Ranking Doctor Who’s modern day companions
By Lacy Baugher
Captain Jack Harkness
Captain Jack Harkness stands out in the Doctor Who character pantheon for many reasons: his flamboyant style, his roguish charm, his big smile, his dedicated heroism. And, of course, the fact that he’ll flirt with pretty much anything that moves. He’s a leader and a man who’s trying his best to do the right thing, even if he doesn’t always succeed at it…. And even if he makes terrible choices sometimes. He’s trying. And that’s what counts. Because he gets back up every time, and keeps right on fighting for what’s right, even when his inner flake would rather run away.
A rogue time agent from the 51st century who becomes immortal thanks to Rose Tyler and the Bad Wolf, Jack is a character that contains multitudes. Much heartbreak and drama has been mined from his exceptionally long life over the course of his time in the Whoniverse – both on Doctor Who and its spinoff Torchwood, which basically existed to come up with new ways to emotionally (and physically) torture Jack. He suffers beautifully, though, and he’s one of the few characters who consistently pays the consequences of his poor decisions. (It’s just really hard not to love and feel for him, is all I’m saying.)
Best episode: Season 1’s “The Parting of the Ways.” Not only is this the episode in which Jack gains his immortality, it also contains one of his most heroic moments, as he valiantly stands beside the Doctor to face down the Daleks and dies in the process. (Though not permanently, of course.) Also, he kisses Nine, and I’m very here for that.