In Launch Date, Ianto again doesn't take the perspective of others into account.

Since at least Rhys and Ianto's excellent BBQ, there have been plays in the Torchwood Main Range where Ianto has gotten an internally consistent characterisation as a glib and snarky but callous person who thinks of his own problems first and does not normally consider others. See for example the Office that Never Was, or aforementioned Excellent BBQ. I don't personally know where this characterization came from, as my read of Ianto in the series was more empathic. There are also stories where he is characterized more like the empathic person I thought Ianto to be (like the Grey Mare, Fall to Earth and most stories where he is paired with another Torchwood member), so the glib callous characterization really puzzles me.

In this story, glib Ianto is on full display, but I am also happy to say he gets called out for it, in an effective way. I am also happy that this time, he is doing it because it was necessary as decreed by Torchwood (unlike in some other plays), which softens the degree of his callousness and manipulation in this play. The story itself is very run of the mill Torchwood, and is actually more about the release characters Gerraint and Chrissie. I quite liked their little love story, and I like the conclusion of the play as well.

Still, run of the mill Torchwood with my least favourite version of Ianto.

idk how to feel about this one? just felt kinda... odd? like ianto couldn't get into this facility without doing this really elaborate plan which felt super super manipulative? it just doesn't come across entirely plausible or fully in character for ianto. overall not a very great torchwood ep.