Best. Gay. Week. Ever. (February 1, 2008)

BOIL HER IN OIL! BOIL HER IN OIL!
Torchwood returned last week for its second season and our own Steven Frank gave it his patented recap treatment with hilarious results. What really struck me, however, was the debate about Gwen (Eve Myles) that erupted in the comments. Turns out a lot of folks don't like poor old Gwen who serves the function of being the show's "everywoman", i.e. the normal person who acts as the viewers' POV character. And as Expostion Goldfish said last week before being turned into sushi, Gwen is Torchwood's official "carer" (also known as a wet blanket by some).

Personally, I don't have any problem with Gwen. The character is interesting enough (though the show's writers can sometimes make her seem inconsistent) and I think Myles is a fine performer.

That being said, I do worry about the writers putting Gwen in the way of Jack and Ianto which I think is the relationship most people want to see. For crying outloud, you can see boring straight pairings like Gwack anywhere on television. It's Janto that is new and interesting!

But I'm curious how many folks do dislike Gwen just on her own merits, so here is a little poll about what they would like to see happen to her character this season.

Please note, answer three should read "She has to sleep with Owen — again!"

AT LEAST HE'S NOT A CLOSET CASE
It can't be a good sign for TBS' sitcom 10 Items or Less that not only had I — professional gay television watcher that I am — never heard of the show which features an actual gay character, but that none of our readers had ever mentioned it either.

The gay character is Richard, the store's champion cashier and guess what? He's played by out actor Christopher Liam Moore (Judging Amy). Fortunately Richard appears to be more than a barely-there gay character as is the case on so many other shows these days (I mean you Men in Trees).

In fact, in next Tuesday's episode, Ingrid, one of Richard's co-workers, decides it's time she lost her virginity. But when she spends the night with her boss, Leslie, she fears she might have turned him gay. And Leslie says she might be right. Which leads Leslie to seek out Richard to find out if that is indeed true. Naturally this involves a kiss between the two men.

What's this? The gay character existing as a way for the straight characters to test their sexuality? How fresh is that? At least in the clip I saw Richard does get properly indignant over the situation and the way he is used. But given that Richard's dream is to be a professional ice skater, I don't have high hopes I'm going to be blown away by the character or the series. Still, I'll give it a shot.

Anyone else watch the show and have an opinion?