such_heights | Torchwood 2x07: Dead Man Walking

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Torchwood 2x07: Dead Man Walking

I am not sure I really have a great deal to say about this one - for a start, I feel like I need to watch next week's as well, and see just where in the hell they are going with this story arc. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot, even if I spent a lot of it wondering what in the world was going on. Some thoughts:

* The beginning with Jack knowing that little tarot card girl etc was pretty cool, I like the idea he'd be quite embedded in some of the weirder aspects of Cardiff, that makes sense.

* Some bits of this were just heartbreaking - I think the bit that got me the most was Gwen and Owen's hug, that was wonderfully done. :(

* In general, oh, Owen. He is so elevated to big damn hero status, whilst still being absolutely himself. I am pleased.

* Much as the plot seemed insane, even for Torchwood, I did like the idea of undead!Owen, especially at the end with the concept he's sort of a charged battery that could run down any time. That's quite interesting, and obviously something they're picking up on next week.

* You know, I kind of figured that Martha would be a lot more involved in the plot while she was at Torchwood, otherwise it seemed sort of pointless to have her around. She really didn't need to be there this episode, did she? And presumably only got ageified so they had a reason to be at the hospital.

* By far and away the best bit of this episode was Jack & Owen in the police cell, bwahaha. Theirs is a much under-explored dynamic, and one that I really like. Special mention also for the look on Jack's face when Ianto appeared with the hockey stick, which was amazing.

* Not a bad episode, just bizarre. Very bizarre. And now I am wondering where on earth they're planning to go from here - does Owen die? Does he get magically cured? Is he going to stay as he is? Roll on next week!

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even if I spent a lot of it wondering what in the world was going on
Yep. Yep, pretty much the same thing here. I'm not saying it wasn't a good episode- it's more like I don't know what to think. It was a messy ep...

You know, at first, I was willing to bet money that the tarot girl would be Faith, but sadly, no. She'll have to come back, though, isn't it? Because Jack's indebted to her now, as she said.

Owen scared me shitless, I swear. I don't want him to die, though! MOAR OWEN.

I have no idea what the plan for next week is- I really don't have a clue where they're going with this. I'm confused. And worried they'll muck up Owen, now I've finally begun to like him.

(Also, Jack/Ianto/Hockey stick and Tosh/Owen = ♥)

Hee, that icon is wonderful!

Messy is a very good word, because it really was.

Yes, I would like to know what Jack could possibly do for tarot girl, that sounds interesting!

MOAR OWEN PLZ. He can also not go psychotic any more, plz? Next week looks crazy.

(YES. Yes indeed. :D)

Yeah, it was as confusing as it gets! Quite a setup for next week though ...

Oh, Torchwood, you and your lack of plots that make any kind of sense. And indeed, I look forward to it!

I quite liked it, although I guess it would be with reservations - and it maintains the pattern that so far I've preferred the odd numbered episodes. It was a bit messy, but I'm hoping they'll pick up a lot of the things that have been left dangling later in the series (*fingers crossed*).

I've got to agree that the best bit was Jack and Owen in the cell - and although the fight before seemed weirdly choregraphored (ack - can't spell that) but I loved the way Burn performed it. Anyway, I love the Jack and Owen dynamic and I really enjoyed that this episode showed how much Jack cares for the team members - without it having to be about 'shipping' - which is part of my problem with Gwen/Jack - they seem to work much better as friends than lovers and the romantic scenes feel shoehorned to me. Plus. I've always disliked the idea that you have to be in love to be close - I think it could be quite an interesting dynamic to play with if Gwen was closest to Jack without any romance, and how that would affect Jack's relationship with Ianto. Err... but anyway that's not the point as there was no Jack/Gwen this episode.

I also thought that Martha was a bit wasted this episode - but I felt a little the same with last week's too - they could have easily told both stories without Martha - which makes me a sad puppy, I want her to be more integral to the plot. I have adored the Martha bits both weeks though.

You preferred this over 'Reset', then? That'd be my exception to the odd-numbered rule.

Yeah, that was bizarre and had no real perspective being filmed that I could see, which was a tad mind-bending. But yeah, Jack - first off doing something really over-the-top and, let's be honest, stupid just to bring Owen back, but then realising the consequences and trying to help. He did come back for all of them. Main male and main female protagonist in a close platonic relationship on a TV show, are you suggesting? Apparently even on Torchwood that would just be ridiculous. (Ohhh, the rant I go off on there. I'll refrain.)

I don't know, she was the big action star for a lot of last week - it could have been someone else, admittedly, but the fact she had her crazy-awesome immune system was a pretty important plot point, I guess.

You preferred this over 'Reset', then? That'd be my exception to the odd-numbered rule.

Hmmm... complicated.

I did really like Reset, so I would include it as an exception but I don't know where I stand on it vs. Dead Man Walking.

Reset was superior in terms of execution definitely and consistency and Martha was absolute win (and you're complete right about the crazy-immune system stuff - that was just for her) and there were lots of scenes I loved (especially character stuff) but overall I wasn't compelled by the storyline at all - if I wasn't interested in the characters I'd have zoned out - which is fine, because I'm perfectly happy to watch stuff just for the characters.

Dead Man Walking on the other hand was a bit messy, inconsistent and loosly tied together, and had weird scenes (as well as great ones) and completely failed to make use of Martha (fail, Torchwood, fail) - but I was also completely compelled by Owen's storyline and Jack's decision and the consequences of that. This was the story I wanted to watch, it could have been done lots better - but still I'll take what I can from it and I enjoyed it anyway - plus it looked better (I might do a post tomorrow about how I'm much more invested in inperfect stuff... as it's been on my mind).

Because they both succeed in different ways, I just can't place my finger on what I prefer. And I've also got to admit that Reset suffered a little because a) I had huge (unreachable) expectations for Martha's return and b) showing it just after Adam didn't work for me - I like to have time to digest episodes.

I think when I go back and rewatch later in the series I'll know much more how I feel about both episodes. Then again the odd-numbered rule worked for the first part of series 1 as well for me and then completely falls apart - so maybe that's starting to happen here as well.

Main male and main female protagonist in a close platonic relationship on a TV show, are you suggesting? Apparently even on Torchwood that would just be ridiculous. (Ohhh, the rant I go off on there. I'll refrain.)

I know it's insane isn't it? No TV show in the world would ever go that route *rolls eyes Ianto style* Actually it's a a pet peeve of mine in a lot of fantasy books as well - the way that any non-romance relationships are marginalised and unimportant too often - one of the most important bits of the HP books for me is the huge focus on friendship (despite all the love spiel) - and I was hugely annoyed when they changed that during the patronus scene in the POA film - grrr....

How interesting! I really agree with you on the different strengths and weaknesses of the two episodes - in DMW I actually wanted to know what was going to happen, in Reset I didn't care particularly (which was a shame, actually, because I feel like Alan Dale was a bit wasted, and he's fabulous).

And re. Series 1, there doesn't seem to be a particular pattern of episodes that I liked, just a few that I'm not particularly fond of. I'm having urges to dig out my DVDs and rewatch a few, incidentally, because the return of the Risen Mitten reminds me just how much They Keep Killing Suzie owns my soul, ah.

Actually, the one exception that springs to mind (and how I love it for it) is a sci-fi show called The 4400, I don't know if you've heard of it. It's centered around two government agents who go off and have relationships with other people and are just really good friends and it is never once indicated that they are sekritly Meant To Be, and I love it a lot for that.

I'd agree about them wasting Alan Dale too - and between him and Freema I just feel like they aren't making the most of their fabulous guest stars. The only exception being James Marsters.

Actually thinking about this got me thinking that to a certain extent with the big names, they've been playing with already established models. Obviously that was absolutely necessary with Freema, because she was coming in as an already established character.

But Captain John, is very like Spike in many ways - which works, because it's an iconic character and the dynamic works really well in the Torchwood verse - it's almost like being able to use character shorthand, because they don't need to spend as much time introducing him - to some extent, you understand who the character is immediately. Although the introduction was fabulous anyway.

I don't remember Alan Dale in Neighbours very much, but I have seen him on Ugly Betty - and I might be wrong but it seemed to me his Torchwood character, read like a very 'Alan Dale type' role. I think maybe I'd have liked to see him more stretched, more challenged. Which is maybe where the episode falls down most for me more generally - there's some very serious discussions to be had there about what line medical research should go along, which was hinted at in the episode but never really drawn out. Maybe.

Anyway, having just looked through the list of Torchwood episodes from season 1 - and the odd number rule barely works at all. Actually I think I might try a seasons rewatch this weekend. Good stuff. Although Countrycide is my little pet.

I've heard of 4400, but never saw any of it - I'll have to track it down when I next get some free time.

I might enjoy this episode more on a second viewing, but I confess that I am so squeamish when it comes to death/corpses onscreen that I actually muted the ep for some sequences (I know, I'm supposed to be an adult).

I also realized this week that I really don't watch TW for the plot. At all. I'm such a character gal.

Haha, I always do that when I'm watching anything scary, I must admit!

Oh, with anything I'm fannish about a lot of it is to do with the characters - I think I watch Torchwood for the plot in so much as I'm hoping they're going to pull out the good and crazy crack once more, as in KKBB or similar. When they try to be srs business and it isn't character-centric, I really do not care all that much.

It's definitely the words/music/sounds that scare me the most. I'm happy to just watch anything on mute, and not be bothered!

Yes, you're right, they do have their little plotty moments. I'm still a total sucker for TKKS, and I adored both CJH and OoT. I think it's the longer arcs (like we're in) that I might not care for as much. Hmmm. But yes, I'm just fixated on our dear characters!

I totally agree with the Martha thing. I mean she didn't really do anything at all this episode but get attacked by the glove for 5 seconds.

And Owen is such a Big Damn Hero now!

The Jack and Owen in the cell was great. I love their conversation about death and forever. And I really loved Jack pushing Owen head in a big brother manner. So cuteness.

Also points for the jack/ianto look over the hockey stick hehehe!

Seriously. Boo, writers, boo!

I know! How did this happen? Man the character arcs this season are crazy. Crazy in the awesome way. And n'awww, yes, that head-push was so adorable. I love Jack with Owen and Tosh, because they so are his kid siblings and it's lovely.

Bwahahaha, yes, especially as that was presumably meant to be a reference to that throwaway line in Sleeper! Oh, show, never change.

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Torchwood 2x07: Dead Man Walking

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