Yes I did read a number of the messages addressed to James, and I felt embarrassed for those who posted them. If someone accused me of making them suicidal through the art I create, believe me, I’d be quick to want to leave the public eye too.

Yes, I’m going to miss Ianto if he doesn’t come back by some magic, I thought we were just getting to a stage where we could understand more about the character. However, that doesn’t justify having a go aggressively at the author of the storyline, does it!? If every tv show and movie had a predictable plot line, you’d all be whinging for different reasons!

Yes, people are angry. Publicity told us one thing about COE and then we were given another. There are those of us who liked Torchwood the way it was. We were lied to, misled and hurt. Sadly, James was an easy target of that anger. He’s an adult writer who should man up a little and not run off screaming because people had issues about the show. He really didn’t take the time to hear about those issues. If you are going to put yourself out there to the public, you have to remember that the public is not always going to love you.

I’m not saying that abusing people is right but I saw very little abuse. A negative opinion is not abuse.

But this post isn’t really about Torchwood. It’s about feedback, proximity and conversation. Moran is a well respected writer with a proven track record. I admire his work.

His response (which is utterly understandable) reminds me of the role a seasoned community manager can play. As you note, “he received many positive and praising messages” and yet the negative has been the focus of comment.

There’s something distinct about valid criticism (and that can be negative and positive) when compared to bile and grumbling. All commentary deserves credence but sometimes it requires the lense of a online community brain to filter what’s truly worthy of brainspace, consideration and response. As always, the first action to the community flurry, is to nothing at all and think a little.