'Torchwood' dazzles in its Starz premiere

Starz subscribers are about to discover what many a BBC America fan already knows: Torchwood is a totally original total joy.

In a medium in which so many shows seem to be copies (if not outright thefts), Russell T Davies' Doctor Who spinoff has carved out its own odd corner of the sci-fi universe. Sexy without being vulgar, funny without being childish, serious without being gloomy, this BBC hit has always been a one-of-a-kind, no-they-didn't-just-do-that pleasure.

Now that pleasure is coming our way as Davies and co-producer Julie Gardner move their series to America. And happily, with the creator remaining in charge and the incredibly appealing John Barrowman returning as the sexually voracious immortal, Capt. Jack Harkness, we're getting the real Torchwood, not some diluted, Americanized version.

For those new to the franchise, Torchwood is a secret, centuries-old British agency formed to fight aliens and led by the ageless Captain Jack. It has had many operatives over the years, but only one, Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles), was left alive after the disaster that ended the last miniseries and, seemingly, the agency.

Yet when strange things happen, people in power still think of Torchwood. And something very strange has happened: No one on Earth is dying, starting with an about-to-be executed child murderer, Oswald Danes (Bill Pullman, in a great change-of-pace role). A CIA agent (Mekhi Phifer) and analyst (Alexa Havins) start looking into this "miracle day" — and in fast fashion, Jack and Gwen reunite, fly to the States and recruit the CIA employees into a revived Torchwood. One of their first tasks is to figure out why Jack suddenly seems to be the only person on Earth who isn't immortal.

The "death takes a holiday" plot may not be new, but there's nothing old about Torchwood's approach to the issue, which represents a clever switch for a series that has never been afraid to kill off cast members.

About the show Torchwood: Miracle Day

Starz, Friday, 10 ET/PT

* * * 1/2 out of four

Nor does it just let the problem sit. In its first three episodes, the show finds multiple ways to compound it, using a dedicated doctor (Arlene Tur) as our entry into the tragedy. And, of course, there's its impact on Barrowman's Jack, whose own relationship to death has always been a poignant mixture of joy and regret.

There are a few twists that seem, in the early going at least, questionable, and developments that make you worry whether the solution will be worthy of the crime. But let the future take care of itself.

For today, enjoy a home-grown version of a great series that's suspenseful, exciting and flat-out fun. That may not count as a miracle, but it's awfully good news nonetheless.