DAY FOUR Original Transmission
Cast Captain Jack John Barrowman
Crew Written by Russell T Davies (episodes 1, 3,
5)
Plot Outline from Wikipedia A flashback to 1965 Scotland reveals that Jack delivered the children to the 456 in exchange for a cure for a new virus that the 456 claim will mutate and kill 25 million people. In present day, the 456 allow a cameraman wearing an isolation suit into the chamber, to show what they do with the children. His camera reveals an alien accompanied by a sickly-looking child (apparently un-aged), wearing a respirator. This exposes the 1965 conspiracy; the American general reprimands the PM. The government tries to bargain with the aliens but fails and so yields; they will deliver the requested "units" to the aliens, the bottom 10% of failing schools.
Lois confronts the cabinet with a message from Torchwood, announcing that they have recorded their discussions. This allows Jack and Ianto to confront the 456. Rhys hides with the recordings, while Gwen and Clem await Johnson. When Johnson arrives, Gwen confronts her with the truth to break her resolve and the two watch as Jack and Ianto tell the 456 they will not sacrifice a single life. In response the 456 release a new virus into Thames House which will kill everyone inside. The building spontaneously goes into lock-down. Ianto threatens the 456, demanding a cure. He and Jack shoot without effect at the bullet-proof container. Saying "The remnant will be disconnected," the 456 kill Clem via his psychic connection to the alien. Ianto succumbs to the virus and dies in Jack's arms; Jack dies as well. The PM orders Frobisher to continue with the plan. Gwen uncovers Jack and Ianto's bodies; Jack resurrects and the two mourn Ianto's death.
Analysis by Cuisle A lot happened in this story. But there’s only one thing that matters. Ianto’s death. The internet is buzzing with it. It is the most unexpected, shocking TV character’s demise for a long time. It was, of course, kept completely under wraps so it really did come as a shock. And it had to be the most emotive death scene on TV for decades. Jack’s tears as he begged Ianto not to leave him were so real, I just wonder what personal pain John Barrowman had to evoke to make them happen. Ianto’s request to Jack, to remember him, even in a thousand years’ time, was such a tender moment. And it is all the more so in context of the radio play that preceded the series. In the Dead Line, while Jack was in a coma, Ianto confessed to him that he feared he would be no more than a blip on Jack’s radar in years to come even if he died of old age.
It’s actually quite hard to write about Ianto’s death in any kind of objective way. Yes, I keep reminding myself it’s just a TV programme. But anyone who watched Day Four, anyone who has been watching it all week, feels that this is more than just a television programme. It transcends any emotions ever engendered by soap operas or reality TV. It has gripped the nation in a huge way. And those of us who were always fans from the start are feeling it deeply. Ianto Jones was a character we all came to love. We hoped his relationship with Jack would pay off and both would find a deep, lasting love that would complete their lives. And that was happening until last night, when Ianto fell victim to the 456. Now, Jack is hurting like he never hurt before – though we’ve got reason to think he’s going to hurt even more on Day Five. Where do they go from here? Aside from the big shock, the episode turned up the action big time. Agent Johnson got nastier. The world got more scared. The 456 killed relentlessly.
But the worst monsters of them all, for my money, were the cabinet who sat there and argued about how to choose ten per cent of the children. And worst of all was the one who decided that the ‘waste’ of the nation, the children of the unemployed, the under achievers, could be spared. She sounded so plausible when she said that, it is possible to imagine some government minister thinking that was a good way to deal with child poverty in Britain. What else are school league tables for, after all, as she pointed out. I’m not especially fond of that class of British society commonly known as chavs, and so ably portrayed in Torchwood in Ianto’s sister and her family. But they are people, too. And the thought of some snooty cabinet minister condemning them as waste that nobody would miss was a sickening and all too easy to believe scenario. That scene, as uncomfortable as it was, has to be some of the finest writing on Torchwood. It vindicates the writers and producers.
But ultimately, I can’t help coming back to that last scene where Jack and Gwen kneel by Ianto’s body and hold onto each other, looking for comfort where there is none to be had. Gwen’s last words ‘There’s nothing we can do’ seem all too true. It’s hard to know how the Human race are going to survive this.
|
|
|
|
