Children of Earth, Day 3

[rm]

I didn't feel, as many did, that this suffered from being the middle episode. I thought it was written tightly, drew the tension out well, and wasn't, THANK GOD, paced as insanely as Day 2. I loved the pacing of Day 2, but -- to use a sex metaphor, as seems appropriate for Torchwood -- just because I like a good hard pounding, doesn't mean I want to go there all the time. So I was really perfectly happy with the quieter, creepier pace of this, and though the episode did amazing work with silence and pauses. In fact, this is pretty much the non-verbal episode of awesome.

Like that whole Jack and Ianto thing? Who cares what they said! The way they looked at each other! But that said -- I did like the discussion about the explosion, I do like that the show let Jack admit that, yeah, he felt it (most disturbing thing I've ever heard is a recording from a cockpit of an airplane crash, and they always tell you people die instantly, but dude, I heard that plane crash and thumping and sounds and the pilot was STILL SCREAMING -- fast ain't instant) and then both Jack and Ianto realize this is something that while it needed acknowledging, didn't need discussing (okay, I think it needed discussing, but they have issues). Also the 20 minutes/30 minutes thing was hilarious, because apparently Ianto had a list going there.

Gwen hates smileys!

WHY THE FUCK DOES IANTO KNOW SHORTHAND? DId he go to secretarial college after being a drifter and before Torchwood hired him? Really? What?

Queer! They show used the word queer! That was sort of exciting (and I realize is a subject of consternation in fandom right now, but I'm too tired to address it right now, and conked my head on something in the bathroom, but I'll write about it tomorrow). Also sort of interesting in terms of the reaction delivery, because I felt like the "oi!" was any any guy reflex to friends being assholes and the "it's not 1965" thing a quiet thing he didn't realize he was quite telling himself until he said it. Go Ianto!

So, we know about Alice's mom, her time in Torchwood, got out with her memory in tact, and then taught her daughter and grandson survival tactics -- against alien invasion? against Torchwood? against Jack? Did they have a bad breakup, or was it the ageing thing that just made everyone go spare?

THE HUB 2. HI JAMES MORAN, YOU ARE SO CLEVER. *eyeroll* But we love you for it.

Jack being involved in 1965? Duh. Knew that. Didn't realize that was news to anyone. The only thing really creepy about that reveal, and it is really creepy, is when everyone asks why he says "as a gift." Not the immediate Jack explains it ws the best thing to do for humanity or he didn't have a choice or it was a shitty but pragmatic decision or becuase they demanded it. No, "as a gift." What the fuck, Jack? And what do these aliens want with the kids? Are they breeding a slave race? Why do kiddies make such a lovely gift? It feels deeply unsettling.

Frobisher's discussion with Jack, where he tells Jack he's the better man, and then Jack doesn't go in there and grab the guy's wife and kids. Poor Jack. Jesus, I am really, really feeling for him about Alice and Stephen. Really really really. I think they are goners.

Also, because I'm petty, I'd just like to note that IANTO CALLED JACK SIR AND JACK FUCKING LOVED IT (or at least the coat) so Hah, fucking Hah!

Torchwood contact lenses as sex toys! FIC NAO PLEAZ,

Right, that is all.

Tomorrow the real fear begins.

Comments

[lorem_ipsum]

Like that whole Jack and Ianto thing? Who cares what they said! The way they looked at each other.

YES. SO MUCH YES.

[lefaym.livejournal.com]

The whole "gift" thing reeks of diplomacy-speak to me -- the word "gift" used as a euphemism for "payment". Sort of like "protection" money.

I think for me, the tension in this episode was created not by the reveal that Jack was involved in 1965 events, but how the hell is everyone going to react? The look of betrayal in all their eyes (esp. Ianto's), when they find out -- next episode is going to be very interesting, and hopefully we'll get some more explicit J/I development. While the J/I stuff so far has been nice, it hasn't really lived up to the hype suggested in the promo material.

[woogledesigns.livejournal.com]

I say it's just perverse malice.

[madambackslash.livejournal.com]

The whole "gift" thing reeks of diplomacy-speak to me -- the word "gift" used as a euphemism for "payment". Sort of like "protection" money.

OH yeah. I actually said to someone I was watching it with "Nice planet you've got here. Would be a shame if anything happened to it."

And then the 456 were referred to as "untrustworthy" because they came back.

[rm.livejournal.com]

OH yeah, but it was the tonal quality of the delivery that made it so weird and oogy to me.

[tommx.livejournal.com]

The line "As a gift" was about the best line in this mini-season yet. It was perfectly delivered. Obviously Jack was involved. The genius of COE isn't so much that they're introducing unfamiliar concepts (Jack doing morally questionable things, the government going all gestapo tactics, a really super spooky alien doing something to scare the hell out of us with relatively minimal special effects) so much as the way in which they are presented. The format allows them to really develop a sense of tension and discomfort. I love it. I hope this is the way in which the coming Dr. Who specials (which will herald the sad passing of David Tennant in the role) will be presented.

When the word "queer" was uttered and followed by Ianto's reaction, I immediately thought of you and your reaction to it.

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

I had figured Jack was involved with the kids, after all we were supposed to find out something bad about him. But the way he put it... Had he heard the 456 putting it that way just now? Did he not want to make excuses for himself? (He really hated giving that girl to the fairies that time.) Hmmm.

I have to say, I didn't like Ianto talking about Jack someday seeing him die of old age. It wasn't "I'm going to retire next week and spend time with my kids", but it was worrisome. Nice to see Ianto clearing Rhys out of Hub 2, so as to get down to some making the most of it.

I hate that I'm more worried about Ianto and Rhys than 1/10 of the world's children...

Loved that Ianto knew shorthand (there's an opportunity for fic if we don't get the backstory). Loved that he got Jack a proper coat.

So, Gwen, Rhys, and Ianto have used the contact lenses for "fun". Heh.

[therealycats.livejournal.com]

I had figured Jack was involved with the kids, after all we were supposed to find out something bad about him. But the way he put it... Had he heard the 456 putting it that way just now? Did he not want to make excuses for himself? (He really hated giving that girl to the fairies that time.) Hmmm.

When they asked him why he gave them the children, the way he replied seemed so matter of fact. I don't know what it is, but I didn't really hear anything like remorse in his voice. To me it didn't sound like, "This is why I did it, and my god, am I sorry"; it sounded like, "Well, that's what they wanted, so obviously that was the answer. What's the problem?" to me.

[elainasaunt.livejournal.com]

Yes, this.

[therealycats.livejournal.com]

I guess I didn't word that clearly. I don't mean that he seemed nonchalant about it, just almost like he was in a different head space. Like the 456 had some sort of power over everyone. He looked and sounded almost hypnotized, by them or by shock, I don't know.

[laufeyette.livejournal.com]

I had to learn shorthand in high school English. I have no idea why, but I did. :)

Was really hoping to see the critter today, but I agree that this slower paced episode served to build up the tension really well. Tomorrow!

And YOU ARE SO RIGHT regarding Ianto's reaction to the queer comment.

[gummitch.livejournal.com]

Back in my day 'Secretarial training' used to be an optional course in British secondary schools. Not many boys took it, though...

[melebeth]

I was really not as crazy about this episode. It felt kind of hokey and overwritten a lot of the time. Plus, although I was glad they mentioned him feeling it, I'd like a little more exploration of how he gets through these horrors with any sanity intact than "carpe diem lets have sex" no matter how funny that moment was. There were some strong moments (like the discussion of why they had the lenses at home - a nice touch), but I found myself rolling my eyes a lot instead of simply enjoying the way I did for days 1 and 2.

[jkpolk.livejournal.com]

A small moment that slayed me...the look on Clem's face when he looked up and saw Gwen had come for him. The acter sold that so hard. Like the look of a child who lost his parents in a store and has been scared and confused and didn't know if he'd ever be safe again and suddenly there his mom is and now is HAS to be OK.

[amand-r.livejournal.com]

That moment also killed me ded.

[jendaby.livejournal.com]

Yes. That made me a little bit teary. *sniff*

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

IANTO CALLED JACK SIR AND JACK FUCKING LOVED IT

at which part was this (for some reason the audio on mine was really low and we couldn't hear a lot of it)

also, this
interesting in terms of GDL's reaction delivery, because I felt like the "oi!" was any any guy reflex to rfiends being assholes and the "it's not 1965" thing a quiet thing he didn't realize he was quite telling himself

[rm.livejournal.com]

Ianto hands Jack the coat and says "And for you, sir," and Jack's grinning a mile wide before it's even clear what it is.

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

ah, i think that was where we squealed 'THE COAT!!'

[therealycats.livejournal.com]

Ianto knows everything, remember?

I really can't love on Alice and Stephen and that whole storyline enough. And I wonder how many other children Jack had before. We know that's at least 2, 3 relationships (Alice's mom, Estelle, and whoever that wedding was to) post time hopping and pre Ianto. I just want so much more from them. But it's Torchwood so things will never be answered and they'll never be happy and damn you, angst!

[rm.livejournal.com]

We can assume, I think no kids with Estelle. We can't assume anything else, and there may well be stuff even Jack might not know about.

[therealycats.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah, I didn't mean he had kids with Estelle, just that we know of at least 3 relationships during that time now. I just have trouble thinking there weren't more, Jack being the omnisexual sex machine that he is. And more than that...150 years is a long, long time to be alone. There's so much potential history for his character at this point, and aside from SpikeJohn and the Grey thing we still don't even know who he was. I just need his backstory really, really badly.

[woogledesigns.livejournal.com]

And he reproduces as the Face of Bo.

[therealycats.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but even Jack doesn't know about that yet! I want to know about him as Jack though, since the Doctor abandoned him until we meet him again at Torchwood. I'm glad that they've given him a family, even if it's estranged; I just wonder how many others he's got/had.

[woogledesigns.livejournal.com]

I'm sure he said he had been pregnant once when he first met the Doctor.

[therealycats.livejournal.com]

I think he said that on the first episode of Torchwood.

[woogledesigns.livejournal.com]

Neato!
Your userpic is really cute. It makes me pine for someone to backpockethands with.

[therealycats.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) It's from Freaks and Geeks. Actually in context it's kind of creepy >:D

[51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com]

WHY THE FUCK DOES IANTO KNOW SHORTHAND? DId he go to secretarial college after being a drifter and before Torchwood hired him? Really? What?

Most journalists in the UK know shorthand; required course in school. Ianto could have done a course.

I was the BIGGEST NON-SHORTHAND-KNOWING LOSER in my old office. :D

[rm.livejournal.com]

Werid, almost no one here knows shorthand anymore. I don't, and I've a journalism degree. Hrrrr.

[51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com]

Ten years in the field, here - though I'm doing something completely different now. I have no clue WTF the squiggles mean, though my mother knew shorthand from high school.

We, you know, type now. Record things on DAT. Shorthand does seem very Mad Men secretary, huh? :D

[editrx.livejournal.com]

WHY THE FUCK DOES IANTO KNOW SHORTHAND?

Of course Ianto knows shorthand. It's one of those things one learns when one is a geek, an office geek, and ends up with one of those lovely dictionaries/mini-encyclopedias from the 40s-50s, like I had of my mother's when I was growing up. Taught myself shorthand (badly), semiphore (better), Braille (semi-okay), and Morse (pretty well). YES, I AM A NERD. DEAL.

Ianta clearly loves any form of communication, and frankly shorthand really is handy to know.

[woogledesigns.livejournal.com]

If he's going to be an admin person at TW he'd know shorthand. And lots of languages. And Office 2007.

[shadowedkit.livejournal.com]

I will post more of a coherent comment to your post later- but just wanted to say that phaetonschariot (Kei- we were in chat) said to pass on that she is doing contact lenses porn and plans to post it on Friday :-)

Hope you enjoy episode four!

[woogledesigns.livejournal.com]

I kept wanting Jamie from the Thick of It to stumble in and go:
"Malcolm! What's happened to your accent?"
"The same thing that's happened to that American chap's. Now shut it Joe 90, we've got work to do."


Uh... go watch the Thick of It while awaiting Day4. It will change everything.

[timelady.livejournal.com]

I personally think they eat the kids...like caviar. Maybe Jack figured that out at some point and figured a handful of kids would be a good peace offering and get the aliens to think of us as nice people and not want to stomp us flat (agreeing with lefaym in the "protection money" thought). And maybe they decided that handful tasted far too good and decided to make an entire meal of it this time rather than a small appetiser.

Then again, maybe the aliens are actually good...and they're just using the kids to study because their race has no future or something. speculations...speculations.... Now that I could totally understand just handing over a bunch of children, and deciding that it would benefit the future).

But yes, really makes you wonder on the details of the uses on the contact lenses. And if Lois knew what the others use them for would she have been as willing to put them on?

Though Rhys put himself back on my bad side by going back to his usual whining about why Gwen never tells him stuff first. Honestly, I'm so tired of it, though right before he took himself down several notches in my book, he was actually on the rise in that scene sounding like he was nearly a member of Torchwood. And Jack totally knew what he was doing letting it slip he had heard first,...that smug smirk as soon as Gwen had stomped off.

[neifile7.livejournal.com]

Ianto just can't do enough for Jack, can he? Which is, I suppose, part of the problem.

A lot of people seem to be reading the question about whether Jack felt the explosion as Ianto pushing, rather uncharacteristically. He is, but it's so IC for him to want to know what Jack goes through so he can do the right thing about it. (And it's the first thing he asks.) And after the bitterness of Jack's exchanges with Alice, it must be an incredible relief to Jack that Ianto just sort of gets it, wants to get on with it (by getting it on). It's like a tiny moment of absolution.

Jack so much wants to be understood and known and forgiven, even when there's so much that he keeps from them all. I thought that came through quite spectacularly in this ep.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Wow, you just totally pinpointed for me why I identify with the character. That's a little oogy.

[neifile7.livejournal.com]

Especially oogy as this may represent my over-identification with Ianto? I'm doing my best not to project too much, but man, he's not making it easy.

I do want to tell people to chill about seeing this as a Lame Ianto Emo moment, though. It's a very careful exploration on his part of the limits of his own agency, and he's remarkably disposed to accept them here (much more than he seemed to be in The Dead Line). And it's just as important that Jack understands that Ianto has made a choice and is happy with it. I just hope that RTD isn't going to cheapen it all with a Big Emo Death Scene.

[bodlon.livejournal.com]

Torchwood contact lenses as sex toys! FIC NAO PLEAZ

Right. There's my goal for the day, then.

The only thing really creepy about that reveal, and it is really creepy, is when everyone asks why he says "as a gift."

I've got so many ideas about this, but I'm holding off on writing much of this until the end of the week. Partly, the Torchwood of 1965 (and the world, really) was so different from the present day that this may have seemed like the best solution. It may be that Jack was in the dark to some extent.

I keep thinking this is very much in the vein of dragonslayer stories, where a daughter is given away every so often to keep the dragon away. We just don't know enough.

The other thing is that diplomacy is rarely tidy. There's all manner of exchange, some of it unsavory, and a handful of kids to make interactions easier (esp. when the Doctor is nowhere to be found) might not be the most unreasonable thing to give.

All of that aside, I am waiting for Gwen to punch him in the mouth.

Oh, and questions about Jack and his ex and Alice, etc. are going to keep us going for MONTHS. Love it.

Queer! They show used the word queer!

J says that my reaction to this moment was priceless because he could see both sides of my brain trying to react independently. OH! I'm so torn.

Also, I think Ianto probably learned shorthand at TW1, though my school had a class in it, so it's possible it was just one of those "easy A" courses that everybody takes, or possibly that he learned it to have a secret code to use in his diary in that crazy family of his. Again, this will keep us busy.

And yeah, the "oh shit" conversation. Fuh. Wonderful. Also, Ianto's reaction to Jack's whole "the old team" thing. That 'I am willfully not emoting because if I do I will probably not contribute usefully' moment.

[favoritedarknes.livejournal.com]

Torchwood contact lenses as sex toys! FIC NAO PLEAZ,
Amen *grins*

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

Man this episode scared me so much. Perhaps I'm just out of the loop, not participating in fandom, but I wasn't quite expecting the thing with Jack giving up the children. The whole arrival and presentation of the 456 has me afraid to turn out the lights.

Capable Gwen, capable Gwen! God that makes me so happy.