049 is what Jacobs could become, and he fears that.
049 is a lonely man driven by his work and absolutely nothing else. He wants to help others, but that want has clouded his perception of what is moral and what isn’t. He focuses on working to cure the Pestilence, even after being told countless times that his cure is immoral and cruel. He doesn’t listen—he doesn’t care. He’s in too deep. And he has no one to pull him out of the depths. He had Yolanda. She understood him, but he could never pull himself away long enough to be there for her. 035 supported him, but 049 was like a brick wall when it came to the morals of the cure. 035 was preaching to an empty crowd.
So when their concern became intentional sabotage, 049... dealt with them.
Jacobs is on the same road.
Everyone in his life has hurt him. The one time someone truly loved him, she died because of the world’s cruelty. With nothing else to care about, Jacob’s threw himself into his work for the Foundation. If he couldn’t save her, maybe he could save others. But that’s not what the Foundation is—at least, not completely. He tries to dismantle the system and create better conditions, but that requires more time, destroying his already decaying social life.
But Jacobs has Watch. Someone who will always challenge him, for better or worse. As long as Watch is there, fighting him for every decision he makes, he can never obsess with his work.
And 049 betrayed the only one who could help him.
I LOVE JACOBS I LOVE JACOBS I LOVE JA
I really like Jacobs, especially his dynamic with Watch and 049😋I think I'm going a little crazy reading into his character based on an overall 5 minutes of screentime (not including Jacobs Journals, which is amazing and u should watch it!!), but it's hard NOT to obsess over his potential.
Here's his ref. I think he'd be very lean. Since he used to be in the military, he was strong, but most of his strength has gone away since joining the Foundation. He prefers using long range weapons anyway, definitely not the type to get up close.
I gave him just a FEW scars mostly on his hand, but he has some on his back too, along with a few ripped out teeth from the torture he endured pre-foundation. But I can't remember what the context of it was... He has teeth implants though; he prioritizes having a good image.
It's easier to manipulate people if they see you as friendly and professional. No wonder he was able to overthrow Lambert with a couple staff, some D-Class, and an SCP.
OK MORE HEADCANONS he was born in Wales but moved to Arkansas as a child. Didn't have a tight-knit family and was thrown out at 18. I try to keep his past as close as to how it is in Jacobs Journals, because honestly, I love it so much I don't think it could be improved upon.
He's been in the Foundation for more than a decade, of course being an Ethics Committee member. He didn't want to be a Site Director, but he wasn't upset about it either. He knows he could run it better than everyone else, it was for the good of the Foundation and the SCPs in it.
Speaking of which,
After giving the Site Director position to Watch and returning to his actual position, I like to think he stays up to date with 049s documents and addendums. They're by no means friends, but there is a mutual understanding between them. Not an alliance, but respect.
049 sees what he could've become. A man who works hard but it isn't overtaking his life. He has colleagues that respect his decisions, a confidant who'd always have his back, and someone that'll put him in his place whether he wants it or not.
And Jacobs sees what he can become if nobody is there to give him purpose.