Is this the right place for Merlin discussions? I've gotten hooked, in spite of my fondness for the Arthurian myth and the show's problematic relationship thereunto. The actors are so, so pretty.

maybe Rhys dragged along relunctantly

"reluctantly" is a must. Much of Rhys's appeal is that he's the ordinary bloke who's usually completely lost in the supernatural surroundings. Except for the occasional good idea ("Here, I'll carry that. You need your trigger hand free.").

New team

I'd be okay with one brand new member we haven't seen before. After all, Gwen went from stranger to team member very quickly.

I have been feeling wildly uncomfortable about the show's willingness to torture Jack since the last season finale.

Maybe it's that Jack's torture was more concentrated, but it felt like Jack got dumped on almost as much as Buffy in S5 and S6.

Except for the occasional good idea ("Here, I'll carry that. You need your trigger hand free.").

and he was the one that pointed out that the timing of the children's messages coincided with Britain's school times.

I was leery because So Not In The Mood for downer stories right now, but I watched COE anyway and... I thought it was brilliant. I suspect I won't ever watch it again, but it just seemed to hit all the right notes. I was particularly impressed with Peter Capaldi's performance (how he's aged since Neverwhere).

I've gotten hooked, in spite of my fondness for the Arthurian myth and the show's problematic relationship thereunto. The actors are so, so pretty.

I like it too, Calli! Arthur is really just damn delicious. Also, I love how everything involving Tony Head is all Serious Business, and everything with the youngsters is, like, Camelot 90210.

Hello from Europe!

And though the fact that I'm posting from Europe may contradict this, I would like to mention that my displeasure with Children of Earth isn't because (or just because) I'm an insane Ianto fan.

I thought the last couple of episodes took an interesting story and then pounded the characters and the viewers with "darkness" because RTD wanted to feel like he was being daring. I was actually much more unhappy with the scenes of what happened to Jack's grandson, because I thought the way it was handled was sickening and cruel. There's a good way to do that kind of story, like in "The Fires of Pompeii" with the Doctor and Donna.

Children of Earth was just mean, and if RTD or anyone else would like to tell me that I didn't enjoy it because I'm not grown-up enough to handle drama, they can kiss my ample white ass.

You'd think I'd learn to stop reading RTD quotes. And yet.

What got me about Children of Earth was that in killing Ianto and Steven and having Jack leave effectively killed the Torchwood we know and love. If it comes back, it won't be the same show. I honestly don't know how they can come back.

I was under the impression that after the combined Companions adventure on Dr. Who, that Mickey and Martha would be joining the team, so this gutting of the team was doubly shocking for me.

I said this earlier but I just can't get over the writing choices in CoE. Why kill Clem instead of him being the instrument of alien death? Similarly, why did they write Martha out like that (she's on her honeymoon let's not disturb her). If aliens seeking 10% of kids isn't a reason to cancel a honeymoon, I don't know what is.

why did they write Martha out like that

The actress wasn't available.

If aliens seeking 10% of kids isn't a reason to cancel a honeymoon, I don't know what is.

Law and Order: UK on ITV with Jamie Bamber, baby. Don't know what happened with the Micky idea, if they ever intended to follow that one up.