I understand Gwen needing someone to relate to because she's unprepared for the things she's dealing with. And I do see a difference in Owen when he's interacting with her. I think his attraction to her is serious. But, I don't see her attraction to him.

He used alien technology to seduce women.

Rape, not seduce. And not just women.

Does Gwen know that? (Because I can't remember if everyone knows or not.)

He used alien technology to seduce women.

not just women, he did it to her boyfriend as well, who may or may not have been gay. Reprehensible, IMO.

Does Gwen know that? (Because I can't remember if everyone knows or not.)

I think she was there when everyone was forced to turn in the alien tech they'd appropriated, but no, I don't think she necessarily knows.

He used alien technology to seduce women.

Rape, not seduce. And not just women.

... ...

God, I know I'm going to regret getting into this, but I honestly don't think it reads as a date rape equivalent. I mean, I can see why people do read it that way, but - he used the stuff on himself rather than on them. And although, yes, it clearly rendered him irresistible in a Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered fashion, and then some, I don't think this is a direct parallel with slipping some girl a date rape drug and then fucking her while she's incapacitated. I think it's more like getting a spectacular makeover/wearing a dinner jacket and stepping out of a brand new porsche and being perceived to be far sexier than one really is.

I think it was a logical extension of those pheromone-based perfumes they were trying to market a while back - or, hell, come to that, all other colognes and perfumes (etc) that sell the idea of artificially cranking up your desirability. Yes, the girl and her fella found Owen enormously shaggable, and perhaps they had a Coyote Ugly moment upon waking the next morning (although I think Owen's unlikely to have stayed the night), but - ah, I don't know. It didn't squick me in the way that the SGA episode with the everybody-love-whatsisname thing did.

I read it as seduction, not rape. Yes, their judgment was messed with, but no, they weren't passive or reluctant at all - they were gleefully enthusiastic about 'having' him.

...

...

I mean, I do think it was reprehensible, but I think that rape is the wrong word.

I'm sorry, I realise that most/all of you will disagree with me on this, and I don't really want to get into a row. And I hope that I haven't actually offended anyone.

I'm sorry, I realise that most/all of you will disagree with me on this, and I don't really want to get into a row. And I hope that I haven't actually offended anyone.

That's as good a read as any on it, especially considering we never get into the subject again.

I think it's more like getting a spectacular makeover/wearing a dinner jacket and stepping out of a brand new porsche and being perceived to be far sexier than one really is.

Doing that doesn't generally make people cheat on a significant other, or cross the lines of their sexual orientation. Owen used a mind-altering chemical that forced people to be attracted to him, and—unlike drinking the night away until beer goggles take effect—they neither knew nor consented to being dosed with it. The fact that the delivery system involved his airborne perspiration rather than something poured into their drinks on the sly doesn't make much difference IMHO.

Dude, Owen is NASTY. He's exactly that kind of nasty that could be sexy-nasty once you are in a few life-threatening situations together. Damn. When he had Gwen up against that tree in the forest, I could not BELIEVE what I was hearing!

Continue to love Ianto with all of my heart. Tosh seemed pretty confident in their ability to escape, throughout her whole capture- perhaps Jack's assumption that they could take care of themselves wasn't inappropriate after all.

I also caught up with the second episode of Torchwood, Gwen's first day episode. I was out of town when it first aired and finally was able to watch it yesterday. I'm glad I did- it set up a lot of stuff for the series. Also? More Owen being NASTY.

I'm sad for Gwen and Rhys. But it's almost like you can't have normality in this job. Too much fucked up shit going on.

Question (as I always have something that puzzles me): the kid who shot Gwen? he was a villager as well, correct? Was he relegated to "meat" status because he didn't want to do the cannablism thing anymore? I was making mac & cheese during the last act, so I only caught bits, but it was the entire village that was in on the plan, right? And it was to kill travellers/outsiders, right?

Choice quote from Tom while I was in the kitchen: "Honey, Jack just burst in and kneecapped the FUCK out of everyone!"

(I was making a roux, couldn't leave to watch, sadly)

Um, yeah, that whole cannibal thing was just horrific in every way. I felt vomitous with the whole "tenderizing" thing.

And uh, that episode was perfect dinner viewing. . .

ION, Razor Flashback #2.