[Character Discussion Thread] Jack

[doctorskuld]

Kicking off the series of character discussion threads right with Jack, everybody's favorite leather-clad mercenary and #1 TangFei shipper.

This thread will be full of spoilers, including the little bit of his background revealed in the second epilogue of the novelization.

Jack intrigued me from the very first scene in the series, where Tang Yi meets to negotiate with the Shi Ho Clan. Tang Yi projects an air of confidence, but Jack is the one with swagger as he faces down two pistols at point-blank range. And he grins as he stuffs his gun into a Shi Ho Clan member's hand, just in time as Unit Three bursts in to arrest everybody.

Throughout the rest of the series, Jack takes a special delight in terrorizing Li Zhi De,



cheering on Meng Shao Fei and Tang Yi from the benches,




and cooking for Zhao Zi, whom he finds charming due to Zhao Zi's immunity to his particular brand of intimidation.




We find out in late in the series that despite Jack's apparent competence and loyalty to Xin Tian Meng, it's all an act, as he's actually been hired by Interpol Chief Yan to infiltrate the syndicate and pass information on their operations to law enforcement. And his next mission is to worm his way into Chen Wen Hao's Cambodian syndicate.



That's when Jack realizes he might not actually want to go, because he's fallen in love with tiny cop disaster Zhao Zi. So when Zhao Zi finally confronts his own feelings and tells Jack not to go,



Jack ends his story arc as the most badassly adorable ex-mafia househusband since Tatsu.



But my favorite thing about Jack, besides how absolutely stacked he is, is that we just don't know that much about him. The second epilogue of the novelization, if it can be counted as canon, states that he was trained in the army, suggests he may have served as an elite assassin, and he left because he got bored of being a hitman. As for how long he's been in the employ of Interpol, we don't really know. We don't even really know from the series what makes Jack tick (other than Zhao Zi, of course), so Jack is a character who is ripe for fanfiction and fun to explore in fan creations.

There are a lot of different characterizations I've seen out there in the fandom, a lot of different interpretations of his life before the events we see in Trapped and after he settles down with Unit Three's resident cinnamon roll. There's a lot to discuss.

So, everybody, let's talk about Jack!

Comments

[clevermanka]

I like the novel background stuff! Slots in there with my fave mercenary types (Eliot in Leverage, Shaw in Person of Interest) and I'm a sucker for the badass with secret heart of gold.

The thing I especially love about Jack is how I think even he doesn't know he has a heart of gold until he meets Zhao Zi. That expression on his face when he first sees this dumbass cutie walking? on his? hands? is like "oh this is gonna be fun." But then when he actually gets the dumbass cutie in an interrogation room he can't actually be mean enough to extract any answers!

Not that Zhao Zi has any answers anyway, but even if he did, we can already tell Jack's not gonna hurt that little dumplin'. And, imo anyway, Jack's sorta... poleaxed by this. When he lets Zhao Zi go, I read the expression on his face as "oh I'm definitely gonna be seeing you again, and you're gonna like it."

[yantantether]

he can't actually be mean enough to extract any answers
He becomes a puddle for ZZ so quickly and it's SO adorable

[doctorskuld]

I don't know how many bowls of ramen ZZ ate that morning, but Jack's stunned look as ZZ tells him to help him carry the plate of toast out says everything.

[clevermanka]

How much do you think (or know) Kenny actually ate during those scenes?

[doctorskuld]

The thing I especially love about Jack is how I think even he doesn't know he has a heart of gold until he meets Zhao Zi.

YES, THIS. A million times this. Jack doesn't even know he's capable of feeling that way until Zhao Zi handwalks into his life. I love the badass with a secret heart of gold trope too, and Jack totally mashes that button for me.

That expression on his face when he first sees this dumbass cutie walking? on his? hands? is like "oh this is gonna be fun."

Jack's grin there and the way his light up a little sadistically...and then he is utterly stymied by Zhao Zi during the interrogation, because he has NO IDEA isn't afraid of him and also NO IDEA why Zhao Zi, after an obstinate night of being unwilling to divulge MSF's phone number, is suddenly eager negotiate for something as trivial as breakfast.

IS THIS GUY FOR REAL?

(Yes, Jack, unfortunately, he is.)

*sobs*

[clevermanka]

[abyss_valkyrie]

Jack doesn't even know he's capable of feeling that way until Zhao Zi handwalks into his life. OMGGG!!!This is goooold!
This whole post is great,Jack is just so mysterious and his scary/murder guy plus the besotted with Zhao Zi and how that turns him into a loving soft guy,uuugh!!JUST LOVE IT!!Though that just makes it obvious how truly scary he could get if someone hurts Zhao Zi. :3

[yantantether]

I. LOVE. JACK.

I love his insouciance, which is obvious from the first minute we meet him and see him looking so unperturbed by the gun-heavy gangster confrontation and police raid he's in the middle of. I love that he seems to find everything funny. I love that he tells Ah-De to chill out and have some coconut water. :D

And I love that it turns out there *is* something he cares about, and that something is Zhao Zi. Even though we don't get to know a lot about him in 10 eps, I think his emotional journey, and his core vulnerability when it comes to Zhao Zi, is actually pretty clear. And I love that it seems like he had this whole life plan of not getting too close to anyone, keeping things light, moving on (because relationships are just about people mutually using each, right?) and THEN this pure cinnamon roll ray of sunshine baby cop happens to him. ♥

[clevermanka]

he had this whole life plan of not getting too close to anyone, keeping things light, moving on
His entire life fits in a duffel bag for godssake.

[doctorskuld]

I love the comically mostly-empty duffel bag, because surely we've seen enough costumes on Jack that the duffel bad should actually be full? He's got a pretty nice set of blue boots, for crying out loud! Where did those go? Did he decide to finally leave his jean shirt and jean jacket behind because it's not 1995 anymore?

[her_cool_aunt]

His entire life fits in a duffel bag for godssake.
This might be pre-empting our Meng Shao Fei discussion (and now I can't remember if I already mentioned it in the relevant episode post), but I love the contrast between Jack's one half-empty duffel bag of life and MSF's gazillion suitcases and bags going to stay for a brief spell of bodguarding at Tang Yi's. It amuses me greatly.

[doctorskuld]

Aside from his pecs, Jack's insouciance is his best quality.

I love that he seems to find everything funny.

I strongly interpret Jack as an agent of chaos, who likes things not to go smoothly, but for them to go interestingly instead...and this is so evident in how hard he is shipping TY and MSF. 'You know what would be hilarious? If that cop TY sued actually fell in love with him and TY fell in love back.'

...and then it actually happens and Jack thinks it's the most wonderful thing he's ever seen. Okay, second most wonderful, after Zhao Zi.

I love that he tells Ah-De to chill out and have some coconut water.

I LOVE THAT SCENE too! Ah-De is pissed off as all hell and Jack's just like swinging an arm around his shoulders telling him to calm the fuck down, knowing full well that's just going to make Ah-De even more angry. HA!

and his core vulnerability when it comes to Zhao Zi, is actually pretty clear.

That "OH NO" moment when he first goes to ZZ's house and cooks for him, that was it. That was Jack, DONE.

and THEN this pure cinnamon roll ray of sunshine baby cop happens to him.

Jack never thought once in his life that he would trade in his mercenary career—going undercover, going from one dangerous, put-your-life-on-the-line job to another—for being a househusband, and yet, there he is, with Grandma's apron and a smile as Zhao Zi walks downstairs in the morning for breakfast.

[clevermanka]

who likes things not to go smoothly, but for them to go interestingly instead
Oh my gosh you're so right, and I think with Zhao Zi he gets both!

this is so evident in how hard he is shipping TY and MSF
I just had a vision of Jack being in a mercenary club like Jeeves' uhhhh I don't remember the name of the secret valet organization where they keep their employers' embarrassing secrets in a big book? But something like that, only online and anonymous obvs, maybe they're on reddit, and Jack's giving everyone updates of these two idiots and all the members in the reddit (I'm rolling with this now) are like DUDE WHAT HAPPENED NEXT YOU CAN'T LEAVE US HANGING.

[micuko]

Jack is, by far, my favourite character in this drama. Since the moment we met him I was gone for him. His swagger. His confidence. His devil may care attitude. The way he would smile even with a gun in his face. No trace of fear. If anything, his eyes seemed to say 'I dare you to try'. That first scene I knew right away this guy isn't one to be trifled with.

In my opinion he gives off the most dangerous vibe from all characters with the exception of Wen Hao. When Jack was twirling his knife back and forth and Wen Hao looked at him, it was like two tigers seizing each other up. The tiny smirks they gave each other made me think 'ohh these two are quite alike, aren't they'.



Jack's speech about people using each other. That was rather cold, the words themselves, but in fact he's not a cold person, if anything I'd liken him to fire. Burning anything in its wake without care. It's fine as long as he gets to have some fun, as long as things are interesting. Fire is really pretty from afar but if you get too close you'd get burned. For me personally Tang Yi is cold, while Jack is hot. Not even sure how to explain that, it's the feeling I get from them.

The way I see it, Jack doesn't stay in one place often, from one assignment to another, so he doesn't allow himself to get close to anyone. Not until he meets Zhao Zi and his life changes.

Jack is still quite the mystery. He and Zhao Zi didn't get the same treatment as Shao Fei/Tang Yi and I understand, they're the secondary pairing and all. But I do wish they were given at least a bit more. Jack especially, they could have let us know more about him, because I understand how he is but I don't understand why he is, what made him the way he is. I guess it's true then that he's a pretty ideal character for fanfiction because we can do a lot with him.

Anyways, point is, he's the most fascinating character for me.

[clevermanka]

'ohh these two are quite alike, aren't they'.
Absolutely. I think Chen Wenhao sees that, too. The only difference is, Jack is better at it, and he knows he's (already) playing multiple sides. He knows he's got Chen Wenhao's number, not the other way around and I love it.

[micuko]

Totally, Jack is one step ahead.

He knows he's got Chen Wenhao's number, not the other way around

Ahahahah yep, so while Wenhao thinks he's in charge, offering Jack a job... he is actually doing exactly what Jack wants him to.

[doctorskuld]

When Jack was twirling his knife back and forth and Wen Hao looked at him, it was like two tigers seizing each other up.

OH MY GOD, YES, that is such a great way to put it. Two tigers, circling.

I really like they way they filmed those moments, because they're not too overt, but they plant enough of a seed in your head that you're not surprised when CWH calls Jack into a private meeting, and Jack hints that he's far too capable and competent for staying in a tiny little Taiwanese satellite operation.

if anything I'd liken him to fire. Burning anything in its wake without care.

OOOH, that is also a great metaphor for Jack. I haven't really been able to put it into words yet, but you have!

I think that with fire things also get consumed quickly? I see Jack as the type of person who keeps moving on ('easy come, easy go' as he puts it) precisely because he burns through things in a short period of time, and then there's nothing left and he's looking for the next thing.

I imagine he's the type of guy who has sexual flings before, and that he lets that desire burn hot and bright, but then it's over and done—that was that. And he hasn't really let anybody in, emotionally. Or perhaps nobody's been interested enough to want to go in, either.

Yeah, the fire metaphor works really well! <33

because I understand how he is but I don't understand why he is, what made him the way he is.

I'm actually really glad that they didn't delve too deep into Jack's character. I think I have had much more fun thinking or speculating on Jack's backstory and motivations, than if they actually gave me something in canon. Some characters also just are, you know?

The way that I write Jack (and this is just my own interpretation, and the fun of the character is that there can be so many interpretations that are different), he just has that innate desire to do dangerous things and put his life on the line. I don't write him as having suffered a particular trauma or event that made him the way he is. Jack just is that way. Doing dangerous stuff is what makes him feel alive.

And then he meets Zhao Zi, and Zhao Zi makes him feel alive in a new and different and better and interesting way, and I see Jack as willing to give up his old, dangerous life for this fresh, new, incredibly novel househusband thing. It's a completely different challenge than what he had before, and he finds that he likes it.

Anyways, that's my two cents on what I think makes Jack tick. (ノ*°▽°*)

[micuko]

I think that with fire things also get consumed quickly? I see Jack as the type of person who keeps moving on ('easy come, easy go' as he puts it) precisely because he burns through things in a short period of time, and then there's nothing left and he's looking for the next thing.

Ahh yes exactly! I couldn't quite put my finger on why I see him as a fire kind of person but you managed to put it into words!

he just has that innate desire to do dangerous things and put his life on the line. Jack just is that way. Doing dangerous stuff is what makes him feel alive.

Definitely, I think he loves the thrill, the danger, he lives for it. Lives for it until he meets Zhao Zi. And then Jack decides he wants to live for him.

In some scenes I see him kind of... pacing around like a caged animal? And so often twirling his knife back and forth. But when he is with Zhao Zi he looks settled down, content, at peace.

[clevermanka]

I don't write him as having suffered a particular trauma or event that made him the way he is. Jack just is that way. Doing dangerous stuff is what makes him feel alive.
Same. Also lemme just say without saying too much, those dudes? Can't lie, good times.

[clevermanka]

Oh but just one gripe? God damn I wish someone had taught Andy how to actually flip a butterfly knife because (see my comment about bad boys) when actually done properly is some seriously hot shit.

[doctorskuld]

I accept your one gripe, and in my head I automatically substitute something much hotter than what Andy Bian is actually doing. He's not very good at it, is he?

I don't think anybody knew, which is why nobody could teach him properly...

[clevermanka]

That is what YouTube is for! Honestly, it took me some searching to find a clip that wasn't a tutorial...

[micuko]

Okay but I think Andy is actually decent with the knife?? xD

Like yes, nobody taught him how to do it and even in one livestream he himself says he was doing it wrong at one point so his knuckles were all bloody and he didn't realise it. And yes, he isn't doing any fancy tricks but he's decent with it and I do find it pretty hot.

[joatamon]

I've had another Jack thought since re-watching yesterday, and that is that he completely avoids Zhao Zi's question about whether he (Jack) has any family. And now my headcanon is that he in fact has a LOT of family in Taiwan, and he spends a good chunk of his househusbanding days pretending he's abroad when family invitations come and trying to avoid his myriad cousins who all have a mental Wanted poster of him with instructions to deliver him to parents xDDDDDDDDD

[doctorskuld]

Ahahaha, Jack is very much the master at evading questions.

I love your headcanon that Jack actually has a very large and boisterous family who love him, and he has to avoid his myriad of extended family, because if they see him, they will DRAG HIM TO THEIR FAMILY GET-TOGETHERS and that would be so embarrassing!

Please, please write this.