I am less upset with the death than how the death was handled because I've continuously kept in mind that most everyone in TW dies old. Imho, in S3 they butchered Ianto's character. He had some great moments but for the most part all of his actions and scenes were about Jack, not the team or saving the world. Jack. I've always considered Ianto the level-headed Dark Horse of Torchwood and yet I was pretty unimpressed by him throughout CoE. And then dies. In the most cliché way possible with the 'ilu!' and 'please remember me!' lines that can easily be found in fic. I almost think the writers were looking for any old excuse to get Ianto in that room so he could have his big death even if it lacked logic -- which it did.

The writing has been so tight thus far except for that moment. I think the death could have been written much better instead of falling flat. It kind of puts a black mark on the entire series for me despite it otherwise being so good. RTD HAD EPIC FAIL.