Children of Earth, Day 1

[rm]

It may be high drama and high action, but wow, Torchwood is still REALLY cracky.

Jack and Ianto have no idea what the fuck they are doing, do they? It's sort of great though. You get the sense Jack is seriously out of practice at having a relationship (something it seems he's decided he's doing as you move through the tie-in novels that lead up to this and the radio plays) and Ianto seems to be not just unsure of himself re: Jack and re: his own sexual orientation, but it also clearly struggling against his own biases -- like not wanting his neice to hear about it. It's a great detail, and it hurts to watch. Also, fucking adorable. He's smitten like anything and that whole "It's not men, it's him, only him" thing? delivered so it could have as easily been "it's not people, it's him, just him." Thank you, GDL for making kinda sucky dialogue work and say something meaningful about queer identities.

Also (I know, I know, I can't shut up), Ianto is so clearly proud of being with Jack and proud of Jack, but sort of totally not proud of himself. It's like he's getting to be the young 20-something guy with the world showing him wonders that he didn't get to be when he had to spend all the time being responsible for Lisa, and he's now both too young and too old for his age and has all this shit about himself he never sorted and never knew he needed to sort and now he has no time, and that unevenness of self shines through in pretty much every line and eyeroll. It's really, really nice stuff.

I loved Alice. I love her look, and I bought her instantly as Jack's daughter. Interesting scene, because she really does seem like the one who's the adult there. And that's necessarily the case. There are certain responsbilities Jack will never have to face just one chance to get right, and that means in some ways he will never have the opportunity to grow up. Jack is a case study in why eternal potential is so awful. And what was it like for Alice when she was eight-years-old or fifteen-years-old or twenty-years-old and figured out her father wasn't like other people?

Ianto's sister, also cast awesomely. And where did they find that little girl? -- same damn pout as GDL. Hilarious.

Gwen scritching the little pic of Tosh and Owen!

Gwen! Gwen was hilarious and sweet. And the pregnancy thing was really well done. John Barrowman can act in small quiet scenes when he's directed well (which it seems he often isn't), and there we got a really nice moment. Jack trying to be encouraging, trying to hold back his own reaction, trying to deal with his own regrets there -- nice shit!

Clem. Instant love for Clem, and really, that's hard, as that character could have been a walking, boring cliche.

Rupesh -- what's with these really anglo looking SE Asians who die right at the beginning of things? That said, his death and Jack being shot those two times in a row -- the bruality of that -- it made death feel much realer on than it does 80% of the time on Torchwood, and it really made Jack's existence seem horrifying, and that was great.

That poor temp in the home office. She's quite fetching, isn't she?

I knew about the bomb in Jack's stomach and it still freaked me out.

Jack having to drag Ianto out of the Hub. Loved it. And my, that kiss was quite a bit more hotness than I was expecting there. I'm sorry, this is trivial and lame, but I need to note: tongue. I am full of shame.

Ianto and the car. No matter how many times he says it -- no one cares!

Also, Jack's car -- Does Jack own a car or did he steal it (since it seems like in half the tie-in properties he's always nicking other people's vehicles)?

Finally, one word: TUPPERWARE.

ETA: Yet more of my nattering on Ianto's coming out process: http://rexluscus.livejournal.com/333615.html?thread=3829807#t3829807

Also, Gwen and the racist joke? Appalling, but I'm appalled at Gwen, not the show writers. People say shit like that. Also, there had been a series of news items around when that script was written regarding peopel adoptiong children from abroad and then having them be household slaves -- if the thing had aired then it might have seemed more current events and less racist, but hey, Gwen had a racist moment. She was a cop in Cardiff... do you really think she never, ever would?

SPECULATION:

Clem can smell things like honesty and aliens. He also smells that Gwen is pregnant. First episode of Torchwood, Jack comments on the oestrogen in the rain. Is this a clue?

Much has been made about the soundtrack titles and how this indicates Ianto's possible doom -- something I'm prepared for, but am really hoping isn't going to happen, although I'm in a tizzy about it. My sense? From this first episode and the use of the musical themes? Rhys is a goner. And the infamous "Ballad in Ianto Jones" track is actually going to be some big trauma/reunion with Jack/them getting on the same page moment (before something else terrible happens in the bigger plot arc. Musically and narratively the set up for Rhys to die feels bigger to me right now.

Comments

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am absolutely devastated over Rupesh.

He was handsome, smart, interesting, and clever. I wanted him to be around for a while.

And then the shit hit the fan. I mean, he seemed clever enough. Sigh.

We hardly knew ye, Rupesh.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's a great detail, and it hurts to watch. Also, fucking adorable. He's smitten like anything.

It's that, and I love the contrast with Jack, who is so self-assured in his sexuality, so indifferent to orientation issues and the reactions of others. Clearly Ianto's feelings matter to him, and he's doing his best to give the relationship the low key in public that Ianto wants, but clearly also Jack is baffled by the whole 21st century attitude. Just doing his best...

That poor temp in the home office. She's quite fetching, isn't she?

I loved her. Gorgeous, charming, just the right touches of smart and innocent.

Clem was beautifully characterized, and kudos both to Davies (for writing him so well) and Copley (for acting him so well).

Does Jack own a car or did he steal it (since it seems like in half the tie-in properties he's always nicking other people's vehicles).

Or borrowed it? My money'd be on "stolen", but then, he might have a whole fleet of cars hidden away.

Is this a clue?

To what, do you think? It might be a connection....

[capulet-rose.livejournal.com]

I loved Alice. I love her look, and I bought her instantly as Jack's daughter.

I'll admit to having a huge crush on her. I am holding back the urge to create some horrible, horrible femslash just so I can have my way with her in fiction. It's too bad Tosh isn't around anymore. Oh well, I could alyays create an AU.

"That poor temp in the home office. She's quite fetching, isn't she?

*plots*

Perhaps the Vogons would be interested in my various fictions...

[capulet-rose.livejournal.com]

err... *always

See? The Vogons would LOVE me!

[laufeyette.livejournal.com]

It was so much better than I had been hoping for. That kiss may have almost made me cry. I don't even know what else to say.

Ianto's family FTW.

[adjovi.livejournal.com]

It's a great detail, and it hurts to watch. Also, fucking adorable. He's smitten like anything that whole "It's not men, it's him, only him" thing? delivered so it could have as easily been "it's not people, it's him, just him." Thank you, GDL for making kinda sucky dialogue work.

oh...so agree with you, there. i felt the same way about ianto's speech in "the dead line", 'cause that could have gone horribly schmoopy and cheesy, and i felt gdl knocked it out of the park and made me sigh with sad/happy fanmix that seems to be their relationship. i dunno...i still have my doubts re: ianto's fate, but they are building up rhys quite as the superman that it might just be him that suffers that fate.

John Barrowman can act in small quiet scenes when he's directed well

oh yes indeedy. this was a lovely moment. contrast that with the yelling into the phone to martha during part one of dw finale "it's not safe!" (i just happened to watch it over the weekend...and wow.) i was totally distracted by the amount of gel in his hair the whole time though--i mean, he's out gelling angel at this point.

i, too, loved alice and clem--both brought to life by fantastic actors.

thanks for your review!

[demotu.livejournal.com]

Jack and Ianto have no idea what the fuck they are doing, do they?

As if you didn't write a bazillion words of that. :D

*goes back to reading*

[kalliopeia.livejournal.com]

Rhys, really? What, in particular, makes you think so?

[rm.livejournal.com]

The music around him is deeply wistful (I've also long thought Rhys was a gonner based on Kai Owen's awkwardness about some questions at a con I saw him at, but that's neither here nor there, because I don't like to be one of those people that speculate on those grounds, since it's not like I actually know the guy), and the Ianto musical themes aren't nearly so much as all the heart-attack inducing titles are leading many folks to believe.

[kalliopeia.livejournal.com]

I kind of hate to say "I hope you're right" because I adore Rhys and would really really hate it if he died. But honestly, if it came down to him or Ianto? Sorry, Rhys.

[demotu.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I love the detail about Ianto not wanting his niece to hear. There's definitely a lot of difficult undertones with Ianto and his family, a lot of which I think I miss because I'm not attuned to class and sexuality issues like that.

JB rocked the scene with his daughter - I was seriously impressed, because I was completely entranced and startled (totally forgot the "daughter" spoiler, and was thinking that was his son!) the first time through, and upon a closer watch even more touched with the delicacy of his choices, there. And I'd usually be hard pressed to say JB has a lot of delicacy! Clearly he's getting some great direction in this series - a lot of his attitude with Ianto is similarly difficult to pull apart in that sort of satisfying way.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Narratively, Rhys seems way more on the chopping block rioght now as he and Gwen aren't having angst, only good things, even if Rhy sdoesn't know about them all yet. Whereas Jack and Ianto are already having relationship drama -- it doesn't serve to kill Ianto here, because the arc is set up for these two getting a clue (and then killing Ianto in a series 4).

[count-to-seven.livejournal.com]

I was sick to my stomach when Rupesh began to be awesome because I knew it was going to end in betrayal. Le sigh.

Did you think Ianto's manic grin at the mention of a baby was ... not Gwen-related? I am not of the opinion that a questioning young man in a barely defined relationship would be interested in such things, but I immediately choked on my glass of water and wondered if he honestly hoped that was a Jack-wants-to-commit-to-the-fullest moment.

I don't have much more to add to this, considering I just ran around the house shouting TUPPERWARE, so you beat me there.

[kalliopeia.livejournal.com]

....oh you didn't really have to add that bit at the end, did you? :(

Right now I'm just hoping he lives through 3.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I think Ianto is having a very dizzy-making day. Jack's being weird, he doesn't know if he's proud or ashamed to be with him (probably both), e's just visited his sister, Gwen's preggers, Ianto is wondering if being gay amd/or being with jack means he's like everyone else or not and then Jack's all sweet and domestic and encouraging with Gwen, and I think that as much as some part of Ianto is cranky and is still trying to cinvince himself that Jack views him as just a shag, I think some part of him is also having a bit of hearts and flowers fantasy, even as he knows that's somewhat irrational (hi, Torchwood!) and not something he'd be comfortable with anyway (hi, issues).

[count-to-seven.livejournal.com]

Stop with the Ianto death rumors. It makes me ache :(

[trf-chan.livejournal.com]

...Your icon! So much win.

Brb, going to go laugh myself to death.

[count-to-seven.livejournal.com]

I think Ianto has built a life so apart from his family that it doesn't even occur to him to factor it in until it becomes dangerous (or imperative to find a child). It would never occur to him that they'd clock on to his new life aside from what he passed on in the occasional phone call.

The domestic encouragement still rankles me, but I'm all about doomed tortured yet entirely practical and honest Ianto, so.

[count-to-seven.livejournal.com]

Why thank you!

[tommx.livejournal.com]

Is it that Jack is out of practice with relationships or that he just has trouble with them because the good ones, the lasting ones, always end the same way? His daughter, her mother, his grandson, he's going to outlive them all. That and the fact that Jack probably is not really wired for monogamy either, being a 51st century man.

The scene with his daughter was brilliant.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

1. I agree with you assessment of BJ's acting. I really was surprised with the whole Alice scene. I think my little woob heart kind of broke when he said that he would come every day, if she wanted to, because I don't think he was just saying that. I think I actually frowned at the screen and sighed, "we'll get you a family, Jack!" but I don't know what the hell I was thinking.

2. I wanted to love Rupesh forever. And then. AND THEN.

3. SHITBEARS.

[51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com]

I loved Alice. I love her look, and I bought her instantly as Jack's daughter.

I did too... that was excellent casting and she was FANtastic. Ditto Clem.

Though it's true that it's just Jack... I mean, it's JACK! Big damn hero! I did think it great that Ianto's family was fully accepting even though they threw in some teasing along with it.

Good catch on the oestrogen; didn't notice that but that would be brilliant if it's not a red herring. A show bible? Whut?

I'm still not at all sure about Rhys. Am really thinking no one is going to die (including Ianto). Hmmm. I'll owe you a drink if wrong about Mr Williams.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I think it's both -- I think it's obvious that at some point he had at least figured out how to go through the motions of actions that are interpretted in the 20th century as matching his feelings for people or he wouldn't have the various back catalogues we're aware of (Alice's mother, with whom he had something more than a one-night stand, the chick from the wedding pic, estelle, etc.). But I think it's been a while since he's played that game (I'm guessing that when Alex shot himself, Jack was done with getting close to people as friends or lovers for a while, and that probably went on until the team we meet at the beginning of TW was recruited, and even then he was careful and distant with the or tried to me_. So I think he's forgotten how to translate whatever goes on in his head into stuff that makes sense for the here and now -- add that to his issues and it's BAD.

also -- wow, the thing with his daughter, it really makes the whole very paternal thing he had with Owen seem even more tragic now.

[explodeyy.livejournal.com]

LOVE Clem!
Rupesh was adorable when he saw the hitchhiker thing. I loved his face!
Yep, the kiss was amazing. Broke my heart. And when they were still looking at each other! Though, this (http://i31.tinypic.com/20jofw7.jpg) is my favorite part for some reason.


NO.RHYS.NO.CAN'T.DIE.
NOO.

I... am going to watch it again...

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

It's like he's getting to be the young 20-something guy with the world showing him wonders that he didn't get to be when he had to spend all the time being responsible for Lisa, and he's now both too young and too old for his age and has all this shit about himself he never sorted and never knew he needed to sort and now he has no time, and that unevenness of self shines through in pretty much every line and eyeroll. It's really, really nice stuff.

just this
yes yes