Physician Who followers are, as most of them will freely inform you, sometimes an odd bunch. From internet hosting conventions and touring to filming places to cosplaying their favourite Time Lord on the common, it’s a fandom that loves its chosen topic arduous. (And I say this as somebody who’s a part of it.) Now, Whovians worldwide are mourning the true finish of an period: The elimination of Ianto’s Shrine, a fan set up in honor of a preferred Torchwood character that has existed in Wales’s Cardiff Bay for practically 20 years.
The shrine was created following the published of Torchwood’s third season. Subtitled Kids of Earth, it’s notably memorable for its darkish themes, tremendous creepy aliens who wished to steal youngsters, and the sudden loss of life of Ianto. The present had solely not too long ago begun to concentrate on Ianto’s romance with the collection’ lead, Captain Jack Harkness, and plenty of viewers criticized the choice to kill off such a fan favourite character as a outstanding instance of the “bury your gays” trope in motion. Followers had been so upset at this improvement that they not solely created web sites lobbying for the character’s resurrection and elevating cash for charity, but additionally an honest-to-goodness real-life memorial in Mermaid Quay, close to the place the fictional entrance to Torchwood headquarters was situated within the present.
Guests from all around the world would go away messages, flowers, stuffed toys, and different trinkets. (And a stunning quantity of Starbucks cups.) However all good issues should come to an finish, and it appears the shrine shall be formally dismantled this spring to make means for mandatory upkeep work on the world’s decrease boardwalk. It’ll apparently not be restored, although there’s no phrase about what is going to occur to all of the supplies already on show there.
Followers in all places are fairly upset about this improvement, and never solely as a result of Ianto’s Shrine has grow to be an everyday cease for vacationers in Cardiff. It’s one of many solely actual items of public Physician Who historical past left within the space the place the collection does the majority of its filming. The Physician Who Expertise, a everlasting museum-style exhibition that when hosted costumes, units, props, and even a TARDIS, closed down in 2017.
