Torchwood Episode 213 Recap: “Exit Wounds”

Okay, right up front, you were FANTASTIC this week. Especially pages 1 & 2.  And believe me I know how hard it was because Tosh's death hit me hard too.  Owen's rather less so.  Like Gray, ir's my anger that gives me strength.  The anger that Gwen survived.

You comment about Spike's wardrobe was dead on.  But clearly he shops in the Gauthier Galaxy instead of D&G G.  I had always hoped that Jack would take Tosh and Ianto on a field trip to Planet Prada but it never happened.

Well, Gwen finally got a chance to use her special power, the ability that justified her presence in Torchwood.  I am referring of course to her ability to tell people what to do and actually cause them to do it regardless of how stupid it is.  Thankfully for Cardiff, she was addressing a crowd of meter maids.  If she'd had the fire department or the ambulance squads the death toll might have been horrific.

You are so right about Rhys and Andy though.  Divorce needs to be followed by civil partnership.  Besides, Torchwood needs two new red shirts.

Can we talk some more about how hot Gray was?  I mean like awesome, gorgeous, utterly smoking hot. Why couldn't he have been wearing some kind of futuristic speedskater outfit? You're so right, if only Spike had a compact mirror with him when he found Gray he could have convinced him that there were better things than revenge.  However, if he really wanted to steal Jack's life, why not go for Jack's boyfriend?  I'm sure that a little torture/rough trade with Ianto would have vented his (and my) frustrations and put smiles on everyone's faces except Jack's.

Everyone did a super job this finale and I dearly hope that this means we'll get a Series 3.  If they get Martha back she can put Gwen in her place, become Jack & Ianto's fag hag and generally make for a superior team.  Spike can't come onto the team until and unless he gets a new outfit.  Jack needs to be clear about that.  And Ianto needs to put the detonator/bug/vortex manipulator back on him to make sure he keeps his hands off Jack.

Thanks again for a great season of recaps.  These have kept me up late on Sunday nights because I want them hot off the presses they're so good! 

Beautiful recap, funny and cute, and touching where it mattered. Sometimes it seems like you don't actually like the show, except for the fact that you watch it and do this every week, and then we remember it's just Gwen you don't like.

My main outlet for Torchwood squee (and you can tell I embrace my fangirlness because I use the word 'squee' without shame) is LiveJournal. I know a gal there who draws a very funny sort of Torchwood comic strip in stick figures, and the first thing she did following this episode was post a drawing of two little stick angels with "We will miss you" written under it. I commented, "You're going to make me start crying again!" and she replied, "I know! How am I supposed to find anything funny in this?!" Your recap managed to make me laugh a lot, even as I clicked through the pages and felt my stomach drop, knowing what was coming.

The other thing I wanted to say was about all the complaints that I've seen here about the development of Jack and Ianto's relationship, and the way it's shown on camera; it often seemed like no matter what happened, someone was not happy with it, felt it wasn't being done right. A friend suggested I was worrying about nothing because such complaints are typical of sci-fi fans across the board.

But today I came across a series of essays that a woman on LJ has written about body language and the way it's used on Torchwood. She pointed out some remarkable things about the way Jack and Ianto interact that really made me appreciate the choices the actors and directors have made this series. This comment is too long already, so I'll summarize as briefly as I can.

1) Jack is really physical with his team, but he's usually doing it to reinforce the hierarchy: I can touch you all I want, because I am the boss.

2) Ianto is barely physical with anyone, and usually stands a bit apart from the group.

3) When they are working, even when they're by themselves, Jack doesn't touch Ianto, or use his body to reinforce his role as boss, because he's respecting the boundaries that Ianto has set on work-time vs. boyfriend-time. Even when they do touch, Ianto is generally the one who initiate it.

4) Ianto frequently stands closer to Jack than Jack allows anyone else to do, as the writer of the analysis wrote, becoming almost an extension of Jack.

So basically, the point she made that I'm repeating is that, amazingly, their intimacy as a couple is being expressed by the lack of contact, since we only ever see them at work. That's how we know the relationship is deeper than sex. She didn't just say, This is what I think. She wrote pages and pages on personal space, gesture, grouping. She used screencaps to illustrate. I hope she doesn't mind me doing this, but here's the link to her journal. http://antelope-writes.livejournal.com/ (also contains some very good, hot fanfic)

I'm hoping, and I know everyone else is too, that we get to see more Jack and Ianto not at work next series, because that's when we're going to get the touchy stuff we want. Ianto's sort of... moved up in the ranks, character-wise, with the departure of two leads, so maybe that means we'll finally get to see his house. As long as that doesn't mean they're going to kill him off in the finale.

Steven--great job as always! I was wondering how you could inject humor into this one, and you really didn't disappoint. So thank you for all of your hard work every week.

Wow...this ep was a sad one. And, I have to agree--Naoko's acting when she said "Because you're breaking my heart," was the best thing I've seen on Torchwood. 

Yeah--Gwen basically tackling Jack right out of the cells before Ianto could get to him really bugged me, too. I loved how Ianto was all protective of Jack the entire time--he totally would have kicked John's ass if given half the chance. Sadly, any onscreen time between Jack and Ianto was shared with Gwen. Thing is--I don't actually hate the character, just hate when the writers try to force the Gwack pairing.

[VAGUE SPOILER ALERT] I am really wondering about next season--there are all kinds of crazy rumors flying around on TWoP forums about length of season, actor replacements and new kiddie-friendly format (that's the one which makes me the most nervous)--so who knows what we're going to get. Although a S3 does seem confirmed.[/VAGUE SPOILER ALERT]

I finally stopped crying, and then you had to make your little sidebar! TOSH! ): No really, though, I was impressed with this recap, because all I've thought since I first watched Exit Wounds was "What's Steven gonna say about Tosh?" And Owen, but w/e. And you did manage to keep it snarky and hilarious, as always, and I applaud you for that.

And the actors were all amazing in this episode. James Marsters' double meanings were brilliant. I kinda realized that something was going on, but it wasn't out of character enough for me to figure everything out. Naoko and Burn acted the hell out of their death scenes. Everyone was great. Even though Gareth didn't do much more besides look sexy , shoot things and shout.

OHMYGOD GRAY IS HOT! They definitely should find that good/evil switch.

New team time? We totally need Martha. As long as she stops kissing Jack. That's Ianto's job. Ooh, and Spike needs to at least guest star for more than two episodes next season. And someone needs to find another pair of Risen Mittens, because I refuse to accept the fact that Tosh is dead.

Aw, poor Gwen doesn't think she can go on. Somebody give her some Retcon. Seriously. Get her the hell off the team. I've never liked her, and I was hoping she would stop sucking, but let's face it. It's been two seasons, and the only things she's ever done for us are Rhys, Andy, and catching Janto. We can get rid of her now.

And of course, more Janto action in the future, pleeez.

*sits back and waits for season three*

For an equally superb episode.

Every one was great in this one, it had a very good pace. Marsters was great and Im glad with the possibility of him been in the next season.

Im still affected by the loss of Toshiko. I agree she had a lot of potential for development, but what are you gonna do. She displayed a strength and confidence that we knew she had but somehow she did not know herself. Thats why Im glad with that "Im brilliant" comment because I would like to think that she finally got it before she died.

On top of that Tosh has to endure in her last moments the fact she knows that the man she loves is going to die a very slow and particularly nasty death, cant do anything about it and probably has to hear it. Toshikos death was very emotionally charged. Geez. I even felt sorry for Owen, and that is saying a lot.

Some funny moments: when Jack opens the cages and Gwen jumps at him first, I was literally having a Ripley moment: "Get away from him woman!!!" Ok, it wasnt as nasty, but I meant as much. Ill bet that was put in just to give us something to talk about untill nest season.

And of course, Andy and Rhys. I really hope one of them or both get involved with Torchwood en season 3. These guys need to lighten up the Hub.

BTW, I think Jack has some serious avoidance issues. His answer to Grays conflict is to put him in the freezer, cmon! But I get that is for later. Speaking of Gray, what a hot little bro. Geez. The wardrobe coordinator for this episode should be fired, what a waste of hot men.

This season was certainly and improvement and I hope the next one is too.

Thanks Steven for your recaps, you always give us a funny alternative perspective of the show. Hope all you had to go trough with the Hubbies does not deter you from doing the recap next season, you do a great job.

Cheers 

Seriously. I can almost tolerate this season because of your well crafted hilarious rants, I mean recaps*grin*Perhaps I didn't find this episode worth tears because Ive been waiting for Owen to die since episode 7. Naoko was wasted as well as hidiously dressed all season so good for her to move on to where she can be appreciated by the writers. That said, I was moved most by her video. I think we'd all like to be able to say at our end "I hope I did good."Now for the bad news. It's been announced on torchwoodtv.com that producer Richard Stokes has left TW for L&O:London w/ Chris Chibnall (who wrote the last 3 eps). This means RTD has to find an entire creative team before TW series 3 comes around. Not to mention JB has to put it into his (packed) schedule which by my reckoning is full til after panto this year. So nobody should hold their breath. Now back go the recap! Weevils in coveralls. Isn't nice to know that Carhartts survives the recession and makes it into space? Rhys and Andy! Now you see why in all the interviews the producers called him lovely Andy and said "we knew we had to have him back".Gray. Minority viewpoint here. Not as hot as all that. But then I'm not turned on by big pouty full lips as some of you seem to be. Wonder why *wink*Gwen. Get over her girls, she's here to stay although I could hear the cheering when she said she didn't think she could go on. But Jack wants and needs her, and from a writing standpoint she's necessary to have things explained to her (making her seem thick) but remember, Gwen represents the(clueless) audience. So some viewers are smarter than others which is everyone at AE

gonna miss the recaps. Tosh dying and all really got to me. I guess it was because i don't hold a grudge towards her...I liked her and felt sorry for her..owen, well he annoyed me. I don't even know why, but whatever.

...gwen not dying....eh, hating her takes up too much energy so i am gonna stop hating her so much. wow, I can't believe I said that.

Hasn't season 3 started filming? I feel as if i read that somewhere...

Loved this episode, knew they would die but tosh really hit me hard with 'You're breaking my heart" Gray was so totally hot, and such a totally crap actor, which is a shame

SPOILERS AHEAD

 

 

 

 

 

The word on forums is it is not just martha joining next year, but also the lovely mickey from DW, who slowly I have come to like. And if you guys get withdrawal, check out season 4 of doctor Who. catherine tate is the new companion, the stories are great, and captain jack is back in 7 episodes and martha is back next week. I loved tosh, and usually hate death as story, but thought this was really well handled

This really was a crushing season finale. I hadn't read any spoilers (though I assume they were out there) and I had no idea that they were going to kill off Tosh and Owen. Both actors did a FANTASTIC job in this episode. It makes me really sad that they're not going to be back next season - particularly Tosh, because as others have noted, she had so much potential as a character.

Oh, and I totally agree that Spike needs to ditch the Sergeant Pepper-mariachi jacket. I hope he's back next season.

How awesome is Deputy Andy? I would love to see more of him on this show ... and hey, there are now openings on the Torchwood team ...

Gosh this episode had already made me cry for 3~4 times,now there goes one more.

I think what`s so important about this episode is that it reminds us how dangerous Torchwood`s job really is,besides Jack who obviously couldn`t die,everybody else is truly risking his/her own live.

I`m pretty sure we will get a third season,since John Barrowman mentioned in several interviews that Torchwood is a big hit both in the UK and on BBC America.And the actor who played Owen hint that he might return for Season 3,cause you didn`t actually see his death on screen,which means he may not be "dead".I`m not sure about Tosh though,but I do personally hope they can write her back in for maybe one episode,like Susie.

Also wanna add that I am a little bit angry that the writers turned Gwen into "this".I mean,a lot of her action and scenes about her didn`t even makes sence.The whole character is rather confusing.Which is so sad cause Eve Myles is a sweet lady and brilliant actress.Really hope her parts will get improved next time.

btw,I thought Gray was not my type.Man I was so wrong.After reading this recap and you guys reaction I finally realise how hot he is.Now I just can`t get him outta my mind.:) Thanks for your wonderful job as always.

Great recap. I was wondering how you would be able to make anything in this episode funny or light, but as always your recap have me laughing at some point. (of course by the end I was tears again, poor Tosh).

 

Also, the whole Grey/Jack make out thing. Yeah who cares that they're brothers, I'm fine with fictional incest if its between brothers or cousins, especially if the brothers are identicle twins. Twincest is freaking hot. (I know I'm so wrong, but so are all the other fangirls who totally agree with me, so I'm not alone)

Any one notice that before they kill Owen the episode before hand seems to be an effort to make us like him more. Before reset we had likable Owen in Adam, which made us all go. Oh, we'd love Owen if was more like this and less of a total jerk. Then now we get to loose him for good, just after learning his back story which really made me be all like, "ah poor thing" and like him more.

As for the possibility of computer genius and alternate universe butt kicking Torchwood member Micky Smith joining Torchwood. Oh yeah, I like that. His interactions with Jack were great in "Boom Town" "What are you captain of the innuendo squad?" I would also love to see how his character has progressed. I think he'd be a good addition.

Oh and two things just pointed out. Yes there has always been water in the hub, I assume its from the fountain/statue thing above them. Anyways it has always been there, you see it a lot in the episode "Cyberwoman" Also, its clear Spike's traps were more diversions to keep the Torchwood crew away from where he set the bombs so they couldn't stop the actual damage from taking place. He also positioned them where they could see the damage. So yeah, he wanted to get them there, not kill them. Also, knowing Spike was forced he also probably chose to get them to places where they wouldn't be killed. (possibly set bombs that intentionally would be unlikely to kill in the last episode).

Will admit straight off the bat that I did read the spoilers and had a peek at a couple of Youtube clips before watching Exit Wounds tonight. Really glad that I had done that and even with the advance warning when the time came I still was jumping in my seat with shock ... and tearing up at the very end too. Note: this post will contain spoilers if you have not seen the episode already.

 

Episode was almost done to perfection. Only really minor quirks that were troublesome. I had trouble understanding what Andy and Rhys were saying and just did not get some of their quibbling. Jack crossing his time line was something that I complained about last week with Fragments and here we go again. And just how do you keep someone from finding out that there is another version of himself frozen in the basement while he works for your organization for a hundred years. You spend nearly 2 thousand years repeatedly dying and choking in the ground and you come out still relatively sane ? If we do something once we might as well do it a couple of more times in other episodes, loud sound effect for calling out the Weevils is the third time for painful noise effects. The only hang up with Gwen is if you are going to try and sneak up on the enemy do you really think entering the building through the door with all the bells and whistles and flashing lights is your best option? Do love that the rift manipulator has that up and down pumping action, sort of like the time rotor of the Doctor’s TARDIS.

 

I think I realized tonight why we give Gwen such a hard time. We have Tosh to compare her to and Tosh has always been the epitome of the true professional right to the very end. I mean look at her, broken arm and up on pain killers she just kept going without complaint or whining. Does not let on to Owen anything of what has happened to her in the Hub after her run in with Gray. Loved her shoot out scene with Ianto, “Sorted” no fuss, no muss let’s get on with the job.

 

Tosh. Where do we start. OK yeah, space pigs explained as Owen drunk and missing in action second week on the job! The writers must have been listening cause we got our official link to Doctor Who for Tosh. Mixed feelings about Tosh. I’m sad and disappointed with her loss, but at the same time its alright. After two seasons really getting a feel for the character and you were getting to know some of her quirks and looking forward to the potential for development that was there  (quirk :wearing purple! Once again the colour for Tosh in just about every episode and that she has been wearing for the last five years –yes it was there in her Fragment flashback—made its appearance tonight. If After Elton does an interview like the one with Gareth with submitted questions with Russell T Davies that would be my question. Just what was the joke that wardrobe was trying to pull with that). It works as being right in that we’ve been told and its been foreshadowed that Torchwood people die young—in all of the previous versions of Torchwood that we’ve seen, has anyone really been that old? A good death in that she saved the city from nuclear meltdown and not an accident with a toaster---that was cute. Again just the epitome of a professional the whole way. It was impressive and she did do good. The disappointment comes from the fact that there just are not that many strong women scientist characters portrayed on TV and I really hate see us lose one. I guess the reason it also works for me is that because of Doctor Who we have seen that producer Davies can successfully guide a series through the loss of a character and the introduction of a new character and things just get better and better (Martha much better than Rose IMHO). I loved the farewell message from Tosh. The bit where she thanks Jack for showing her the wonders of the universe, another reason I’m ok with her death. That statement is so loaded with possibilities for flashback stories, stories that could be written in novels etc. We have 3 years of adventures that could still be explored and given that this is a science fiction series based on the ideas of time travel, different time lines and with a rift to different dimensions and times there is still the chance that we have not seen the last of Toshiko Sato just yet. Just not another glove story, please!

 

End of my thoughts, time to read the recap: oohh, prototypes means more bombs to come. Missed that one. Why I love these recaps. Actually the Hub is located beneath a water fountain / sculpture thingy and well, the place leaks. Saves having put down a flesh bowl of water for the pterodactyl every day. LOL at weevils and clothing. OK you got the Andy Rhys speech I missed, thanks. Jesus complex, there is one from last week that I’ve got to look up and write about. Not sure if that is Alice again or not. Watched the Torchwood Declassified for this episode. The “you’re breaking my heart” scene was done with just one take, Naoko Mori was that good with it.

I also believe that tonight's episode was directed by the director for season 1 episode 12 Captain Jack Harkness...certainly knows how to deliver the goods.

I'm glad you paused after Tosh's death to mention how sad it made you- sometimes these recaps are so jokey and ofhand and I was worried you would just brush it off, and that scene was beautiful and really heart breaking.

Add in the fact that Naoko Mori shot it in ONE TAKE with real tears!! This scene really is truly brilliantly acted, and the horror of people downstairs hugging juxaposed with Tosh slowly bleeding to death while trying still trying to save Cardiff-- like, oh Jack's back so we'll forget all about the impending nuclear meltdown that was threatening a lot more than just Owen a couple of minutes ago.

Anyway, I adored this image

"not only will the weevils give him a free pass, they'll personally escort him in a horse drawn carriage, fanning him with peacock feathers and peeling grapes, all the while devouring any paparazzi that would hinder his progress."

freaking hilarious. I bet the Royals would love the paps to get devoured...

But I was wondering about the Jesus references. Ok, so the 27AD thing, well, whatever, but as for

"a season's worth of Jesus allusions now reach their logical conclusion with the sight of Jack strung up and chained in a crucifixion pose."

that was so not a Jesus reference, it was totally a Doctor Who reference, from when Jack was chained up like that for a year being tortured and murdered over and over and over again by the Master at the end of S3. So, yeah, quite a traumatising pose for him to be forced into.

And then again, when you said

"centuries of being buried alive have done nothing for his Jesus complex, because his first words to Gray are "I forgive you.""

that blatantly has more to do with Doctor Who than Jesus, as that is exactly the thing the Doctor says to the Master after his miraculous return. And ok, so sometimes Doctor Who can have slightly Jesus-esque stuff [in a messiah way, not in a religious way], but still. I know that US TV is constantly full of subtle and not so subtle Jesus references, but come on. I would reference Doctor Who over Jesus any day. After all, the Doctor survived death NINE times, not just the once...

I think the Jack/Gwen hate is making people be too hard on Gwen. She took charge at the police station when no one else was doing anything. Telling the officers to check on people, and to keep people calm was the right move, especially since they needed to keep people out of the street, and to stop them from trying to leave. Aside from that, there was very little for the police to do.

I believe he returns to Doctor Who in0410..........

 

with other friends......

afhickman

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

The conclusion to this episode left me fighting back tears, but, unlike the rest of you, I don't live in a logical universe. I truly believe that at least Tosh and possibly Owen may both be back for Season 3. What many of you have failed to notice is that ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN ON THIS SHOW! That's the beauty of television. I grew up in an era when nobody got to see the same episode twice, let alone over and over again on a VCR, and nitpick it to death. At best, you might get to see your favorite episode again in a summer rerun, but even that option was limited. With all the time-jumping and other shennanigans going on in Torchville, it is more than possible that we'll be meeting up with Tosh and Owen and Gray and Susie and just about anyone else we may care to see again. I hope so. Whatever happens, I'm not going to complain. Did Samantha complain when they switched Darrens on her? Hell, no! She soldiered on. And that's just what I'm going to do.

What a great re-cap. Brilliant! Just like Naoko's acting in that "You're breaking my heart" scene. I'd read all the spoilers I could before watching the show, and thought that line sounded fairly ordinary until I heard it spoken. That's when my tears trickled out. She really deserves an award for that scene. I've enjoyed reading all your re-caps, and they'll be missed along with watching the show itself. Thanks for providing such a great reading experience.

i have watched the last episode 4 times now and i really cant do it to myself anymore!! when tosh said "becasue your breaking my heart" it was just heartbreaking. captain jack crying about anything would make me cry and this episode was just beautiful, devastating but beautiful.

brilliant recap btw!

Okay, so this sort of confused me. If Captain Jack Harkness took his psuedonym following the First World War, how did Grey know to use that? And why did Grey not call Jack by his birth name that he would presumeably remember from childhood? Alot of stuff happened here, but that one stuck out for me.