thoughts on Torchwood.

[brak666]

So, I finally got around to watching the last few episodes of Torchwood. I'm still sort of 'eh' about it. There were definitely some things I liked, but I don't know. There seems to be a lot going on between the characters off screen that I'd rather see played out on screen. For example, Ianto goes from "You're a monster" and "I'll leave you to die if I ever get the chance" in 'Cyberwoman' to slyly arranging a sexual encounter with Jack in his office in 'They Keep Killing Suzie' to going all Brokeback-clothes sniffy when he thinks Jack is dead in 'End of Days'. Clearly the two of them have patched up their differences at some point, but we never actually get to see it. And as much as I'll never complain about watching John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd kiss, I would've preferred to see Jack and Ianto repairing their relationship and maybe ending the season in a new place of respect and trust for one another, than to have them suddenly be lovers. No matter how hot that is. That said, I think it was pretty strong for the first season of a new drama, and I look forward to series 2. Not to mention Jack's appearance in Doctor Who series 3.

Comments

[natlyn.livejournal.com]

I'm still confused about what Torchwood was all about. I mean, sometimes I thought it was as advertised: a Doctor Who with mature themes (not just sex). I think 'Cyberwoman' fell into that category. But then Torchwood would do episodes that seemed to be something a little different. Like, 'Random Shoes' and 'Out of Time' don't quite seem to be part of the same series as 'Countrycide' and 'Combat'. It's like TPTB can't make up their minds whether they are doing an action show or a thoughtful show.

I might be interested in either one or both, but as it is, I think the tone varies too much for me to get a handle on it. It might help if, as you say, a little more onscreen character development occurred. I mean, if they want to continue with the think pieces, then I think we need to become more invested in the characters than we've been allowed to become. Like, in one ep running around is substituted for character development, yet in the next ep we are given a piece on the nature of loyalty and love. I think we the audience would have more of a through-line to hold on to if there were a little char dev in the running around eps rather than all of it being in the thoughtful eps.

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Er, I'll stop hijacking your lj now.

[brak666.livejournal.com]

Er, I'll stop hijacking your lj now.

Not at all. You're absolutely right. The sad thing is that it is actually possible to do a thoughtful action show. They just don't seem to have nailed it yet.

But yeah, next season I'd really like some more character pieces. And more episodes that explore the dynamics of team. I need some questions answered. Like: Do these people even like each other? Why do they stay together? What has Jack done that he feels has earned loyalty from these people? because I sure as haven't seen it.

[natlyn.livejournal.com]

Yes! Cause if I were to answer those questions now it'd be

Do these people even like each other? No.
Why do they stay together? The thrill of finding and playing with alien stuff.
What has Jack done that he feels has earned loyalty from these people? Offered to sleep with all of them?