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Right, that 'Torchwood' twist...
Published Thursday, Jul 9 2009, 22:08 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 253 comments
R.I.P. Ianto Jones, 1983-2009
What did you make of tonight's twist, then? What does the future hold for Torchwood now that the team is down to just TWO? Sound off in the usual place below!
What did you make of tonight's twist, then? What does the future hold for Torchwood now that the team is down to just TWO? Sound off in the usual place below!
Your Views
253 Comments
Your Responses
IvyRosier, on July 31st, 2009
...am I the only person who remembers the episode in which we first met jack? how about this for a continuation of the story - Jack goes away looking for nanobots the same that brought back the boy from the episode The Empty Child .He comes back to earth brings back from dead his grandson and Ianto and possibly Tosh and thru the entire next series tries to patch up the right now non existing bond with his daughter, re-establish relationship with Ianto and deal with all the things (for example that Ianto lied) that's came out after his funeral plus Gwen and her baby -working part time maybe while Rhys takes a partner in the firm and also work part time and take care of the baby and if jack decide to bring her back Toshiko and her grief after loosing Owen and blaming her self for it. How is that for a plot ?
...am I the only person who remembers the episode in which we first met jack? how about this for a continuation of the story - Jack goes away looking for nanobots the same that brought back the boy from the episode The Empty Child .He comes back to earth brings back from dead his grandson and Ianto and possibly Tosh and thru the entire next series tries to patch up the right now non existing bond with his daughter, re-establish relationship with Ianto and deal with all the things (for example that Ianto lied) that's came out after his funeral plus Gwen and her baby -working part time maybe while Rhys takes a partner in the firm and also work part time and take care of the baby and if jack decide to bring her back Toshiko and her grief after loosing Owen and blaming her self for it. How is that for a plot ?
Maggie, Poland, on July 25th, 2009
No, no, no. It's not right. I really have no idea what was the reason of killing that character. For me it's not logic at all. I've heard ealier they want to deepened a relationchip betwean Jack and Ianto and suddenly they changed their mindes. So I hope there is a way to bring him back. Torchwood is not the same without him.
No, no, no. It's not right. I really have no idea what was the reason of killing that character. For me it's not logic at all. I've heard ealier they want to deepened a relationchip betwean Jack and Ianto and suddenly they changed their mindes. So I hope there is a way to bring him back. Torchwood is not the same without him.
Kat, Newcastle, on July 21st, 2009
i couldn't believe it. i thought at 10pm on thursday that this could not be true. there had to be some way to bring him back whether it was an anti virus or jack's immortal tears (much the same as phoenix tears in HP) but no. friday night the ending i had dreaded. jack leaving for other planets and a very pregnant Gwen left on her own with Rhys, who, let's be honest, isn't really the alien fighting type. i have never cryed at a tv programme so much in my life. my theory however is that jack is going to travel and will enventually bump into the doctor (David Tennant or Matt Smith? personally i hope Matt Smith just to see the reaction together) who will tel Jack not to run away from his past like he did and go back and help Torchwood. who knows? he may find another Torchwood worthy recruit...
i couldn't believe it. i thought at 10pm on thursday that this could not be true. there had to be some way to bring him back whether it was an anti virus or jack's immortal tears (much the same as phoenix tears in HP) but no. friday night the ending i had dreaded. jack leaving for other planets and a very pregnant Gwen left on her own with Rhys, who, let's be honest, isn't really the alien fighting type. i have never cryed at a tv programme so much in my life. my theory however is that jack is going to travel and will enventually bump into the doctor (David Tennant or Matt Smith? personally i hope Matt Smith just to see the reaction together) who will tel Jack not to run away from his past like he did and go back and help Torchwood. who knows? he may find another Torchwood worthy recruit...
Paul, UK, on July 19th, 2009
Poor Ianto was the victim of two of the most used TV tropes: the "bury your gays" and the "women in refrigerators" tropes. No wonder the fans went mad. They were expecting character development and deepening of the relationship, all they got was an abrupt end. The vague hints at Ianto's past in regard to his father or the final "revelation" that he was a liar??? and that we didn't know him at all seem to only serve to twist the knife in the wound for those who loved the character. Jack and Ianto relationship was a distinct trademark in Torchwood, I don't think there is another popular/mainstream TV show where the male lead is in a same sex relationship. Now this unique trait is lost forever? A Ianto replacement would be such an awful thing to do.
Poor Ianto was the victim of two of the most used TV tropes: the "bury your gays" and the "women in refrigerators" tropes. No wonder the fans went mad. They were expecting character development and deepening of the relationship, all they got was an abrupt end. The vague hints at Ianto's past in regard to his father or the final "revelation" that he was a liar??? and that we didn't know him at all seem to only serve to twist the knife in the wound for those who loved the character. Jack and Ianto relationship was a distinct trademark in Torchwood, I don't think there is another popular/mainstream TV show where the male lead is in a same sex relationship. Now this unique trait is lost forever? A Ianto replacement would be such an awful thing to do.
James, Nottingham, on July 18th, 2009
I don't understand why they got rid of him, he was one of the few remaining characters we had a good relationship with as viewers.... all that’s left is Jack and Gwen... Jack just annoys me with his over acting leaving only Gwen... think it's put me off it now to be honest... I guess I'll give it ago but I don't like shows where we constantly get new characters...
I don't understand why they got rid of him, he was one of the few remaining characters we had a good relationship with as viewers.... all that’s left is Jack and Gwen... Jack just annoys me with his over acting leaving only Gwen... think it's put me off it now to be honest... I guess I'll give it ago but I don't like shows where we constantly get new characters...
Katy, England, on July 17th, 2009
It's a shame that Ianto was killed before he had the chance to show his potential, the previous series seemed to be building up to something that didn't happen, a bit of an anti-climax. I thought the plot of CoE was pretty shocking too, if not mostly absent - it just seemed to rush from one action scene to the next without coherence or justification. The government were 2-d "baddies" and the ideology of the team was painfully self-righteous, bit of a shame really. Although, I still ordered the DVD...
It's a shame that Ianto was killed before he had the chance to show his potential, the previous series seemed to be building up to something that didn't happen, a bit of an anti-climax. I thought the plot of CoE was pretty shocking too, if not mostly absent - it just seemed to rush from one action scene to the next without coherence or justification. The government were 2-d "baddies" and the ideology of the team was painfully self-righteous, bit of a shame really. Although, I still ordered the DVD...
Pat, Cork, Ireland, on July 17th, 2009
R.I.P Ianto. Very intersting character (as were all of the Torchwood cast). The guy definitley had more mileage in him, but I would argue so did Tosh and Owen. RTD set down the rule that an early death is almost a certainty in Tosrchwood and he's sticking to it (with the odd exception of Gwen as pointed out in other comments here, but then she's supposed to be the "normal person's" view on the workd of aliens meaning she's gotta stick around - bit of a catch-22 there). I will concede that they have practially dismantled the old world of Torchwood -the hub, the cast, etc. But to be fair, the BBC have shown that they can break old forumlas (such as how they did series three of torchwood) and make it a success. They're doing their own thing and are drawing in the crowds and giving them damn god entertainment. You can't say that they just keep giving us more of the same. So for now, I'm willing to trust where they're going. I just hope that somehow leads to season four of Torchwood although lord knows how they'll manage to set that up without hitting a big reset button!
R.I.P Ianto. Very intersting character (as were all of the Torchwood cast). The guy definitley had more mileage in him, but I would argue so did Tosh and Owen. RTD set down the rule that an early death is almost a certainty in Tosrchwood and he's sticking to it (with the odd exception of Gwen as pointed out in other comments here, but then she's supposed to be the "normal person's" view on the workd of aliens meaning she's gotta stick around - bit of a catch-22 there). I will concede that they have practially dismantled the old world of Torchwood -the hub, the cast, etc. But to be fair, the BBC have shown that they can break old forumlas (such as how they did series three of torchwood) and make it a success. They're doing their own thing and are drawing in the crowds and giving them damn god entertainment. You can't say that they just keep giving us more of the same. So for now, I'm willing to trust where they're going. I just hope that somehow leads to season four of Torchwood although lord knows how they'll manage to set that up without hitting a big reset button!
Kat, Glasgow, on July 17th, 2009
Oh come on. To those who say nobody is safe on Torchwood, oddly enough Gwen is perfectly safe. No matter how much they talked about each of the Torchwood member making a sacrifice... what was Gwen's sacrifice, seriously? She didn't even break a fingernail. What's sad is that they took a character that was highly loved by the fans, made sad jokes about him being "the queer", turned him into a mere plot device and then killed him off, just like everybody was expecting, because it was obvious that if they were going to kill another one that would have been Ianto and not the untouchable Gwen made of teflon. People can talk as much as they want but the end result IS that the gay one - and seriously Ianto wasn't even gay for fuck sake! - is dead, the same sex relationship is over and pregnant Gwen with her nice hetero marriage is the only one living on.
Oh come on. To those who say nobody is safe on Torchwood, oddly enough Gwen is perfectly safe. No matter how much they talked about each of the Torchwood member making a sacrifice... what was Gwen's sacrifice, seriously? She didn't even break a fingernail. What's sad is that they took a character that was highly loved by the fans, made sad jokes about him being "the queer", turned him into a mere plot device and then killed him off, just like everybody was expecting, because it was obvious that if they were going to kill another one that would have been Ianto and not the untouchable Gwen made of teflon. People can talk as much as they want but the end result IS that the gay one - and seriously Ianto wasn't even gay for fuck sake! - is dead, the same sex relationship is over and pregnant Gwen with her nice hetero marriage is the only one living on.
Edina, Midlands, on July 16th, 2009
OMG i can't believe they killed him off, and now with Jack gone and the hub destroyed; i'm not seeing much future for torchwood. They can't do it with just 2 people, especially if gwen's pregnant and jack's on another planet! They'll probably end up bringing in like a new team and change torchwood forever! :(
OMG i can't believe they killed him off, and now with Jack gone and the hub destroyed; i'm not seeing much future for torchwood. They can't do it with just 2 people, especially if gwen's pregnant and jack's on another planet! They'll probably end up bringing in like a new team and change torchwood forever! :(
Amy, Western Australia, on July 16th, 2009
I agree, Ianto was definately the most underrepresented characters in the show, and had so much potential for character development. It was a waste to kill off such a great character, especially as we soon discover we actually know nothing about him. Which makes me question just what the writers wanted for him in the first place??? But you have to ask, just how will they explain his resurection after he's supposedly been dead for at least 6 months? Whatever the explanation, they better come up with one and fast!
I agree, Ianto was definately the most underrepresented characters in the show, and had so much potential for character development. It was a waste to kill off such a great character, especially as we soon discover we actually know nothing about him. Which makes me question just what the writers wanted for him in the first place??? But you have to ask, just how will they explain his resurection after he's supposedly been dead for at least 6 months? Whatever the explanation, they better come up with one and fast!
Matthew, Leeds, on July 16th, 2009
A huge audience loved the show (and the episode where Ianto died most of all) so the BBC will do more. Assuming RTD is still up for it, there'll definitely be another series, probably with Jack, Gwen, Rhys and some new team members - it'll be like Spooks or 24 in that respect, nobody is safe and the team keeps changing. It's a shame that some people will be left behind by this, but most people who watched really did love it. The idea that disappointed people giving up on Torchwood will damage future viewing figures is a nonsense, there just aren't that many of them. It's never just the self-declared fans who make or break a TV programme, it's the general audience - and the fans matter only in so far as they are part of the general audience.
A huge audience loved the show (and the episode where Ianto died most of all) so the BBC will do more. Assuming RTD is still up for it, there'll definitely be another series, probably with Jack, Gwen, Rhys and some new team members - it'll be like Spooks or 24 in that respect, nobody is safe and the team keeps changing. It's a shame that some people will be left behind by this, but most people who watched really did love it. The idea that disappointed people giving up on Torchwood will damage future viewing figures is a nonsense, there just aren't that many of them. It's never just the self-declared fans who make or break a TV programme, it's the general audience - and the fans matter only in so far as they are part of the general audience.
Becca, Glasgow, on July 15th, 2009
I can't believe they killed him!! Torchwood will never be the same without Ianto!! He was the best character in my opinion with some of the best one liners. The relationship between Ianto and Jack made up a large part of the show without it i think that they will lose a large number of viewers. I believe that killing off Ianto was one of the worst moves RTD could have made. RIP Ianto Jones And if more episodes of TW are made, then they better find a way of bringing him back, or i will most likely not watch anymore, as now they have killed three of the best charatcters.
I can't believe they killed him!! Torchwood will never be the same without Ianto!! He was the best character in my opinion with some of the best one liners. The relationship between Ianto and Jack made up a large part of the show without it i think that they will lose a large number of viewers. I believe that killing off Ianto was one of the worst moves RTD could have made. RIP Ianto Jones And if more episodes of TW are made, then they better find a way of bringing him back, or i will most likely not watch anymore, as now they have killed three of the best charatcters.
yesim, Istanbul, on July 14th, 2009
I so loved this story except this one thing :Meaningless loss of Ianto which made me lost all my enthusiasm in wanting more Torchwood .What will it be now Gwen , Gwen's husband , Gwens offspring maybe a lil bit of melancholic uncle Jack if Mr. Producer feels generous.I love Gwen but if ı only wish to watch kick ass chicks ı'll watch lucy liu movies so ''No thanks '' .They rather cut it here :( ... or just bring him back and also the 13 episode old format
I so loved this story except this one thing :Meaningless loss of Ianto which made me lost all my enthusiasm in wanting more Torchwood .What will it be now Gwen , Gwen's husband , Gwens offspring maybe a lil bit of melancholic uncle Jack if Mr. Producer feels generous.I love Gwen but if ı only wish to watch kick ass chicks ı'll watch lucy liu movies so ''No thanks '' .They rather cut it here :( ... or just bring him back and also the 13 episode old format
Natalie, Plymouth, on July 14th, 2009
Bring Ianto back! its not torchwood without the Jack and Ianto relationship and Ianto was the best character in it. How can we face a series 4 without him? :( Ianto was Torchwood for me. esp with Captain Jack.
Bring Ianto back! its not torchwood without the Jack and Ianto relationship and Ianto was the best character in it. How can we face a series 4 without him? :( Ianto was Torchwood for me. esp with Captain Jack.
Linda, Wales, on July 14th, 2009
I found it depressing but inevitable. The show was always about Gwen with all the other characters (even the supposed lead) suffering in comparison. Every series of Who and Torchwood that RTD has been involved with has ended with a death or some kind of loss (Jack's abandonment, Rose's loss, Donna's lobotomy, Jack's desertion of the team, Tosh and Owen's death.) Someone had to go and the easy target was Ianto. The fact that I considered him to be the most underused and potentially interesting of the characters is just one of the reasons why I've decided to give up on the series. I'm sure the next series will result in the death of either Rhys or the baby Gwen is carrying.
I found it depressing but inevitable. The show was always about Gwen with all the other characters (even the supposed lead) suffering in comparison. Every series of Who and Torchwood that RTD has been involved with has ended with a death or some kind of loss (Jack's abandonment, Rose's loss, Donna's lobotomy, Jack's desertion of the team, Tosh and Owen's death.) Someone had to go and the easy target was Ianto. The fact that I considered him to be the most underused and potentially interesting of the characters is just one of the reasons why I've decided to give up on the series. I'm sure the next series will result in the death of either Rhys or the baby Gwen is carrying.
Katie, London, on July 14th, 2009
Torchwood IS dead without Ianto- it will never be the same...
Torchwood IS dead without Ianto- it will never be the same...
ria - www, on July 14th, 2009
They have completely ruined the show with Ianto's death. There couldn't be any other Torchwood season without him, if there will be a 4th one, I for sure will not watch it.
They have completely ruined the show with Ianto's death. There couldn't be any other Torchwood season without him, if there will be a 4th one, I for sure will not watch it.
Johanna, Munich, on July 14th, 2009
I liked him well enough, but he wasn't the show for me. So RIP Ianto Jones and bring on series 4. ^^
I liked him well enough, but he wasn't the show for me. So RIP Ianto Jones and bring on series 4. ^^
Judith, West Midlands, on July 14th, 2009
Of course Ianto wasn't the show, and of course killing him off makes for 'dramatic television'. But in the end he was a key character and his relationship with Jack was very important for a large sector of Torchwood's fanbase. Upsetting them to this extent seems both unnecessary and badly thought through. What should be remembered is that Ianto was killed off only four episodes after the deaths of Tosh and Owen, and that seems to indicate that Torchwood's answer to 'need to create some dramatic tension' has now become 'oh, just kill another team member'. This is lazy writing. Similarly, with the Hub also destroyed, it is hard to see what is still left of the show to go on with. Frankly, Jack is not enough on his own and Gwen and Rhys are just not very interesting. A new location AND a new team would be like starting all over again and honestly, who can be bothered? The basic plot of CoE had such potential, and the series was beautifully directed by Euros Lynn with some sterling contributions from the actors, but the writing tended to the sensational and was not properly thought through. Gaping plot holes (facing up to a virus-threatening alien with no plan and no protective eqipment? really?) and inconsistent philosophies (Jack aping the doctor with his 'if you hurt one you hurt all' line which he has never ever lived by in Torchwood and didn't at the end of this series either) undermined the whole thing. In the end it lacked coherence, substituting that for cheap thrills, and I don't think I'd bother watching it again.
Of course Ianto wasn't the show, and of course killing him off makes for 'dramatic television'. But in the end he was a key character and his relationship with Jack was very important for a large sector of Torchwood's fanbase. Upsetting them to this extent seems both unnecessary and badly thought through. What should be remembered is that Ianto was killed off only four episodes after the deaths of Tosh and Owen, and that seems to indicate that Torchwood's answer to 'need to create some dramatic tension' has now become 'oh, just kill another team member'. This is lazy writing. Similarly, with the Hub also destroyed, it is hard to see what is still left of the show to go on with. Frankly, Jack is not enough on his own and Gwen and Rhys are just not very interesting. A new location AND a new team would be like starting all over again and honestly, who can be bothered? The basic plot of CoE had such potential, and the series was beautifully directed by Euros Lynn with some sterling contributions from the actors, but the writing tended to the sensational and was not properly thought through. Gaping plot holes (facing up to a virus-threatening alien with no plan and no protective eqipment? really?) and inconsistent philosophies (Jack aping the doctor with his 'if you hurt one you hurt all' line which he has never ever lived by in Torchwood and didn't at the end of this series either) undermined the whole thing. In the end it lacked coherence, substituting that for cheap thrills, and I don't think I'd bother watching it again.
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CoE was great television and well worth watching, but the favours it did for Torchwood are extremely limited. No mention of the fact that Myfanwy and Gray (Jack's own brother!) would probably have been killed in the explosion, the Hub and the memories are gone, Jack has left the planet, there was no Mickey (while the 'Martha's on honeymoon' device was good enough for me), Oh, and Ianto was killed off! That leaves Gwen, Rhys and a flat. I blame the BBC for; as JB said 'punishing' the show by reducing epiodes. A full series with Jack and Ianto's relationship developing, Mickey and Martha either in the team or not, and perhaps Captain John coming back to join the team. That would have been amazing and left room for a series 4. And we've still got 4ish months until Dr Who is back! Curseee you RTD *shakes fist* RIP Ianto, Tosh and Owen. D: