Ianto Musings

[ithildin]

You know, something I've been pondering the last few months as I've been watching Torchwood is what if Ianto were female? My thinking is that the very things his fans like about him, they'd hate if he was a she. To me, it seems that he has a lot of characteristics that female characters are frequently bashed for in fandom.

[runs and hides from the legions of Ianto fans]

Comments

[cyberducks.livejournal.com]

If Ianto was female how many fans would be saying that Jack has been sexually harrassing the "secretary" and ogling Ianto's ass? But since this is Jack doing the ogling, it's not sexual harrassment it's delightful flirting. By the way, I am not being sarcastic, if it was me instead of Ianto Jack could have whatever he wanted from me.

I think in the end it comes down to the fact that some fans just find slash ships more attractive than most het ships. In slash it's easier to do an emotional relationship between two characters one likes without falling into romance novel territory - which is a common critiscims dumped on het fic.

But I am having a hard time imagining Ianto as a girl. For all the blubbering he did in Cyberwoman he seems very male to me.

[unovis-lj.livejournal.com]

Have to agree with you here. The only interesting thing Ianto has going for him is his sex and his appearance. He's a quiet, physically attractive man. I can't imagine him as a woman because there's not much there to work with -- in a way, he's playing a [traditional] woman's part because his gender is his identity, as far as plot and character is concerned.

Why would he be bashed, anyway? He seems like a sweet guy. He's been through his bit of hell, but he's still there. Why would he be bashed if he were a woman?

[sophiedb.livejournal.com]

Why would he be bashed if he were a woman?

Fandom doesn't always make sense, that's why *lol* Rhys got bashed for yelling at Gwen, but that was perfectly reasonable as far as I'm concerned.

Personally I find Ianto more interesting because we don't know much about him, in contrast to Owen. There's been too much information on that slimy bastard, even if he does think he's been reformed by love. Actually that probably applies to most of the characters: other than Jack, I don't really like them. They're all very human, full of faults and selfishness, which is great so long as they don't let the planet explode while chasing ex-girlfriends.

The only ones I still vaguely like are Toshiko and Rhys, maybe Ianto.. but for all we know he could be planning world destruction in that quiet head of his, rather than shagging Jack's brains out like much of fandom seems to hope :)

[unovis-lj.livejournal.com]

Honestly -- this is why I love the show to bits but have been avoiding the fandom. I think Owen's fascinating and I have no urge to pass judgment on him. I don't want to read about character bashing at all. -- I watch it like watching Seinfeld.

I didn't know what the grounds for criticism or dislike of Ianto would be (were he a man or a woman). There's his Cyberwoman secret, but that just seemed like part of the whole pattern we were being shown, of how the things the crew had to deal with were fracturing their personal relationships and warping their lives. Jack's not the stereotypical hero/leader either. He's no bowl of cherries, himself.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

I avoid most fandoms these days. I'm much happier just chatting occasionally about my favourite shows with friends, like here in this thread.

[unovis-lj.livejournal.com]

When I really love a show, I become protective of the characters -- even the ones I hate.

Writing is a different level of commitment and interaction from simple love of the show. It's one reason why I've written so little in fandoms other than Highlander -- I don't want to get involved.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

When I really love a show, I become protective of the characters -- even the ones I hate.
That makes sense -- to me at least :)

Writing is a different level of commitment and interaction from simple love of the show. It's one reason why I've written so little in fandoms other than Highlander -- I don't want to get involved.

Now that, I totally relate to. Sometimes I wish I could 'move on' fic wise, like so many of my friends seems to, but so far, I haven't mastered that particular talent.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

He's shy, quiet, endangered everyone for 'love', hangs around the handsome boss like a puppy, gets said boss to have romantic liaisons with him, serves tea for a living (well yes, he orders pizza and tidies up as well).

Rhys got jumped on for yelling at Gwen? Geez! I'd yell [g]

I still think Ianto is plotting revenge and is leading Jack on most days.

[ithildyn.livejournal.com]

No, I know you weren't being sarcastic :) Add to that, s/he'd be using sex to advance her career and such.

I don't actually consider Ianto/Jack slash because it's canon. I wouldn't expect a slash warning if I were reading TW fic, any more than I would for Willow and Tara in Buffy fic.