Miracle Day has done its job as a drama so well that even the casual viewer must know what happens next. Image Source: Guardian dot co dot UK

The three act structure has been around since the days of Ancient Greek tragedies as a mechanism popularized by Aristotle in his poetic writings.  Many of the greatest tragedies, comedies and dramas in our history have been told in three acts—a structure allowing the story to flow easily while offering the greatest impact to the audience.  Act One serves to establish the setting and the characters; and at its end the audience will have a good understanding of what the primary conflict of the story will be.  Act Two is the dark act.  Insurmountable challenges are presented making it seem like there is no way the heroes of the story can ever prevail—Torchwood: Miracle Day is no exception.This content is for members only.

Act Two of Miracle Day began with Escape to L.A. and has culminated with Immortal Sins.  Each episode has offered the best of Torchwood and in some cases has set the bar higher than ever before.  The August 5 offering—Categories of Life—shows us what humanity will do when faced with the change brought on by the Miracle.  In true Torchwood fashion, the episode takes us on an emotional rollercoaster while leaving us with the uncomfortable feeling of  wondering how each one of us might act in similar situations.  Most memorable in this episode, though is the dynamic between Mekhi Phifer‘s Rex Matheson and Arlene Tur’s Dr. Vera Juarez.  The screentime between the two was electric and dynamic and leaves the viewer hoping for more between them.  Bill Pullman’s Oswald Danes continues to haunt—delivering a speech sure to drive chills up the spine of even the most stoic viewer.  A speech made even more haunting by the discoveries simultaneously being made by Torchwood.  Categories of Life reveals the darkest day of the Miracle—as explained by Jack himself—a definition for death means a definition for life, a power that no one should have. Continue reading »