Oh, this is really annoying - I just wrote a long and reasoned response to you, largely about our differing opinions on the literary merit of CoE and of RTD's skills as a writer, and LJ ate it. In brief - I found far more weaknesses in the plotting and characterisation of CoE than you did. For me it was neither logically coherent nor dramatically satisfying. Ianto's death is simply another example of what I saw as writing for sensational effect - now THIS will shock people rather than an inevitable tragedy. The heteronormativity has always been a factor in TW - from aliens-made-me-gay to the dismissal of trans issues to Gwack. CoE takes that and turns the knobs up to 11 with all the "GAY! He' smells GAY" for the benefit of the new audience, to reassure them that being straight still makes them special. But I have to run now.