Another great review for a great episode. This was a perfect time for this episode considering the listlessness of the last two.
Your explanation of Ianto's actions was such a relief because while I didn't blame him or "get angry" with him I was a bit confused. But you are absolutely correct. The line of reasoning I was using, which I think still applies, was his belief that Gwen needed to learn a lesson. That she needed to realize that while her compassion for others, her need to protect and help the innocent has as many consequences as anything else Torchwood does.
Because Gwen doesn't think about the larger picture she misses so much. She never once considered trusting Jack - her leader - when he told her to stop, she never once considered the possible negative consequences of revealing the truth to Nikki, she never once stopped to think that perhaps Jack knew what he was talking about or ask the nurse (blanking on her name) what was going on with Jonah...she gets so wrapped up in her vision and her "purpose" that she doesn't consider all the ramifications of her actions. Sometimes I don't think she realizes that Torchwood is secret and it's secret for a reason. She tends to be pretty cavalier with their need for secrecy. Just as I don't think, after all this time, that she really gets Torchwood or it's purpose. Sometimes she still behaves like she's just an upgraded PC. And while sometimes that's good, sometimes it's not and she just doesn't seem capable of figuring out which is which.
Perhaps I'm too much of a cynic (or a bit like Ianto) but I really did feel that Gwen needed to learn a lesson about her actions.
Oh...and thank you Chibnall for Jack/Ianto this episode. It was...*sigh* And is it me or did Ianto/Gareth look especially beautiful when he smiled and said Jack always cheats?
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Your explanation of Ianto's actions was such a relief because while I didn't blame him or "get angry" with him I was a bit confused. But you are absolutely correct. The line of reasoning I was using, which I think still applies, was his belief that Gwen needed to learn a lesson. That she needed to realize that while her compassion for others, her need to protect and help the innocent has as many consequences as anything else Torchwood does.
Because Gwen doesn't think about the larger picture she misses so much. She never once considered trusting Jack - her leader - when he told her to stop, she never once considered the possible negative consequences of revealing the truth to Nikki, she never once stopped to think that perhaps Jack knew what he was talking about or ask the nurse (blanking on her name) what was going on with Jonah...she gets so wrapped up in her vision and her "purpose" that she doesn't consider all the ramifications of her actions. Sometimes I don't think she realizes that Torchwood is secret and it's secret for a reason. She tends to be pretty cavalier with their need for secrecy. Just as I don't think, after all this time, that she really gets Torchwood or it's purpose. Sometimes she still behaves like she's just an upgraded PC. And while sometimes that's good, sometimes it's not and she just doesn't seem capable of figuring out which is which.
Perhaps I'm too much of a cynic (or a bit like Ianto) but I really did feel that Gwen needed to learn a lesson about her actions.
Oh...and thank you Chibnall for Jack/Ianto this episode. It was...*sigh* And is it me or did Ianto/Gareth look especially beautiful when he smiled and said Jack always cheats?
Thanks again for the great review. :-)