Torchwood: Reflections on Jack and the Doctor and the future...

[fajrdrako]

There are thoughts about Captain Jack I've been incubating for a while without ever having a chance to express them. So, I'm rushing to put down a few thoughts before things get too busy today....

1. Jack and the Doctor
Does Jack have abandonment issues, with regard to the Doctor? Yes, of course he does. Under the circumstances, who wouldn't? But....

There has been a long-held assumption in fandom that Jack was, or has been, or is, angry with the Doctor for abandoning him. Various factors, including comments by John Barrowman, have reinforced this, and I think it has been taken for granted among fans. When they meet again, will Jack hit the Doctor, or kiss him?

I see no evidence of this underlying anger in the canon. As he sees the TARDIS leave without him in "Parting of the Ways", Jack is devastated rather than angry. Distressed. Bewildered. His attitude in Torchwood would back this up - he's looking for "the right kind of doctor" to tell him what happened, and it's "the right kind of doctor" that might have been the subject of his Bilis-inspired visions, if he had any.

Anyway, it seems to me that whatever reactions of anger Jack may have had, were ephemeral and his significant reaction has been consistent faith: "Never doubted him, never will."

And this is underscored with his clear expression on hearing the TARDIS in the Hub: incredulity, hope, and happiness. No ambiguity there. The Doctor has come for him at last, and he's happy about it.

In a tangential topic, but also related to Jack and the Doctor, boji (and I hope I'm citing the right fan here!) was commenting on the fan video-footage that has been around, showing scenes from the filming of what appears to be the finals Jack scenes in Doctor Who series three.

Now, personally, I can't handle spoilers. I looked at the photos. I downloaded the footage. And while downloading I played it, and covered my eyes, because I couldn't stand seeing spoilers of such amazing scenes, and then peeked because I couldn't stand not seeing it. And I was left both sorry and not-sorry that I peeked. But my basic reaction... besides not wanting to know ahead of time... was squee.

So I was surprised to see that boji thought the Doctor in this sequence seemed aloof. I had exactly the opposite reaction. Of course I only saw it in between-the-fingers snippets, but - I saw what I saw. Aloof? Not at all. Rather the contrary.

But of course... we won't know till we know.

2. Jack and his Immortality Issues
puritybrown was talking a few weeks ago about Jack's Immortality, and whether that will be resolved. Whether, in fact, the Doctor would or could remove Jack's Immortality and make him mortal again.

Personally I think it's a case where what's done can't be undone, and the Doctor can't do that, and couldn't do that even if he sweet-talked the Time Vortex or the TARDIS into trying. And Rose is gone, even assuming she could undo what she did in the first place. Which is not to say that things couldn't change....

But I don't see it as a bilateral choice. Jack is clearly unhappy to be immortal, and often wants to die - but I'm not sure if, given the choice, he would actually choose death. He has a strong sense of honour and purpose in the 21st century: he really does think (I believe) that he can save the world, and that in itself might be enough to keep him in it. I think (but can't yet prove) that the situation at the end of "End of Days" leaves us with a happier, stronger Jack who has come to terms with a lot of things. So he can, and I think will, come to terms with his own immortality.

And this is something the Doctor could help him with, if only just by example.

3. Jack: Depressed, or flirtatious?
puritybrown was relating this to Jack's immortality, i.e., he was unhappy because he was immortal. I think he is unhappy for other reasons: he lost his sense of place in space and time, he's looking for purpose, he's faced hardship, betrayal, and abandonment, he's seen too many people he love die, at least one of them by torture - he's a caring person, and this weighs heavily on him. He doesn't wear responsibility easily or well, but he takes it seriously.

But I don't see his joie de vivre as lost or broken, just dampened.

4. Jack and his Timeline.
How long has Jack been at Torchwood? Or in the 20th century? I don't know if we'll ever get a definitive answer to this, but I still believe he popped back and forth in time on numerous occasions and it is impossible to say - even more so than with the Doctor - how the sightings of Jack at different times follow chronologically. With the Doctor, in fact, we can judge some of the chronology by checking which regeneration we're dealing with. Can't do that with Jack, unless you're looking at which Doctor he's with.

I think we will get an answer to the question of how he got off the Game Station. I hope it's a clever one.

5. Jack and the Torchwood Team - I see Jack's relationship with his people at Torchwood as being a central theme of series one. How they perceive him, how he perceives them, what issues they have to deal with, and how they do it. In the end of "End of Days" I see this as resolved in love and forgiveness both ways round. And coffee. Definitely coffee. Not to mention those hugs and kisses, or forgiveness and tears in the case of Owen.

So have they really gelled as a team now? I think so, I hope so.

More pertinently: what individual issues will be important in series two? Right after that reconciliation scene, Jack left them. We don't know for how long, but long enough for them to issue missing persons posters. What changes will that make in their attitudes?

As I see it, the more important issues are the personal ones. Each character has a specific personal relationship with Jack now. Gwen's attitude to Jack is laced with unresolved sexual tension; where does that leave her with Rhys, and their relationship so newly reaffirmed? She told Rhys she'd be right back home, and then spent several days in the morgue with Jack.

Ianto's relationship with Jack is both enhanced and complicated with sex and love - no less so since "End of Days" encompassed quarrel and reconciliation between them. Jack's departure is bound to affect Ianto. I'm sure Ianto loves Jack, and just as sure that he has no idea where he stands with him.

Owen: well, there's a lot of baggage there, and for all I think we'll have a sweeter and gentler Owen, there only so far a leopard can change his spots.

Toshiko's relationship with Jack seems the least complicated: respect and friendship. I hope something interesting happens with her. I want action!Tosh back, as in "Countrycide".

We know Toshiko met the Doctor. It seems likely that Ianto at least saw him when he was at Canary Wharf. Does this have anything to do with their ending up at Torchwood Cardiff with Jack?

Comments

[crabby-lioness.livejournal.com]

I don't know if Jack is unhappy with his immortality per se. It seems more the case that he is unhappy because he doesn't understand where his immortality comes from.

As for that question, it came from TARDIS/Rose. Rose is gone, but the TARDIS remains.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't know if Jack is unhappy with his immortality per se.

We hear him say that he never felt so alive as when he thought he might die; and that life is just barely bearable, because it has to be; and we see him alienated and appearing to be stressed or unhappy in a way he didn't show when he was mortal. Which makes the conclusion 'he is unhappy to be immortal' a fair extrapolation.

But that might be deceptive. Jack has other reasons for unhappiness, and we've seen him show joy and appreciation of life, too, so it isn't all the dark side for him. I think the love of life is still there, but he is struggling to save the world and find his place in it, two tasks that are pretty close to impossible and would wear anyone down. Add to this the loss of the Doctor, the confusion about why he's immortal, and the death of people he loves... reasons enough for stress.

There are reasons to think that being immortal is a good thing. It gives Jack accumulated knowledge and experience, and an edge over his enemies. Among other things. And where there is life, there's hope. I'm hoping he remains immortal, but becomes happier with life.

Rose is gone, but the TARDIS remains.

Lovely line. Do you mean: what the TARDIS gives, it can take away? Do you think that will happen? I think it means that the Doctor can explain to Jack how he was revived, and how he became immortal.

[whatagoodboy71.livejournal.com]

Random...er, thing?

"Rose is gone, but the TARDIS remains" would make a fantastic icon.

*looks around for icon-making skills*

I must have misplaced them. Damn and blast!

/not so much of a point comment.

(Sorry. Too much tea today.)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It is a good line! All the more so because I love both the TARDIS and Rose.

[becky-h.livejournal.com]

I really don't have a lot to say to most of this, but I will say I think Jack's love of life and love of love is still very much present and I don't think he's been hopping back and forth through time a lot. Maybe some, but I think he's primarily been with Torchwood, with one identity for an extended period of time.

His immortality issues - agreed. I don't think enough distinction's made between "Jack's hurt by seeing pain and loss and death" and "Jack's hurt by being immortal." Jack loves life. Being tired of loss isn't the same as being tired of being alive. Mostly he wants the Doctor and he wants answers, IMO.

I. Am not sure the DOctor's going to be able to give Jack all the answers he's looking for. What happened? Maybe. Why it happened? I'm really not so sure. Interesting theory, and a tangent, that was put forth by my husband is that at some future date the Doctor's going to run out of regenerations and Jack's going to save him.

Since that'd be something Rose WOULD save him for - even as bad wolf.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I will say I think Jack's love of life and love of love is still very much present

I agree, though it isn't always in the forefront. I think it's more that we're seeing more facets to him, and seeing under the facade.

don't think he's been hopping back and forth through time a lot.

Not now. I think he has done so in the past - his past.

I think he's primarily been with Torchwood, with one identity for an extended period of time.

We shall see!

Jack loves life. Being tired of loss isn't the same as being tired of being alive.

Agreed, absolutely. I think he gets discouraged but that isn't the same as a loss of involvement. He still has all the instincts and appreciation of life he always did, and over and over we've seen how much he cares.

Mostly he wants the Doctor and he wants answers, IMO.

Yes, I agree 100%. I think he also wants to save the world, but that's less of a personal quest and more of a chance to use his unusual situation in a worthwhile way. ("Worthwhile" isn't quite the word I mean but I can't think what is... Honourable? Fulfilling? Worthy of the Doctor?)

not sure the DOctor's going to be able to give Jack all the answers he's looking for. What happened? Maybe. Why it happened? I'm really not so sure.

Or how it happened? I don't know what he will say, and I'm looking forward to finding out. I'm not sure part of what he was teaching about life - and that makes it sound more didactic than it is, but I think you know what I mean - one of his implicit lessons for Jack is that Jack has to figure out his own life for himself, and find his own path. Which I think Jack is doing, but he still wants the Doctor and the answers the Doctor could give him. Whatever they are.

Interesting theory, and a tangent, that was put forth by my husband is that at some future date the Doctor's going to run out of regenerations and Jack's going to save him.

Eeee! I love it! That's brilliant! It's perfect. I hope Russell T. Davies knows about this.

that'd be something Rose WOULD save him for - even as bad wolf.

I like that on a few dozen levels. It fits like that old man in an attic. (Er, sorry, spontaneous Dunnett reference. The full quote: "The truth fits, like an old man cutting cloth in an attic.")

[boji.livejournal.com]

Quickly wanted to say that you did cite the right fan *g* I think that, in part, my reading of aloof comes from Tennant's lighter/less intense portrayal of the Doctor than Eccles' interpretation. Or to put it a different way, Tennant rarely lets that intensity out (the gentleness and focus that comes into play when he talks to the Face of Boe comes to mind as one memorable occasion when he does) and that makes him difficult to read.

It's a personal thing.

I do think that the scene in question probably pivots in the dialogue/monologue Jack delivers. With his back to camera none of us could lip-read, so we're waiting on that.
Seriously hoping you're right and I'm just pointlessly skittish or negative.

Will be back to comment on immortality after some more thought.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Quickly wanted to say that you did cite the right fan *g*

Oh, good! I was almost sure it was you but my memory is rubbish and I had no time to check back, and that's when I'm most likely to mess up.

my reading of aloof comes from Tennant's lighter/less intense portrayal of the Doctor than Eccles' interpretation.

That makes sense. A very different interpretation of the character, and the interaction between Jack and Nine tended to be overtly intense.

Tennant rarely lets that intensity out... that makes him difficult to read.

Yes. I am pesonally more attuned to the Eccleston style and need to give the Tennant style more thought and conscious interpretation in any given scene.

the gentleness and focus that comes into play when he talks to the Face of Boe comes to mind

Such a lovely scene. Well played, too.

I do think that the scene in question probably pivots in the dialogue/monologue Jack delivers.

Well, yes. We don't even know the context. And having watched it with my eyes closed, thinking "I mustn't look, I mustn't look, BLINK, I must pretend I didn't just see that", my insight into the action probably isn't as complete as it might be. But my impression was... not of distance between them, but of comfort.

Seriously hoping you're right and I'm just pointlessly skittish or negative.

I get such a thrill out of just seeing them together in the same place that my own level of excitement makes me want to smack myself and say, "Get a grip." But it's such fun.

Will be back to comment on immortality after some more thought.

Please do. I look forward to it.

[arcane-author.livejournal.com]

A fantastic sum-up of the things we obsessive fans really wish to know.

lol, I'm now dealing with the debate whether or not to wander over to where that video is... I'm so desperate to know yet I'm damn sure I'll regret it. I suppose I'll just be happy with the knowledge it's good, hehe! :D

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

A fantastic sum-up of the things we obsessive fans really wish to
know.

And may never actually be told, though I think it's a safe bet that we'll get clarification on some of it, and semi-clarification on other things, and in general will interpret it as we wish anyway.

I'm now dealing with the debate whether or not to wander over to where that video is...

Don't! Don't! I'm sorry I saw what I saw. Really. It's good enough to be worth waiting for, with dialogue, and a clear situation, and all the nuances in place. Reallly. Resist the temptation.

I'm so desperate to know yet I'm damn sure I'll regret it.

Yes, me too. I'm sooo sorry I peeked. But... you know, only human.

I suppose I'll just be happy with the knowledge it's good, hehe! :D


Surely you had no real doubts?

Though I suppose the question of whether it's as good as it looks will have to wait till it's aired. (Tapping foot impatiently here...)

[becky-h.livejournal.com]

And to clarify - save him as in 'with the magical healing kiss'/time vortex/immortality. Then again my husband's insane and finds the idea of Jack pouring his immortality into the Doctor to save him and then dying appealing. ...I should really make him write fic.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

save him as in 'with the magical healing kiss'/time vortex/immortality.

I'd like that.

Then again my husband's insane

But creative!

finds the idea of Jack pouring his immortality into the Doctor to save him and then dying appealing. ...

I find the idea appealing too. After all, we've seen Jack give his life for the Doctor once and almost do it on another occasion, and we know it would be a fitting end, one he might choose. Not that I want Jack dead: I'd want the Time Vortex or the TARDIS or Rose/Bad Wolf or the Doctor to revive him again. If Daleks can come back infinitely, so can Jack.

There is a lovely fluidity to death in this show.

[siranan.livejournal.com]

I really agree with some of your points here. I mean, of course Jack's changed since Doctor/Rose/TARDIS life, but it's not all bad. Also, although he was abandoned, he could either have chosen to become bitter and twisted about it, or get over it - and he's not stupid. Though, got to say, I do hope there is a little more flirty!Jack in S2 - it's just so much fun.

And I really hope they sort out the timeline thing too, it's starting to intrigue me, and I'll be v. upset of it's left unresolved!

Great post xxxx

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

of course Jack's changed since Doctor/Rose/TARDIS life, but it's not all bad.

No. In some ways it's been very good. There's a purpose to his life (that he's working out for himself), and it isn't a selfish one. He has people who love him and whom he loves, and good memories of others. Most people don't get their heart's desire, or get to keep it, and Jack's doing as well as most and better than many.

although he was abandoned, he could either have chosen to become bitter and twisted about it, or get over it - and he's not stupid.

No, not stupid. Basically he had two choices: honour the Doctor by accepting his values and not being bitter and making something of himself, or reject the Doctor and his viewpoint. It's clear that Jack follows the Doctor's approach.

That being said, temperament comes into it too. Jack is at heart a compassionate person who cares about others and is happiest when he can make a good positive difference. If you love life as he does, you don't just turn it off when things go bad - though it might be in abeyance for a while. I'm not saying his spirit can't be broken, I'm saying that it hasn't been.

I do hope there is a little more flirty!Jack in S2 - it's just so much fun.

Oh, I agree! I want to see him flirt with Detective Swanson. Or try to.

I really hope they sort out the timeline thing too, it's starting to intrigue me, and I'll be v. upset of it's left unresolved!

I don't care if we get all the details, but they've set up questions they really ought to resolve.

Great post xxxx

Big grin - thank you!

[ladykoori.livejournal.com]

Oh, you bring up lots of interesting things. I doubt we get all the answers but I'm hopeful we'll get some. I guess we just have to wait to June when Jack's episodes air.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I doubt we get all the answers but I'm hopeful we'll get some.

I think we will get some - but I also think we'll get more questions!

I guess we just have to wait to June when Jack's episodes air.

I wait with unconcealed impatience.

June. Not that far away, right?

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

This is a fascinating analysis. I'm in the middle of a massive 'Jack back-story' series, and this has given me definite food for thought. I've long been convinced that the darker Jack we see in Torchwood is a result of the years he's spent waiting for the Doctor to come back. I agree that he's not angry exactly, but he's got to be at least a little hurt - I hope they address that.

I thought:

He doesn't wear responsibility easily or well, but he takes it seriously.

was a particularly interesting and accurate way of putting it. Hmmm...much food for thought...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

This is a fascinating analysis.

Thank you.

I'm in the middle of a massive 'Jack back-story' series,

Oooh - now, that I look forward to!

I've long been convinced that the darker Jack we see in Torchwood is a result of the years he's spent waiting for the Doctor to come back.

That would make sense.

I agree that he's not angry exactly, but he's got to be at least a little hurt - I hope they address that.

I think he was terribly and deeply hurt - partly because of the pain of loss, also because he doesn't understand what happened or why. He walked right by the "Bad Wolf" graffitti at the Ritz and didn't even know what it meant - I find that both delightful and heartbreaking.

particularly interesting and accurate way of putting it.

So glad you liked my analysis of Jack... you'll just encourage me to do it more, you know!

[rivier.livejournal.com]

Interesting, interesting, as ever!

One tiny thing amongst the many intriguing points you raise - and I'm still deeply happy with the fact that most of these will almost certainly never be resolved in canon, I suspect. Torchwood is consistent in loving its loose threads and ordinary, realistic, broken narratives. Nothing tied up in bows, or at least not in bows that can't be unlaced!

You said, Jack is clearly unhappy to be immortal, and often wants to die. That's something I don't personally get at all from the canon, though it is a hugely popular theme now in fanon - eleven million ways Ianto comes in in the morning and finds Jack spread out in a raspberry-jam-fest all over his own desk, etc...

I see him as unhappy that he doesn't understand what happened and, as importantly, why such a profound and potent thing happened to him. We know that the loss of knowledge in the years stolen by the Time Agency was eating away at him, before he rose from death on the Gamestation. I see that great gaping hole in knowledge as being the thing that now makes him restless. And he's intrigued by the reality of death, what it means - those urgent questions he fires at the last of Suzie's victims in Everything Changes.

But I don't get the impression either that he hates immortality, or that he wants to be dead. He does feel that immortality is blunting the edge of his enjoyment of life, maybe that it somehow stops him being truly alive. Hence his comments to Gwen at the end of Cybergirl. But otherwise, his inability to die is an asset in this first great extra-terrestrial battle on Earth, and I think his conversation with Tosh about accepting this has happened to him for a purpose, means that he embraces at least some sense of having a destiny that matters to him to live up to, if you like. It means, for instance, that he knows he can walk out to battle with Abbadon and at least have a reasonable hope of defeating him, somthing no mortal human would have.

And when he helps John to die - his warnings about the darkness and nothing ahead, are they the things that someone 'half in love with easeful Death' would really say? Even if what he's trying to do is prevent John's suicide, he just doesn't seem to have any attraction to that idea of oblivion.

I think the ignorance he has to live with drives him mad at times, and that immortality can be jading. But I don't think, for me, that translates into Jack carrying it as a curse and praying for release, as John did. He's no Mawdryn, yet.

[myfavouriteplum.livejournal.com]

I think humans can be more complicated. There're people who have suicide fantasies, who are fascinated with death, but still are somehow afraid of the idea of oblivion. And pre-immortal Jack, who called himself a coward, also enjoyed dancing around danger. He seems to have a love-hate relationship with death all the time. Near the end of 'End of days', he strikes me as both in deep gratitude for being alive and a little disappointed.
But I agree with you here. Jack never says the Doctor will 'repair' his immortality for him; he only said in 'Everything changes' that the Doctor would 'explain' it to him. And Jack does have a strong sense of having a destiny and a responsibility: he won't give up his life for nothing. If he's going to die, it'd better be something big, something worth it, something he's brought back for and has endured all this pain for. Only to experiment on death possibilities or suicide methods(like in fanfics): no. He certainly has passed the desperate period long ago. John's suicide attempt must has roused his painful memories.
Jack is curious enough--part of the reason why the big hole in his memory irritates him so much. The fact he doesn't know why he is immortal really tortures his soul. And his life style is 'live every night like it's your last'. The immortality simply can't do good to a man like this, at least not in a short period.(And a short period for an immortal is...how many years?)He must have hated his immortality, and he must have wanted to die, in the past. This had been part of his psychology, and the reminiscence of it will always be there. So he can understand John's decision. Jack hasn't been living an easy life. The only way to turn a more Casanova-like person into something more like messiah, is to totally break him and throw him into another mould.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Interesting, interesting, as ever!

Grin - thank you. And I love you people for commenting on my comments, which just encourages me to do this more, and I'm sure there are other things I should be doing... but I'd rather be doing this. No doubt a character failing.

I'm still deeply happy with the fact that most of these will almost certainly never be resolved in canon, I suspect.

Yes. I think some will be - partially at least - probably in a few ambiguous throw-away lines. And other questions will be raised and we'll be poking at all the bits and having a great time with it.

eleven million ways Ianto comes in in the morning and finds Jack spread out in a raspberry-jam-fest all over his own desk, etc...

Eee. I hate that theme, though I read it with a certain morbid fascination and incredulity. That's not my Jack. If Jack was really into suicide, he wouldn't have tried to stop John Ellis. If Jack was really into suicide, he wouldn't be as engaged in life as he is. Especially when, in my estimation, the two greatest forces in his emotional psychology are his sense of caring and his sense of duty. (And yes, that applies also to his con man days.)

That being said, I think there are enough lines that imply that in his confusion and sense of isolation that has come with his immortality, Jack would like to be able to die just like everyone else - to be part of humanity in again in a way that he currently can't be. I can let him live with this, nobody's life should be all roses and thoughtlessness - that would be empty stagnation.

So basically I'm on the same side of this argument as you are. I'm arguing for Jack's love of life being predominant, not a death wish.

I'm also factoring in certain moments like Jack's statement to John Ellis, that life is only just bearable and he has to bear it because he has no other choice. He isn't being insincere, but it isn't the whole picture of his psyche. (I think John Ellis' despair has brought Jack's own sadness to the fore there.) Or the Jack we see in "Everything Changes" and "Day One", who is cutting himself away from his own sense of compassion for others - and regrets it when it is brought to his attention.

We know that the loss of knowledge in the years stolen by the Time Agency was eating away at him, before he rose from death on the Gamestation. I see that great gaping hole in knowledge as being the thing that now makes him restless.

Very interesting point. I find it interesting that the man who has been so distressed by his own missing time has created an amnesia drug which he administers with a fair frequency and ruthlessness. How does he square that with his conscience? Is it a matter of the end justifying the means? Or a matter of degree - his Retcon only erases a conversation or an hour, while they took two whole years from him?

But otherwise, his inability to die is an asset in this first great extra-terrestrial battle on Earth, and I think his conversation with Tosh about accepting this has happened to him for a purpose, means that he embraces at least some sense of having a destiny that matters to him to live up to,

Yes, and I think this is crucially significant to him. On any number of levels. He needs that sense of purpose, he's a soldier with a cause who, if he understands his cause and it's a good one, will give his all to it. Who wants to have that sense of extreme endeavour, of making a difference, of salvaging our future.

It means, for instance, that he knows he can walk out to battle with Abbadon and at least have a reasonable hope of defeating him, something no mortal human would have.

I think this is why his attitude has changed at the end of "End of Days". He has found a purpose for his immortality, he saved the world with it, and thanks to Gwen and fate (or Rose, but he doesn't know that part) he has survived once more, disaster averted - duty done. At which point he is greatly restored to himself in spirit, able to love and forgive, and re-engage with humanity and his own feelings.

It would be nice to think that this psychic state has earned him his reunion with the Doctor, but I don't think they'll put it in such mystical terms - !

Who is Mawdryn?

[aoife-8.livejournal.com]

I've been mulling over the question of what the underlying themes in Torchwood are myself over the last week, having recently re-watched the first seven eps on DVD. And now the dust has settled and I can look at the series objectively I think the underlying themes running through almost every episode in series 1 are abandonment, betrayal, deceit and death. Very grim, really! I can find examples of at least 2 of the above in every single episode.

I'm hoping the themes that emerge in Series 2 are lighter - faithfulness, redemption and love, maybe?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think the underlying themes running through almost every episode in series 1 are abandonment, betrayal, deceit and death. Very grim, really!

I'd have said loneliness, fear, death, and love. Maybe also: the way people build defenses for themselves, and the way they can overcome alienation and fear by helping each other. Issues of trust and loss. Deception - ?

I'm hoping the themes that emerge in Series 2 are lighter - faithfulness, redemption and love, maybe?

I hope so! It would be nice to see some of that. It doesn't matter how dark things are if the result is something heroic, loving, or if there are periods of joy and triumph.

[myfavouriteplum.livejournal.com]

About the left-behind Jack in POTW, I remember the recapper at televisionwithoutpity said something like:
'the look on his face, it's not fear, it's not being stranded, it's not anything but love. And being left behind. 'And I'll add one more: it's not anger. Even there's anger, he seems more angry with himself than angry with the Doctor and Rose. There're many kinds of love. Jack's love towards the Doctor and Rose is an unselfish one.
And the incredulity on Jack's face when he first heard the TARDIS in 'End of Days', is nearly painful to watch for me.
Sometimes I think Ten and Jack can be easier friends than Nine and Jack. This round they're more equals, and have more things in common. But as a slash pairing, they have a little too much in common. They are two narcissists in greatcoat...

Sex in the 20th Century must have been a problem for Jack. In his Time Agent/conman days, when he visited this century, he could leave at any time. There were no consequences, and even if there were, he wouldn't stay long enough to actually see them. There were rules, which were not for him, a traveller only passing by. But when he goes the slow path, sex won't be some place as safe as before.(And this couldn't be good for his mental balances.)During a large part of the 20th century, the two sexes were still at war; there were all kinds of battles, but only one kind of peace, which was monogamy. And the love between the same sex, was taboo. God, this is depressing for someone omnisexual. He may have had some frustrated experiences, may have hurt quite a few people and himself. Poor guy. No wonder why he chooses Ianto, since our emo tea boy seems as broken as him. You can't break something already broken, can you? Well, that's the question.
And it's a problem for the writers: how to write someone omnisexual(and a bit of a slut) in our time, without him hurting anyone, without him being ridiculous, and...without him losing his omnisexuality. I don't blame them for their failures. It's mission impossible.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

About the left-behind Jack in POTW, I remember the recapper at televisionwithoutpity said something like: 'the look on his face, it's not fear, it's not being stranded, it's not anything but love.

So true, at least in my estimation. (I must go and read those recaps. Are they doing series 2 as well?)

I'll add one more: it's not anger.

I don't think so.

There're many kinds of love. Jack's love towards the Doctor and Rose is an unselfish one.

Yes, and it's totally unconditional love.

To feel anger, I think Jack would have to feel he deserved something different, and I don't think he thought that. There's loss and pain and even disappointment - but only because something he valued has gone, not because he thinks the Doctor owed him anything. I think at that point, Jack would say the Doctor had already given him everything that was worth anything in his life, including his life itself.

Sometimes I think Ten and Jack can be easier friends than Nine and Jack.

I don't yet have a sense of what the changes will be with regard to the relationship with Jack. I'm looking forward to seeing it. Which can out-talk the other?

They are two narcissists in greatcoat...

LOL! Oh, so very true!

when he goes the slow path, sex won't be some place as safe as before.

He has the same problems we see in Highlander when an Immortal links up with a non-Immortal: they age and die. But there are no other immortals like Jack. That's isolation in itself. How can you share an unending life, even if you want to? You can't - Jack can't confer immortality, he can only live it.

During a large part of the 20th century, the two sexes were still at war; there were all kinds of battles, but only one kind of peace, which was monogamy.

Not quite true, but true enough to cause difficulty if you're an omnisexual, polyamorous adventurer. (And "adventurer" is too trivial to describe Jack in this context, but it will do.)

No wonder why he chooses Ianto, since our emo tea boy seems as broken as him.

And as willing to take a totally independent path. But - I think this is significant - in the primary sense, Jack didn't choose Ianto: he liked him, he flirted with him, but he didn't seduce him. He left Ianto to make the first move. Granted, he didn't exactly turn him down... and 'ten minutes, in my office' does sound suspiciously like 'grab him fast before he changes his mind'. Understandable; Ianto was particulary cute at that moment.

You can't break something already broken, can you? Well, that's the question.

I think Jack had something more like mutual healing in mind.

how to write someone omnisexual(and a bit of a slut) in our time, without him hurting anyone

I find it interesting seeing the ways that they've done this. Playing it very carefully so it doesn't look as if he preys on women. Note that his threesomes (mentioned) have either been all-male or gender-unspecified. Note that he is concerned to preserve Gwen's good relationship with Rhys. Note that there is nothing in the least sexual in his dealing with Toshiko, the most vulnerable of his team - and since Jack is generally sexual to some extent with your average inanimate or animate object of any description, that's quite a trick.

Note also that there is nothing sexual in his dealings with Owen, who is the most sexually flagrant of the team, but also the most morally suspect.

It seems he left Estelle, but it's written to emphasize its casualness, and we don't see her heartbreak (if that's what it was), and it was a long time ago. Things are at a very humanistic, individual level. Jack doesn't just screw people, he cares about them.

I don't blame them for their failures. It's mission impossible.

But an interesting attempt... and they really aren't doing so badly.

[myfavouriteplum.livejournal.com]

"We know Toshiko met the Doctor. It seems likely that Ianto at least saw him when he was at Canary Wharf. Does this have anything to do with their ending up at Torchwood Cardiff with Jack?"

Yeah, except Owen(and Suzie), they all have connections to the Doctor. It looks as if Jack is collecting the pieces about the Doctor...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's possible that Owen and Suzie have connections to the Doctor that we don't know about.

It looks as if Jack is collecting the pieces about the Doctor...

Yes. We know he has the 3D glasses, the televisions, the hand - what and who else? I think it's been his private, unspoken quest for some time.