[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]

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?

[clevermanka]

I'm 100% on Team Jean Jackets Deserve A Comeback Already, so...

[doctorskuld]

As is Jack, clearly, so rest assured they were in the bag.

[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.

[clevermanka]

Oh wow I missed that entirely! LOL! Something to look for on my NEXT rewatch.