Russell T. Davies’ “Torchwood” relocates tonight from BBC America to Starz with a 10-episode story about what happens when everybody stops dying. Loads of American guest stars, among them Bill Pullman (“The Grudge,” “Too Big To Fail”), Lauren Ambrose (“Six Feet Under”), Mekhi Phifer (“ER”), Wayne Knight (“Seinfeld”) and Dichen Lachman (“Dollhouse”), join regulars John Barrowman and Eve Myles this season.
I didn’t get the opener in time to review it, but my eyebrow did go up when I learned the convicted rapist/murdered played by Bill Pullman would be set free just because it’s no longer physically possible to kill him via lethal injection. (Were he convicted in Texas, I could see state officials tossing his brain in a wood-chipper to see if that didn’t produce better results.) Also puzzling is how the murderer apparently becomes a renowned guru, even though it’s quickly established he’s far from the only guy who can’t be killed. No number of robots and spaceships make these developments remotely credible in my mind, but perhaps they play out on screen better than they sound?
Having said this I’ll still be watching because I know Jane Espenson is involved. And other great writers, if more secretly.
… I couldn’t help wishing that “Torchwood: Miracle Day” spent a little more time on the miracle and less on Torchwood. … The parts of “Miracle Day” just dealing with those unexpected consequences are both fascinating and fun. … But as an actual narrative about Torchwood - which in its early days was something of a British answer to “The X-Files,” by way of “Doctor Who” (where Captain Jack first appeared) - “Miracle Day” is much more of a mixed bag. … It aims high, and wide, and near and far, and if it doesn't hit all of its many targets, it hits several. And that's probably enough to justify the time and expense everyone put into bringing "Torchwood" more firmly onto American soil.
… a letdown. … the show has been slowed down this season and stretched out to fill those 10 hours, which means we spend too much time thinking about the story as it develops into a not very interesting allegory involving health care, death lists and big pharma. …
… the trip from the U.K. to the U.S. has certainly taken a toll on the "Doctor Who" spinoff, "Torchwood." Having jumped, after three seasons, from the BBC to Starz, "Torchwood" is, in many ways, a shadow of its former self. … With any luck, subsequent episodes will find a sharper, cleaner stride. All the elements are there, it's just the alchemy that seems a bit off.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says:
… mixed results in its early episodes. … The first hour pounds away at this premise to the point that some viewers might want to shout at the TV, "Yes, we get it, no one's dying!" The plot pace picks up in episodes two and three, the only other hours available for review at deadline. … It remains to be seen whether "the end of death" is a concept that can carry "Torchwood" through a full 10 hours of television.
The San Francisco Chronicle says:
… The performances and characterizations are all top-notch, and the action sequences, especially in the first episode, are crisply directed. Newbies won't notice it, but veteran Torchies may feel there's something missing in the new "Torchwood," especially as a follow to "Children of Earth." To some extent, maybe it's that American bureaucrats aren't as much fun to hang out to dry as their British counterparts. …
… Despite the sci-fi twist, “Miracle Day” is a humdrum “24” rip-off, with CIA moles out to frame the good agents and a global conspiracy led by the hoariest of opponents. … Because you and I remain decidedly mortal, I suggest you spend your precious moments elsewhere. …
… beautifully explores all the big and little consequences of the death of dying. … The story line is expertly structured, especially after the first hour’s exposition, as potential explanations emerge and the pieces begin to fit together. And the writers maintain an all-important sense of humor, not just with the one-liners among the team members but with shrewd social satire.
… That this latest sci-fi tale -- a 10-parter subtitled "Miracle Day" -- doesn't fully measure up to its predecessor does little to diminish its offbeat charm, with a small army of loyalists likely to shout "Hallelujah!" at the mere glimpse of its intrepid leads. …
… It’s difficult to guess at which audience may find Torchwood: Miracle Day compelling enough to stick it out. Die-hards might not like the American infiltration and newbies might sense there’s more wink-winking and missing back story than they can handle. But when Torchwood gets the balance right (the rising paranoia, cults, rewritten rules of human behavior), it becomes a rousing, enthralling half-breed. The vote here is to not only give Torchwood: Miracle Day a chance, but to ride out the bumpy parts and put some faith in Davies’ unique take on storytelling.
10 p.m. Friday. Starz. 
