TV Poll: Time to move on from Ianto?

Sam, England on September 1st, 2009
i agree that killing ianto was a very bad idea as he was a gr8 character but if there is another series of TW then i'm going 2 watch the 1st episode coz RTD mite suprise us

Trevory on August 27th, 2009
I just miss Owen... NEVER the same without him :(

Jack, Baltimore on August 18th, 2009
where are the polll results?

Katie, New Jersey on August 11th, 2009
It seems that, no matter how the viewers vote, you have already decided on the answer to your question, which is a shame. Personally, I was extremely disappointed by the events of CoE, including the death of Ianto. Even now, about a month since the end of the series, that disappointment still lingers. So: no, I'm not ready to move on. But, I'm not just shaking my fists in anger at the TV. I'm using my reaction to show to inform discussion with other fans about the portrayal of gays and lesbians in the media, parallels to real world events, and a number of other topics. I'm supporting the charitable works of other fans, including the phenominal donations to Children in Need and the Lluest Horse and Pony Trust. If that's overreacting, I'll gladly be accused.

j/j, UK on August 10th, 2009
the ratings for Cof E in America have just come out and average 700,000 per night. So all the need to change Torchwood for the US market ie "tone down", more tension and drama ie kill off characters that made the show what it was. This was done for those figures when we already had 3m plus per episode before Cof E in th UK. Not sure I see the logic.

sapphire jones,UK on August 8th, 2009
Ianto's death was pointless,he didn't die a hero- it was merely a case of no planning. They really should bring him back!Now we are left with 'The Gwen & Jack Show' don't expect me to be watching it.

Laura, USA on August 8th, 2009
I like Torchwood and have followed it since the beginning, but this save Ianto thing is getting pathetic. It's fiction people, get a grip!

Alliie, London on August 8th, 2009
I am not moving on that easily! If i'm going to be a fan i'm going to be a dedicated one!!! I loved ianto and thought his death was pointless xxxxxx

Heather, USA on August 8th, 2009
Move on from Ianto's death? Um, no I don't think so. This death hurt me and broke my heart in ways that it will always be hard to move on from in my opinion. I will not be watching any future Torchwood because it will not be the same without Ianto Jones, no matter which characters Russell T. Davies thinks are the most important. I don't believe the death helped the plot in anyway that was useful and it mostly just served to devestate loyal fans and help them lose faith in a once fantastic show.

loopmeinoddone, USA on August 7th, 2009
I was really upset over the death of Ianto, broke my heart, RTD says he died a hero but really it was just stupid and pointless. He really just died because they raced in there with out a plan ( so out of character for Jack Btw) and the "drug" deal went wrong. I will not be watching torchwood if it comes back and not just because of Ianto but because of RTD's blatant disregard for his fans. The more he talks the angrier i get. Gareth David-Lloyd you already have one fan for whatever you deciede to do next.

Ceridwen on August 7th, 2009
As much as I enjoyed the character of Ianto Jones, and thought the chemistry between Gareth David-Lloyd and John Barrowman was extraordinary, I don't watch a show for one character alone. I watched Torchwood for a lot of reasons that included Ianto. But when a show like Torchwood has to kill it's characters off one by one across a couple of episodes to make the point it's a dangerous job they're in, well, that's where for me at least, the creativity in writing is gone and there's no point watching anymore when there are better and more consistently written programs out there, because, in the end series four will just be more of the same. I've gone from your second selection to just not caring anymore.

Lori, UK on August 7th, 2009
Rather polarised options, but I had to go with the second, not because I necessarily had problems with the writing or creative decisions (because writers can, and will, do whatever they like), but because CoE just wasn't my sort of thing. As a stand-alone drama (and for the casual or first-time viewer), it was excellent. But I'm a huge long-term fan of the show with emotional ties to the characters and backstory, and I loved my quirky, often ridiculous, cult series so, for me, CoE was not Torchwood enough. And throughout the entire series, I just felt as though the Torchwood aspect was simply tacked on to another storyline. It didn't seem to fit right for me. So, personally I won't be watching series 4 because I'm not that keen on the new direction the show has taken and because I'm too taken with what the show used to be. I'll also be very aware of the fact that everything Torchwood was has now been destroyed. If Ianto came back and the Hub was rebuilt and we perhaps went back to the individual storylines, I'd be much more inclined to watch again, but where S3 has left the show, it's just not something I'd want to continue to watch. Which is a shame. But at the same time, there are lots of new viewers who never really liked the first two series but love what it's become so swings and roundabouts!

Annie Wilkes, hiding in RTD's bushes on August 7th, 2009
You! You dirty bird, RTD! How could you? He can't be dead, IANTO JONES CANNOT BE DEAD! I DON'T WANT HIS SPIRIT! I WANT HIM, AND YOU MURDERED HIM! SLIPPED AWAY! SLIPPED AWAY? HE DIDN'T JUST SLIP AWAY! YOU DID IT! YOU DID IT! YOU DID IT! YOU MURDERED MY IANTO!

Ruby, UK on August 7th, 2009
At the time of Ianto's death I was very sad. Tears, cries of "No!" and anry mutterings about Tosh and Owen and how we'll have nobody left shortly. However, now that time has moved on I think I've gotten over it. The death was very sad and beautifully acted. I'm not saying it was necessary but it showed how the 456 didn't care and were willing to go to extreme measures to get what they wanted. It also reminded us that life in Torchwood is very dangerous. Personally, I loved COE and thought it was one of the best Torchwood stories yet. I think Torchwood could continue with a very bitter and broken Gwen and eventually Jack's return. Perhaps another short series rather than a full one would work to get us back into the show? Let's hope TW continues in the future.

Denise NY, NY on August 6th, 2009
Weeks after viewing the death of Ianto and the loss of the Jack & Ianto relationship in CoE it is still difficult for me to come up with a reason why I might tune in to watch another series of Torchwood with out any prospect of seeing them both rise again. This shouldn't be that difficult over the course of the show 4 main characters have died, Suzie, Rhys, Owen and Tosh. Only Tosh didn't return. Suzie came back for an episode, Owen for half a series and Rhys, bless him, is still with us to this day. The last is what I would wish to see for Ianto. As much as I enjoy Capt. Jack there can't be the same joy or interest in seeing what happens to him going forward after losing practically everyone around him but the loss of Ianto in particular is wrench. Watching Jack develop new relationships would feel hollow and the idea that anyone that gets too close or stays too long will only be killed off a deterrent. There must be another way of providing drama in a show beyond killing off characters one after the other. Couldn't Ianto beat the odds? I don't want RTD's head on a plate, though since you gave me no other choice with which to voice my displeasure that is how I voted. I would much prefer Russell keep his exceptional head and use it to find an innovative way to bring Ianto back to us viewers and most importantly to Jack.

Rachel, Uk on August 5th, 2009
I hate what RTD did to Torchwood, he just can't wright anymore. His only way of writing is to kill off the entire team so it's the main character that introduced us to Torchwood and the one that can't die. Also RTD needs to recognise the fandom, he is a very selfish man who lives in a little bubble playing god (and possible scrabble...badly) and who has no idea what kind of effect this is having on the fans who want Ianto back.

Tori, NI on August 5th, 2009
imo, COE destroyed torchwood. I don't see how they could bring it back, what with Jack being as damaged as he is, and no Ianto. The only way i can see is if RTD starts a new programme with new characters and try to pass it off as the new Torchwood - people won't react well to that. Ianto was the backbone to Torchwood, and while i understand that everyone dies young at Torchwood, it seemed like Ianto's death was just put in to fill space and as a reason for Jack to be so far gone that he kills his own grandson. Definately NOT time to move on.

Hysterical Woman #666, On an island with Janto on August 5th, 2009
C'mon my fellow legion of hysterical women (and certain men). Let's rig this poll.

Chris, London on August 5th, 2009
No point in this poll since the people on saveiantojones web site have been instructing people to vote from multipe computers over and over. No matter what the results say they have clearly been distorted by this. How pathetic. http://community.livejournal.com/savecoffeeboy/196216.html

saxgoddess25 on August 5th, 2009
In response to the person who said Ianto's death was well done, were we watching the same show? His death was pointless and obtuse. As to whether there is a way to bring him back, of course there is. I can think of at least 5 right off the top of my head right now. Russell just needs to find some imagination. I wish I could give him some of mine.

Arwen: Seattle, Wa USA on August 5th, 2009
This is not just about the death of 'Ianto Jones', This is about the destruction of what was a really good show all together starting with the explosion of the hub. It simply became to much to take with the senseless death of a fan favorite character. A character that RTD himself admitted in series one that was extremely and surprisingly popular with the fans. Then his manner of disregarding how upset those fans are has further flamed this fire. As for myself, I personally will not watch torchwood again. And I respect all those who campaign for Ianto.

Jessica, texas on August 5th, 2009
I cant believe anybody would want to get over Ianto already he really meant a lot to Torchwood fans I mean he was and hope still is our coffe boy. If you want to help save the coffe boy then plzzz go to www.saveiantojones.com and join the protest

Scott Matthewman on August 5th, 2009
"Jack, a character so badly mangled and damaged by Mr. Davies lack of imagination that I cannot see how he can be salvaged." -- I think that's an indication not of Russell's lack of imagination, but of a viewer's. Whatever one's opinion of Russell Davies' writing, it can never seriously be accused of a lack of imagination.

hystericalwoman381, USA on August 5th, 2009
The poll didn't include the option I wanted, that CoE was very good television but I wasn't pleased with the way the actors who play Torchwood characters were used (under their Torchwood names, no less) in a political drama with aliens. It was all rather confusing, and I'm still wondering how they plan to air Torchwood Season 3 if they have killed off or destroyed all the interesting Torchwood characters in this political drama (with aliens) called Children of Earth. So, I picked the option that most closely reflected my thoughts. I'll let you guess which one that is.

Claire, Cardiff on August 5th, 2009
What I don't get is why there is so much animosity towards the people who are upset at Ianto's death. If it means nothing to you, so be it; why the bad attitude? I've never seen any Ianto fans bitch about people NOT caring, so the people not caring should show the same courtesy. As for the argument that Ianto fans should spend their time campaigning for "more serious" issues, maybe the same should apply to the people who are having a go at them. Perhaps your anger should be channeled in a more appropriate direction...Say Human Rights etc? As For Russel T Davies, he is to dramatic writing what Christopher Columbus was to brass band music; I.E. Useless. It's his attitude that puts me off Torchwood more than anything.

Rosie, Dublin, Ireland on August 4th, 2009
Oh I was so so sad when lovely Ianto died :'-( Very tearful! But I thought they did it quite well - it was very emotional and quite beautiful really. I just kept getting angry though - why did he go?? Jack can never die - why didn't just he go?? Definitely, I thought that the whole CoE was *brilliant* though. But as ever... UGH, GWENNN! Sorry. Don't like her. I *really* didn't like how she acted even more grieved by Ianto's death than Jack - she never even got on with Ianto that much! It would be sad I think to have another series (doubt they will, tbh) with just Gwen and Jack out of the old crew. I mean, much as I love Jack... no Tosh, no Owen and no Ianto? Hmmm.

Char, USA on August 4th, 2009
I won't be watching a season four, if there is one. Torchwood without Ianto holds no interest for me. All we are left with is Gwen, a flat, boring character brought to the screen by an extraordinarily unattractive and extremely poor actress, and Jack, a character so badly mangled and damaged by Mr. Davies lack of imagination that I cannot see how he can be salvaged. Mr. Davies has shown such a huge lack of creativity--we now know for him drama equals killing a character. Been there, done that, now three times. Why would any viewer waste any time becoming invested in any character on Torchwood.

Katya, Russia on August 3rd, 2009
I don't need Torchwood without Ianto. I ain't gonna watch or buy anything if he stays dead. I have lots of friends who feel this way, so BBC if you don't want lose your money - BRING HIM BACK!!!

Sophie, London on August 3rd, 2009
I totally think it's time to move on. We got through the deaths of Owen and Tosh and now we'll just have to do the same with Ianto. Since I wasn't mad on the whole Jack/Ianto relationship I guess I've just taken it better than some of the fans. I think after the Series 2 finale it was made clear to us that no one except Jack is safe from dying in Torchwood. I suppose you could add Gwen to that, but then again...

Rachel, Dublin on August 3rd, 2009
I don't really have a problem with how people are reacting. I think most people are reacting in that way because they feel the death wasn't handled correctly ie. it seemed kind of pointless. Tosh and Owen dying didn't cause half as much fuss because fans felt like they had appropriate deaths. Plus a lot of people feel that there was a lot more character development left for Ianto and they wanted to see it. Either way I think people expressing their opinion is fine and look at all the money they've raised. The fact that fans are still reacting shows that it's important to them. I personally felt that CoE was a deconstruction of everything that made TW popular in the first place. I will give a potential future season a chance but I'm not holding out much hope.

Paul, Manchester on August 3rd, 2009
Light touch paper and retreat!

celia-anne on August 3rd, 2009
Really sad that he has gone.. was a great character, a simmilar article is up on another website denofgeek about if he should come back or not. Dunno if he can come back there was that glove thingy but his death was really well done.

Kirsty on August 2nd, 2009
It was time to move on within a few days of the end of series 3 quite frankly, anyone still not over it is a bit sad and takes a tv show too seriously. He wasn't a real person you know - he was the most minor character of the three peinciple characters. It sure aint the end of the world that he's gone.

KAB13,USA on August 2nd, 2009
I'm quite interest to see what happens, seeing you have a forum on this site for DW/TW where the people seem to having nothing better to do than bash other fans. Nice, people, really.

Kat, Glasgow on August 2nd, 2009
Paul, Aberdeen, please be careful with your words. You are assuming things about people you don't know. What give you the right to tell people "go campaigning for actual causes and issues that really NEED campaigning over"??? How do you know that those people are not involved in social causes, pray tell? Yes, it's a TV show in the end, everybody is aware of that, maybe it's you the one who is not aware of this? How on earth is mutually exclusive being both pissed about the poor handling of a storyline and doing something tangible for actual social issues, according to you? Many people are perfectly able to do both things, trust me. I even work for a social cause and I can still disagree with what I see in a TV show. Go figure.

Kerry on August 2nd, 2009
I wouldn't have minded half as much if his death had been done well, but I really don't think that it was. Minor, one-episode characters in Torchwood/Doctor Who have been given much better send offs than Ianto.

Calum, Middlesbrough on August 2nd, 2009
At the end of the day it's a TV program and people have to appreciate that unless someone's name is in the title they any good show can survive without them & even theirs exceptions to that, the majority of the lifespan of taggert has not had taggert in due to the sad passing of the actor. A Good TV program does not NEED one character no matter how popular they are and people need to realize that Russell T Davies rightly said that it was part of the story and every story is not going to please everyone but these people should realise that them switching off (and there not truly fans of the show, more of the character which is an entirely different thing) is not going to effect the larger picture which is that it had huge ratings even on day 5 without Ianto

Val, West Midlands on August 2nd, 2009
This sums up why I can't warm to Torchwood in the way I can Dr Who, even though I enjoy watching it and think it comes up with some really gutsy storylines (the idea of the government coldly selling out the children is genuinely chilling). Dr Who is at its best when it plays towards very basic childhood fears, which takes a lot of imagination on the part of the writers. Torchwood, on the other hand, just has this attitude of "look at us, we can have violence and sex and swearing so we're going to have LOADS of it, even if it isn't vital to the plot." So, unlike the deaths of Owen and Tosh, which were not only shocking but also really shook up the format of the show, Ianto's just felt like the writer was killing someone off because he felt like it. It didn't add anything to the plot. Of course, Gareth might just have been desperate to leave the show, who knows?

Emma, Newcastle on August 2nd, 2009
It's only a show at the end of the day and if Russell was writing obvious, the viewing figures would not be there and you would have no more Ianto either way. Re-commissioning is a scary place for drama and sci fi at the moment so if Ianto had to go to set the new agenda of not everyone lives then so be it, series 4 will be an interesting watch i'll be greatful to see. Is no one looking forward to GDL flexing his acting muscles in something a bit more meaty than the bite his lip coffee boy? I sure can't wait to see what the lad can pull out the bag next!!! Just remember, it could be worse, the whole show could go for 'Katie Price mucks out her horses LIVE', cheap production costs and no brainer viewers in thier masses.................

James on August 2nd, 2009
Never mind bringing Ianto back poll, perhaps a poll that asks the question does anyone think RTD is as good a writer as HE thinks he is. The majority of his episodes were clumsy and corny, yet he always is banging on about how this is the best episode ever. Blah, blah,blah!