I may have been blind, but I completely did not see that John was not working under his own volition. However, I think that says more about my expectations for character subtlety in this show than it does for my powers of observation. It was more obvious on second viewing.
I think the point in using John was to pull a big shocking switcheroo in the reveal of Grey. A good old-fashioned red herring. But you're right, it really does take time away from developing Grey's story.
I assumed the targeting of the four senior officers was a morale thing, and also a way to disrupt their ability to react in a huge crisis. Also, all the various rift activities were pinpointed and designed to lure the team members away from each other, but at the same time to be easily overcome. C.f. the easily-killed reapers and the easily-subdued Hoix. If the Weevils had just killed police randomly it might not have as urgently demanded a visit from a Torchwood agent, as the higher-ups would have taken the situation in hand. By making it look planned Torchwood was more likely to come. A weak explanation but the best one I can muster.
I still disagree about the eyeroll, and contend it's Ianto reacting to Jack's movement. Jack's right behind Ianto, he turns to his right to put an arm around Gwen, thus pushing his left shoulder against Ianto a bit, and Ianto lifts his eyes a little to the right, towards Jack. There's a little blinking going on during this. Then a sad swallow. That's all I see.
I'd like to see an episode next season in which Gareth has NO LINES AT ALL and just does subtle face acting. It would rule.
They should do a "Hush" episode. They've ripped off all the other Buffy tropes.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-04-06 01:50 pm (UTC)I think the point in using John was to pull a big shocking switcheroo in the reveal of Grey. A good old-fashioned red herring. But you're right, it really does take time away from developing Grey's story.
I assumed the targeting of the four senior officers was a morale thing, and also a way to disrupt their ability to react in a huge crisis. Also, all the various rift activities were pinpointed and designed to lure the team members away from each other, but at the same time to be easily overcome. C.f. the easily-killed reapers and the easily-subdued Hoix. If the Weevils had just killed police randomly it might not have as urgently demanded a visit from a Torchwood agent, as the higher-ups would have taken the situation in hand. By making it look planned Torchwood was more likely to come. A weak explanation but the best one I can muster.
I still disagree about the eyeroll, and contend it's Ianto reacting to Jack's movement. Jack's right behind Ianto, he turns to his right to put an arm around Gwen, thus pushing his left shoulder against Ianto a bit, and Ianto lifts his eyes a little to the right, towards Jack. There's a little blinking going on during this. Then a sad swallow. That's all I see.
I'd like to see an episode next season in which Gareth has NO LINES AT ALL and just does subtle face acting. It would rule.
They should do a "Hush" episode. They've ripped off all the other Buffy tropes.