April 04, 2011

Children of Earth - Day 3 (2009)

The middle story of the series is where the story continues and it’s at this stage that things start to get really seriously as the 456 are expected to arrive and the personal stakes rise along with the tension. They may not have the Hub but its comforting to know that they have a temporary base where they can do their scooby gang things, The Torchwood crew go on a bit of a crime spree instantly reminding me of bits from Hustle where they go on a little spree to raise some cash. Quite interesting to see how outside the law they have become. There is a great moment where after everything that has happened there is a ‘were back’ feel when the crew get their new clothes.

Lois well and truly gets involved in the action. She is quite literally the eyes for Torchwood as she is present when the 456 and Frobisher have their first meeting. It’s quite a Bond moment where Lois has to wear contact lenses. Mr Dekker has a light episode after being sinister in the previous episode. This episode belongs to Frobisher as he is pushed into the limelight by the evil Prime Minister and there is a wonderful moment when Frobisher and Jack are talking on the phone, when Jack threatens Frobisher’s family and John says he wont because he is the better man was a nice indication that the character does have morals but feels like he has to do his duty.

A bit more about the bus scene in episode one is explained with the three other people that were killed along with Jack. Clement’s role in that also become more clear. It turns out that Clement was one of the children on the bus and Jack was the one driving the bus thus bears some responsibility for what happened to them and to Clement. I am quite amazed at the child actors who are quite creepy when they are standing still and shouting ‘we are coming’. To add to the creepiness they start pointing towards the air. The line that everyone is pointing towards the UK somehow gives me a greater feeling that this is an international event.

I’m still unsure about Jack’s daughter and grandson. It’s the best performance by Lucy Cohu (Alice) but the grandson has still to do anything to impress me. There was a nice bit of bitchy moment between Alice and Agent Johnson. Paul Copley is really good in this episode and has gone from being slightly annoying to being impressive.

The arrival of the 456 coming into Thames House is when the action really kicks in for this episode. The special effects are quite impressive as they are simple yet still enjoyable. When I was watching this I really didn’t know what to expect in terms of visuals as well as how they would soon. The scene with John Frobisher, Mr Dekker and the 456 is very chilling especially as we don’t really see the 456 but just some green goo. During the first big meeting, the 456 say they want the 10% of the children and this is when the intense feeling that I felt at the beginning of the story returns.

Another big name joins the show when Colin McFarlane dons a military uniform and plays an American General. He comes into it mad that Britain has been chosen by the 456. It mirrors the bit in ‘Sound of Drums’ from 2007 when the American President is angry at The Master/Prime Minister for going ahead with diplomatic relations with an alien race. The revelation that Jack was involved in the 1965 ‘gift’ is the cliffhanger and it’s the weakest so far. It’s a big thing to say that one of the main stars was involved but it lacked the drama that the first cliffhanger had or that the eerie feeling the previous one had. Oh well, there had to be a weak one sooner or later.

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