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2.1 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Gwen: "Taking charge again, are you?" Jack: "I was hoping for a little power struggle, resolved by some naked wrestling." I loved every moment of this episode. And not just because I'm a big fan of the talented James Marsters. Coincidentally, considering the guest star, the opening scenes with the coked-up blowfish reminded me a lot of Buffy when she was gone and the Scoobies were trying to slay vampires on their own. Frankly, I didn't think the rest of Torchwood had any right to be angry at Jack for taking off without notice, seeing as they'd killed him and all. He had all the validation he could ever need or want to skip town for as long as he chose. So Jack comes back, newly committed to his mates at Torchwood, and what does he get? His past arrives and tries to kill everybody. "John Hart" was a lot like Jack, except without a conscience or anything resembling restraint. That bar scene was something special. Scorching kisses, gratuitous violence, what more could a fan of both John Barrowman and James Marsters ask for? Hart is a killer with impulse control issues. I had gotten the impression that he was obsessively in love with Jack, but then he tossed Jack off that building without even hesitating. Jack coming back completely freaked Hart out, which was great fun. And Torchwood wasn't as easy to take down as Hart thought, either. The Torchies all got to be cool in this episode, and seem to be clicking together much better now. The other really fun bit was Jack and his office romances. I really liked Eve Myles' performance in that hallway scene where Jack started to kiss Gwen, and stopped when he noticed her ring. She was very droll; it was almost like she was daring Jack to go further. Like son of a gun, look at my engagement ring, what are you going to do about it, mister? Did she want Jack to do something about it? I bet she did. Why didn't he? After Gwen told Jack she was engaged, Jack backed off, switched gears, and asked Ianto out on a date. At least Jack is consistent; it's always been Gwen and Ianto, and sadly for Ianto, in pretty much that order. (I can't see him ever hitting on Owen or Tosh.) Ianto also had to deal with Jack's crazy ex, and suffered the indignity of being referred to as "eye candy." Poor Ianto. This entire episode was a noticeable step up from season one -- witty and on target, and it never stopped moving for a moment. Best of all, it revolved around something important: the rest of Torchwood accepting Jack for who and what he really is. They know a lot more about Jack now: time agent from the future, con man, and they already knew he couldn't die. Maybe Jack will find it easier to trust them and confide in them now. Although they did kill him last season, so... maybe not. "I found Gray." Gray who? Stay tuned. Bits and pieces: -- So I guess all time agents are omnisexual. Or maybe all 51st century people are. (Loved Hart's comment about the poodle.) -- Hart referred to identities as what they were wearing. Notice how we didn't get real names from either of them. But they both seem to prefer the initials JH, as well as period military. Is it a time agent thing? -- Apparently, the Time Agency isn't doing too well. There are only seven agents left. Maybe they do to all of their employees what they did to Jack. (In "The Doctor Dances," Jack said he quit after he'd inexplicably lost two years of memories.) -- Owen said he has stopped sleeping around and is looking for something meaningful. And he was very protective of Tosh when Hart hurt her. What a nice change. I liked it. -- Owen got shot *again.* He's been getting shot a lot lately. But at least he got to save the day this time. After all the badness he pulled last season, it was about time. So to speak. -- Loved the little tribute to Star Wars. The "thirsty now" comment Hart made was a bit of a Buffyism, too. -- Ianto again had fun with a stopwatch. He really does like them. -- Rhys got a better job. Good timing. Quotes (and I had to restrain myself; this section was originally twice as long): Gwen: "Excuse me. Have you seen a blowfish driving a sports car? (Woman points down the street) Thank you." Woman: "Bloody Torchwood." Gwen: "All I'm saying is, you are speeding and there are children." Owen: "Well, if kids are out at midnight, they've got it coming." Gwen: "Can you deal with the body when it's cold?" Ianto: "My pleasure. And I shall be making sushi." Tosh: "Where were you?" Jack: "I found my Doctor." Owen: "Did he fix you?" Jack: "What's to fix? You don't mess with this level of perfection." In other words, no. Jack: "Hey, I worked my way up through the ranks." Hart: "I bet the ranks were very grateful." Jack: "You went to murder rehab?" Hart: "I know! Ridiculous. The odd kill, who does it hurt?" Hart: "It was like having a wife." Jack: "You were the wife." Hart: "*You* were the wife." Jack: "No, *you* were the wife." Hart: "Oh, but I was a good wife." Hart: "Get two time agents in the same room together, it's always about the size of the wrist strap." Hart: "You live in a sculpture. Could you be any more pretentious?" Hart: "What is this? Sewer chic?" Jack: "Down on one knee?" Gwen: "Well, he tried to, and then he had a twinge in his back and had to lie on the settee." Ianto: "Are you asking me out on a date?" Jack: "Interested?" Ianto: "Well, as long as it's not in an office. Some fetishes should be kept to yourself." Loved it. Four out of four stars, Billie View all comments or post a comment. |
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