*hugs internet*

[lonelybrit]

I've had a lovely couple of days touring the southern reaches of the UK visiting various friends and family. Currently I'm roosting with the elders down in the depths of beyond. I've been unable to check LJ since Friday so if I've missed anything major feel free to point me in the right direction.

And this is belated but... Fragments. AKA the 12th ep of Torchwood.

Quite possible best ep ever. So far Chris Chibnall has penned KKBB, Adrift, and Fragments this series, right? And he'll also be responsible for the finale. I'd say the man has done good this second series, and I have high hopes for ep 13 in a fortnight's (*sob*) time.

Oh Tosh. Oh Jack.

Oh Owen, how do I love Owen.

And I'm not even going to start going into how much I adored Ianto on pretty much every level this week. I do think Owen's story was the strongest of them all, but Ianto is my Ianto and so I'm afraid his is the tale I'm still pondering the most days later :)

Comments

[sweet-exile.livejournal.com]

Owen's story was very eye-opening. I think I've finally gotten over my dislike of him left over from episode 1. He's a much better character this series.

Ianto broke my heart. His expression when walking away from Jack just made me want to pet him.

[lonelybrit]

Owen suddenly makes so much sense it's wonderful. I suddenly get just why Jack really did by him so much, and also it makes a bit more sense of Tosh's crush. She was already there when he first came, she knows what he used to be like and that what we just saw as evidence of a grade A prick was actually signs of a man supremely broken. Poor Owen.

And Ianto. Whilst I did enjoy his story up until that final shot, I was waiting for the real emotional punch that the tale seemed to be lacking. And then we saw his face when he got the job. Ouch. Punch and a half with not a word spoken.

[sweet-exile.livejournal.com]

It was very well done and a nice subtle way of reminding us why Ianto really wanted the job and how much it was going to cost him. Must better than words or a scene with Lisa ever could.

Owen makes much more sense and he's been fantastic this series.

[lonelybrit]

Considering how pretty much every soul cheered when Owen got shot at the S1 finale, full credit to the writers and Burn Gorman for being able to really turn Owen around. I hope he's sticking around for S3, assuming we get it that is *crosses fingers and toes*

Oh Ianto. As you say, it was a sudden reality check from all the fun flirting and jokes of hanging from a pterodactyl. He was already damaged goods and things were only going to get worse for him, I just wanted to hug him all over.

Though conversely, at least I could tell myself that once things had truly gone to hell, he would at least spend most of series 2 relatively happy and that in the long run, things would be good for him and Jack.

[sweet-exile.livejournal.com]

Yeap just wanted to take poor Ianto home and pet him. I'm glad he's having more fun this series. He broke my heart last year.

The episode really showed how damaged all Torchwood employees are. All except Gwen who had a relatively normal life until she met Jack. Tosh, Ianto and Owen have found a sense of purpose with Torchwood but Gwen seems to be losing hers. Yes she got married but I think she's losing Rhys and she needs him in her life to keep her sane.

Or I could be just rambling nonsense.

[louiex.livejournal.com]

I've always been fond of Chibnall but now that man has seriously wowed me beyond proper word usage. That episode was a knife in gut that just kept on twisting sharper with each flashback~!

While Ianto's was the shortest, it was impressive really from an acting POV to see how GDL just commanded it with ease. Like everyone keeps saying, that broken face could be interpreted in scads of ways (my preference is similar to fajrdrako's where Ianto has unwillingly fallen for his mark in the end) and really that needs to be attributed to GDL's skill. It was also interesting to see Jack NOT like Ianto :D

The whole thing was amazing, I agree with you~

[lonelybrit]

As you say, it was really noticeable how much Jack really wasn't at all moved by Ianto upon first meeting. The moment he realises this guy knows about weevils and even worse is part of TW 1 (which the Doc hated and also apparently resulted in the death of Rose), there's no flirtation at all. Jack just wants him gone. Loved that as you then realise just what a leap it really was for him in the end to take a risk and hire this guy anyway. And consequently, damn but is his fury in Cyberwoman all the more poignant, he knows he's been well and truly had from the get-go.

That final scene... *clutches heart* After all the verbal banter, it was fantastic how what brings the whole story together and gives it its emotional punch it just a look. As you say, hats off to GDL for pulling that one off.

[fairyd123.livejournal.com]

I actually thought Owen's was the weakest and most fanfic like of the stories but i adored Ianto's backstory and Tosh - poor Tosh!

There's a review somewhere on my journal alomg with other ramblings!

[lonelybrit]

Tosh's story was just painful but the one I found the most dubious and least satisfying. Not through any fault of the writing or problems with the acting, but just I wasn't too sure how to make her recruitment being almost under duress as opposed to any real choice. I also found it highlighted how poorly used Tosh has generally been throughout series 1 and 2 - in this single tale we see just how exceptional and brilliant she is, yet this is the first time Tosh has really been given the chance to show off her skills. Which considering the whole show is about alien tech and aliens makes me wistful for other genius!Tosh moments we could/should have had before now.