I did wonder if the significance of Tommy's name would be lost on non-British audiences...
I was surprised by how good this episode was after Helen Raynor's less-than-stellar historical 2-parter during Season 3 of Who... And I damn near bounced out of my chair when Jack was talking about the number of men "Shot at Dawn" for supposed cowardice (men who were really suffering from PTSD)... I could have hugged Helen Raynor at that point...
I thought the scene with Jack putting his hand to the floor was awesome - a really compelling moment for me... For me this was the best Torchwood episode so far (season 1 or 2)...
Personally, I didn't mention the thing about the name anywhere because I assumed everyone had already got it - it seemed completely obvious to me! That'll teach me to make assumptions! *g*
No, it was those who had been shot at dawn who were finally pardoned after years of campaigning...
It may interest you to know there's a permanent memorial in the UK to all those shot at dawn during WW1. It's at the National Memorial Arboretum near Alrewas, in Staffordshire and is dedicated to the memory of the 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers executed for cowardice and desertion during WW1. The memorial portrays a young British soldier blindfolded and tied to a stake in anticipation of execution by firing squad. The memorial was modelled on the likeness of 17-year-old Private Herbert Burden, who lied about his age in order to enlist in the forces and was later shot for desertion. It is surrounded by a semi-circle of stakes on which are listed the names of every soldier executed in this fashion. The memorial was created by the artist Andy DeComyn and was unveiled in June 2001.
Tell me to shut up if I go into too much detail - I do that sometimes and since we're talking virtually, I can't see when your eyes are starting to glaze over... :D
I was surprised by how good this episode was after Helen Raynor's less-than-stellar historical 2-parter during Season 3 of Who... And I damn near bounced out of my chair when Jack was talking about the number of men "Shot at Dawn" for supposed cowardice (men who were really suffering from PTSD)... I could have hugged Helen Raynor at that point...
I thought the scene with Jack putting his hand to the floor was awesome - a really compelling moment for me... For me this was the best Torchwood episode so far (season 1 or 2)...
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The government only recently pardoned all those kids, didn't they? Or was that conscientious objectors?
I loved that hand on the floor bit.
It was a great ep.
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It may interest you to know there's a permanent memorial in the UK to all those shot at dawn during WW1. It's at the National Memorial Arboretum near Alrewas, in Staffordshire and is dedicated to the memory of the 306 British and Commonwealth soldiers executed for cowardice and desertion during WW1. The memorial portrays a young British soldier blindfolded and tied to a stake in anticipation of execution by firing squad. The memorial was modelled on the likeness of 17-year-old Private Herbert Burden, who lied about his age in order to enlist in the forces and was later shot for desertion. It is surrounded by a semi-circle of stakes on which are listed the names of every soldier executed in this fashion. The memorial was created by the artist Andy DeComyn and was unveiled in June 2001.
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Tell me to shut up if I go into too much detail - I do that sometimes and since we're talking virtually, I can't see when your eyes are starting to glaze over... :D
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Do you have any links about the WWI shell-shocked soldiers' pardoning campaign?
Jack decided to tell me he threw his Torchwood weight about on it for a very long time, on the bus, coming into work...
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Oh, and I got my Sassoon book.
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And yay for the book ! Hope it's useful.
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