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"Torchwood. Outside the government, beyond the police, fighting for the future on behalf of the human race. The 21st century's when everything changes. Torchwood is ready."
Jack Harkness - Time Agent and con-man, unashamedly bisexual, leader of the Cardiff Torchwood team.
Captain Jack Harkness first appeared in 2005 in Season 1 of the 'new' Doctor Who starring Christopher Eccleston as the ninth Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose. Jack's charm, charisma and loyalty to his friends was evident right from the very start.
It was a great day for Jack Harkness fans when Russell T. Davies created the Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood.
Torchwood is dark at times, reminiscent of La Femme Nikita in some ways, and much darker than Doctor Who. Yet it has a lot of the humorous elements that fellow Doctor Who and Torchwood fans enjoy. Sci-fi drama with a twist? Torchwood is a secret organisation that everybody seems to know about.
What most people don't seem to know is what Torchwood actually does. The Torchwood team is dedicated to keeping the rift (in space and time) under control, as well as dealing with whoever or whatever may slip through. Unlike Doctor Who, Torchwood also has a much more complex view of personal relationships.
The bisexual team leader Jack Harkness, played by actor John Barrowman, is a perfect example of the complexity of human relationships. On-screen chemistry between Jack and Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) is so incredible and utterly believable that it almost, but not quite, makes you forget that John Barrowman is gay in real life. These characters obviously have a great deal of respect for each other, and there does appear to more going on under the surface judging by the way they look at each other all the time.
Gwen is involved in a relationship with a man called Rhys Williams (Kai Owen) 'outside' Torchwood and they do get married in season 2. Jack is also casually involved with fellow team member, Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd). The other two team members, Toshiko Sato (Naoko Mori) and Owen Harper (Burn Gorman) are not involved in any serious relationships either 'inside' or 'outside' Torchwood. Toshiko does have a crush on Owen but he isn't particularly interested in getting involved with her.
The series first aired in the U.K. towards the end of 2006, and was then shown here in Australia in 2007. Torchwood has attracted a large number of fans and quite a lot of sites and forums are appearing on the internet. Season 2 aired in the U.K. in 2008 and it looks like there will definitely be a third and fourth season.
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