When Does Torchwood Series 1 start in relation to Dr. Who?

Question

I just finished watching series (season) 2 of Dr. Who and will be starting Season 3 later this week. At what point should I add Torchwood to the list with minimal confusion / spoilers?

Answer 1

I think you should probably start watching season 1 of Torchwood about now - before you watch season 3 of Doctor Who.  You could start watching Torchwood anytime after season 1 of Doctor Who but before season 3.  After the Doctor left Jack stranded on Satellite 5 at the end of 'The Parting of the Ways' in season 1, Jack doesn't show up in Doctor Who again until the end of season 3 in 'Utopia'.  So during that time he's been involved with Torchwood and when he meets the Doctor and Martha in the final three episodes of Doctor Who season 3 - there's a few references to Torchwood and to what Jack has been doing there.

Basically, season 1 of Torchwood begins just after 'Doomsday' when the Torchwood Tower in London was destroyed by the Cybermen and Daleks so Jack's crowd in Cardiff is basically running things for Torchwood - with a staff of 5 ; )