Torchwood

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
Torchwood Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 15+

British sci-fi series offers intense alien action.

BBC America Science Fiction 2007
Rate TV

Parents say

age 16+

Based on 25 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 64 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

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.

Community Reviews

Ballsie1274
Ballsie1274 Adult
August 9, 2020
age 16+

Let Your Children Watch Torchwood if they can handle sex, Cussing and Gore

Violence 8/10 Strong Language (mostly f**k) 9/10 Sex 10/10 Role Models (Gwen Cooper) 9/10 Messages 6/10 Consumerism (Mostly Money On Pizza) 2/10 Drinking and Drugs (Mostly Drugs) 4/10 Blood and Gore (Mostly Blood) 10/10 Show your Children Torchwood if you let them watch Class (Doctor Who Spinoff Rated MA-15), The Matrix Trilogy (MA-15), and Doctor Who (TV-12).

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Chandler A.
Chandler A. Adult
May 3, 2020
age 15+

Torchwood is a darker side of Doctor Who

Torchwood is a much more darker sider of Doctor Who, where it goes to a bit more of measures with showing moderate sexual scenes. The violence can be very be very suprising where you come to first watch the show. Some scenes may disturb some viewers or even upset viewers as well, due to some characters die. There are scenes of suicidal natures invloved during the show, some characters resurrect back to life (mainly Jack). The swearing is used moderately (sometimes even a bit more in some episodes). With the use of swears include S**t & F**k. This show is really mainly set for mature teenagers and adults, but it is a spin off from 'Doctor Who' show, which includes some 'Easter Eggs' and one character from 'Doctor Who' who joins for 3 episodes in Series 2.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 25 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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. When her crime scene is taken over by a mysterious group, police officer Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) is suspicious. 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 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.

Is It Any Good?

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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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