Ianto Jones
editAppearances
editTelevision
editThe character of Ianto Jones is introduced in the first episode of Torchwood, in 2006.[1] Introduced as a mild-mannered and quiet administrator working for Torchwood Three, his first centric appearance was the episode "Cyberwoman" which dealt with both his backstory and motivations. In the episode, Ianto is revealed as a former employee of Torchwood One in London (first seen in parent series Doctor Who) and houses his girlfriend in the basement of the Torchwood Hub where the team works. His girlfriend, Lisa (Caroline Chikezie), has been partially converted into a Cyberman, a cyborg species first seen in Doctor Who in 1966. Due to Ianto's efforts to keep her alive and treat her, she eventually breaks loose and in the Hub, killing two civillians. Ianto is forced into confrontation with leam leader Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), who is later able to resurrect Ianto with a kiss when Lisa unquestioningly electrocutes him. Ultimately, the rest of Ianto's team is forced to kill Lisa.[2] Although Ianto's thoughts continue to be concerned with Lisa,[3] mid-series he begins to develop a sexual relationship with Jack.[4] By the series' penultimate episode, Ianto is willing to shoot colleague Owen Harper (Burn Gorman) to protect Jack, and refutes claims he is his "part time shag."[5] In the series finale, an image of what appears to be Lisa's ghost is used to bring Ianto to mutiny against Jack, but still later when an immortal Jack rises from the dead, he and Ianto immediately kiss one another.[6]
Torchwood's second series airing in 2008 begins with the team working without Jack, who departed the Hub at the end of series one to reunite with the mysterious "Doctor" from his past. Ianto's role with team now more frequently includes field missions, to accommodate Jack's absence. When Jack returns in the series two premiere, having seen the end of the world, he attempts to formalise his romantic relationship with Ianto, successfully asking him on a date.[7] Jack and Ianto's relationship becomes more overt, and Ianto's character becomes less burdened as he begins to express a newfound confidence and dour sense of humour.[8] The series pentulimate episode, "Fragments" explores Ianto's backstory, specifically how he was recruited into Torchwood Three two years prior; Ianto is persistent that Jack hire him after the destruction of Torchwood One, but only succeeds once he is able to aid Jack in capturing a stray pterodactyl.[9] In the second series finale, Ianto and the team face Jack's 51st century ex Captain John Hart (James Marsters) and younger brother Gray (Lachlan Nieboer), who has vengefully sought to destroy Jack's world. After Gray kills his teammates Toshiko (Naoko Mori) and Owen, the Torchwood team is left with a membership of only three.[10] Following from this, Ianto makes his first crossover appearance in Doctor Who alongside Gwen (Eve Myles) and Jack in its 2008 series' two-part finale, where Torchwood is called on to help contact series protagonist the Doctor (David Tennant) during a Dalek invasion.[11][12]
Literature
editIanto appears in the first six of the Torchwood novels, published by BBC Books. The first wave, Another Life by Peter Anghelides,[13] Border Princes by Dan Abnett,[14] and Slow Decay by Andy Lane,[15] were published in January 2007. Published in March 2008, and tying in with the concurrently airing second series of Torchwood, Ianto appears in the novels Trace Memory by David Llewellyn,[16] The Twilight Streets by Gary Russell,[17] and Something in the Water by Trevor Baxendale.[18] October 2008 will see the release of three more Torchwood books by Peter Anghelides, series writer Phil Ford and writer for the Doctor Who and Torchwood websites, James Goss, the latter's cover for Almost Perfect reflecting changes to the cast after the episode 2008 finale episode "Exit Wounds".[19] First published in January 2008, the monthly Torchwood Magazine began occasionally including Torchwood comic strips, in which Ianto also appears.
Spin-off media has tried to fill in the gaps of Ianto's character history from before he began working at Torchwood Three; Ianto's first week at Torchwood One is shown in a flashback in the novel Trace Memory.[16] The segment also depicts his budding relationship with Lisa Hallett. Also expanding on Jones' time living in London, the comic The Legacy of Torchwood One! (Torchwood #1) shows how Ianto was taken under the wing of Rupert Howarth, a senior researcher, during his first few weeks at Torchwood One.[20] Ianto's characterisation is explored in The Twilight Streets, where Ianto sheds some light on the difficulty he had "coming out" as a teenager, and engages in a diatribe with Gwen about what it means to be bisexual. When Gwen jokes to him that he has the "best of both worlds", Ianto angrily responds that actually "It's the worst of any world because you don't really belong anywhere, because you are never sure of yourself or those around you. You can't trust in anyone, their motives or their intentions. And because of that, you have, in a world that likes its nice shiny labels, no true identity." The novel also highlights Ianto's dedication to Jack, emphasizing that, unlike the other members of the team, he cannot be fully controlled, owing to his love for Jack.[17] However, as with all Doctor Who and Torchwood spin-off media, the canonicity in relation to the television series is unclear.[21]
Audio drama
editIanto also appears in Torchwood audio books, the first two being Hidden written by Steven Savile and narrated by Naoko Mori,[22] Everyone Says Hello written by Dan Abnett and narrated by Burn Gorman,[23] released February 2008, and forthcoming In the Shadows by Joseph Lidster, due for release in September 2008.[24] Joseph Lidster is also set to write a BBC Radio 4 Torchwood drama, Lost Souls, airing in Summer 2008 as an Afternoon Play and featuring the voices of John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd and Freema Agyeman, set after the events of the 2008 series.[25]
Gwen Cooper
editAppearances
editTelevision
editGwen is introduced in the first episode of Torchwood in 2006, where she - a Cardiff police officer - is witness to Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) and his team's interrogation of a dead man. Acting as an audience surrogate, she notices Jack is following her and she is led to investigate him and his team, eventually discovering by following him to his base that they are Torchwood, a team of alien hunters. Jack wipes the memories of her discovery, but they are later triggered by reports of murders committed with exotic weaponry; Torchwood's own Suzie Costello (Indira Varma) is the serial killer. Present at Suzie's attempt to kill Jack, and her ensuing suicide, Jack (who reveals that he cannot die) rewards Gwen by offering her a job in Torchwood.[1] Jack and Gwen's relationship becomes tinged with romantic implications,[26] despite her long-standing relationship with boyfriend Rhys (Kai Owen) and Jack's developing sexual relationship with teammate Ianto Jones (Gareth David-Lloyd). Unable to share her experiences at Torchwood with Rhys, Gwen falls into a short-lived destructive sexual affair with teammate Owen (Burn Gorman) for which she is racked with guilt.[27] In the series one finale, it is for her desire at any cost to resurrect a murdered Rhys that she is willing to mutiny against Jack. After Jack is killed by a supernatural demon, it is Gwen's kiss of life which resurrects him, not long before he abandons the team to reunite with the mysterious Doctor from his past.[6]
Series two, airing in 2008 begins with Gwen having quickly risen to replace Jack as the team's leader. Upon his return, he promises Gwen that she was the reason he returned to Cardiff, only to discover she has become engaged to Rhys.[7] Early the series, she is forced to confess to Rhys the nature of her job at Torchwood when he assumes she is having an affair with Jack, and she defies Jack by refusing to wipe his memory.[28] She also confesses to Jack before taking an amnesia pill that she loves him in ways she could never love Rhys,[29] although still gets married to Rhys mid-series, leaving Jack to contemplate his own past marriage.[30] In the series finale, it is Gwen's leadership skills which allow her to co-ordinate Cardiff in the chaos caused by Jack's ex Captain John Hart (James Marsters) and younger brother Gray (Lachlan Nieboer). When Gray kills teammates Toshiko (Naoko Mori) and Owen, Gwen is desolate.[10] Following from this, Gwen makes her first crossover appearance in Doctor Who alongside Jack and Ianto in its 2008 series' two-part finale, where Torchwood is called on to help contact series protagonist the Doctor (David Tennant) during a Dalek invasion.[11] A familial connection between Gwen and the character of Gwyneth, played by Eve Myles in the 2005 Doctor Who episode "The Unquiet Dead" is alluded to by the Doctor, recognising the physical similarity between the two.[12]
Literature
editGwen appears in the first six of the Torchwood novels, published by BBC Books. The first wave, Another Life by Peter Anghelides,[31] Border Princes by Dan Abnett,[32] and Slow Decay by Andy Lane,[33] were published in January 2007. Published in March 2008, and tying in with the concurrently airing second series of Torchwood, Gwen appears in the novels Trace Memory by David Llewellyn,[34] The Twilight Streets by Gary Russell,[35] and Something in the Water by Trevor Baxendale.[36] October 2008 will see the release of three more Torchwood books by Peter Anghelides, series writer Phil Ford and writer for the Doctor Who and Torchwood websites, James Goss, the latter's cover for Almost Perfect reflecting changes to the cast after the episode 2008 finale episode "Exit Wounds".[19] First published in January 2008, the monthly Torchwood Magazine began occasionally including Torchwood comic strips, in which Gwen also appears.
In the novel Border Princes, Gwen had an affair with James Mayer during a difficult time with Rhys. Gwen's first day with PC Andy Davidson as her partner is portrayed in a flashback in the novel Trace Memory. As with all Doctor Who and Torchwood spin-off media, the canonicity in relation to the television series is unclear.[37]
Audio drama
editGwen also appears in Torchwood audio books, the first two being Hidden written by Steven Savile and narrated by Naoko Mori,[22] Everyone Says Hello written by Dan Abnett and narrated by Burn Gorman,[23] released February 2008, and forthcoming In the Shadows by Joseph Lidster, due for release in September 2008.[24] Joseph Lidster is also set to write a Radio 4 Torchwood drama, airing in Summer 2008 as an Afternoon Play and featuring the voices of John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd and Freema Agyeman, set after the events of the 2008 series.[38]
Characterisation
editCasting
edit- Eve Myles, formerly played Gwyneth in Doctor Who
Conception
edit- Heterosexual love interest of Jack
- "Girl next door", lead female, heart of the team
- Who's new in time travelling?
- INTERVIEW: All About Eve, a talk with Torchwood star, Eve Myles
- Interview with Eve Myles
- Declassified?
Development?
edit- None as of yet?
Toshiko Sato
editAppearances
editTelevision
editLiterature
editToshiko appears in the first six of the Torchwood novels, published by BBC Books. The first wave, Another Life by Peter Anghelides,[39] Border Princes by Dan Abnett,[40] and Slow Decay by Andy Lane,[41] were published in January 2007 and form a loose story arc.
Published in March 2008, and tying in with the concurrently airing second series of Torchwood, Toshiko appears in the novels Trace Memory by David Llewellyn,[42] The Twilight Streets by Gary Russell,[43] and Something in the Water by Trevor Baxendale.[44]
Toshiko also appears in the first two Torchwood audio books, Everyone Says Hello by Dan Abnett, narrated by Burn Gorman (who plays Owen),[23] and Hidden by Steven Savile, narrated by Naoko Mori.[22]
The novel Trace Memory depicts a five year old Toshiko living in Japan with her parents and elderly grandmother. This depiction is consistent with the character's history seeded across the series, although as with all Doctor Who and Torchwood spin-off media, the canonicity in relation to the television series is open to interpretation.[45]
Owen Harper
editAppearances
editTelevision
editOwen is introduced in the first episode of Torchwood in 2006, as the sarcastic and womanizing medical officer for Torchwod Three; the first episode sees him recreationally use alien technology to get women to sleep with him.[1] Owen's first centric episode comes in "Ghost Machine", when an alien device makes him experience the rape and murder of a girl in the 1950s, which drives him to seek revenge for her.[46] The next episode sees him kiss teammate Gwen (Eve Myles) in the midst of a Cyberman attack on the Hub,[2] and as the series continues they continue a destructive affair which Gwen conceals from fiancee Rhys (Kai Owen). Owen remains oblivious to the devotion of teammate Toshiko (Naoko Mori), but experiences real love with a time-lost 1953 pilot Diane (Louise Delamere) and is distraught when she disappears in an attempt to return to her time, and despondent over this, Owen ends the affair with Gwen.[47] Owen investigates a men's 'fight club' which uses alien Weevils, and Owen attempts to allow one to almost devour him; in the episode's dénouement however, Torchwood's captive Weevil mysteriously cowers in fear from Owen.[48] When Captain Jack (John Barrowman) and Toshiko are lost to the past, Owen as second-in-command takes control and fights with Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd) over whether to open the Rift and 'rescue them'; Owen truly intends to rescue Diane, and is successful in opening the Rift and saving his teammates,[5] but with consequences, for which Jack fires him. In the series finale, the opened Rift causes global chaos. An apparition of Diane sent by Bilis Manger (Murray Melvin) convinces Owen to lead a mutiny against Jack to open the Rift yet again; Owen goes so far as to shoot Jack twice in the head. Having unwittingly released the demon Abaddon, who is eventually defeated by a resurrected Jack, Owen is shocked to discover that Jack offers Owen his forgiveness.[6]
The second series begins with Gwen now acting as the team's leader following Jack's mysterious disappearance, and the team now work more closely on field missions in an effort to compensate for this shortfall. Toshiko finds the courage to ask Owen on a date,[7] and he does eventually accept.[28] Shortly afterwards however, on a mission assisted by Dr. Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) of UNIT, Owen is shot dead by Dr. Aaron Copley (Alan Dale).[49] Not willing to let Owen die, Jack tracks down and uses the mysterious resurrection gauntlet to restore Owen to life: however, this glove works differently to the one from previous episodes, and Owen is left in a permanent state of undeath.[50] Owen is left to despair at his inability to eat, to drink, to enjoy sex and feel the beat of his own heart or heal from wounds.[51] Mysteriously, Weevils have begun to follow Owen as if in worship. Discharged again from Torchwood, but returns to his position after proving his sustained value as a field agent, with certain stealth advantages due to not feeling pain or having a heat signature. In subsequent episodes, two alien species ignore Owen's presence as being dead makes him of no use to them.[30][52] The flashback-centric episode "Fragments" sheds light on how Owen came to join Torchwood: Owen's fiancee Kate (Andrea Lowe) developed a parasitic alien tumor, which brought him to encouter Jack when she died; Jack notes Owen's determination and medical brilliance, and so hires him.[9] Despite his existential angst in facing life after death, the second series finale sees Owen die a second time, when he is caught in a nuclear meltdown caused by Jack's brother Gray (Lachlan Nieboer); at the same time, Toshiko dies of a gun-wound, and she and Owen spend their last minutes lamenting on never having gotten together.[10]
Literature
editOwen appears in the first six of the Torchwood novels, published by BBC Books. The first wave, Another Life by Peter Anghelides,[53] Border Princes by Dan Abnett,[54] and Slow Decay by Andy Lane,[55] were published in January 2007.
Published in March 2008, and tying in with the concurrently airing second series of Torchwood, Owen appears in the novels Trace Memory by David Llewellyn,[56] The Twilight Streets by Gary Russell,[57] and Something in the Water by Trevor Baxendale.[58]
Owen also appears in the first two Torchwood audio books, Hidden by Steven Savile, narrated by Naoko Mori (who plays Toshiko).[22] and Everyone Says Hello by Dan Abnett, narrated by Burn Gorman.[23]
The novel Another Life reveals that Owen once had a relationship with a fellow medical student, Megan Tegg, in London. When he split up with her in 2001, he moved to Cardiff to continue his medical course. In the novel Trace Memory, Owen is seen on the verge of completing his medical course in Cardiff in 2003. These appearances are consistent with his history shown in "Fragments". As with all Doctor Who and Torchwood spin-off media, the canonicity in relation to the television series is unclear.[59]
- ^ a b c Russell T Davies, Brian Kelly (2006-08-22). "Everything Changes". Torchwood. BBC Three.
- ^ a b Russell T. Davies, Brian Kelly (2006-08-22). "Cyberwoman". Torchwood. BBC Three.
- ^ "Greeks Bearing Gifts". Torchwoodcredits=Russell T. Davies, Toby Whithouse, Colin Teague. 2006-12-03. BBC.
- ^ Russell T. Davies, Paul Tomalin, Dan McCulloch, James Strong. "They Keep Killing Suzie". Torchwood. BBCairdate=2006-12-03.
- ^ a b Russell T Davies, Catherine Tregenna, Ashley Way (2007-01-01). "Captain Jack Harkness". Torchwood. BBC Three. Cite error: The named reference "CJH" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c Russell T. Davies, Chris Chibnall, Ashley Way (2007-01-01). "End of Days". Torchwood. BBC Three. Cite error: The named reference "EndofDays" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b c Chris Chibnall, Ashley Way (2008-01-16). "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang". Torchwood. BBC Two.
- ^ "Cult Spy Icon: Ianto Jones ('Torchwood')". DigitalSpy. 2008-01-13. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
- ^ a b Russell T Davies, Chris Chibnall, Jonathan Fox Bassett (2008-03-21). "Fragments". Torchwood. BBC Three.
- ^ a b c Russel T Davies, Chris Chibnall, Ashley Way (2008-04-04). "Exit Wounds". Torchwood. BBC Two.
- ^ a b Russell T Davies, Graeme Harper (2008-06-28). "The Stolen Earth". Doctor Who. BBC.
- ^ a b Russell T Davies, Graeme Harper (2008-07-06). "Journey's End". Doctor Who. BBC.
- ^ Anghelides, Peter (January 2007). Another Life. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Abnett, Dan (January 2007). Border Princes. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48654-1.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Lane, Andy (January 2007). Slow Decay. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b Llewwellyn, David (March 2008). Trace Memory. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074387.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b Russell, Gary (March 2008). The Twilight Streets. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074394.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Baxendale, Trevor (March 2008). Something in the Water. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074370.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b Goss, James (2008). Almost Pefect. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846075735.
- ^ SL Gallant (w, a), Simon Furman (w). "The Legacy of Torchwood One!" Torchwood Magazine, no. 1 (January 24, 2008). Titan Magazines.
- ^ Stephen Gray. "The Whoniverse Guide to Canon". Whoniverse.org. Retrieved 2006-12-30.
- ^ a b c d Dan Abnett (author), Burn Gorman (narrator). Everyone Says Hello (Audio book). BBC Audio.
{{cite AV media}}
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ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "hello" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ a b Joseph Lidster (author). In the Shadows (Audio book). BBC Audio.
{{cite AV media}}
: Unknown parameter|month2=
ignored (help); Unknown parameter|year2=
ignored (help) - ^ Jarrod Cooper (April 26, 2008). "Torchwood comes to Radio 4". The Doctor Who News Page. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
- ^ "Who's new in time travelling?". thewest.com.au. Retrieved 2007-07-05.
- ^ Russel T Davies, Chris Chibnall, Andy Goddard (2006-11-19). "Countrycide". Torchwood. BBC Three.
- ^ a b Russell T Davies, Catherine Tregenna, Colin Teague (2008-02-06). "Meat". Torchwood. BBC Two.
- ^ Russell T Davies, Catherine Tregenna, Andy Goddard (2008-02-13). "Adam". Torchwood. BBC Two.
- ^ a b Russell T Davies, Phil Ford, Ashley Way (2008-03-05). "Something Borrowed". Torchwood. BBC Three.
- ^ Anghelides, Peter (January 2007). Another Life. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Abnett, Dan (January 2007). Border Princes. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48654-1.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Lane, Andy (January 2007). Slow Decay. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Llewwellyn, David (March 2008). Trace Memory. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074387.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Russell, Gary (March 2008). The Twilight Streets. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074394.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Baxendale, Trevor (March 2008). Something in the Water. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074370.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Stephen Gray. "The Whoniverse Guide to Canon". Whoniverse.org. Retrieved 2006-12-30.
- ^ Jarrod Cooper (April 26, 2008). "Torchwood comes to Radio 4". The Doctor Who News Page. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
- ^ Anghelides, Peter (January 2007). Another Life. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Abnett, Dan (January 2007). Border Princes. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48654-1.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Lane, Andy (January 2007). Slow Decay. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Llewwellyn, David (March 2008). Trace Memory. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074387.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Russell, Gary (March 2008). The Twilight Streets. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074394.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Baxendale, Trevor (March 2008). Something in the Water. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074370.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Stephen Gray. "The Whoniverse Guide to Canon". Whoniverse.org. Retrieved 2006-12-30.
- ^ Russell T Davies, [[ Helen Raynor]], Colin Teague (2006-08-29). "Ghost Machine". Torchwood. BBC Three.
{{cite episode}}
: horizontal tab character in|credits=
at position 21 (help) - ^ Russell T Davies, Catherine Tregenna, Alice Troughton (2006-12-17). "Out of Time". Torchwood. BBC Three.
- ^ Russell T Davies, Noel Clark, Andy Goddard (2006-12-24). "Combat". Torchwood. BBC Three.
- ^ Russell T Davies, J.C. Wilsher, Ashley Way (2008-02-13). "Reset". Torchwood. BBC.
- ^ Russell T Davies, Matt Jones, Andy Goddard (2008-02-20). "Dead Man Walking". Torchwood. BBC.
- ^ Russell T Davies, Joseph Lidster, Andy Goddard (2008-02-27). "A Day in the Death". Torchwood. BBC.
- ^ Russell T Davies, Peter J. Hammond, Jonathan Fox Bassett (2008-03-12). "From Out of the Rain". Torchwood. BBC Three.
- ^ Anghelides, Peter (January 2007). Another Life. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Abnett, Dan (January 2007). Border Princes. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48654-1.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Lane, Andy (January 2007). Slow Decay. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-48655-8.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Llewwellyn, David (March 2008). Trace Memory. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074387.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Russell, Gary (March 2008). The Twilight Streets. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074394.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Baxendale, Trevor (March 2008). Something in the Water. BBC Books. ISBN 978-1846074370.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Stephen Gray. "The Whoniverse Guide to Canon". Whoniverse.org. Retrieved 2006-12-30.