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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this British science-fiction series from some of the creators of the latest iteration of Doctor Who is intense and bloody enough to make it iffy for younger and/or sensitive viewers. Some of the alien characters are menacing in appearance, and their violent attacks on people can be graphic (in one scene, for example, a man is bitten in the neck, and blood gushes from the wound). Bloody murder victims are also shown at crime scenes. Expect plenty of strong language ("s--t," "hell," and even "f --k"), too.

Families can talk about the appeal of science fiction. What draws people to this genre? What's the fascination of aliens and cool gizmos? Does sci-fi work as well on TV as it does on the big screen? Why or why not? Families can also discuss extraterrestrial life. Do you believe in aliens? Why or why not? How would life change if it was proved they existed? Could our society handle something like that?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Emily Ashby

British sci-fi series TORCHWOOD follows the adventures of a top-secret team of investigators who capture aliens and use their technology to solve crime.

The story begins in the city of Cardiff at the scene of a vicious murder. When the police investigation is suddenly interrupted by a group of strangers who pull rank and clear the area, officer Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) is suspicious enough to watch their work from a nearby building. What she sees makes her even more curious about the team: Using a robotic glove of sorts, they're able to rouse the victim from death long enough to question him about how he died.

Gwen sets out to uncover the truth about the mysterious group. Following fragmented leads, she witnesses another violent murder before stumbling upon the headquarters of the Torchwood Institute. There she meets team lead Captain Jack Harness (John Barrowman), who explains Torchwood's purpose: to capture the hundreds of alien creatures who slip through a rift of space and time into the city and to use their scavenged technology against them.

Gwen's interest is piqued by all she sees and hears, and she offers to work as a liaison between the police force and Torchwood. Then, when a vacancy surfaces on the team, she joins the top-secret group in the hopes that Torchwood's resources will help solve the city's crimes.

Created by Russell T. Davies, whose credits also include the latest version of Doctor Who (from which this series was spun off), Torchwood is a suspenseful, action-packed thrill ride for sci-fi fans. The series is well cast and written and raises -- albeit on a conversational, rather than scientific, level -- the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

There's a lot to enjoy about this intense show, but there are plenty of red flags for parents, too. Violence is prevalent and often bloody, language is very strong ("f--k" is a popular choice, as are "s--t" and "hell"), and the invisible line between fantasy and reality may be difficult to decipher for youngsters.

Fans may also enjoy The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The 4400. Or, for a lighter approach to alien-wrangling, try Men in Black.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Frequent innuendo, flirting, kissing scenes (including at least one between two men), and sex scenes (no explicit nudity). In one episode, an alien feeds off of orgasmic energy. The lead character is bisexual.
Violence Some bloody murder victims shown. Attack scenes can be gruesome -- in one, for example, a man's neck is bitten and blood spurts forcefully from the wound. Guns and other weapons are commonplace. A main character is immortal and recovers quickly from otherwise-fatal injuries (like a gunshot wound to the head, for example).
Language "Ass," "s--t," "hell," "bloody," and more are used frequently -- unbleeped.
Message
	Social Behavior
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Adults drink alcohol in bars and social settings. In one scene, a man spikes a woman's drink with an amnesia drug so she'll forget their conversation the next day.

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