So explain to me... (Part one)

[laligin]

In a desperate attempt to improve my Torchwood-writing, and because I have a fanfic100 claim on the entire Torchwood team, not just those members I like/understand/have a million plot ideas for, I'm asking you for help.

Explain to me, please, as politely as you can manage (I'm not here for a fight), exactly why Gwen is a good/useful/likeable character.

Because I don't quite get it. Up to... oh... about Small Worlds (episode 5) I quite liked her. Beyond that...

So, anyway. Gwen fans. I need you to tell me why she's a vital part of the team, and why I'd actually enjoy writing her if I got it right, so I can stop coming up with excuses for her absence in my fic. (Seriously. I don't really give her a starring role (or even a mildly vital role) at any point. I feel guilty.)

Help?

(Also, convince me Jack/Gwen can work.)

Comments

[laligin.livejournal.com]

Those are the same issues I have with Gwen. :) I've been discussing this with a couple of other people, and they also agree.

That right there is the whole reason I'm desperately trying to get other people in on the scene to try and redeem her character in my eyes! ^_^

[halfspokenwords.livejournal.com]

I'm strangely glad to hear it. :) Sorry to have hijacked your post and not helped with your Gwen issues.

And thank you for that! I too have been reading everyone's comments and trying to keep an open mind. So far I've not been convinced, but I have been giving more thought to the reasons why she doesn't 'click' for me and that's always a good thing. I'm also impressed that a discussion post like this (and your other) has stayed so remarkably civil.

[laligin.livejournal.com]

Sorry to have hijacked your post and not helped with your Gwen issues.

Oh, pftfh, not to worry. :) Any views are welcome, and it's nice to know that other people share my doubts and can articulate them better than I can. ;)

I've got a Gwenfic in mind, now, thanks to the discussion here, so it's worked out well enough thus far. I'm not convinced either, though, so it's set early in the series, when she still has credibility! :D

I'm also quite pleaseed with the levels of civility being maintained around here, though I haven't really had a chance to go through and debate properly with the Jack/Gwen people, so it may yet go horribly wrong... ^_^'

[laligin.livejournal.com]

(And clearly, that was meant to be "pleased" but the button got stuck. That'll teach me to check more carefully before I post. ^_^')