Review | Torchwood: Miracle Day (Blu-ray)

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Plot: What’s it about?Video: How does it look?Audio: How does it sound?Supplements: What are the extras?

Plot: What’s it about?

On death row, a rapist and murderer named Oswald Banes (Bill Pullman) is about to executed. The lethal injection process goes as planned, except that Banes survives. The news of the incredible turn of events soon becomes a media phenomenon, but this is just a preview. The day would become known as Miracle Day, as it marked the end of death in the world. People would age and suffer injuries, but no one would die. CIA Agent Rex Matheson (Mekhi Phifer) learns this when a car accident launches a steel pipe through his chest, but he survives an obviously fatal crash. Even those torn to pieces remain alive, even if in shattered, horrific forms that no one should experience. As the world remains in shock, the answers seem to lie with a secret organization called Torchwood, which the CIA tries to hunt down. But can the truth be uncovered and if not, what will become of the world when people continue to be born, but no one ever dies?

This fourth season of Torchwood moves to the series from a BBC production to a co-production between the BBC and Starz. While this decision instilled some doubts for me, I hoped the added resources would simply enhance the ever improving Torchwood. The shift isn’t subtle however, as this season has numerous non-British stars and not always the ones you’d want to see. While I don’t think Bill Pullman, Mekhi Phifer, and the other new additions are awful, they don’t feel like a good fit in the Torchwood world. Even with the involvement of the CIA to integrate the non-British performers, it just never falls into place. Not to mention some of the new female cast members, who seem to have been chosen on bra size rather than acting chops. But with a dynamite premise, the season powers through and turns out to be quite good. Not as good as the third season in my opinion, but better than I expected going into Miracle Day. In the end however, I think Miracle Day was solid despite the non-optimal casting choices, not because of them. I hope to see Torchwood return to the tried & true British format in future seasons. But at the same time, don’t sleep on Miracle Day, as it is still rock solid entertainment.

Video: How does it look?

The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 widescreen. I assume fans of British television know this, but the episodes are in 1080i, due to the source format. This shouldn’t be a concern, but I did want to mention it. The visuals are sharp and show off great depth and subtle detail. I found colors to be natural and strong, while contrast is spot on at all times. I wasn’t able to compare this to broadcast or DVD, but I have to think it looks better than either option.

Audio: How does it sound?

The DTS HD 5.1 soundtrack isn’t on par with popcorn action movies of course, but the show has more presence than you might assume. A lot of scenes have a good deal of surround presence and some nice flashes of power even pop up, so this isn’t a front channel only experience. The dialogue is clear at all times as well, so even in those more intense scenes, vocals remain clean and easy to understand. This release also includes English subtitles.

Supplements: What are the extras?

In addition to audio comments on the season’s first and last episodes, you’ll find the Web of Lies motion comic, episode introductions, some deleted scenes, and two behind the scenes featurettes.

Disc Scores

Plot: What’s it about?

Video: How does it look?

Audio: How does it sound?

Supplements: What are the extras?