Torchwood: Children Of Earth

Bloody hell, that was really good, old fashioned British Sci-Fi at it's best wasn't it?

We had Molly's school summer fair tonight and Louise was out with friends for a drink afterwards so it was just Molly and myself to watch the final episode. Having previously blogged about how it didn't think it was really worth putting out after the watershed I have to admit that this episode was the one that really meant it was too adult for Molly. She was in floods of tears halfway through with the abduction of the children and I had to try to reassure her that it was just a story and that I'd never, ever let that happen to her. Sufficiently calmed down we watched the last 20 minutes and she was weeping again as she realised that Jack's grandson had to be sacrificed. No explaination would suffice. A reasssuring hug for the last ten minutes had to do.

Truly great stuff. Old fashioned Brit Sci-Fi - chillingly low key stuff. But does this really mean the end for Torchwood? I really hope not. Especially if they can do it this well. License fee justified yet again.

Torchwood: Children Of Earth. We're all impressed

Yes, all of us are impressed with Torchwood Chldren Of Earth. All three of us. We decided to take the risk and let Molly stay up late and watch it, hoping that it wouldn't be too extreme or rude and trusting that Molly could refrain from repeating any swear words in front of her teacher the next day.

So far so good. Although I am right in thinking that if they did drop some of the swearing, maybe didn't have the graphic corpse scene and possibly not the full frontal arse shot of Captain Jack, this could have easily gone out earlier - just like the first series there's no real need for the supposedly adult content.

And don't tell me it's because of the sexual nature either. Far worse on bloody Eastenders. Dad was a little concerned when he realised (bless him). So we pointed out that Molly knew quite a few GLBT folks. Indeed, her first wedding was the lovely Tara and Krystal's wedding. And Molly handles stuff like this just fine - "as long as they're happy" is what we usually get round to on any argument like this.

But that aside, isn't the whole thing rather bloody good? All three of us are really enjoying it. And unlike previous Torchwood series they've not gone with a bloody stupid monster this time - less is definitely more. With two episodes to go there's always time to mess it up I suppose, but so far, so good. The concept - big threat, big secret, put Torchwood against the government - is such a cliche but it does work surprisingly well. None of the sometimes overbearing nature of either Jack or Gwen have come out here and there's just enough shock and chills to keep us all watching. Very good indeed.

Birmingham Weekend ...... Captain Jack in Panto...

This last weekend the Bruton family took a trip to see Birmingham again.

Louise and Molly were particularly excited as they were off to the panto to see...

Aladdin this year starred John Barrowman, and not only featured a 3D genie but also had Daleks, the Grumbleweeds and Don Maclean.
(I don't recall the Daleks showing up in my memories of the Aladdin, but maybe it's just my memory at fault.)
To be honest I really don't know who was more excited at seeing the panto, Louise or Molly. I do know that they both came out of the show as flushed as schoolgirls with Louise particularly enthusing about John Barrowman, who is, I am told, absolutely gorgeous....


The adulation and schoolgirl giggling only got worse when we headed round the corner into the throng by the stage door where Captain Jack was signing autographs. Louise did the classic parent thing and thrust Molly through the crowd to get her ticket signed...


Afterwards they both came running out of the crowd, almost visibly shaking and both said how lovely he was. But I think they meant it in very different ways.
And yes, we're all aware that I have more chance of bagging the Captain than Louise does.
But it was a good pantomime.

Whilst they were at the panto I headed off to good old Nostalgia & Comics for a look round and to pick up some comics and books. Rich is still talking to me, despite what I said about The Sword. It was lovely to see the place again and chat to everyone. Of course, the staff are mostly new faces to me now and I still shudder to think of the day I head through the doors and don't actually recognise anyone working there. That will be a cold knife to the heart.

Then off to the pub for a drinky with Dave, (shop manager on his day off) & his lovely wife Debbie. Much talk of Yorkshire, holidays, comics and comic shops and then it was time to meet Louise and Molly.

Saturday evening was spent dropping Molly round at her sleepover. Ever since she started Nursery at 5 months old she's known Ellen and Louise and I have become good friends with the family. It was always one of the contacts we intended to keep up when we left for the North and we're doing very well.
Dinner at Mandy & Ellens (and a very rich but absolutely lovely Vanilla Custard and Raspberry Sauce) was followed by a night out in Birmingham with good friends Mark and Vicki.
Sunday was spent wishing Happy 17th Birthday to Louise's cousin Rachel (Happy Birthday Rachel)
Then home and back to lovely Yorkshire.

Tired now, off to bed.