Torchwood

RPGPundit · November 05, 2006, 09:39:37 AM

So, what would you run it with?

And why the hell isn't UNIT around anymore?

Hey.. come to think of it... why the hell isn't UNIT around anymore... I mean, that would in and of itself make a great premise for a whole campaign...

RPGPundit

Akrasia · November 05, 2006, 10:06:36 AM

What is 'Torchwood'?

mattormeg · November 05, 2006, 10:11:09 AM

Quote from: AkrasiaWhat is 'Torchwood'?

Sounds like a suggestion.

The Yann Waters · November 05, 2006, 10:37:19 AM

Quote from: AkrasiaWhat is 'Torchwood'?

That's a new Doctor Who spin-off show, I'm given to understand. As for UNIT, weren't they killed off in "Aliens of London"?

Bagpuss · November 05, 2006, 11:20:16 AM

Yeah all the heads in UNIT were killed of in the Aliens in London episode, still doesn't answer why new heads were appointed.

The other thing is UNIT is an international organisation where as Torchwood is UK only.

According to Wiki

QuoteUNIT was referenced in the 2005 series episodes Aliens of London and World War Three, where it sent a delegation to a gathering of experts at 10 Downing Street in response to a spaceship crashing in the River Thames. All of the experts were electrocuted by the alien Slitheen. None of the members of UNIT seen were from the original series, although one of them may have been the Doctor Who Magazine comic strip character Muriel Frost.

Following the broadcast of the 2005 series, in his regular column in Doctor Who Magazine #360 (August 2005), new series executive producer Russell T. Davies explained that the real life United Nations were no longer happy to be associated with the fictional organisation, and the UN's full name could not now be used. However, the "UNIT" and "UN" abbreviations can be used, as long as it is not explained what the letters stand for. It is unclear how this affects UNIT appearances in the various spin-off media.

brettmb2 · November 05, 2006, 11:48:47 AM

Torchwood is looking after the interests of the UK against alien threats, whereas UNIT was doing so for mankind. I doubt all the heads of UNIT were actually killed, rather just UNIT scientists and advisors, leaving the command structure intact.

I've seen 1.5 episodes of Torchwood - good premise, but I could only take 10 minutes of the second episode.

Still, Torchwood could be great fun in a cyberpunk-type game, sci-fi game, or just modern as intended. They basically get to use advanced alien technology, and run around outside the law (within the UK). I guess in a future game, the UK might have a space empire, so Torchwood would have a lot of space to roam, seeking new technology to destroy the barbarians at the gate.

The Yann Waters · November 05, 2006, 11:55:21 AM

Hmm. Ever heard of a webcomic called Pinch of the Glass?

GRIM · November 05, 2006, 12:30:40 PM

UNIT is semi-phased out as the UN didn't want to continue their association.

Mr. Analytical · November 05, 2006, 12:32:51 PM

I'\d use something very dull and welsh in order to capture the mood of the programme perfectly.

Sosthenes · November 05, 2006, 12:35:54 PM

There's a welsh RPG? Printed landscape, right?

RPGPundit · November 05, 2006, 01:37:46 PM

That's too bad, because frankly while Torchwood is funky and hip and cool and all that, I'd take UNIT anyday! The Brigadier!!

RPGPundit

Dominus Nox · November 05, 2006, 03:57:48 PM

So if a group doesn't want to be associated with as TV show they can demand not to be named in it? I mguess that works in england, it wouldn't work in America.

Balbinus · November 05, 2006, 04:20:03 PM

Quote from: Dominus NoxSo if a group doesn't want to be associated with as TV show they can demand not to be named in it? I mguess that works in england, it wouldn't work in America.

It would if the show's producers didn't want the cost of contesting it in court.

Or alternatively, it would if the show's producers were decent folk who cared about the views of others and didn't care enough about the point to cause offence.

James J Skach · November 05, 2006, 06:47:19 PM

Quote from: BalbinusOr alternatively, it would if the show's producers were decent folk who cared about the views of others and didn't care enough about the point to cause offence.

He said in America.

It would all depend on the trademarks and copyrights. For example, I doubt the United Nations has a right to restrict use of "UN," but they would have the ability to restrict the use of "United Nations."

Mr. Analytical · November 05, 2006, 08:07:58 PM

Yeah, the UN is in the public domain. You couldn't write a contemporary political thriller if you needed clearance to use the name of a body like the UN. Besides which, UNIT did appear in New Who.

Torchwood

Mr. Analytical

Mr. Analytical