Analysing Torchwood - Part One
Okay, so I'm going to be analysing Torchwood looking specifically at the relationships between Jack, Ianto, Gwen and Rhys, with reference to Lisa. I volunteered myself to this today on the Torchwood UK forums (stupid me), but I did manage to get Part One done. So here we go:
Analysing Torchwood (Part One)
Fragments - Ianto’s Flashback
I'm starting at the beginning: Jack and Ianto's meeting.
We are introduce to Ianto in an interesting way - where Jack has come in and saved Owen, Tosh, and even Gwen, Ianto is first shown to be saving Jack. He puts his own life in danger to beat off the Weevil that clearly had Jack defeated, and it is this action that puts Jack on guard. Who is this stranger fighting off a monster so confidently that most people would run from? A creature that doesn't even faze the stranger.
We then see Ianto go straight into flirt mode, making himself open and practically offering himself to Jack who does notice. Ianto telling Jack his name, in full Bond style, has a hint of flirtation to it and this is the only time we ever see Ianto introduce himself this way. It's interesting that when Jack introduces himself to Ianto, he doesn't use the flirtatious edge that he has used with pretty much every other person in the Whoniverse. He's obviously very weary of Ianto from the beginning, wondering who this hot man in jeans is.
We also see Ianto question Jack, when Jack says he has everything under control and Ianto says otherwise. It's also interesting that Jack backs away from Ianto's touch, clearly not wanting to be anywhere near this stranger who saved his life. It's also interesting that there is no music during the very opening up until Ianto says "it looked like a Weevil to me", at which point 'threat' music begins to play. Jack clearly does not trust Ianto, and it just may well be that he can sense that Ianto is a con man like himself. This is further emphasised when Jack immediately retreats at the revelation that Ianto knows what a Weevil is, Ianto still taking one last opportunity to flirt which merely quirks Jack's eyebrow.
We see that lack of trust again at the second meeting when Ianto makes himself out to be not as strong and more vulnerable, and not to mention makes his intentions clear. Jack is very cautious around Ianto, trying to avoid him and very carefully pushing Ianto's hand away when Ianto touches him. Given we've come to know Ianto as a very hands off man, it's interesting to see him reaching for Jack so often, although by the third time he seems to know Jack doesn't want him touching him as it is Ianto who drops his hand when Jack leans away from him. However, at the end of that scene and Ianto's second comment "I really like that coat", we see a small spark of amusement on Jack's face. Ianto, it would seem, is interesting.
The second meeting also has Ianto questioning Jack for the second time, this time about whether or not Jack/Torchwood Three is the "right hands" to possess the alien technology recovered from Torchwood One. We see Ianto trying to entice Jack with coffee, and also with a story of loss and having nowhere to go. Jack falls for neither of them, brushing them off.
By their third meeting Jack confronts the threat, returning it in his own way in the means of saying he will in fact kill Ianto if he doesn’t go away. Jack does not want Ianto close to him, and this time we see Ianto more quiet and reserved, more like the Ianto we have come to know. Where seduction, coffee and begging have failed, Ianto instead offers Jack a mission which catches Jack's attention and throws the elder man - the first time Ianto has done this, and by no means the last.
It's hard to determine how long Ianto has known Myfanwy was in the warehouse, but I would hazard a guess the Ianto has been looking after her. This also offers Ianto a chance to show Jack what he is capable of, because it would appear some details are missing from the profile Jack obtained for reasons unknown (his honours degree and his exact role at Torchwood One being the tip of the iceberg).
Ianto then plays Jack with his knowledge, showing that he knows his way around the Rift and how Torchwood missions work. Ianto also contrasts London to Cardiff, much to Jack's disgust given Jack's glare.
Another key moment is when they are leaning against the door. Again, we see Ianto reveal a little about his knowledge, and we finally start to see Jack flirting. Ianto is finally close enough to notice Jack's unique smell, and Jack, interestingly, offers Ianto information about his home Century. Given what we know from Season One, this is information Jack has not given anyone in the past, and does not offer it even to Gwen given her comments in "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang", yet reveals it to Ianto on their third meeting despite his obvious caution around the younger man.
We then see Ianto lose all that stoicness when he starts yelling as he runs from Myfanwy, which betrays the fact that he hasn't seen much field work. Jack has to catch him and calm him down, before Jack goes straight back to his job and Ianto once more starts begging for a job. Interestingly enough, all the things Ianto tells Jack to be he has become by Season One.
We also see Ianto giving Jack his first "wtf" look that later becomes the eye roll, and Jack having to explain himself the minute he spots that look. Jack has again offered up more information about himself, setting what is no doubt a new record since Jack had to spill his guts to the Doctor and Rose in "The Doctor Dances".
We also see Ianto fast going over a plan of Jack's and telling him its flaws, which catches Jack on the back foot. Evidently Jack is not used to having someone question his authority, as his reaction is one of surprise. We also have the first moment of concern about Ianto's welfare, Jack listening to Ianto's plans and pointing out the danger. Ianto reassures him, and goes with his plan without awaiting Jack's approval. Something that will again happen at a later date. Jack is effectively speechless by Ianto's behaviour.
We see Ianto's expression change as he watches Jack cling to Myfanwy, his expression going from one of concern to one of confusion as Jack laughs, evidently not concerned about his wellbeing. Ianto then puts himself in a position to catch Jack rather than running away, Jack apologising quickly before they have to move.
Now, the next bit has been analysed to death. For a moment they are just two guys celebrating, but then something changes. The attraction sinks in, Jack knowing he's attracted and offering himself to being kissed, while Ianto also notes the attraction and for a moment considers in, then backs off as his mind takes over. Jack is disappointed by this, and offers Ianto the job. It's clear he now knows Ianto is capable, and Ianto has intrigued him by the way he acts and questions Jack.
We now also see Jack openly flirting with Ianto, no longer seeing him as a threat. At the same time, we can see how torn Ianto is. He has gotten what he wanted, but his feelings for Lisa, his incapacitated girlfriend for whom he is doing this all for, have suddenly come under threat by his attraction to Jack. Ianto feels like he is betraying Lisa by even considering kissing Jack, and we can see this on his face as he walks away.
Ianto is, in fact, so thrown by this sudden attraction and his feelings of betrayal that he temporarily forgets his mission, instead focusing on retreating and putting as much distance between himself and Jack as possible. It is only when Jack says "see you tomorrow" that you see Ianto's step falter as he pauses for a moment to work out what Jack means, and this makes him more upset because now he is in a tight place - he must work with Jack to protect and help Lisa, but he knows he is attracted to Jack.
It is now Ianto who will be putting the distance between them, whereas throughout the rest of the flashback it has been Jack. This sets up their relationship for pretty much the rest of the series - Jack being the more open one and encouraging Ianto to move closer, while it is Ianto who is reluctant to allow himself close, initially because of Lisa. I will go into more detail about this later.
Next Up, "Everything Changes" and the introduction of Gwen and Rhys to the mix
Analysing Torchwood (Part One)
Fragments - Ianto’s Flashback
I'm starting at the beginning: Jack and Ianto's meeting.
We are introduce to Ianto in an interesting way - where Jack has come in and saved Owen, Tosh, and even Gwen, Ianto is first shown to be saving Jack. He puts his own life in danger to beat off the Weevil that clearly had Jack defeated, and it is this action that puts Jack on guard. Who is this stranger fighting off a monster so confidently that most people would run from? A creature that doesn't even faze the stranger.
We then see Ianto go straight into flirt mode, making himself open and practically offering himself to Jack who does notice. Ianto telling Jack his name, in full Bond style, has a hint of flirtation to it and this is the only time we ever see Ianto introduce himself this way. It's interesting that when Jack introduces himself to Ianto, he doesn't use the flirtatious edge that he has used with pretty much every other person in the Whoniverse. He's obviously very weary of Ianto from the beginning, wondering who this hot man in jeans is.
We also see Ianto question Jack, when Jack says he has everything under control and Ianto says otherwise. It's also interesting that Jack backs away from Ianto's touch, clearly not wanting to be anywhere near this stranger who saved his life. It's also interesting that there is no music during the very opening up until Ianto says "it looked like a Weevil to me", at which point 'threat' music begins to play. Jack clearly does not trust Ianto, and it just may well be that he can sense that Ianto is a con man like himself. This is further emphasised when Jack immediately retreats at the revelation that Ianto knows what a Weevil is, Ianto still taking one last opportunity to flirt which merely quirks Jack's eyebrow.
We see that lack of trust again at the second meeting when Ianto makes himself out to be not as strong and more vulnerable, and not to mention makes his intentions clear. Jack is very cautious around Ianto, trying to avoid him and very carefully pushing Ianto's hand away when Ianto touches him. Given we've come to know Ianto as a very hands off man, it's interesting to see him reaching for Jack so often, although by the third time he seems to know Jack doesn't want him touching him as it is Ianto who drops his hand when Jack leans away from him. However, at the end of that scene and Ianto's second comment "I really like that coat", we see a small spark of amusement on Jack's face. Ianto, it would seem, is interesting.
The second meeting also has Ianto questioning Jack for the second time, this time about whether or not Jack/Torchwood Three is the "right hands" to possess the alien technology recovered from Torchwood One. We see Ianto trying to entice Jack with coffee, and also with a story of loss and having nowhere to go. Jack falls for neither of them, brushing them off.
By their third meeting Jack confronts the threat, returning it in his own way in the means of saying he will in fact kill Ianto if he doesn’t go away. Jack does not want Ianto close to him, and this time we see Ianto more quiet and reserved, more like the Ianto we have come to know. Where seduction, coffee and begging have failed, Ianto instead offers Jack a mission which catches Jack's attention and throws the elder man - the first time Ianto has done this, and by no means the last.
It's hard to determine how long Ianto has known Myfanwy was in the warehouse, but I would hazard a guess the Ianto has been looking after her. This also offers Ianto a chance to show Jack what he is capable of, because it would appear some details are missing from the profile Jack obtained for reasons unknown (his honours degree and his exact role at Torchwood One being the tip of the iceberg).
Ianto then plays Jack with his knowledge, showing that he knows his way around the Rift and how Torchwood missions work. Ianto also contrasts London to Cardiff, much to Jack's disgust given Jack's glare.
Another key moment is when they are leaning against the door. Again, we see Ianto reveal a little about his knowledge, and we finally start to see Jack flirting. Ianto is finally close enough to notice Jack's unique smell, and Jack, interestingly, offers Ianto information about his home Century. Given what we know from Season One, this is information Jack has not given anyone in the past, and does not offer it even to Gwen given her comments in "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang", yet reveals it to Ianto on their third meeting despite his obvious caution around the younger man.
We then see Ianto lose all that stoicness when he starts yelling as he runs from Myfanwy, which betrays the fact that he hasn't seen much field work. Jack has to catch him and calm him down, before Jack goes straight back to his job and Ianto once more starts begging for a job. Interestingly enough, all the things Ianto tells Jack to be he has become by Season One.
We also see Ianto giving Jack his first "wtf" look that later becomes the eye roll, and Jack having to explain himself the minute he spots that look. Jack has again offered up more information about himself, setting what is no doubt a new record since Jack had to spill his guts to the Doctor and Rose in "The Doctor Dances".
We also see Ianto fast going over a plan of Jack's and telling him its flaws, which catches Jack on the back foot. Evidently Jack is not used to having someone question his authority, as his reaction is one of surprise. We also have the first moment of concern about Ianto's welfare, Jack listening to Ianto's plans and pointing out the danger. Ianto reassures him, and goes with his plan without awaiting Jack's approval. Something that will again happen at a later date. Jack is effectively speechless by Ianto's behaviour.
We see Ianto's expression change as he watches Jack cling to Myfanwy, his expression going from one of concern to one of confusion as Jack laughs, evidently not concerned about his wellbeing. Ianto then puts himself in a position to catch Jack rather than running away, Jack apologising quickly before they have to move.
Now, the next bit has been analysed to death. For a moment they are just two guys celebrating, but then something changes. The attraction sinks in, Jack knowing he's attracted and offering himself to being kissed, while Ianto also notes the attraction and for a moment considers in, then backs off as his mind takes over. Jack is disappointed by this, and offers Ianto the job. It's clear he now knows Ianto is capable, and Ianto has intrigued him by the way he acts and questions Jack.
We now also see Jack openly flirting with Ianto, no longer seeing him as a threat. At the same time, we can see how torn Ianto is. He has gotten what he wanted, but his feelings for Lisa, his incapacitated girlfriend for whom he is doing this all for, have suddenly come under threat by his attraction to Jack. Ianto feels like he is betraying Lisa by even considering kissing Jack, and we can see this on his face as he walks away.
Ianto is, in fact, so thrown by this sudden attraction and his feelings of betrayal that he temporarily forgets his mission, instead focusing on retreating and putting as much distance between himself and Jack as possible. It is only when Jack says "see you tomorrow" that you see Ianto's step falter as he pauses for a moment to work out what Jack means, and this makes him more upset because now he is in a tight place - he must work with Jack to protect and help Lisa, but he knows he is attracted to Jack.
It is now Ianto who will be putting the distance between them, whereas throughout the rest of the flashback it has been Jack. This sets up their relationship for pretty much the rest of the series - Jack being the more open one and encouraging Ianto to move closer, while it is Ianto who is reluctant to allow himself close, initially because of Lisa. I will go into more detail about this later.
Next Up, "Everything Changes" and the introduction of Gwen and Rhys to the mix