Torchwood: "A Day in the Death"...

[fajrdrako]

I have a daily calendar called "Women's Wit", given to me as a Christmas Present by my friend Lisa. Sometimes the daily wit isn't very funny, but it's often oddly apropos. Today's line is from Zelda Werner: "When you have no problems, you're dead."

Judging from "A Day in the Death", it doesn't mean that, when you're dead, you have no problems....

1. The greatest joy of this episode is that Owen is still dead at the end. Yay! Cheers for dead!Owen! SO much more interesting than live Owen.



2. The worst thing is that the story hardly used Martha, and she has now left Torchwood. I'll miss her. Loved the way she was front and centre of the action in "Reset": too bad that didn't last.



3. I loved it that Parker called Jack "The American". Such a mystique.



4. So: another Owen episode. I admittedly like dead Owen more than I like living Owen, but he still managed to irritate me on several occasions. That's okay, but another Owen-centric episode was... just not quite what I wanted. I concede that Burn Gorman is an excellent actor, but I don't much like him even when his acting is excellent, and I don't much like Owen, even when he is at his most interesting.



5. Is that a new suit on Ianto? Nice. I hope he's trying to impress his boss. I hope he's succeeding.



6. It was a lot like "Random Shoes" - a sequel, of sorts, because it was about Mr. Parker, and about a dead person adjusting (with difficulty) to being dead while interacting with the living; and it was a bittersweet heartwarming character story which in theory I should like but basically I don't much like this kind of story on Torchwood - unless Jack is the focus.



7. Maggie was interesting - I liked her story. Particulary the scenes at the scene of the accident, with her still in her wedding dress. I liked the way we didn't see her husband, but got a sense of her grief. I liked the way she waited a year before trying to kill herself.



8. The best scene was Owen coming out of the water and finding Jack waiting for him, saying, "Thirty-six minutes." I liked Jack putting things in perspective. Get a grip, Owen.



9. I also liked the scenes of Owen cleaning out his fridge. Don't think he should have got rid of the toothpaste and soaps, though. Surely even the dead have to keep clean. Otherwise he'll get dusty, right?



10. I don't blame Owen for not wanting to watch daytime TV, but couldn't he have worked on his medical reading? Yes, I know, he was feeling too out of sorts and depressed to settle, but he just wasn't, at that point, handling it well.



11. Good scene between Ianto and Owen, though. I liked Ianto's mix of compassion and impatience. I liked Owen's combination of resentment and embarrassment at being asked to make the coffee - he was just missing the point entirely, but then, it's Owen; he would. I also loved the way he kept mixing up people's mugs and generally getting it wrong. Jack could have had a few more heart-to-heart talks with him about adjustment and choices, but perhaps Jack thought that it was somthing Owen had to sort out on his own, in his own terms, or not at all. Sink or swim. And maybe he thought Owen's jealousy of his immortality would be an obstacle anyway.
    
    Anywyay, I loved Ianto's approach: "I've seen you save so many lives. Are you going to let this defeat you?" Though I confess, I tried to think of any occasion we've seen in which Owen has saved lives medically, and couldn't think of many. He saved Martha in "Reset" (after expoding the other guy.) Who else? He fixed up Gwen's wounds in "Countrycide", but I didn't have the impression they were life-threatening. I feel that though there have been many references to how good a Doctor Owen is, we never really see it.



12. Cute Tintin theme. Especially the way Ianto flinched in horror when Owen accused Tintin of dog-shagging. Loved the T-shirt.



13. Tosh: "always the professional". I liked that, and I liked Mr. Parker's appreciation of her legs, and her reaction to his flirting.



14. Scariest moment of the episode was when Owen broke his fingers to shock Tosh.



15. In fact, that scene brought back all my old dislike of Owen and my annoyance with the Tosh/Owen relationship. I know he was brooding over his own problems, but couldn't he at least have listened to Tosh, who so desperately needs someone to talk to? Or have pretended to listen? I'm not sure which I hate more: that he's mean to her, or that she stubbornly loves him (and keeps saying so) regardless of how mean he is. No wonder she loved a murderous alien: Mary was generally kinder to her than Owen is. (He's eating her heart in a metaphorical sense.)
    
    I would, in compensation, like the scenes where they are friendly - if only she'll stop saying she loves him. We know she loves him. We know he turned her down. (Several times, and in different ways.) We know she is bighearted and loyal and dormattish. I just wish she'd stop saying it out loud.



16. That aside, I liked all the scenes of Owen breaking into Parker's house, doing the dead-stealth thing. I loved the way the security guards were characterized, and the way Owen handled them - they were real people, not just goons in the way. I liked Owen's conversations with them and with Parker. I liked Owen's attitude there - dead or alive, he's still a Doctor.



17. I loved Parker's curiosity about Torchwood. I was curious about him from "Random Shoes"; the notion of a wealthy alien-artifact collected always makes me think of Henry Van Statten, who must be operating in the US at this time, and Torchwood must be aware of him. I always wonder if he somehow stole the Retcon recipe from Jack, with his memory-wiping techniques.



18. Was it just me, or was the energy-spiking alien artifact sort of anticlimactic? Pretty but useless? I couldn't help wondering if it were summoning an army of Sleepers or Daleks or Sycorax or something. The movement of the light reminded me of the movements of Sarah Jane Smith's Star Poet and even those of Mary.



19. I liked it that Martha kissed Jack.



20. I liked it that Owen confessed his fear of the dark to Tosh, though I confess: I'd be happier if he'd said it to Jack.



21. Liked the 'choice' theme. Maggie had a choice between life and death. Owen didn't: his choice was whether to cope, or not.



22. So: it adds up to, "I liked watching this well enough, thought it was a well-written story, but it's not what I watch Torchwood for and if all the episodes were like this, I probably wouldn't be watching it at all.

Comments

[gillo]

# I also liked the scenes of Owen cleaning out his fridge. Don't think he should have got rid of the toothpaste and soaps, though. Surely even the dead have to keep clean. Otherwise he'll get dusty, right?

I had a lengthy conversation with the spouse about this. When we wash we are removing external grime but also dead cells, the top layer of the epidermis. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive. Owen cannot afford to remove any cell layers when he has no means of generating new ones. He'll literally wear through his skin, down to the bone and then through it. Not a good look.

I was annoyed by the failure to save the old man's life. He had an oxygen mask handy fer cryin' out loud. Also, the not enough breath thing? I know

exactly

where it was nicked from and you will too in a couple of weeks.

I've never liked Owen, but my respect for Burn Gorman as an actor has increased hugely over the last couple of weeks. I thought he did exceptionally well this time. Again, I was hearing a lot of echoes you won't, yet, but still.

I was unconvinced by the placement of the bloodstains on the wedding dress, but as a metaphor it worked very well. Nice to see someone else being Mr Broody, King of Pain on a rooftop.

[fl-zed.livejournal.com]

"I was annoyed by the failure to save the old man's life. He had an oxygen mask handy fer cryin' out loud. Also, the not enough breath thing? I know
exactly
where it was nicked from and you will too in a couple of weeks. "
Someone (taking or having taken some medical education, can't recall which right now) at one of the TW comms' reaction posts was kind enough to explain why the oxygen very much was a no-no and why Owen was to give him breath. This however in no way excuses the fact that logically for the old man there should have been a machine or tool to achieve the same effect, considering all the other machines and tools he had to protect his health. Lacking this makes no sense, considering how desperate the old man was to stay alive.
Where was the breath thing from? I keep hearing BtVS in this context, haven't found a solid ref yet though.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Lacking this makes no sense, considering how desperate the old man was to stay alive.

I'm happy to explain this as one of those random accidents that life is full of - that the one machine he would have needed had broken down that day, or something. Or glitched when Tosh turned off the generators. Or any random excuse.

[fl-zed.livejournal.com]

I guess :-/ Note to self: There are far worse inconsistencies, stop being so selectively blind - it's only a scifi-fantasy show, not scifi.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

it's only a scifi-fantasy show, not scifi.

Yes. Now, we'd all like it to be psychologically consistent within its own parameters, and in my opinion, this was just an episode where it wasn't.

Generally speaking, I can forgive logistical errors more easily than characterization errors.

[fl-zed.livejournal.com]

Same, since the characters usually are what matters most in a show.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Characters are what matter to me - especially in this one.

I wouldn't be watching it just for the sci-fi/fantasy elements.

[gillo]

Someone (taking or having taken some medical education, can't recall which right now) at one of the TW comms' reaction posts was kind enough to explain why the oxygen very much was a no-no and why Owen was to give him breath. This however in no way excuses the fact that logically for the old man there should have been a machine or tool to achieve the same effect, considering all the other machines and tools he had to protect his health.

There should have been a defibrillator to hand amongst all that stuff.

Where was the breath thing from? I keep hearing BtVS in this context, haven't found a solid ref yet though.

It's in an episode likely to be reviewed here very soon, and involves similar elements. Don't want to spoil fajrdrako because it's an important plot point which resonates through the next six seasons...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Don't want to spoil fajrdrako because it's an important plot point which resonates through the next six seasons...

Thank you for your discretion in this matter!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Owen cannot afford to remove any cell layers when he has no means of generating new ones.

Hmm, good point. So he'll have to walk around dusty. Poor guy. He can wear rubber gloves for medical procedures...

I was annoyed by the failure to save the old man's life.

Logistically I could accept it. Story-wise, I liked the idea of Owen coming back and telling the old man stories about Torchwood adventures. Owen doesn't have friends, doesn't have people to talk to or care about - it would have been good for him. It would have humanized him in a way that hasn't happened yet.

Also, the not enough breath thing? I know
exactly where it was nicked from and you will too in a couple of weeks.

Looking forward to it.

I was unconvinced by the placement of the bloodstains on the wedding dress,

What, too random?

[gillo]

So he'll have to walk around dusty. Poor guy. He can wear rubber gloves for medical procedures...

Eventually he'll have to wear gloves to keep his fingers on. Unless they can find a way of cell regeneration. At least with vampires "demon magic" covers that sort of question. But TW is supposed to be a magic-free zone, which raises lots more technical questions.

Also, the not enough breath thing? I know
exactly where it was nicked from and you will too in a couple of weeks.

Looking forward to it.

I'm not saying when, But I think you'll spot it.

I was unconvinced by the placement of the bloodstains on the wedding dress,

What, too random?

Yes - all over her bum, for example - how did they get there is she was sitting next to him in the car? Oh well, they were striking and symbolic. I liked more about the episode than I disliked, anyway.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

TW is supposed to be a magic-free zone

Really? Why do you think that? Haven't we already had lots of things I'd call 'magic'?

I liked more about the episode than I disliked, anyway.

I'm still figuring out my attitude. I think I admired it more than I actually liked it, if that makes sense.

[magika83.livejournal.com]

The worst thing is that the story hardly used Martha, and she has now left Torchwood. I'll miss her. Loved the way she was front and centre of the action in "Reset": too bad that didn't last.

I know. She was so brilliant in "Reset", and then hardly visible in the next two episodes. I really wish they would have used her (a lot) more. The farewell scene almost had me in tears. I loved that she kissed Jack, and I hope we'll see them together again sometime. I'm almost hoping now that Owen will die once and for all soon, and then Martha will join Torchwood...

[attolia.livejournal.com]

They did the same thing when Jack returned to Dr Who at the end of the third season. He had a major role in Utopia, but was mostly in the background for the last two episodes.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Quite right, and I didn't like that, either!

[magika83.livejournal.com]

That's true. I'm still upset about that.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

When you think how good it could have been - !

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

She was so brilliant in "Reset", and then hardly visible in the next two episodes.

She was central to "Reset", both as the personal focus and intrisic to the action - pivotal to the action, in fact. In "Dead Man Walking" and "A Day in the Death" the focus all switches to Owen and Martha's role could have been taken by any friendly passing doctor - even by Tosh, for example.

The farewell scene almost had me in tears. I loved that she kissed Jack,

I loved all of that. I liked the unabashed friendliness, love and warmth of "Reset" better than the wistfulness here, though.

I'm almost hoping now that Owen will die once and for all soon, and then Martha will join Torchwood...

Oh, I wish! Not much change, but I'd be very happy.

[cionaudha.livejournal.com]

Ah, for once we differ. This episode kicked my ass in so many ways. As a portrait of a breakdown I thought it was very convincing; as a portrait of Owen I found it fascinating. I was enchanted.

Ianto was surprisingly (I thought) gentle with Owen. I'm not sure we've ever seen him in a situation requiring compassion (?? have we?), but here it was. Even when Owen was about to break the coffee machine, he reached out for Owen's shoulder but not to stop him breaking the machine.

I didn't mind his anger at Tosh. She comes into his space with everything that's lost to him --pizza, beer, work gossip, the trivia of daily life-- on a day when he's having to finally realize that yes, he's lost them. Tosh? This is not the time.

As for not handling it well, as you say: it's only been a day. And while as Ianto says we've all been through shit, you have to admit that that shit trumps all other shit on the shit-o-meter. I'd say he was handling it remarkably well, with only one harbor-jumping freakout.

The kitchen and bathroom clean-out scene was heartbreaking.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

As a portrait of a breakdown I thought it was very convincing; as a portrait of Owen I found it fascinating. I was enchanted.

Clearly you find Owen much more interesting than I do! I like him better dead than alive but I'm still not very interested in him at all. I wonder what it would take - ? Probably there's nothing that could make me interested in him.

Ianto was surprisingly (I thought) gentle with Owen.

Yes. I liked Ianto excessively in this one. Brief though his role was!

I'm not sure we've ever seen him in a situation requiring compassion (?? have we?)

I thought he was very compassionate with the still-apparently-living Lisa in "Cyberwoman".

Even when Owen was about to break the coffee machine, he reached out for Owen's shoulder but not to stop him breaking the machine.

Ianto was pretty much perfect.

She comes into his space with everything that's lost to him --pizza, beer, work gossip, the trivia of daily life-- on a day when he's having to finally realize that yes, he's lost them.

Yes. But he doesn't care, and never did care, about her feelings. I'd agree with you if he'd been particularly nice to her before, and this were an aberration. As it was... he's treating her the way he always did. Careless of her feelings.

As for not handling it well, as you say: it's only been a day.

It's realistic. It just doesn't make me like Owen any more than I did before. If he was heroically brave and philosophical? Hard to imagine, but it might make me respect him.

I'd say he was handling it remarkably well, with only one harbor-jumping freakout.

I did rather enjoy that scene. Thirty-six minutes. Heh.

[katkim.livejournal.com]

Maggie was interesting - I liked her story. Particularly the scenes at the scene of the accident, with her still in her wedding dress.

I thought those scenes of Maggie and the accident were shocking, but so beautifully shot at the same time. They made such a strong impression visually and emotionally. I thought those scenes were great.

I liked Jack putting things in perspective. Get a grip, Owen.

I liked that Jack put things in perspective, but I thought he would have had an understanding that it takes time to come to terms with 'dead forever'. He, himself, spend a good amount of time coming to terms being 'alive forever' and getting his own perspective back, but I don't think that came across and so that scene and Jack didn't quite hit the mark for me.

I liked it that Martha kissed Jack.
I liked Martha's quip that everyone else has had a go, so why not? But I thought that kiss had no chemistry and Jack looked so uncomfortable! But they work so well as friends that I think the awkward kiss just underscores that. I hope we see more of her and Jack - I like their relationship so much and we see a different side to Jack when he's with her.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I thought those scenes of Maggie and the accident were shocking, but so beautifully shot at the same time.

Yes. There was a sort of grandeur to them. Grief on a sort of classical, symbolic level. Powerful.

But I thought that kiss had no chemistry and Jack looked so uncomfortable!

It didn't and he was, which is an intersting contrast to their comfort-lvel together in "Reset", which I liked much more. Among other things, it gave the impression they were parting for years, but why? He's in Cardiff and she's in London and even though they're both busy workaholics, it isn't as if there's no reason to keep in touch and see each other occasionally even if the fate of the planet doesn't depent on it. They can IM each other every day if they want.

Still: I can buy the awkwardness. They love each other on so many levels, they don't dare allow lust into the equation. And they'd both probably like to, but it would complicate life too much.

So my problem has nothing to do with what happened, it's more to do with the tone of the whole episode - bittersweet even when the characters and situation don't really warrant it.

[omnivorously.livejournal.com]

8) I thought Jack was being a jerk. Has he forgotten what it was like when he first realized that he wouldn't die? Is he not thinking about the way it still is sometimes? Is he not thinking about how Owen is going to slowly fall apart, because he *will* have accidents? Major life changing event, and Jack seems to think that Owen'll have adjusted in a couple days. Also, what gets Owen to adjust isn't watching TV at home, it's doing his job as a Torchwood operative. That job was his life, and is now going to be his life all the more. I can see Jack having him take a few days off, but the whole thing with making him hand over his gun and ID ... the fuck? That just made the whole process harder.

I also wondered where Gwen's bleeding heart was.

Of course, I like Owen quite a lot more than you do - I went through a slump with him, because he was being unpleasant but the writers weren't showing us why. And it turns out that I'm a very inconstant Jack/Ianto shipper. I actually like Jack a good deal less than I used to.

10) Reading medical journals would be avoiding the question. Clearing out all that stuff was an attempt to address the problem - and expecting him to address the problem correctly first try is just too much. It was him facing the reality of his situation. He will never eat again. His body isn't producing sweat and oils, so whatever cleaning he has to do will be different.

*rereads what you wrote* Oh, that's not what you meant. I think he watched TV as a semi-ironic act of obedience to Jack. And possibly he tried to read the paper or something, and couldn't concentrate. Speaking for myself, past a certain level of agitation, reading won't take me out of myself.

11) We know from the blog posts that Ianto and Owen don't like each other, so Ianto was being fairly mature, even if he didn't find the right thing to say or do. But in that situation ... I guess you let 'em vent for a while until you can figure out what troubles them most, but I wouldn't want Owen venting at me.

When did Jack have anything like a heart-to-heart with Owen? Last episode, was it? That's supposed to be enough? Sorry, I think Jack was being a jerk.

I don't think Ianto's approach helped, because ... ok, a bunch of reasons. It's kind of a nonsequiter, because it essentially says, "You're a good doctor, therefore you should be able to adjust to this." I don't think that follows. Of course, Ianto doesn't know what other life changes or personal challenges Owen has overcome. Also, Owen feels conflicted about being a doctor, because he spends a lot of time *not* helping others, and he'd still be saving lives and easing suffering on a regular basis if he hadn't screwed a patient who turned stalkerish. Owen was having trouble with meaning in his life anyway, and now he's dead and he doesn't have access to his job, which is the only thing that gave him a sense of direction. On top of all that, someone else is currently doing Owen's job as a doctor. So what Ianto did was remind Owen of a whole lot of stuff without actually making him feel like he CAN adjust or giving him a hint as to how he might do it or listening to Owen talk about what troubles him. Tho Ianto gets brownie points for trying, esp given that Jack and Gwen didn't.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I thought Jack was being a jerk.

I didn't think he was a jerk but I wondered at the change of tone and attitude from last week. It was as if this writer hadn't read the previous script. Why did Jack go from being "warm friend in the jail cell" or "the guy weeping over Owen's body, who cares" to "tough boss"? I didn't like the shift.

But I blame the writers, not Jack, because I know Jack cares, even if he's found a reason not to show it.

I also wondered where Gwen's bleeding heart was.

It wasn't a Gwen episode, it was an Owen episode that left no part for Gwen. Another thing I didn't much like. The switch from "we're a team and we all love each other" to "Owen's a one-man act and there's no room here for others".

it turns out that I'm a very inconstant Jack/Ianto shipper.

Hee - I suppose I am, too, since even though I like Jack/Ianto, I like Jack more with other people. Mostly because we don't see enough Jack/Ianto emotion in the show.

I like Owen quite a lot more than you do

Which, frankly, wouldn't be hard. I barely tolerate him most of the time. I don't like Burn Gorman much (yes, good actor) and I only like Owen in fits and starts, depending on plot and circumstances. I'd be happy if Owen left the show - this whole death sequence proved that to me. Yes, I like him more dead than alive, but I still don't like him much.

I actually like Jack a good deal less than I used to.

I love him more all the time but I don't think he was interesting or well-characterized in this episode. If nothing else, we were given no reason for his actions. Jack's not a hard-ass, he's a sentimentalist. Sometimes he has to fight teh tendencey, but that's Jack. So why'd he come on hard here with own? No clue. I can't even think of a theory. Another reason to not much like this episode: the old "Jack is out of character for no reason" type of story.

Speaking for myself, past a certain level of agitation, reading won't take me out of myself.

Depending on the problem, yes, me too.

I think Jack should have gone home with Owen, or talked to him more. Yes. The only excuse I can think of is that he thought Owen wasn't ready for that - as he proved with Tosh. But that's lame.

It's kind of a nonsequiter, because it essentially says, "You're a good doctor, therefore you should be able to adjust to this."

That's not the way I understood what he said. It was meant more like, "You're a good man with a strong spirit and your sense of purpose will return, even if it's hard to believe now."

Owen feels conflicted about being a doctor, because he spends a lot of time *not* helping others

Why do you think that? I don't recall any scene in Torchwood that supports that.

You're arguing me into disliking this episode more and more!

[omnivorously.livejournal.com]

15) You seriously don't see why Tosh pissed Owen off? Everything she did and said insensitively reminded him of how different things are for him all of a sudden. When Tosh walked in, I was like, oh he'll be able to talk to her, she'll be supportive! But no. Totally insensitive. Yeah, it's established that Tosh is lonely and has felt lonely for a large part of her life, but that's a chronic problem which doesn't prevent her from getting on with things. If a friend of mine had a crisis, I wouldn't talk about how I'd felt some anxiety just before my geology test, because I know how to deal with a little anxiety and I got through the test alright, but my friend would have been thrown into a new situation that ze didn't know how to deal with yet.

Probably Tosh wouldn't be so infuriating if we saw more daily Torchwood stuff. You know, them working together and relying on one another and all that teamworky stuff.

16. Word about the security guards! That's very unusual. Esp how the taller guy, was like, oh yeah totally go to the hospital! Instead of being obnoxiously macho about it.

18. Totally anticlimactic.

19. That kiss was interesting, but the first not-hot kiss in Torchwood, imho. I've been joking that Martha wants a threesome with Jack and Owen ; )

20. If I were Owen, I wouldn't want to tell Jack anything about my fears and insecurities relating to being a walking dead person. I'd expect him to minimize the whole issue, *again*.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You seriously don't see why Tosh pissed Owen off?

Sure I do! I wasn't too thrilled with Tosh here, too. But I've been screaming "leave him alone!" to her since last series, and she doesn't listen to me. She was at least trying to distract him from his self-obsession, and the attempt failed. She also needs someone to talk to, and she hoped that if Owen liked her at all, he would listen. It didn't work. I'd have liked them more if it had.

Esp how the taller guy, was like, oh yeah totally go to the hospital! Instead of being obnoxiously macho about it.

Yes - very humanistic. That was terrific.

Totally anticlimactic.

Yes. That did nothing to distract me from all the parts I disliked about the characterization.

but the first not-hot kiss in Torchwood, imho.

There have been IMHO a few others. Gwen kissing Jack in "Day One", for example.

I wouldn't want to tell Jack anything about my fears and insecurities relating to being a walking dead person. I'd expect him to minimize the whole issue, *again*.

Jack showed a lot of caring and compassion to them all in "Adam". What happened to that now?

I'm not just irritated with Jack specifically for not caring, I'm irritated with the whole show for sacrificing the characterization of everyone for the sake Owen's moment in the spotlight, which only had the effect of making me dislike Owen as much as ever.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

but it's not what I watch Torchwood for and if all the episodes were like this, I probably wouldn't be watching it at all.

Perfect summary for the episode

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

[g] Glad you agreed.

[raissad.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed Random Shoes, and I thought this was a major improvement on the themes. The visuals throughout were stunning and Parker was adorable. I loved that he talked to Jack through Owen's communicator, and Jack was all WTF. As for Jack interactions with Owen, I felt that he was being a bit cold, especially since Jack is the one who brought Owen back in the first place. But, Jack's reaction to Owen makes sense when you consider that tough love is an improvement on how the Doctor initially handled Jack (or didn't) in not too dissimilar circumstances.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed Random Shoes

I didn't dislike "Random Shoes". There were a lot of things about it I liked. But ... again, not what I watch TV for, and not what I watch Torchwood for. I would possibly like it as a novel or a long short story.

The visuals throughout were stunning and Parker was adorable.

I agree there. But it annoyed me that the characters we'd never met before (like Maggie and Parker and the security guards) were more interesting and sympathetic than Jack, Owen and the Torchwood team.

Jack's reaction to Owen makes sense when you consider that tough love is an improvement on how the Doctor initially handled Jack (or didn't) in not too dissimilar circumstances.

That's an interesting point that I haven't thought of. It doesn't help me - I think that's the Doctor's worst moments! - I'd much rather see the compassionate side of Jack, in this or any circumstances.

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

The greatest joy of this episode is that Owen is still dead at the end. Yay! Cheers for dead!Owen! SO much more interesting than live Owen.

Okay, I'm totally confused and intrigued,now! Owen has died? And is still functioning? O...kay.

How's this similar to, and different from, Jack and his own can't-die affliction, I'm wondering.

Maggie was interesting - I liked her story. Particulary the scenes at the scene of the accident, with her still in her wedding dress. I liked the way we didn't see her husband, but got a sense of her grief. I liked the way she waited a year before trying to kill herself.

Okay, wow. Try to listen to what you wrote here while not knowing anything else about the episode... now I can't wait to see this.

The worst thing is that the story hardly used Martha, and she has now left Torchwood. I'll miss her. Loved the way she was front and centre of the action in "Reset": too bad that didn't last.

Well, one now wonders if there is an opening for someone to write a parallel story of what Martha was doing when she wasn't exactly, precisely in this episode, hm?

Thanks for the long commentary; it makes up, a bit, for not being able to see them yet myself!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm totally confused and intrigued,now! Owen has died?

He was fatally shot at the end of "Reset".

And is still functioning?

Well, not entirely 'functioning'. He's mobile and able to think and speak. No blood flow (as is pointed out in a rather funny scene when a girl comes on to him in a night club.) No breath. No healing ability. No pulse. No digestive function. No most-of-what-makes-us-alive.

How's this similar to, and different from, Jack and his own can't-die affliction, I'm wondering.

Well, Jack is permanently alive. Owen is permanently dead. They're the same in that neither can get out of their condition. It would look as if Jack gets all the perks - food, sex and fun - though he also gets the pain. Owen can't feel physical pain any more.

Well, one now wonders if there is an opening for someone to write a parallel story of what Martha was doing when she wasn't exactly, precisely in this episode, hm?

Well, she is there, it isn't as if she's missing. She's the Torchwood doctor while they're figuring out the implications of Owen's condition. So she does doctorly things. Not very interesting doctorly things. Scolds Owen for not taking care of himself while dead, that kind of thing.