Torchwood: They Keep Killing...

[fajrdrako]

I woke up early this morning and watched Torchwood: They Keep Killing... before breakfast. My internal sqeeing was set to maximum. I think I was grinning through the whole thing. Jack's braces. Gwen's big eyes. Lots of the Torchwood Hub. And witty dialogue.

1. Canonical slash between Jack and Ianto - with a stopwatch. Joy! So when will we see them kiss again? Why are the producers being so discreet? At least we got a brief postmortum kiss between Suzie and Gwen, but I'd like to see a real live conscious-and-alive kiss between Jack and Ianto. I loved the cute look Ianto gave him. And he made Jack smile. Way to go, Ianto. (Now go make him smile again.)

2. Gwen is just so sweet. How can she be an ex-cop and still be so innocent?

3. Suzie had a thing for Gwen. Awww. I'd like to love Suzie (because I really like her looks and style) but it just isn't possible. What really made me give up on her was her line that she didn't know anything about Max because she just wanted to talk about herself. I loved it that Gwen thought Suzie wanted to see her dying father out of love, and it was actually hatred. Gwen is gullible. Nicely empathic, but gullible - measures others by herself.

4. Jack's story about his boyfriends, the twin acrobats - ! C'mon, Jack, you're making that one up on the fly .... a cute fantasy to raise an eyebrow or a smile.

5. No Rhys again, but at least he was mentioned.

6. The Gwen/Owen affair took a back seat to other things, though it was mentioned. Does this imply it's preoccupying them less? Of course, we weren't getting Gwen's or Owen's interior thoughts in this one. It was nice to see Owen tending to Gwen when she was dying (or dead) on the dock. It was also interesting to learn that Suzie was Owen's lover.

7. I loved the way Jack had no sympathy for Suzie. I'd have had sympathy for her, myself - though not as much as Gwen, or at least, I wouldn't have taken her off the premises! But Jack sees through deceptions. It was also great seeing Ianto take some of the psychological pressure off him at the end, helping with the body.

8. Loved Tosh's line about her job at Torchwood having less honour because of what Suzie did.

9. A religious group? What was Suzie thinking of? I guess it was just a good place to find people whose minds she could mess with. So... retcon didn't drive anyone mad, it was just that Suzie programmed Max's brain to go psycho in just the way she wanted. Ruthless.

10. No pterodactyl this week either.

11. Good scene where the local cops were laughing at Captain Jack for being trapped in Torchwood. I liked it that it was Tosh who came up with the solution to the code, to use the ISBN. Why Emily Dickinson? I've never liked her poetry. To my ears it sounded delightfully apropos to Suzie's usage.

12. Loved Ianto's line about gloves coming in pairs.

Comments

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

(I'm not reading your comments yet - not that I mind spoilers, but I want to form my own opinions :); this is just a comment on the out-of-the-cut text):

Have you tried watching a TW episode with a TW Bingo card in mind? TW bingo is on the tw_declassified comm; it definitely makes you look and listen hard.

Will reply on the rest probably later tonight!

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I am so looking forward to this!

[beck-liz.livejournal.com]

2. Gwen is just so sweet. How can she be an ex-cop and still be so innocent?

It was pointed out that she mentioned in a previous episode (Countrycide, I think?) that she had been planning on working to get promoted to Desk Sergeant, not Detective. Which makes me think that although she'd certainly seen some bad things happen, she maybe wasn't quite as in the thick of it as a detective might be. She didn't usually have to deal with the reality of people's petty and horrible motives for crimes, and such. *shrug* Also, some people are just more resilient in their idealism.

8. Loved Tosh's line about her job at Torchwood having less honour because of what Suzie did.

Yes, I liked that, too.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's obvious that Gwen hadn't been promoted very far in the force, and it could be that she didn't particularly want to be dealing directly with crime and criminals - that this held her back. On the other hand, she was intensely curious, and she doesn't shy away from the violence when it happens, so I think she's just a thoroughly sweet person trying to deal with things, who really is, as you say, resilient in her idealism and warm nature.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

As always, I look forward to hearing your reactions.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Isn't tw_declassified the one where they don't bother with spoiler warnings? I didn't join it for that reason: I really don't want to be spoiled, and it's hard enough to resist reading what all the first-viewing crowd in the UK gets to see between Sunday and Tuesday. But I like the idea of a bingo card - since I'm all caught up on viewing for the moment, maybe I'll go have a look. Then that will give me an excuse to watch the episode again.

I'm eager to hear what you think of it.

[cupati.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to post this without looking at your post. I just want to say thank you. Even if it is too late... ;) [If you don't understand, pop over to torch_wood]

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Spoiler trouble may set you back... I guess right now it's safe for you to got there :-P

Otherwise... you could just go to the bingo sign-up thread and sign up, and then when you've seen the episode go to post your results (now if there is ever a spoiler thread, that's it!).

I don't think there is an _excessive_ amount of traffic in the comm, otherwise.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

A pity it's ptery-free, though!
I want more screen-time for the ptery!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You are referring to my attempted discretion regarding the title of the episode? Yes, it's too little too late, I am afraid, but I myself don't like spoilers and do everything I can to avoid reading them - which gives me a difficult couple of days when the UK crowd has seen the episode and I haven't yet. So I certainly don't want to pass them on and spoil someone else for the episode.

I hope you enjoy it, when you get to it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

So do I! He's due for a return. I'd like to see him take part in the action again. Wonder if he will?

[cupati.livejournal.com]

Yep indeedy. I watch on Tuesday afternoons [timing dependant on duckbunny's arrival], when no-one else is, because although I'm not entirely legal, I prefer hard copies ;). But the Royal Mail hasn't let me down once yet.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

How lucky you are to have the Royal Mail. Canada Post wouldn't be able to cope.

Great icon!

[cupati.livejournal.com]

I don't see why people ever diss our postal service, cos I have no problems with it [apart from the chewed puzzle mag].

Thankyou! It comes from one of my drabbles! http://community.livejournal.com/tw100/8589.html [entirely non-spoilery]

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Good drabble. Good icon.

I keep meaning to write a pie drabble but have no inspiration at all.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'll go and look at the bingo thread anyway, it sounds like fun.

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

Loads of thingies in this episode... though quite not as lovable as the last one. Well, they would have found it very difficult to top that one :)

Jack's suspenders. _And his sleeves rolled up_! When he is walking to retrieve Suzie... Gasp!

I loved Tosh in this episode too. I loved Ianto. Even Owen had some redeeming qualities!
Gwen... she was actually over the top. Cute, yes, gullible yes, lovable, yes... but they just overdid it. Why oh why did she insist on their using the glove _quite_ so much? Before she had even touched it?

And Gwen and Jack shifting the blame between them? Oh... bad. Bad.

The look that Jack and Gwen shared in the end... I'm not giving up on Jack/Gwen just as yet, no siree! You're right, an orgy is quite the thing for them, though.

I hated the way Jack was talking about Rhys... if Gwen left her thing to Rhys, they'd stack him too. And I'm not sure if he was joking. I want more Rhys, I do!

Oh... blah. Should stop now. in short... Squee! I saw this episode too!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

though quite not as lovable as the last one.

Both were lovable, I think. We're on a roll. These are good.

Jack's suspenders. _And his sleeves rolled up_!

Oooh yes. There are no words.

Even Owen had some redeeming qualities!

He did, and fewer obnoxious moments than he used to.

hy oh why did she insist on their using the glove _quite_ so much? Before she had even touched it?

It's dangerously addictive, and psychic - works through the brain, right? Think of the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings. You don't have to touch it to feel its lure.

The look that Jack and Gwen shared in the end... I'm not giving up on Jack/Gwen just as yet, no siree!

I am more than ever sure something will happen between them and more than ever hoping for it. Let Gwen have her jollies with shallow Owen, let Jack have his fun with lovely Ianto - the Gwen/Jack days will come, I am sure.

I'm not sure if he was joking.

Not entirely joking, I think, but not literally true - more of a warning that they'd be keeping an eye on things.

I want more Rhys, I do!

yes! Come back, Rhys!

Should stop now

Oh, no, do continue, I'm enjoying this. (Suspenders. Rolled-up sleeves. Gorgeous shirt. Gorgeous frown. Even more gorgeous smile.)

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

Now you've got me going random, and I'm too much asleep to put them in order!!!

Suspenders. Rolled-up sleeves. "Would you prefer naked". Stopwatch.

A surpisingly slim shotgun.

Very worried, but Ianto does manage to cheer him up. Well, and Gwen coming back helps, too.

Captain Jack Harkness honestly begging for help. (Wow!)

"Somebody wants your attention." - "They've got it." (Sharp indrawn breath)

Oh... I love that man.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

you've got me going random

That's okay, i can sort it out in my head!

Suspenders. Rolled-up sleeves. "Would you prefer naked". Stopwatch.

I am now conditioned to smile broadly when I hear the word "stopwatch". That word was a gift from Davies to the slash fans, a veritable gift.

Ianto does manage to cheer him up. Well, and Gwen coming back helps, too.


Both. And though it was an emotionally difficult time for him (especially killing Suzie multiple times by the end), it wasn't something new: she'd already shot herself in Everything Changes, this was just restoring the status quo. Though he might well feel the irony: if someone were to shoot him now, after he has already been shot to death once, is it still murder? Yes. And if for him, then why not for Suzie? No wonder he has trouble sleeping.

Ianto does manage to cheer him up.

I'm not the world's greatest Ianto fan but oh, how I love Ianto for that.

Captain Jack Harkness honestly begging for help. (Wow!)

Loved that, too.

"Somebody wants your attention." - "They've got it." (Sharp indrawn breath)

Oooh yes. Loved that moment.

I love that man.

Me too.

[vervassal.livejournal.com]

That episode made me so happy in so many ways. Gwen was... Gwen, Indira Varma rocked, Owen was decent, and as for the stopwatch...

♥♥♥

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You said it! All those things. I am a very happy fan.

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

Jack/Ianto has _got_ to be canon.

I mean, with what little capacity I have for that, I have been thinking... why would Ianto be asking Jack, in Cyberwoman, "in how long haven't you asked me how I felt/what is going on with me" or something like that? I mean, Gwen is _always_ surprised at how -little- Torchwood team members communicated down on the personal level... But Ianto is actually angry at Jack for not asking him.
Hmmm... Could Ianto have been worried that having an affair with a woman while Lisa was incapacitated would be cheating, while a man wouldn't (hah, try to get that one past Jack. Or the Doctor...)

Another thing...
That soliloqui of Jack's, in the very beginning ("contraceptives in the rain...")... Who is he talking to? "At least Lisa won't get pregnant again.... Ianto? Hmmm.. If so, just _how_ close are they?

my response.

[atheneunknown.livejournal.com]

1.The dynamic between Jack/Ianto is adorable. Though I'd love to know exactly when that started, because if its been going on for any amount of time Ianto didn't wait very long after Lisas death. I too would enjoy more onscreen time between them, kissing or not. An exploration of their relationship would make me just as happy.

2. I love how real and naive she is as well.

3. I was more then slightly miffed at the fact that they didn't go into WHY she killed her father. Was he abusive, non existant in her life, did he cheat on her mother? For god sake he might have just never gotten her that pony she asked for every year for christmas for all we know.

4. I'd really rather not think that was a fantasy. I'd love to picture that in my head as the real thing.

5. Rhys is becoming less and less involved, and I'm not sure if I'm upset or not. When you first get a new job your life does tend to revolve around it for a bit, and the others in your life fade for a while. So if we're supposed to be in Gwens perspective, then it makes sense.

6. They weren't shown directly, but they don't make it very subtle. Everyone on the team has to know. The way they flirt, and the way Owens always right there when somethings wrong with her. Even after the glove thing he was on her like white on rice. Not that I blame him, being a doctor and all he'd be the first one I'd want there, but still.

7. Jack made me happy in this ep all around. "You started it." Was a true and honest answer to what she was saying, and that doesn't happen often lol.

8. I agree with you about Tosh's comment. I'm glad we had last weeks episode to really bring me into her character. She's actually quite cool now that I've gotten to see more of her.

9. The whole group religous thing seemed logical. With what she was saying about the earth getting all the universes shit, she probably needed to feel like there was something BIGGER...that is if she went there for counciling and not just to find a person to put this plan into affect with.

10. Pteryodactl needs to be round more.

11. I hope they keep that female officer in the series, she'd be a great bantering partner with Jack. Especially now that she's seen the softer side of Torchwood lol.

12. Oh god that line bout killed me. Because he's right. He's very right. And the look Jack gave him was perfect.

Re: my response.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

The dynamic between Jack/Ianto is adorable.

It certainly is. I wasn't really hooked on Ianto till "They Keep Killing Susie", although I had come to like him in "Countrycide" - but it was his cute humour in "Susie" that really endeared him to me.

Though I'd love to know exactly when that started, because if its been going on for any amount of time Ianto didn't wait very long after Lisas death.

I suspect they're not going to tell us when it started. Some fans think it started before Lisa's death. I don't; I think it started afterwards, maybe soon afterwards, since Ianto had a lot of strong feelings churned up there. It only takes seconds for feelings to change, or for arousal. (Maybe not even that long, for Jack.)

I too would enjoy more onscreen time between them, kissing or not. An exploration of their relationship would make me just as happy.

Yes. Anything would be welcome. Even just more of scenes like we've seen.

I was more then slightly miffed at the fact that they didn't go into WHY she killed her father.

That didn't bother me - there are any number of reasons she might hate him, and I don't mind speculating as to what they were, or whether they were justified or delusional. Susie was dangerous and deceptive.

I'd really rather not think that was a fantasy. I'd love to picture that in my head as the real thing.

This is Jack's life; I am sure it was real. My comment was sort of a tease at the way Jack puts his own spin on his stories. I wonder what he'd say about the Doctor, should he ever see fit to mention him. I don't think he would - I think that's private territory.

Rhys: I just liked him, and would like to see him again. I don't even really care about his relationship with Gwen. I think Jack is slightly wrong - Gwen isn't the 'normal' person, Rhys is. He makes mundanity endearing.

Everyone on the team has to know.

Yes. I would think so.

"You started it." Was a true and honest answer to what she was saying, and that doesn't happen often lol.

Very true. I liked the way he didn't back down at any point. He doesn't in other episodes, either, unless it's warranted. I think he feels, like Tosh does, that Susie betrayed Torchwood and its purposes.

She's actually quite cool now that I've gotten to see more of her.


I think Tosh is wonderful. I hope she gets more onscreen story-time.

I hope they keep that female officer in the series, she'd be a great bantering partner with Jack.

Hearty agreement!