Torchwood COE review, now my mind is more stable
So this series of Torchwood: Children Of Earth was entirely different then all that has come before. And now the series is over I have come to realise that is always going to be the nature of the show. after all the 21st century is where everything changes. Doctor who has always been about the change, it embraces it and is more often then not, been a very good thing for the show. However, for some reason ith Torchwood I fell back into my false hope that it would stay very much the same, just like every other show.
This series, was very different to what came before. I loved the ethical and political debate that went with the series. The 456 itself was not all that great but the plot device it gave the show was brilliant. The thought that if this was really happening that the government would consider taking 10% of the country's children is a very scary but a somehow real thought. The collapse of the morals in the governemnt and how the prime minister tried to pass the blame in saving his own skin was a great concept that felt in a way rather true to today's society. I also think that no other show could really tackle something like that in such a prime time slot. Maybe because they are too scared to do so or maybe just because they don't have the brilliant writers that are on the TW team.
However, being a bit more of a "fangirl" then a general viewer I am still deeply upset. I was NOT expecting Ianto to die, and I definately hoped it would get all happy clappy at the end by in some way bringing him back - I don't think I've wished for a big reset button more. But that's not TW's style as we know from Tosh and Owen (another reason why I was not expecting it - too soon after s2 maybe?). If it was doctor who, there would be a big reset button, even if it's not till next series, Ianto would return, but I've come to accepct now that this is DW's big scarier brother and things like that will just not happen. It was a massive shock to all, especially as he is the majority of people's favourite character. If it was Gwen I doubt the death would have had the same effect. In fact I know it wouldn't.
My second dislike, after facing reality that Ianto really is gone, day 5 was one of the most depressing things I have watched in a very very long time. I don't know what I thought would happen but I really didn't think I would finish watching that series feeling so numb I guess the word would be. I was a bit surprised I guess as I didn't know what to expect but it was just so sad. From the mention of Ianto being gone, to having no hope, to the children. I think I spent the whole episode just sobbing. I felt that it would have been interesting to see Jack talk to Rhiannon instead of Gwen, I cried even more when you realise that the things Ianto had told them were not true. I wanted more time with Ianto's family talking things over. I really liked his family though and they were a wonderful addition to the show through this series.
I am still finding it hard to adjust to the fact that Jack has become a bit more like he was before he found the doctor again in series 3. my main problem is that he sacrificed his grandson, it was just so awful. He also left his daughter with nobody and it just felt so horrible. If it were real you just wouldn't do that. Well it would be so hard I don't know how you would do it. However after discussing this with littlered2 I realised as always she was right. What else was there for him to do? let 10% die or use another child, and if he found another child hwo would that make things better? In a way it now reminds me of what God had to make Jesus do to save us all.
I do think that if they had more time, or whatever, that there could have been another way. Having said that, I know there wasn't and the same conclusion would have happened.
Finally, the end, 6 months later, Jack jus rocks up on the top of a hill to see Gwen. Why did he just leave her to do everything? and what's happened to lois where is she now? Also the woman taking over the Prime minister, although better then he was is still went ahead with things and is a bit currupt too but anyway... So he comes back just to get his vrotex manulipator back and piss right off again. What about Gwen why is she left to do everything? Jack really angered me in the last episode.
On the other hand, there was many many many things I loved about the series, albeit mainly in the first 3 episodes. Episode 1: I loved how Gwen found out she was pregnant and Jack found out before Rhys. I loved the Janto kiss (naturally) although I'm still saddened by the fact that's the last kiss/sex scene that we get from them - sad times! I loved Ianto seeing his sister and talking to him about Jack and being gay. I loved the fact that Jack had a daughter who looked around the same age as him. it was very very strange but very exciting. I love Rhys, I always have loved Rhys he's bloody brilliant. especially in episode 2 where they travel on a pile of spuds. Ianto looked sexier by the day. Especially in that builder's outfit yum yum! we got unexpected naked Jack! (who is always expected) it was so hot - his very very nice looking arse being in shot a lot of the time :)
I loved the stealing scenes, and Ianto being his ususal self getting in the coffee, and Jack's suit back - trackkies really didn't suit him at all. Also the beans were almost ready! that scene was so adorable, and the bit about how Ianto will get old and die did kinda prepare me for the death of Ianto but even so...
overall, it was a bloody amazing peice of TV! I still think if i hadn't emotionally invested so much into the show, I wouldn't be so upset about it. It was definately the best thing that's been on tv in a very very long time!
This series, was very different to what came before. I loved the ethical and political debate that went with the series. The 456 itself was not all that great but the plot device it gave the show was brilliant. The thought that if this was really happening that the government would consider taking 10% of the country's children is a very scary but a somehow real thought. The collapse of the morals in the governemnt and how the prime minister tried to pass the blame in saving his own skin was a great concept that felt in a way rather true to today's society. I also think that no other show could really tackle something like that in such a prime time slot. Maybe because they are too scared to do so or maybe just because they don't have the brilliant writers that are on the TW team.
However, being a bit more of a "fangirl" then a general viewer I am still deeply upset. I was NOT expecting Ianto to die, and I definately hoped it would get all happy clappy at the end by in some way bringing him back - I don't think I've wished for a big reset button more. But that's not TW's style as we know from Tosh and Owen (another reason why I was not expecting it - too soon after s2 maybe?). If it was doctor who, there would be a big reset button, even if it's not till next series, Ianto would return, but I've come to accepct now that this is DW's big scarier brother and things like that will just not happen. It was a massive shock to all, especially as he is the majority of people's favourite character. If it was Gwen I doubt the death would have had the same effect. In fact I know it wouldn't.
My second dislike, after facing reality that Ianto really is gone, day 5 was one of the most depressing things I have watched in a very very long time. I don't know what I thought would happen but I really didn't think I would finish watching that series feeling so numb I guess the word would be. I was a bit surprised I guess as I didn't know what to expect but it was just so sad. From the mention of Ianto being gone, to having no hope, to the children. I think I spent the whole episode just sobbing. I felt that it would have been interesting to see Jack talk to Rhiannon instead of Gwen, I cried even more when you realise that the things Ianto had told them were not true. I wanted more time with Ianto's family talking things over. I really liked his family though and they were a wonderful addition to the show through this series.
I am still finding it hard to adjust to the fact that Jack has become a bit more like he was before he found the doctor again in series 3. my main problem is that he sacrificed his grandson, it was just so awful. He also left his daughter with nobody and it just felt so horrible. If it were real you just wouldn't do that. Well it would be so hard I don't know how you would do it. However after discussing this with littlered2 I realised as always she was right. What else was there for him to do? let 10% die or use another child, and if he found another child hwo would that make things better? In a way it now reminds me of what God had to make Jesus do to save us all.
I do think that if they had more time, or whatever, that there could have been another way. Having said that, I know there wasn't and the same conclusion would have happened.
Finally, the end, 6 months later, Jack jus rocks up on the top of a hill to see Gwen. Why did he just leave her to do everything? and what's happened to lois where is she now? Also the woman taking over the Prime minister, although better then he was is still went ahead with things and is a bit currupt too but anyway... So he comes back just to get his vrotex manulipator back and piss right off again. What about Gwen why is she left to do everything? Jack really angered me in the last episode.
On the other hand, there was many many many things I loved about the series, albeit mainly in the first 3 episodes. Episode 1: I loved how Gwen found out she was pregnant and Jack found out before Rhys. I loved the Janto kiss (naturally) although I'm still saddened by the fact that's the last kiss/sex scene that we get from them - sad times! I loved Ianto seeing his sister and talking to him about Jack and being gay. I loved the fact that Jack had a daughter who looked around the same age as him. it was very very strange but very exciting. I love Rhys, I always have loved Rhys he's bloody brilliant. especially in episode 2 where they travel on a pile of spuds. Ianto looked sexier by the day. Especially in that builder's outfit yum yum! we got unexpected naked Jack! (who is always expected) it was so hot - his very very nice looking arse being in shot a lot of the time :)
I loved the stealing scenes, and Ianto being his ususal self getting in the coffee, and Jack's suit back - trackkies really didn't suit him at all. Also the beans were almost ready! that scene was so adorable, and the bit about how Ianto will get old and die did kinda prepare me for the death of Ianto but even so...
overall, it was a bloody amazing peice of TV! I still think if i hadn't emotionally invested so much into the show, I wouldn't be so upset about it. It was definately the best thing that's been on tv in a very very long time!