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sariagraySo, as I've said before, I listened to Department X on the way home from California. And, while I still have no idea what was going on in terms of plot, I really liked the interactions between Jack and Ianto (and I never much pay attention to plot, anyway). Wanna know why? Probably not. But just in case you do, read on!
First, there's the brief interaction between Ianto and Jack in the fitting room of G.R. Owens' department store. It's not so much what goes on in the fitting room itself (although we can be sure that it's probably very interesting), but what happens when they leave. I can't recall the direct quote, but it's something about how they leave laughing, and trying to stop each other from laughing, but being entirely unsuccessful.
I think this moment appeals to me so much because it illustrates how comfortable they are with each other. Comfortable enough that they can laugh (i.e. they're no longer at that "sex is serious business" seduction stage of their relationship), and let their guard down with one another. There's no posturing in that moment. It's just them, and it makes me happy to think that they had that with each other. And I love the enjoyment they seem to have in one another's company, and the pleasure it brings them.
Another pivotal moment occurs after Gwen and Jack find Ianto in the Room of Curiosities or whatever it's called. Jack approaches Ianto, and says something to the effect of, "It's good to see you," to which Ianto replies, "Likewise." Mr Owens then 'notices the intimacy' and comments that Ianto must be 'one of Jack's.' Jack essentially agrees and then states that Ianto is "one of a kind."
This, I feel, is really important. The way it's worded, it feels like Jack is staking Ianto's claim on him, rather than the other way around. In addition, Mr Owens implies that Ianto is one of many, which Jack refutes. Jack's statement is really interesting, as it suggests that his relationship with Ianto is unique - different from the past relationships that Mr Owens may have witnessed between Jack and others.
The final scene is, perhaps, my favorite. Gwen and Rhys are shopping in the city center. Outside of the old department store, she sees Jack and Ianto. She describes them, in her mind, as appearing like just an average couple in love, despite being something else. At first listen, this seemed to indicate that Jack and Ianto aren't a couple in love. But I think that that isn't the point - Gwen knows that they're looking over the rebirth of G.R. Owens.
So, while she is acknowledging that they're in love (I don't think that they'd ever pretend to appear this way - in fact, I think they'd try very hard not to), she's also noting that they're there on business. And I think this is great, because their feelings are bleeding through whatever facade they've created. Gwen is likely the first person who'd notice, as she's around them all the time.
But the enjoyment of this scene, for me, comes from the fact that someone else recognizes this level of affection between them. I love getting the outside perspective of their relationship, and I really liked how casually this was noted.
And this last bit isn't so much a scene as it is a line. Or, just part of a line. In his thoughts, Ianto refers to Jack as his best friend. I know people get into a bit of an uproar over the use of that title, and I admit to being a little disappointed at first, too. But the more I think about it, the more I like it. Because Jack has had MANY lovers, but how many best friends has he had? Being Jack's best friend is something uniquely special. At the same time, I don't think there's a huge distinction in their minds between "lover" and "best friend." Besides, how many couples describe their partners as being their best friends? Tons. I think using this 'title' was really appropriate for them. It illustrates the level of companionship between them, and I really like that. I don't think it negates what they feel for each other at all.
First, there's the brief interaction between Ianto and Jack in the fitting room of G.R. Owens' department store. It's not so much what goes on in the fitting room itself (although we can be sure that it's probably very interesting), but what happens when they leave. I can't recall the direct quote, but it's something about how they leave laughing, and trying to stop each other from laughing, but being entirely unsuccessful.
I think this moment appeals to me so much because it illustrates how comfortable they are with each other. Comfortable enough that they can laugh (i.e. they're no longer at that "sex is serious business" seduction stage of their relationship), and let their guard down with one another. There's no posturing in that moment. It's just them, and it makes me happy to think that they had that with each other. And I love the enjoyment they seem to have in one another's company, and the pleasure it brings them.
Another pivotal moment occurs after Gwen and Jack find Ianto in the Room of Curiosities or whatever it's called. Jack approaches Ianto, and says something to the effect of, "It's good to see you," to which Ianto replies, "Likewise." Mr Owens then 'notices the intimacy' and comments that Ianto must be 'one of Jack's.' Jack essentially agrees and then states that Ianto is "one of a kind."
This, I feel, is really important. The way it's worded, it feels like Jack is staking Ianto's claim on him, rather than the other way around. In addition, Mr Owens implies that Ianto is one of many, which Jack refutes. Jack's statement is really interesting, as it suggests that his relationship with Ianto is unique - different from the past relationships that Mr Owens may have witnessed between Jack and others.
The final scene is, perhaps, my favorite. Gwen and Rhys are shopping in the city center. Outside of the old department store, she sees Jack and Ianto. She describes them, in her mind, as appearing like just an average couple in love, despite being something else. At first listen, this seemed to indicate that Jack and Ianto aren't a couple in love. But I think that that isn't the point - Gwen knows that they're looking over the rebirth of G.R. Owens.
So, while she is acknowledging that they're in love (I don't think that they'd ever pretend to appear this way - in fact, I think they'd try very hard not to), she's also noting that they're there on business. And I think this is great, because their feelings are bleeding through whatever facade they've created. Gwen is likely the first person who'd notice, as she's around them all the time.
But the enjoyment of this scene, for me, comes from the fact that someone else recognizes this level of affection between them. I love getting the outside perspective of their relationship, and I really liked how casually this was noted.
And this last bit isn't so much a scene as it is a line. Or, just part of a line. In his thoughts, Ianto refers to Jack as his best friend. I know people get into a bit of an uproar over the use of that title, and I admit to being a little disappointed at first, too. But the more I think about it, the more I like it. Because Jack has had MANY lovers, but how many best friends has he had? Being Jack's best friend is something uniquely special. At the same time, I don't think there's a huge distinction in their minds between "lover" and "best friend." Besides, how many couples describe their partners as being their best friends? Tons. I think using this 'title' was really appropriate for them. It illustrates the level of companionship between them, and I really like that. I don't think it negates what they feel for each other at all.
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no subject
Date: 2011-10-19 10:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-20 12:20 am (UTC)(I totally have similar arguments!)
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Date: 2011-10-19 11:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-20 12:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-20 12:23 am (UTC)I like the use of "best friend" there. To my mind, it makes perfect sense for partners to be that to one another. Was with my late fiance and me.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-21 09:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-21 10:24 am (UTC)PS: The "best friend" thing - at first I was a bit irritated as well, but then I thought about it and saw that it really is more than being lovers. I think Jack and Ianto's relationship is much too often defined through sex and rarely through their way of confiding in each other, which they seem to do quite freqeuently.
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Date: 2011-10-21 09:15 pm (UTC)*Nod* I totally agree. I think it's interesting how we (by which I mean fandom in general) consider sex to be the most important indicator of a relationship, while the characters on the show clearly do not. It's important, sure, but not the most important. Especially not with someone like Jack.
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Date: 2011-10-22 11:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 07:13 pm (UTC)I found the "best friend" thing weird for a moment, but it is exactly right for them.
no subject
Date: 2011-10-25 09:01 pm (UTC)It IS right for them, that's just it. :D