Jackson Avery has been a fan favorite for as long as most viewers can remember in the long-running drama Grey's Anatomy. He's kind, gentle, a quick-thinker, and deeply compassionate. However, like every other character in the beloved Grey's universe, Jackson is not without his faults.
Avery was an arrogant young man when he was first introduced and has since still exhibited bursts of condescension, impulsiveness and wouldn't win any prizes as a boyfriend. The character has had significant arcs during the course of the series although fans have been awaiting a satisfying pairing for him ever since April Kepner left.
Worst: Arrogance
When Jackson Avery started out as a resident from Mercy West, he wasn't necessarily as adorable as he is today. In fact, the whole point of introducing a bunch of new characters from another hospital at the time was to initiate conflict with the existing residents and staff at Seattle Grace.
Jackson appeared callous and arrogant at the time, not caring terribly about how he came across as a person and ready to dive headlong into the rat race. He was immature and seemed like he was on his way to becoming only a slightly tempered version of Alex Karev, who was the epitome of insolence at the time.
Best: Loving & Caring
In time, Jackson's character has evolved into a reliable, lovable man. Fans know that he and April Kepner were the only residents who made it through the years from the Mercy West lot. These two also went on to become one of the most beloved couples on the show.
Jackson is loving as a husband. His relationship with April, although fraught with tension, showed him to be a gentle, caring, compassionate, and genuine man. One of the most powerful things that Jackson did for April was to pray for her recovery when she almost died in season 14, and for a miracle for their son Samuel Norbert Avery, even though he wasn't a believer himself. Jackson is also a caring son to his mom, Catherine.
Worst: Condescending
Fans might not recall this easily but Jackson has proved to be condescending at times. He even went as far as to get April out of surgery while they were married which was totally not his decision to make.
Moreover, he insulted April when she was made interim Chief of General Surgery. True, he wasn't on the best of terms with her at the time but implying that she had got the position only because his mom had pulled strings was condescending, especially in the ay he said it.
Best: Quick-Thinker
Jackson is capable of quick thinking, a trait that has even helped him save lives, including too the one of Derek Shepherd in the past. During the traumatic hospital shooting of season 6, the shooter Cary Clerk wanted the doctors, Cristina, and Jackson to stop operating on Derek so that he would die. He threatened them with a gun and Meredith, justifiedly, became hysterical, asking Clerk to kill her instead.
At this time, it was Jackson's quick thinking that saved the situation. He had unplugged Derek from the system thus giving the appearance that the latter had flatlined, thereby satisfying Clerk. The moment he had left the OR, Derek was put back online on the system.
Worst: A Disappointing Partner
Jackson is an attractive fan-favorite, and audiences loved his sweet romance with April. But unfortunately, apart from April, there were several other partners whom he managed to disappoint quite bitterly.
He seemed to have forgotten about Lexie, whom he had almost been in love with, shortly after she passed away so tragically in the plane crash. Then he was quite unbearable with Maggie, leaving without a word and opening up to other women, one of whom was his ex-wife, while he was with her. But of course, his humiliation of Stephanie Edwards takes the cake as he eloped with Apil who was already at the altar, even as Stephanie sat beside him.
Best: Independent
Jackson comes from medical royalty, with his grandfather being none other than Harper Avery, after whom was named one of the most prestigious awards for research conducted by surgeons. His mom is Catherine Fox-Avery, a self-made woman who is also a top surgeon in her own field.
However, when Jackson first joined Seattle Grace, he didn't brag about his famous relations. In fact, nobody in the hospital even knew about his antecedents until Harper Avery himself showed up, requiring surgery. Jackson carved out his niche in the surgical world, independently, without relying on his family's influence.
Worst: Impulsive
Jackson is quite impulsive at times. That isn't necessarily a good trait, although it did lead to him saving the life of a young girl once. There was also when Jackson threw himself unthinkingly into an exploding bus in the hospital bay, which ultimately terrified April.
He also had the impulsive moment of his sudden decision to tell April how he felt when she had already reached the altar with Matthew, which couldn't have come at a worse time.
Best: A Good Parent
Jackson is a good father, and the moments he shares with little Harriet, however far and few between, are heartwarming indeed.
Moreover, when Jackson had that very disappointing meeting with his estranged dad, Robert, he informed the latter that being a father meant making a promise and taking on a responsibility. It goes without saying that he fully intends to be around for his daughter and fulfill his duties as a dad.
Worst: Obnoxious
Jackson was uncharacteristically obnoxious when the doctors who had survived the horrific plane crash of season 8 sued the hospital for negligence.
He was sarcastic about their decision to sue and had to be told off by Meredith who reminded him that Lexie Grey, whom he had dated briefly, had also perished shockingly in that same plane crash. Of course, it was also Jackson who came up with the brainwave of honoring Mark Sloan and Lexie Grey by renaming the hospital after the deceased doctors, but that came only after his bout of spitefulness.
Best: Mature
Jackson Avery has over the years, evolved into a kind, mature doctor and father who can be relied upon under any circumstance. Jackson, as he stands today, is neither arrogant like his older self nor obnoxious and possibly not very impulsive either.
His character at present seems to be at a loose end, being in a friends with benefits arrangement with Jo Wilson who has also been alone since Alex Karev departed so abruptly. However, one can hope that the writers have a flash of brilliance, giving him the kind of happiness he deserves.