Right, first things first, I don’t THINK this could be construed as containing spoilers (especially since we’re being shafted on air dates versus the US, and rest of the world!) but just in case ….

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Right, that’s over with.

Let me say, before I go any further, that I enjoyed it. I really did, good romp, great hook in terms of the premise for the series, cool … go for it RTD!

Now, the things I find LESS wonderful;

• Theme music:- yes, it’s petty, and silly, and childish, but I really liked the Torchwood “theme” and I missed it. There didn’t really seem to be much of a “start” to the show, and it felt odd.
• Gloss: throwing money at something doesn’t always necessarily improve it. There was a LOT of gloss in this. That doesn’t make it bad, in and of itself, but at times it seemed more like “look, LOOK, we can afford a fucking HELICOPTER!!” than there actually being a call for it.
• Characters: um, what characters? The old regulars were, of course, magnificent as ever. Gwen’s parents were memorable. Even the baby was adorable. But the Americans … oh, the Americans. Who are any of them? I couldn’t tell you any of their names, I have vague ideas of their back stories but, to be frank, I’m certain I’m confusing one with another. And, perhaps more importantly, I don’t care about any of them.  This isn’t good …
•  One really awkward bit: crossing the bridge, the CIA agent’s comments about Wales and England being separate may as well have had big, red, bold letters flashing up over top saying “EXPOSITION!! PAY ATTENTION AMERICANS!!!” Shoe-horn that in, did you Russell?