2/1 - The Weekly Podioplex
2/2 - Dead Kitchen Radio: Supernatural
2/3 - Classic: Verne/Wells
2/4 - Roundtable: DC Universe Reboot
2/5 - Cyborgs: "The Solid Gold Kidnapping"
2/6 - The Dome: "Colective"
2/7 - The Weekly Podioplex
2/8 - It Has Come to My Attention: The Rocketeer
2/10 - Classic: Storyweaving 1992
2/11 - Presenting the Transcription Feature
2/12 - Brainy Brain Game: History
2/14 - The Weekly Podioplex
2/15 - Dead Kitchen Radio
2/16 - In Review: Love is in the Air
2/17 - Classic: The Prisoner
2/18 - Presenting the Transcription Feature
2/19 - Cyborgs: "Population: Zero"
2/21 - The Weekly Podioplex
2/23 - Spotlight: Desert Island Books
2/24 - Classic: Orson Scott Card
2/25 - Presenting the Transcription Feature
2/26 - Brainy Brain Game - Literature
2/28 - The Weekly Podioplex
Torchwood (in addition) *SPOILERS*
So Sue and I sat down to watch part four of the mini-series on Saturday night. We were so drawn by the story we stayed up late to watch part five.
In seeing the final two episodes, I have to reemphasize what a load of twaddle it is that fandom is raising such a fuss over the death of Ianto. This was not a homophobic act, not a caving in to pressure from the Beeb. This was simply the death of a beloved character in a very heroic manner. To suggest otherwise takes away from the act.
I know a number of people, my brother included sadly, who won't watch Torchwood because of what they perceive as the "gay agenda" of Russell T. Davies.
If anything, this "controversy" over Ianto's death has more to do with a "gay agenda" than anything RTD has done in the series' history. Demanding the return of a character simply because he and another character show a healthy gay relationship is ridiculous. For three years, RTD has shown us a healthy gay relationship and part of that is the loss of a loved one and the pain that follows.
Now, if Jack comes back from his space jaunt "fixed" then one could argue that there had to have been some kind of pressure on the producers to tone down the gay, but considering the news that the show got picked up for a fourth series, I don't see that happening.
I too will miss Ianto. He went from being what looked to be the modern version of Kato from The Green Hornet to a full fledged character.
I walked away from this series feeling sad, depressed, angry, and a little confused. This was by far the best of the series and in making a fuss out of something as dramatic and heroic as Ianto's death simply cheapens the death and makes this very special mini-series a little less special.
Move on, folks.
John
Creator, Producer, All Around God-Like Being
"What? Too much?"
My thoughts on the matter.
I was sad to see Ianto go. The scene, however, was so full of love and sadness. I felt like they both truly cared for each other, and I felt that this was a good thing, because so often on TV, gay relationships are just trivial, physical and unloving. I liked that Ianto was such a strong and likeable character. I understand whay people are upset that he is gone. There was a comment earlier in the miniseries about Torchwood operatives rarely dying of old age, and there was much foreshadowing. In a way, we see Ianto coming to full terms with his sexuality and what he wants in life in the last couple days before he dies. One might see it as a call for people to embrace and accept who they are before they lose the chance to enjoy life to the fullest.
This isn't to say that I did not cry like a baby when Ianto died, of course. :(
I was much more furious about Tosh dying last season, because it seemed so pointless.
As a parent, I found the scene at the end with the grandson VERY difficult to watch. I also felt the most frightened and anxious when Gwen was running while holding the little girl. The series had a LOT of button-pushing. I am sorry that so many fans have lashed out in such a way at the writers, but I know how they feel, because I was similarly furious when Tara was killed on Buffy. It is frustrating to see your favorite LGB and/or T characters slaughtered for ratings. It is annoying that the same cliche is still so often trotted out (though it is with heterosexual partners in film all the time, too). I do think that, in this case, it gave us a chance to really reflect on how much love was in that relationship and it (hopefully) demonstrated to people who hate others with a different orientation that we are all human, and we all have feelings, and we are all capable of love.
Jenifer
More on Torchwood: C of E
I am glad that you finally saw the whole mini-season, John, b/c I felt so down at the end of it. It was well-written and well-acted, but, man, did it ever seem like a final episode.
Is Torchwood possibly going to axed?
it's not getting axed
The most important thing to remember about any TV show being cancelled or not is that it's always about the money. Always always always. It's never about the story or about the fans or about how good it is. It's about the money.
Torchwood makes a metric buttload of money for the BBC. It's coming back.
Keith R.A. DeCandido | keith@decandido.net | kradical.livejournal.com | Facebook.com/kradec | Twitter.com/kradec
"Even when you turn your back, you're still facing something."
Fourth Season
According to ComicMix a BBC rep was heard saying that Torchwood got the nod for a fourth season. When this season will bow and what it will consist of is still up in the air. BBC America ran a making of special after each episode and RTD commented on how it looked like they were setting things up to have the doctor join the crew. I wonder if Lois was set up that way too.
John
Creator, Producer, All Around God-Like Being
"What? Too much?"
Upcoming Review Episode
I put in my two cents on the whole "controversy" as best I could in the upcoming review episode. I will edit it down as I may have been rambling a bit. In any case, take a listen and then let us know what you think. I'm thinking I'll give this topic until Monday before we make it a spoiler zone and really start talking about the series.
John
Creator, Producer, All Around God-Like Being
"What? Too much?"
Whoa
The whole thing blew me away.
RTD to Fans...
I get it, but there are fans who are taking it all wrong.
(This link features spoilers. Beware.)
http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/07/backlash-shmacklash-thats-torchwood-creator-russell-t-davies-reaction-to-the-outcry-over-the-death-of-gareth-david-lloyds.html#more
John
Creator, Producer, All Around God-Like Being
"What? Too much?"
This is a Funnier Reply to the Fans
It's not real, of course, but it's damn funny - http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/arts-&-entertainment/dr-who-fans-reminded-that-it's-for-children-200907291941/
John
Creator, Producer, All Around God-Like Being
"What? Too much?"
T: CoE
I haven't seen all of this series, but I've enjoyed the parts I've seen so far.
And excuse me, that's not a "plot hole," that's something else. It's either a sign that power is the ultimate aphrodisiac, or that it's a man's world in terms of male/female attractability levels. It's why many younger women found Henry Kissinger hot. Okay, my MOM thought he was hot, but I've heard that there were many other like-minded women out there. Frobisher wasn't quite as powerful as Kissinger, but you get the idea.
I Know
I was making a joke there. Apparently, there's been a bit of an uproar about this series, especially towards the end to the point where one of its writers, James Moran who appeared on the Rift and has been a very open fellow to the fans, has been totally put off by the whole experience. It's sad that fandom has to be so rabid, whether they are right or wrong, and from all indications of the complaints they are so way off base it's ridiculous.
John
Creator, Producer, All Around God-Like Being
"What? Too much?"