Torchwood episodes 1.12 and 1.13
Jan. 4th, 2007 09:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenayOut of the cut, I can say that these were definitely squee-worthy episodes. Further details will be filled with spoilers :-)
These episodes made me a very happy Torchwood fan for so many reasons. It was quite a relief to have the series go out on a high, particularly knowing that it's been recomissioned for a second season already. Although it is going to be a very long wait to Doctor Who now...
Episode 12 was beautifully done ('fraid I didn't note the title of that one...). There was a slightly haunting atmosphere throughout and it was interesting to see the pain in Jack's face at being back in a time that he obviously loved. We saw that he spent a reasonable amount of time there in the Doctor Who episodes, but didn't really get a feeling for how absorbed he became by it. I'm starting to think that Jack rejoined Earth history some time after he left in The Doctor Dances. Can't decide how long after, but if he had some way of controlling where he went then I doubt that he'd risk being in the same time twice. That means the Faerie encounter in Small Worlds must have been before he met the Doctor - possibly when he was a Time Agent, maybe when he was an intergalactic time-travelling con man (TM).
It was interesting that the writers remembered what life would have been like for a Japanese woman caught in England at that time. Toshiko's reactions rang true for me, particularly if her father or grandfather told her stories about life in London during the war. I do wonder how Jack planned to protect her after Peal Harbour, but it was good to see some attention to historical details.
Speaking of historical detail, those final scenes in the ball room between Jack and Jack2 (Jack2 being the other Jack Harkness) were beautifully done but I couldn't help thinking that wasn't something Jack2 would have done. Dark corner, privacy of a hotel room possibly, but dancing with and another man in front of his men would have been pretty dodgy at the time and in a very grey area of legality. It does give me an explanation in my mind for his death - allowing his plane to be shot down rather than face the court martial and probable imprisonment. Jack2 struck me as intensely honourable, what he feels is right warring with what he needs. Perhaps the trauma he was obviously suffering from losing someone helps to explain why he did it. Our Jack also knew what the repurcussions would be from their kiss - he was tempted throughout the episode and was trying to do the right thing - but maybe he knew that it couldn't make things worse?
Ignoring that temporary niggle, it was a beautifully acted episode.
I am a little intrigued by Ianto's comment about being far more than the tea-boy when he was fighting with Owen. Either it's a reference to what we've seen of his role in Torchwood (and he is really doing far more than a simple tea-boy would) or possibly something else. A few of the comments in those scenes makes me wonder whether Ianto knows some things or possibly Jack has confided in him about something. It felt like there was more than just defensiveness in there. Hopefully it's something that will be followed up on next season.
And speaking of that fight...thoroughly loved it. I was cheering Ianto to shoot Owen, but somehow didn't actually expect him to shoot Owen. So that was cool. He could have mangled Owen a little more thought - that shot was never going to stop him putting the missing piece of the rift machine together. Hmmm. Still, it was very well done and showed Ianto with a slightly ruthless side when it comes to saving the world. Or possibly understanding the concept of sacrificing the one (or two) to save the many.
Onto episode 13, End of Days. There are far too many things to squee about in this one. I will first note that the kiss between Jack and Ianto at least confirms to me that they've been sleeping together, whatever else their relationship may be :-)
Now that's done...
Bilis Manger was rather creepy. Although the name Bilis wasn't quite right for a character like that. Huh. Otherwise, he was creepy. I'm wondering where he's gone to :-)
The idea of a creature being trapped in the rift - presumably imprisoned - raises some interesting questions. Was the rift created to imprison it? Did the rift exist before the creature was imprisoned? Who put it there? I can make some wild stabs and the why (the whole masses of people dying thing...) but how was it done?
The other question they didn't precisely clear up was whether all the people we saw falling before the creature were actually dead. And if so, how the hell did they explain the sudden death of hundreds of people in Cardiff? Or did they all suddenly revive when the creature was killed?
Yes, I am a geek and guessed Black Death before Owen said it :-)
All the main cast did a stellar job in this episode. Gwen's immediate reaction to Rhys' death was painful and real - I came very close to tearing up there. I didn't expect Rhys to be revived when the rift was opened - it seemed far too convenient - so that caught me out. I think it was probably a good idea, though. The main strength of Gwen's character is how she relates her job to the rest of the world and taking Rhys out of that equation would have negated some of that.
The rift machine intrigues me. The orange column is rather reminiscent of the central column of the TARDIS. Why did Jack build it? We know from both shows that tampering with the rift is a Very Bad Plan, so why does he have a machine that can do exactly that? It's another plot thread that needs development next year :-)
I am ignoring any quibbles about internal timelines within the episode. So there.
John Barrowman did his best work of the series in these two episodes, IMO. I felt for Jack throughout, both his pain at being back in the '40s and the anger at the world being almost being destroyed by the attempt to save him. I have high hopes for what we'll be getting from him in Doctor Who.
Speaking of...
RTD had said that there wouldn't be any cross-overs. The final couple of scenes were totally unexpected. I heard the noise and it's weird the way your heart jumps when the TARDIS sound appeares. That was the point where I uncurled in my chair, leaned forward and couldn't quite believe it. No cross-over, but we all know where he's gone and it didn't happened when I thought it would. I was expecting his introduction to happen in a Doctor Who episode, possibly several episodes in.
My question now is whether we're going to have Jack in the TARDIS from the start or whether we just saw a hint of something that's going to be happening part way through the run. And if he's there from the start, will we have an explanation for why the Doctor suddenly found him again? To be honest, I'm half hoping that we'll be picking up Doctor Who from that moment so that we get more Jack :-)
This review is turning out to be much longer than I'd expected, but I know that there were things that I wanted to comment on and haven't.
My summary would have to be excellent episodes and I can't wait to see what they do with things next season after the way the show has been left. Roll on Doctor Who season 3!
These episodes made me a very happy Torchwood fan for so many reasons. It was quite a relief to have the series go out on a high, particularly knowing that it's been recomissioned for a second season already. Although it is going to be a very long wait to Doctor Who now...
Episode 12 was beautifully done ('fraid I didn't note the title of that one...). There was a slightly haunting atmosphere throughout and it was interesting to see the pain in Jack's face at being back in a time that he obviously loved. We saw that he spent a reasonable amount of time there in the Doctor Who episodes, but didn't really get a feeling for how absorbed he became by it. I'm starting to think that Jack rejoined Earth history some time after he left in The Doctor Dances. Can't decide how long after, but if he had some way of controlling where he went then I doubt that he'd risk being in the same time twice. That means the Faerie encounter in Small Worlds must have been before he met the Doctor - possibly when he was a Time Agent, maybe when he was an intergalactic time-travelling con man (TM).
It was interesting that the writers remembered what life would have been like for a Japanese woman caught in England at that time. Toshiko's reactions rang true for me, particularly if her father or grandfather told her stories about life in London during the war. I do wonder how Jack planned to protect her after Peal Harbour, but it was good to see some attention to historical details.
Speaking of historical detail, those final scenes in the ball room between Jack and Jack2 (Jack2 being the other Jack Harkness) were beautifully done but I couldn't help thinking that wasn't something Jack2 would have done. Dark corner, privacy of a hotel room possibly, but dancing with and another man in front of his men would have been pretty dodgy at the time and in a very grey area of legality. It does give me an explanation in my mind for his death - allowing his plane to be shot down rather than face the court martial and probable imprisonment. Jack2 struck me as intensely honourable, what he feels is right warring with what he needs. Perhaps the trauma he was obviously suffering from losing someone helps to explain why he did it. Our Jack also knew what the repurcussions would be from their kiss - he was tempted throughout the episode and was trying to do the right thing - but maybe he knew that it couldn't make things worse?
Ignoring that temporary niggle, it was a beautifully acted episode.
I am a little intrigued by Ianto's comment about being far more than the tea-boy when he was fighting with Owen. Either it's a reference to what we've seen of his role in Torchwood (and he is really doing far more than a simple tea-boy would) or possibly something else. A few of the comments in those scenes makes me wonder whether Ianto knows some things or possibly Jack has confided in him about something. It felt like there was more than just defensiveness in there. Hopefully it's something that will be followed up on next season.
And speaking of that fight...thoroughly loved it. I was cheering Ianto to shoot Owen, but somehow didn't actually expect him to shoot Owen. So that was cool. He could have mangled Owen a little more thought - that shot was never going to stop him putting the missing piece of the rift machine together. Hmmm. Still, it was very well done and showed Ianto with a slightly ruthless side when it comes to saving the world. Or possibly understanding the concept of sacrificing the one (or two) to save the many.
Onto episode 13, End of Days. There are far too many things to squee about in this one. I will first note that the kiss between Jack and Ianto at least confirms to me that they've been sleeping together, whatever else their relationship may be :-)
Now that's done...
Bilis Manger was rather creepy. Although the name Bilis wasn't quite right for a character like that. Huh. Otherwise, he was creepy. I'm wondering where he's gone to :-)
The idea of a creature being trapped in the rift - presumably imprisoned - raises some interesting questions. Was the rift created to imprison it? Did the rift exist before the creature was imprisoned? Who put it there? I can make some wild stabs and the why (the whole masses of people dying thing...) but how was it done?
The other question they didn't precisely clear up was whether all the people we saw falling before the creature were actually dead. And if so, how the hell did they explain the sudden death of hundreds of people in Cardiff? Or did they all suddenly revive when the creature was killed?
Yes, I am a geek and guessed Black Death before Owen said it :-)
All the main cast did a stellar job in this episode. Gwen's immediate reaction to Rhys' death was painful and real - I came very close to tearing up there. I didn't expect Rhys to be revived when the rift was opened - it seemed far too convenient - so that caught me out. I think it was probably a good idea, though. The main strength of Gwen's character is how she relates her job to the rest of the world and taking Rhys out of that equation would have negated some of that.
The rift machine intrigues me. The orange column is rather reminiscent of the central column of the TARDIS. Why did Jack build it? We know from both shows that tampering with the rift is a Very Bad Plan, so why does he have a machine that can do exactly that? It's another plot thread that needs development next year :-)
I am ignoring any quibbles about internal timelines within the episode. So there.
John Barrowman did his best work of the series in these two episodes, IMO. I felt for Jack throughout, both his pain at being back in the '40s and the anger at the world being almost being destroyed by the attempt to save him. I have high hopes for what we'll be getting from him in Doctor Who.
Speaking of...
RTD had said that there wouldn't be any cross-overs. The final couple of scenes were totally unexpected. I heard the noise and it's weird the way your heart jumps when the TARDIS sound appeares. That was the point where I uncurled in my chair, leaned forward and couldn't quite believe it. No cross-over, but we all know where he's gone and it didn't happened when I thought it would. I was expecting his introduction to happen in a Doctor Who episode, possibly several episodes in.
My question now is whether we're going to have Jack in the TARDIS from the start or whether we just saw a hint of something that's going to be happening part way through the run. And if he's there from the start, will we have an explanation for why the Doctor suddenly found him again? To be honest, I'm half hoping that we'll be picking up Doctor Who from that moment so that we get more Jack :-)
This review is turning out to be much longer than I'd expected, but I know that there were things that I wanted to comment on and haven't.
My summary would have to be excellent episodes and I can't wait to see what they do with things next season after the way the show has been left. Roll on Doctor Who season 3!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-01-04 01:40 pm (UTC)"Yep, off you go, boy. Don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out."
"Well, if you're going to shoot him, Ianto, do a proper job!"
and last of all
"I forgive you? What for? The guy's a knob and deserves to get his backside kicked out of Torchwood. Is there a nice cold planet you can send him to?"
And that wasn't the half of it!
I do completely want to marry John Barrowman, despite the fact that he's already married to a man (I can share, so long as I can watch and join in sometimes) and the fact that he doesn't know how to keep his dick in his pants.
Bless him. Scott must spend half his life rolling his eyes indulgently!
All in all, an excellent way to end the first season and my heart skipped a beat when I heard the TARDIS. Oooh must go find some Doctor/Jack. I knew he had something going on, but I don't think I realised exactly how deep Jack was into it.
It's luuuurve. Can't wait for S3 to start!
no subject
Date: 2007-01-04 07:25 pm (UTC)No, it's not just you *g*
Bless him. Scott must spend half his life rolling his eyes indulgently!
Must be true love :-)
Oooh must go find some Doctor/Jack
There's plenty of Nine/Jack out there, but not much Ten/Jack. I think that I could be better pursuaded of the latter, oddly, but I think that's mainly because I've yet to find really good writing for either.
I don't think I realised exactly how deep Jack was into it.
It was the opposite for me - I could see how deeply Jack cared, but hadn't really seen as much evidence for on the Doctor's side. There were definitely some interesting and potentially slashy overtones in their interaction, but it seemed to be more intense on Jack's side for me. That's one of the many reasons that I'm impatient to see why the TARDIS picked him up :-)
Can't wait for S3 to start!
It's going to be a long few months *sigh* I'm hoping that we're looking at a start date of Easter weekend again - that will mean that I've got an accurate date to count down to!
no subject
Date: 2007-01-04 08:02 pm (UTC)*dies*
no subject
Date: 2007-01-04 11:52 pm (UTC)I was talking to a friend this evening and we had the same experience with Dr's 9 and 10. For both of us, David Tennant has become the Doctor to such an extent, we keep remembering eps with Chris Ecclestone in them as eps with David Tennant. And I really will have to watch *all* of the Jack eps. Even the one with the gas mask boy that threatens to give me nightmares!
Bilis Manger
Date: 2007-01-04 03:05 pm (UTC)Thanks for posting.
Tx
Re: Bilis Manger
Date: 2007-01-04 07:26 pm (UTC)*gg* Yeah, not seeing an angel out there like that. I've also been wondering whether there was something significant about that particular name. It's such an odd one that it seems to be beg the question.
Unless RTD put the name in there as a red herring for us all to obssess over :-)
Re: Bilis Manger
Date: 2007-01-05 08:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-04 06:14 pm (UTC)But it's been known since July that Cap'n Jack would be returning to Doctor Who in this coming season ... JB announced it at a comic con, and he repeated it recently on a Breakfast TV interview. So is it just that the Doctor (not counting his hand) wouldn't be appearing in Torchwood?
I agree with the column looking very Tardis-like, and one theory I have is that Jack got stranded in the 1940s and built a time machine so he could go home ... but that it didn't work properly (maybe it needs the power of the rift but at the same time using it threatens the survival of the planet, something he didn't know until he started using it? And maybe he's told Ianto never to play with it because it's so deadly ...)
I will first note that the kiss between Jack and Ianto at least confirms to me that they've been sleeping together, whatever else their relationship may be :-)
I think I need to go back and watch those episodes again, because I'm sure I remember Owen saying that Jack and Ianto were "shagging" (which sounds like sex to me!), of course I have no idea if they actually sleep, or are just too busy having sex!
no subject
Date: 2007-01-04 07:39 pm (UTC)Didn't express myself properly there :-) RTD said that there would be no appearances of the Doctor, Rose or other DW characters in Torchwood. That made me intrigued about exactly how Captain Jack would be getting to DW because I couldn't envision anyone allowing a cross-over in DW episodes (far too much swearing!). Of course, I also wondered whether RTD wasn't being entirely truthful :-)
something he didn't know until he started using it
That's a theory I like :-) It doesn't contradict what we already know and it's entirely plausible.
The question that really needs answering is how Jack returned to 20th century Earth after the Game Station. There's no doubt that we're looking at the Jack that Rose revived, but how many years on? Did he managed to build himself something on the Game Station to travel back in time to a period that he knows the Doctor visits? Did he escape the Game Station and scavenge something? Did he deliberately send himself to the 1940s, was it an accident or did he arrive later in Earth's history? That would give us a much better idea of when he built the rift machine and whether your theory is still possible :-)
And maybe he's told Ianto never to play with it because it's so deadly ...)
That seems the most likely explanation to me :-)
because I'm sure I remember Owen saying that Jack and Ianto were "shagging"
*g* Yes, that's what Owen said :-) I was just being too polite to repeat it! I didn't entirely believe they were shagging until End of Days largely because I wasn't sure whether Owen was speaking the truth or, if he was, whether he was conjecturing or stating a fact. *shrug* Being a fanfic follower, I know how much can be read between the lines and that nothing is concrete until I've got proof on screen of it. I was inclined to give the benefit of doubt until I had solid proof :-)
of course I have no idea if they actually sleep, or are just too busy having sex!
Don't all men need a little nap afterwards? ::innocent eyes:: My, they must be energiser bunnies! Or possibly just very businesslike about the whole thing...
;-)
no subject
Date: 2007-01-04 11:49 pm (UTC)IIRC Owen said 'in your wildest wet dreams you're his part time shag' which made me want Ianto to shoot him ded right there. I can only hope that this all makes Owen a nicer character, because although you need someone to dislike in a show, I'd gone WAY past that, to the point where he annoyed the hell out of me by just being there.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-07 06:35 pm (UTC)I thought they made it really obvious and cliched that that's what it was.
My question now is whether we're going to have Jack in the TARDIS from the start or whether we just saw a hint of something that's going to be happening part way through the run.
Wow, you really don't know any of the really big well-known spoilers do you? :)
Onto episode 13, End of Days. There are far too many things to squee about in this one. I will first note that the kiss between Jack and Ianto at least confirms to me that they've been sleeping together, whatever else their relationship may be :-)
That was the only thing to squee about in that episode, the rest of it bored me. I don't think it helped that it was straight after a really good episode.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-07 08:43 pm (UTC)They needed a historical disease that was deadly and could be referenced in a single sentence rather than needing a bunch of exposition on what it was. Black Death is probably the only one they could have used with that prerequisite. Bubonic plague would have had me yelling that it wasn't human-human transmissible (Black Death was the pneumonic (spm?) form of plague) and Spanish flu wouldn't have had the neccessary scary resonance for non-historians as well as being too recent. Of course, that wasn't my main concern at the time :-) I was more focused on deciding whether it was smallpox or plague that they'd pick and was quite pleased that I zeroed in on Black Death rather than having to yell about lazy research :-)
Wow, you really don't know any of the really big well-known spoilers do you? :)
Are you impressed by just how spoiler free I managed to stay for this? And still am, apparently?
I don't think it helped that it was straight after a really good episode
Captain Jack Harkness was definitely the superior episode, but I did really enjoy End of Days, and not just for the Jack/Ianto squee. Loved that coat sniffing moment almost as much as the kiss...
Measured against a couple of other episodes in the run, End of Days was very good. I definitely wasn't bored by it. It's a shame that it didn't quite match up to Captain Jack Harkness, though. EoD was, I think, more about lots of connecting bits of squee in one episode where CJH was an all-squee all-episode type thing. If that makes sense. But at least it did have a high squee quotient so it went out on a good note for me rather than having very little or nothing to squee about.
no subject
Date: 2007-01-07 09:12 pm (UTC)Are you impressed by just how spoiler free I managed to stay for this? And still am, apparently?
I am! I honestly don't know how because I only know three spoilers about series 3 and Jack is one of them.
Loved that coat sniffing moment almost as much as the kiss...
I thought it was a bit cliched, but then I suppose there isn't really that many ways to show what he's feeling quickly and visually. I kind of find the whole clothes sniffing thing a bit odd because the only time I do it is to establish how smoky they smell after I've been down the pub. Mostly in the hopes that I won't have to put absolutely everything in the wash (faint hope, it's never come true yet - roll on 1st July).