Torchwood & the attack of the plotbunnies

[wiseheart]

Entry bounced up a few days, so that more people can join the discussion if they want.

First, I wanted to give artemis10002000 this link. It's a discussion on a digitalspy forum titled "Frustration over Jack/Ianto's relationship".

It's a very interesting one, and people say a lot of thing I deeply agree with. Especially considering Gwen's role and the overdue attention she gets from both Jack and the scripwriters. I mean, she's an interesting character, and I like the actress, but the way Gwen throws her weight around as if she were the boss of Torchwood 3, after what, three weeks with the team? Honestly, I find it ridiculous. And I just can't accept that the others, who'd been there for years, would simply take it.

Possible spoilers behind the tag!

I also agree with the people partaking in the discussion that Ianto has been threated badly in Season 1 (that's all I've seen so far) both by Jack and the scriptwriters. I for myself can't buy his suddenly getting involved with Jack and being so nonchalant about it, only weeks after he's told him he hated him and that Jack was the worst monster out there - which is, in a certain context, actually true.

The other character really mistreated is Toshiko. I don't know what the original concept was, but she comes over as the most level-headed, not to mention most intelligent character in the entire show. Actually, the only regular character next to Ianto who doesn't seem a cardboard caricature. Yet she's the most neglected one. Yes, I know she had her Own (lesbo) episode - and just how terribly clichéd was that?

And her undying love for Owen? Forget it! I can't possibly imagine what any woman would see in Owen. Aside from him looking like an old woman (and a particularly ugly one), he's an ever bigger jerk than Jack is. A jerk who seems to enjoy to be mean to the others and knows enough about them to hurt them, which he does regularly and with delight.

Also, getting back to Gwen - why did the writers make her turn out such a slut? I mean, her boyfriend, Rhys, is a really nice one, and lover her like crazy, only God knows why. Yet she cheats on him with Owen and is all over Jack all the time. To the point that she even throws jealous fits over him and Ianto (not that there would be much to be jealous of - IMO their relationship is just what Owen has so nicely called it: a "part-time shag".

In a show that's based on character interaction (given the lack of special effects and other decorative stuff), that's really bad writing, ladies and gents. We're supposed to identify with the characters, don't we? Well, the only characters I can identify with are Tosh and Ianto. All the others are just egomaniac jerks. Sorry.

And since whenever I'm unhappy with the course a show takes, the plotbunnies have attacked again. I got this weird idea about Ianto leaving Jack and his pet slut after Series 2 and getting sent to 5th Season Atlantis by the British Prime Minister, to represent British interests as Richard Woolsey's personal aide.

There he would make fast friends with Miko (mostly because she'd remind him of Tosh: both nice, underestimated Japanese computer geniuses, desperately in unrequited love with a co-worker)... and I think he and Dr. Beckett (now that we have Carson back) would make the ideal couple.

I could swear that I'm not going to write the story, especially as I have several dozen WIPs already. But we all know how my muses work. Currently, I'm trying to resist, particularly as I haven't seen mneither Season 5 of Atlantis yet nor Series 2 of Torchwood. All I have are a few sentences that have popped up in my head like bad advertising. Sentences like these:

Ianto: (to Jack, upon leaving Torchwood) I'm tired of fighting Gwen for your affections.

Then, after the end of SGA, Ianto returns to GB with Carson. Jack visits and tries to re-hire him for Torchwood, since honestly, having Gwen as the only employee? So not gonna work! To his surprise, Ianto refuses.

Ianto: Trochwood is behind me. It's in the past. /This is my life now.

Jack: (looks around and takes in Carson's simple home.) This? A meek little middle-class life with picket fences and haggis and a soft teddy bear in kilt to shag? That's what you want?

Ianto: That's what I'd like to have. But I know it will never be like that. There'll always be dangers, and I'll face them when I have to. I just won't seek them out actively any longer. I'm not an immortal like you, Jack - I need to use what little time is granted to me well.


Not much of a bunny, I know. That's why I hope by God that I'll be able to resist it for quite a time yet. ;))

Comments

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

As you say. *nods sagely*
There had to be severe retaliation.