It’s difficult to understate the significance of Jack Harkness' role in Doctor Who - prior to his debut, the franchise (which at that point was a cultural institution with 30-plus years of history) had never had an (out) LGBTQ+ character. For some fans, Torchwood isn’t much more than a short-lived spinoff, however. The series is a landmark piece of queer television, masquerading behind truckloads of science fiction. Not only did 2021 mark Jack Harkness' return, but it also marks the 15th anniversary of Torchwood, the Jack-led spinoff of Doctor Who. Last week’s Doctor Who New Year's Special, “Revolution of the Daleks,” gave us - in addition to the introduction of a new companion and the departure of Graham and Ryan - our first taste of Captain Jack Harkness since his surprise reappearance in Season 12’s “Fugitive of the Judoon.” Though for many fans, seeing Jack return to the Whoniverse was a long-awaited delight, for many younger Whovians and those new to the universe, this was the first taste of the smart-mouthed swashbuckler, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
