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history3_trapped
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!
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Date: 15 Feb 2020 19:48 (UTC)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.
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Date: 15 Feb 2020 20:52 (UTC)no subject
Date: 15 Feb 2020 21:10 (UTC)no subject
Date: 15 Feb 2020 21:31 (UTC)no subject
Date: 15 Feb 2020 21:57 (UTC)I shouldn't laugh but... lol that's so true. It wouldn't hurt them to not goof around so much during work, and to be a bit more competent. xD
Same, I'd so read that if anyone were to write it! Like one day Zhao Zi comes to work and some higher-up gets all of Unit Three together and announces that they have hired a very experienced person to lead them. Someone that can whip them into shape.
And in walks Jack, with that familiar smirk on his face.
Plus, he'd get the pleasure of bossing Shao Fei around AND of being close to Zhao Zi (and making sure Zhao Zi doesn't get assigned to any too dangerous missions).
No offence to Shao Fei I like him... but Jack would do a better job at captaining the Unit. xD
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Date: 15 Feb 2020 22:18 (UTC)That line in the first episode when they're staring off after the Captain and Shao Fei all worried and Zhao Zi goes, "Maybe we should call the police..." and Jack is like "...aren't you the police?"
UNIT THREE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
And all the other little things, like when Zhao Zi is doing his backbend walk and Yu Qi trips over him. Like...these guys are way worse than the squad in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Jus' sayin'.
And in walks Jack, with that familiar smirk on his face.
OH MY GOD, DUDE, I CAN JUST IMAGINE.
MSF is incredibly indignant until he gets told that Jack's actually been undercover for the past four years. And then he's still sore about it and complains to Tang Yi, but manages to keep it mostly out of Jack's earshot. (Not that Jack minds MSF complaining, he thinks it's pretty funny.)
Ah-Jun thinks it's his worst nightmare come true. He is so intimidated by Jack. At least with Captain Shi, he knew where he stood. He knew when Captain Shi was angry, because he would shout. But Jack is always quiet. Jack always has a smile. Ah-Jun has no idea when Jack is angry, and it's THE WORST. Ah-Jun is a wreck.
Once Jack demonstrates his ability to bring some swift order and decorum to the precinct, Yu Qi is silently glad. Finally, somebody competent. Maybe Jack will notice that she is actually good at her job, and give her the more high profile cases. Finally, someone competent is in charge.
Zhao Zi is overjoyed to have Jack in charge, because it means he gets to spend more time with Jack than he would otherwise. He likes doing things together with Jack, like solve cases. It makes him feel immensely good. And when they really have to pull out all the stops, Jack goes out with them. It's a little against the rules, he is the Captain after all, but Jack is the best of the best. And it makes Zhao Zi feel a little better to have Jack in the field with him sometimes, they can look after each other.
In other words....
HOLY SHIT I WOULD READ THE FUCK OUT OF THIS AU SOMEBODY WRITE IT PLEEEEEASE.
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Date: 15 Feb 2020 22:47 (UTC)Ah-Jun thinks it's his worst nightmare come true. He is so intimidated by Jack. At least with Captain Shi, he knew where he stood. He knew when Captain Shi was angry, because he would shout. But Jack is always quiet. Jack always has a smile. woooooah, that is so spot on! I can just imagine it. Jack always has a smile on his face and you never know what he is thinking. His moods aren't easy to read. Surely it's intimidating to have a boss like that. But with time he starts to respect Jack because Jack is actually quite competent and he gets shit done.
Also I think Zhao Zi will learn with time to recognize what each of Jack's smiles mean, when he's tense, when he's on edge, when he's happy, when he's upset, etc. So the rest of the team looks at Zhao Zi to judge what mood Jack is in. xD
Once Jack demonstrates his ability to bring some swift order and decorum to the precinct, Yu Qi is silently glad. Finally, somebody competent. YES give that girl some high profile cases, Jack, she deserves it! >O<
And Zhao Zi would of course be so happy. They get to look after each other and they always make sure the other gets to eat, even during busy times.
Hey, you have almost fleshed it out, if you feel like writing it I can beta for you. *innocent blinking*
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Date: 16 Feb 2020 13:27 (UTC)*clutches face* OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE I'VE STARTED WRITING IT.
Now that I've started it, I need a plot. *wails*
Jeez. I wouldn't trust this Unit with taking my pet for a walk! They would lose it. xD
This is SO TRUE. Unbelievable that in the novelization epilogues, he takes over as Captain. ...excuse me? HE'S LUCKY TO HAVE A JOB after getting it on with a mafia boss who later SHOT HIM IN THE SHOULDER. He's lucky he didn't get disciplined for that!
I agree, this Captain Jack AU is much better than actual canon.
Also I think Zhao Zi will learn with time to recognize what each of Jack's smiles mean, when he's tense, when he's on edge, when he's happy, when he's upset, etc. So the rest of the team looks at Zhao Zi to judge what mood Jack is in.
YES. Zhao Zi it the only person who can tell Jack's different moods and expressions apart. They all look the same to everybody else, but ZZ always knows how Jack is really feeling.
They get to look after each other and they always make sure the other gets to eat, even during busy times.
OMG, that is so cute. When it's really busy, Jack will actually go out and come back with food, or on the weekends when they're both off-duty, they do a lot of cooking together so they have enough to eat for the next few days.
YES, I LIKE THIS ALTERNATE FUTURE.
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Date: 16 Feb 2020 19:31 (UTC)I'm rooting for you! 👏 The plot will come, don't worry!
Unbelievable that in the novelization epilogues, he takes over as Captain. ...excuse me? HE'S LUCKY TO HAVE A JOB after getting it on with a mafia boss who later SHOT HIM IN THE SHOULDER.
Ahahahahah you're right. No joke I was surprised too! I have watched a lot of media with cops and investigations etc. Shao Fei is probably the most reckless cop I've come across. Super impulsive. In real life he'd be fired ten times over after the shit he's pulled. I love the guy but his one working brain cell is always with Tang Yi. But hey, he's the main character of course he'll end up as Captain. I personally think he's not yet ready for it - he can't be responsible for himself, always running into places without warrants, breaking rules, even stalking people etc. So how is he going to be responsible for a whole team?
Jack would, by far, be a better fit as Captain. I mean he loves thrills but he's also the thinking/brooding type. A guy with a plan. Jack plays the long con and plays it well so you know he's got brains. If he's on your side you know you can depend on him. And I think it would fit his character well too. I do like the canon but him just being at home and cooking is kinda wasting his talents, no?
When it's really busy, Jack will actually go out and come back with food, or on the weekends when they're both off-duty, they do a lot of cooking together so they have enough to eat for the next few days.
Ah this is so adorable! Cooking together side by side, casually discussing cases, just basking in the familiarity and the knowledge they get to be together both at home and at work. Before Jack became the captain of the team they missed each other terribly. But now they get to be together even during the work days. And maybe some of the team would be like ?? 'wtf, don't you get sick of each other?' ahahahhahaha.
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Date: 4 Mar 2020 22:26 (UTC)I know why everyone loves domestic!Jack but I think he'd get VERY bored soon enough. And given what we know about how he likes chaos, if he's bored he'll stir up trouble. It'll be clever trouble, but trouble nonetheless. It could be screwing with the long-established pecking order at the daily market where he buys fresh ingredients for ZZ's many meals. He could go undercover with a granny-led smuggling ring. It could be fucking with just about anything in his daily existence that grabs his intellect and fancy. This is why I can never see him remaining a househusband to ZZ for more than about the fortnight it takes him to get ZZ's house and life in order and teach ZZ enough to enact his favourite sexual fantasies (by the way, why hasn't this come up in Jack's character discussion more??) - and this is why all fics that take that path are doomed for me.
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Date: 15 Mar 2020 22:05 (UTC)Right? I think he'd get bored too. xD I know the canon has him have a food truck and chase Zhao Zi around, cooking and providing food. And I love that lol, it's hilarious. But is it enough to keep Jack's intelligence engaged? That's why I was saying him being the Captain of Unit 3 makes more sense!
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Date: 18 Mar 2020 21:17 (UTC)no subject
Date: 16 Feb 2020 00:55 (UTC)no subject
Date: 16 Feb 2020 13:10 (UTC)I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY.
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Date: 16 Feb 2020 16:00 (UTC)eta: the "am I dreaming" exchange is 100% solid gold omg
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Date: 16 Feb 2020 19:58 (UTC)*whispers* Should I keep writing this?
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Date: 16 Feb 2020 20:00 (UTC)no subject
Date: 17 Feb 2020 19:09 (UTC)I can't believe I wrote 2,300 words yesterday, I write so slow that 500 words is a good day for me normally.
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Date: 17 Feb 2020 19:45 (UTC)no subject
Date: 17 Feb 2020 21:55 (UTC)no subject
Date: 17 Feb 2020 22:00 (UTC)