Torchwood

[tencrush]

If life is going to exist in a universe of this size,
then the one thing it cannot afford to have
is a sense of proportion.

There is yet another Children of Earth denialist Torchwood fan community out there and it is here:

tw_hysterical9

I am pimping it here on this journal for a few reasons. The first being that they've kindly linked to my PONY APPEAL, which is very nice of them. Secondly because they sort of asked me to a little bit because of my status as Torchwood BMF (that's not BNF, but BMF, which stands for BAMF!, otherwise known as BIGMOTHERFUCKINGFAN, and as such carries no implications of status or fame or indeed likeability.) And lastly because it finally seems like a place that doesn't take itself TOO seriously. I know there's lots of post-CoE-save-Ianto-hate-Russell-won't-watch-again type communities out there, but to be totally honest, we could do with one that isn't quite such serious business.

I never joined savecoffeeboy. I can understand why LOADS of people did join Save Coffee Boy, but I personally never got the point. I started the pony appeal because I wanted to show appreciation for what Ianto was without actually pushing a bring-Ianto-back agenda into anybody's face. I fully appreciate that lots of people want Ianto back, but I'm also a realist. I didn't like Children of Earth, but Ianto's death only played a very small part in the reasons why I didn't like Children of Earth. I won't be watching Torchwood again, but not just because Ianto's not in it, thought that's a big part of it. The thing is, though, I understand that in the scheme of things, nobody in any position to give a shit gives a shit that I didn't like CoE, that I want Ianto back, or that I won't be watching Torchwood again. Torchwood, as a franchise, doesn't NEED ME, any more than it needs you, dear reader, to approve of its direction. It got the viewing figures it wanted, and that, quite simply, is the end of the story. I LOVE the fact that there's so many people out there campaigning for Ianto's return, that they're raising money, sending coffee and making shrines, but I just don't have the optimism required to actually join them. Ianto's not coming back. Myfanwy's not coming back because ha, she must have asploded or something. They killed Torchwood, and that is the state of things. The state of things is not going to change. Now don't get me wrong, I am INCREDIBLY UPSET about the state of things. But what are you going to do?

So anyway, yes, the hysterical 9 community. I've already been reading a few things on there, and it makes me happy that people are now, calmly and rationally, talking about what happened. I'm seeing more and more of that around, actual meta and thoughts about why we're so upset, why we can't just get over it, why we're hurt and grieving, and I'm enjoying reading it.

Speaking of which, solitary_summer wrote some long but very interesting meta here about CoE and what it was about. I wish I could subscribe to this point of view, but the fact of the matter is that I feel that if this was how we were meant to view Jack's arc over the three series, I think it was executed badly. Jack's characterisation is, for me, quite simply too inconsistent to see him as having this progression and development. I'd love to just take this as read and ignore any bits of Jack that contradict it, but I'm terrible at ignoring bits I've seen. Damn. Having said that, remember back when I said I thought I'd found some beauty in CoE and something to like, but then I lost it? The things written in this essay, that's the thing I was grasping at but couldn't see anymore for all the ugliness. I can sort of see it now, but not clearly enough to change my opinion on the series. But I'm happy I read this.

Comments

[vylomy.livejournal.com]

"I reckon the only way Ianto MIGHT return is if Jack becomes mortal again and he's now able to have a normal relationship without sulking about it."

Oh no-no-no... 'Cause it will cheapen his death scene! Guh...
I just don't get it... like the death of Stephen didn't cheapen it enough. Whose death will Jack be more upset about: his own grandchild or the man we didn't even know if he loved?

And yeah, I totaly agree with tencrush. Even if he's back it all will always be about Jack, and Ianto will be only his love inerest nothing more.

[radiant-pip.livejournal.com]

You must of missed the epic love story that was being told that put Jack in the position to be so broken hearted he could willingly sacrifice his own grandson. I missed it, too. ;)

That's why I vote for Rift!Ianto. This Ianto doesn't give a piss about Jack and let's him know it. Make Jack love's bitch for a change.

[vylomy.livejournal.com]

Yep... you're right, missed it! :)
How only could I?! This love story was so obvious in the series! XD

[(Anonymous)]

Speaking of cheapening anything, I wonder if RTD realizes that, as the entire point of CoE was to set up the Gwen show get Jack off earth (and into the Doctor Who specials where CoE wont be acknowledged), having him return in season 4 will cheapen the entire miniseries?

I mean, the entire thing was leading up to Jack running and he's what? Going to run for a few days and then get over it? RTD really needs a lesson in story planning.