Torchwood: What to think?

I'm currently in a state of flux over Torchwood. What am I to make of it? I think the main problem is that it was no where near as bad as expected. After the debacle that was the overly smug, confused second season of the rebooted Doctor Who, it seems someone has dared to get Russell T Davies a decent script editor. But although not bad, it so far seems that there's nothing there to particularly draw us viewers bad.

The top complaint has to be the rubbish opening credits. Sci-fi programmes demand action packed intros, a precedent never bettered since Buffy. Torchwood's efforts mirrored early Alias attempts - until JJ realised fast-cut clips of Garner in disguise revealed far more about the programme than a few names on a grey background.

Then there's the cast. Are any of them going to prove likable? Only befuddled cop Gwen appears to be fleshed out into a three-dimensional character at the moment - and she is perhaps the best thing in the show. The other regulars are so far cardboard cut-outs - the archetypal laddish cheeky-chappy who can't keep his dick in his trousers, the geeky computer nerd (what a shock, she's the token ethnic character) and the suave, all-knowing facilitator. The only other character of interest was the deputy Torchwood director who was corrupted by her power, a storyline that would have been excellent if played out over the course of the series.

And as for Captain Jack - so far, so bland. There's a difference between being enigmatic and just not having a decent backstory, and Jack desperately needs a decent backstory. In particular, he can't be killed - which would be interesting if it didn't take all the tension out of any forthcoming life-or-death situations for him. Russell T is clearly basing him on Angel, but Angel has a history, failings and frequently makes the wrong call. Plus, David Boreanaz has a great talent for switching from heart-breaking drama to laugh-out-loud comedy in a heartbeat. The fact that Angel was a total dag when not slaying demons was hilarious. Jack needs to cease being the know-it-all, Cassanova-esque smoothie and show some human frailties sharpish.

So, I'll be watching for a few more episodes and hoping that Torchwood can become a Cardiff-based Buffy-esque extravaganza (and cut out the sub-Hollyoaks in the City attempts at being adult). Fingers crossed.