Lie back and think of Torchwood...

[reprobayt]

Finally finished watching the first season of BBC series Torchwood

Good show...not great, but good. Didn't feel like I wasted my time......but what's with all the guy-guy kissing?

Was it there as shock value? Payback for all the gratuitous girl-girl action lately? I would say that a third of the time it was integral to the plot, the rest seemed like overkill. I noticed the same thing in the BBC miniseries The State Within. I enjoyed the series, but it seemed the relationship between two of the male characters was fluffed up (no pun intended) a bit, more than the other subplots.

It may be that I noticed it more than I do T&A and the new lesbian chic in Hollywood (which I think has peaked)...let's face it, we men no matter the intelligence can be distracted sometimes by what can be called the "female ooh shiny". :)

Maybe it's just the British way... *shrugs*

Comments

[pixelmonster.livejournal.com]

I dunno, but I sure loved seeing Capt Jack kiss his namesake! I see it as trying to educate people that sexuality is not as rigid as once was believed and that various forms of orientation are allowed and should not freak folks out as much, plus let's face it, Torchwood is a big hit for women, it's fanservice:)

[moryssa.livejournal.com]

Keep in mind, too, that the creative "genius" behind New Who and Torchwood is also the guy who brought us "Queer As Folk". A lot of the fans refer to it as "Rusty's Gay Agenda". Heh.

For me, it didn't distract from the story. The times I remember:
Ep 1 - Owen/random dude - I think it was mostly comedy effect, but also to show that this show wasn't going to shy away from things like that.
Ep 2 - We get the girl/girl action with Gwen & the alien-possessed girl.
Cyberwoman - Jack/Ianto. There's a reason for it plot-wise, and it was used as a juxtaposition between the Gwen/Owen kiss.
Jack/Jack - Again, the way the plot was written, it was called for. And it was beautifully done.
And then the Jack/Ianto kiss at the end, to show that Jack *does* care about Ianto.

Hmmm... actually that's the only male/male snogging I remember. (I love the word "snogging". I think we should start using it on this side of the pond. :D)

[solledrache.livejournal.com]

Cookie!

[mia42.livejournal.com]

Brittish television can get away with certain things American tv cannot. Utilizing these advantages can often be an effective marketting strategy. American tv is somteimes popular over seas simply because it is "different", and vice versa. While shows like Melrose Place (I think this was the first american show to ever show two gay male characters kiss in a romantic context) and Will & Grace have certainly made homosexual characters more 'acceptable', homosexual physical affections are not commonly seen on American tv. It's usually little more than hugs and cuddles.

As a mildly related sidenote; I've recently been getting into the show 'Coupling'. Do you watch that?

[curvedmetal.livejournal.com]

Shh

[bheansidhe.livejournal.com]

I like to think of it as my antidote to years upon years of American TV. Which never seemed to have a problem with the widespread use of female actors as "obligatory sex appeal." Gillian Anderson was grimly amused at how the script of the pilot came up with a way to display her in her underwear - not because it was integral to the plot, but because Chris Carter wanted to convince the studio execs that there was going to be enough attractive female skin for the show to appeal to guys.

I notice you don't ask "What's with all the girl-girl kissing?" from the alien episode with the Japanese chick...*grin*

[reprobayt.livejournal.com]

Cause I am man enough to admit (as I did above) my male shortcomings and distractions. :)

I'd also forgotten about the girl-girl in the cells epidose until someone pointed it out in the comments.