I actually don't hate the writers for killing Ianto, even though he's my favorite, because the context of the storyline is so bleak. Somebody from the team had to die. I can accept Ianto's death, and I think the darkness of this story makes for very powerful television.
On the other hand, I don't think I'll have any desire to watch Torchwood after this story ends. Apparently there's going to be another season, but I don't see the point with most of the original cast gone.
I had been assuming this miniseries was the last Torchwood, but everything I hear implies that there's going to be another series. I see no reason to watch it with most of the original cast gone.
(And I hate to tell you, but I think Myfanwy the pterodactyl may be dead too--the hub was blown up and she was presumably in it.)
(And I hate to tell you, but I think Myfanwy the pterodactyl may be dead too--the hub was blown up and she was presumably in it.)
NOOOOOOOOOOO SHE WAS FLYING AROUND OUTSIDE HAPPY AND CAREFREE!!! ;_________;
i got teary when ianto was like "in a thousand years you won't remember me," and actually also when gwen started crying. also how jack wakes up, not with a gasp, but just a slight indrawn breath. somehow that was perfect. there was something a little less manipulative about that scene which i think really made it work better. AND MADE ME SAD.
how jack wakes up, not with a gasp, but just a slight indrawn breath
Yeah, that was really good.
I was very sad about Ianto dying. I love Ianto. It was just that I thought the death scene was trying too damn hard to make me sad, you know? With the music and everything. I agree, the later scene was less manipulative and much more effective.
The scene with the Cabinet around the table coming to the decision to use League Tables to select the children 'units' was brilliant, biting satire and, sadly, credible, a very British solution. I adore Peter Capaldi. Have to agree with you, too, about Ianto's death, especially Barrowman, just over-played.
I agree with you wanting it to play out bleakly--to have it end either in massive war or humanity giving away their 35 million kids.
I am, however, wondering where the hell the Doctor is and what he's doing instead of preventing this. (I suppose I can blame the TARDIS as she's usually the one that brings him to where he's needed.)
It'll be interesting to see if Rusty can pull a Blake's 7 with the cast, but somehow I doubt he's got the balls for it. Killing pregnant!Gwen would truly, truly impress me though.
I can handwave the Doctor not turning up. The story is so strong in other respects that I'm willing to forgive some plot holes, especially since if the Doctor did come and save the day it would feel incongruous now--too easy after all the care that's been taken to set up a no-win situation. I also like the acknowledgement that the Doctor sometimes just isn't there and the earth will have to solve its own problems.
I think Gwen (and of course Jack) will survive, if only because RTD wants to leave the door open for another Torchwood series. I'm worried about Rhys, though. And last night I realized that if Rhys is killed, it would once again open the door for Jack and Gwen to get together, which for me is a big DO NOT WANT.
I'm very much on the same page as you - I was so horrifed by the decisions as to which "units" were expendable that Ianto didn't have much impact on me. I really like him, and I'm sad he's dead, but someone needs to teach John Barrowman the difference between acting on the stage and acting on the TV screen!
Last night st_aurafina and I thought they were going to go for giving away all the poor children in Africa and justify it to themselves by saying "it's a better life!" but the writers neatly got around that possibility with the country-by-country numbers. It made it much more chilling that everyone had to identify who they didn't want in their own society, not "the children over there who we don't know." Having the one female cabinet member look like she was arguing to save the children then turn around to League Tables was brilliant misdirection.
teach John Barrowman the difference between acting on the stage and acting on the TV screen
I think Barrowman's poor acting goes beyond just stage vs. screen. A lot of British actors do both, and gifted stage actors (like Ian McKellen, for example) will be brilliant onscreen as well. Barrowman just doesn't have the skill, which is a pity, because he's got the charisma and presence of a major star.
It made it much more chilling that everyone had to identify who they didn't want in their own society
Yes, absolutely. And what really got me was that it was all made to sound so reasonable--the best possible response to a terrible situation. The calm, reasonable logic goes on step by step and arrives at atrocity. The woman cabinet minister isn't a cackling evil tyrant; she's not Other. The terrible thing is that she's understandable.
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First Tosh and Owen, who were my favourites...and now Ianto, who was lovely and made good tea. I hate you, Torchwood writers.
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On the other hand, I don't think I'll have any desire to watch Torchwood after this story ends. Apparently there's going to be another season, but I don't see the point with most of the original cast gone.
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I'm imagining series 4 now...
JACK, sitting alone at desk: It's just you and me now, kid.
PTERODACTYL, sadly: Squawk.
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(And I hate to tell you, but I think Myfanwy the pterodactyl may be dead too--the hub was blown up and she was presumably in it.)
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NOOOOOOOOOOO SHE WAS FLYING AROUND OUTSIDE HAPPY AND CAREFREE!!! ;_________;
i got teary when ianto was like "in a thousand years you won't remember me," and actually also when gwen started crying. also how jack wakes up, not with a gasp, but just a slight indrawn breath. somehow that was perfect. there was something a little less manipulative about that scene which i think really made it work better. AND MADE ME SAD.
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Yeah, that was really good.
I was very sad about Ianto dying. I love Ianto. It was just that I thought the death scene was trying too damn hard to make me sad, you know? With the music and everything. I agree, the later scene was less manipulative and much more effective.
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I am, however, wondering where the hell the Doctor is and what he's doing instead of preventing this. (I suppose I can blame the TARDIS as she's usually the one that brings him to where he's needed.)
It'll be interesting to see if Rusty can pull a Blake's 7 with the cast, but somehow I doubt he's got the balls for it. Killing pregnant!Gwen would truly, truly impress me though.
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I think Gwen (and of course Jack) will survive, if only because RTD wants to leave the door open for another Torchwood series. I'm worried about Rhys, though. And last night I realized that if Rhys is killed, it would once again open the door for Jack and Gwen to get together, which for me is a big DO NOT WANT.
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Last night st_aurafina and I thought they were going to go for giving away all the poor children in Africa and justify it to themselves by saying "it's a better life!" but the writers neatly got around that possibility with the country-by-country numbers. It made it much more chilling that everyone had to identify who they didn't want in their own society, not "the children over there who we don't know." Having the one female cabinet member look like she was arguing to save the children then turn around to League Tables was brilliant misdirection.
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I think Barrowman's poor acting goes beyond just stage vs. screen. A lot of British actors do both, and gifted stage actors (like Ian McKellen, for example) will be brilliant onscreen as well. Barrowman just doesn't have the skill, which is a pity, because he's got the charisma and presence of a major star.
It made it much more chilling that everyone had to identify who they didn't want in their own society
Yes, absolutely. And what really got me was that it was all made to sound so reasonable--the best possible response to a terrible situation. The calm, reasonable logic goes on step by step and arrives at atrocity. The woman cabinet minister isn't a cackling evil tyrant; she's not Other. The terrible thing is that she's understandable.
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