The Doctor Who Spin Off series
Rumours of Torchwood Season 4 coming up... stay tuned.
Aussies - Torchwood Season 2 is being screened on ABC2 on Friday nights... yay!
Torchwood
Torchwood is an anagram of Doctor Who, and like an anagram is a remix of some of the ideas from its sister show, but it's edgier, scarier, techier, and for adults only.
Indeed, Torchwood has been billed as "Doctor Who for adults", but that's a lazy summary. To me, it's The (se)X-Files set in Wales. You have your Mulder believer in Captain Jack Harkness, and your Scully sceptic in WPC Gwen Cooper. But unlike The X-Files, Captain Jack is able to prove to Gwen that the truth is out there.
And unlike The X-Files, Torchwood has no problems with beaurocracy. They call the shots. There's no one to stop them. And Captain Jack has three more expert staff members to provide back up. Not that he needs anyone to watch his back.
(Torchwood promotional images and stills are copyright © BBC. Fair use presumed for a lens about Torchwood.)
Torchwood Season Four
- ***SPOILERS*** Torchwood is back for a FOURTH season ***SPOILERS***
- Online sources have been informed that Torchwood has been picked up for a fourth season. This is not surprising considering the excellent ratings received by the BBC for Season 3, despite relegating that season to a five-episode mini-series.
Spoilers follow.
Torchwood Season 3 Trailer
Torchwood : Children of Earth
Torchwood : Children of Earth is a five-hour epic single-story arc.
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...from docTor who to torchWooD
My introduction to Doctor Who was with the 1996 movie starring Paul McGann as the eighth incarnation of the Doctor. I couldn't get into the old cult shows, much as I tried, because they just seemed too cardboard. Which is their charm, I know, but I'm from the generation where really top quality, realistic-looking special effects are the ones that wow me.I then tried the new Doctor Who series, but it didn't hook me enough to make me remember which day of the week it was on.
Torchwood, on the other hand, had me interested by about halfway through the pilot episode. By the very end of the episode I was hooked. Sure, it's corn cheese most of the time, but it's cooler than Doctor Who, and it's fun, and it's just a tiny bit scary.
What is Torchwood?
Torchwood is an elite team of investigators into the unknown. They are outside the jurisdiction of every authority - police, government, and UN. They have the power to alter crime scenes, producing a suitable corpse where no body was found, or removing strange and unusual technology that would generate too many questions.It's a huge responsibility, and alien technology is so very intriguing. What would you do if you were allowed to break the rules?
Torchwood in the 21st Century
Torchwood 3.5" Button
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Where is Torchwood?
Torchwood 1 was located in Canary Wharf in London, but was destroyed in the Battle of Canary Wharf when the Cybermen attacked.Torchwood 2 is in Glasgow, Scotland, and Torchwood 3 is in Cardiff, Wales, where a huge space-time rift runs straight through the city, and, as Captain Jack explains to Gwen, spits up the garbage of space into Cardiff as if it is a sewer.
And also according to Captain Jack, Torchwood 4 has apparently vanished. But they will find it.
Torchwood 3 is the main focus of the show. Roald Dahl Plass, shown here, is where the entrance to the Torchwood Hub can be found. Maybe. If you're clever.
(Image of Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff by James Allen, 2005.)
Torchwood Season One Outtakes and Bloopers
Who would've guessed John Barrowman snorts when he laughs?
Torchwood?
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Who is Torchwood?
The Torchwood team consists of a core team, headed by Captain Jack Harkness, a character who first appeared in Doctor Who, as well as the occasional guest who is called in to assist the team.And here's an interesting stat for you: Within the first 7 episodes of season one, every one of the five main characters shares a kiss with a member of the same gender. But only two out of the five Torchwood teamsters get to kiss the opposite sex.
A tribute to former Torchwood team members
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Torchwood Alumni
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It happened in the very first episode. Proof that Torchwood would not be one of those shows that wraps up neatly at the end of each episode. Proof that characters weren't safe just because they were billed in the opening credits. Anyone goes. Anytime...
Captain Jack Harkness
John Barrowman
There's something strange about Captain Jack. If you're a Doctor Who junky, you probably already know what that is.If you haven't watched much Doctor Who, I suggest you don't go digging just yet. The first episode of Torchwood is a kicker, and the second reveals a little more detail.
You'll enjoy it more if you don't know. Promise.
John Barrowman's antics
- Torchwood BBC TV: The John Barrowman (Capt Jack) Interview
- John Barrowman talks about playing the character of Captain Jack Harkness and how the character differs between Doctor Who and Torchwood.
- For John Barrowman fans
- Keep scrolling down this lens (or click here) for more information about John Barrowman, Scott Gill, and sing a certain theme tune.
- More goodies for John Barrowman fans
- Get your own John Barrowman calendar for 2009. Or a Captain Jack Harkness action figure for your desk...
- Torchwood Guys Make Out for Their Fans
- Torchwood stars John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd gave their gay fans their money worth at a Torchwood fan convention this week when they started making out and strip for the audience.
Talk about knowing your audience.
WPC Gwen Cooper
Eve Myles
The first episode is Torchwood's test for Gwen Cooper. Until this day, she's never even heard of Torchwood. Now she's allowed to witness a few things that make no sense, and to start a personal investigation into the matter. Is she going mad? Or is she the perfect person for the job?Gwen brings a human element to Torchwood - a perspective that the others, steeped in technology, isolation, and knowledge of alien cultures, sometimes forget.
Eve Myles is pregnant
And, no, it's not an alien this time....
- Torchwood star Eve Myles is pregnant
- Eve Myles has announced that she is expecting her first child. The 31-year-old Welsh actress decided to try for a baby after filming a new five-part special of the Doctor Who spin-off, Children of the Earth, which airs on BBC1 later this year.
Owen Harper
Burn Gorman
A former doctor and brilliant scientist, but with some "bedside manner" issues, Owen acts as Torchwood's pathologist, anthropologist, medic, and laboratory analyst.Owen gets to experience a completely different perspective when he empathetically lives the final moments of a murdered woman's life.
Q&A with Burn Gorman
- An Exclusive Q&A With 'Torchwood' Star Burn Gorman
- Interview with Torchwood's Burn Gorman.
Toshiko Sato
Naoko Mori
Tosh is Torchwood's resident computer analyst, programmer, decrypter, and hacker. Need to make someone disappear from all records? Tosh is your go-to girl. She's also boasted that she can escape from any room once she's found its weak points.Toshiko's brush with an alien implement allows her a brief period of being able to read other people's minds, with a little concentration.
Ianto Jones
Gareth David-Lloyd
Receptionist, security guard, driver? Oh, no. Ianto is much more than that.This Quentin Tarantino look-alike with the Welsh accent is the ultimate clean-up crew of one. Bodies? Gone. Crime scene? Where? Ianto has what you need ready for you before you even realise you need it. He's "taken the liberty..." shall we say?
No wonder Torchwood 1 couldn't do without him.
(What does Gareth David-Lloyd look like with blond hair? Have a look...)
Who is the hottest Torchwood team member?
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Torchwood Cast Photos
- Torchwood Cast at Convention in October 08
- A lot of fun, some stripping, and plenty of kissing at the request of the audience. John Barrowman, Gareth David-Lloyd, Naoko Mori, Kai Owen. Language and adult content warning.
- Torchwood Cast at The Rift convention - April 08
- Plenty of singing for some reason. James Marsden, Kai Owen, and Gareth David-Lloyd.
Answers to some frequently pondered questions
- What is a WPC?
WPC stands for "Woman Police Constable" in the British Police Force. Gwen Cooper has a successful career as a WPC before she meets Torchwood. - Do I need to catch up on my Doctor Who viewing first, in order to follow what's happening in Torchwood?
No. Torchwood is a standalone series. In fact, Doctor Who contains a few spoilers for Torchwood, so you might want to be careful if you don't want to spoil your fun.
Update: I (accidentally) happened to catch the final episode of Doctor Who season 4 before I watched the final episode of Torchwood season 1, and I found these episodes referenced each other quite a bit. The final Torchwood episode is the first time Jack mentions the "Doctor", and could be a little oblique and even confusing without the knowledge of Jack's involvement towards the end of Doctor Who.
But don't watch Doctor Who until you've seen at least the first two episodes of Torchwood. - What does "Torchwood" mean?
In real life: Torchwood was a security anagram written on Doctor Who tapes, probably to prevent casual theft.
In the Doctor Who/Torchwood universe: We can speculate as to which name came first. Queen Victoria's first encounter with the Doctor was at Torchwood Estate. Perhaps the Doctor made the anagram from Torchwood.
The Torchwood Institute was named after Torchwood Estate, but since it was set up as an response to the visit from the Doctor, perhaps the anagram came from there.
Or perhaps it's silly to speculate. After all, Doctor Who never really calls himself "Doctor Who". Perhaps it's just a coincidence that Torchwood contains the word Doctor. - You referred to Torchwood as "Doctor Who for adults". Does that mean I shouldn't allow my 10-year-old to watch it?
Update: Season Two of Torchwood will be screened in two versions: adult and family-friendly. The family-friendly version will have some of the violence, sex, and language cut out of it. It's likely the themes will still be quite mature, so a younger child might not understand some of the deeper threads. The action will still be good though.
The first season of Torchwood contains some scenes that you might not want to have to try to explain to a 10-year-old. It also has enough blood, gore, and violence to cause a few nightmares in young children, although it's not overly scary.
In addition, Torchwood is ethically confronting, dealing with issues such as human/alien rights abuses, privacy violations, and the risks of limited accountability - in other words, complex themes that are difficult to explain satisfactorily for the very reason the writers have chosen them. Mature teenagers should find it a good starting point for discussing social issues. Australian TV has rated it PG-15. - How do you pronounce "Ianto"?
Yunto (Y-uh-n-to). (Gwen pronounces it "Yuntor".) - How do you pronounce "Rhys"?
Reece
Huh?
Learning to understand Welsh accents
Had enough fun with the Manchester accents in Life on Mars yet?Let me introduce: the Welsh accent.
Luckily I spent 6 months living in Wales so I can sometimes understand what they are saying in Torchwood. Which can be useful.
Here are some pointers.
Extra vowels: Eg, "Wallesh" rather than "Welsh"
"Harkeness" rather than "Harkness"
"Sallef" rather than "self"
A, as in "cat" is pronounced uh, as in "cut"
U, as in "cut" is pronounced oo, as in "coot" (but with a shorter oo)
O, as in "coat" is pronounced or, as in "court" (but without sounding the r)
I, as in "like" is pronounced "ay" as in "lake"
E, as in "well" is pronounced "a" as in "at"
AY, as in "face" is pronounced "eh" as in "fair"
AR, as in "Harkness" is pronounced uh, but a longer sound than "cut" - very similar to the way we Aussies would pronounce it.
D, is pronounced "T" ("Torchwoot")
R, is rolled, similar to French.
L, is pronounced with the tongue further back on the palate than in English accents.
Learn some Welsh
I haven't heard any Welsh spoken on Torchwood yet, which is strange. And also strange is the lack of shots of sign posts in dual English-Welsh languages.
But have a look at the image above right. It's a shot taken inside a school and that board at the back has two Welsh words on it.
Bwyd Iechyd
which means "Food Health"
Bwyd (food) is pronounced boo-eet
Iechyd (health) is pronounced ee-ya-keet (sometimes when you hear it quickly, it sounds more like "yucky").
Watch out for this scene in Episode 5 and see if you can impress someone with your newly learnt Welsh. (Unless, of course, you are Welsh. In which case, "Iechyd da!")
Torchwood breaks records
We all love the Hub
The September 2007 US premiere of Torchwood on BBC America delivered 496,000 total viewers, a record for the channel, ahead of last year's screening of Robin Hood.
The Australian premiere of Torchwood in June 2007 reached an amazing 1 million viewers.
The Australian premiere of Torchwood in June 2007 reached an amazing 1 million viewers.
News on Torchwood Season Three
- Torchwood Season 3 Coming in 2009
- ***Major SPOILERS for Torchwood and Doctor Who***
- Major changes in Torchwood and Doctor Who
- ***SPOILERS*** More mention of Torchwood Season 3, some replacements (temporary or permanent) for much-loved characters, and a further change in the format.
- 'Torchwood' cut down for third season?
- Torchwood will reportedly have a shorter week-long run for its third season.
- Torchwood Season 3 casting hints
- Executive producer Julie Gardner confirms John Barrowman's return, and hints that fans will approve of the casting decisions.
Torchwood Season Two
Only very minor spoilers
Torchwood season two was screened on BBC2 in the UK and on BBC America in the US from January 2008.(Aussies and Canadians - If you were wanting to, I hope you were quick to watch the YouTube videos of Torchwood Season 2, as they have now been removed. However, the good news is that Torchwood Season 2 is now available on Region 4 DVD. Aussies - Torchwood Season21 is being shown on ABC 2 on Fridays at 8.30PM.)
Jack and Ianto dating
We love this pairing. There's a certain sweetness to their working relationship turned life saving romance. All indications are much more to follow.
Rhys and Gwen
Rhys gets a little more information out of Gwen this season when he's let in on what her secret job is about, but can their relationship survive?
Friends forever
The writers have decided to cut down on the jibes and nastiness that developed between the characters last season. This time round, everyone gets to be likeable and pleasant.
A few laughs
More humour has been written into the show too. It is, after all, very much a tongue-in-cheek show, so Torchwood is not afraid to share in the laughs and spoofs that have been doing the rounds of the Internet. Go on, poke fun, I dare you.
Paging Doctor Jones
Doctor Martha Jones (yes, she passed her medical exams) joins the Torchwood team for a while this season when Jack asks for her help.
Heart to heart
Captain John Hart is a time agent from the 51st century, played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer's James Marsters. He's an old friend of Jack's, and we all know what that means.
New neighbours
Neighbours/Ugly Betty/24/OC/Star Trek : Nemesis star Alan Dale joins in for one episode.
Torchwood Junior
Yup. They're missing out on all the Doctor Who fans under the age of 16 who aren't allowed to watch Torchwood. And with the next cross-over character, Martha Jones, joining the fun, young fans will want to move with her.
Enter the age of alteration. A slightly edited, family-friendly version of Torchwood will be screened as a pre-watershed repeat of the previous week's episode. But Russell Davies insists that none of the same-sex kissing scenes will be cut. Gay relationships are an accepted part of our culture, and if heterosexual kissing can be screened pre-watershed, then so can homosexual kissing.
What will go is the language (different lines were shot at the same time), some of the violence, and the sex scenes will cut away much sooner.
Alienation
Fresh new alien life to play with - we can't wait!
- Eve Myles on Freema Agyeman (guest starring as Martha Jones) -
"Within a minute it was as if she'd always been there. I hope she comes back. I loved working with her. She's so friendly and kind. I'd only ever met Freema in passing before, as she was on her way to the Tardis to pop into some parallel universe or other, and I was off to the Hub to snog a Weevil or something, but she's just lovely. Bloody lovely."
Torchwood Season 2 Reviewed
- IGN: Torchwood : Season 2 Review
- Torchwood: Season 2 reviewed in-depth by IGN.
The phones don't work
"Mobiles, landlines, tin cans with bits of string, everything! Absolutely everything! No phones, phones all broken. Hello, anyone there? No, cause the phones aren't working!"
Torchwood Ianto Quote Mousepad
Price: 14.99
Those pesky phones
"Mobiles, landlines, tin cans with bits of string... etc"
Own the Torchwood series on DVD
Torchwood Seasons 1 & 2
US and Canada - The first and second season of Torchwood is available through Amazon.com (Region 1).Or search eBay
Australians can buy the full first series of Torchwood (Region 4) through the ABC Shop and Atlantic DVD.
The second season of Torchwood (Region 4) is also now available through the ABC Shop.
Or have a look for Torchwood on eBay AU
UK Viewers can purchase the first and second series through the BBC Shop:
Torchwood Series 1 (Region 2)
Torchwood Series 2 (Region 2)
Or try eBay UK
Torchwood Region 1
Torchwood - The Complete First Season
Release Date: 01/22/2008
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Torchwood - The Complete Second Season
Release Date: 09/16/2008
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Torchwood: Children of Earth
The Third Season mini-series
Release Date: 07/28/2009
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Torchwood on iTunes
- Torchwood on iTunes
- The BBC will be releasing Torchwood episodes for US iTunes users. Sorry Australia, we have to wait for that too.
More Torchwood and Doctor Who
- Torchwood at the BBC
- The official Torchwood site at the BBC.
- Torchwood on Channel Ten
- Channel Ten, Australia's Torchwood pages.
- The Doctor Who Wiki
- The Wiki for Doctor Who, which also contains entries for Torchwood. Read with caution for spoilers.
- Welsh-English Online Dictionary
- Brush up on your Welsh.
- BBC British-American TV Dictionary
- Stuck on the meaning of a phrase used in a British TV show? Look it up here.
- Torchwood Fan Club of Australia
- Chat Torchwood with other Aussie fans.
- John Barrowman's official site
- Website of actor John Barrowman, who plays Captain Jack Harkness in Torchwood and Doctor Who.
- Torchwood TV Blog
- Keep up to date with Torchwood news.
- Gareth David-Lloyd's official site
- Website of actor Gareth David-Lloyd, who plays Ianto Jones in Torchwood.
- Totally Torchwood
- News and comments about Torchwood and Doctor Who.
- Interview with Russell Davies
- Graham Kibble-White chatting to Russell Davies, creator of Torchwood. We're just back from the press launch of the Doctor Who Christmas special - a fantastic festive offering which ends on a lovely lowkey note...
Catch up on Doctor Who
The Doctor Who and Torchwood storylines are becoming increasingly entwined as Captain Jack and Martha Jones make guest appearances in their respective sister shows.
The Doctor and Torchwood join forces in Doctor Who Season 4, with Eve Myles and Gareth David-Lloyd also making guest appearances.
Doctor Who - The Complete Second Series
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Doctor Who - The Complete Third Series
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Doctor Who: The Complete Fourth Series
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The Sarah Jane Adventures - The Complete First Season
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Can't wait for the next episode?
Read some Torchwood books
Torchwood Declassified
Caution: Spoilers
- Torchwood Declassified
- Watch the behind the scenes mini-documentaries on each episode as well as an extended promo (with spoilers).
For John Barrowman fans only
John Barrowman is openly gay, and has been with his partner, architect Scott Gill for 16 years. The couple married last year.
For those wondering what Scott Gill looks like, the first video is a clip of the public kiss between John Barrowman and Scott Gill on stage at London Pride.
The second is a slideshow of still images of John Barrowman and Scott Gill.
The third clip is one of John Barrowman singing the Doctor Who theme tune, accompanied by David Tennant. The impromptu performance was on a Doctor Who special of The Weakest Link.
For those wondering what Scott Gill looks like, the first video is a clip of the public kiss between John Barrowman and Scott Gill on stage at London Pride.
The second is a slideshow of still images of John Barrowman and Scott Gill.
The third clip is one of John Barrowman singing the Doctor Who theme tune, accompanied by David Tennant. The impromptu performance was on a Doctor Who special of The Weakest Link.
curated content from YouTube
Get your John Barrowman fix
Calendars, Captain Jack action figure, John Barrowman autobiography and CDs
John Barrowman Torchwood 2009 (A3 Calendar) SHS649
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Doctor Who - 5" Action Figure Captain Jack Solid
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Anything Goes
John Barrowman's autobiography
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For Gareth David-Lloyd fans only
Gareth David-Lloyd has a great chameleonic quality as shown in these screenshots:
Going blond in Absolute Power
Looking gorgeous with a goatie in The Bill
Going blond in Absolute Power
Looking gorgeous with a goatie in The Bill
Looking gorgeous with a goatie in The Bill
(Image courtesy Gareth David-Lloyd website, The Bill © BBC)
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I (Heart) Ianto Dark T-Shirt
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Torchwood Season 2 Episode 1 (part 1)
I'm leaving this video up, even though it has been deleted. Keep an eye on YouTube if you're still wanting to watch Torchwood Season 2 - it may sneak back in.
Are you watching Torchwood?
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- élise frenchise élise frenchise Sep 16, 2009 @ 6:33 am
- i love torchwood and john barrowman and gareth david lloyd !!
sorry i'm french
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- Libby Libby Sep 14, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
- I love Torchwood! I think i even prefere it to Doctor who, even though it's just ment to be a spin off, i think i kinda holds it's own though don't you think?
I love the characters and the actors aswell, they're all lovely people and really do make it what it is. Every episode has me so that i can't look away, it's funny and action packed, while still holding good story lines. It's brilliant!
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- dhpookie dhpookie Sep 5, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
- Each episode gave a different insight to Capt Jack - with a twist of campy humor, sexiness and of course - aliens. I'm looking forward to MORE -
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- gideon43 gideon43 Aug 29, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
- Great lens.
Nice to see the Aussies like Torchwood.
Although it started off as a spin off from Doctor Who, I believe its taken on a life of its own and is one of the most interesting programmes on the BBC.
Unfortunatly in Britain at the moment, we seem to have an obsession with reality and Celebrity doing things type of programmes.
Because of this and the fact that it costs money to make Torchwood and Doctor Who, it always seems that there is always some debate about making a new series, hence there was only 5 episodes in the last series and no Doctor Who at all this year.
Long may Torchwood reign, oh and by the way, I really like Gwen.
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- GILLIAN GILLIAN Aug 29, 2009 @ 12:38 am
- I started wathching Dr, Who way back in UK when I was 14/15 and have followed it ever since. I LOVE Torchwood and will be very sad if another series is not made. COME BACK CAPT. JACK!!!
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- Cez xxx = ) Cez xxx = ) Jul 27, 2009 @ 4:51 am
- Hey luv torchwood - I hv bin watchin it from the ery begining! I soo look forward to the new series and i hope Jack is Back - again! I cried all night when he left! Ever since the 3rd series iebecome obsessed - no complaints - and ive gone to reading the books which are equally fab! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE hurry up with the next sereis
Loadz n Loadz of luv for torchwod
Cez xxx
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- Cez xxx Cez xxx Jul 25, 2009 @ 2:57 pm
- |I absolutely Lurve Torchwood! Since the 3rd ive become obsessed!!! I love it! I can't wat 'til the 4th series(if there is one) and i really want to know if Jack is coming back : ) I hope he does! Fingers crossed = ) Im just such a huge fan. Please Please hurry up and make the next sereis 'coz im stuck with the books - my mum wont let me buy the dvd's - anyway, ive nearly finished them all = ( So PLEASE hurry up!!! Loadz of love - for Torchwood - from me xxx
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Lens content copyright © Elsa Neal, 2007-2009. All rights reserved.
by daoine
Daoine (aka Elle Neal) has been a fan of Torchwood since the first episode. She is annoyed with Australian TV for treating Torchwood fans so badly...
... (more)
Daoine has been a Top 100 Giant Squid since July 2008, and was chosen to be part of the first group of Squid Angels, blessing lenses from May 2007 to April 2008.
