The New World (Torchwood)
Encyclopedia
"The New World" is the first episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television
series Torchwood
, and was broadcast in the United States on Starz on 8 July 2011, in Canada on Space on 9 July 2011, and in the United Kingdom on BBC One
on 14 July 2011.
, convicted child molester
and murderer Oswald Danes (Bill Pullman
) is due to be executed by means of lethal injection
. However, the execution fails. At the start of "Miracle Day", a mysterious email is sent to members of the intelligence agencies in the U.S., bypassing the usual security protocols and containing only the word "Torchwood". CIA
agent Rex Matheson
(Mekhi Phifer
) is badly injured in a car crash whilst receiving information on Torchwood from Esther Drummond
(Alexa Havins
), and is taken to a hospital in Washington, D.C.
, where he is treated by surgeon Vera Juarez (Arlene Tur
). Vera informs Esther that Rex has survived, and also that not one single person has died in the past 24 hours at any U.S. hospital. This information leads to the discussion of the "miracle" on international news and social networking sites.
Individuals can still become sick and injured, but continue to live regardless. As Esther investigates the remaining files on Torchwood in the CIA archives, Jack Harkness
(John Barrowman
) appears in the U.S. to deal with Esther, after erasing all online mentions of Torchwood. Jack saves her from an assassin, who later blows up a portion of the CIA archives in an attempted suicide bombing to prevent himself being interrogated by Jack. Jack gives Esther an amnesia pill while explaining the nature of Torchwood to her, and she subsequently forgets about her encounter with Jack, though her memories of Torchwood itself are triggered by a file brought to her by CIA agent Noah Vickers. The assassin, who "survived" his attempted suicide, is brought to the same hospital where Rex is recovering. Rex hacks into the security cameras in order to observe the "autopsy", which Jack has also infiltrated using the alias of his deceased friend Owen Harper
. While the assassin is little more than a charred skeleton, he remains conscious during the procedure, even after the doctor removes his head at Jack's suggestion.
Oswald meets a representative of the Governor of Kentucky who has come to apologize for any pain Oswald suffered during his failed execution, but Oswald demands that he should be released since he technically already served his sentence or else he will sue the State for breaching his Eighth
and Fifth Amendment
rights for unlawful imprisonment and unnecessary pain. Realizing the lawsuit could cost millions for the State, the Governor reluctantly releases Oswald due to Force majeure
, much to public anger.
In Wales
, former Torchwood operative and young mother Gwen Cooper
(Eve Myles
) is called out of exile by her old colleague Andy Davidson
(Tom Price
), who informs her that her father Geraint (William Thomas
) has had two heart attacks, but has not died. Gwen is persuaded not to investigate the strange events any further by her husband Rhys Williams
(Kai Owen
), but Rex links Torchwood with the worldwide miracle and, with Esther's help, tracks Gwen down using the phone call data from Davidson's phone.
Upon arriving at Gwen's seaside house, a helicopter arrives with the intention of incapacitating Gwen. Gwen fights off the helicopter, and escapes with the help of Jack, who has arrived to watch out for her. The remaining members of Torchwood escape to Roald Dahl Plass
, the site of the original Torchwood 3 hub, where Jack reveals that he hasn't healed from an injury sustained at the CIA archives, which his immortal nature should have quickly healed. He concludes that whatever caused the miracle has restored his humanity and mortality, just as the entire populace is now immortal. Gwen discusses what actions they should take, but is interrupted by the arrival of the South Wales Police force and Rex's announcement that he is renditioning
the Torchwood team to the U.S..
, and an AI rating of 85 out of 100, considered "excellent". When premiered on SPACE in Canada, the episode drew in nearly a million viewers with an average of 432,000, the highest the channel has ever had for a show. For the Starz debut in America a combined audience (the original 9pm broadcast and the 11pm repeat) of 1.51 million viewers tuned in, meaning the show was on a par with the network's highest recorded audience, which is held by Camelot
. In the United Kingdom the show had 840,000 Iplayer requests in July, making it the most requested programme behind episodes of The Apprentice and Top Gear, and eight most requested broadcast overall.
The episode received positive reviews. Crave Online said "it's good to see John Barrowman easily step back into his iconic character", giving the episode 8 out of 10. Entertainment Weekly described it as "witty and successful" before adding that it "makes a smooth transatlantic shift" and awarding it a A- score. USA Today was equally positive in its review saying that it "dazzles in its Starz premiere" while also being "suspenseful, exciting and flat-out fun". The New York Post added "lots of action, lots of shoot-'em-ups and lots of big explosions that don't kill anybody. It's also lots of fun" while Hollywood Reporter was critical of the show for "inserting American actors into a British franchise" but still suggested that Miracle Day "has enough compelling elements to make both newbies and die-hards stick through the bumpy parts for the payoff".
HitFix was more equivocal on the episode saying that "it aims high, and wide, and near and far, and if it doesn't hit all of its many targets, it hits several" before concluding "that's probably enough to justify the time and expense everyone put into bringing "Torchwood" more firmly onto American soil". Across the Atlantic British critics also praised the episode with The Mirror's Jane Simon praising its new larger budget as a mean to bring in "Hollywood blockbusters" as co-stars such as Phifer and Pullman to accompany Barrowman and Myles. Seenit was keen to praise the "genius" of writer Russell T Davies while complimenting Torchwood on outshining "almost anything else the BBC is offering, including its parent show" while SFX awarded the episode four stars saying "as an hour’s worth of gripping entertainment, Miracle Day “The New World” is hard to beat".
The trailer featured scenes from the next four episodes with citizens being placed in 'Overflow Camps' by PhiCorp, a fictional Pharmaceutical company, while various explosions, of both buildings and cars, feature alongside shots of Oswald Danes claiming knowledge into the origins of Miracle Day and a cult named The Soulless walking the streets of major cities.
Science fiction on television
Science fiction first appeared on a television program during the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Special effects and other production techniques allow creators to present a living visual image of an imaginary world not limited by the constraints of reality; this makes television an excellent medium...
series Torchwood
Torchwood
Torchwood is a British science fiction television programme created by Russell T Davies. The series is a spin-off from Davies's 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction programme Doctor Who. The show has shifted its broadcast channel each series to reflect its growing audience, moving from...
, and was broadcast in the United States on Starz on 8 July 2011, in Canada on Space on 9 July 2011, and in the United Kingdom on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
on 14 July 2011.
Synopsis
In KentuckyKentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, convicted child molester
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
and murderer Oswald Danes (Bill Pullman
Bill Pullman
William James "Bill" Pullman is an American film, television, and stage actor. Pullman made his film debut in the supporting role of Earl Mott in the 1986 film Ruthless People. He has since gone on to star in other films, including Spaceballs, Independence Day, Lost Highway, Casper and Scary Movie 4...
) is due to be executed by means of lethal injection
Lethal injection
Lethal injection is the practice of injecting a person with a fatal dose of drugs for the express purpose of causing the immediate death of the subject. The main application for this procedure is capital punishment, but the term may also be applied in a broad sense to euthanasia and suicide...
. However, the execution fails. At the start of "Miracle Day", a mysterious email is sent to members of the intelligence agencies in the U.S., bypassing the usual security protocols and containing only the word "Torchwood". CIA
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
agent Rex Matheson
Rex Matheson
Rex Matheson is a fictional character in the science fiction series Torchwood, portrayed by American actor Mekhi Phifer. Phifer is one of three American actors to join Torchwood in its fourth series, Torchwood: Miracle Day , as part of a new co-production between Torchwoods British network, BBC...
(Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Phifer
Mekhi Thira Phifer is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his multi-year role as Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC's long-running medical drama ER and his co-starring role opposite Eminem in the feature film 8 Mile...
) is badly injured in a car crash whilst receiving information on Torchwood from Esther Drummond
Esther Drummond
Esther Drummond is a fictional character in the science fiction series Torchwood, portrayed by American actress Alexa Havins. Havins is one of several American actors to join Torchwood in its fourth series, Torchwood: Miracle Day , as part of a new co-production between Torchwoods original British...
(Alexa Havins
Alexa Havins
Alexa Carole Havins is an American actress. She first came to prominence in 2003, when she became the originating actor in the role of Babe Carey Chandler on the daytime drama All My Children...
), and is taken to a hospital in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, where he is treated by surgeon Vera Juarez (Arlene Tur
Arlene Tur
Arlene Tur is an American television and film actress and model from Florida, best known for her role as Bebe Arcel in the 2008 television drama series Crash. The daughter of Cuban political refugees to the United States, Tur has had numerous roles in television in addition to a modeling...
). Vera informs Esther that Rex has survived, and also that not one single person has died in the past 24 hours at any U.S. hospital. This information leads to the discussion of the "miracle" on international news and social networking sites.
Individuals can still become sick and injured, but continue to live regardless. As Esther investigates the remaining files on Torchwood in the CIA archives, Jack Harkness
Jack Harkness
Captain Jack Harkness is a fictional character played by John Barrowman in Doctor Who and its spin-off series, Torchwood. He first appeared in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "The Empty Child" and reappeared in the remaining episodes of the 2005 series as a companion of the ninth incarnation of the...
(John Barrowman
John Barrowman
John Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
) appears in the U.S. to deal with Esther, after erasing all online mentions of Torchwood. Jack saves her from an assassin, who later blows up a portion of the CIA archives in an attempted suicide bombing to prevent himself being interrogated by Jack. Jack gives Esther an amnesia pill while explaining the nature of Torchwood to her, and she subsequently forgets about her encounter with Jack, though her memories of Torchwood itself are triggered by a file brought to her by CIA agent Noah Vickers. The assassin, who "survived" his attempted suicide, is brought to the same hospital where Rex is recovering. Rex hacks into the security cameras in order to observe the "autopsy", which Jack has also infiltrated using the alias of his deceased friend Owen Harper
Owen Harper
Owen Harper is a fictional character played by Burn Gorman, and a regular in the BBC television series Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running series Doctor Who. The character last appeared onscreen in the Series 2 finale, "Exit Wounds"....
. While the assassin is little more than a charred skeleton, he remains conscious during the procedure, even after the doctor removes his head at Jack's suggestion.
Oswald meets a representative of the Governor of Kentucky who has come to apologize for any pain Oswald suffered during his failed execution, but Oswald demands that he should be released since he technically already served his sentence or else he will sue the State for breaching his Eighth
Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights which prohibits the federal government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines or cruel and unusual punishments. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that this amendment's Cruel and Unusual...
and Fifth Amendment
Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights, protects against abuse of government authority in a legal procedure. Its guarantees stem from English common law which traces back to the Magna Carta in 1215...
rights for unlawful imprisonment and unnecessary pain. Realizing the lawsuit could cost millions for the State, the Governor reluctantly releases Oswald due to Force majeure
Force majeure
Force majeure or vis major "superior force", also known as cas fortuit or casus fortuitus "chance occurrence, unavoidable accident", is a common clause in contracts that essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of...
, much to public anger.
In Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, former Torchwood operative and young mother Gwen Cooper
Gwen Cooper
Gwen Cooper is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, a spin-off to the long-running show Doctor Who, portrayed by Welsh actress Eve Myles. The series' lead female character, Gwen has featured in every episode of the sci-fi programme to date as well as two crossover...
(Eve Myles
Eve Myles
Eve Myles is an award winning Welsh actress of stage and screen. She is best known to Welsh audiences for her portrayal of Ceri Owen in the BBC Wales drama Belonging, and to audiences worldwide for her role as Gwen Cooper in the science fiction show Torchwood, a spin-off from Doctor Who.-Personal...
) is called out of exile by her old colleague Andy Davidson
Andy Davidson (Torchwood)
Andy Davidson is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, portrayed by Tom Price. Andy, an officer with the South Wales Police, is a supporting character who first appears in Torchwoods premiere episode "Everything Changes" and recurs regularly from thereon...
(Tom Price
Tom Price (actor)
Tom Price is a British actor, voice over artist and stand up comedian. He is married to TV producer Beth Morrey, who is most noted for being the creator of hit Channel 4 quiz format Wogan's Perfect Recall.-TV and Film Career:...
), who informs her that her father Geraint (William Thomas
William Thomas (actor)
William Thomas is a Welsh actor, who has appeared in many TV episodes and films. He made his first appearance on TV in 1974, and his work, as an actor, is still ongoing...
) has had two heart attacks, but has not died. Gwen is persuaded not to investigate the strange events any further by her husband Rhys Williams
Rhys Williams (Torchwood)
Rhys Alun Williams, portrayed by Kai Owen, is a fictional character in the BBC television programme Torchwood, a spin-off from the long-running series Doctor Who. The character is introduced in the premiere episode as the co-habiting boyfriend of principal character Gwen Cooper...
(Kai Owen
Kai Owen
Kai Owen is a Welsh actor of stage and screen, known to Welsh audiences for his numerous roles on Welsh-language television and to worldwide audiences for his portrayal of Rhys Williams in Torchwood....
), but Rex links Torchwood with the worldwide miracle and, with Esther's help, tracks Gwen down using the phone call data from Davidson's phone.
Upon arriving at Gwen's seaside house, a helicopter arrives with the intention of incapacitating Gwen. Gwen fights off the helicopter, and escapes with the help of Jack, who has arrived to watch out for her. The remaining members of Torchwood escape to Roald Dahl Plass
Roald Dahl Plass
Roald Dahl Plass is a public plaza in Cardiff Bay, part of Cardiff, Wales. It is named after Cardiff-born author Roald Dahl, and is located on the coast along the south of the city centre. The square is home to the Senedd and the Wales Millennium Centre, a performing arts centre...
, the site of the original Torchwood 3 hub, where Jack reveals that he hasn't healed from an injury sustained at the CIA archives, which his immortal nature should have quickly healed. He concludes that whatever caused the miracle has restored his humanity and mortality, just as the entire populace is now immortal. Gwen discusses what actions they should take, but is interrupted by the arrival of the South Wales Police force and Rex's announcement that he is renditioning
Rendition (law)
In law, rendition is a "surrender" or "handing over" of persons or property, particularly from one jurisdiction to another. For criminal suspects, extradition is the most common type of rendition. Rendition can also be seen as the act of handing over, after the request for extradition has taken...
the Torchwood team to the U.S..
Reception and broadcast
On BBC One the episode attracted a consolidated audience of 6.59 million which is slightly higher than the figure for the opening episode of the previous series, Children of EarthChildren of Earth
Children of Earth is the banner title of the third series of the British television science fiction series Torchwood, which broadcast for five episodes on BBC One in 2009. The series had new producer Peter Bennett and was directed by Euros Lyn, who had considerable experience on the revived Doctor...
, and an AI rating of 85 out of 100, considered "excellent". When premiered on SPACE in Canada, the episode drew in nearly a million viewers with an average of 432,000, the highest the channel has ever had for a show. For the Starz debut in America a combined audience (the original 9pm broadcast and the 11pm repeat) of 1.51 million viewers tuned in, meaning the show was on a par with the network's highest recorded audience, which is held by Camelot
Camelot (TV series)
Camelot is a historical-fantasy-drama television series which premiered on April 1, 2011. It was co-produced by the Starz cable network and GK-TV which began production during the summer of 2010...
. In the United Kingdom the show had 840,000 Iplayer requests in July, making it the most requested programme behind episodes of The Apprentice and Top Gear, and eight most requested broadcast overall.
The episode received positive reviews. Crave Online said "it's good to see John Barrowman easily step back into his iconic character", giving the episode 8 out of 10. Entertainment Weekly described it as "witty and successful" before adding that it "makes a smooth transatlantic shift" and awarding it a A- score. USA Today was equally positive in its review saying that it "dazzles in its Starz premiere" while also being "suspenseful, exciting and flat-out fun". The New York Post added "lots of action, lots of shoot-'em-ups and lots of big explosions that don't kill anybody. It's also lots of fun" while Hollywood Reporter was critical of the show for "inserting American actors into a British franchise" but still suggested that Miracle Day "has enough compelling elements to make both newbies and die-hards stick through the bumpy parts for the payoff".
HitFix was more equivocal on the episode saying that "it aims high, and wide, and near and far, and if it doesn't hit all of its many targets, it hits several" before concluding "that's probably enough to justify the time and expense everyone put into bringing "Torchwood" more firmly onto American soil". Across the Atlantic British critics also praised the episode with The Mirror's Jane Simon praising its new larger budget as a mean to bring in "Hollywood blockbusters" as co-stars such as Phifer and Pullman to accompany Barrowman and Myles. Seenit was keen to praise the "genius" of writer Russell T Davies while complimenting Torchwood on outshining "almost anything else the BBC is offering, including its parent show" while SFX awarded the episode four stars saying "as an hour’s worth of gripping entertainment, Miracle Day “The New World” is hard to beat".
Trailer
The BBC One broadcast ended with a three minute trailer to compensate for the time differences between American and British broadcast times.The trailer featured scenes from the next four episodes with citizens being placed in 'Overflow Camps' by PhiCorp, a fictional Pharmaceutical company, while various explosions, of both buildings and cars, feature alongside shots of Oswald Danes claiming knowledge into the origins of Miracle Day and a cult named The Soulless walking the streets of major cities.