So explain to me... (Part one)

In a desperate attempt to improve my Torchwood-writing, and because I have a fanfic100 claim on the entire Torchwood team, not just those members I like/understand/have a million plot ideas for, I'm asking you for help.

Explain to me, please, as politely as you can manage (I'm not here for a fight), exactly why Gwen is a good/useful/likeable character.

Because I don't quite get it. Up to... oh... about Small Worlds (episode 5) I quite liked her. Beyond that...

So, anyway. Gwen fans. I need you to tell me why she's a vital part of the team, and why I'd actually enjoy writing her if I got it right, so I can stop coming up with excuses for her absence in my fic. (Seriously. I don't really give her a starring role (or even a mildly vital role) at any point. I feel guilty.)

Help?

(Also, convince me Jack/Gwen can work.)

So explain to me... (Part two)

This is mostly because I'm intrigued and vaguely confused, so I'm asking you lot to help me out.

Explain to me, please, as politely as you can manage (I'm not here for a fight), exactly why you ship Jack/Gwen. Why do you think it works?

See, it doesn't work for me. I'll happily acquiesce to the suggestion of Jack/Ianto, Jack/Tosh, Ianto/Tosh, maybe even Owen/Ianto at a stretch, and every canon pairing that's even danced past is understandable... But Jack/Gwen I have real trouble with (I'm of the firm opinion that they have a very strong friendship and nothing more), and I want to understand why people ship them together.

So tell me. Try and convert me. I'm a multi-ship shipper (honest!) and stranger things have happened. (Can't think of any right now, but I'm sure they have...)

(Also, convince me Gwen is a good character.)