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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!
no subject
Date: 15 Feb 2020 21:41 (UTC)THIS. 110% this.
If he goes to Cambodia, he might actually lose everything he could have with Zhao Zi, that different glimpse of what being alive might mean, and that's why he doesn't want to go. Why he stays when ZZ finally asks.
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.
YAAAAAAASSS! He's very...broody and thinky when he's got his knife out. I wonder if that's just like...his tic when he's thinking about something, maybe when he worries, when he considers the next step in the complicated game he's playing. But when he's with ZZ, he doesn't have to do that. He can just be.
I love how on the same wavelength are about Jack. <33333
no subject
Date: 15 Feb 2020 23:37 (UTC)I would have probably cried if they didn't have a happy ending, for me they were the most interesting part of the show. <3
Jack flipping the knife is so pretty to me. Aesthetically pleasing. :3 And honestly I think it could mean so many things. Playing with it when he's bored, when he wants to intimidate someone, when thinking of the next step in his plan, when he hasn't been out doing anything exciting for too long and there's an itchy feeling under his skin, when he wants to bury the knife in someone. Maybe it's like a... security blanket too. It's always with him. But yes, when he is with Zhao Zi he never plays with it. When they are together Zhao Zi is the only thing he needs to feel calm. The only thing he needs to ground him is his small weird boyfriend.
Maybe before he met Zhao Zi he didn't even know what feeling at peace was like.
It seems we're sharing 1 brain cell when it comes to Jack. xD For real though, I can feel how much you love this character when you write about him. <3 Good! He deserves to be loved. :3
no subject
Date: 16 Feb 2020 13:35 (UTC)I think if Zhao Zi didn't ask him to stay a part of Jack would have been so disappointed. To not be able to explore this new thing, these new feelings when he's with Zhao Zi.
I do not doubt for a single moment that when Jack said "or do you want leave me heartbroken" that he meant it. He would have been HEARTBROKEN if ZZ hadn't reciprocated.
He never wanted to remain in one place for long, never found a reason to. Not until he met Zhao Zi and realised he wanted to stay.
THIS. *points* SO MUCH THIS.
I would have probably cried if they didn't have a happy ending, for me they were the most interesting part of the show. <3
I would have flipped a fucking table if they hadn't gotten together, or if they had somehow ended up having a sad ending. (Like the main couple in Make Our Days Count...WHAT THE FUCK DID THE WRITERS DO AND WHYYYYYYY)
I am so glad they get to be happy and together and domestic and their silly selves and...aaaah, that is everything I wanted out of the show
besides more sex.Maybe it's like a... security blanket too. It's always with him.
Oh yes, exactly what you said. We never see him playing with when he's with ZZ, and that is...such a telling difference? Every time he's playing with it in the series he is tense in some way, but he's never tense around ZZ.
Maybe before he met Zhao Zi he didn't even know what feeling at peace was like.
*points up again* YAAAAS, I love how you put that.
We have like...our one Jack brain cell that we share. I love it. <333333
no subject
Date: 16 Feb 2020 20:39 (UTC)Ahhhh thank you! <3 I realised I didn't have a Jack icon and I had to remedy that. xD I LOVE it when he gets that slightly crazy look in his eyes.
I do not doubt for a single moment that when Jack said "or do you want to leave me heartbroken" that he meant it. He would have been HEARTBROKEN if ZZ hadn't reciprocated.
OHHHHH gosh absolutely.;; His 'do you want me to leave satisfied or do you want me to leave heartbroken' had me dying. He was being honest, he put his feelings on the line. Right after doing something scary like negotiating going to Cambodia to infiltrate the drug route, the first thing he did was go to see Zhao Zi. After doing something scary like that what he needed was Zhao Zi's calming and warm company. And because he knew they don't have much time but he wanted to spend time with Zhao Zi before then.
Funny thing is Jack actually THOUGHT that if Zhao Zi gave him a positive answer he would have been able to leave satisfied ?? lol~ Like hell no, sorry Jack, if that happened you wouldn't have been able to leave him anyway!
Ohh I haven't watched Make Our Days Count. It's on my to-watch list. But I know it has a sad ending so I'm kinda avoiding it. I hate sad endings... I'm super glad Jackzi are happily together. <3
We never see him playing with when he's with ZZ, and that is...such a telling difference?
Definitely, Jack doesn't need a security blanket when he's around Zhao Zi. He feels safe and at ease. Zhao Zi's company is enough. <3 Maybe because Jack has spent such a long time around liars, deceivers, gangsters, people with ulterior motives. That Zhao Zi, bright and naive and so genuine... how could Jack resist him? Uhhh, I love their dynamic a lot.
no subject
Date: 17 Feb 2020 19:17 (UTC)Jack's slightly crazy gleam is definitely one of the things that drew me to him as a character. He's...not a normal person, he's just a little bit off.
Funny thing is Jack actually THOUGHT that if Zhao Zi gave him a positive answer he would have been able to leave satisfied ??
That's a good point, actually. Now that you question it...I think what might've happened if Zhao Zi gave him a positive answer that night, is that Jack would left...and then he's in Cambodia days later, and realizes he's made A HUGE MISTAKE, because he left his heart in Taiwan. WHOOPS!
Ohh I haven't watched Make Our Days Count. It's on my to-watch list. But I know it has a sad ending so I'm kinda avoiding it. I hate sad endings...
Yeah, if you hate sad endings, then I would not recommend MODC. I kind of hate-watched my way through it, and there's very little to redeem it. The acting is worse. The writing is worse (and plagiarized off an early 90's BL manga, LOL). The relationships are boring, and I have a hard time seeing why either of the couples are actually together. ...and then that ending? YEESH. You're not missing anything, I promise.
no subject
Date: 17 Feb 2020 20:49 (UTC)Abso-fucking-lutely! It's kinda hot lol~ From the first scene it's clear he's just a little bit psycho. The way he held himself with so much confidence, the way he faced two guns without fear, and goshhh him fighting? That was such a treat! I really wish Andy had more fight scenes because he did so well.
Jack totally stole my attention right from the beginning. No offence to Tang Yi, but he doesn't have Jack's swagger. xD Jack is more... sexy and ruggedly handsome. His black gloves, motorcycle, leather jacket, chains, etc. What a look~! <3
I loved how he just shoved his gun in the other guy's hand right before the police came in. And he looked all innocent 'oops look at me, not armed, so harmless!!' and the smirk on his face when he raised his hands. Totally at ease. That first scene showed a lot about Jack. How much of a mischievous guy he was, dangerous yet playful.
and then he's in Cambodia days later, and realizes he's made A HUGE MISTAKE, because he left his heart in Taiwan. WHOOPS! Ahhahahahahah I can see that and to be honest I would give him 3 days tops to realise he's made a mistake. I mean, he would miss Zhao Zi so much ?? I don't think he'd realise how much he would miss Zhao Zi. Until he is in another country and the lack of his tiny weird sunshine feels suffocating.
When he came over to Zhao Zi's house and Zhao Zi was like 'Jack? why did you come?' the way Jack answers 'I missed you' easy as breathing?? so soft and so genuine ! he just.. he *bursts into tears* ;;
Well, I was planning to watch MODC but I'm reconsidering now haha. xD Maybe if I'm very bored AND also I won't watch the last episode. xD