Torchwood

Author: Russell T Davies

Doctor Who has led to so many spin-offs and associated programs, but almost all of them are designed to be children's shows. With Torchwood, they went with something designed for adults, and not just for the easy stuff, but for some very troubling issues they deal with. The idea of Torchwood is a group that operates underground in matter involving extraterrestrials. The team from Cardiff includes Capt. Jack Harkness, an immortal who happens to be somewhat sex-crazed, love mad former con man who has become the leader. He is assisted by a team that goes into many different niches, and all of whom seem to want to shag one another. The stories are dark, heavy, and they look into so many areas that Doctor Who never would have gone, such as what it means to be alive, or to look for love beyond death, or how controlling minds is so dangerous for everyone involved. The production is so strong, and using elements of Doctor Who's history, along with some of the best characterization even found in the history of science fiction television, and you've got Torchwood. Why it's on the list: A wonderful show that goes into so many new directions that would end up driving science fiction media into a new age.