Re: Torchwood radio play 'The Dead Line'

[pogrebin]

...so, did fandom explode from Jack/Ianto squee?

I will say only this in the interests of not being spoilery: it pretty much confirmed, to the word, fandom's interpretation of quite a few things regarding Ianto's view of their relationship.

So, uh. If you haven't listened yet, go go to the website, where it's now available for download

Comments

[verasteine]

Never mind fandom, my brain is mush. In a good way.

Am I the only one to think that, one, this one was far more in character than the previous two, and two, that John Barrowman is fundamentally unsuited to radio acting, and that his "absence" relatively benefitted the quality of it? And oh! Rhys Williams was bloody amazing!

[pogrebin]

Mush in the best possible way, mine too!

This one was way more in character. Absolutely lovely, with great moments for Gwen and Rhys, crimefighting duo! They were just adorable together. (Though, of course, I'd have loved some more Gwen-and-Ianto, maybe even a quick acknowledgement that he's staying with Jack rather than a mention by Rhys to confirm it to us-- but I'm not complaining considering what we got!)

Poor John Barrowman. He's not-- and this is rather heretical, I know-- a very good screen actor, really. He's still got so much theatre (musical theatre, esp.) affectation. When he's playing Jack Harkness it works-- the bigness, the perfomativity. But he acts with movement. Not his face, but moving his head and neck. Using his arms, his exaggerated body language. It's very theatrical. You would think that would make him work on radio but if you close your eyes and listen to him emoting on the show it's pretty clear that you need the whole package to detect subtle shifts of emotion. He's not a voice actor

[verasteine]

Yes to Gwen & Rhys, crimefighters! I so will love them in the next series! Argh -- next week!

And yes, JB... I like his acting style, because it suits Jack, and I'm sure he's amazing on stage. He can do small and subtle when he focusses, but he fails to focus a lot, imho. As for audio acting -- he's the same on studio albums; I love his singing on live recordings, but the studio ones are a bit meh. I personally theorise he needs an audience. :P.

And Ianto... I want to hug him and then dump him in Jack's arms. That speech -- so... I have no words. Brains. Mush. It's inescapable.

[pogrebin]

Bless John Barrowman. I do adore him as well, and think that yes, he's probably one of the few people that could pull off Captain Jack-- but that's sort of because of his flaws as well as his strengths, I think. He's got a very natural charisma, and that's so necessary to the character!

Awww, Ianto! *smushes* "You'll never be a blip in time. Not to me."

DAMMIT PHIL FORD, YOU PLAY SO CRUELLY ON MY HEARTSTRINGS.

[neifile7]

Iz ded of squee.

And hugging some extra ficcin' glee. This is so where I've been going, and it's just bootiful to get the canon thumb's-up. (Well, me and half the writers in fandom, as you note.)

But...this has me extra worried about That Rumor, as did JB's most recent published spoilery comments. Pins and needles, now.

(Also, agree about JB. He's just too much of a live performer, not a voice actor. GDL's pretty damn good here, though, which surprises me a little, since I also think of him as a pretty physical actor.)

[pogrebin]

MWAHAHAHA. VINDICATION!!!

But, argh. Which comments of JB's? Point me at 'em. Because of course I've now shifted into massive paranoia mode. Torchwood, plz do not be breaking my heart. AGAIN.

Re: GDL. Hm, he's quite physical-- but he conveys his physicality through restraint. His delivery of the lines is always spot-on though. And really the reason they kept him around to begin with-- the writers loved the dry, slightly sarcastic, offhand way he delivered their not necessarily brilliant lines in S1. (The offhand, almost nonchalant delivery reminds me very much of SGA's John Sheppard, or even Richard Dean Anderson/Jack in SG-1. Like they're not taking it seriously.) But the difference is, I think, GDL *can* do serious as well, as we've seen. Basically, as he's been saying in interviews and things, the writers are always giving him one liners and quips, he rarely gets actual dialogue. So it's nice to see that he can do it, it's something we don't get on the show.

[neifile7]

Check this out: http://scifiwire.com/2009/07/torchwoods-john-barrowman.php
It won't exactly quiet your paranoia, but after chatting around today, I've reverted to seeing it as a bit of a fake-out build-up.

Good points about GDL -- the thing is, we haven't seen him do much extended dialogue except in moments of extreme stress (e.g. CJH, Cyberwoman, Adam). And his whole physical style tends to change in those scenes too. What we got today was the proof that he could sell something more quietly emotional, which we've only seen with his physical acting on the show --never with a monologue. Woot woot!

[pogrebin]

I'm living in a FAKE OUT, FAKE OUT headspace.

Esp. because it makes no narrative sense whatsover. But then, as Hitler points out neither did Owen's arc, really.

BUT. I REFUSE TO BE A NAYSAYER.

Denial to the end, darling. It's the only way to live.

(Re: GDL: yeah, I think, it's rather interesting that the only times we really see him quietly emotional is with Jack. And oh, I was so thinking about-- and expecting a mention of, which we didn't get, rather disappointingly-- of Ianto's dad, and his death, as he was sitting by Jack's bedside. I'm thinking parallels here., oh yes.)

[amand_r]

GODDAMMIT. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY OF THEM.

MUST, LISTEN. MUST.

[pogrebin]

YES YOU MUST. THEN WE MUST SQUEE IN THE MOST ANCIENT BLOOD RITUAL OF FANGIRLS EVERYWHERE, PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

[amand_r]

MY SQUEE WILL SHAKE THE MOUNTAINS.

[pogrebin]

IT WILL DRIVE SMALL FOREST CREATURES FROM THEIR HOMES!

[redfairie19]

IT WAS SO GOOD!

I saw coments below about the lack of JB. I hate to agree cause I love the JB but I kind of have too. Radio is NOT his medium. Eve on the other hand is brilliant at radio. And Kai! Oh I'm so excited for more Rhys in CoE.

And of course my little fangirl heart nearly burst at the Jack/Ianto goodness. OH my god. That speech of Ianto's? Actually made me tear up. I've found it hard to get absorbed in these radio plays but this one GOT to me and that speech. OH GOD. My heart just broke into a thousand little pieces. I'm so looking for to all the CoE stuff and learning more about Ianto and his family. WEEEEEEEEE!

Annnnnd, that was total babble but I literally JUST finished it and I'm so not coherent yet. I SIT MONDAY YET?

[pogrebin]

I am pretty incoherent too. Arrgh. SO VERY CUTE. All my critical faculties have been stolen, I tell you.

And oh, Rhys. Rhys is so fantastic. They are clearly setting him up for a role in the action, getting involved in Torchwood and crimefightin' and kicking ass, as the COE hints suggest. Can. Not. Wait

[pogrebin]

It should be downloadable outside the uk just fine! Check here.

[pogrebin]

Ah, so it isn't. Bugger. Let me get back to you.