Torchwood 2x11: Adrift

[such_heights]

Still taking improbable crossover scenarios over here, I shall get that posted over the weekend.

Jack/Ianto writers, seen thestopwatch yet? A summer fic exchange that I'm quite excited about, because Torchwood fandom is a bit rubbish thus far about having these sorts of community activities. Sign-ups here.


YAY. YAY for a well-plotted, well-characterised, compelling episode with lots of interesting things to say, a good concept, and a suitably complex dynamic between Gwen, Ianto and Jack. I am a happy bunny, and have much love for Chris Chibnall right now.

Oh, Gwen. This was such a hark back to Day One, where she's the one that supplies the heart when she collects personal information on whatshername, and here she's trying to do the same, because she has become hard, to an extent, and that's not necessarily a bad thing but it's not her, and this time it's Jack that's right but I don't think we're necessarily meant to feel she should have done differently - actually, I like that I don't think we're meant to react in one particular way to this, I felt like we were being presented with a horrible situation and being allowed to make our own judgements on it. Mmm, morally interesting, most enjoyable.

On that note, the idea of the Rift stealing people is a great one with future potential and one that makes a lot of sense. Sheesh, though, Torchwood's unremittingly bleak view of alien life continues apace, doesn't it? In my personal canon, the Rift takes back the ones who get really damaged, while some of the poor souls who got whisked away and are still out there are having a blast on some nice planet somewhere. I look forward to Doctor Who's return and its more optimistic outlook, I must say!

I love Gwen & Rhys, love love love, and I never want them to stop having heated and amazingly Welsh arguments then making up and being adorable. ♥ They've really got a wonderful dynamic on screen.

And now for my mantra of this whole season: Ianto Jones, how are you awesome? Intervening on Gwen's behalf and sneaking around Jack and having his own agenda and knowing what's going on, why yes this is just how I like him best. :D I really, really liked that he knew about the island, because no one knows more about Torchwood than he does and it's nice to have that re-enforced. Also, the idea that he's something of a confidante for Jack, maybe. (Fic on that sort of score coming v. soon, because this episode's kind of crying out for related stories.)

Invisible Owen! *sadface* Still, we did get a lovely bit of Tosh towards the beginning of the episode, I liked her helping Gwen, because I think we've really seen throughout this series how much of a bond they've all developed, and how they all love Jack, of course, but that's a little more complicated, whereas in the meantime they've got each other. They've been building up this whole web of different sorts of friendship between them all and I love that.

There's another thing I'm meant to be talking about to do with this episode, isn't there? Now, what could that be... oh yeah, that's right, the part when Gwen walked in on them and I died laughing. Seriously. That's been waiting to happen all season. And how they were both all "threesome, yes?" and Gwen's face and ahahaha, so great. Oh, Jack and Ianto, you and your epic love founded almost entirely on slightly bizarre sexual activity, I love you so very much.

Comments

[onehundredmoons.livejournal.com]

LOVED this ep, too. :) More later, but there is dinner to be had!

[such_heights]

Hurray! Also, icon! GDL cinched his place as winner of the award for best expressions in the history of the world last night, I need to get me some iconnage of that. :D

[onehundredmoons.livejournal.com]

I'm totally wibbling about the J/I fic exchange. I've never participated in an anonymous exchange before, and the prospect is a little scary (esp. with unknown small person's impending arrival)!

Off to read your new fic (yay)!

[such_heights]

Ahaha, and now an even better icon! ♥

Ooh, ooh, do it! There's caboodles of time, and some of the requests up so far look so shiny. *glances meaningfully at poking stick* ;)

[snegurochka_lee]

If you find/write porny fic about the walked-in-on scene, let me know, eh? I'm dying for some, but I generally fail at knowing where to look in this fandom. :D

[such_heights]

I'll be keeping an eye out for sure, I'll let you know if I uncover anything good!

[sunnyrea.livejournal.com]

I am with you on the woot for well thought out plotted episode. Wonderful. Also loved PC Andy in this. Glad to see more of him and more fleshing out of his character.

I also loved Rhys' speech to Gwen about real life and living it which I loved. It was so perfect and he always says just what I want to say to Gwen.

And I agree it was a harkening back to "Day One" with Gwen and her desire to do good but in this time it not working out so well. I mean that scream thing near the end there really got me. I wanted to cry too.

And boo yah on the Ianto knowing and leading Gwen there. I love Ianto having his own agenda and being able to do things without Jack's permission or without telling Jack. (I am so writing a fic about this!)

And yeah.... I had to look away in shock at the walk in on Ianto and Jack because for some reason I wasn't expecting it. *shrugg* I had to go back to actually watch it. Plus the naked hide and seek and "he always cheats" was just fabulous. Hee hee.

But yes, this was a very good Gwen episdoe. Despite her error in showing the woman her son I really liked Gwen in this epsiode, trying to get back the softer caring side of her that she'd lost, cuddling and confiding in Rhys at the end. So nice.

Chris Chibnall gets points!

[such_heights]

Many, many points!

Ahaha, I think my face was quite similar to Gwen's actually, I was sort 'no, surely-- LOL'.

I agree that Jonah's end was really heartbreaking, I was very sniffly there and then just a bit shocked. :/

And yes, yay yay for Gwen! This is what we watch her for.

[sunnyrea.livejournal.com]

Its crazy because I had become a bit not Gwen fan but she is starting to work her way back into my heart! Probably because she and Rhys' relationship is changing, I think for the better and I looooooooooove Rhys

[such_heights]

Quite so, quite so. I think it was the Owen period that I started to get particularly frustrated with her, but these days she is rocking out hardcore - I think 'Something Borrowed' is still my favourite Gwen episode of the season, so very much win there.

[sunnyrea.livejournal.com]

I second the "Something Borrowed" Gwen love. She was just awesome in that one!

[nohwrah.livejournal.com]

This episode was definitely one of the best of the season- well-written, well-thought out and obviously Jack/Ianto with Ianto pwning just about the entire world. (Also, Rhys and Andy stole my heart.)

Thank you for pimping the comm around and for joining in with the writing!

[such_heights]

Yes, exactly! I love how the general calibre of this season has been so much higher, and I can only hope that as the programme continues more episodes will be at least as good as this. With the exception of Jack, this was the All-Wales episode, wasn't it? Love it!

Not at all, anything to get me writing more in this fandom. :D