I'm going to preface this by saying that I have only heard from ONE other person whose first complaint about Miracle Day wasn't that it didn't "feel" like Torchwood. My thoughts on this are: yes, RTD is writing. But this is an entirely different show. And anyone who tuned into episode one expecting nothing to have changed was just setting themselves up for disappointment.

That said, I sat down to watch the first episode and approached it the same way I usually start a series--as if I had tuned in an episode or two late and had missed the introduction those episodes usually offer. And as a series so far, I rather like it. My impression of the first episode was pretty much what I always feel after watching the pilot for any show I've liked: I wasn't crazy for it, but I went out looking forward to seeing what would come of it. (Okay, to be fair, I usually never start a series on the first ep and it is almost always completely unintentional. I feel that, because the pilot has to establish so much, it usually drags in comparison to the rest of the series. So bad first eps don't turn me off, but this is probably because I usually end up getting interested in a series because I happened to see all or part of an episode out of order. This is also why spoilers for tv shows don't bother me.)

tl;dr First ep wasn't terrible, but I really don't have anything to say about it, and now I have watched the second so my thoughts on that are below.

1. Rhys. Oh man, Rhys. He's been pretty bad ass so far and I'm sad that it seems like he's going to be taking a back burner role so that all of these new faces can shine or whatever. I hope that his role gets expanded later on.


2. I also rather like that the Americans aren't being portrayed as super perfect. They're varying shades of good and not so good. I had my concerns that they were going to be cast in a golden light and I'm glad to see that hasn't happened.


3. I've heard a few people saying that it's not believable that the British government would surrender Torchwood. First off, Torchwood was outside the government and I'm sure by operating in that way they could have pissed off a few too many powerful people. Secondly, it's always possible the Americans played dirty and got Torchwood that way. My current theory is that the British government doesn't give a rats ass about Torchwood after the 456 incident and got someone else to work on figuring out wth is up with the miracle. Sherlcok Holmes maybe?


4. And maybe the US government is being controlled by the Dollhouse/Rossum. Although I am disappointed Sierra/Priya got her ass kicked so easily.


5. I really dislike Esther. I feel like she's passive and weak. Maybe this will change. Maybe it won't. My money's on the latter.


6. That guy...reminds me of Denis Nedry from Jurassic Park. But I never caught his name in the episode. So...idk.


7. Triangle~ what does it mean?


8. I kind of like Gwen getting onto Jack about turning her life upside down. Being a part of Torchwood clearly put a strain on all of her relationships and it's nice to see it actually mentioned. Reminded me of The Eleventh Hour when Amy told the Doctor he ruined her.
9. Awkward lady doctor/CIA agent flirting is awkward.


10. I am loving Oswald Danes. He's clearly intelligent and may not quite be as much of a monster as we're initially lead to believe. Or he could be twice the monster and just that much of a fucking genius. Either way, I'm interested.


11. Is that Calvin Owens?


12. And who is this feisty red-head? Cliche, yes. But I like her. She's a fucking shark and she's out to devour the little fishies. But who the hell does she really work for?


13. "The world is screwed up. You want to help or not?" LOVE IT.


14. Thought the coffee girl was Rebecca Logan, but after checking cast lists and such apparently this was no Greek reunion ep.


15. I do not like Dr Juarez. I see the point of her. I understand that for this sort of thing they needed a medical professional and that it would not make sense to have gobs and gobs of important medical people among the cast. It would get confusing and this isn't House or Grey's Anatomy. But it still grates me that she is apparently the only competent doctor who can think outside the box.


16. Looking forward to seeing who the hell has $150k to throw around like that.


17. I love the airplane scene where Gwen takes charge and bamfs it up. I've had issues with her character in the past, but I think I'm finally starting to feel the Gwen-love. Was the scene itself completely ridiculous? Yes. But it's nice to see Gwen being capable and powerful and decking Sierra.


18. SPEAKING OF DICHEN LACHMAN that backwards head thing. Oh. my. god. So gross in the best way possible. Looking forward to the gore in this series. SO MUCH.


Basically, as a thing alone I love it. I agree that it doesn't quite fit the tone of past Torchwood seasons, and I really miss the voice-over on the opening. BUT since I never expected it to be a perfect match to begin with, I am enjoying it and am looking forward to seeing what happens.