Random Thoughts: Children of Earth: Day One
1. Okay, mentioning it first, because I haven't seen anyone else address it yet -- but Gwen made a fucking racist joke there, about adopting a Filipino kid to clean the chimneys! Seriously, RTD, did you have to include that? Also, the whole "no white people getting killed thing" -- I'd been spoiled for that, but I assumed it was tied into the stuff that happened in the 60s, that it might have been the result of racist government/Torchwood policies at that time (for instance, if the 1960s government had done a deal to protect "Britain" and that they'd defined "British" as "white", BNP style). But it looks like the whole thing was just a ploy to get Torchwood intrigued. I mean, I suppose it's saying LOOK, EVIL BAD GUYS ARE RACIST, but the racism doesn't seem to be interrogated in any way -- and THAT IS NOT HELPED WHEN YOU HAVE GWEN MAKING JOKES ABOUT CHIMNEY SWEEPS. Now, there are four more episodes to go, so there is still time for them to interrogate this racism, but as it stands now, I'm worried about how it's going to play out. As we all know, Rusty's track record in this department is pretty mixed. (ETA: Since I posted this, minervamoon started a discussion about the racism in this episode here.)
2. On a more superficial note, I also hope that the theft of the SUV is linked back into the plot somehow, instead of just being a random plot device to deprive Torchwood of their vehicle.
3. Jack/Ianto: like many others, I'm still not sure exactly how to read the "couple" stuff, but my preferred reading of it at the moment is that Ianto is bothered by people labelling them as a couple, becuase he doesn't yet know how to label the relationship. At the same time, however, he wants that label -- but he wants it on his terms and Jack's terms, not as something that's imposed from the outside. Jack couldn't care less about how outsiders label them -- he's happy to be seen as part of a couple -- but he is bothered that Ianto even cares about it. Both JB and GDL weren't at the height of their game acting-wise, but they were okay. And the snog was gorgeous and hot! (I also really liked rm's take on the J/I in this ep.)
4. GWEN WAS AWESOME. Racist joke aside, she was wonderful. Eve Myles carried this episode. The way she reacts to the news that she's pregnant -- niether ZOMG JOY nor ZOMG TRAGEDY was great. And the interactions between Gwen and Clem: ♥ ♥ ♥
5. Actually Clem deserves a point all of his own. He was great.
6. ZOMG, LOIS. We can has her as regular team member, plz? IF SHE DIES, I AM NOT FORGIVING YOU, RTD.
7. Speaking of death and Those Rumours -- I felt a moment of fear with the whole "You are going to die like a dog" joke early on. Firstly, it seemed like pretty bad taste, but... is it foreshadowing? I hope not! For the most part those rumours struck me as pretty false, and I don't feel like Ianto's story arc in this is set out to be ONE OF DOOM, but still.
8. Ianto's sister was great, but Lucy Cohu as Alice (Jack's daughter) was amazing. I saw her recently in Ballet Shoes, and loved her in this, and she's just as good here. AND SHE CALLED JACK A BASTARD. SO SHE SHOULD.
9. Frobisher! Yes, liking this character very much indeed -- he has me intrigued, and I want to see much more of him.
10. In conclusion -- enjoyable episode with much to squee over. I just hope they address the racism still a bit later on and don't leave it there as a cheap plot device.