#coe day 4

[muzzledjaw]

Gone, but not forgotten 🫡

[its-that-gay-fox]

hey here’s a reminder that ianto died thinking he was just a blip in jack’s life and that he was unimportant and unmemorable just in case you were having a good day

[meta-squash]

I'm reading the Children Of Earth scripts and man they had SUCH a cool parallel that they cut out of Children of Earth Day 4.

At the very beginning of the episode, when Clem is reacting to seeing Jack for the first time and points the gun at Jack, he says "You're in every nightmare I've ever had" and in the script Jack responds with "I'm sorry. If I could've taken your place, I would've done."

They cut Jack's line out of the scene, and instead just had Clem shoot him after he says "I'm sorry."

Later, when Ianto is dying in the Thames House, Ianto tells Jack he loves him and then grows too weak to keep his eyes open. Jack says "Stay with me! Stay with me, please!" and in the script, when Ianto opens his eyes again, Jack says "If I could swap places..." but doesn't finish the sentence.

I so wish they'd kept those parallel bits of dialogue in. Just two examples of the absolute futility of Jack's words when it comes to the consequences of his actions. Two examples of the way his immortality ruins both the lives of others around him and his own life. The complete inadequacy of apology and of useless offers of sacrifice, an 'if' that is completely impossible and whose sentiment can't really be considered a comfort.

[burtonsdoodles]

Children of Earth: Day FOUR Reflections... #8

Here it is! (I’ll be honest, I may have forgotten I never posted this) The final one of the more lengthy points which got shortened for my full list of thoughts after watching Day FOUR of CoE...

Lastly, let's talk about Ianto's response to realising he was dying… (I’m sorry, I have to do it!)

I like that he wasn't the one freaking out, because let me tell you, if he had, then I'd have been like Tosh during Owen's second death freak out scene in EXIT WOUNDS, it would have broken my heart! (Well... beyond what I'm considering the 'acceptable' level anyway.) I've already written about Jack's response, but his being the one panicking and bargaining while Ianto remains rather composed and pragmatic sums them both up - Jack lives to fight, while Ianto just gets on with it. You can see it even as Ianto confesses his love to Jack; Jack is fighting against him on it, while Ianto says what needs to be said. Also, the same can be said about the bit before that, where Jack immediately runs to warn the guards in the hall about the situation - instinctively fighting against what's coming - while Ianto, very aware of what's coming, just stays put, grits his teeth and attempts to take the 456 ambassador out with him. (Seriously, when Ianto's cornered, he gets fierce, and I love seeing it!) I mean, obviously it doesn't have any effect in this situation and he still dies, but it makes me think of him in COUNTRYCIDE, where he's like fuck it, I'm gonna headbutt a diranged cannibal to ensure Tosh at least escapes with her life. ICONIC <3

His whole response felt very in line with the character he's always been portrayed as throughout the show. I've said in a previous post before that the writing of his character seemed to change a bit after s2 - not necessarily in a negative way, but there was a definite difference with how he was reacting to things that felt different. In this episode however, I do think he returned to form… He was Ianto Jones: A true agent of Torchwood and Jack's right-hand man… even to the very end. 

His lack of overt panic, I think, plays into his awareness that people usually don't last long in this job… harking back to what he said to Gwen in TO THE LAST MAN, about the deaths of the WWI era Torchwood members, “they were all young… nothing changes.” And he's right, nothing changes. He's watched so many colleagues over the (not even that many) years die in the name of Torchwood, and he has narrowly avoided his own death on a great number of occasions. But now his luck has finally run out, and the inevitability of death has come to claim him. It's even evident in the call to his sister. Obviously, it's being used to get the attention of the Black Ops people and spread the truth of what's about to happen to those who are listening in. But after he warns Rhiannon to protect the kids, he makes sure she knows how much he loves her and them… he knows there's a very very real possibility that he's not making it out of this alive. He doesn't waste time on false promises or see you laters, this is his goodbye. 

On some level, he goes into that room ready for whatever comes… which further validates my hatred of the DAY 3 line, “so… one day, you’ll see me die… of old age” -- I'm sorry, but who wrote that line?! Ianto doesn't even think he's making it to 30, let alone old age! S2 proves that! He has never once been under the illusion that he's gonna live a long, prosperous life whilst also working for Torchwood - it doesn't happen! That 'old age' comment is only there for dramatic irony, and I HATE IT! It's stupid and it doesn't fit Ianto! (The utter rage I hold for the inclusion of those three little words in that line is admittedly ridiculous - I acknowledge that… but I stand by it.) Anyway, back to finishing the original point…

I think it says a lot about Ianto that as he's dying, the thing that upsets him most is the prospect that the man he loves, the man who changed his life, and gave it meaning again, is eventually going to forget about him one day… It's heartbreaking, a true gut punch, and while Jack tries to reassure him that he could never forget him, the fact of the matter is, Jack is immortal. He is cursed to live. It doesn't matter how much Ianto might mean to him right now, in the end, he may not have a choice in what his mind gets to retain and what it doesn't… It's the tragedy of everlasting life. But who knows, maybe Ianto captured his heart in a way that keeps his memory alive throughout Jack's existence… I personally love the theory I saw once that linked the Face of Boe's final act - saving the nun and citizens of New New York from a deadly virus - being a reflection of Jack not having been able to save Ianto! (Is it highly unlikely that that is what's going on? Yes, but I still love it - whether Jack's canonically Boe or not - it's a beautiful idea.) Anyway, as I've said, these two were always destined for tragedy; there are no happy endings for a moral and a man who can never die. And it hurts like hell, but the end was always inevitable… and while I wish we didn't have to see it happen, in terms of a viewing experience, I am (at the moment) satisfied with the end we got.

Now, I'm saying all this… I have still got DAY FIVE to watch yet, so there's still time for me to get very pissed off by things in the aftermath of Ianto's loss. Guess we’ll see what happens when I eventually conclude CoE… which will definitely happen… someday… probably…

Whenever it does, you’ll know about…

LB :)

[captainjackscoat]

Happy Fifteen years to Torchwood: Children of Earth Day 4.

I miss you, Ianto.

[thirteens-pocket-watch]

Why do we never talk about how Big Finish released Serenity on the 10th anniversary of CoE Day 4?

[doctorwhoisadhd]

Can't imagine the time when this isn't everything. Pain so constant, like my stomach's full of rats. Feels like this is all I am now. There isn't an inch of me that doesn't hurt.

[inaccurate-janto-conversations]

Don't

Summary: Ours is a love forged of tragedy, and it shall end the same as it had begun.

Pairing: Ianto/Jack

Rating: G

Warnings: none that I know of but let me know if you think I need to add any (I have a feeling that I should put major character death but it's a poem so...*shrug*)

A/n: this poem since I can't write anything else for the life of me is in Jack's pov and takes place during Children of Earth Day 4 and thusly contains spoilers. While this technically has been betad (betaed?), it wasn't by a torchwood fan so let me know if something needs fixing 😁 Hope you enjoy!

_______________________________________________

Your eyes search mine.

And I am desperate to do something.

To find an answer to this morbid situation.

-

Don't look at me

Slumberous Stallion left alone on this mountain.

There is no shelter for you here.

Avoid the beast within whatever way you can.

-

I speak words and try to comfort.

But I am slowly shattering.

Tearing apart as your last breath draws nearer.

-

Don't listen to me

Mournful marine, turn your tail and flee.

Stay absent from these waters.

Before you heed my siren call.

-

Your cheek is warm against my hand.

Please retain your heat.

And Forbid the cold from taking you.

-

Don't feel my touch

Thoughtful tide, you brush apon a volcano.

My ash and flame will end your soothing.

You'll leave me cold and bitter.

-

You sniff as sadness falls to my hand.

This gas it murders you.

But never stop the air, entering your lungs.

-

Don't smell me

Curious canine hurry elsewhere far away.

Though my aroma is alluring.

I am christened deadly nightshade.

-

The red of you lips is fading.

As my lips go closer, and closer still.

Please let my kiss revive you.

-

Don't taste me

Stumbling stag, my berries are only poison.

Stear clear, and remain starved.

Being famished is kinder then the death I offer.

-

"I tell you everything."

-

Don't confide in me

A canary's dying song.

Should never be witnessed.

By the hawk whom slayed it.

-

"I could've helped."

-

Don't comfort me

A sheep's wool blanket.

Shouldn't warm the lion.

Who used it for its meat.

-

"I love you."

-

And of all these things that I tell you not to do.

Please above all else.

-

Don't love me

I can't withstand your love, dear Ianto.

Because it would only make my heart soar.

And even I couldn't survive that fall.

-

So please I beg you.

Please.

Don't.