scheduling the first network showing on Channel 4 of The Ring against Torchwood first run on BBC 3.

Tonight's Torchwood, I thought, was pretty good - but there was a touch of sentimentality towards the end.

And now back to posting ...

Soooooo ...

I've seen the first two episodes.

And my verdict?

Well, it might be hard to get it on US TV - uncut, at least.

Some of the gags are too cheap. But some one liners are terrific.

At the moment, there's an odd detachment about it. The characters are individuals, but there's not the strong relationship that there is between Rose and the Doctor (or the Doctor and his assistant) to pull the situation together. There are only hints of chemistry between Captain Jack and Gwen, and it doesn't quite work.

There's clever touches - and the adult slot gives a chance for more depth. But actually, by boxing clever, much of the depth is there in Dr Who.

The thing that's going to make or break this is the relationships that develop between the characters. And ... they're not quite there yet.

That might be of passing interst to our readers


1) Torchwood starts October 22nd. The opening trailers look ... yummy.


2) Read this. The Government is apparently in total shock.

3) Tomorrow I do Parts 1 and 2 of my ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence). Much egg will adhere to face if I fail.

BBC 4 are reshowing the wonderful Seventies TV series "I, Claudius" - see http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/iclaudius.shtml. It really is amazing, rich and subtle. One can enjoy it all over again. Brilliant performances from a cast who look very young. sian Philips is so amazing as Livia - every glance tells a stories (and usually a nasty, devious one). A series rich with irony. And even the tiny details are lovely - the foodtaster with epicurean appetites etc.

princejvstin, you would be having a field day with all the Roman stuff they are showing. There's lots on the BBC 4 website ...