The news that a sex scene in the third episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day will be cut when it reaches the UK has sparked surprise on both sides of the Atlantic - and anger from those who'll be affected.

The BBC had already annoyed British viewers when it emerged that episodes would be airing six days after US fans got to see them - so while the second instalment will air in the UK tonight, lucky Americans will be sitting down to the controversial third episode tomorrow. Announcing that Brits won't even get to see the entire episode was just adding insult to injury.

After all, even though the BBC has insisted that the cuts won't affect the story (a violent scene later in the series is also expected to be dropped), that's kind of beside the point. Even if John Barrowman hadn't claimed that none of the sex scenes are gratuitous, it's still the principle of the thing. The fact is that writer Russell T Davies decided to include a sex scene in the third episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day. Who are the BBC to decide whether or not it's relevant?

It's hard to see exactly what influenced their decision. Angry accusations of homophobia are probably misguided - after all, the BBC is equally criticised for being overly liberal on a regular basis. But however explicit the scenes, the 9pm watershed is there for a reason - to signal when content can start getting a bit more adult. What's next, rolling watersheds? You can show a bit of skin at 9pm, a bit of under-the-duvet movement at 9.30pm and some unrepeatable-on-a-family-website scenes at 10pm?

The fact is that the BBC is not responsible for your children. If they watch a show after 9pm and you're offended by what they see, that is your fault for not controlling their viewing. By now, we're all used to those content warnings at the beginning of programmes telling us that there might be "sexual scenes" or "graphic violence" - that should be enough of an extra clue that this isn't family viewing.

And yes, we know, Torchwood is a spinoff of Doctor Who (which is decidedly family viewing, whether or not you pay attention to the ridiculous cries of, 'It's too scary!') But Torchwood has always been an adult spinoff. It's not like we've never seen Captain Jack's bottom before, and his omnisexuality has always been a big part of his character.

So, with the cuts and the extra wait for episodes, it's not surprising if some fans do decide to give up on the BBC version and download it for themselves. It's illegal and shouldn't be done, but the BBC can't be shocked if it happens. Of course, this is bad for everyone, because if the ratings slump (there were already silly yells of, 'It's bombed' after episode one), then we might not get more Torchwood in the future, which would be a real shame.

On the other hand, while you might disagree with the BBC's decision, you can understand some of their reasoning. Some people have expressed surprise that the often conservative US is being allowed to see the scenes while the supposedly more liberal UK is missing out, but the fact is that there is a big difference between a US cable network and the institution that is BBC One.

Perhaps even BBC Two would have been a different matter (The Crimson Petal and the White, which featured full-frontal nudity and other graphic scenes, aired there at 9pm), but BBC One is often held up as the home of clean, family entertainment.

And can you really blame them for fearing complaints? Today's television culture is one of compliance and viewers running to Ofcom, often urged on by the press. After scandals like Sachsgate, the BBC was forced to be overly careful - something that television writers and stars have complained about before now. Even Doctor Who's been criticised by the "too sexy" brigade, when Karen Gillan's Amy Pond attempted to seduce the Doctor. So whose fault is the Torchwood cut? Have viewers made their bed, and should we have to lie in it?

Torchwood: Miracle Day airs on Fridays at 10pm on Starz in the US and on Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One in the UK.

So, what do you make of the Torchwood cuts? Vote in our poll and leave your comments below!

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