![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fajrdrakoTitle: Companionship
Fandom: Torchwood/Doctor Who
Characters: Jack, Sarah Jane Smith
Challenge: Way back in May I accepted a challenge from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
neadods to write a 'first kiss' scene between Captain Jack Harkness and Sarah Jane Smith. I did not forget. I was not even slow to start working on it, as I loved the idea. But I wrote one scenario after another and discarded them as inadequate or unconvincing. It proved to be extraordinarily difficult. Here at last is a version I like enough to post.
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine, no claims, all property of the BBC.
Notes: Spoilers for Doctor Who episode "The Last of the Time Lords", with a fleeting reference to "School Reunion". Cross-posted to galactic_conman and dwfiction.
Companionship
From the very beginning, Sarah Jane Smith did not trust Captain Jack Harkness. He'd come sailing out of nowhere, appearing on her doorstep with a smile full of promises and a mouth full of lies.
Clearly he knew some things about the Doctor. He'd met Rose, yes, that she could believe. He'd been on the TARDIS, obviously; his information was too good to have been acquired any other way. Beyond that, she believed nothing. There were too many things he didn't say, or couldn't, or wouldn't. He'd met the Doctor - that didn't necessarily make him any kind of a friend of the Doctor, least of all a friend of hers.
She did some research on him, and came up with an inescapable fact: there were no records of any American named Captain Jack Harkness being in the UK since 1941. He was false as a Titanian brisket, this Captain, and she intended to keep her eye on him.
His organization, Torchwood, was even worse. It seemed everyone with any actual power knew about Torchwood, but no one knew the important details. The whole institution looked like a powder keg. She had a good talk with UNIT; they were suspicious of Torchwood, too. "Weaponry no one should have," they said, and "too much power, too little accountability". It seems Queen Victoria set up Torchwood under suspicious circumstances, to guard the world against alien threats in general and the Doctor in particular.
This was an expose waiting to be written, even if it was another article that should never see the light of day. Since Torchwood under Harkness seemed to pose no immediate threat, and the rest had disappeared with the Battle of Canary Wharf, she let it go for the sake of more immediate matters. When Captain Jack again turned up on her doorstep, she told him to go away and not come back.
One day, more than a year after the Battle of Canary Wharf, he broke the silence. She received a telephone call from Captain Jack Harkness.
"I've seen him," he said, without preamble. "I have news. Do you want to hear?"
There was only one person he could be talking about. She shouldn't listen. It might be a lie. But she'd had no word for so very long, not since the Krillitanes had invaded that school. She said, "Very well. Come to my place."
"On my way," he said, and disconnected. It was probably literally true: he no doubt rang her from his car. She put the kettle on for tea, and tried not to pace in anticipation. Luke was off somewhere with Maria, and she was glad - she wasn't sure how to explain Captain Jack to Luke. She wouldn't lie about him, of course, she didn't lie to Luke. But she didn't much want to talk about the mysterious Captain, either.
When Jack tapped on her door twenty minutes later, Sarah Jane had already finished half of her own cup of tea. His smile was as she remembered. She ignored it. "Come in," she said. "Care for some tea?" She hoped she managed to sound sufficiently casual. Friendly but not gullible. Businesslike.
"I'd rather a glass of water," he said, and she got it for him. They sat in her living room, with Jack in the large, comfortable chair, while she sat on the sofa. He said, "The TARDIS came to Cardiff to refuel. I hitched a ride. On the outside."
As he continued, she saw how absurd it was, like all his stories. A severed hand, as some sort of Doctor alert? Riding the time vortex hanging onto the outside the of TARDIS - what was he, Spider-Man? Going to the end of time? Searching for Utopia? Well, that all sounded like the Doctor, right enough, he was always into wild extremes, and seemed to be more so inclined as time went on. Not that time ever just 'went on' for the Doctor.
Captain Jack's story got more and more outrageous. Meeting another Time Lord at the end of time, one who'd lost his memory, who turned out to be a friend of the Doctor, but insane and power-hungry. Harold Saxon and Archangel. Toclafanes and warfare. A year that never was, of imprisonment, enslavement and resistance. Martha Jones, saviour of mankind. Deceptions, tricks of the mind, and psychic magic.
Sarah Jane listened to him without interruption. "Quite a story," she said, mildly, when he stopped.
"Yes."
"If I didn't know him, I wouldn't believe any of it."
"But you know him."
"I was looking into the disappearance of Harold Saxon."
"Oh?"
"And the way he popped up a couple of years ago. He was almost as mysterious as you."
Jack smiled at that. "No one is as mysterious as me."
"...But your ego is bigger."
"Not just my ego," he murmured, but she pretended not to have heard him.
She tried to picture the scene he described. The gunshot, the woman in red. The Doctor in tears. "He loved him?"
"The Master was the only other living Time Lord. The Doctor wanted to save him. It was his last chance... He couldn't save the others, back in the Time War. He thought he could maybe save this one. Just this one."
"Chivalrous nonsense," she snapped, and found herself on the verge of tears herself.
"Not nonsense. It's what he is. It's why we love him."
She looked at him quizzically. "We?"
"You. Me. Rose. Martha, too. How could we not?"
Jack was a con man, an actor. She knew that. But looking at him now, she believed that he knew the Doctor, believed that he loved him, that the Doctor had touched him in the same way he had her, and triggered a soul-deep change. Some people, after meeting the Doctor, would never be the same again.
Jack reached over and took her hand, squeezing it.
"How could we not?" she echoed. "I wish... How he must be hurting. I wish we could help."
"He'll find us if he needs us," said Jack. He kissed her hand, comforting her. Then he kissed it again.
She looked at him suspiciously, though didn't pull her hand away. "Jack Harkness. Are you coming on to me?"
He did not let go of her hand, which he had lifted to his lips. She could feel his warm breath against her knuckles as he held it there. Without moving his lips away from her skin, he lifted an eyebrow and said quizzically, as if it were another question rather than an answer, "Yes?"
She pulled her hand away quickly, and tried not to wish she hadn't. "Idiot man. I'm too old for flirtation."
He laughed - not at her, but in a warm sort of way that made even the air around him feel good. "Sarah Jane Smith, how old are you? Fifty at most? I have a century on you, and I'm not too old for flirtation. We both know someone pushing a thousand. Doesn't he make you feel young?"
"I miss him," she said bluntly. She felt like crying again. She was the idiot, a weepy old fool. She was usually more careful than this. But Jack's news about the Doctor had unsettled her, and Jack himself.... She realized how badly she had misjudged him before, and was furious with herself for it. He had needed her friendship, and she had coldly withheld it. Had she turned into such a suspicious old curmudgeon that she didn't know a friend when she met one?
"I miss him, too," said Jack gently. "Every day. Always. But it makes life worth living, you know? He's out there, doing his thing. And one day he'll return." He stood. So did she. He pulled her into his arms as if it was the most natural thing in the world, and Sarah Jane let herself accept it. He was a link to the Doctor. A link to her past and the planet's future, even if he and she hadn't shared that time together. A link to a world out there of planets and aliens and adventures and dangers and doing things that must be done.
He had a very comforting hug.
She said, "What's this about you being more than a hundred years old?"
"A hundred and fifty. But looking good, don't you think?"
"Are you human?"
"Completely."
"Then how...?"
He kissed her, lightly, on the lips. "It's a long story. It involves the fifty-first century, and the Time Agency... or maybe the year 200,100 and a Game Station... or maybe a girl hanging from a barrage balloon in the Blitz. Tell you what. Let's order Chinese and I'll tell you the story of Captain Jack Harkness and how he became immortal."
"Immortal?"
"And hungry! Have a heart. I drove all the way from Cardiff and I haven't had any lunch."
"There's a really good Chinese place just around the corner. I'll call them - Luke loves it."
"Luke?"
"I can tell you a story or two as well, Captain. Did you know I'm a mother now?"
He sat, laughing. "You're full of surprises."
"It comes with the territory. Egg rolls, do you think?"
"Definitely egg rolls," agreed Jack.
- end -
Fandom: Torchwood/Doctor Who
Characters: Jack, Sarah Jane Smith
Challenge: Way back in May I accepted a challenge from
neadods to write a 'first kiss' scene between Captain Jack Harkness and Sarah Jane Smith. I did not forget. I was not even slow to start working on it, as I loved the idea. But I wrote one scenario after another and discarded them as inadequate or unconvincing. It proved to be extraordinarily difficult. Here at last is a version I like enough to post. Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine, no claims, all property of the BBC.
Notes: Spoilers for Doctor Who episode "The Last of the Time Lords", with a fleeting reference to "School Reunion". Cross-posted to galactic_conman and dwfiction.
Companionship
From the very beginning, Sarah Jane Smith did not trust Captain Jack Harkness. He'd come sailing out of nowhere, appearing on her doorstep with a smile full of promises and a mouth full of lies.
Clearly he knew some things about the Doctor. He'd met Rose, yes, that she could believe. He'd been on the TARDIS, obviously; his information was too good to have been acquired any other way. Beyond that, she believed nothing. There were too many things he didn't say, or couldn't, or wouldn't. He'd met the Doctor - that didn't necessarily make him any kind of a friend of the Doctor, least of all a friend of hers.
She did some research on him, and came up with an inescapable fact: there were no records of any American named Captain Jack Harkness being in the UK since 1941. He was false as a Titanian brisket, this Captain, and she intended to keep her eye on him.
His organization, Torchwood, was even worse. It seemed everyone with any actual power knew about Torchwood, but no one knew the important details. The whole institution looked like a powder keg. She had a good talk with UNIT; they were suspicious of Torchwood, too. "Weaponry no one should have," they said, and "too much power, too little accountability". It seems Queen Victoria set up Torchwood under suspicious circumstances, to guard the world against alien threats in general and the Doctor in particular.
This was an expose waiting to be written, even if it was another article that should never see the light of day. Since Torchwood under Harkness seemed to pose no immediate threat, and the rest had disappeared with the Battle of Canary Wharf, she let it go for the sake of more immediate matters. When Captain Jack again turned up on her doorstep, she told him to go away and not come back.
One day, more than a year after the Battle of Canary Wharf, he broke the silence. She received a telephone call from Captain Jack Harkness.
"I've seen him," he said, without preamble. "I have news. Do you want to hear?"
There was only one person he could be talking about. She shouldn't listen. It might be a lie. But she'd had no word for so very long, not since the Krillitanes had invaded that school. She said, "Very well. Come to my place."
"On my way," he said, and disconnected. It was probably literally true: he no doubt rang her from his car. She put the kettle on for tea, and tried not to pace in anticipation. Luke was off somewhere with Maria, and she was glad - she wasn't sure how to explain Captain Jack to Luke. She wouldn't lie about him, of course, she didn't lie to Luke. But she didn't much want to talk about the mysterious Captain, either.
When Jack tapped on her door twenty minutes later, Sarah Jane had already finished half of her own cup of tea. His smile was as she remembered. She ignored it. "Come in," she said. "Care for some tea?" She hoped she managed to sound sufficiently casual. Friendly but not gullible. Businesslike.
"I'd rather a glass of water," he said, and she got it for him. They sat in her living room, with Jack in the large, comfortable chair, while she sat on the sofa. He said, "The TARDIS came to Cardiff to refuel. I hitched a ride. On the outside."
As he continued, she saw how absurd it was, like all his stories. A severed hand, as some sort of Doctor alert? Riding the time vortex hanging onto the outside the of TARDIS - what was he, Spider-Man? Going to the end of time? Searching for Utopia? Well, that all sounded like the Doctor, right enough, he was always into wild extremes, and seemed to be more so inclined as time went on. Not that time ever just 'went on' for the Doctor.
Captain Jack's story got more and more outrageous. Meeting another Time Lord at the end of time, one who'd lost his memory, who turned out to be a friend of the Doctor, but insane and power-hungry. Harold Saxon and Archangel. Toclafanes and warfare. A year that never was, of imprisonment, enslavement and resistance. Martha Jones, saviour of mankind. Deceptions, tricks of the mind, and psychic magic.
Sarah Jane listened to him without interruption. "Quite a story," she said, mildly, when he stopped.
"Yes."
"If I didn't know him, I wouldn't believe any of it."
"But you know him."
"I was looking into the disappearance of Harold Saxon."
"Oh?"
"And the way he popped up a couple of years ago. He was almost as mysterious as you."
Jack smiled at that. "No one is as mysterious as me."
"...But your ego is bigger."
"Not just my ego," he murmured, but she pretended not to have heard him.
She tried to picture the scene he described. The gunshot, the woman in red. The Doctor in tears. "He loved him?"
"The Master was the only other living Time Lord. The Doctor wanted to save him. It was his last chance... He couldn't save the others, back in the Time War. He thought he could maybe save this one. Just this one."
"Chivalrous nonsense," she snapped, and found herself on the verge of tears herself.
"Not nonsense. It's what he is. It's why we love him."
She looked at him quizzically. "We?"
"You. Me. Rose. Martha, too. How could we not?"
Jack was a con man, an actor. She knew that. But looking at him now, she believed that he knew the Doctor, believed that he loved him, that the Doctor had touched him in the same way he had her, and triggered a soul-deep change. Some people, after meeting the Doctor, would never be the same again.
Jack reached over and took her hand, squeezing it.
"How could we not?" she echoed. "I wish... How he must be hurting. I wish we could help."
"He'll find us if he needs us," said Jack. He kissed her hand, comforting her. Then he kissed it again.
She looked at him suspiciously, though didn't pull her hand away. "Jack Harkness. Are you coming on to me?"
He did not let go of her hand, which he had lifted to his lips. She could feel his warm breath against her knuckles as he held it there. Without moving his lips away from her skin, he lifted an eyebrow and said quizzically, as if it were another question rather than an answer, "Yes?"
She pulled her hand away quickly, and tried not to wish she hadn't. "Idiot man. I'm too old for flirtation."
He laughed - not at her, but in a warm sort of way that made even the air around him feel good. "Sarah Jane Smith, how old are you? Fifty at most? I have a century on you, and I'm not too old for flirtation. We both know someone pushing a thousand. Doesn't he make you feel young?"
"I miss him," she said bluntly. She felt like crying again. She was the idiot, a weepy old fool. She was usually more careful than this. But Jack's news about the Doctor had unsettled her, and Jack himself.... She realized how badly she had misjudged him before, and was furious with herself for it. He had needed her friendship, and she had coldly withheld it. Had she turned into such a suspicious old curmudgeon that she didn't know a friend when she met one?
"I miss him, too," said Jack gently. "Every day. Always. But it makes life worth living, you know? He's out there, doing his thing. And one day he'll return." He stood. So did she. He pulled her into his arms as if it was the most natural thing in the world, and Sarah Jane let herself accept it. He was a link to the Doctor. A link to her past and the planet's future, even if he and she hadn't shared that time together. A link to a world out there of planets and aliens and adventures and dangers and doing things that must be done.
He had a very comforting hug.
She said, "What's this about you being more than a hundred years old?"
"A hundred and fifty. But looking good, don't you think?"
"Are you human?"
"Completely."
"Then how...?"
He kissed her, lightly, on the lips. "It's a long story. It involves the fifty-first century, and the Time Agency... or maybe the year 200,100 and a Game Station... or maybe a girl hanging from a barrage balloon in the Blitz. Tell you what. Let's order Chinese and I'll tell you the story of Captain Jack Harkness and how he became immortal."
"Immortal?"
"And hungry! Have a heart. I drove all the way from Cardiff and I haven't had any lunch."
"There's a really good Chinese place just around the corner. I'll call them - Luke loves it."
"Luke?"
"I can tell you a story or two as well, Captain. Did you know I'm a mother now?"
He sat, laughing. "You're full of surprises."
"It comes with the territory. Egg rolls, do you think?"
"Definitely egg rolls," agreed Jack.
- end -
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-10-20 05:01 pm (UTC)Re: reply part 1
Date: 2007-10-20 05:12 pm (UTC)It doesn't look odd to me because of course he is my favourite DW character ever, but I only have three series of DW and TW behind me. I don't think my partiality will change by watching the rest, though: the reasons I love Jack so much are specific to him (and me) so while I am sure there are lots of great characters in the series as a whole, Jack will always be remarkable. For many reasons.
Major kudos to John Barrowman
Well, yes. His talents are amazing. It's almost too bad he's so good looking - it's easy to see Jack as superficial because of it, but he isn't. Barrowman makes him incredibly convincing.
his mother was really sick, cancer or something, so he was looking for a cure for her ... so it wasn't just money he wanted.
Really? my goodness, did they mess with that! He ended up looking like a real scumbucket, hanging out with the Doctor for profit motives alone.
Poor Jack, the Doctor is showing himself not to be worthy of Jack's admiration, respect, love.
Yes, and I really don't want to see that. I want the Doctor to be all that Jack thinks he is. I'd rather that the Doctor be redeemed, than for Jack to find someone else. Which I guess just goes to show that I still love the idea of the pairing even if I want to smack the Doctor for the way he has treated Jack. I want the Doctor to be the Doctor I want him to be. We still get glimpses of it, but the bottom line... after "The Last of the Time Lords"... isn't it.
in the beginning of "The Empty Child", I can imagine Jack immediately taking off, he wouldn't risk his life.
Very true.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-20 05:15 pm (UTC)And so I will. Something to tide me over in the lull before TW starts. (I still have one of the novels to read, too.)
when Jack's good, he's very, very good, but when he's bad, he's better. ;)
Uh-huh - that sums it up!
I bet Jack would reprogram K-9 though, to say Captain instead of Master...
LOL.
I'd love to see what you'd come up with, for it.
Me too. Working on it.
Re: reply part 2
Date: 2007-10-20 05:22 pm (UTC)Heh. I liked the story well enough, but it didn't hold a candle to "Love and Monsters", and suffered for a lack of Jack. Just think how much more I'd have liked it if Jack had been in Gwen's role there.
Doesn't RTD have minimal involvement with TW, and it's more Julie Gardner's and Chris Chibnall's baby?
Quite possibly. Which is okay. I'm not sure how the duties are distributed but I know RTD has said that he's primarily concerned with DW - TW seems to be of much less interest to him.
And considering the latter's 1st series episodes, doesn't that thought just horrify you and make you quake in your figurative boots?
Not entirely. Unlike most fans, I liked the Chris Chibnall episodes - "Cyberwoman" is one of my favourites. My very favourites were by Catherine Tregana, I wish they'd give her the creative control! Okay, "End of Days" was a total mess, but it had brilliant moments.
I'm hoping that the random nature of the writing in TW series 1 reflects a lack of time and resources, rather than lack of talent, and that TW2 will be tighter and more carefully written. Helen Raynor was probably the writer I liked least.
Gotta run, more on this later...
Re: reply part 1
Date: 2007-10-20 10:15 pm (UTC)It doesn't look odd to me because of course he is my favourite DW character ever, but I only have three series of DW and TW behind me. I don't think my partiality will change by watching the rest, though: the reasons I love Jack so much are specific to him (and me) so while I am sure there are lots of great characters in the series as a whole, Jack will always be remarkable. For many reasons.
Heh, with so many years of it behind me, no wonder I expected Mickey to be killed off and never seen again in "Rose", and yes, I didn't expect Rose to see her family, home, friends often if at all, but quickly learned differently. Yes, I agree, even if you go back and watch as many as you can, I think Jack'll remain your favourite, simply because there is a lot more emotional depth to the characters in the new version. Jack's certainly the first ever openly sexual (and omnisexual) character on DW.
So, go ahead, list your reasons (or do a post if you prefer) for finding Jack remarkable, I'd like to read it.
Well, yes. His talents are amazing. It's almost too bad he's so good looking - it's easy to see Jack as superficial because of it, but he isn't. Barrowman makes him incredibly convincing.
For me, in DW, yes, for TW, not always, but I think he's terrific in one on one scenes like with John in "Out Of Time" and 1941!Jack in "Captain Jack Harkness". I also thought he was convincing in "Combat" (well, not so much on the cell phone, since Torchwood Three has been seen to be pretty incompetent, but that's down to the lack of credence established in earlier episodes, not a shortcoming of John Barrowman's acting).
Really? my goodness, did they mess with that! He ended up looking like a real scumbucket, hanging out with the Doctor for profit motives alone.
Yeah, I'll really have to listen to the commentary for "Dalek" and "The Long Game" to confirm it with my own ears, and I have Doctor Who Confidential episodes to catch up on. I'm pretty sure one or the other or both will confirm that Adam wasn't just total scum.
I'd like to see Jack come across Adam and have to deal with him. Ooooo... there's another fic idea for you! *grin* *passes plot bunny quickly to
Yes, and I really don't want to see that. I want the Doctor to be all that Jack thinks he is. I'd rather that the Doctor be redeemed, than for Jack to find someone else. Which I guess just goes to show that I still love the idea of the pairing even if I want to smack the Doctor for the way he has treated Jack. I want the Doctor to be the Doctor I want him to be. We still get glimpses of it, but the bottom line... after "The Last of the Time Lords"... isn't it.
I want the Doctor to be redeemed too, be it of his own accord, or some smackdowns make him start thinking and changing, either way is fine with me. Maybe it'll happen when he becomes Eleven? Twelve? But I don't want to have to wait that long.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-20 10:21 pm (UTC)when Jack's good, he's very, very good, but when he's bad, he's better. ;)
Uh-huh - that sums it up!
Thank you! :)
I'd love to see what you'd come up with, for it.
Me too. Working on it.
Yay! Can't wait to read it! How long does it take Jack to reprogram K-9 to say Captain instead? ;)
Re: reply part 2
Date: 2007-10-21 12:14 am (UTC)You know, I still haven't watched "Love and Monsters", because of the lack of the Doctor, when I still sort of liked him. *sigh*
Yes, on first viewing, "Random Shoes" was really good, but since I can't stand Gwen, and she's the only one really featured heavily in it... guess which one I haven't really bothered checking out again, except to find the few measly minutes of Jack and rewatched him? If it had featured Jack or Ianto or Tosh, I bet I would have watched it again, just to see someone on the screen instead of Gwen. I'd rather have Jaquetta May write more episodes, instead of Chibnall (bleh!).
Not entirely. Unlike most fans, I liked the Chris Chibnall episodes - "Cyberwoman" is one of my favourites. My very favourites were by Catherine Tregana, I wish they'd give her the creative control! Okay, "End of Days" was a total mess, but it had brilliant moments.
EoD, my fave bit was Jack in the office, and then hearing the sound of the TARDIS, his smile and looking completely different from TW Jack, then disappearing. The others standing there, Gwen certain that Jack's been taken (man, how oblivious can she be? Yo, Gwen, what did Jack just say a few minutes ago? That the right kind of (D)octor would have tempted him? You didn't hear Jack scream or anything? Where's your proof or any kind of evidence that Jack didn't want to leave? Gah!!!!), and pulling away from the Hub, to the Bay, and back further... it certainly did its job and got me all excited for Jack on DW... and, well, you know my feelings on how that went, by the end!
I'm hoping that the random nature of the writing in TW series 1 reflects a lack of time and resources, rather than lack of talent, and that TW2 will be tighter and more carefully written. Helen Raynor was probably the writer I liked least.
Yeah, we'll see how they do with more time to concentrate on it and less goofs. We'll really see with the first episode... the good, James Marsters is in it... for me, the bad is that Chris Chibnall wrote it.
Hope you had to run, to have some fun!
Re: reply part 2
Date: 2007-10-21 04:54 pm (UTC)His role isn't large, but what there is, is lovely. I like that story. It's helps that I'm a big fan of Jackie Tyler, and she's nicely heroic in this. In a Jackie-like sort of way.
on first viewing, "Random Shoes" was really good, but since I can't stand Gwen, and she's the only one really featured heavily in it...
I love Gwen, but didn't think she was at her best in this one, and she's more interesting when she's interacting with Jack or others on the Torchwood team. Or Rhys, who is totally missing here.
I'd rather have Jaquetta May write more episodes, instead of Chibnall (bleh!).
Many fans would agree with you.
, my fave bit was Jack in the office, and then hearing the sound of the TARDIS, his smile and looking completely different from TW Jack, then disappearing.
That was my favourite bit, too. But there were other bits I liked. And bits I hated. An odd episode.
That the right kind of (D)octor would have tempted him? You didn't hear Jack scream or anything?
He was running...! But I can see her reasoning.
His role isn't large, but what there is, is lovely. I like that story. It's helps that I'm a big fan of Jackie Tyler, and she's nicely heroic in this. In a Jackie-like sort of way.
<i>on first viewing, "Random Shoes" was really good, but since I can't stand Gwen, and she's the only one really featured heavily in it...</i>
I love Gwen, but didn't think she was at her best in this one, and she's more interesting when she's interacting with Jack or others on the Torchwood team. Or Rhys, who is totally missing here.
<i>I'd rather have Jaquetta May write more episodes, instead of Chibnall (bleh!).</i>
Many fans would agree with you.
<i>, my fave bit was Jack in the office, and then hearing the sound of the TARDIS, his smile and looking completely different from TW Jack, then disappearing.</i>
That was my favourite bit, too. But there were other bits I liked. And bits I hated. An odd episode.
<i>That the right kind of (D)octor would have tempted him? You didn't hear Jack scream or anything?</i>
He was running...! But I can see her reasoning.
<iit certainly did its job and got me all excited for Jack on DW... and, well, you know my feelings on how that went, by the end!</i>
I agree exactly. Jack was so happy and excited to see the Doctor again... and then look at the reception he got.
<i>the good, James Marsters is in it... for me, the bad is that Chris Chibnall wrote it.</i>
We shall see! If it's bad, well, the consolation is that he didn't write all of the episodes. If it's good - and I hope it will be - no problem.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-21 05:13 pm (UTC)I just that one question, you've given me several ideas at once!
Re: reply part 1
Date: 2007-10-21 05:22 pm (UTC)Of course!
Saw a matinée performance of The Elephant Man, starring Brent Carver, Geraint Wyn Davies and Kate Trotter.
Was it as good as it sounds? Mind you, I've never been a Geraint Wyn Davies fan, but I've never seen him on stage, either. Where was that? Which city?
I expected Mickey to be killed off and never seen again in "Rose"
I'm glad he wasn't. A more interesting story arc of character development I have seldom seen.
list your reasons (or do a post if you prefer) for finding Jack remarkable, I'd like to read it
Okay, I'll make a post of it. Most of it's kind of obvious. Or maybe not.
that's down to the lack of credence established in earlier episodes
Torchwood's greatest failing - the general level of incompetence,unprofesionalism and dishonesty of all the characters except Jack. And sometimes Jack too, mostly because he doesn't pay attention. You come to expect them to be screw-ups, and they comply. It isn't very alluring.
I'd like to see Jack come across Adam and have to deal with him. Ooooo... there's another fic idea for you!
If I do it... and I might.. I don't think it would be a G-rated story. I quite like the actor, whom I knew (though not by name) from Coronation Street.
I have a whole slew of undeveloped stories in my head in which Jack meets characters we encountered in various episodes of Doctor Who when he was not actually present.
Maybe it'll happen when he becomes Eleven?
I'd like to think so. Ten we can just decide that Ten was unusually messed up psychologically, and carry on. But I'd really like to see it resolved with Ten, because I love the idea that Ten should care as much about Jack as Nine did. However awkwardly it may be expressed.
Re: reply part 2
Date: 2007-10-21 06:51 pm (UTC)What an interesting point. Certainly in that (and in other episodes) one gets the impression that the story was rewritten awkwardly in progress, or not quite ready for production when aired. There are several levels of editing and polish needed for the just the minimum of character consistency and 'making sense', and those levels just isn't there. A lot to ask of a TV show? Not at all. It's what makes all the necessary difference in quality.
I, personally, tuned in for The Captain Jack Harkness spin-off, not "The Gwen Bloody Cooper and Owen Fucking Harper Show, featuring Captain Jack Harkness Show".
You, me, and all the other fans. The people who didn't want to see Captain Jack just didn't watch it at all. Who tuned in to see Owen or Gwen? No one I know. Now, I think they became interesting characters in their own right, and by the end of "End of Days" I cared about them. But that's not the point: the series is and should be about Jack. They are fine as secondary characters. But they are secondary, and putting them in a primary role just makes for an inferior show.
he was so into the story of The Master that the other characters didn't matter.
Yep. Not even the Doctor.
So true. We hardly saw David Tennant. Guess he needed some free time.
Another thing that bugged me was how the Master has been willing to do anything to stay alive... so where was the attempt to take over Jack's immortal body? So, so, so, so, so many missed opportunities!
The story we saw felt like a tangent. "The year that never was": I'd rather have seen "a few days that were".
I was afraid you wouldn't like further hijacking of the thread.
It isn't hijacking, it's growth.
I bet that's because RTD is in charge.
But why should that be? He was in charge with Nine, too, and I adored Nine. I must admit that when there were rumours a few months ago (after "The Last of the Time Lords") that RTD was leaving Doctor Who, my reaction was, "Oh, good." And what a difference from my attitude after my first delirious discovery of the show, where I felt as if he'd made it all happen. So what changed? He lost interest? He lost his sense of heroism or optimism? His priorities changed? I can't figure it.
That's another bitter disappointment, I wanted the Doctor to get more compassion (or at least reawaken his compassion) when he dealt with Jack.
Yes. That's what should have happened.
Poor Harriet Jones
I concur.
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Date: 2007-10-21 07:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-21 07:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-21 07:35 pm (UTC)Oh, yes! I wish that rather desperately.
Nine had a wistful loneliness about him, I think he would have appreciated the man Jack had become
I think he would have been very good for Jack, and Jack for him. I love the way they could make each other laugh. And their sense of effortless mutual understanding - cf. the scene in "Bad Wolf" when they were in prison together, and broke out.
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Date: 2007-10-21 07:41 pm (UTC)And when they did talk? I loved the witty banter between the two in the beginning of "Boom Town" (How come I never get any of that? Buy me a drink first. Such hard work! But worth it)
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Date: 2007-10-21 07:46 pm (UTC)Yes, witty with flair. If series 2 had continued as series 1 had set things up, with the Nine, Jack, and Rose all together on the TARDIS, I suspect they would have had trouble finding writers who could handle that level of dialogue and characterization. So on TV terms it was a brief and shining moment, but I loved it totally.
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Date: 2007-10-21 07:53 pm (UTC)It's so rare to even find fics with those three. *sigh* The DW S1 Jack was so different than the TW S1 Jack and the DW S3 Jack. I guess it's a tribute to John Barrowman that I like them all so much.
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Date: 2007-10-21 08:16 pm (UTC)Ah, yes, put that high in the hierarchy of "Things that haven't been written, but should be".
He's said he'd like to tell the story of Jack's missing two years. I just hope RTD gives him that chance someday.
Now, that's something to hope for! I'm not sure how it could fit into Doctor Who, though. Maybe in Torchwood? No, wait, it could be one of those Doctor Who stories like "Blink" or "Love and Monsters" that doesn't feature the Doctor as part of the main plot.
It's so rare to even find fics with those three.
Yes. You'd see more, but I find them difficult to write successfully. The level of skill and thought required is rather high.
I guess it's a tribute to John Barrowman that I like them all so much.
Barrowman is amazing - I can't argue with that! And wouldn't want to try.
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Date: 2007-10-21 08:22 pm (UTC)That would be incredible. And without Ten, then my issues with him wouldn't have to take away from my enjoyment of the episode!
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Date: 2007-10-21 08:24 pm (UTC)I can't help longing for such a possibility.
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Date: 2007-10-21 08:40 pm (UTC)I loved the way Jack seemed to just effortlessly fall into the role of First Mate of the TARDIS, doing what needed to be done, and loving the vessel as much as the Doctor.
<i>Jack knew what Nine was planning for the Daleks and that it pretty much meant his death and he didn't care.</i>
It was an honourable death, done for the sake of - among other things - someone he loved. It lived up to all that Jack admired. And that the Doctor know he would do it, asked him to do it, and expected him to do it was a good thing - it showed that he had total faith in Jack's character and love. I had no problem with any of that. I loved it.
But with Ten... take away the affection, and it looks like abuse.
<i>doesn't even apologize when given the opportunity ("Did I? Busy life, moved on")</i>
And it isn't as if he doesn't have plenty of opportunity later. The callousness is staggering.
<i>The man died for you, over and over, have some respect!</i>
And appreciation. And understanding. Ten treats Jack as if he's a disposable tool.
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Date: 2007-10-21 09:23 pm (UTC)Exactly!!! There is no respect, no acknowledgement, just (like you said) callousness.
Ten treats Jack as if he's a disposable tool.
Yep, like he knows Jack can't die so he can just throw him to the wolves as often as possible
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Date: 2007-10-21 09:26 pm (UTC)With no particular concern for the consequences. The Master might have killed Jack. From the Doctor's point of view, would that have changed anything?
His treatment of Martha isn't much better.
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Date: 2007-10-21 09:29 pm (UTC)It was interesting to see Jack and Martha's interactions, all 30 seconds of them
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Date: 2007-10-21 09:44 pm (UTC)They were delightful together. I hope they are equally good when we see them together in Torchwood.
And yes, Martha deserved better too. But at least she was thanked.