a_silver_story | Transcript: The Dead Line

I transcribed Ianto's monologue from "The Dead Line" and converted it into standard English for you all to enjoy.

Woo for the fluff bunnies!

They say you're supposed to talk to people when they're in a coma, don't they?

I have absolutely no idea whether you can hear me, Jack. I never heard of anybody coming out of one and carrying on the conversation! ... so I suspect it's probably something the doctors tell us to do - to make us feel better rather than help you. We don't feel quite so useless and helpless. We get the feeling there's still some sort of purpose in our lives. We're not just waiting; waiting for the science to work ... or the miracle to happen ... or the nightmare to end.

I'm not much of a talker, Jack. You know that ... but I'll talk to you now on the off chance that it helps. Just promise me - if you're hearing this - that when you come round, and you're going to, Jack: you're going to come out of this. Just ... promise me you'll never bring up anything I say to you now. How's that?

We got a deal?

This must be the longest I've ever looked at you and not seen you smile. I've watched you in your sleep. Did you know that? So many times. Just waking up beside you in the middle of the night and watched you. Watched your eyes moving behind your eyelids as you dreamed. I tried to imagine what a man like you could possibly dream about. The things you've seen? The lives you've lived? The people you've loved? I wondered if you were dreaming about me - I hoped you were dreaming about me. But let's be honest Jack: I'm nothing more than a blip in time for you. Every day, I grow a little older. But you're immortal. You've already lived a thousand lifetimes. How could you watch me grow old and die? How can I watch you live and never age a day?

I suppose we both know that will never be problem. Not in this job. No one in Torchwood ever lives to draw their pension, do they? And even if, by some miracle I survive to see my hair turn grey - or god forbid fall out - I don't kid myself you'd still be around to see it. One day you'll go again. Just like you did before. and this time you won't be back. Maybe that's what you're dreaming about those nights when I watch you sleeping. Maybe that's why, even when you sleep, I see you smile.

But you haven't gone yet Jack. I know that. I know you're coming back to me.

Torchwood Index/Masterlist

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Thank you!

I was thinking about doing this myself before I remembered that I am very, very lazy.

Thank you for doing this.

It's still so beautiful even just reading it. :) This is what should have happened in "End of Days", but we got to see (hear) it finally. :D

I doubt they were in love at that point. I don't think they considered the idea that they were falling for each other until "To the Last Man". They certainly had feelings for each other, but I doubt they were in love. It was an office fling.

I don't think it should have happened at any other point than when it did, especially given how much their relationship has grown and developed since then.

I don't think Ianto would have talked to Jack like this in "End of Days" and I don't think they were in love either, but I think there were strong emotions forming. I guess I just would have liked to have seen the others have a chance to be by Jack's side too.

Honestly, seeing Gwen by Jack's side didn't bother me until I rewatched the eps a few times. It just annoyed me that she was so frantic and adamant to open the rift to get Rhys back, then as soon as he's alive again, where is she? At Jack's side. Granted I know Rhys was still a very minor character at the time, but he's all but forgotten.

Unfortunately, the more I watch the show and rewatch the first 2 seasons, the more annoyed I am at Gwen. :(

me too! I'm not anti-Gwen, but she's such a selfish brat I don't know why she's still in Torchwood ... AND look at her track record!

12 people dead on her first day because she threw a chisel instead of passing it.

1 dead because she didn't follow basic safety rules for holding a knife.

She helped Suzie Costello escape, causing her father's death.

If she hadn't taken part in the mutiny, Jack wouldn't have been dead for three months.

If she'd listened to Jack instead of so desperately trying to fix Beth, she'd never had have been threatened with the knife/arm thing.

If she'd had stayed hidden in Meat, would Ianto have had that gun pulled on him?

Mervin the DJ wouldn't have been eaten if she'd have listened to Jack and Owen and cancelled the wedding? Her own mother would also not have been threatened.

Two words: Flat. Holm.

Anyways ... what I'm saying, basically, is ... WTF??? She's supposed to be brilliant and amazing and OH MY GOD - she should be retconned to childhood by now! Someone could at least have a stern word ... oh no wait, Jack tried and she just fobbed him off with an 'I'm right all the time'. It's a pity she had to learn the hard way - Ianto telling her about Flat Holm and then letting her take the trail of destruction - tnhat listening to Jack is a really good idea. You'd think he'd be in charge - oh no wait, Gwen, HE IS ... and his word is final!!!!!

Okay ... I'm starting to sound anti-Gwen. I'm not ... I mean ... she's usually nice. And. I'm not anti-Gwen. I just recognise her flaws. Her many many many flaws.

lol I think you just summed everything up perfectly about what I don't like about her too. Rhys really does deserve someone so much better than her. Jack hit the nail when he told her she's so in love with Rhys she spends half her time in Owens bed.... or making eyes at Jack.

I'm not anti-Gwen either (really), but the one thing that I really really hated that she did was confess to her affair with Owen to Rhys then Retcon him. Seriously? WTF??? All because she needed absolution? Which she ended up not getting anyways. That's the only thing that made me slightly 'happy' about that scene.

I think my main problem with Gwen is TW is supposed to be about a team and so many times, Gwen is the one at the forefront. The same thing happened with Smallville and the character of Lana Lang. The only major difference is that in SV, Lana was 'perfect'. No matter what she did, she never suffered because of her actions. At least with Gwen, we see she's not perfect and her mistakes have severe consequences. Unfortunately, she never learns.

I'm glad she got the metaphorical bitch slap from Ianto though. I think the who Jonah thing did hit her hard and give her a wake up call.

She's supposed to be 31 isn't she? Surely she should have learnt all this crap when she was Ianto's age ...

Ianto's 25. Beauty before age as far as Jack's concerned haha!

I loved this bit but I can't help but wish... I think you should do a mancked up version

btw... I got well offended this weekend, they dared to call me an oldhamer.... O.O

Hmm ... manked up version ... *adds to list*

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha you should have given em a smack

I have heard this way too much to keep count and I still cry every single time, EVERY SINGLE TIME! It's how Gareth manages that scene that breaks me, especially when he says "inmmortal" and the tone of voice when he says "one day" and finally when his voice breaks in "you won't be back", I bawl like a baby!

There was a discussion going on sbout the final part. Do you think Ianto heard Jack or that Ianto by that moment he left the room? I though Ianto heard but there are a lot of people who thought that Ianto left and then Jack told about him not being a blip in time.

It was a radio play, so if he had left there would have been a sound effect, or some kind of signal that Jack was left alone.

I think it would be quite silly to presume otherwise *shurgs*

I had to find this online to hear it... the ending made me squee! :)

Thanks for posting this! :)

I totally love Ianto for that! :D
Aww! So sweet! *giggles*

*sniffles*

my poor beby, i wants to hug him.

as it turned out some evil person aka RTD didn't let you work out whether or not he would leave...

great XD

I wrote this down as soon as I listened to it! Glad that I'm not the only one who is so obsessive over their Janto. =D

GDL made that scene so very powerful with his wonderful Welsh vowels... it is perfect.

And guess what, I have a pretty good ear (and memory) for remembering things I listen to but I think I absolutely "Ianto-ed" on this verse - I could recite it word for work in Ianto's voice in my head after I completed listening to the play the first time.

But I still fast forwarded to it numerous times after that - just to hear that voice and enjoy GDL's fantastic take. Sigh..... **Starting up TDL to listen again**

Transcript: The Dead Line

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject