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
External links
- The New World on Tardis Wiki, the Doctor Who Wiki
- The New World – Script at BBC Online