This charismatic character, who first appeared in the cult sci-fi show Doctor Who, has gone on to become a recognizable figure in British pop culture, a role model for gay people, an occasion for parodies and satire. This publication will focus on the restless and magnetically charming Captain Jack.
From the screen to the masses
Considered the best companion of the Doctor, Captain Jack Harkness became the main character in the independent project "Alien Hunters" ("Torchwood" 2006). The hero, in whom he reincarnated for the first time, appeared before the public in the next series of Doctor Who under the heading "Empty Child" in 2005. From that moment on, the protagonist became the partner of the 9th Doctor. He is one of the three characters of the legendary series with a personal spin-off. Despite the personal project, Captain Jack Harkness did not leave the Doctor Who movie, continuing to appear in it periodically along with the tenth reincarnation of the protagonist.
Character Development
In the finale of the first season of the recreated Doctor Who project, Captain Jack Harkness becomes completely immortal. On our planet, he joins the ranks of agents of the Torchwood-3 Institute, which specializes in preventing an alien threat, and a century later becomes its leader. In addition to two series, the character appears in several literary works and comics based on two television shows with his participation. Also, at different times, a certain number of collectible figures of the hero were released.
By necessity
Captain Jack Harkness became the Doctor's first openly bisexual partner in the history of the project, it is not surprising that he became a role model for many bisexual and gay people in the UK and around the world. If in the classic version of the show the companions of the main actor were mostly beautiful women who attracted the strong half of humanity to the screen, then the authors of the revived project deliberately introduced Captain Jack Harkness into the film. They justified their decision by the need to equalize the number of men and women so that the modern public has the opportunity to see beautiful men. This measure was effective, many viewers began to watch the project precisely because of the hero John Barrowman.
British Tom Cruise
Actor John Barrowman is positioned as a pivotal figure in the concept of Captain Jack Harkness. The performer told the media that during the pre-casting period, co-writer Russell T. Davis and co-producer Julie Gardner emphasized that the character was largely written specifically for him. During the tests, the actor, having entered the character, uttered phrases in three variations: with a native Scottish accent, English and American. Choosing the best option, the filmmakers settled on the American one. The creators were looking for a performer who would fit the role of "darling of the ladies" and considered Barrowman a worthy candidate. Later, critics often compared the character of the captain in the incarnation of Barrowman with the outstanding American film actor Tom Cruise.
Charming handsome man
Attractive handsome John Scott Barrowman was born in Scotland in the largest city of Glasgow. But growing up in Illinois, his family moved there. Thanks to his creative teachers, the boy with young years became interested in music and theatrical art. After graduating from the University of San Diego, the young man returns to the UK. John begins his creative career with participation in Broadway and West End musicals: Miss Saigon, Matador, Sunset Boulevard and The Phantom of the Opera.
After an already well-known artist, they are invited to work on British television. The role of Captain Jack Harkness for the actor becomes a springboard to worldwide popularity. The performer, in parallel with filming in two series, takes an active part in entertainment programs and television projects. Barrowman does not hide his sexual preferences. In 2006, he entered into a civil marriage with an architect
Characteristics
Captain Jack Harkness is presented to the public in most sources as "deadly handsome", "charming and utterly bewitching", while his characteristics include the eloquent phrases "sly daredevil", "sane and roguish". In Doctor Who, the hero is presented as relatively nonchalant, but in the first season of Torchwood, he changes, becoming more gloomy and gloomy.
Although Jack wore a variety of clothes in The Doctor, in Torchwood he stands out with a personal style that has been hailed by critics as "a milestone in sci-fi fashion." Almost invariably, the hero is dressed in a black-and-gray coat of a military cut from the Second World War period, black, less often dark brown boots. His shirts are of the same classic cut in a color spectrum from light blue to green and dark blue, with traditional T-shirts underneath. Suspenders are an invariable part of the captain's wardrobe. Several times Jack sported a cloth vest, in the left pocket of which was a watch on a chain. Not surprisingly, all films with Captain Jack Harkness have been scrutinized in detail by mod fans.
In "Torchwood"
"Torchwood" is positioned by most film experts as an "adult" offshoot of "Doctor Who", which touches on to some extent more slippery topics and depicts the everyday work of a secret organization in Britain, faithfully protecting the kingdom, and even the entire planet, from the intrigues of aliens or traveling in villain time. Starting rather sedately, by the second season the series found the optimal proportions of irony and serious moments in the narrative and offered the audience a colorful gallery of characters, led by a charming alien from the distant future, Captain Jack Harkness. At the very moment when the series gained cosmic speed, the creators began to kill the main characters one by one, it was painful and unpleasant for the fans of the project to watch this. As a result, the project was closed, which is a pity, because during the time the TV show went on the air, not all exciting stories managed to convey to the viewer. But over the period of its existence, Torchwood managed to secure the status of a cult, photos of Captain Jack Harkness did not leave the media editorials for a long time, the character himself fell in love with a huge number of viewers. 12 years ago, this hero was considered revolutionary because he was not ashamed of his non-heteronormativity and was pansexual. By the way, the longest romantic relationship in the series connected the captain with Ianto Jones, a man who was part of his team. Unlike the family-friendly Doctor Who, Torchwood is not recommended for children.
Captain Jack Harkness is a companion of the ninth and tenth Doctors. A con man from the 51st century deceived time agents whom he hated for personal reasons. Met the Doctor in "Empty Child" where he tried to sell him a medical ship. After he took a bomb to his ship, which was supposed to fall on this ship, but was saved by the Doctor and traveled in the TARDIS for some time.
In the last episode of the first season after the reboot, the Captain was killed by the Daleks. Later, Rose, looking into the heart of the TARDIS and absorbing the time vortex, resurrected him. But, not controlling her powers, she gave him immortality.
The Doctor, not knowing that he was alive, flew with Rosa into the 21st century. The captain remained in the year 200100. With the help of his devices, in particular the manipulator of the time vortex, Jack tried to return to the 21st century, but without calculating, he got into the 19th, after which the manipulator broke.
Jack settled in Cardiff knowing that the Doctor would fly there to recharge. And so it was. But Jack didn't. He had to grab onto the TARDIS. The TARDIS tried to shake him off by flying to the end of the universe to do so. But Jack held on. As a result, they met the Master, who stole the TARDIS from them. With the help of Jack's Time Vortex Manipulator, they returned to the 21st century, where it was revealed that Jack was working for Torchwood.
After defeating the Master, the next place they met was on a Dalek ship at the end of the fourth season. All of the Doctor's companions gathered on it after the reboot. There, everyone was saved by Donna, in which the spirit of the Doctor came. Jack, after the victory, the Doctor took to the ground.
Jack was born in the 51st century on a border planet called the Boeshane Peninsula in a small village by the sea. During one of the invasions of the planet, Jack's father died, and his younger brother Gray was kidnapped by the invaders. From the words of Jack, we know that as a teenager, he encouraged his best friend to go with him to the war against the invaders, but when they crossed the border, they were captured, Jack's friend was tortured and killed in front of him. Some time after that, Jack entered the Time Agency. While working at the Time Agency, management assigned Jack a partner and partner - John Hart. The partners spent five years together, but after Jack woke up one morning and found that he did not remember two years of his life, he decided to leave the Time Agency, leaving, however, with him a time vortex manipulator, with which he began to earn his living . Jack preferred to cheat and extort money from his former colleagues, time agents, as he considered former employers responsible for the loss of his memories.
Having acquired a battle ship of the Chula race, capable of becoming invisible and stuffed with healing nanogene robots, and a telepathic piece of paper that can imitate any document at the request of the owner, Jack went all out.
During one of the operations for a relatively honest withdrawal of money, Jack stumbled upon the Doctor and Rose and realized that not all of his frauds are safe for innocent people. Helping the Doctor neutralize the consequences of his actions, Jack was on the verge of death, but was happily rescued by the crew of the Tardis and became a member of her team.
Traveling with the Doctor and Rose, Jack eventually ended up in the year 200100 on the Fifth Satellite of the Earth just at the moment when the Doctor's eternal enemies - the Daleks - began their invasion of Earth. Having gathered volunteers from the satellite workers, Jack organized a self-defense group from the Daleks, but died, unable to resist the almost invulnerable creatures. However, Rose, who came to the aid of the Doctor, passed through herself the full power of the Tardis time vortex, resurrected him and, as it turned out, forever.
Realizing that he could not die, and realizing that it would be over a hundred years before he could meet the Doctor, Jack joined the Torchwood Institute as a freelancer. For more than a hundred years he worked for Torchwood, participated in the First and Second World Wars, conducted undercover operations, fell in love several times and even married once, but outlived all his colleagues, lovers and wife.
On New Year's Eve from December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000, the head of Torchwood, Alex Hopkins, under the influence of an alien artifact, killed all Torchwood employees and committed suicide, leaving the organization to Jack, and he began to recruit a new team, creating a new Torchwood.
Companion to the First and Second Doctors, sailor, husband of Polly Wright. Became the Doctor's companion after a conflict with WOTAN and the War Machines. Appears in the series "War Machines" through "The Faceless"
Jackie Tyler
Rose Tyler's mother.
Appears in "Rose" through "The End of Time"
Jackson Lake
A mathematics teacher from the 19th century, who came to consider himself the incarnation of the Doctor due to exposure to the Infostamp, is known as the "Other Doctor". Assisted the Tenth Doctor in resolving the Cybermen intervention situation. First seen in The Next Doctor.
Caler-Jacks
The scientist who created the cyborg Strelok.
First seen in "A Town Called Mercy"
Show 12 more characters
Collapse character list
Captain Adelaide Brooke
Commander of the Bowie 1 base on Mars. Decided to destroy the base due to the infection of subordinates by the Stream. Her death was a fixed point in time, so despite the Doctor saving her, she committed suicide.
First seen in the Waters of Mars series.
Captain Henry Avery
Pirate of the 17th century. Attacked by the Siren.
Appears in the episodes "Curse of the Black Mark" through "A Good Man Goes to War"
Captain Jack Harkness (real)
An ordinary young American, captain of the Royal Air Force of Great Britain. It was his name that the Time Agent from the LI century took for himself. They then met by chance in 1941. First seen in Captain Jack Harkness.
Captain John Hart
Former professional and sexual partner of Jack Harkness in the Time Agency. Found Gray - Jack's younger brother, but realized too late that he was distraught. Occurs in the episodes "Smack-Smack, Bang-Bang" to "Robbery in Time"
Captain Zhukov
The commander of the Soviet nuclear submarine, which produced oil on the shelf of the Arctic Ocean.
First seen in the Cold War series
Captain Quill
The captain of the Orient Express is a former soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress.
First seen in "The Mummy on the Orient Express"
Captain Mike Yates
Companion to the Third Doctor, worked for UNIT. Occurs in the series "Terror of the Autons" through "Dimensions in Time"
Captain Hardaker
The captain of the Titanic starship was seriously ill with an unknown disease (he had six months to live).
First seen in "Journey of the Damned"
Captain Eris Magambo
A UNIT employee, she participated in the destruction of a wormhole through which dangerous aliens arrived on earth.
Appears in episodes "Turn Left" through "Planet of the Dead"
Chrissy Jackson
Mother of Mary Jackson. Appears in the episodes "Invasion of the Bane" through "The Last of the Sontarans"
Maria Jackson
An ordinary 14-year-old girl, Luke's girlfriend. Appears in the episodes "Invasion of the Bane" through "The Last of the Sontarans"
Philippa Jackson (Flip)
Supermarket clerk. Companion of the Sixth Doctor.
Doctor Who and Captain Jack Harkness
As you know, Captain Jack Harkness, to whom the series is dedicated, first appeared as an episodic character in the revived "Doctor Who" and for some time the companion of the Ninth Doctor. Let's talk about the series dedicated to him.
Writers: Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss
Cast: Christopher Eccleston, Billie Piper, John Barrowman, Eve Miles
03. The Unquiet Dead
The Doctor and Rose travel to Victorian-era Cardiff and meet Charles Dickens in person. Moreover, together with him they are forced to investigate the story of the corpses that rise from the coffins.
Jack Harkness isn't in this episode yet, but it's still not worth skipping. Firstly, she appears here in the role of the undertaker's maid, who will later play Gwen in Torchwood. And even the name of her heroine is similar: Gwinnet. However, according to the author of the series, there is no direct blood connection between these characters, but perhaps Gwen became a kind of echo of Gwinnet, thanks to the Rift that exists in Cardiff. I note, by the way, that, playing a maid, Eve Miles looks somehow more lively and charming than in the role of agent Torchwood.
9. The Empty Child - Empty child
10. The Doctor Dances - The Doctor is dancing
In this case, the series form a single story arc, almost like it was with. Of course, then the stories continued for four episodes in a row, but the footage of each of them was about 20 minutes. As it were...
London, the height of World War II. An incomprehensible creature roams the streets: a child with a gas mask on his face, who is looking for his mother. And then there's the charming adventurer Jack Harkness trying to sell the Agents of Time, for whom he takes Rose and the Doctor, a spaceship. I can’t help but note, by the way, that already here, despite the fact that, unlike, it is considered a family series, there is also a hint of the character’s bi-sexuality.
From this series, he turned out to be the screenwriter, the second of the future co-authors of "Sherlock" - and also worked in his trademark, brilliant and sadistic style. It's essentially a horror movie, and an excellent one at that: no bloody details, but every appearance of these creatures with gas masks on their faces gives goosebumps. At the same time, some scenes with them look almost comical - but the eerie feeling does not go anywhere.
As for Captain Jack, here he appears more frivolous and seems to be less powerful. At the same time, according to him, he was already an agent of time, but he meets the Doctor here for the first time.
In the same episodes, direct references to: Rose mentions Mr. Spock several times. It's funny that this is the first time this reference appears in the series, but before that, references to "Star trek" appeared in novels and comics.
11 Boom Town
The mayor of Cardiff decided to build a nuclear power plant - right on the fault, which could lead to the death of the city, and even the entire planet. As the doctor found out, under the guise of the mayor, his old acquaintance is hiding - a representative of the Slitheen family, who have already tried to destroy the Earth ...
Quite a fascinating series, besides, showing the psychology of the opponent - Slithin's experiences in the toilet look very touching, even though the doll plays this episode. There are also humorous moments: what is it worth trying to escape from the doctor and his screwdriver or having dinner at a restaurant.
Pay attention to the nuclear energy adviser at the beginning of the episode: he is played: he also played the role of Gwen Cooper's father and appeared in the classic, thus playing in three series of the franchise. It was the first such case.
It's funny to note in passing that the extras in this series did not play on the same platform with the main cast: they were filmed separately and the frames were joined during processing.
By the way, references to popular culture also appear here: Margaret's intention to use the extrapolator as a space surfboard is, of course, a reference to the Silver Surfer from the comics about.
The two remaining episodes in the season form a kind of arc dedicated to the next attack of the Daleks and, in fact, the rebirth of the doctor. To be honest, this story made less impression on me, but perhaps I will return to the conversation about this season.
Compared with other incarnations of the Doctor, Christopher Eccleston played quite curiously: at first glance, he looks rude, but then you become sympathetic to him - this doctor has a captivating love of life and curiosity, he does not even try to hide his adventurism - and is surprised at the wonders of the universe no less than Rose.