such_heights | Torchwood 2x09: Something Borrowed

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Torchwood 2x09: Something Borrowed

Some preliminary thoughts before I get down to the Srs Business that was the shipping in this episode:

Gwen! Gwen for the win, so hard! :D :D Eeee she owned this episode completely and I loved it. She was hilarious and kick-ass beyond belief and I have whole new levels of love. A gun in her wedding bouquet! It does not get better than that. ♥ And she looked beautiful in her wedding dress, too.

Tosh, also for the win! With backbone and getting Owen to go to the wedding and being all sleuthy around the place. Plus, that scene with her and Gwen and the dress was a thousand kinds of lovely - yeah, if you ask me, this episode totally belonged to the girls.

Shapeshifter!Jack - unintentionally hilarious, y/y? Oh, John Barrowman. Never change.

Rhyyyys! Saving his bride-to-be in a barn! With a chainsaw! ♥

Ok, right. As far as fandom's concerned, this is all about the shipping. Allow me to summarise my view on these Very Important Issues:

This entire episode was all about how much Gwen and Rhys love each other; completely, totally, having resolved all of their various issues and the crises that have cropped up over the past two seasons. This means that the Jack/Gwen subplot has been, effectively, completely sunk.

From Gwen's perspective, I think we see here that yeah, in a way, she does sort of have a thing for Jack - certainly in the way that he's not like anyone she's ever known, has completely changed her life, means to world to her, and let's be honest, you might be the same in her shoes! That doesn't mean, despite my fears to the contrary that cropped up earlier in the season, that she wishes she were with Jack instead, or that Rhys is any way second best. She has completely committed to her decision and knows that it's the right one. For her, it's my guess that Jack will always be Jack, however. This does not make an adulterous h0r, crazies of fandom, it makes her human.

Also, I don't Jack was particularly terrible in this episode, either. Yeah, he's quite possessive of Gwen - and actually, I think it's plausible to read that in an entirely non-sexual way though I suspect most people would disagree with me - but he was in no way trying to steal her away or screw up her wedding. Obviously the event was quite emotionally significant to him on a couple of levels, for one it's a member of his team (who, lest we forget, he loves very much), and even more so it's Gwen, who out of all of them is the one who's meant to get married and have that normal life the others are already too screwed up for, possibly. So watching that actually happen is going to be a bit of a moment for Jack. And plus, it clearly was bringing back memories of a marriage of his own from some byegone day. All in all, my point is that yeah, he seemed a little distant with Ianto at the end there - that's ok! It happens!

Related to that but more generally, I really don't think that Ianto is being mistreated by Jack in this whole saga. Firstly, because Ianto will know exactly what it is he's got himself into and is clearly ok with that, secondly because Jack really is not the type of person to be involved with someone just because they're bored or whatever, the very fact this has been going on for about a season now makes it pretty blatant the interest is mutual. Both of them actively downplay it in public, but as an audience we've had plenty of chances to see how much they care about each other, even if neither of them want to define themselves as being in a relationship. Jack taking a moment to look at Gwen at her own wedding reception does not suddenly take all of that away.

I know plenty of you have been reading this differently to me, and I get why, but you know what? I don't feel like I'm making any massive leaps here (and also, this is Torchwood writing, where characterisation is something of a fluid game and we have to make our own connections some of the time anyway), and all of the above leaves me in a happy place, so I'm going with that. But in conclusion, I loved this episode once again - oh, series two for the win! :D

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Rhys/Chainsaw OTP <33 Srsly.

And Jack looked damn good in his own wedding photos at the end. Although I still see the Jack/Gwen thing as more of a brother/sister relationship, at least from Jack's point of view. She may still be crazy about him, but he has clearly learned how to control those feelings. Plus, Ianto's choice of wedding dress was excellent.

I agree with you completely! I loved this episode, and Gwen and just about anyone. Shipping- yayz!

I knew there was a kind of panic going on in fandom, because of the spoilers that were leaked about the dance, but when I saw the episode, I went, 'is that it?' It really didn't seem Gwen/Jack-shippy to me. I, too, think the ship is very much debunked, now. But then I checked the comms and everyone seems to think Ianto was used and should be angry with Jack and that Gwen/Jack is now very much canon.

I think if any ship is now, it's Ianto/Jack, what with the dancing and the tailor-scene and all. "Dancing" out in the open, eh? I know subtext when I see it. And about Jack being distracted, I really didn't see it as mistreating Ianto. More like, letting your mind wander as you slip into a comfortable embrace with someone you have an established relationship with, when you're into something familiar.

I may be reading all of this wrong, but the more I watch Torchwood, the more I feel like Jack and Ianto have been a real couple for quite a while now- more than just shagging and a bit of innuendo and some emotions running around loose. It's the way they speak to each other, their tone of voice and the comfort showing when they're around each other.

Plus, seriously, Rhys needs a medal. I love that man.

For real. And punching Jack, as well! Amazing.

Yes, yes I kind of agree, actually, that's a good way of putting it. And how much do I love tailor!Ianto? So very much. :D

Oh, yay! We can make our non-crazy camp over here, yes?

The dance was seriously not shippy, like, at all. And oh god, I really don't get how this can be anything other but the end of that ship, come on people!

Mmm, established and comfortable, I like that. And absolutely with the ever-increasing couple-ness - from a date to that kiss in episode 3 to the bit in Adam to the dancing now, yeah. My shippy little heart is happy!

How is he so awesome? I don't even know. I'm so glad he gets the girl.

Consider non-crazy camp made.

I know- I didn't see it at all. So imagine my surprise.

OMG- I can't believe how good this show's been to us. It's amazing. I hope DW is to follow with this kind of fan-attentiveness.

Weird, isn't it? Rhys is like- the most normal guy to ever be normal, in fact, he's the only really normal, almost dull man on the show and yet I -together with a big part of fandom- love him with a fiery passion. (And the accent! Oh my!) He absolutely deserves to be happy with Gwen, after all he's put up with from her.

Excellent. Marshmallow?

The fanservice is amazing. Yes please, Who! Truly, I have high hopes there.

I think they've done a wonderful job with him, he's really been fleshed out and developed, and having episodes like Meat particularly is great fun for everyone.

No I actually think you may be right on most counts. I was kind of exploding in mine. I by no means think that Jack and Ianto don't care for each other a lot, they very obviously do. I also loved Gwen in this episode and think that she certainly loves Rhys and Jack but has chosen Rhys in the end. I think this makes her even more lovely in that she did really choose Rhys and has decided to push aside her love for Jack. (I mean we know she loves him, she said it in Adam)

Jack on the other hand I am still displeased with. I don't think the distant at the end thing was due to old marriage memories of his but more like memories of marriage and him imagining himself as married to Gwen. He's been married before as we have learned and all this must have woken up those marriage feelings some. I think he does love Gwen. I think it began with his protective feeling and wanting the best for her (he still does that's why he keeps supporting her getting/being married). However, I certainly think he is in love with her now.

That is the reason I am upset with him. I know he loves Gwen but as for Ianto I don't know. And then I have the whole problem of loving more than one person at a time. I know Jack is capable of that but I suppose I just want more for Ianto.

But whatever, Ianto seems happy and Jack confused so we'll see where it goes.

omg I was so glad that Rhys got to punch Jack! That was awesome

Indeed it was! Especially in defence of his mother.

Seriously, if Rhys was real and I was straight I would so marry him!!!

Brilliant, thanks. I brought chocolate milk.

I'm a bit nervous about Who. After what Rusty did last season, I'm a bit afraid they'll mess it up again. So much could go wrong with the reunion. If they do it right, it'll be the best thing in the world, though.

Oh, yes. I loved Meat. And Kai is perfect for the part, as well. A show can never have enough Welshies, says I!

Yes, seeing that choice really played was wonderful, especially as the writers really made us feel that she was going the right way.

Mmm, yeah, I do see where you're coming from - I don't know that I'd go so far as to describe him as actually being in love with her, though. Hmm.

And oh heavens, yes, secretly I want them to get married and adopt Myfanwe after all, and the fact that at some point in canon it's probably all going to go horribly wrong kind of kills me. I hope that now Gwen's got married it might get a bit more developed in the happy place, though, for the sake of my poor invested heart.

It could go wrong, but I reckon that everyone involved is going to want to really pull the stops out, because clearly they all love Rose, and Billie as well, and I'm sure lots of thought has gone into that. I just hope that they manage to balance Donna and Martha and Jack as well and not get any stupid rivalries or things that are going to upset fandom (ha, as if that's even possible).

It is so Welsh, I love it! Gwen and Rhys arguing is one of my favourite things ever, because they both go so thickly-accented and impassioned and it's amazing.

Hahaha, WORD. Perfect husband material!

Oh yes I do have that secret Jack and Ianto forever banner even though I know in the world of Torchwood no one stays happy for ever.

I do love seeing all the happy sweet moments between J and I now though. I mean Ianto dad stories, nice kisses, dancing, *sigh* They have such a fun caring as well as playful relationship or whatever they might call it that if I ignore the Jack/Gwen weirdness its perfect!

Denial via fanfic, right?

And eeee, I know! I still can't quite get over that they made my ship canon - I look back fondly to those pre-stopwatch days when I was totally rooting for it, and then being worried it would just get dropped this season, and look at what we get instead! I am such a happy fan. :D

I KNOW! I mean, the slash as canon. How often do we actaully get what we want? And get it with such cuteness? I mean "Adam" was the epitome of Jack/Ianto love and affection for me!

Also, fangirling aside, the fact there's a long-term (well, in TV land time anyway) gay relationship on a sci-fi programme on mainstream TV is really kind of amazing and gives me hope for the kids watching it. :)

And so positively portrayed, so normally portrayed not as like a terrible secret or deviant act. It's very refreshing and just makes me so happy!

Hell to the Yes, basically.

But we can always count on you for Teh Sanity, can't we? Thanks, darling.

I'm still undecided by the episode. I think I'll have to watch it again once I've seen where they're going with the rest of the series.

If it hadn't been for the shippy bits, I'd have absolutely loved it - funny, cool and entertaining. Rhys is love and Gwen was fab.

But the shippy bits have left me floundering a little. I don't think it's the end of Janto, despite fandoms implosion, but I don't quite understand what's going on between them. I don't know what's going on in Jack's head - I'm happy for him to love both, but right now everything has been focused on Gwen and I don't feel like we're seeing his feelings for Ianto in the same way. Plus there have been a fair few times when I've really felt like we needed a Ianto reaction shot recently (not just because I love GDL's expressiveness) - I really was longing to see his face during the dance.

It didn't ruin the episode for me, but it left me confused - I don't have a problem with not thinking what the programme-makers want me to think, I'm less used to not having any idea what the programme-makers are trying to show.

I must admit though, I'm much happier if I read the Jack/Gwen relationship as more siblings or father/daughter - they just work better for me that way. Plus I think they look weirdly similar - but that's probably just me. :p

w00t! And haha, well, I try. Though I think looking sane in this fandom really does not take a great deal of effort. :P

Yeah, I do agree with you there, Jack's been a bit hard to get a handle on recently - his interaction with Owen the past couple of episodes, too, what is going on? But I think you're right, now we need to know where they're going with the last part of the series and where they're going to take the characters, then things like this might have a bit more context. Oh, is it Wednesday yet? :P

And ah, Torchwood so is a big crazy adorable family, when you get down to it. ♥

Yes. To all that. Wholeheaarted agreement with the lot of it - plus, you put it way more articulately than I ever could. ♥

Hurray! Ah, seeing other people agree with me is always so heartening. :P

Series 2 is really winning!

Gwen's wedding dress was amazing! If I ever get married I want an Ianto to pick my dress. Bless! And yes, guns in bouquets! Total win.

I think I may be in a minority in fandom given that I don't find the whole Jack/Gwen thing awful or repulsive, I read it very much as a natural friendly closeness where it is completely acceptable to be upset that one person is getting married, but at the same time to be happy for them. Also, it cannot be denied that Rhys is amazing. I love him!

(Because I am shallow I loved Ianto cutting in the dance and then dancing with Jack. It made me go "awwww". The only thing I didn't love was the random feeling to Gwen's bridesmaids. I know, we haven't seen a great deal of her life outside Torchwood, but hi, central casting called and they want their robots back.)

I am not really looking forward to the next episode. Circuses and mime artists and the like scare me. *shiver*

Isn't it just? So happy-making!

And haha, totally. My hypothetical wedding would be just like this one, though potentially without the murderous shapeshifters.

Now, see, reading it in that way and I completely love it, I just find it hard to buy into it all the time, you know? But however you define it, Jack was always going to be a bit torn at a wedding of one of his team.

(Eee, I am shallow also - public displays of affection in this ship are so rare and therefore golden, yay. And um, yes, the supporting characters kind of sucked in this one, oh well.)

Oh dear, good luck! I shall be interested to know what you make of it.

I could do without murders at my wedding. Or at least, y'know, alien ones. Parents can murder each other, it won't be my problem. I'll have a pretty dress.

(I also like that we get them. On regular TV, watched by millions. And that the kisses and suchlike aren't cut out of the kids version. God I love the BBC sometimes.)

The supporting characters were just pointless. And, umm, was I the only one who thought that Banana-Man looked terrifying? He had a face like a fish.

Yes, hurray for the BBC! I know everyone in fandom jokes about RTD's gay agenda, but actually. In a sci-fi/action show, of all things, it's unusual and pretty awesome.

He did, it was horrifying. Poor, poor Tosh.

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Torchwood 2x09: Something Borrowed

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