Torchwood Episode 201 Recap: “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”

but they are going to push for Jack and Gwen big time while Jack and Ianto are just sleeping together. You can read what happen in Episode 4 in which it tell where this season is going

 http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=3131800&view=findpost&p=9632820

Hillarious recap! Loved it!

I know that there are people that like Gwen.  I am not amongst them.  It has always been my opinion that she was written as (failed) attempt to match the Doctor/Rose chemistry on Doctor Who.  That she managed to become the de facto leader of Torchwood in Jack's absence doesn't really surprise me.  Her ability to nag, whine and bitch obviously exceeded the others' ability to resist her.  And being short a person already they probably figured that shooting her and retconning Rhys would have been too much trouble.  I am, however, curious to know what qualifications she has to lead an alien control, black ops organization.  Given that last series she started out (unsuccessfully) breaking up bar fights and serving coffee at the station house.  Talk about career advancement!

Jack's scenes with Gwen maybe be torturously artifical, but Barrowman really managed to put on a more wistful look when he asked Ianto out.  It was especially cute when Jack softly asked Ianto to stop calling him "sir" (save it for the bedroom Ianto).  I know I'm biased.  We all are.  But there's no question in my mind that Ianto is the better romance option here.  Plus I'm sure Barrowman prefers kissing Gareth David-Lloyd over Eve Myles.  You missed commenting on the slightly offended way Ianto asked what Spike meant when he said he was Jack's "partner".

"Get your hands off of my man!" was clearly running through his head.

Marsters put in a great, dishy performance.  Especially the bit about having been a "good wife"!  Plus I think that this 51st Century attitude towards sexuality has much to recommend it.  Looking forward to seeing him back later in the series.

i loved your hopping moments. ;-) i agree with you on the gwen/jack romance crap they're trying to pull...i don't feel jack with them...

i just see gwen as another "always a hero by asking annoying questions and doing stupid shit" characters. god, i think it's clear how much she annoys me. *ahem*

anywhoooo, great recap. :-D

I've seen the second episode already, and I hope they are going to develop the Ianto/Jack relationship. I know Russell Davies has said they are going to, and the shots from this season certainly support that. Having been in Gwen's shoes more than once (the girl crushing on the gay boy) I'm sympathetic, but so wrong wrong wrong.

Great recap. You did miss some interesting innuendo between Jack and Ianto which comes into play later, getting some nookie brings forth an Iato we really didnt know. That was really fun to watch.

I am going to barf if its true the are going to bring Gwen and Jack together, Jack is for the boys! But I guess they want explore every side of Jack. And its a real treat to see Marsters again, he was great! Apparently they are really making an effort this season an it shows.

Hm, you got distracted by all the snogging? ;) Just some corrections... it's "Rear of the Year, 5094" not 'Hero'. Also, it's Owen who works out the thing with the mixed DNA samples, Ianto stays with Gwen and Spike all the time. And Owen is most definitely not welsh. ;)

heh, Fleur, you beat me to those corrections. But let's just admit. All mistakes are welcomed if as a result you get Jack and Ianto in yet another pretty scene. Even though technically it's just a slashfic. :P I don't read spoilers, but then again I watch Torchwood as it airs in UK, and from what I"m seeing so far Jack/Ianto flame is going strong :) Yay for SPike! Can't wait to get more of him. In more ways than one :P

afhickman

"It takes a village (to make Village People)"

Thanks for the laughs, Steve Frank. They're hard to come by these days. But I do think the new season of Torchwood has started off with a bang. Spike is a great guest star, and it looks like we'll be seeing more of him. I like the way he called Ianto "eye candy" when he shoved him into the elevator. He's not all bad, you see. And I kinda like his drum major's outfit. It complemented the Beatles riffs on the soundtrack. I notice that Andy's back as well; perhaps he'll be giving Rhys a run for his money with the Gwenster. All is well.

Promised myself that I would not read these recaps until the CBC decides to show the second season...but seeing that that could be MONTHS away and seeing just how funny your recaps are I had to break that promise. Hopefully I'll be able to YouTube this season and keep up with those of you in the UK and States.

 

Don't hate Gwen to point where I want her dead, just feel that the character has been poorly written. Rather have Owen dead. Oh, Gwen would be the one to take over as she was the replacement for Suzie who was 2nd in command (Season one, episode one). 

 

As much as I want to see some guy on guy action and see Jack and Ianto date, Gareth David-Lloyd reminds me too much of my younger brother so there's too much of an ick factor going on to think about Ianto in anyway sexy.

 

Loved the recap. Great job and I am looking forward to you doing more of them in the future. One suggestion if I might. Can you come up with another nickname for the group? Sorry, but Scullies just does not work for me.

(Repeat of comment on Michael's review) About Gwen, I think she's a good character. Sure she's whiney and does everything she's told not to do, but the show wouldn't work without her. You need a foil for Jack and the crew. You need someone to take things personally, like in "Day One". (season 1, ep2) Without Gwen they probably could have callously let Clayris die while they tried to capture the alien.

That's what Jack sees in her and it's probably what he loves about her. I don't necessarily want Jack to end up with Gwen, but I think we should wait and see what happens; some fabulous alien may come along. And we all know, as far as a time agent is concerned, if it breathes and is cute it's worth checking out. See you in hell..

Woodys! Ever so much more appropriate, dontcha think? As for Owen, he may not be Welsh, but his name sure is. As for Gwen -- Meh. But I agree with Brenda: the show would not work without her. Ianto, Tosh, and Owen are a bunch of semi-sexy dorkmuffins. With somewhat stunted emotional affects. Affect, I think that's the word I'm looking for. She brings the heart, and she brings the soul. 

Don't get me started on gwen and last season, but so far this season, (I have seen Sleepers, the second episode, fantastic), and she is just what the fish said. The 'caring 'one. And what kind of job is that in the 21st century, when everything changes. I ask you

Oooo... Someone is cranky. My notes on your (otherwise super FAB recap). First: I always defend the first season of a show that shows promise. Most first seasons are shaky. Let's see if they learn. I wouldn't say Gwen grilled the old woman, she simply asked if she'd seen a fish dive by and then politely thanked her. I thought Capt John looked a wee bit Adam Ant. Is that just showing my age? Scullies is stupid, as it makes no sense. Woodies? Silly, but it works. Or, you could just copy the words 'Team Torchwood' and them paste them as needed. The 'severed hand' was with Jack, and therefore was not a candidate for group leader. It also seems like your expectations are that this is suppose to be a gay show. It's not. Not every senario or every kiss or ever innuendo will be gay-themed. Gay gay gay gay gay. That would be the unwatchable 'Dantes Cove.' That would be (here comes the hate mail) that abortion I call 'Showtime's Queer As Folk.' A show that lost ALL of the heart and soul the original had and replaced it with gay gay gay gay gay. I know this is a gay site. I am gay. I do not want to live in a world that is gay gay gay gay gay. It would get old and boring real fast. BTW: The woman in the next episode? NOT A LESBIAN. I do enjoy your recaps, and will continue to follow them, but learn, as the producers of 'Torchwood' did (thus far), take criticism and learn from your feedback. Cheers!

...Jimmy Donahue. Good grief, folks, lay off Gwen. She's just a character in a bloody show, for pete's sake. ALL of the actors on this show seem to be very nice folks just doing their job and having fun. Imagine what it is like to read this junk that goes on and on. The show is the vision of the writers and RTD, NOT the so-called fans. I thought the Ianto character was boring in the 1st series (and got flamed for it) but, his character is being written a bit better so far in the first 2 eps of 2nd season. The show is evolving and we should just enjoy the ride. It is not the "Jack and Ianto" show. A little flirting and innuendo is lovely but so is all the interplay between all of the characters and the guest stars. It's all part and parcel of the show. Let's just relax, have fun and see where the show goes this season. (oh gosh, here it comes....)

 

 

If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.

This site needs to learn how to be succinct when it comes to their "recaps". This is by far NOT a recap, but a play-by-play transcript...if I wanted that, I'll just watch the episode again, thank you very much. Jeez.

I enjoyed some of your recap. But you missed so much of the little bits that make this show so different. Fight scene; I thought the kis and then the fighting was hot. Just imagine if Ed Norton and BRAD in Fight Club"added the kiss. The taxi scene; the best part was not what Gwen said it was the comment by Ianto afterwards "it is more fun when he's around" and everyone agrees. Again in the fight scene Jack says "he worked his way up the ranks" and Spike answers back "I bet the ranks were very grateful". In the argument about who is the wife Spike finally says"oh but I was a good wife".

The problem with Gwen is that she and Jack have no chemistry. She has a lot more going on with Owen. I can see her bringing the "every woman" touch but they have had her character do a lot of things that are a little more then just flawed. She sleeps around a little too much and then they make her somewhat self-righteous. Jack and Ianto have much more chemistry and their interaction is a lot more natural. Oh and I still agree that Jack is supposed to be omnisexual. But chemistry is chemistry is chemistry and Jack has it with the male characters, at least so far.

When watching the show you have to appreciate it for what it is. It is a fun and sexy SciFi show. Of course there are some inconsistencies, this isn't Blade Runner. I don't pretend to know anything about what you do but it seems that either you need to recap with commentary or review. I prefer the recap with commentary, you do it pretty well. But you really need to concentrate on all the little things (imagine what Jack would do with that). As for "gay gay gay" 99% of TV is straight straight straight. For this show and John Barrowman I prefer gay gay gay with maybe a little something else on the side. Oh yeah! I prefer "Torchies" and James Marsters definitely needs to become a recurring character. Maybe next time we can see him hitting on Ianto and see Jack's reaction to that.

Personally, I think Gwen has more chemistry with Jack than with any of the other characters. I think John and Eve play it very well and I would love to see more of that chemistry. Yet at the same time I also love the Jack/Ianto relationship, and Gwen cheating on her boyfriend makes me feel uncomfortable.
I would love to see her in a close and passionate relationship with Jack, but not a romantic/sexual relationship...
so how about a close friendship instead? They could write them as best friends, or like brother and sister.
We've already seen them confide in one another on more than one occasion. I mean, who says it would have to be a romantic relationship?
A close friendship could be just as profound, loving and supportive as a romantic relationship. A relationship like this would complement rather than compete with the Jack/Ianto and Gwen/Rhys relationships.
Gwen could always confide in Jack if she's had an argument with Rhys, and Jack can always give her support and advice. ¨
Likewise right from the start Gwen's been someone that Jack's been confiding in about his background.
I think they should definately write Jack and Gwen as best friends.
Even though they often challenge each other's views, it's clear that that they seem to have almost unquestionable faith and admiration for each other... or at least, this is my interpretation. Take Gwen's total refusal to accept Jack's death in the first season finale for example. That's a clear sign that there's something special between the two characters.
I also believe that Jack is drawn to Gwen because of her fearlessness and selflessness (such as her willingness to sacrifice herself in order to save others as demostrated at the end of episodes such as "Day One" and this one)
I think Jack also sees a bit of himself in her: she's determined and stubborn just like him.
They've got so much in common, and they are like mirrors of one another.
I hope they writers don't try to force the two characters into a romantic relationship, yet at the same time I hope they don't marginalize Jack and Gwen's interactions.
John and Eve have brilliant chemistry and given the right scripts they could portray a beautiful and deep friendship between the two characters that would in no way compete with Jack and Ianto's relationship and Gwen and Rhys'.

Gay relationships aren't they only type of relationships that are rare on television. Deep and non-sexual friendships between male and female leads are also rare and something I constantly miss in tv programs. (One of my best childhood friends was a boy, and that relationship meant a lot to me.)
I find it a bit disappointing that there are so few representations of relationships of this type. It's almost as if they are considered inferior.

Cherry / Torchwood_Operative

Click here for an episode by episode list of Torchwood elements in "Doctor Who".

I agree completely with you. I think seeing that kind of relationship would be unique and interesting. I certainly have no desire to see them romantically involved. There is much more fantasy fodder with all the potential male relationships.

Now that Ianto is *much* less boring (ha) it is fun to see the dynamics between him and Jack but I would hate to see them become exclusive. It's fun to see Ianto get jealous and possessive of Jack when Jack is being "Jack", his randy old self. He seems to have lost a lot of that humour and lightness that he arrived in Dr. Who with.

I think that this show has tried to get more serious but not with particularly good results. It's just too campy and the plot holes are too big. I mean, lets face it. This show did not spring forth from the brilliant mind of Gene Roddenbury. But, if one doesn't dwell too long or hard on the cracks, it's hugely entertaining like a trashy novel. That's how I see it, anyway. And man, would I like to see Real Jack (Matt Rippy) return from the dead for one last fling with Jack. Oy.

 

 

I say we take the warning labels off everything and let nature take it's course.

I loved this recap, it was great! I do agree that Torchwood has a lot of plotholes and solutions that make no sense, but I just ignore that and enjoy the episode. I found it really weird how Jack made a move on Gwen. It didn't seem to fit, since she was the one that was always lusting after him. And then when he asked Ianto out, I got the feeling that he was just the consolation prize since Jack missed out on Gwen. Obviously they do have something, but I just wish they hadn't done the Jack/Gwen scene. That is so over!