Non-Sequitur: Post TW: COE (Aftermath, Not The Show)

[mrwubbles]

Huh....should I be insulted, upset or bemused?


So, I'm trying to understand the glee people (both online and offline, email, text, phone, in person) seem to have about telling me about Ianto. Some mean well, some seem to want to get a reaction:

The Bizarre Tally of a Fandom Nature
1. # of people who said "Oh wow, I just heard about Ianto, that must suck": 5 told me this weekend, 3 told me during the original airing.
2. # of people who said "I'm so sorry about Ianto": 3 told me this weekend, 1 told me during the original airing.
3. # of people who said "Ianto was your favorite, right? Didn't they just audited him?": 2 told me this weekend, 4 told me during the original airing.
4. # of people who said "Wow, I can't believe they audited Ianto. I think I would be upset if they did that to (fill in blank)." 0 told me this weekend, 9 told me during the original airing.

It's like my elderly downstairs neighbor who sees me daily and go "Oh, you're still not better yet?"

Mean well? Mean not well? I honestly can't tell.

This post is not really rant because I'm still puzzled....

LOL

Comments

[brate7.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I thought of you when I finished watching the series, as well. I actually just got a chance to watch it last night in one large chunk (staying up past three am to get it done!), and I thought of you once I finished. Not because of Ianto, specifically, but you are the biggest TW fan I know. I had been wondering what you had thought about COE as a whole, because...I did not like it.

I didn't think Ianto's "vacation" was as well done or hard-hitting as it deserved to be, especially after Tosh and Owen last year. What really got to me (probably due to being a nanny?) was the image of the trapped "child" and Jack's grandson--it's still haunting me. Added to the complete and utter annihilation of Captain Jack's character. Or was that just me?

As for your friends asking/telling you about Ianto's vacation, I'm going to go with meaning well and weird fandom bonding. I got the same type after Serenity. It's probably partly because when a beloved character...goes on vacation...you never know how upset the fan will be. Condolences are awkward enough in real life; it's miles worse when you can't temper the words with feelings or a hug.

***smooshes you***

Anyway, that's my psychotic ramble.

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

but you are the biggest TW fan I know.

One thing about this is I had been pushing this show like a two dollar [bleeeeep] to everyone I know, get them hooked, get them to adore Jack and Ianto, then...

-headdesk-


I didn't think Ianto's "vacation" was as well done or hard-hitting as it deserved to be,

Exactly. I loved Tosh and Owen and while it sucked they retired, it was a good, heroic way to go and at the end, we see how the rest of the team grieves.

Ianto? Nada? There really felt like no good reason other than "sod it, we need causalities, what about him? He angsts pretty."

And you coined it right: annihilation of JH I felt was a bit rush. If they have to depict the fall of a hero, or the cost of a hero, they need to work it in more than just episode five and "hi, I'm a bloody arse that shipped kids off in 1965 like they were on sale in the local Tesco and guess what? You think that was bad? I'm going to use my grandson as angst fodder and shove him off the proverbial volcano."

Oookay...I know people are either "great tv" or "hateithateit". I think if they had to go that route, the producers need to sell it to me better.


As for your friends asking/telling you about Ianto's vacation, I'm going to go with meaning well and weird fandom bonding. I got the same type after Serenity. It's probably partly because when a beloved character...goes on vacation...you never know how upset the fan will be. Condolences are awkward enough in real life; it's miles worse when you can't temper the words with feelings or a hug.

I just wish those who approach me don't sound so...eager to tell me or look disappointed I didn't burst into tears. I think after Stargate and Meridian-itis, I'm all tapped out. LOL


As for the producers of TW and all those great shows they couldn't leave well enough alone?

-points to icon-

LOL

[brate7.livejournal.com]

Ianto? Nada? There really felt like no good reason other than "sod it, we need causalities, what about him? He angsts pretty."

That's exactly what happened! It was an afterthought. Especially with him and Jack rushing in to speak to the alien, then--shock!--the alien didn't just give up once they demanded it. The only part I liked at all was when Ianto wanted to make sure Jack remembered him. Well thought, especially as we know the wrinkled, giant head he supposedly turns into.

Oookay...I know people are either "great tv" or "hateithateit". I think if they had to go that route, the producers need to sell it to me better.

Val and I were talking (she has yet to see it) and after I told her I didn't like it, she commented that the reviews have been great. I replied that I can see it being a good sci-fi story, especially for those who don't care so much about the characters. But it was a big ol' letdown for me. Especially as I've been there all along, watching them grow as a team and as friends. It didn't fulfill that promise and I don't plan on watching again...ever.

Oh, and what was all that "couple" stuff Ianto kept spouting? They had been one for a while, right? I don't recall him making such a deal of it last year. Was it just to show the new people how devastated they should be when he went on vacation?

If they have to depict the fall of a hero, or the cost of a hero, they need to work it in more than just episode five...

Totally. He was dead for most of an ep, then in jail for most of one, so he just came out to be a douche. Maybe his character could've been salvaged at the end if the military had locked him in with his daughter, leaving the asshole doctor and the woman to save the world using his grandson. If he would've said no, that might've been forgivable. But this way, I did not feel for him at all when he was crying over Simon. Whatever, Jack.

I just wish those who approach me don't sound so...eager to tell me or look disappointed I didn't burst into tears.

Okay, that sux. I was nervous about contacting you and was glad to see this post, so I could respond. Screw 'em, then, if they just want a reaction.

BTW, did it seem to you that Gwen Cooper is the new Sam Carter? The entire invasion is all about her, she ended up alive at the end, still has her hubby, plus a new baby. Yippee. I'm so very happy for her.

[mrwubbles.livejournal.com]

Val and I were talking (she has yet to see it) and after I told her I didn't like it, she commented that the reviews have been great. I replied that I can see it being a good sci-fi story,

Yeah, I think if Ianto's death was handled sensitively like "Exit Wounds" I would still be sad, but I'll come back next season. But it was a hasty death, no better than being a buffet for a flock of raptors. Meh.


BTW, did it seem to you that Gwen Cooper is the new Sam Carter?

Grrrrr, I was glad she was taking a better part but yeah, she's slowly becoming a Mary Sue and with Ianto gone, no matter who comes in, it'll now be the Jack and Gwen show.