Thomas Jopson

**Thomas Jopson** is a character in AMC's *The Terror*. He is the captain's steward on *HMS Terror*.

## Background

Jopson was born to a poor family; he had at least one younger brother. Growing up, he was required to hunt for food to feed his family, which led him to become proficient with firearms. In 1839, his mother suffered severe injury when her hand was crippled during the collapse of a platform on which she was sitting at a circus. Though she lost the use of her hand, she insisted that Jopson still participate in Sir James Clark Ross's expedition to Antarctica. By the time Jopson returned from the voyage, his mother had developed a serious addiction to laudanum, which she had initially used to treat the pain from her injury, and could no longer care for herself or Jopson's brother. Jopson helped to wean his mother off of laudanum for three weeks, though when questioned by Crozier about her condition after withdrawal, Jopson silently implied that she had not recovered well from the experience.

## In the Show

First, he is seen in episode one sewing an undershirt of Captain Francis Crozier, while talking about James Fitzjames' stories like policing a guano in Namibia, also how James got shot in the arm by the Chinese in the Opium Wars. Soon after that Jopson says he hasn't got the spirits for that nights dinner, and Jopson asks what the Crozier needs he says. " More open water, clear to the Pacific" Then Jopson replies. "We're close, sir." And Crozier says to be careful to use the word "close" After that Jopson helps Crozier put on his epaulettes.

Later on, he is seen serving drinks to Edward Little, E. J. Helpman, John Irving and maybe others off screen.

He is only seen in episode threewalking to Sir John Franklin's funeral, while participating in it to.

Next, he is seen in episode four informing Crozier of Edward Little's suggestion of postponing an officers meeting, tells Crozier the time, James Reid's report on the ice, and John Irvings report on their cans being spoiled or bad seals. But the Tuunbaq attacks Private William Heather, and Jopson comes with Crozier; then asks Crozier if the Tuunbaq wants them to follow it. Much later in the episode he attends Cornelius Hickey's lashing.

Following that he is seen in episode five when Crozier calls Jopson to tell that John Fredrick Hornby has died, and that Jopson needs to collects his things, also give Hornby's tobacco to his best friend. A few seconds later he tells Crozier how many bottles of whiskey is on H.M.S Terror's stores, which Jopson replies there are two bottles, and Crozier wants him to get them. After that he is seen in the background collecting dishes when Crozier invites Henry Goodsir, and is serving tea to him, also to Lady Slience; but is present during her questioning, and later he sees the Tuunbaq at the stern, after Thomas Blanky's attack he is seen helping him down to Alexander Macdonald, and hands Blanky something to bite on, also Jopson holds him down. Later he sets a chair up when Crozier is announcing that he is sick, then Jopson says there is nothing to worry about, and finally Crozier tells Jopson to pour out some alcohol where to Tuunbaq's blood is.

He is first mentioned in episode six when Thomas Blanky is talking to James Fitzjames about Sir John Ross on Fury beach. Later he is seen combing Francis Crozier's hair, then Jopson tells Crozier that Alexander Mcdonald will be with them soon, then gives Crozier a sip of water, but Jopson refuses to give him more water, a few seconds Jopson tells Crozier of his mother, along with her injuries and sicknesses. Next he is seen eating out of a tin next to Edward Little, then rushes someplace off camera when a bell rings. After all that he is seen with a tray walking on Crozier using the restroom, then attends the carnivale with Crozier.

He is seen in episode seven after Francis Crozier is planning with John Lane to stay on H.M.S Terror and wait for leads to open, then Crozier says to Jopson to gather his things and find his sledge, also says to Crozier that the men respect his decision, Later Crozier throws his peaked cap to him in the background. Next, he is seen pulling a sledge with Crozier. After that he is seen next to John Irving when John Morfin is suffering his breakdown from lead poising, also he is seen with Crozier to give him medicine, and Crozier tells Jopson to fetch the lieutenants, and is seen with them at the command meeting; that is when Jopson is awarded the rank of third lieutenant.

Jopson is first seen in episode eight when listening to Cornelius Hickey's theory, also sends him to Francis Crozier for questioning, next he is seen with Hickey following him after Hickey got his things. Then is seen next to Thomas Blanky when examining the Inuit sledge, soon after he is seen when Crozier and the others when accidentally being shot at. Much later he is seen in the background when Edward Little is when talking about the order to arm additional men, seconds later he is inside the tent with John Irvings body; but later is seen with Hickey when he discovers he has scurvy, also is seen at Hickey's trial, along with that is seen running around Terror Camp with Thomas Blanky; he tells Tom Hartnell to put men on the boats that they have, and is seen last over the body of the dying James Reid.

He is first seen in episode nine when Francis Crozier is looking over the bodies on the attack on Terror Camp in episode 8, and is ordered to burn the bodies; he is seen later pull the front sledge party. After William Gibson's murder he is seen with Francis Cozier when Edward Little informs Crozier of where the Tuunbaq is, a few seconds later he is seen with the rest of the high rankling officers informing them of the consumption of all the salt meats, also saying that Edward Little's plan would be a death sentence for the men who are sick, later he is seen looking over the grave of James Fitzjames; then appears helping Henry Peglar. He ids last seen in episode nine when Crozier is telling him the story of how he tried to ride a cow, while Jopson is bedridden from scurvy.

Jopson is first seen in the last episode when after Henry Goodsir tells Francis Crozier to eat the soles of his feet when he is cannibalized; Jopson sees his crew mates abandoning him and he tries to make it back to his crew seeing that they have forgotten him with some others but he is suffering from scurvy and delirium crawling; he sees Crozier but he does not know that he has been captured, then dies trying to yell to the remaining crew. He makes his last appearance when Crozier with Lady Silence is inspecting the camp site while traveling to find Crozier's men.

## In The Novel

There is no real change to mention in the novel

## Trivia

* There was a deleted scene where a Canadian archeologist (Played by David Kajganich), discovers Jopson's skeleton.