paratti

A Day in the Death That was lovely. Burn knocked it out of the park again. The ongoing consequences remain real, awful and very permanent yet because of the pacing and this episode's choose life, seize any moment of joy in the darkness philosophy they've managed to pitch it just right and not drag it out beyond all patience.

I loved the writing. They made great use of the ensemble and the plot twist at the end that he wasn't there to off himself but save her was definitely a good twist and not a bad gotcha. Maggie was a great counterpoint and shadow double for Owen in an on-going great use of doubles - as well as another great guest actress. She was also a character in her own right, not just a tragedy. And the Doctor as well as the human in Owen saved her by reaching her, while retaining his gitness.

The relationship with Tosh continues to be an intriguing dance and one that I want to see play out. I love that the admirer of Tosh's legs popped his clogs. Girl's curse remains intact. Is evol. At least as Owen's already dead she can't kill him again. Though given how permanently breakable he is now she better be careful, and possibly avant garde to get round the no sensation as well as no blood flow to crucial areas issues.

Richard Briers didn't get much to do, but given how terrible he was in the heniously appalling Paradise Towers this is not a bad thing. And his knowing as much about Team Torchwood as they knew about him was cool. He also moved Owen's story along nicely.

And the episode gave Owen's story the due it needed and deserved while still managing the meta job of setting up Martha as long term Owen replacement should that become necessary and keeping the door open for her to pop in if it isn't.

Though it has to be said that with Martha trying out Lips of Jack, Martha/Jack has no chemistry at all, which could limit the appeal of Jack and his harem - given that Tosh's Lips of Death wouldn't be a major problem for Jack.

Loved the Tintin references - as I'm sure Mr Moffat is too. Herge's Adventures of Tintin! The dog fucker. Snerk.

Douglas Adams/Hitchhikers mostly harmless reference:) Loves.

Loved the Owen-Ianto bonding over coffee making and Owen being so bad at it, but trying.

Packing up the food, drink and cosmetics was heartbreaking.

Lovely glimpse into the inner Ianto and his perspective on his thing with Jack.

Owen should wear blue more. The towel really suited him. And the office could get bulk discounts on blue male clothing.

I like that they included the spray in the montage - everybody needs a montage. Just as I like that Owen's continuing to be brutally honest with Tosh and that there is an element of truth in what he's saying, even though she really does want him and love him. Wibbles.

I also love that the team were looking into his condition and trying to help and reach out, even when it was Jack doing tough love. Loves them all so much for doing it and the writers for realising that characters we're supposed to love do that sort of thing.

I love that they showed just how breakable Owen was yet he still took out the two big security guards and went for the electricity. And still more that he might be broken and breakable but he's still a doctor and the worst thing was that he couldn't save a patient.

Most of all I love that the thing that saved him and Maggie. The seize, leap on, grab on with all you have to the moments of joy and light in the universe, be it something as mundane as a morning cigarette, that first sip of tea or that there is other light, other music and others in this vast, dark universe and we can make contact, we can sing to each other.

Lovely. Just lovely.