More (Queer) Torchwood Stuff

[eumelia]

As most of Torchwood fandom knows, there have been quite a few brouhahas regarding LGBT representation and homophobia in the show.
Especially with ad hominem attacks towards James Moran and Russel T. Davies... seriously, seriously bad form people.
I'd sic Captain Hook on your asses for that.

I have lots to write regarding the queer issues on the show and will very likely write about at a later point.

A Doctor Who/Torchwood fan radio podcast show called Radio Free Skaro (How is it that I never knew about this!?) had a special panel with three LGBT fans and regular listeners who replaced the regular panellists (three straight chaps) to talk about LGBT representation and Homophobia.

It's a very interesting discussion. I agree with much was said and it was much fun to listen to three queers discuss Torchwood.

Here is the direct download to this special called: The Wednesday Cutaway.

The podcast Contains spoilers to Torchwood: Children of Earth and the over all world of New!Who and Torchwood.

No doubt not everyone will agree with what was said. I didn't agree with everything. But the main point of this podcast was to actually discuss, rationally and with respect to the show and the writers, the issues that rose from the this particular mini-series. Because it's very likely that TW:CoE was viewed by many outside the rest of the Torchwood arc, which is something that hadn't actually occurred to me.
I am very self-centred... much like Gwen :P

Comments

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

Torchwood S1 and S2 got about 1.8 million viewers on BBC2. Whereas CoE got well over 6 million. So yes, it was very much watched by people who might not have been up on Torchwood canon.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

And as I said. That really hadn't occurred to me. There are barely, if any, original sci-fi productions here and Doctor Who and Torchwood are such niche programmes as far as I'm aware in Israel... that it really hadn't occurred to me that so many would tune in to a show that already had a history and which they knew nothing about.

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

I was honestly surprised too. But then Torchwood was originally watched by around 5 million, which was probably a big chunk of the 7 million who routinely watch Doctor Who. And then quickly dropped off when I assume a lot of people were like me and hated Torchwood.

So what I assume happened was all the Who people gave CoE another go. And were all very pleased with what they saw because the figures througout the week were consistent.

It was interesting though, because CoE was getting as good viewing figures as mainstream BBC1 drama productions. if not out-performing them. Which... seems to indicate that sci-fi drama is actually more popular in the UK than traditional drama.

I just hope somebody in the BBC realises that, and comissions more sci-fi.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

That would be awesome.

I prefer the UK style to US when it comes to television... though I think the US cable channels try to emulate the whole Long Episodes/Short Seasons thing. Which is a format I much prefer as well.

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

It really would. I hope they realise what a mistake it was to only have the handful of Doctor Who specials this year.

I can't imagine the BBC coming up with a successful new sci- fi franchise. But there's lots they can do still with the Who stable - Torchwood/Sarah-jane, hell, even the rumoured Rose Tyler spin-off. And now the Rose Tyler spin off might have David Tennant in it once he stops being the Doctor, that could be a big player.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

And now the Rose Tyler spin off might have David Tennant in it once he stops being the Doctor, that could be a big player.

My head just exploded about that possibility! DUDE! Maybe there even be an Alternate!Jack! :D

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

Because you know, I get the impression David Tennant sort of regrets his decision to quit...

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

What gave you that impression? (serious here, I haven't read that many reactions).

Tennant is most definitely My Doctor, despite having started with Eccelston... I just love the way Tennant carries the role.

[gonzo21.livejournal.com]

Nothing specific, just the way he always talks about how much he loves it. And the fact that hea greed to be in Sarah Jane Adventures. Plus the fact that he's hardly been snowed under with work since he quit.

He'll never have as high a profile and so much fame as he gets as Doctor Who either...

[sabotabby]

...if there's an Alternate!Jack, there can be an alternate Ianto.

No I don't have a one-track mind or anything like that. I also want Mickey to get a spin-off, preferably with Jackie.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

I like how you try to deny your "one track mind" while using that very pervy Dalek icon :P

[rm.livejournal.com]

Ah, I haven't listened yet, but this makes me feel good that maybe I can without wanting to throw something at someone.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

I think you'll really enjoy it.

Many good points are raised and the atmosphere is very fun and just refreshing from an analytical queer pov.

[thecityofdis.livejournal.com]

I made it through the first 15 minutes of the podcast, but after there was zero reference to the Dead/Evil GLBT Cliche in that timeframe I grew bored and felt like they were lacking a lot of information as far as the layers and history of this topic is concerned and thus, of course were not offended, and didn't really "get it".

It seems like a good show otherwise, but this particular episode didn't, to me, seem like they gave proper due to the opposing viewpoint. It's great to sound all cerebral and analytical about queer theory, but to leave out a major chunk of it while doing so rubbed me the wrong way.

(If this topic was brought up later on in the episode, please correct me and I will change my stance. But it seems like a very pressing and prominent issue to be totally ignored for such a length of time. Moreso than heteronormativity or whatever else, which was beaten to death.)

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

They get into the whole Dead/Evil Queer cliche a little after and at great length imo... they cover a lot of ground, it's an hour and ten minutes.

It's the first podcast I'd heard of this show and while I know this isn't the regular format, all of them look really interesting.

I'll probably work my way backwards through the podcasts.

[thecityofdis.livejournal.com]

Interesting. It seems like such a glaring omission from the beginning, especially when they set up so adamantly that, "Just because a queer character dies doesn't make it anti-GLBT!" when it's like, that's not the argument, you know?

Maybe I'll give the whole thing a listen next week, but I'll be out of town for a few days and don't particularly have the time right now. I'm glad to hear they dig into that later, though. That's what I get for jumping the gun.

Also, obligatory: FUCK THAT SHIT I WANT IANTO BACK.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

Also, obligatory: FUCK THAT SHIT I WANT IANTO BACK..

Word.