12 Main Character Deaths That Killed Great TV Shows
5. Ianto Jones (Torchwood)
Episode Of Death: S03E04 - "Day Four"
Of all the deaths on the list, this one, perhaps, caused the most long-standing angst.
Straight-laced and sarcastic, tea boy and love of Captain Jack's life, it was clear there'd be a backlash, but no one could predict the depth of angst, both from the fans and the wider LGBT community that would surround the passing of Ianto Jones. Meeting his end at the hands (claws? tendrils?) of the 456 in Episode 4 of Torchwood: Children of Earth, Ianto's death was pure poetry, expiring in the arms of his immortal lover who promised never to forget him.
The dramatic purpose it served was undeniable - to reinforce the villains' threat and leave Jack desperate and isolated - yet the episode's writer, James Moran, received thousands of Twitter messages, many of which accused him of trying to deliberately hurt them and/or of homophobia.
Though Russell T. Davies played it down - "It's a few people posting online and getting fans upset" - there were death threats: nothing like the writing off of a beloved character to bring the crazies out of the woodwork. Some portrayed Ianto's death in terms of the destruction of a gay role model in which case the question remains as to why the loss of Owen and Tosh in the second season - if not explicitly gay then at least ostensibly bi - didn't elicit the same reaction.
When it comes down to it, though, the fact is that Ianto, unlike Owen, was simply lovable. Some have chosen to view Ianto's death in terms of Greek tragedy, others as the reactionary if not homophobic punishment - again probably unlikely given the involvement of both Davies and John Barrowman - but for most it was just sad.
In severing Jack's deepest remaining connection with humanity, it enabled him to commit the necessary/unforgivable deed at the series end, sending him wandering off into the universe in time for a family friendly cameo in Doctor Who New Year's Special, The End of Time. Of course, all good things must be drawn out in perpetuity and when Jack returned to Earth in Torchwood: Miracle Day things just weren't the same.
More touching but perhaps less compelling than Owen raging his way into oblivion, Ianto's death meant many things for many people, but, while it made for a cracking hour of television, it left Torchwood with very little dramatic ground left to cover.
As important as Owen and Rhys are to the show, does anyone really care about them as characters?