Torchwood, season 2

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This was a hard episode for me because of my own issues. Between the eye phobia and my general medical squick, this was very uncomfortable for me. Some of you don't know that my celiac symptoms onset pretty much a few hours after I saw V for Vendetta in the movie theater. For the first week of it, before I went to the doctor, I thought I was having a psychosomatic reaction to the medical testing stuff in that film. So thiat brought me uncomfortably back to that place.

Anyway. I love when Jack talks about war crimes. Because it's not coming from a place of honor, it comes from having been a Very Bad Man, which I suppose also speaks to why I identify with Jack; this is something that he shares with Snape in the HP world. Anyway, as usual, there's analysis there, but not for right now.

I like Jack's relationship with Martha a lot. I've always talked about my sorrow at the unwillingness of men I've known in any compacity to treat me like a comrade in arms, and I've had lots of men say to me "well, that's just not possible." Well, I just saw it on my iPod screen. Jack and Martha clearly haven't slept together, clearly could take it or leave it, and none of it will change that they've been in the trenches together. LOVED IT, eventhough Martha herself wasn't that interesting to me (but I don't have the Doctor Who context yet there) except wen she was flirting with Owen.

The infamous "dabbling" remark. I know much was made of this when it aired as confirmation that there aren't emotions involved in the Jack/Ianto thing. I am here to disagree. Here's someone from Jack's past Ianto doesn't have the details on and she wants to know if he and Jack are fucking. Is Ianto, who knows he's vulnerable on this subject (remember Owen taunting him about how the sex was meaningless?) actually going to say "yes, we're dating" when even if they finally went on that date, they probably have either skipped past or otherwise omitted that type of interaction? Also, he was asked about a physical relationship and those are the terms he responded on. He didn't volunteer anything Martha wasn't fishing for. I'm not sure what the intent was, but it read a bit territorial, a bit unconcerned, and a bit smug. sort of like when you know you're going to run into an ex- and you want to look good but not like you were trying.

Owen's death (I'm spoiled, I know what happens next). Sad and alarming. I love Jack talking to Owen and trying to get him to focus on him. Also the eye contact between everyone. Everyone has feelings about Owne that aren't quite okay -- whether it's Tosh's love or Gwen's affair or Ianto's displeasure. Good stuff.

All that said, I felt like this was one of those mid-series episodes you coast by on the way to the big stuff.

Comments

[featherofeeling.livejournal.com]

I'm just starting Torchwood, so I'm not reading this recap, but you mentioned liking your Torchwood shirt a while ago (and liking Sam's Torchwood fics), so here's another shirt you might be interested in. I wish it had different fit options, honestly, but there you are.

[heron61.livejournal.com]

I've had lots of men say to me "well, that's just not possible." Well, I just saw it on my iPod screen.

Anyone who claims that is simply wrong.

Jack and Martha clearly haven't slept together, clearly could take it or leave it, and none of it will change that they've been in the trenches together. LOVED IT, eventhough Martha herself wasn't that interesting to me

Agreed on all counts. The only problem is that you are pretty much seeing Martha at her best there. With the exception of the last Dr. Who episode of that season (which was generally dreadful, but had some good bits with Martha in it) she largely remained a helpless and hapless sidekick for the entire season. I very much liked seeing them do something actually interesting with her character in Torchwood. The contrast between the way Martha Jones is handled in the last season of Doctor Who, and the way Donna Noble is handled in the current (and utterly amazing) season, is exceptionally striking. Donna is the Doctor's comrade in arms, Martha was a sidekick who had a huge crush on him.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize Martha crossed over into Torchwood! That sounds like a really good fit, actually, considering who she is when she leaves Doctor Who.