Torchwood 305: Children of Earth Pt 5
I really don't know what I expected from tonight but that was not it. That's not to say the episode was bad, on the contrary, I thought it was brilliant. I think TW has finally grown up and that growth made the whole episode difficult to watch in a way I think the show wanted to be right from season one.
This episode was so emotional. I was holding my breath and while not on the verge of tears I could definitely feel that tightness in my chest on many occasions. Frobisher's decision to kill his family was horrendous and awful but as an adult, knowing what they would be subjected to by the 456, I can understand his decision and I'm glad that Bridgette made that little speech to Lois about Frobishcher being a good man because I really believe he was. I know ultimately they didn't have to die but at teh time Frobischer did what he had to protect his family.
By this afternoon I'd come to terms with the fact that Ianto wasn't coming back. I didn't like it but I'd come to terms with it (though I still thought Jack wanting to save Ianto's niece and nephew might have been part of some bigger plan). However watching Stephen being used in that way, and watching his mother scream and shout and cry was awfulness that I can't properly put down into words. Jack has always been about acceptable losses but to do that to his own grandchild is unforgivable, especially consider he practically begged the 456 not to kill Ianto and then he offers Stephen up as a lamb to slaughter. I think Alice was actually quite restrained at the end for just walking away. If someone did that to my son I'd want to destroy them.
I can also understand Gwen's comments about The Doctor turning away from the human race in shame, not because I think he would but because the decisions that were made and how coldly they were being enforced was shameful.
I'm glad we finally got an answer to what the 456 wanted the children for but I don't see how using them as drugs is any more horrendous than using them as food or a source of energy/life force.
I love that we got to see PC Andy again and to see him made the decision to get in on the fight felt like the perfect step in the journey we've seen him on. He's always been PC Plod but now he finally realises the importance of fighting. Oh, and him asking who was the father of Gwen's baby was priceless! Poor Rhys.
Rhys was fantastic again though. I've really liked his character right from the start of the show, even before I liked Gwen, and he continued to shine right to the last minute in this.
I really had no sympathy for Jack at the end of the episode. I didn't hate him but that fact that he turned tail and ran from his problems (again) just irked me so badly.
Overall I have to say bravo to the TW team for this installment. We were promised event TV and I think we got it. Where they can take the show from here (and if they even want to) I don't know. Whether I'll want to watch another Jack-centric revival, I'm even less sure, but it was an interesting ride while we had it.
Now I just want to know what Gwen and Rhys are going to name the baby?
This episode was so emotional. I was holding my breath and while not on the verge of tears I could definitely feel that tightness in my chest on many occasions. Frobisher's decision to kill his family was horrendous and awful but as an adult, knowing what they would be subjected to by the 456, I can understand his decision and I'm glad that Bridgette made that little speech to Lois about Frobishcher being a good man because I really believe he was. I know ultimately they didn't have to die but at teh time Frobischer did what he had to protect his family.
By this afternoon I'd come to terms with the fact that Ianto wasn't coming back. I didn't like it but I'd come to terms with it (though I still thought Jack wanting to save Ianto's niece and nephew might have been part of some bigger plan). However watching Stephen being used in that way, and watching his mother scream and shout and cry was awfulness that I can't properly put down into words. Jack has always been about acceptable losses but to do that to his own grandchild is unforgivable, especially consider he practically begged the 456 not to kill Ianto and then he offers Stephen up as a lamb to slaughter. I think Alice was actually quite restrained at the end for just walking away. If someone did that to my son I'd want to destroy them.
I can also understand Gwen's comments about The Doctor turning away from the human race in shame, not because I think he would but because the decisions that were made and how coldly they were being enforced was shameful.
I'm glad we finally got an answer to what the 456 wanted the children for but I don't see how using them as drugs is any more horrendous than using them as food or a source of energy/life force.
I love that we got to see PC Andy again and to see him made the decision to get in on the fight felt like the perfect step in the journey we've seen him on. He's always been PC Plod but now he finally realises the importance of fighting. Oh, and him asking who was the father of Gwen's baby was priceless! Poor Rhys.
Rhys was fantastic again though. I've really liked his character right from the start of the show, even before I liked Gwen, and he continued to shine right to the last minute in this.
I really had no sympathy for Jack at the end of the episode. I didn't hate him but that fact that he turned tail and ran from his problems (again) just irked me so badly.
Overall I have to say bravo to the TW team for this installment. We were promised event TV and I think we got it. Where they can take the show from here (and if they even want to) I don't know. Whether I'll want to watch another Jack-centric revival, I'm even less sure, but it was an interesting ride while we had it.
Now I just want to know what Gwen and Rhys are going to name the baby?