Torchwood - Combat

[catalyst2]

Overall, I liked this episode even if the main story line was a little obvious. The gem in this episode was all the character development


Owen showed that he really was effected by Diana's departure - so much so that he first tries to avoid Jack's calls at al and then, in an ever-escalating spiral of violent acts, gets to the point where he realises that he has absolutely nothing left to lose. A lot of comments were directed towards Owen's lack of gratitude towards Jack after saving his life but my reading of it was that Owen was committing suicide when he walked into the Weevil's cage - or did I misread that? And that very last scene where Owen intimidates all the Weevils - chilling!

And Gwen - from the moment at the dinner with Rhys that that smile spread across her face when she saw that Jack needed her help, I knew it couldn't go well. Mind you, I didn't expect Rhys to stand for himself just for once nor did I expect to Gwen to confess her affair with Owen to Rhys, only to stun me seconds later with the revelation that she had just retconned Rhys. The depth of her desperation for forgiveness was so apparent in her frantic pleading with Rhys but but that pleading was all to no avail. To then watch Gwen break down and lose it whilst sitting in The Hub on her own was just heart-breaking regardless of how much her actions were thoughtless and selfish - in fact it was exactly because of that that I thought this was a particularly well-worked part of the story.

Other bits I liked:
- Jack's disgust at the ring tone on the phone from the body he and Tosh found at the dock warehouse
- the whole part the real estate guy played - suitably sleazy and ambivalent throughout
- "I called her Janet" "Janet?" "Yeah Barbara just didn't work!"

Because of all of the above, plus some other bits I remember liking at the time - but now can't recall! - I thought this was a good episode even if the whole "Fight Club" central theme was a bit old and tired.

Comments

[harmalicious.livejournal.com]

I just watched this episode yesterday. It wasn't one of my favorites, but you're right...the character development was great. I'll be interested in what you think of the next one :)

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

I am intrigued by the next episode, exactly because everyone says exactly that!

[sanguinepen.livejournal.com]

We've only had 3 episodes from the first season here in the US, but we have invented the "We hate Gwen" drinking game. Every time someone dies because of Gwen, you take a drink. We're getting hammered.

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

Gwen is a funny kind of character for me - she's clearly the connected one, the one to put the human face on things yet she's probably the most screwed up, in many ways. At least the others are cold and clinical and know it - well, most of the time. Gwen, I suspect wants to be just like them AND just not like them. To see her break down in this episode was really powerful - Eve Miles does a really good job portraying a character that I simultaneously hate and love.

[electrcspacegrl.livejournal.com]

Finally!

I can take or leave this episode, myself. But does anybody else notice the homoerotic subtext in the relationship between Owen and Mark? Mark totally had a thing for Owen.

Now, go watch my favorite episode. :)

[catalyst2.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, definitely noticed the subtext, especially when they go back to Mark's place and he is wandering around shirtless so a very long time. Also the bit where Mark confronts Owen just after Owen discovers Mark's pet Weevil - there was a definitely a moment there where I was almost sure that Mark was going to lean in and plant one on Owen ( a kiss, I mean, not a punch!)