As it's written and from what I've read of the writers, I have no doubt Ted and Terry intend for Jack to be hot and bothered and flustered to the point of his own detriment by Elizabeth. They're clearly in love with both her and their lead actress, and I do not doubt that they intend for every male character in this series to be either openly or secretly in love with her, as well. *G*

That said, THANK GOD FOR JOHNNY DEPP. His acting skills are almost enough to overcome the underlying sap of the script's aim of making Jack look like a fool for and victim of "love." In addition, on paper, this Jack looks like a completely ruthless amoral son of a bitch with no regard for anyone's life but his own. Again, I appreciate the amount of heavy lifting Depp had to do to transform it into something sympathetic onscreen.