Torchwood Using Their Own Brig…

[Carlito]

No, but they’re all the same, and they’re not Cardiff-y.

[Seb Patrick]

I’m glad you’ve met, like, the entirety of Cardiff in order to be able to state that so confidently.

[Andrew]

I thought the way that person had their laptop unwittingly stolen was entirely unrealistic for the region. Sure, you might get some of that fancy ‘not noticing’ in England, especially down south, but please, no Cardiff resident would have worn that expression. How are we meant to take the show seriously after such egregious misrepresentation?

[Carlito]

Thing is guys, I live here and you don’t. So without wanting to sound like a dick, I may have a little more authority about what my local people are actually like. Certainly enough not to be ripped to shreds for voicing an opinion that is also shared by many of my friends who I’ve ever discussed Torchwood with.

Y’know, I’m not saying there’s nothing recognisable whatsoever in these people but every Welsh character in Torchwood is of similar ilk…

[Carlito]

And I know the city like the back of my hand. I lived virtually in the city centre for many years (now live just a few miles outside), and managed two Domino’s Pizza stores in the city – incidentally including the one on Mermaid Quay, about 10 seconds walk from where they filmed the Hub(?) on Roald Dahl Plasse – and worked relief in two other stores. I know that might seem a strange point to bring up, but my point is I’ve spoken with and know people from every corner of the city (friends, staff and customers). I’ve delivered to the doorsteps of every area in Cardiff. And these characters in Torchwood just aren’t Cardiffians.

You’d probably have to be inside the community to recognise it, to the vast majority of viewers it doesn’t matter a toss. Like I said, it’s no big deal. People are turning it into a bigger issue than my throwaway comment.

[Carlito]

As an example of a show that gets the Welsh vernacular, characterisation and spirit spot-on, it’s Gavin & Stacey. Despite being a comedy, that IS the Wales I know.

[pfm]

> I?ve delivered to the doorsteps of every area in Cardiff. And these characters in Torchwood just aren?t Cardiffians.

But, as you should know, there’s Cardiff and then there’s Cardiff. Around the Bay it’s like a different bloody world, people with their heads up their arses, not proper Cardiff.

[Carlito]

Maybe in the new part of the Bay, the apartment crowd, Mermaid Quay, the nice parts you get to see on the TV… some of the older parts of the Bay and surrounding area (Butetown, Grangetown) are… hmmm… quite rough. We would never allow our drivers to deliver to Bute Sq, for example, where routinely they used to find themselves casually shot at by moronic youths.

Cardiff is typical of a lot of large cities, firmly divided into quarters. The North, East, South and West with a distinct overriding ‘personality’ to each. Hell, there are even different accents. The West Cardiff accent is almost like a Welsh Cockney accent. (“Oi goes to Cahdiff quite of-ten”)

[Carlito]

*fucked up*

[Pete Part Three]

>As an example of a show that gets the Welsh vernacular, characterisation and spirit spot-on, it?s Gavin & Stacey. Despite being a comedy, that IS the Wales I know.

Gavin and Stacey is a comedy?!

[J_Spaced]

I do like that the “throwaway comment” requires over half a dozen responses to defend.

You could have gone with “Meh, I know what I’m on about.” As it is, we’ve slipped onto a second page of drivel.

Whether or not Torchwood specifically represented those characters who lived at the (undisclosed) addresses featured on location, which may or may not have been standing in for completely different areas of Cardiff, it was still damn good TV.

[Ridley]

*fucked up*

Any chance you’ll be watching series one and two of Torchwood anytime soon?

[Carlito]

> I do like that the ?throwaway comment? requires over half a dozen responses to defend.
You could have gone with ?Meh, I know what I?m on about.? As it is, we?ve slipped onto a second page of drivel.

Well anybody could dismiss provocative conversation with “I know what I mean, and that’s the end of it” but that wouldn’t be in keeping with the spirit of a discussion forum would it? Things would be much more boring if everyone took the easy way out. I’m happy to admit I’m wrong, or to make bold statements when I feel I’m right even if nobody else does, just as long as it leads to an interesting read and I thought that expanding on my knowledge of Cardiff a little might make for a somewhat interesting insight into the area, whilst remaining on topic. Sorry if I offended you! ;)

> Whether or not Torchwood specifically represented those characters who lived at the (undisclosed) addresses featured on location, which may or may not have been standing in for completely different areas of Cardiff, it was still damn good TV.

Agreed. I never said otherwise. That was only a minor and fleeting distraction. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

> Any chance you?ll be watching series one and two of Torchwood anytime soon?

Yep, without question. I don’t watch a lot of TV “live” so to speak, but I do love discovering shows into their run and watching the back catalogue. Now I’m switched onto Torchwood, I’m gonna check out series 1 and 2. If I’m still impressed, I’ll probably take a bash at watching some new Doctor Who episodes.

[Pete Part Three]

>Now I?m switched onto Torchwood, I?m gonna check out series 1 and 2. If I?m still impressed, I?ll probably take a bash at watching some new Doctor Who episodes

Jump straight to the Doctor Who episodes or you’ll never get there.

[pfm]

Children of Earth slayed Doctor Who. Well, the big brash RTD Doctor Who at least. RTD really buffed up his glans for CofE, so much so that he obviously had no energy left to make Planet of the Dead (shot after CofE) any good. “Hooray we’re shipping a big red bus off to Dubai!”

[Seb Patrick]

Yeah, Carl, seriously, don’t watch series one and two of Torchwood. They’re bad enough WITHOUT having seen CoE first. Just stick to the better Who episodes. I’d start the ball rolling suggesting them, but that’s been done three or four times on here already ;-) Have a scout for the Marleen threads…

[si]

I started watching my Torchwood DVDs the other week, with the aim of watching every episode before CoE. Watched Ghost Machine – a really good episode. Then I was faced with Cyberwoman, one of the worst things ever.

Shortly afterwards, I was back in hospital, and I never completed my task.

I will say though that Children of Earth is a hundred times better than series one, and probably about three times better than the second series (which was, itself, a LOT better than the first). But I agree with Seb – if you’ve never seen any Torchwood before CoE, don’t bother.

[JamesTC]

I think Series 2 is worth a watch.

[Dave]

I’ll be in Cardiff all next week, any recommendations?

[Andrew]

Fake an alien invasion. See if you find people’s reactions authentic for the region.

[Carlito]

> I?ll be in Cardiff all next week, any recommendations?

Yeah. Whatever you do, don’t go and see ‘Run For Your Wife’.

I dunno buddy, what you into? Plenty of good watering holes if that’s what you’re thinking, but depends what type of place you like to go. If you’re looking for general activities, there’s nothing particularly impressive really that you wouldn’t find elsewhere. You could also go see the Doctor Who exhibition if you’re a fan. Never been myself so couldn’t tell you whether it’s worthwhile even for a die-hard.

What you in Cardiff for?

[si]

According to someone on the Doctor Who magazine page on Facebook, who bumped into Matt Smith in Cardiff this week(photos posted), the word fresh from the Doctor’s mouth is that the new series starts filming next week…

Oh, and the exhibition is outstanding.

[JamesTC]

So in about 2 weeks we will probably have pictures of either Matt Smith in his new costume or Matt Smith wearing David Tennants outfit, that is if it is location filming in a week
On Gallifray Base the page for set reports for Series 5 (which is actually called Series 1 according to DWM) is at page 24 already, when they haven’t even started filming!

[si]

According to today’s paper, the new companion is called Amy and she is Scottish. Filming to start Monday, with piccies of the two of them in the press next Tuesday. Goody!

Hang on…this should be in the Dr Who thread really, shouldn’t it?

[Jo]

As an example of a show that gets the Welsh vernacular, characterisation and spirit spot-on, it?s Gavin & Stacey. Despite being a comedy, that IS the Wales I know.

So… basically what you’re saying is that Wales is an enormous bag of shite?

[Carlito]

I happen to think series 1 was quite a sweet little show with heart and humour. Not out-and-out hilarious, but a warm, enjoyable show. It went up its own arse a little in series 2, and the Christmas special was awful, but I could watch series 1 anytime. And Rob Brydon is just a genius.

[si]

Torchwood series 4!

http://www.comicmix.com/news/2009/07/25/exclusive-torchwood-picked-up-for-another-season-by-bbc/

Maybe.

[Author]

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