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'Torchwood' returns but future uncertain

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By WALT BELCHER wbelcher

@tampatrib.com

Published: July 20, 2009

The good news for "Torchwood" fans is the five-part mini-series debuting on BBC America tonight is a top-notch sci-fi conspiracy chiller. And the heroes, Captain Jack and Gwen, are in top form.

The bad news is that it this could be the last adventure in this addictive British series about the alien-fighting adventures of swashbuckling Jack Harkness (John Barrowman).

He's the bisexual, immortal, time-traveling leader of Torchwood, a top secret alien research team based in Cardiff, Wales.

"Torchwood: Children of Earth" plays like it could be the finale. However, executive producer Julie Gardner says the future of "Torchwood" has not been decided yet.

"We wanted to make this season a major event on British television so we changed the format," she said in a telephone interview. "Instead of different stories told over 13 episodes, we have one intense story presented in one week. As for what happens with 'Torchwood' in the future, we are looking at the possibilities but nothing has been green-lighted yet."

British television operates entirely different from U.S. commercial television. Cutting a series down from 13 episodes to five would be considered a sign of doom here.

"Torchwood" star Barrowman has complained about the short season after two successful 13-episode runs on the BBC and BBC America (the network's highest rated series). But creatively, the miniseries is a winner.

"Children of Earth" opens with every child in the world snapping into a robotic state and chanting in unison: "They're coming. They're coming."

This can only mean aliens are on the way, and they want something. What they want is disturbing. Their reasons are horrific. And this time, Torchwood may not succeed.

Captain Jack's team is down to three - himself, the feisty and newly pregnant Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) and loyal support officer Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd). Complicating their work are muck-ups in the government who are conspiring to sell out.

"Children of Earth" is the most suspenseful and darkest story in the series history. Don't expect a happy ending. Series creator Russell T. Davies has said "I wanted to tell a story in which civilization snaps, in which we turn on ourselves, in which nothing is safe."

"Torchwood: Children of Earth" begins at 9 tonight and continues at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

WEDLOCKED: Psychologist and relationship expert Michelle R. Callahan will be counseling engaged couples on whether to take the plunge or put on the brakes on a new daytime show "Wedlock or Deadlock" debuting at 2:30 p.m. today on WTVT, Channel 13.

The series is being tested for six weeks on Fox TV stations. "Wedlock or Deadlock" is a spinoff of a "Divorce Court" segment which features counseling for bickering couples.

"Divorce Court" Judge Lynn Toler is the producer. She says based on what she's seen in her court, couples could "avoid a marriage train wreck" if issues are resolved before they get hitched.

Callahan says people who come on the show have doubts about all sorts of problems such as handling the family income, having children, who will clean the house, sex, in-laws, pets, irritating personal habits and so on. In addition to her counseling sessions, some couples will also face lie detector tests and compatibility tests.

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