Season 1 DVD Transcribed Commentary - Countryside
Ok, next up is Countryside. The commentary is from Gareth David Lloyd, Chris Chibnall and director Andy Goddard.
They are discussing the beginning of the episode wherein they have set-up camp for the night. Discussing how cold it was.
CC asking Gareth: "Are you allowed thermals on days like that?"
Gareth: "well, they try to make them compulsory, but I find them a bit restrictive so uh, I try to get away with not wearing mine. Hiding them in the oven in the trailer and things....they're always found."
The campfire scene in which they weren't allowed to use an actual campfire for budgeting and safety issues. When Gwen asked about who's the last person they each snogged.
Andy: "I love this scene because of - it's all in the eyes, in the looks between everybody and also there's a continuity from other episodes. That's what I liked about it. There's a reference to Cyberwoman."
GDL: "and he (Ianto) really urinates on the bonfire."
CC: "Metaphorically urinates."
GDL "Everyone's sort of having fun and he brings the mood down."
CC: (regarding the smoldering look between Jack and Ianto after Ianto has brought up Lisa.) "I love that shot between the two in there which kind of builds on the moment in Small Worlds where he says 'You shouldn't be here; Neither should you.'" It's very beautifully done."
BTW: I went back to Small Worlds to see if anything is discussed regarding that scene and it isn't brought up at all.
About the Ianto's role in this episode
CC: "What we talked about is that this is the first time Ianto's been out of the office.
GDL: "First time we've seen him out of the suit. I like to think of him as the sort of guy who's got the right attire for every occasion. If he's going camping, he's got all the camping gear, he's got all the pots & pans and compass and swiss army knife with all the gadgets on it."
Andy: "There was a conversation in the tone meeting over whether you should wear the suit in this episode."
Chris: "And you think this is the right choice."
GDL: "Absolutely. I think if you go in his wardrobe - he's got camping, office, skiing...."
Chris (laughing) "The skiing episode, that's next year."
GDL: "Paragliding. He's got all the equipment in his wardrobe."
Note: When Ianto opens the refrigerator door later in the episode to find all the body parts CC states that his expression "sells the episode"
This part regarding the smile Ianto gives before headbutting the head cannibal guy is very difficult. They are all talking over one another here, so I just tried my best - Long story short - no one knows whose idea it was for the smile.
CC: "And here's Ianto the hero which is great to see."
Andy: "Nice moment there. I think Gareth came up with the idea of the smile, wasn't it? It was your idea. The little smile before you headbutt him? It wasn't in the script?"
GDL: "I don't remember. It should've been in the script. I'm not sure."
CC: "Take credit for it man."
Regarding the filming of this episode.
CC: "All of the cast stayed in Torchwood House during the filming. (they gave some Welsh name that I couldn't catch.) Gareth, tell us the thing that John and Evie did, tell us the tricks they got up to."
GDL: "Uh, yeah. Leaving alarm clocks outside everybody's door at 3:00 in the morning just to wake everybody up. Not just people who were in Torchwood" (the show).
CC: "So anybody who stayed there?"
GDL: "Anyone who stayed in that corridor got an alarm call for on set at 6:00 in the morning."
CC: "Thanks to John and Eve. She didn't tell us that on the episode 2 commentary when she's talking about John's ironed pajamas."
( I will be transcribing what Eve said regarding John from that episode sometime soon.)
I hope you all enjoy this. Many thanks to all of you who have commented. Also, it must be noted, that even though I've transcribed these, you really should get the DVD's for yourselves because they are so worth it. I can't capture in words how friendly they all are together, just hearing their voices, you can tell how well they get on with one another.