Well...it is true that the hitchhikers were only mentioned once...but there is a connection in the form of symbiosis with a host. The 456 appear to need a child as a host. Also, I am wondering why we see only 1 of the things...and no ship in orbit. It is possible that 11 children lasted 44 years. It now needs an unlimited supply. In other words, it is NOT keeping the kids young but is keeping them in some form of stasis.
If puberty is the key, though...then why is Clem still able to hear the 456? And, again, who is he talking to...over his shoulder and why is his sense of smell so keen? Yes, I suppose he could have a tick of some sort...to end up in a mental asylum...but the sense of smell has been important all along. I thought it related to the gaseous mixture the 456 travel through.
Obviously, defeating one alien is going to be easier than defeating a whole armada of them. And certainly there are signs that something is distressing the 456. Finding out WHAT is causing it to thrash and vomit could be significant. As you say...there was a particularly pitched sound that caused Clem to "die."
And I am almost certain Clem is not dead...even if Ianto is...I am certain of that because Clem is with the lady who is trying so hard to explain about Jack's immortality. She will have a ready answer (an incorrect one) if Clem comes back to life right in front of her. And, obviously, I don't think that the hitchhikers make a host immortal...I feel this is just a textural connection to whatever keeps the host kids in stasis.
Ianto's family could be important for the relation to the Estates...a connection for us to the common man, RTD loves so much. And also to give Jack that opportunity to meet the family as he delivers news of Ianto's death. It speaks to the idea that Ianto is remembered even though he is gone.
I am not sure that really DOES play into our Pony. Because, as always, RTD could simply be saying that the Doctor was right to protect Rose and Donna from his dangerous life style...and it is enough that HE remembers them...that they will live on in his memory forever. Of course, that idea does bypass the meat of the thing...which Torchwood thankfully did not bypass...and that is what the people can do for the immortal folks. That it need not be a shallow or meaningless relationship just because it doesn't last your whole life long.
And by that, I mean...you can commit fully to someone who you know will die before you do...that's not a contradiction...or something to avoid because you can't bear the loss. Though...Jack certainly seems to be saying, "Don't leave me." And to be avoiding commitment...because Ianto has that complaint...then Jack melts and follows Ianto's lead...only to lose him. That seems to me to be underlining the idea that immortal people should just accept they will always be alone.
Of course...they COULD accept that and still enjoy the time they have with their beloved...savor every second of it. And I do hope that IS what Jack takes away from this if Ianto is truly dead. But...I still can't tell if that will be the final message.
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Re: Hitchhikers
Date: 2009-07-10 07:11 pm (UTC)If puberty is the key, though...then why is Clem still able to hear the 456? And, again, who is he talking to...over his shoulder and why is his sense of smell so keen? Yes, I suppose he could have a tick of some sort...to end up in a mental asylum...but the sense of smell has been important all along. I thought it related to the gaseous mixture the 456 travel through.
Obviously, defeating one alien is going to be easier than defeating a whole armada of them. And certainly there are signs that something is distressing the 456. Finding out WHAT is causing it to thrash and vomit could be significant. As you say...there was a particularly pitched sound that caused Clem to "die."
And I am almost certain Clem is not dead...even if Ianto is...I am certain of that because Clem is with the lady who is trying so hard to explain about Jack's immortality. She will have a ready answer (an incorrect one) if Clem comes back to life right in front of her. And, obviously, I don't think that the hitchhikers make a host immortal...I feel this is just a textural connection to whatever keeps the host kids in stasis.
Ianto's family could be important for the relation to the Estates...a connection for us to the common man, RTD loves so much. And also to give Jack that opportunity to meet the family as he delivers news of Ianto's death. It speaks to the idea that Ianto is remembered even though he is gone.
I am not sure that really DOES play into our Pony. Because, as always, RTD could simply be saying that the Doctor was right to protect Rose and Donna from his dangerous life style...and it is enough that HE remembers them...that they will live on in his memory forever. Of course, that idea does bypass the meat of the thing...which Torchwood thankfully did not bypass...and that is what the people can do for the immortal folks. That it need not be a shallow or meaningless relationship just because it doesn't last your whole life long.
And by that, I mean...you can commit fully to someone who you know will die before you do...that's not a contradiction...or something to avoid because you can't bear the loss. Though...Jack certainly seems to be saying, "Don't leave me." And to be avoiding commitment...because Ianto has that complaint...then Jack melts and follows Ianto's lead...only to lose him. That seems to me to be underlining the idea that immortal people should just accept they will always be alone.
Of course...they COULD accept that and still enjoy the time they have with their beloved...savor every second of it. And I do hope that IS what Jack takes away from this if Ianto is truly dead. But...I still can't tell if that will be the final message.
Rae