SciFi Weekend: Torchwood, Doctor Who, Sherlock, and Caprica

Digital Spy has some more news on the next season of Torchwood which will air next summer:

Torchwood creator Russell T Davies has revealed more details about the upcoming fourth series, subtitled The New World.

The writer told Collider that previous mini-series Children of Earth was being used as “the template of the new Torchwood.”

Children of Earth left things almost format-less,” he said. “They had no base, no authority and no mission… except to survive. They’re very much underground [now] and trying to survive. They’ve taken extreme actions. They have friends, they have enemies and they have betrayals.”

He continued: “We’ve got one script and very concrete storylines, so we know there are new regulars, new occasional guest stars and relatives of those characters.”

Davies also confirmed that The New World would take place two years after the events of the previous series.

Torchwood will have been off-air for two years, so I think it will feel like two years have passed,” he explained. “The script isn’t that specific about it, but I think that two-year gap feels right.”

He added that plans to shoot on location in Los Angeles were “yet to be confirmed”.

“Any place can double up as a number of places,” he suggested. “There will be scenes set in Washington, certainly, but we won’t go to Washington to shoot.”

Recently there have been reports that The Doctor’s back story has been revised to allow for infinite regenerations rather than the previous limit of twelve. The episode of Sarah Jane Adventures which started these stories aired recently and a clip is above. The limit is actually set at 507, which is probably as good as infinite in terms of keeping the series going.

It is notable that this number was given quickly and we cannot be certain if The Doctor was being serious. The story was also written by Russell T. Davies rather than current Doctor Who show runner Steven Moffat. I still wouldn’t be surprised if Moffat decides to take advantage of the limitation to thirteen lives to provide for an arc in which The Doctor must find a way to exceed this limitation.

Karen Gilland and Steven Moffat have been nominated for another honor:

Karen Gillan and Steven Moffat have both been nominated in Screen Category in the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland awards. The awards scheme honours Scots who aim to exceed all expectations in their chosen fields across Scotland’s rich cultural spectrum.

Sherlock, the adaption of Sherlock Holmes by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, concludes its US airing on PBS tonight. Sherlock finally meets his nemesis in a cliff hanger which leaves us anxious for the second season to start.

Most responding to the news of Caprica being canceled were not terribly disappointed, but those who are are disappointed are launching a campaign to Save Caprica. Those who cannot wait until the remaining episodes air in 2011 might be happy to hear that the DVD of the second half of the season will still be released in December as originally planned, including the unaired episodes.

Bonus Quote of the Day

“I do not understand the electorate. This country is hurting in a way we haven’t since the Depression. People struggling all over this country, and they came out and voted for the party that says right up front they will suspend your unemployment benefits and repeal health care. To go against your self-interest more you’d have to literally go f*ck yourself.” —Bill Maher

Update: More from Bill Maher

“A special shout-out to the independent geniuses, who switched sides again because President Chocolate Jesus did not make it rain twenties in two years. You know what, you independents, if you can vote for Bush one year, and then the next election vote for Obama, and then go back to John Boehner, you’re not independents, you’re schizophrenic. You’re Norman Bates, sometimes you dress up as your mom and kill sluts in the shower, and sometimes you put on pants and mop up. Well, congratulations America, on Tuesday you put on the dress and killed again.” —Bill Maher

“This was the biggest landslide since the ’30s. The Republicans picked up 63 seats. I haven’t seen the Republicans so happy about taking seats since they made Rosa Parks stand up.” —Bill Maher

Quote of the Day

“Sarah Palin says she wants limited government. Does she mean fewer elected officials or more officials who resign in the middle of their terms? I think limited government will be perfect for her limited abilities.” —David Letterman

Republicans Disappointed

Republicans are sure disappointed that, even all their victories, we are only turning back the clocks one hour tonight.