If you're a regular viewer of the BBC sci-fi series Torchwood, you're more than aware of the recent dust up between fans and writers over a major character death in this past season's finale. Angry fans immediately ran to message boards to express their displeasure with the direction the show has taken, but now, that angry fan reaction seems to have taken a sudden and serious turn for the worse.Before we get too far into this, I'm putting a spoiler warning on this post, even though the episode in question has already aired in the U.S. For anyone still saving it on their DVR, beware. It's a biggie.
It wouldn't be the first time furious fans have taken to the Internet to vent, but now, those angry over the death of Ianto Jones, main character Jack Harkness' main squeeze, have started to send death threats to show's writers.
Trust me, I understand the impulse that makes fans want to threaten bodily harm to writers for screwing with their favorite shows, but this is taking it too far. The comments posted on a UK fan board and reported by WalesOnline are not just over the top, but go a long way towards giving cult fans, in general, a bad wrap.
One user wrote that she planned to track down the writer responsible for killing off her favorite 'ship and "murder them in a horrific way. In an incredible horrific and painful way. They will never be able to walk again or move any part of their body. They will be a vegetable." Another irate fan wrote: "Kill them painfully! With ties and coffee machines!!"
Wow. To be fair, and as far as I can tell, while there has been much rending of garments over Ianto's death, the majority of fan responses have been of shock and sadness, not extreme violence. But, it's this kind of reaction that reflects badly on all fans, not just the ones in this particular fandom. Cult fans already have a reputation (deserved or not) for over-the-top, obsessive behavior that lacks any and all perspective. Reactions as violent as the one posted above make me want to distance myself from that "fan" label, as well.
For what it's worth, Gareth David-Lloyd, who plays Ianto, was "appalled" by the online comments and basically advised that fans get a grip. Emotional involvement is one thing, but it really is just a TV show.
We can all agree that this is a bit messed up, but come clean now, has there been a TV death or sudden and swift plot change that's made you even one iota as upset as Torchwood fans are over the recent death of Ianto? Spill in the comments!
Update: So, as some fans have noted in the comments, there seems to be a debate about the original intent of the comments posted by the users above. I'm not going to jump into the fray about who meant what, but every savvy internet user knows that comments posted in the heat of the moment, jokingly or not, can back fire, as this seems to have done.
Update 2: Ok, as previously noted above, not all fans have reacted with such misdirected fervor. Other Torchwood fans have set up a memorial for the character here http://www.justgiving.com/
[Source: Walesonline.co.uk]















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-03-2009 @ 9:15PM
Jeff (Not that one ^ ) said...
"murder them in a horrific way. In an incredible horrific and painful way. They will never be able to walk again or move any part of their body. They will be a vegetable."
I'm not sure that I'd worry to much over threats from someone who doesn't seem to grasp that if someone is murdered--and thus dead, then they wouldn't be able to "walk again or move any part of their body" anyway.
Idiots.
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8-03-2009 @ 9:29PM
Claire said...
Have these people not see LOST or 24 or every series Joss Whedon has created? Hello Owen and Tosh, do they watch their own show? Or am I just jaded by shows that actually kill it's characters.
Yes, I was saddened by Ianto's death. Yes, I wish it was for a better reason and under better circumstances. Yes, I am a Jack/Ianto shipper. But, the character died for the sake of the story. Children of Earth was about loss and mistakes. and...it's just a show! Channel that anger for the deaths of real people.
I have to agree that they're hurting fandom in general. We don't need anymore negative stereotypes.
Have to say, this was all really bugging me these last few weeks.
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8-03-2009 @ 9:49PM
Joe Siegler said...
Why did this not happen for Tosh? She was a way more interesting character. And much hotter, too. She was frozen at the end of last season, but unless the Torchwood morgue was really REALLY underground, it was blown up, taking Tosh's body with it.
It's people like this that make me ashamed to be a Sci-Fi fan. Doofuses. William Shater had something to say to you in 1986. Look it up.
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8-03-2009 @ 10:33PM
RobynM said...
Yes, I was crying buckets when Ianto died, but death threats? That's just too much. Unfortunately, it's going to get a lot of press because it plays up the stereotype that scifi fans are nutters to begin with.
Personally, I'd rather see more attention given to the JustGiving page set up for donating to Children In Need in Ianto's memory. Definitely a much classier way to express one's feelings over the situation.
http://www.justgiving.com/iantojones
Joe - I was brokenhearted when Tosh died too, but I think there was less of an outcry because Ianto had a much bigger fanbase. Go figure.
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8-03-2009 @ 10:36PM
Jody said...
I support the Ianto campaign, but threats like this disgust me! They're just angry silly fans who vent their anger in really aggressive and stupid ways.
The thing is, there have only been a few horrible comments like this and it really does severely over-shadow the majority of fans who campaign in the right way.
I'm upset that someone actually informed Gareth David-Lloyd about this. He probably now thinks that most of the campaigners are aggressive, and that's incredibly upsetting to the fans who are as respectful as possible when they're campaigning for his return. And this has obviously just worried him, so why involve the actors at all? It's not fair on them.
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8-03-2009 @ 10:42PM
rbygivens said...
I don't suppose you got this article from Wales On-Line, did you? You know, where the writer didn't even take the time to research the fandom he was reporting on, not knowing that "Janto" wasn't a silly misspelling? Over there where it was explained that the comment came from Deviant Art, a 16 year old fan, who was terribly embarrased that her joke posted on a private journal was being used by adults to discredit a peaceful protest? A peaceful protest that has raised over 4,000 GPS for Children in Need? A protest that at its foundation is respect for all?
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Sheesh. Why is everyone so lazy nowadays. Why don't youse guys try doing some research for yourselves instead of surfing the internet to find the most salacious stuff.
Whether one loved CoE, or hated it, both groups have the right to speak their minds, neither with hateful, hurtful words. And that goes for the media, too.
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8-03-2009 @ 10:55PM
Jippy said...
I am agree with you Joe and I agree with Robyn M too.
I feeling sad when Tosh and Owen die. But Ianto was special (for me) to the show. Him and Jack is the reason why I watch the show. Yes this a TV Show, but I am a fan, I read all the books and I watch all the episodes. I feel very sorry for Gareth David-Lloyd because I think this is just children who write that with a shock of emotion. The children don't understand write sentance like that is not tolerate on the web and now I think they understand now. I feel very upset this all the fandom who have a bad reputation now.
I support the campaign to bring back Ianto and I stay polite and calm because this is for Gareth I do that and I think without him, the show is over. I think the death of Ianto is not necessery to continue the story.
I feel very bad for the writers and Gareth because I never write threats like that. Me too I feel bad now to be a fan of Torchwood after read this review because this is all the fandom who have a bad reputation.
But all the comments of this members for the campaign to bring back Ianto Jones are intelligent, calm and polite. I do that for the children in need and my support to Gareth because I think he need is place on the show.
Never Gareth would be inform for comments by children. What he think now.
French speaker for the french fandom
http://www.saveiantojones.com
http://www.justgiving.com/iantojones
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8-03-2009 @ 10:52PM
Kitty said...
Morons write crazy stuff on the internet on every topic under the sun. From politics to pop music. Check the comments on just about any YouTube video and you'll find someone typing about how the star of the video should "die" or "be killed". It's meaningless. Posting violent language on an internet message board doesn't constitute a "death threat". If any of these people actually sent a message directly to one of the writers of the show saying "watch out, I'm going to kill you" THAT is a death threat and should be reported to police. THIS however is the kind of nonsense that anyone even remotely familiar with the workings of the internet should recognise as innocuous rant-ranting. And, frankly, if you want to drag Gareth David-Lloyd into it (and the journalist who called him about this should be ashamed of themselves for worrying him over nothing) I'd advise checking his MySpace page and reading what he typed he would like to do to George W Bush ("rip his fuckin head off" I believe is an exact quote). Does THAT contsitute a "death threat" against the former president of the United States? Gosh, maybe someone should write an article about how Welsh actors are violently anti-American... [/sarcasm.]
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8-03-2009 @ 11:14PM
Tardigger said...
"Gosh, maybe someone should write an article about how Welsh actors are violently anti-American..."
This is brilliant.
8-03-2009 @ 10:52PM
Alex Ess said...
I didn't see a reason why Ianto HAD to die, since it seemed like his death was meant to further Jack's characterization and not the story as a whole. Still, at the end of the day, it's the writers' story and they can kill as many imaginary people as they want. It's not like they killed Gareth David-Lloyd.
On the other hand, threats are a staple in a lot of online fandoms. Every fanbase has got a segment people who don't know which lines they can't cross. I sometimes wonder who thought it was a smart idea to go to James Moran's (Day Three) blog to lash out at the writers in his comment section, because I have a feeling no one would've paid attention to the violently charged fans if Moran hadn't felt forced to write a blog post on the matter.
Can't lie, though. I'm mildly amused that so many more people are showing "outrage" at Ianto's death when Owen and Tosh's deaths seemed a lot more pointless.
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8-03-2009 @ 10:54PM
Chrys said...
The wales online article was poorly researched and used comments from someone's blog, disregarding the fact that she was a teenager making a (poorly phrased) joke. The writer couldn't even be bothered to actually research the fandom enough to know an extremely common contraction, how could he possibly present the fandom fairly?
The movement to protest Ianto Jone's death is based on the fact that the fandom was promised things that never materialized, was given a show with huge plot holes that basically ignored the established parameters of the characters to fit them into a story that was not Torchwood at all, and then a beloved character was killed for no real advancement of the storyline, despite the statement that "it was needed in order to allow Jack to kill his grandson". No, Jack had already shown that he was capable of doing what he had to. Ianto was killed gratuitously, rocking a fandom that had already been devastated by the deaths of Owen and Tosh. But their deaths made sense in the storyline, Ianto's did not.
The protest is peaceful, with letters and coffee sent to the BBC, and money being raised for Children in Need. The twisted journalism on the part of the person who posted the wales online article in no way depicts the fandom response fairly.
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8-03-2009 @ 11:13PM
Tardigger said...
I have read thousands of comments about Children of Earth, both in praise and in disagreement, with the direction taken by the writers in plot and characterization. Some postulate that Russell T. Davies is a brilliant and innovative storyteller, while others remain convinced that his disdainful and dismissive disrespect of its fan base has struck the death knoll for their beloved Torchwood. Some loved this iteration of Torchwood, while other vowed never to watch the series again.
Yes, there are a few, an insubstantial few, who in their immediate anguish at the death of their favorite character, Ianto Jones, posted intemperate and threatening comments towards Mr. Davies and his fellow writers. Those few who stepped far beyond the line of what is acceptable rhetoric, were quickly condemned and quieted by their fellow posters; hateful and threatening comments have no place on the Torchwood comms and have thankfully disappeared from view.
If you had read the comments accompanying the Wales Online article, you would have learned that the comments cited were posted by three teenagers. Rather than illustrating a "sudden and serious turn for the worse," these comments, which were made almost four weeks ago in the immediate aftermath of Ianto Jones' death, do not forecast a trend. They highlight the emotional immaturity of three adolescent girls.
Only the most miniscule portion of fans saddened by the demise of Ianto Jones and concerned about the fate of Torchwood have posted comments similar to those cited in the Wales Online article and reiterated here. The many thousands of other Torchwood fans, however, reflecting myriad opinions both pro and con towards Children of Earth and Mr. Davies, remain united by one common element - respectful disagreement through open discourse.
Did you investigate the facts in the Wales Online article at all? Did you read any of the comments that refute the basic premise of that article? Did you search any of the fan boards personally to determine if the "sudden and serious turn" in fan response does in fact exit? Or did you just accept that if it was published on Wales Online it must be true and accurate?
There are degrees of truth Mr. Jhaveri; as a reporter you are charged with checking facts and verifying the truth of what you write to the nth degree before publishing what could be an inflamatory article.
One very small aspect of the fan protest to Children of Earth has held up for well-deserved criticism. As a fair and impartial journalist, I hope you will agree that a more balanced article is now in order. One that encompasses not only the peaceful and respectful efforts of fans who been calmly writing and sending coffee to the BBC, but also the disdainful and dismissive remarks of series creator Russell T. Davies, who attributes the campaign to nothing more than the furious internet typing of nine hysterical women.
Speaking of whom, countless cards, letters, and e-mails, hundreds of coffee packets, and thousands of pounds raised for two British-based charities is not bad work for nine lone hysterical women. Now, there is a story actually worth reporting.
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8-04-2009 @ 9:38AM
Joe Siegler said...
Tardigger...
You said "Some postulate that Russell T. Davies is a brilliant and innovative storyteller, while others remain convinced that his disdainful and dismissive disrespect of its fan base has struck the death knoll for their beloved Torchwood."
I don't believe that. Control of the characters and control of the story belong to the people who MAKE the show, not the people who WATCH the show.
Back in the 70's at one of the early Star Trek Conventions, Gene Roddenberry was asked any number of fan based "It would be cool if you did.." things. His response was brilliant. "If I listened to the fans, Star Trek would be sh1t!" I happen to agree with him. The majority of fan based proposals and movements are pointless. I completely buy people saying they don't like Ianto dying. I have no problems with that.
But to claim they know better that RTD is ruining the show, things of that nature? No. You're wrong. It's RTD's show, he can do whatever the frig he wants.
I actually thought about this a bit. We're down to just two characters from Torchwood as it was when it started. If you look over the existing backstory of Torchwood, how many times would Jack have had to restart the Torchwood personnel? There was that flashback one where one of the Torchwood people killed everyone. Jack would ahve just outlived most of them. I think the basic concept of Torchwood is "Jack's people defending the Earth". We shouldn't get to attached to the supporting characters, I think. Should there be one, I expect Torchwood 4 is Jack, Gwen, Gwen's husband, and some new people. I don't see Tosh or Ianto coming back.
I support RTD, I just wish he'd come out and take the Roddenberry stance of "Don't care what the fans think".
Had there been an Internet when it was new, I shudder to think what people would have said of Blake's 7. They regularly killed off their lead characters - and the series finale of that? Wow, some of these Ianto Jones nutters would have had their heads explode over the finale of Blake's 7 most likely.
9-04-2009 @ 2:44PM
KB13 said...
I seriously cannot believe that you dragged this over from Wales online. Maybe you could present both sides of the story? Like the first viewer was a young teenager and posted on a blog. You make it sound like she sent actual letters to writers. The second viewer already admitted it was a joke and she didn't mean it.
What good is this article? It's hurts the fans and Gareth too. Please, I ask you to do away with it. It's hurtful and cruel to people who just trying to get back a character and tv show they love. Why do you have to be negative? Because it gets you attention and comments?
If this makes YOU want to distance yourself from the fan label, then why the hell did you put it here?
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8-04-2009 @ 12:03AM
KB13 said...
Oh, stop your name calling. I'm so tired of that Shatner line - you do realize it was from a Saturday Night Live skit. As in, it was suppose to be funny. I've been to many conventions and I can find the humor in them. As to who was hotter, I guess it's to who your tastes run.
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8-04-2009 @ 7:21AM
Crazy for Ianto said...
Keep spreading the word about the utter craziness that sometimes happens in the fabulous, but slightly insane world of fandom. Hey, if the folks that are determined to "make" the BBC change their minds, in the hopes that they can "influence" RTD or any of the writers associated with Torchwood to bring back *their* darling 'teaboy' Ianto Jones back, then they can deal with other articles about certain intense Ianto and Janto fans, regardless of how old they may be. About a two weeks ago, a 40 something year-old female fans was ranting and raving about how what happened in CoE, somehow triggered his/her mental condition and she/he wanted to write a letter to the BBC to complain about it.
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8-03-2009 @ 11:59PM
KB13 said...
This isn't that much about Ianto, for me, but fandom in general. It sheds a very bad light on fans every where. Yes, there is the fringe element in every organization but do we really need to spotlight them? How about you minimize the back stabbing, sarcastic comments and take a look at the bigger picture here? You admit to the craziness of fandom but wouldn't you rather see the positive side then to be dragged through the proverbial mud??
8-04-2009 @ 12:06AM
JP said...
This is just a myth. I really don't understand why you said that.
A professional journalist show the real, not the myth.
Some people have bad condition and not all the mental and you should not treat them like that. It's not because you are not ok with the fact we want Ianto back you should treat them like hysteric. How long time you are a Torchwood fans? Have you see all the episodes, have you see and listen the RTD promises to the first fans. Have you read the books. I think not because you don't understand. This not only we want Ianto back, this is for the children in need with the honour of the death of Ianto.
8-03-2009 @ 11:40PM
Jippy said...
I think you should apologise and remove this review because this is not true. The Wales Online had made bad research. You should apologise for Gareth David-Lloyd and all the fans of Torchwood. You are a journalist, show what happen for real. Not three comments made by children.
Talk about the comments wrote by adult, not by children.
Seriously, you should be sorry to published that. If you are Gareth, would you be happy now?
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8-04-2009 @ 1:10AM
Tony said...
Face it people, TVSquad is hardly a credible news source. Calling these bloggers "journalists" is an insult to journalists everywhere. Why should they be bogged down with minor things like fact-checking when there are more serious things to report on (like how the Olive Garden is promoting incest in its commercials). Kudos to you, Hemal Jhaveri, for your thankless job of spreading ignorance to the masses.
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