thought

[beccaelizabeth]

TW 2-12 says why Tosh is not the boss between seasons, or second in command despite being there long times. Yes? No?

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/peasant_/]

Yes. But also I think a military man like Jack would always make the decision about who is second in command based on ability not seniority.

[beccaelizabeth]

yeah, but... well, Owen and Gwen have improved immensely in season 2, but ability as demonstrated in season 1? Bit less clear.

[http://users.livejournal.com/peasant_/]

Very true. Less clear, but not, I think, so unclear that it was impossible to call. I think, even on season 1 evidence, Tosh and Ianto would never be considered for second in command, it was always going to be between Owen and Gwen. And since Owen had shown himself so unstable in late S1, I was not at all surprised that Gwen was the one who had been in charge whilst Jack was away. Though it is interesting to note that in fact Owen seems to be making most of the decisions in the field in KKBB. The only time Tosh showed the necessary qualities was in Countrycide, and of course at the time she took on a leadership role the only person she was with was Ianto.

I would say the pecking order was:

1) Jack

2 and 3) Gwen/Owen about equal, but Owen has voluntarily given way to Gwen on almost every occasion to date and Gwen has cheerfully accepted the responsibility. But this could easily change if Owen ever repairs his self esteem. Gwen has both the natural ability and the ambition so at the moment she has gained the position of second.

4) Tosh - I can't ever see her requesting or trying to achieve leadership over someone else, but she is perfectly happy to work alone and will sometimes issue instructions as part of achieving her personal goals. That isn't really leadership, but on occasion other people will accept those instructions so it can sometimes seem like it.

5) Ianto - a role he has largely chosen for himself, when he wants to steer he does it from the back. Part of his self-image seems to be being at the bottom of the pecking order, probably because he is afraid of his own emotions and what he will do if there is nobody 'in charge' of him.

[msp-hacker.livejournal.com]

I never felt that Tosh would take the lead if there was someone else capable of doing so. Gwen - despite newbie status - is more take charge so Tosh falls in behind.

Though the spying then detention seemed to shatter her self-confidence in some ways, so while it's not the number one reason, I don't think it would have helped.

[beccaelizabeth]

*nods*
Tosh does seem to like to follow. I like it better the times she demonstrates backbone.