Still mulling over 'Something Borrowed'
Mar. 7th, 2008 12:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lonelybritOr to be more specific, the closing scenes of 'Something Borrowed', because in particular the last one did make me rethink how to read scenes when watching the ep for a second time.
BUT FIRST. Because this did send me into the geeker dance of joy - even if no-one bothered to pass this news onto me (FAIL!) - the BBC confirmed weeks ago that we are getting a second series of The Sarah Jane Adventures. HUZZAH!
And now back to Torchwood. This one really was all about memory really, wasn't it? I liked how they did that. In the same way that 'A Day in the Death' finally gave us something alien turning out to be harmless and wonderful and actually a little hope inspiring, I liked that we got Jack getting to wallow in his memories without going overly emo. From the moment he blew the confetti in front of him, the hint started that actually something else was going on that was still important for him even with not one member of the TW crew with him. And sure enough...
... meet the missus.
And for me that did throw a whole new spin on how Jack was behaving about Gwen's engagement. Yes, he loves her and is afraid of losing her. But after all it's not the only thing. He does actually know about marriage, he's been there, and even if he can't be that kind of man now, he remembers what that man should be like.
Rewatching the ep, I think this is when Jack finally and completely accepts Rhys, really sees him as Gwen sees him. The result being that actually a good part of their dance comprises of Jack reminding Gwen just why she is the lucky one to have found a man like that. He meant it when he called Rhys the 'hero'.
So yes, the wedding is important to him. Partly because it's Gwen. But also because he obviously has a good memory of his own wedding, once upon a time, tread carefully because you tread on my dreams, and all that.
Two more pics, just because I love how this was directed. For once we have Jack remembering an old memory, and for once it's pretty much angst free. No obvious pining or associations of deep trauma (as with poor Estelle and of course Grey). He simply remembers... and it makes him smile.
And the final pic, of course it had to be the slow dance.
Now to be honest, when that scene came, my first reaction was not to melt at the knees (that was my second), it was to sit bolt-upright and go 'It's Captain Jack Harkness!' Deja-vu. Which in hindsight was a nice lead-in. Out of nowhere the audience was suddenly drowned in nostalgia, and a few scenes later, we realised that the leading man had probably been that way for the whole day (if not longer) and in particular on the dance floor. Of course Jack couldn't take his eyes off Gwen and Rhys, I imagine it was hard to look at her and not be reminded of his own bride from years ago and all the emotions that had gone with that day.
For me it was initially a surprise to see Jack and Ianto dancing in what was very clearly an echo of that Jack/Real!Jack moment, but then almost instantly you become aware of key differences. Firstly Ianto, bless his wee soul, is not the most wonderful of dancers. Still, even if awkward, that dance was heartfelt. And secondly, and most importantly, there was Jack's response. In CJH, his heart just kept on breaking as the music played on, he knew the end was nigh and it was a lost cause. On second watching, what I loved about the current dance scene is that as the music plays on it's almost the exact opposite. You can see Jack calming and beginning to almost take comfort from Ianto being there. This time round, the dance is an act of support, Ianto reminding Jack that he's there. And it works. Jack is back to smiles at the final scene with Gwen at the table, and at the end he is actually able to properly face his past with a smile.
Oh, and another trivial point? I loved that Gwen specifically thanked Ianto for the wedding dress before she and Rhys vanished off on their honeymoon. I do like how the writers and actors are continuing to remind us that, yes, the TW team really did become true friends during Jack's abscence.
Anyway, it's all my personal reading. To be honest it's hard to get any real reading on Jack/Ianto since we're not getting that much reference to it. But in the interim, I shall continue to float on in my bubble of love until canon forcibly pops it. Which I don't think it will. I'm an optimist :)
BUT FIRST. Because this did send me into the geeker dance of joy - even if no-one bothered to pass this news onto me (FAIL!) - the BBC confirmed weeks ago that we are getting a second series of The Sarah Jane Adventures. HUZZAH!
And now back to Torchwood. This one really was all about memory really, wasn't it? I liked how they did that. In the same way that 'A Day in the Death' finally gave us something alien turning out to be harmless and wonderful and actually a little hope inspiring, I liked that we got Jack getting to wallow in his memories without going overly emo. From the moment he blew the confetti in front of him, the hint started that actually something else was going on that was still important for him even with not one member of the TW crew with him. And sure enough...
... meet the missus.
And for me that did throw a whole new spin on how Jack was behaving about Gwen's engagement. Yes, he loves her and is afraid of losing her. But after all it's not the only thing. He does actually know about marriage, he's been there, and even if he can't be that kind of man now, he remembers what that man should be like.
Rewatching the ep, I think this is when Jack finally and completely accepts Rhys, really sees him as Gwen sees him. The result being that actually a good part of their dance comprises of Jack reminding Gwen just why she is the lucky one to have found a man like that. He meant it when he called Rhys the 'hero'.
So yes, the wedding is important to him. Partly because it's Gwen. But also because he obviously has a good memory of his own wedding, once upon a time, tread carefully because you tread on my dreams, and all that.
Two more pics, just because I love how this was directed. For once we have Jack remembering an old memory, and for once it's pretty much angst free. No obvious pining or associations of deep trauma (as with poor Estelle and of course Grey). He simply remembers... and it makes him smile.
And the final pic, of course it had to be the slow dance.
Now to be honest, when that scene came, my first reaction was not to melt at the knees (that was my second), it was to sit bolt-upright and go 'It's Captain Jack Harkness!' Deja-vu. Which in hindsight was a nice lead-in. Out of nowhere the audience was suddenly drowned in nostalgia, and a few scenes later, we realised that the leading man had probably been that way for the whole day (if not longer) and in particular on the dance floor. Of course Jack couldn't take his eyes off Gwen and Rhys, I imagine it was hard to look at her and not be reminded of his own bride from years ago and all the emotions that had gone with that day.
For me it was initially a surprise to see Jack and Ianto dancing in what was very clearly an echo of that Jack/Real!Jack moment, but then almost instantly you become aware of key differences. Firstly Ianto, bless his wee soul, is not the most wonderful of dancers. Still, even if awkward, that dance was heartfelt. And secondly, and most importantly, there was Jack's response. In CJH, his heart just kept on breaking as the music played on, he knew the end was nigh and it was a lost cause. On second watching, what I loved about the current dance scene is that as the music plays on it's almost the exact opposite. You can see Jack calming and beginning to almost take comfort from Ianto being there. This time round, the dance is an act of support, Ianto reminding Jack that he's there. And it works. Jack is back to smiles at the final scene with Gwen at the table, and at the end he is actually able to properly face his past with a smile.
Oh, and another trivial point? I loved that Gwen specifically thanked Ianto for the wedding dress before she and Rhys vanished off on their honeymoon. I do like how the writers and actors are continuing to remind us that, yes, the TW team really did become true friends during Jack's abscence.
Anyway, it's all my personal reading. To be honest it's hard to get any real reading on Jack/Ianto since we're not getting that much reference to it. But in the interim, I shall continue to float on in my bubble of love until canon forcibly pops it. Which I don't think it will. I'm an optimist :)
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no subject
Date: 2008-03-07 02:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-07 02:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-07 03:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-08 05:24 pm (UTC)My problem is that we really aren't seeing any real indication of just what is going between Jack and Ianto other than vague confirmations here and there that whatever it is, it is still on-going. I just don't know how Ianto would feel. Throughout this ep I never thought he looked jealous, hurt or ticked-off about anything, he seemed perfectly happy with how everything was going (even during the dance wherein I was getting peeved on his behalf) and didn't appear overly preoccupied during his final scene with Jack, Gwen and co at the table. It could be because Ianto is so comfortable with how things are that even all this mooning isn't something that gives him cause for any alarm. It could be that he's simply got his head in the sand and not letting himself notice. It could be that he's just doing what the script does because no-one thought there was anything going on Jack's partner should be reacting to. They're not giving me enough background to do anything but guess what the hell is going on, which I am finding a tad frustrating. The only time he ever vaguely spoke sharply to Jack was during the drive to the wedding wherein Jack is wondering why on earth the venue is out in the back of beyond. And even then it was so short I don't know if that was just being played for jokes and Ianto wanted Jack to shut-up so he could concentrate on driving, or whether he was genuinely a bit miffed that Jack really didn't get the concept of weddings/doubted Gwen's wedding.
Still, I'm the optimist, so until they clear things up, I will continue to wear my rose-tinted specs and twist everything so it suits me :)
no subject
Date: 2008-03-08 08:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-09 05:36 pm (UTC)And no - Something Borrowed's Declassified will be shown this Wednesday coming up. And I'm guessing that most of the time will be spent on the fun of make-up, any meta will most likely be on Gwen/Jack Gwen/Rhys as the obvious focus of the ep.