I just don't get it.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

Fandom vs. Non-fandom in regards to Gwen and Ianto



On one of the other message broads we were having a discussion about Series 2 and speculated about how Ianto *might* be killed off.

Here's the part of the conversation I found interesting.

'tanarian wrote:
Jan. 5th, 2008 08:53 pm (UTC)

As I said to cyberamanda above, Ianto hasn't made much of an impact with the non-fannish audience. I haven't been able to find one that even remembered him as anything more than 'and the other one'. We've noticed him, but TPTB will be going with the main audience and they are more focused on Jack, Gwen and (from some of the polls I've seen) Owen. '

The first part of the conversation, about Ianto being 'the other guy' I can understand; Ianto is a very minor character outside of the fandom because of his small amount of screen time, as much as I hate it. But the second part, about non-fandom people really liking Gwen, I just don't understand (maybe because they don't watch from week to week they just don't realize what a horrible character she is). Could someone who has non-fandom friends ask them why they like Gwen so much.

Comments

[jo19844-twfic.livejournal.com]

my non fandom friends dont like gwen at all!

[carma-chaos.livejournal.com]

I am honestly fed up with TPTB thinking Gwen is a good character when she's the kind of person who, in real life, everyone detests.

Also, RTD and his writers are getting on my nerves with this. I don't think RTD has ever managed to do anything that portrays homosexuality in a good light. Sure, Jack/Ianto might not be seedy but it sill doesn't show any form of commitment and if we're honest, Jack comes of as just as much of a whore as Gwen. Don't get me started on QaF. For someone who believes it is his vocation in life to advocate homosexuality he is doing a terrible job of it because, as it may hve been noted, so far in Jack's life the only people he has truely had an emotional connection over prolonged periods of time with have been: Rose, Estelle and hiting at Gwen.

Sorry for going off on one but this just triggered all of this. So, at the end of the day, I think Gwen will always been there as the Mary Sue character because for a show that advocates gay rights it's too damn afraid to actually show a happy, prolonged gay couple without putting the emphasis on the fact it's gay. Heterosexuality is better for the ratings, let's face it.

[estarcollector.livejournal.com]

if we're honest, Jack comes of as just as much of a whore as Gwen.

THANK YOU. If I'm going to be brutally honest, I have trouble liking Jack because of this. It seems like every time he has the chance for a good, solid relationship, he runs off to flirt with the next 5000 things that come along instead. I suspect that's part of why he can "confide" in her--he knows she's no better than he is and thinks she won't judge him for it. Of course, he wasn't figuring on Gwen being a sanctimonious cow, but that's another story.

OTOH, I think this is why they would never last as a couple: they're both cheaters, but both seem to expect commitment from the person they're cheating on. (Or, at least that's the vibe I get.)

*whew* Sorry, didn't mean to turn that into a rant. For the record, I only know one person who likes Gwen--and that person is, herself, a whiny and selfish brat.

[kellysaysrawrrx.livejournal.com]

hell no.
if Ianto dies i'll self destruct or something.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean, I have always said that if they kill him off and have Jack fall into Gwen's arms I'll stop watching the show.

[kellysaysrawrrx.livejournal.com]

i would too tbh
and then i'd go kick some writer ass.
lmao xD

RTD and writers

[jennelldhalrbj.livejournal.com]

I have already said my opinion on RTD more than once but I will say it again. RTD is a mediocre writer who has the occasional good idea. The other writers for the show are probably following guidelines. RTD is also, if you watch or listen to him being interviewed you will know what I mean instantly, not quite sane.
As for people liking Gwen---I sing and play two instruments and I know a very large number of people. During the first season I did my own little poll. I asked folk if they watched Torchwood- if they said yes I then asked them to mark the cast and what they thought of them out of 100. I then calculated the average { I also took into account the standard deviation etc etc}.
The results were as follows:
Jack 55
Ianto 33
Tosh 08
Owen 02
Gwen 02.
This was half way through season one. At the end of the season I bothered everyone again and ended up with the following:
Jack 56
Ianto 34
Tosh 09
Owen 01
Gwen 00
As you can see this definateley proves that people are most interested in Jack, Gwen and sometimes Owen.

Re: RTD and writers

[jennelldhalrbj.livejournal.com]

Meant to mention that the ration of females to males I interviewed was 9:11, approx. I also know that 4 of the males ware Gay and 1 of the females {she hates Gwen by the way}.

[sagrario martínez castro (from livejournal.com)]

I think Russell was just desperate. How the writers could not know the real most loved characters?!? Everybody know it the truth!

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

Of course