"What we've got here is failure to communicate."
When you're dealing with any creature in the universe that decides to just come passing through, there's going to be some misunderstandings. Just a few. Languages, customs, body language, it's all completely different. I mean, there was one time, back when I was still a Time Agent, I was negotiating this deal, and...
... Well, that actually turned into a good night for me. But that's not the point I'm going for here. What I'm trying to say is they can't all be barfights that end with getting to know a couple with very well, thereby landing you a long standing invitation to come over whenever you'd like. Sometimes it's dangerous.
Torchwood's policies don't necessarily push diplomacy. Some of it I agree with, some I don't. As the boss, it's my discretion how I choose to interpret these rules. And even though it's all laid out there in ink, it's not as easy as it sounds. Some of my team thinks I'm too hard on lifeforms that wind up getting on our way. They think being willing to take the shot is wrong.
But it's not. It's a matter of course. Misunderstandings are common, but if they put innocent lives at risk, the one threatening them needlessly over some kind of insult or unintentional offense needs to be put down. Whether it's one person in harm's way, or one hundred. Most of the time, they get that. Sometimes, not so much. That's when I have to play the bad guy. It's my responsibility, and so be it.
Sometimes I still wish someone would get it.
Gwen tends to make us all, me especially, take a step back from that kind of thinking. It's important, I know, but I can't afford to lose the way I see things. Too much could be lost and too many could suffer if I don't have a steady hand when the time comes.
I've been told that makes me a monster. Something worse than anything we've ever hunted.
Maybe they're right.
It's just how it has to be.
... Well, that actually turned into a good night for me. But that's not the point I'm going for here. What I'm trying to say is they can't all be barfights that end with getting to know a couple with very well, thereby landing you a long standing invitation to come over whenever you'd like. Sometimes it's dangerous.
Torchwood's policies don't necessarily push diplomacy. Some of it I agree with, some I don't. As the boss, it's my discretion how I choose to interpret these rules. And even though it's all laid out there in ink, it's not as easy as it sounds. Some of my team thinks I'm too hard on lifeforms that wind up getting on our way. They think being willing to take the shot is wrong.
But it's not. It's a matter of course. Misunderstandings are common, but if they put innocent lives at risk, the one threatening them needlessly over some kind of insult or unintentional offense needs to be put down. Whether it's one person in harm's way, or one hundred. Most of the time, they get that. Sometimes, not so much. That's when I have to play the bad guy. It's my responsibility, and so be it.
Sometimes I still wish someone would get it.
Gwen tends to make us all, me especially, take a step back from that kind of thinking. It's important, I know, but I can't afford to lose the way I see things. Too much could be lost and too many could suffer if I don't have a steady hand when the time comes.
I've been told that makes me a monster. Something worse than anything we've ever hunted.
Maybe they're right.
It's just how it has to be.