![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
out_thereI love Torchwood but Children of Earth broke my heart in the best of ways.
This is absolutely fantastic. Someone recommended it to me ages ago, but it took me some time to come read it. Mostly because I love Ianto and Jack, and sometimes I'm wary of fix-its -- or, hmmm, I'm wary of stories described as fixits that don't feel convincing. This story was everything I could have asked for and more. It's a story that works so well with canon: using snippets of canon to weave together a believable future.
The Rose of Jericho (62606 words) by kaydeefalls
Chapters: 5/5
Fandom: Torchwood, Doctor Who (2005)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Jack Harkness/Ianto Jones, Gwen Cooper/Rhys Williams
Characters: Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, Gwen Cooper, Rhys Williams, Martha Jones, Mickey Smith, Lois Habiba, Andy Davidson, John Hart, Original Characters
Additional Tags: Big Bang Challenge, Action/Adventure, Plotty
Summary:
It's as much a story about Torchwood itself -- what Torchwood has been, what it could be in the right hands -- and what it's meant to Ianto Jones at different times. I loved the format of this, going back and forth in time but always giving enough context to place it in canon (I'm in awe that the writer managed to do that so consistently well; a reader getting lost in a story like this would be so easy, but at no time was I stuck or wondering where/when we were) and I loved that we got to spend time with so many Torchwood/Doctor Who characters. I loved seeing Mickey and Martha as much as the small scenes of Tosh and Owen; Lois felt as much of a person as Andy and Rhys, and even John Hart was well used. (Heh. He'd appreciate that terrible joke.) I really enjoyed spending more time with these characters that I love.
I loved the mention of "peripherals". The idea that Jack himself has forgotten the details of how Earth changes in the 21st century. It makes sense that he'd get caught up in the middle of events since he can't remember that those are big and important. It also makes it a little safer having him on Earth - he's less tempted to adjust events to suit himself because he doesn't know the details of what will come next. But I loved that John immediately recognised the importance of what was happening and was a smart enough Time Agent to get the hell out of dodge.
And finally, the happy ending. The happiest of endings given how CoE ended, given that I wouldn't believe Jack returning to Earth after all of that, given that I really think Gwen's capable of running Torchwood and turning it into something brighter and kinder. It makes sense that Ianto, a character who really has devoted himself to Torchwood and let the rest of his life drift away, would make the decision to leave it behind. I loved that he made that choice whether or not Jack wanted him to come with him, that he knew Torchwood was changing from what it was and he didn't have a place there anymore. But I loved even more that Jack asked, that Jack and Ianto could go travelling through time and space, track down the 456 and bring them to some form of justice. It's not just a happy ending, it's a happy ending with purpose and promise. I really loved it.
This is absolutely fantastic. Someone recommended it to me ages ago, but it took me some time to come read it. Mostly because I love Ianto and Jack, and sometimes I'm wary of fix-its -- or, hmmm, I'm wary of stories described as fixits that don't feel convincing. This story was everything I could have asked for and more. It's a story that works so well with canon: using snippets of canon to weave together a believable future.
The Rose of Jericho (62606 words) by kaydeefalls
Chapters: 5/5
Fandom: Torchwood, Doctor Who (2005)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Jack Harkness/Ianto Jones, Gwen Cooper/Rhys Williams
Characters: Jack Harkness, Ianto Jones, Gwen Cooper, Rhys Williams, Martha Jones, Mickey Smith, Lois Habiba, Andy Davidson, John Hart, Original Characters
Additional Tags: Big Bang Challenge, Action/Adventure, Plotty
Summary:
Post-CoE. When Martha Jones encounters a dark UNIT cover-up in the wake of the 456, it's up to Gwen's new Torchwood team to bring the truth to light -- and save Ianto.
It's as much a story about Torchwood itself -- what Torchwood has been, what it could be in the right hands -- and what it's meant to Ianto Jones at different times. I loved the format of this, going back and forth in time but always giving enough context to place it in canon (I'm in awe that the writer managed to do that so consistently well; a reader getting lost in a story like this would be so easy, but at no time was I stuck or wondering where/when we were) and I loved that we got to spend time with so many Torchwood/Doctor Who characters. I loved seeing Mickey and Martha as much as the small scenes of Tosh and Owen; Lois felt as much of a person as Andy and Rhys, and even John Hart was well used. (Heh. He'd appreciate that terrible joke.) I really enjoyed spending more time with these characters that I love.
I loved the mention of "peripherals". The idea that Jack himself has forgotten the details of how Earth changes in the 21st century. It makes sense that he'd get caught up in the middle of events since he can't remember that those are big and important. It also makes it a little safer having him on Earth - he's less tempted to adjust events to suit himself because he doesn't know the details of what will come next. But I loved that John immediately recognised the importance of what was happening and was a smart enough Time Agent to get the hell out of dodge.
And finally, the happy ending. The happiest of endings given how CoE ended, given that I wouldn't believe Jack returning to Earth after all of that, given that I really think Gwen's capable of running Torchwood and turning it into something brighter and kinder. It makes sense that Ianto, a character who really has devoted himself to Torchwood and let the rest of his life drift away, would make the decision to leave it behind. I loved that he made that choice whether or not Jack wanted him to come with him, that he knew Torchwood was changing from what it was and he didn't have a place there anymore. But I loved even more that Jack asked, that Jack and Ianto could go travelling through time and space, track down the 456 and bring them to some form of justice. It's not just a happy ending, it's a happy ending with purpose and promise. I really loved it.
