Jump to content

Ianto Jones: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Ronhjones (talk | contribs)
416,566 edits
m →Literature: redirect link repair, replaced: flashback → flashback using AWB
Line 31: Line 31:


<!--Describing relevant content in the above literature-->
<!--Describing relevant content in the above literature-->
{{Rquote|left|"[Being bisexual is] the worst of any world because you don't really belong anywhere, because you are never sure of yourself or those around you. You can't trust in anyone, their motives or their intentions. And because of that, you have, in a world that likes its nice shiny labels, no true identity."|Ianto in ''The Twilight Streets'' by Gary Russell (p.126)|<br />''Torchwood'' literature further explores Ianto's characterisation.}} Spin-off media has tried to fill in the gaps of Ianto's character history from before he began working at Torchwood Three; Ianto's first week at Torchwood One is shown in a [[flashback]] in the novel ''[[Trace Memory (Torchwood)|Trace Memory]]''.<ref name="Trace Memory"/> The segment also depicts his budding relationship with Lisa Hallett. Also expanding on Jones' time living in London, the comic ''[[List of Torchwood comics|The Legacy of Torchwood One!]]'' (''Torchwood'' #1) shows how Ianto was taken under the wing of Rupert Howarth, a senior researcher, during his first few weeks at Torchwood One.<ref>{{Cite comic|Cartoonist =[[SL Gallant]]|Writer=[[Simon Furman]]|Story=The Legacy of Torchwood One!|Title=Torchwood Magazine|Issue =1|Date=January 24, 2008|Publisher=[[Titan Magazines]]}}</ref> Ianto's [[characterisation]] is explored in ''[[The Twilight Streets]]'', where Ianto sheds some light on the difficulty he had "[[coming out]]" as a teenager; Ianto's mum tried to have a conversation with him about it, but he remarks "She didn't work me out, Gwen. No one has. And if I ever do, I'll let you know." He then engages in a diatribe with Gwen about what it means to him to be bisexual after Gwen jokes to him that he has the "best of both worlds".<ref name="Twilight Streets"/>
{{Rquote|left|"[Being bisexual is] the worst of any world because you don't really belong anywhere, because you are never sure of yourself or those around you. You can't trust in anyone, their motives or their intentions. And because of that, you have, in a world that likes its nice shiny labels, no true identity."|Ianto in ''The Twilight Streets'' by Gary Russell (p.126)|<br />''Torchwood'' literature further explores Ianto's characterisation.}} Spin-off media has tried to fill in the gaps of Ianto's character history from before he began working at Torchwood Three; Ianto's first week at Torchwood One is shown in a [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback]] in the novel ''[[Trace Memory (Torchwood)|Trace Memory]]''.<ref name="Trace Memory"/> The segment also depicts his budding relationship with Lisa Hallett. Also expanding on Jones' time living in London, the comic ''[[List of Torchwood comics|The Legacy of Torchwood One!]]'' (''Torchwood'' #1) shows how Ianto was taken under the wing of Rupert Howarth, a senior researcher, during his first few weeks at Torchwood One.<ref>{{Cite comic|Cartoonist =[[SL Gallant]]|Writer=[[Simon Furman]]|Story=The Legacy of Torchwood One!|Title=Torchwood Magazine|Issue =1|Date=January 24, 2008|Publisher=[[Titan Magazines]]}}</ref> Ianto's [[characterisation]] is explored in ''[[The Twilight Streets]]'', where Ianto sheds some light on the difficulty he had "[[coming out]]" as a teenager; Ianto's mum tried to have a conversation with him about it, but he remarks "She didn't work me out, Gwen. No one has. And if I ever do, I'll let you know." He then engages in a diatribe with Gwen about what it means to him to be bisexual after Gwen jokes to him that he has the "best of both worlds".<ref name="Twilight Streets"/>


However, as with all ''Doctor Who'' and ''Torchwood'' spin-off media, the [[canon (fiction)|canonicity]] in relation to the television series is unclear.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.whoniverse.org/features/canon.php|title=The Whoniverse Guide to Canon|accessdate=2006-12-30|author=Stephen Gray|publisher=Whoniverse.org}}</ref>
However, as with all ''Doctor Who'' and ''Torchwood'' spin-off media, the [[canon (fiction)|canonicity]] in relation to the television series is unclear.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.whoniverse.org/features/canon.php|title=The Whoniverse Guide to Canon|accessdate=2006-12-30|author=Stephen Gray|publisher=Whoniverse.org}}</ref>

Revision as of 21:04, 26 March 2010

Template:Doctorwhocharacter

Ianto Jones is a fictional character from the BBC television series Torchwood and its parent show, Doctor Who, played by Welsh actor Gareth David-Lloyd.

Within the series' narrative, Ianto Jones is the "general support officer" for Torchwood Three team of alien hunters, the Cardiff branch of the fictional Torchwood Institute. His job primarily sees him function as the team's administrator, often charged with covering up their covert activities, although he can also capably accompany the team on field missions. In addition to his professional role in the series, Ianto is notable in later episodes as the main romantic interest of the series' lead male Captain Jack Harkness.

Appearances

Television

The character of Ianto Jones is introduced in the first episode of Torchwood, in 2006.[1] Introduced as a mild-mannered and quiet administrator working for Torchwood Three, his first centric appearance was the episode "Cyberwoman" which dealt with both his backstory and motivations. In the episode, Ianto is revealed as a former employee of Torchwood One in London (first seen in parent series Doctor Who), whose girlfriend, Lisa (Caroline Chikezie), has been partially converted into a Cyberman, a cyborg species first seen in Doctor Who in 1966. Ianto has been keeping her alive, concealed in the basement of the Hub, but she eventually breaks loose, and kills two civilians. Ianto is forced into confrontation with team leader Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), who is later able to revive Ianto with a kiss when Lisa knocks him unconscious. Ultimately, the rest of Ianto's team is forced to kill Lisa.[2] Although Ianto's thoughts continue to be concerned with Lisa,[3] mid-series he begins to develop a sexual relationship with Jack.[4] By the series' penultimate episode, Ianto is willing to shoot colleague Owen Harper (Burn Gorman) to protect Jack, and refutes claims he is merely his "part time shag."[5] In the series finale, an image of what appears to be Lisa's ghost is used to bring Ianto to mutiny against Jack, but still later when an immortal Jack rises from the dead, he and Ianto immediately kiss one another.[6]

Torchwood's second series (2008) begins with the team working without Jack, who departed the Hub at the end of series one to reunite with the mysterious "Doctor" from his past. Ianto's role within the team now more frequently includes field missions, to accommodate Jack's absence. When Jack returns in the series two premiere, having seen the end of the world, he attempts to formalise his romantic relationship with Ianto, successfully asking him on a date.[7] Jack and Ianto's relationship becomes more overt, and Ianto's character becomes less burdened by secrets and more happy, beginning to express a newfound confidence and dour sense of humour.[8][9] The series' penultimate episode, "Fragments" explores Ianto's backstory, specifically how he was recruited into Torchwood Three two years prior; Ianto is persistent that Jack hire him after the destruction of Torchwood One, but only succeeds once he is able to aid Jack in capturing a stray pterodactyl.[10] In the second series finale, Ianto and the team face Jack's 51st century ex Captain John Hart (James Marsters) and younger brother Gray (Lachlan Nieboer), who has vengefully sought to destroy Jack's world. After Gray kills his teammates Toshiko (Naoko Mori) and Owen, the Torchwood team is left with a membership of only three.[11] Following from this, Ianto makes his first crossover appearance in Doctor Who alongside Gwen (Eve Myles) and Jack in its 2008 series' two-part finale, where Torchwood is called on to help contact series protagonist the Doctor (David Tennant) during a Dalek invasion.[12][13]

Torchwood's third series (2009) is a five-part miniseries broadcast over one week, called Children of Earth. In part one, Ianto starts to express insecurity to Jack about their status as couple. The audience are introduced to Ianto's sister Rhiannon (Katy Wix) and brother-in-law Johnny Davies (Rhodri Lewis), who confront Ianto about sightings of him on a date with Jack. Ianto eventually admits to being involved with Jack, but concedes that he is not sure where he stands. When aliens called the 456 return to Earth, John Frobisher (Peter Capaldi) puts a hit on Torchwood's lives to cover a conspiracy.[14] In part two, Ianto and Gwen survive a Hub explosion while Jack is blown to bits. Once regenerated, Jack is sealed in cement by agent Johnson (Liz May Brice) until Ianto rescues him with a forklift truck.[15] In part three, the group watch helplessly as the 456 demand a tribute: 10% of the Earth's children; the government appears willing to comply.[16] In part four, Ianto and Jack storm the Thames House to confront the 456. The pair refuse to sacrifice any lives to the alien demands. In response, the aliens release a fatal virus into the atmosphere. Thames House locks down, and Ianto dies in Jack's arms, telling him that he loved him and begging Jack never to forget about him, to which Jack replies he never could.[17]

Literature

Ianto appears in the first six of the Torchwood novels, published by BBC Books. The first wave, Another Life by Peter Anghelides,[18] Border Princes by Dan Abnett,[19] and Slow Decay by Andy Lane,[20] were published in January 2007. Published in March 2008, and tying in with the concurrently airing second series of Torchwood, Ianto appears in the novels Trace Memory by David Llewellyn,[21] The Twilight Streets by Gary Russell,[22] and Something in the Water by Trevor Baxendale.[23] October 2008 will see the release of three more Torchwood books by Peter Anghelides, series writer Phil Ford and writer for the Doctor Who and Torchwood websites, James Goss, the latter's cover for Almost Perfect reflecting changes to the cast after the episode 2008 finale episode "Exit Wounds".[24] The May 2009 wave of books, set after the second series, will be Into the Silence, Bay of the Dead and The House that Jack Built. First published in January 2008, the monthly Torchwood Magazine began occasionally including Torchwood comic strips, in which Ianto also appears.

During Series Two of the series, the Torchwood website http://www.torchwood.org.uk also hosted an interactive online game written by series writer Phil Ford. Updated weekly with the airing of the new episodes, the website features specially shot footage with Gareth David-Lloyd in character as Ianto debriefing and informing the 'player' with regards to their mission.[25] Throughout both Series One and Two, the interactive websites co-written by James Goss featured electronic literature content (such as fictitious IM conversations and letters) which depict aspects of Ianto and the other Torchwood characters' work and personal lives.[26] The Torchwood Archives by Gary Russell collects much of this online literature in hardback form, along with new original material, some of which expands on what we know of Ianto. For example, it introduces his sister, Rhiannon and brother-in-law Johnny;[27] Rhiannon and Johnny later appear in 2009's third televised series.[28]

[Being bisexual is] the worst of any world because you don't really belong anywhere, because you are never sure of yourself or those around you. You can't trust in anyone, their motives or their intentions. And because of that, you have, in a world that likes its nice shiny labels, no true identity.

— Ianto in The Twilight Streets by Gary Russell (p.126),
Torchwood literature further explores Ianto's characterisation.

Spin-off media has tried to fill in the gaps of Ianto's character history from before he began working at Torchwood Three; Ianto's first week at Torchwood One is shown in a flashback in the novel Trace Memory.[21] The segment also depicts his budding relationship with Lisa Hallett. Also expanding on Jones' time living in London, the comic The Legacy of Torchwood One! (Torchwood #1) shows how Ianto was taken under the wing of Rupert Howarth, a senior researcher, during his first few weeks at Torchwood One.[29] Ianto's characterisation is explored in The Twilight Streets, where Ianto sheds some light on the difficulty he had "coming out" as a teenager; Ianto's mum tried to have a conversation with him about it, but he remarks "She didn't work me out, Gwen. No one has. And if I ever do, I'll let you know." He then engages in a diatribe with Gwen about what it means to him to be bisexual after Gwen jokes to him that he has the "best of both worlds".[22]

However, as with all Doctor Who and Torchwood spin-off media, the canonicity in relation to the television series is unclear.[30]

Audio drama

Ianto also appears in Torchwood audio books, the first two being Hidden written by Steven Savile and narrated by Naoko Mori,[31] Everyone Says Hello written by Dan Abnett and narrated by Burn Gorman,[32] released February 2008, and forthcoming In the Shadows by Joseph Lidster, due for release in September 2008.[33] Joseph Lidster also wrote a BBC Radio 4 Torchwood drama, "Lost Souls" which aired in Summer 2008 as an Afternoon Play featuring the voices of John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd and Freema Agyeman (Martha). Set after the events of the 2008 series, Ianto and the team make their first international adventure to CERN in Geneva, as part of Radio 4's special celebration of the Large Hadron Collider being switched on.[34][35] The special radio episode's plot focuses on the Large Hadron Collider's activation and the doomsday scenario some predicted it might incite, as well as the team's mourning of Toshiko and Owen's recent deaths.[36]

Three further BBC radio dramas were produced in 2009 for the Afternoon Play slot on Radio 4, each of which feature Ianto Jones. They were transmitted in June and July 2009. Chronologically, these occur between TV Series 2 and 3 but after Lost Souls. The first dramas is Asylum, the second is Golden Age, the third is The Dead Line.

Characterisation

Creation and conception

Gareth David-Lloyd has revealed that his character was originally named Idris Hopper. This has led to speculation that he was the same Idris Hopper played by Aled Pedrick who appeared in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "Boom Town" as Margaret Blaine's (Annette Badland) personal assistant. Writer Stephen James Walker wonders if Russell T Davis intended for Idris to become a major character on Torchwood in the same way as Toshiko Sato, who originated in Doctor Who's "Aliens of London". Idris Hopper has since appeared in Garry Russel's Torchwood novel The Twilight Streets.[37] Initially, Ianto is introduced as a quiet worker and the smallest character in the supporting cast. David-Lloyd started the role believing Ianto would be killed off at the end of the first series, and was surprised when they "worked the character to become more popular, and it started growing from there."[38]

When Gareth David-Lloyd was cast in the role, the character was renamed Ianto Jones. This was inspired by the character of Yanto Jones, also played by David-Lloyd, in Russell T Davies' 2004 comedy-drama Mine All Mine.[37] Ianto shares the surname "Jones" with Doctor Who characters Martha Jones and family as well as Harriet Jones, Torchwood character Eugene Jones ("Random Shoes"), and Stuart Allen Jones in Davies' earlier Queer as Folk; Davies states that reusing names (such as Tyler, Smith, Harper, Harkness and Jones) allows him to get a grip of the character on the blank page.[39] In developing the character's attire, costume designer Ray Holman comments: "Ianto has a very distinct look but his suits actually vary quite a lot. He started off with some nice but boring Marks and Spencers suits in series one, which were top-end fitted ones but always very sober. Towards the end of series one, I also got him into a waistcoat, and everyone thought that looked really good.[40]

Development

In Series One, Ianto was much more into himself, so the one-liners were few and far between. By Series Two, he'd got no secrets, his personality came out, and I think the writers enjoyed giving him lines that other characters couldn't get away with.

— Gareth David-Lloyd on Ianto's development.[41]

Initially, in series one, Ianto is a quiet and more reserved character. Throughout the first series, Ianto's secrets are exposed to the team, particularly in "Cyberwoman" when his motives for joining Torchwood Three are exposed. David-Lloyd was "bowled over" by the Ianto-centric script for "Cyberwoman" and the "wide range of emotions" it allowed him to play.[38] From this point, Ianto's focus changes and he begins more and more to come out of his shell.

Appearing in series two, Ianto assists the team in field missions and is used by the writers as a vehicle for one-liner jokes. Commenting on this, portrayer Gareth David-Lloyd notes that "This season it's much more relaxed and he's not all about keeping secrets, he's about Torchwood and Jack - he's found his meaning and his place so his dry humour comes out a lot more and he’s happier."[8] The developments in Ianto's character were also reflected in the wardrobe choice. "For series two," comments Ray Holman, "we evolved the look quite a lot, and now his suits come from all over the place. It's just a question of where I see something that looks right for Gareth, so I've brought him a suit from Savile Row and suits from Zara and Next. We realised we could be a bit more flash with Ianto now he's come out of the background and started to assert himself a bit more. So we moved him into coloured shirts and snazzier ties. He started off in white and grey shirts but we realised his skin tones can take the extra colour and now he's evolving into something much sharper, which looks really good filmed in High Definition."[40]

In Torchwood Magazine, actor Gareth David-Lloyd comments on some original character developments intended for Ianto. Originally, his character was the one supposed to die at the end of series two episode "Reset". However in a discussion with executive producer Russel T Davies and Burn Gorman, who portrays Owen, it was decided that Owen would experience the zombification storyline as he is a character who more overtly enjoys life, making it more interesting from a narrative perspective. On how he views the character, David-Lloyd says that "outwardly, he's strait-laced, but there's a darker side to him and a very playful side too."[42]

David-Lloyd described character's development in the third series as "really exciting". He felt that it was "great to be a fully fledged member of the team now rather than just the administration man." He felt flattered to have the writer and producers put so much confidence in him.[43] In this series, the writers also explore Jones' background; David-Lloyd was happy with the execution of this backstory, through meeting Ianto's sister, and commented that it was quite beautifully written.[44] Through meeting his family, we discover that his father has died and that Ianto has grown very distant from his relatives as per the demands of his job.[38] David-Lloyd first concluded that Ianto was being killed off when his agent told him he was only needed for four out of five episodes. Although there was "a bit of disappointment", he considers himself "lucky" for lasting so long on the series, especially since Ianto was supposed to die in series two. He believed the character's death was justified by "the impact and the drama, and to keep the dangerous reality of Torchwood ever present". Although it was "a tragedy that [Ianto] died", David-Lloyd felt that the series had "addressed everything about him that needed to be said".[45]

Creator Russel T Davies felt that killing off Ianto was necessary for Children of Earth; it was his first decision to create a "horrible war casualty" for the story, because it would be unrealistic to have a great threat and have the main characters all come out unscathed. Ianto's death also precedes the death of Captain Jack's grandson Steven (Bear McCausland), and for that scene to occur it necessitated making Jack "badly, badly damaged". Ianto's death caused "maximum damage" to Jack, and the loss of his lover (and grandson) makes Children of Earth a tale of retribution, as Jack had given away twelve children to the same aliens in 1965. Davies has said that Ianto is "absolutely dead". He explains his reasoning; because it's a "much more real world in Torchwood", it wouldn't work to "regenerate or go to a parallel universe." Davies feels that Barrowman and David-Lloyd would both be dismayed were that to happen.[46] He stated "it would devalue the entire plot he we brought him back".[47] Wired magazine described Ianto's arc, ending in the third series, as an "evolution from meek office assistant to heroic warrior".[48]

Relationship with Jack

Much of Ianto's character development is centred on the character's relationship with Captain Jack. On the character's evolution from minor character to romantic interest,[38] Gareth David-Lloyd has commented that "To have a storyline where you're involved with the leading character for any actor is awesome."[43] On the character's development, David-Lloyd has said that through Jack's relationship, "he's found his meaning and ... he’s happier."[8] Asked what it is that Ianto receives from Jack, David-Lloyd responds "Support, meaning. I think he lost meaning. He was tortured and Jack gave him that meaning back. And reliability that he’ll always be there, I think."[49] John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd have also opined that Jack's relationship with Ianto has however brought out Jack's empathy, and helped to ground him, with John Barrowman reported as saying that Ianto "brings out the “human” in him, it brings out more of the empathy because he’s actually fallen for someone and he really cares about somebody. So, it’s really great and I think that’s what makes him warm to other people. It makes him more approachable.". In the same interview, Gareth David-Lloyd said of the relationship and his character that "I think Ianto’s always made him care and that is really the heart of the show. Ianto’s always bearing his emotional side and vulnerable side and keeping his feet on the ground. I think of all the characters, he’s the one who tries to keep everyone else’s feet on the ground. He brings everyone back to reality, often with a dry, witty remark or taking a dig at somebody just to sort of bring people back down."[50]

Comparing Jack's relationship with Ianto to his romantic tension with Gwen, David-Lloyd states "I think [there is] different sorts of love or lust, as it might be, and I think that’s an ongoing thing... At the moment, I think there’s two different sorts of love going on there."[49] He also states that he feels that Ianto's relationship with Jack is his first same-sex relationship, and doesn't feel that Ianto would be a "labelist" (see undefined sexuality), but were he, he would identify as bisexual, but that he "wouldn’t regard himself the same way as Jack does because they’re from different times."[49] Author Stephen James Walker feels sorry for Ianto, perceiving his relationship with Jack as a one-sided one. To him, Ianto views the relationship as "serious and committed", as seen in "A Day in the Death" where he tells Owen that it is not just about sex. However, from dialogue in "Something Borrowed", Walker believes that Jack appears to equate his relationship with Ianto to nothing more than a "recreational activity". Walker also notes how important it was for Ianto when he cut in to dance with Jack, as this is the first time that his relationship with Jack is presented before the rest of the crew.[51] When asked if the relationship will continue in series 3, executive producer Julie Gardner replied, "Yes, I like seeing them as a couple",[52] while director Euros Lyn stated that "the love story between Captain Jack and Ianto [would continue] to unfold" in the third series.[53] While Gareth David-Lloyd feels that the love story between Jack and Ianto was not fully resolved, which is "part of the tragedy", the character and his relationship with Jack had been sufficiently explored in the third series for David-Lloyd to be "happy to walk away from it."[44]

Reception

Critical reception

The British entertainment news website Digital Spy awarded Ianto the status of "Cult Spy Icon", describing him as a "cult legend", citing his dour demeanor, one-liners and "eye candy" label as contributing factors in this.[9] Gay men's website AfterElton.com placed Ianto as their seventh best gay and bisexual character in modern science fiction (encompassing television, film and comic books), with Torchwood's Jack, Ianto's love interest, receiving first place.[54] Wired magazine was impressed with the way Ianto's romantic storyline was handled in the third series, and praised Davies' writing for the "deft, sympathetic handling" of the Harkness-Jones romance, compared with the "clumsiness" of the show's homoerotic overtones in previous series. Because Ianto's storyline grows out of the reality of the show, "it plays with such genuine sympathy and pathos that Jones’ eventual fate is easily the miniseries’ most powerful moment." Wired describes David-Lloyd’s performance as Jones as "a key element in the success of the five-episode story arc."[48] One AfterElton.com contributor disliked the death scene partially for the loss of a "beloved gay character", and because Ianto's death was caused by Jack's stupidity, goading on the aliens. They compared the death scene to that of Tara (Amber Benson) in Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer which he felt was more satisfying, although "unbearably sad" because of its pivotal role in the character arc for Willow (Alyson Hannigan), and as being "possibly the single most significant event in the whole seven-season series." He feels that both Joss Whedon and Russell T Davies toyed with their LGBT fans' affections, and claim "neither Whedon nor Davies seem aware of the impact that these characters were having on viewers starved for such representations."[55] Later, AfterElton.com published an opposing view, which analyzed the character's death in view of the character's earlier refusal to admit to his relationship with a man, and claimed that, instead of being an expression of homophobia, the death was a sign that the LGBT community was leaving behind its image of victimhood.[56]

The website Den of Geek praised Davies' writing in Ianto's death, and likened the tough story-driven decision to those used in critically acclaimed shows The Sopranos, Battlestar Galactica and The Wire. Den of Geek felt the real tension of knowing any character could die, however popular, was "refreshing" in comparison to impossibly death-defying characters such as 24's Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland).[57]

When the series screened in New Zealand, GayNZ.com compared the two contending perspectives, comparing those who viewed Ianto's death from the perspective of "dramatic necessity" to those who disparaged it as the result of thoughtlessness on the part of the series creators about the relative absence of representations of enduring lesbian and gay couples within television series. Ianto's death was compared to that of Tara as in the above critiques, but also contrasted to other television series where lesbian and gay couples were able to have enduring relationships, such as Six Feet Under's David Fisher and Keith Charles and Bad Girls' Nikki Wade and Helen Forrest [58]

Public reaction to death

Some fans expressed their displeasure following Ianto's death in the third series. The website End of Show comments that "writer James Moran was so inundated with messages to his Twitter account that he posted a number of impassioned pleas to tone down the vitriol." End of Show writer Kirsty Walker comments that fans on Twitter accused Moran of "deliberately egging on the 'shippers'."[59] Moran noted in his blog that of the thousands of messages from viewers, the “vast majority” were extremely positive, managing to express that they were “upset, angry and shocked” without making personal attacks. Moran declared the response from other commenters to be unacceptable, describing their conduct as the spewing of insults and "passive aggressive nonsense". He noted that fans accused him of deliberately trying to "mislead", "lie" and "hurt" them, that he hated them, was "laughing at them", "slapping [them] in the face", and claimed he "killed the show", attempted to drive away existing fans to court newer and "cooler" viewers, and deliberately hurt depressed people "with dark storylines."[60] In a poll conducted by Digital Spy shortly after Ianto’s death, 27.4% of voters claimed that they would no longer watch Torchwood.[61] Responding to these results, Gareth David-Lloyd thanked the fans for their dedication to the show and the character but urged them to have faith in the writers.[44] On the show's Facebook groups, fans expressed anger towards creator Russell T Davies and some claimed they would stop watching the show. Walker herself had felt that the end of Jack's relationship with Ianto could "change the show beyond all recognition."[59]

io9.com commented that fans on Moran's blog accused him of homophobia; one quoted fan likened it to 50s-style homophobia "where all the queer folks died... and the straight people walk away completely unscathed." io9 writer Charlie Jane Sanders comments however that "as people have had a bit more time to consider the new series, more thoughtful discussions have arisen." One such cited notes that it is unlikely that Children of Earth was intentionally homophobic since the writer (Davies) and lead actor (John Barrowman) are both openly gay. The same reviewer notes that however, "especially when viewed on its own, Children of Earth looks a lot like the same heteronormative, homophobic, biphobic and gratuitous tropes that appear in so many bad representations of queer people in popular culture."[60] In response to the accusations of "de-gaying" Torchwood, Davies advised those people do some research into his career (creator of Queer as Folk) and "stop riding on a bandwagon that they actually don’t know anything about". Asked to respond to viewers who felt "cheated" that Jack and Ianto's relationship did not come to fruition, Davies said:

That’s the point actually. Both in fiction and in life. When someone dies you lose all that potential. You grieve over everything they could have been. Everything you hoped for them. Everything they might have achieved with their lives, everyone they could have loved. Every job they could have had. Every joy they could have had. It’s gone.

— Russell T Davies, AfterElton interview.[46]

Soon after the death of Ianto Jones during Torchwood’s third series, a campaign to bring him back was started through networking sites such as LiveJournal, Twitter and Facebook.[62] The resulting website, www.saveiantojones.com, has organized a protest which encourages fans to send coffee, along with postcards and letters of complaint, to the BBC, a reference to Ianto's status as the "coffee boy". Via the Save Ianto Jones website, fans are also campaigning to raise money for the BBC charity Children in Need in honor of the character. The fundraising site states that "Though we, his devoted fans, still hope that he'll come back...we mourn him. In the series, he died saving the children of Earth; so it seems fitting to honor his memory by helping the Children in Need."[63][64] Torchwood Magazine reported that the site had raised nearly £4,000, with individual donations ranging from £2 to £50. John Barrowman described the charity campaign as "a fun way to mourn Ianto" and stated that it was "the kind of thing that's really appreciated".[63] Gareth David-Lloyd was flattered by the strong fan reaction, saying it is "satisfying in drama when you create such an emotional response, because that's what you set out to do in the first place". He praised the fan donations, claiming "So far, they've raised about £3,000 for Children in Need, and £1,000 for Lluest Horse and Pony Trust in West Wales, which I'm a patron of, so that's got to be a good thing".[45] As of November 18, 2009, £11,522.48 has been donated in Ianto's name.[64]

In an interview with io9 on July 28, 2009, creator Russell T Davies was asked about the controversy surrounding Ianto’s death and the consequential campaign. He replied “There's a campaign, because he was a coffee boy. But do you know how many packets of coffee they've received so far? Nine. So I think people writing online might sound like thousands of people, but they are nine.” [65] However, those involved in the movement believe that this number is much higher due to a post tallying the coffee sent within the community.[64] When asked about the backlash in a separate interview with Michael Ausiello, Russell T Davies said "It's not particularly a backlash. What's actually happening is, well, nothing really to be honest. It's a few people posting online and getting fans upset". He also stated that the character was gone for good, and that his resurrection would devalue the "entire plot." He recommended that fans who wish to stop watching the show should watch Supernatural, and to read poetry if they "can't handle drama".[47] Following these statements, the Save Ianto Jones website encouraged fans to contact the only BBC Wales and not Davies, and temporarily presented on its front page the message “Mr. Davies has made it clear in recent interviews that he views his fans with contempt, and as disposable, which saddens us" and asked not to be "abused".[66] At Comic-Con 2009, a fan claimed that Davies “hurt” a lot of internet fans with his decision to kill Ianto, which she called "out of line.” Davies replied that he would not change his mind regarding the decision, then added "I've got to be blunt about this, there have been campaigns to send packets of coffee to BBC Wales in protest. There have been nine packets sent. I'm not taking the mickey, but that's a very small number." Executive producer Julie Gardner stated "We want people to be engaged, discuss and not always agree with us. At the end of the day, I make drama to support each author's vision. It's not a democracy. Whether people like it or not, it's storytelling." [67] Simon Brew of Den of Geek has criticised the Internet campaigns to resurrect the character, citing that the show would “lose far more credibility” if he were brought back. Brew also expressed doubt that the fans stating they would boycott a fourth series will do so. He summarised: "Torchwood now needs to continue to have the courage of its convictions, and for that to happen, the reset switch simply isn't an option."[57]

On July 31, 2009, Digital Spy conducted a poll asking if it was "time to move on" from Ianto.[68] However, a week later they did not immediately publish the results, announcing "unfortunately it seems that this particular Poll was the subject of a campaign by diehard fans to distort the outcome". Neil Wilkes opined that this action by the fans "suggests the answer to the question 'Have people overreacted to Ianto's death?' is quite obvious". Later, a footnote amendment noted that 31.4% said it was time to move on, "while the remainder demanded RTD's head on a plate", a reference to his own wording of the original poll, which gave readers the option of moving on from Ianto, or the executive producer's head on a plate.[69] James McCarthy of Wales Online described the reaction from some fans as "sickening" and quoted "crazed" fans on DeviantArt and Facebook who made explicit death threats against the Children of Earth writers. Gareth David-Lloyd stated he was very disappointed in those fans, whose message board conduct he does not support at all and called "completely unacceptable". David-Lloyd added that he "would hope the writers would be able to ignore comments like that".[70] A number of fans were upset by the tone of the first Wales Online article, and their response prompted a follow up from McCarthy. In their comments, fans pointed out that his article disproportionately highlights what they called the "ill-conceived, knee jerk reactions" of a few individuals, and stressed that these reactions in no way represent the movement to bring Ianto Jones back, which they hold as fundamentally respectful towards the show's actors and writers.[71] Fans have distanced themselves from the small minority of extremists, and have been keen to stress their peaceful activism, described as "thousands of fans who are raising money for charity, sending polite letters, and doing what we can to be supportive of the character and actor".[71]

References

  1. ^ Russell T Davies, Brian Kelly (2006-08-22). "Everything Changes". Torchwood. BBC Three.
  2. ^ Russell T Davies, Brian Kelly (2006-08-22). "Cyberwoman". Torchwood. BBC Three.
  3. ^ "Greeks Bearing Gifts". Torchwoodcredits=Russell T Davies, Toby Whithouse, Colin Teague. 2006-12-03. BBC.
  4. ^ Russell T Davies, Paul Tomalin, Dan McCulloch, James Strong. "They Keep Killing Suzie". Torchwood. BBCairdate=2006-12-03.
  5. ^ Russell T Davies, Catherine Tregenna, Ashley Way (2007-01-01). "Captain Jack Harkness". Torchwood. BBC Three.
  6. ^ Russell T Davies, Chris Chibnall, Ashley Way (2007-01-01). "End of Days". Torchwood. BBC Three.
  7. ^ Chris Chibnall, Ashley Way (2008-01-16). "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang". Torchwood. BBC Two.
  8. ^ a b c "TExclusive Interview: 'TORCHWOOD'S' GARETH DAVID-LLOYD TALKS ABOUT LOVING CAPTAIN JACK". If Magazine. 2008-03-31. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
  9. ^ a b "Cult Spy Icon: Ianto Jones ('Torchwood')". DigitalSpy. 2008-01-13. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  10. ^ Russell T Davies, Chris Chibnall, Jonathan Fox Bassett (2008-03-21). "Fragments". Torchwood. BBC Three.
  11. ^ Russel T Davies, Chris Chibnall, Ashley Way (2008-04-04). "Exit Wounds". Torchwood. BBC Two.
  12. ^ Russell T Davies, Graeme Harper (2008-06-28). "The Stolen Earth". Doctor Who. BBC.
  13. ^ Russell T Davies, Graeme Harper (2008-07-06). "Journey's End". Doctor Who. BBC.
  14. ^ Russell T Davies, Euros Lyn (2009-07-06). "Children of Earth: Day One". Torchwood. BBC One.
  15. ^ Russell T Davies, John Fay, Euros Lyn (2009-07-07). "Children of Earth: Day Two". Torchwood. BBC One.
  16. ^ Russell T Davies, James Moran, Euros Lyn (2009-07-08). "Children of Earth: Day Two". Torchwood. BBC One.
  17. ^ Russell T Davies, John Fay, Euros Lyn (2009-07-09). "Children of Earth: Day Four". Torchwood. BBC One.
  18. ^ Anghelides, Peter (2007). Another Life. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  19. ^ Abnett, Dan (2007). Border Princes. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48654-1. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  20. ^ Lane, Andy (2007). Slow Decay. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  21. ^ a b Llewwellyn, David (2008). Trace Memory. BBC Books. ISBN 184607438X. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  22. ^ a b Russell, Gary (2008). The Twilight Streets. BBC Books. ISBN 1846074398. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  23. ^ Baxendale, Trevor (2008). Something in the Water. BBC Books. ISBN 1846074371. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  24. ^ Goss, James (2008). Almost Pefect. BBC Books. ISBN 1846075734.
  25. ^ "Interactive 'Torchwood' adventure launched". DigitalSpy.com. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
  26. ^ Perryman, Neil (2008). "Doctor Who and the Convergence of Media, A Case Study in `Transmedia Storytelling'". Convergence: the International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies. 14 (1): 21–39. doi:10.1177/1354856507084417. 10.1177/1354856507084417. Retrieved 2008-08-06. The
  27. ^ Russell, Gary (2008). The Torchwood Archives. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074592. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  28. ^ Torchwood Magazine, December 2008 (cover date) {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. ^ SL Gallant (w, a), Simon Furman (w). "The Legacy of Torchwood One!" Torchwood Magazine, no. 1 (January 24, 2008). Titan Magazines.
  30. ^ Stephen Gray. "The Whoniverse Guide to Canon". Whoniverse.org. Retrieved 2006-12-30.
  31. ^ Steven Savile (author), Naoko Mori (narrator) (2008-02-04). Hidden (Audio book). BBC Audio.
  32. ^ Dan Abnett (author), Burn Gorman (narrator) (2008-02-04). Everyone Says Hello (Audio book). BBC Audio.
  33. ^ Joseph Lidster (author) (September 2008). In the Shadows (Audio book). BBC Audio.
  34. ^ Jarrod Cooper (April 26, 2008). "Torchwood comes to Radio 4". The Doctor Who News Page. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
  35. ^ "Torchwood: Lost Souls". Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  36. ^ Joseph Lidster, Kate McAll (producer/director) (10-09-2008). "Lost Souls". Torchwood. 43:47 minutes in. BBC Radio 4. {{cite episode}}: Check date values in: |airdate= (help)
  37. ^ a b Walker, Stephen James (2008). Something in the Darkness. United Kingdom: Telos Publishing Ltd. p. 91. ISBN 9781845830243.
  38. ^ a b c d Anders, Charlie Jane (2009-07-20). "Ianto Jones Talks Love, Explosions And Dark Secrets". io9.
  39. ^ Pryor, Cathy (2006-10-22). "Russell T Davies: One of Britain's foremost television writers". The Independent. Retrieved 2006-10-22.
  40. ^ a b Holman, Ray (2008). "The Fashion Hub". Torchwood Magazine (5): 28. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  41. ^ "Smart Dressed Man". Doctor Who Magazine (398): 27. 2008-08-20. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  42. ^ Hugo, Simon (August, 2008) "Me & Mr Jones" . Torchwood Magazine (5) : 8-14
  43. ^ a b "Torchwood: An audience with Gareth David-Lloyd". BBC Norfolk. December 6, 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  44. ^ a b c Wilkes, Neil (2009-07-17). "Gareth David-Lloyd talks 'Torchwood' exit". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  45. ^ a b "Stop All the Clocks". Torchwood Magazine (17): 32–37. September/October 2009. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  46. ^ a b Jensen, Michael (2009-07-24). ""Torchwood"'s Russell T Davies on Day 4's shocking plot twist". Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  47. ^ a b Ausiello, Michael (2009-07-24). "Spoiler: Shocking events on 'Torchwood'". MSNBC. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  48. ^ a b Lewinski, John Scott (2009-07-20). "Review: Torchwood Buries Its Past With 'Children of Earth'". Wired.com. Retrieved 2009-07-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  49. ^ a b c Jeurgens, Brian (February 26, 2008). "Interview with Torchwood's Gareth David-Lloyd". AfterElton.com. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  50. ^ Dilworth Jr., Joseph (01-08-08). "SDCC 08: Exclusive Interviews With John Barrowman And Gareth David-Lloyd". Popculturezoo.com. Retrieved 2009-07-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  51. ^ Walker, pg 197
  52. ^ Brown, Tracey (July 30, 2008). "'Torchwood': A Chat with Julie Gardner and Naoko Mori". M&C Smallscreen. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  53. ^ "Torchwood S3 Director Euros Lyn, Producer Petter Bennet, and Gareth Daivd-Lloyd Interviewed". AfterElton.com. December 18, 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
  54. ^ "Ten Best Gay and Bisexual Science Fiction Characters". AfterElton.com. 2008-01-20. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  55. ^ Hartinger, Brent (2009-07-27). ""Buffy" Vs. "Torchwood": Which Did a Better Job Killing Its Gay Character?". Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  56. ^ Death By "Torchwood": Captain Jack, Ianto Jones, And The Rise Of The Queer Superhero
  57. ^ a b Brew, Simon (2009-08-03). "Why Torchwood's Ianto Jones needs to stay dead". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  58. ^ Craig Young: "Torchwood: Goodbye Ianto!" Gaynz.com: 05.03.10: http://gaynz.com/articles/publish/37/article_8565.php
  59. ^ a b Walker, Kirsty (2007-07-12). "Torchwood : Children of Earth : The Aftermath". End of Show. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  60. ^ a b Anders, Charlie Jane (2009-07-17). "Is Torchwood Homophobic? Fans Debate". io9. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  61. ^ French, Dan (2007-07-16). "Poll: Should 'Gavin & Stacey' be ending?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  62. ^ "Thousands Join Online Battle to Save Torchwood Character". Wales Online. 2009-07-23. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  63. ^ a b "Ianto Fans Dig Deep for Children in Need". Torchwood Magazine (17): 9. September/October 2009. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  64. ^ a b c Bentley, David (2009-07-31). "Should Ianto Be Revived". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  65. ^ Anders, Charlie Jane (2009-07-28). "We Asked Russell T Davies our Most Pressing Doctor Who Question". io9. Retrieved 2009-08-17.
  66. ^ McMillan, Graeme (2009-07-25). "How You Can Give To Change Torchwood's Latest Departure". io9. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  67. ^ Wilkes, Neil (2009-07-26). "Live: 'Torchwood' panel at Comic-Con". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  68. ^ Wilkes, Neil (2009-07-31). "TV Poll: Time to move on from Ianto?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  69. ^ Wilkes, Neil (2009-08-07). "TV Poll: What do you want from a 'Who' movie?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  70. ^ McCarthy, James (2009-08-02). "Fans react with threats to Ianto's death in Torchwood". Wales Online. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  71. ^ a b McCarthy, James (2009-08-09). "Torchwood fans hit back". Wales Online. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ianto_Jones&oldid=352222172"