Among the many surprises during Season 12 of Doctor Who last year, one of the big ones in Episode 5: Fugitive of the Judoon was the sudden reappearance of beloved character Captain Jack Harkness (Portrayed by John Barrowman). While barely more than a cameo then, it was soon unveiled that he would return as a primary character in the 2020/2021 New Year’s Day Special Revolution of the Darleks, which aired earlier today.
While Captain Jack Harkness appeared in Seasons 1, 3 and 4 of Doctor Who, he is most renown for his starring role in the spin-off series Torchwood which spanned two full television seasons in 2006 and 2008, along with two multi-episode features Children of Earth (2009) and Miracle Day (2011). While further adventures have been chronicled in audiobook form, it has been almost a decade since the last televised adventures of what remains of Torchwood.
Revolution of the Darleks referred to many of Jack’s past adventures, including the events of Season 1 where, due to a series of events with the Darleks, he became immortal and unable to die thanks to former companion Rose Tyler. But the biggest was a reference to him staying on Earth for some time with Gwen Cooper. the only surviving human member of Torchwood. While some might have been disappointed not having him return as a companion of The Doctor (it is hinted that John Bishop will be a new companion), it also implies that Jack and Gwen may return for another Torchwood season.
Time will tell where the narrative will go in the Whoniverse, but it would be a shame for this build-up of Captain Jack Harkness’ return to fizzle out so soon…