"If you think Scripture is telling you what you want to hear, take a long, hard second look."
- The Ancient Mariner
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Of the story's first-tier heroes -- Jack, Sawyer, Sayid, Locke -- he is the only one who's never turned on any of his friends.
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Comments on "Why I'm Hoping for a Jack-"Exalting" LOST Finale":
2. Bill
- 05/23/2010 4:23 pm CDT
I'm hoping for, expecting and on-record as predicting a Jack redemption/sacrificial ending, but if the end of Lost is just about exalting his character, that's gonna be a huge let-down.
Plus, he's turned on his friends before. He had Sawyer tortured early on, he pulled a gun on Locke at the end of season 3 and even pulled the trigger (it wasn't loaded, but he didn't know that), disregarded his own promise to save *all* the Losties, allowing pretty much all of the non-inner-circle to die.
The only character who I think has been true the entire time (albeit with a few very small debatable lapses) is Hurley. Regarding the top five, Locke has been the most selfish (I'm counting the real Locke here, not FLocke) but he's also been more right than wrong. Sayid has been exremely self-sacrificial, and I'm trying to remember any time he turned on his friends (when was that? Note: I'm not counting zombie-Sayid). Sawyer has been a mixed bag, but he jumped out of the helicopter to save his friends.
In short - I don't see Jack as having stood any taller than the others.
I am (believe it or not) very glad to be a Jack fan again. I love his redemptive arc. But I don't see it as anything he's earned. If he's exalted it's not because he's been true this whole time. It's grace. He's made plenty of mistakes and has - blessedly - learned from them.
3. Jared
- 05/23/2010 4:44 pm CDT
I was counting Zombie Sayid.
Jack had Sawyer tortured b/c, if you recall, Sawyer was withholding the inhalers that Shannon needed and other meds. What a great guy that Sawyer was. :-)
Jack pulling the trigger on Locke was one of my favorite moments ever.
All of these things you all have mentioned have been his crazy attempts at saving his friends. He's always wanted to save "everyone.
The others may have turned good, but Jack was a good guy from the beginning.
4. Shrode
- 05/23/2010 4:45 pm CDT
oh, bill, don't confuse us with the facts.
Jack's the hero. That's what we want. That's what we need. he's the protector. He's the "live together or die alone" guy. From Jacob to Jack Shepherd, the protector. (I know they spell his last name differently than that, but that's their problem.) Whatever his sins, he's King David.
5. Bill
- 05/23/2010 5:21 pm CDT
Well said, Shrode.
Plus, when his shirt's off, and his tattoo is in full display, and when his crazy Jack eyes are blazing, and when all his best laid plans (plus other Lostaways) are falling down all around him, well, what can one do but faint in adoration?
if you recall, Sawyer was withholding the inhalers that Shannon needed and other meds. What a great guy that Sawyer was.
Sawyer was a jerk, he's come a long way since then. But - it must be noted - he did not have the inhalers. He just endured the torture that Jack authorized, because he wasn't going to let Jack win.
6. Quaid
- 05/23/2010 6:29 pm CDT
I don't think it's fair to count zombie-Sayid. We can all agree that we were not seeing a legitimate, "sound" Sayid during those times.
Also - I think Jack will be redeemed, but it will not all tie up in a bow like we think. I wouldn't be surprised if Hurley/Locke/Kate all end up staying with Jack somehow to protect things, even though they aren't the "protector." Yes, Jack will be exalted, but only via the exaltation of those he is "fixing."
7. damien
- 05/23/2010 9:09 pm CDT
nothing like seeing the thinkling samurai go at it. behold the power of lost.
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I like Jack. But, he had Sawyer tortured.