Torchwood - Exit Wounds, the Jack/Ianto story

[tencrush]

Okay, I have to admit, I was totally spoiled for this episode, I knew Jack was going to be buried for 2000 years, and I have to conclude that knowing this fact totally made me get my hopes up. I figured that there would be repercussions from the 2000 year thing. I didn't know what those repercussions might be, but I figured Jack/Ianto would either be OVER, or we'd get some sort of on-screen confirmation that this is more than a fuckbuddy thing for Jack. And yes, I KNOW what Jack said in TTLM, and I KNOW there's been lots of hints about how Jack feels about Ianto, but hints can only really carry a story for so long. So yes, personally, I was disappointed there wasn't much going on on the shipping front.

Ianto was very upset, that was blatantly obvious, about Jack being missing, that was played well and it was abundantly clear how happy he was to have Jack back. But, again, I didn't really see much from Jack about where he stands with Ianto. (Have you read the Captain's blog for Adrift, by the way? They seem to be SHOVING it down the Americans' throats, but that's half-canon, aimed at one specific audience, why just there? Why can't we be shown any clarity on screen, seriously?)

Sure, they're not majorly affectionate with each other, and I didn't expect Ianto to fall into Jack's arms like Gwen did, that would have been completely OOC. But I would have liked to have seen a scene akin to the Gwen/Rhys thing on the sofa, just to let us know whether these two crazy kids are still together. As an aside, I think that scene WAS probably filmed and cut, and I think those two crazy kids ARE still together. I just don't think, on the whole, the writing has done a great job of proving that to me throughout the season, and especially not in this episode. Sorry, dudes, but that was a bit fail.

Comments

[louiex.livejournal.com]

As an aside, I think that scene WAS probably filmed and cut, and I think those two crazy kids ARE still together.

DVD extras maybe? One can only cross every crossable joint and hope!

I thought it was an interesting factor that, in that last scene of the three of them, they chose to have Ianto be the pillar of almost hurting himself to keep his feelings on the inside. He stood stock tall, hands in front, so Jack could basically support himself on Ianto while Gwen was a mess clinging to Jack. I know there was a debate on torch_wood that someone thought Ianto seemed so unresponsive=uncaring, but it wouldn't do the others any good to have them all completely sobbing and a mess. When Jack can't be that support, Ianto (who's become in a lot of ways like his understudy) will step up and be that person. He's a guy who needs to be needed at his core and with Gwen AND Jack in tears, they need someone to cling to who will be that model of vague control in order to calm them down. Certainly it would have been fabulous to see Jack and Ianto together ala Gwen/Rhys there but its something we've NEVER seen between them aside from that one convo pre TTLM: the comforting 'our lives are hell so come get a hug' aspect of their relationship.

[tencrush]

Yeah, the reason I think that there was a scene filmed is that I think somewhere along the line, there was someone who thought it would be nice to show the difference between these two relationships and the different ways in which they help each other cope. I'm sure there was someone with some vision who figured it would be a nice juxtaposition to have Gwen and Rhys comforting each other by snuggling on the sofa while Jack and Ianto do whatever it is they do (probably just booze it up in Jack's office again) to comfort each other. Because that WOULD have been a nice little insight into the differences and similarities between these two relationships and I'm sure someone thought it would be cool to show that before I did just now.

That and, on a technical note, the Gwen/Rhys thing seemed oddly disembodied, and was preceded by an aerial shot of the Plass, and not Cardiff generally, which usually means the next scene's in the Hub.

[louiex.livejournal.com]

Because that WOULD have been a nice little insight into the differences and similarities between these two relationships and I'm sure someone thought it would be cool to show that before I did just now.

I would LOVE to give the production team the benefit of the doubt but I'm not sure if I'm really going to hold my breath for it. Its a bit cynical yeah, but I'd rather be pleasantly shocked at them thinking so logically/character-wise like that than hope and find nothing :D However, you're completely right. This season has had a lot of comparisons between the three core relationships and that would be just another great example to show different coping/grieving mechanisms as well as signs of how these characters will go on from such a painful place.

[(Anonymous)]

I read a review in which the commentator stated s/he didn't understand why GD-L chose to play Ianto so unemotional during that scene, and I thought wow he wasn't unemotional, he was stoic, trying desperately to keep it all in. There is a difference. As I stated above, I'm happy with the stoic Ianto in this episode. Besides, with the exception this episode, he's been the only one to have emotional breakdowns this season/series. Poor guy, he's damned if he do and damned if he doesn't.

PS - I'm a member of LJ, but I'm very new and quite unfamiliar with how it functions. When trying to post, if I use the "anonymous" option it allows me to post, but if I try to post under my username, it tells me I need to have my e-mail address verified, which I have no idea how to do. So, please forgive all typos because I can't figure out how to re-open the post to correct my errors.

[tencrush]

You should have an email at whatever email address you used to register, telling you to click a link and verify that your email address is real. It's to prevent registrations from spam emails.

He was in no way unemotional, I thought he was very emotional in a very Ianto kind of way. He was very blatantly being strong for Jack's sake.

[louiex.livejournal.com]

Yeah I agree with what tencrush said as well. He was being stoic because he had to, we know Ianto's very emotional but plays them close to the vest in most cases. Like you said~ Damned if he cries over his life falling apart and damned if he doesn't cry over his friend's dying because he's attempting to be strong.

Good luck with the email things by the way~

Ianto: He's a guy who needs to be needed at his core

[mossymermaid.livejournal.com]

I have spent a lot of time trying to figure Ianto out - he's hidden himself quite well over the two series - you've managed to describe his character in one sentence. Thank you!

Re: Ianto: He's a guy who needs to be needed at his core

[louiex.livejournal.com]

Ah thank you too~

He's an interesting character that -we've seen so far- really defines himself by those around him. In 'Fragments' we're shown three differing personalities that Ianto dons in order to try to get Jack's attention and we can see that the prim Butler we were introduced to in 1x01 is perhaps not the REAL Ianto Jones at all but a character he's been playing for Jack's benefit (as well as his own). He did that all for Lisa then when she's gone he begins to live for the job and Jack which grew into the relationship they got now.

I realize I'm rambling a bit now but one last thing~ People were thinking he was off in Sleeper with his humor and somewhat 'up' behavior (which many said was due to some good sex :D). But its possible that in season 2 we're finally getting to see him be comfortable and be himself.

Re: Ianto: He's a guy who needs to be needed at his core

[mossymermaid.livejournal.com]

You're right, he did play different roles to catch Jack's attention. I wonder if this new snarky type is Ianto showing himself a bit more or is it simply another role. I wonder if he's just playing the assertive card to stop Jack from losing interest...

You ask some interesting questions...