Home Heaven

Hello readers,

although I have lots to report about my own life, I will spare you that boring stuff, and delve right into something much more exciting. TV. More specifically, the program, Lost... again. Send your complaints to your email address, in care of me.

SPOILERS! for those who haven't seen the last episode.

This Jack-centric episode reminded me again, why this show is not only the most intriguing plotline on TV, not only the most rewarding for people looking for religious, philosphical, literary, (etc.) meaning through a story and through cultural references, but it's also got a constant that brings us all back to the heart of the show, character connections. The show is filled with interesting characters, diverse in backgrounds and personalites, but what makes the show unique is how these players connect. I'm not just talking about the fun connections like Christian Shepard secretly being the father of two people on the island, and having met several other characters on the island before they arrived (although that begs a few questions about him and his almost supernatural influence on the Losties), I'm talking about how these characters interconnect in this forced island setting, and how their pasts affected them today. And for the first time, we see, how these characters every day life in the future are affected by this lost experience, not just when they are killers or rich lunatics, or on a celebrity trial, but how it affects their days and their relationships, having been on the island.

Enough with what I'm not talking about, and onto what I am talking about: Jack Shepard... his relationship with his father, with his love, with his child (half-nephew), with his lack of friends (where is Silverman?), with his co-workers, and with his flock. No on embodies this notion of connection better than Jack who has little tolerance for himself and thus depends entirely upon his connection with others.

Perhaps it all started with his genetics, or with his erratic relationship with his father, or perhaps it was his own choices, as when he tried to protect the downtrodden from a bully when he was just a boy, but Jack has been depending on people, needing people to need him for quite some time. He is constantly saved by these people who need him: saved by his first wife, who needed him to perform miracle surgery and then recover. He was saved by the Losties when his life was falling apart just as he came to the island, and they needed him to lead. He was saved by Kate/Aaron who needed someone to complete their fictional family unit. And ultimately, most likely, he will be saved one more time, by his friend Hurley who pointed out that he does live in a fictional world (in a constructed heaven and not a home goodness), and his happiness is not true happiness because of his deep personal baggage and the, as of yet, unfulfilled promise he made to the islanders.

My affection for this episode started because I personally enjoy Jack episodes, (aside from the episode about his arm ink), and grew when I saw that despite his agony, Jack stood up and faced his flock, and denied them a pound of flesh from the two lying scientists by treating them with compassion and dealing with the upcoming problem with his ever-present resolve, promising to prepare for any impending attack in an effort to get his people off the island.

But, the episode piqued my devoted attention and solidified its place in the pantheon (using a term crafted by the Boston Sports Guy) of Lost episodes with the reading of what I later learned was Alice in Wonderland. (For the purposes of this blog post, don't concern yourself with the context of Alice in Wonderland, which is a Lost favorite for many reasons, expounded in Jensen's column, as well as in previous blogs.) The passage was moving, but also extremely revealing. As we look at Jack (as well as all the other characters), we see the dramatic transformations that have occurred over the course of this trip to the island. And we learn about his constant struggle, and conversation with himself? Who is he in times of peril? Who is he in times of happiness? Who are any of us in these situations, when we are in a paradox or a quandary, or when we are in bliss. As we all have learned, in times of strife, Jack rises to the occasion and is revered by others who depend on him for his great strength. In times of joy, he becomes a monster, who is seemingly out to destroy that emotion within himself, but that is when he depends on other people the most. Jack seems to understand this dichotomy and he does not ignore it, but instead he turns inside himself for answers, and despite or perhaps because of his overanalysis of the situation, he magnifies his problems.

And who used to read this book excerpt to Jack that helped define his understanding of himself? His father. Christian Shepard is the most important single influence in Jack's life and over the course of many years and through a number of bouts with alcoholism, Christian revealed his lack of faith in his son, perhaps in large part because of his own failings as a man. Christian constantly recognized the disappointment in his ever-achieving son, while only rarely expressing his pride. But, was that what defined Jack? That Daddy didn't hug him enough? Is he out to make daddy proud? No, in fact, it was his resistance to his father's advice about heroism, and not his numerous similarites that made him so appealing a leader to the Losties. Nobody tells Jack (or Locke or Kate or Sawyer) what he can't do. It all hearkens back to "fate" and/or "course correcting". If there is some sort of destiny for Jack, whether it is to be a successful family man, or a first rate surgeon, or a dominant leadership position on the island, he is up to the task, but is contantly pushing it away and testing the boundaries; he is contantly revolting against the outside authorities trying to control him. Jack, in that way, is much like Winston Churchill, the man widely revered in America, and often denigrated in Britain, because America is aware of his bravado, strength and wisdom in wartime, while during times of peace, he was constantly actively seeking (anticipating) the next conflict. So, Christian's alcoholism, and bitterness left a resounding impact in Jack's soul and it echoed throughout his life.

His father even affects his love life. Jack and Kate are a pair that seemingly does not make sense, in that he is a respected doctor and she is an escaped convict. In order for her to get off relatively free, he had to drag himself through the mud and commit purgery on her behalf. But, again, knowing Jack, the decision is perfectly logical, and he jumps to the defense of a person in need and does whatever it takes, reasonable or unreasonable and miraculously saves the woman, and proposes to her. And through it all, he worries about whether or not he's the same person he was before the paradox of this day, and maybe in this topsy turvy world of Lost, and even our topsy turvy world, it would be better if he was not the same person, and he comes out of the Island trauma cleansed of the hero complex (the same one that led to Boone's downfall). Or maybe, like Charlie and Echo and Shannon and... Jin?, once you are cleansed of your dominant character flaws, you are doomed.

But, what about his relationship with Kate? Wwe've seen her have relationships in the past in which she appeared happy, even, downright content, such as the Nathan Fillion relationship, but Kate's natural inclination, when there is a problem in her life is to run, to flee. For the record though, when there is a problem in someone else's life about whom she cares deeply, ala her mother or presumably Aaron, she actively gets rid of the bad influence. So, Kate, determined to remain secretive and to live up to her baser instincts, flees from a potentially promising relationship with someone who loves her and her "son" deeply by getting rid of Jack, at least in part protects Aaron.

Speaking of father (type-person who is really an uncle) and son. Jack apparently acknowledged his blood kinship with Aaron (meaning in the future, he knows about his uncle-hood) and also decided to take an active role in child rearing. He reads to the little one, and maybe even cleans up Star Wars toys after him, cussing all the while. Like father like son. Jack starts drinking, starts questioning his own abilities as a father, and starts becoming a poor father. It is often the case (I will withhold examples) that great people are not good parents. It makes sense to me, because often in taking on the responsibilities of greatness, whether it is in leadership, science, arts, sports, or regular professional life, one has to devote incredible amounts of time, attention, and focus to achieving widely acclaimed success, and often taking the necessary "quantity time" away from living a well-balanced life. Can Jack be a great man? Jack's biggest lifelong critic, his father, once told Sawyer (in an Aussie dive bar) that he thought Jack could be a great man and he certainly is not panning out to be much of a parental figure with his late nights at work, trips to the insane asylum, and the drinking.

But, where is he great? Are his miracle surgeries what makes him great... or what about his, at times, questionable leaderhip? Well, he made a promise to his flock, the islanders, that he would get them off the island. Sure, we can explain how he came to be great by explaining his various skills, his caring, his dedication, and his obvious height advantage. But, actions make a person great. At the time of his appendectomy, Jack had already saved several people medically, led these people from fear and helped them survive and thrive in the face of terrible adversity: warding off internal strife on various occasions, often involving intently self-interested parties (a.k.a. Sawyer), potential virus scares, killers amongst them (e.g.s Ethan and Michael), various kidnapping attempts (i.e. Ben's kidnapping of pregnant women, children, and the big four), hostile others, potentially hostile lying freighteries, supernatural smoke monsters, unusual hostile wildlife (ala polar bears), scarce resources crises, failed rescue efforts, and general administrative and management concerns and using Locke's outdoor skills, Sayid's technical skills, etc. to maximize advantages to maintain hope, optimism, and civility and get his people ever closer to getting off this island that through supernatural, natural, technological, and multiple human methods are collaborating to keep them stranded and lost. Moreover, he subsequently succeeded in getting some of them off the island, and he is determined to get the rest of them off the island. I am hopeful that he will succeed (in Season 6).

Oh, and it's worth noting, almost none of these islanders have many friends. Even Hurley, who is eminently personable has an invisible best friend (Dave?). Jack's best man, (Silverman?) plays almost no role in any of his decision making processes, hence appearing in only one flashback. Kate's friendships are tied in with her love-life. So, on the island, all of these people are more than friendly; they are caring and dedicated and important to each other; they are friends. Before the island, and after the island, in all of the scenes of their lives that we are privy to (which are always the most revealing moments about how they came to make their current decisions) have almost nothing to do with their friendships. The show is telling us, sure, peers can pressure you into something you are not, temporarily, but families (along with your jobs and your loves) mold you into who you are and who you will become (whether by pressuring you to comply with the family tradition or by leading you to rebel against the family mold). So, what will become of Aaron? Is the Island telling Jack not to raise him? And if so, does it mean Jack is not well enough to raise him, and would exert a poor influence? No one tells Jack what he can't do.

But, what of his co-workers? Jack was actually co-workers with his father. Sure, someone precribed him some clonazepam for depression and to help him sleep, but she seemed surprised that they were talking. And his boss in the future really respects him before becoming suspicious of Jack's drug addiction. Because, ultimately, this guy is a maverick who works on his own. He works his own hours, doesn't really report to anyone, doesn't trust anyone else to get the job done (see Juliet, the star-crossed lover,) and although, he might be a masterful surgeon and a capable leader, he doesn't like any idea unless it is his own. He doesn't play well with others.

Sure, we can try and blame his father for his pitfalls, and for his lack of friendships, and for his trouble with women, but this guy is in plenty of torment of his own construction. He welcomes the pain of surgery and the agony of a woman who repeatedly chooses Sawyer over himself, as he continuously devotes himself to her, sacrificing himself for her. He revels in chaos. Not quite the average shepard, but perhaps it is more of a Churchillian trait?

So, who is Jack Shepard? Is he a leader, a healer, a family man, is he any one of us? Or is a contrarian? Perhaps, he is the guy who does good when he is surrounded by bad, and does bad when he is surrounded by good? I'm biased as his deep conflict and his stubborn desire to do good things and great things makes him a compelling character to me. (Contrary to the popular opinion, he is one of my favorite characters, probably second only to Ben.) So, I think he's good and though like many heroes, he is flawed, he will ultimately shine in even the more mundane family environment, along with the hostile conditions on this as of yet unnamed island, or the often even more harsh conditions of the hospital.

So, when is Jack in the paradox that he described from reading his passage to Aaron? I submit to you, that it is not when he is on the island, but when he is off the island. Hurley described the serene environment, and the peace in Jack's heart as heaven, as Jack was able to bring the goodness of home in Kate's house, and remember the goodness of his father beyond the torment. Jack, having realized he is "dead," and having realized that his issues are not resolved, is haunted by the actual dead, his father of course, just as Hurley was haunted by his best friend Charlie. And both come to realize that indeed, they have to go back. Who or what will appear to Kate, Sun, and Sayid? Or do only Hurley and Jack have to go back to save/live with/die with the Losties? Does the apparition have to be someone whose corpse is on the island like Charlie or Christian, so might Shannon come for Sayid, or can it be an off-island corpse like Nadja? Can it be someone who is on the island, but presumably not dead yet like Sawyer, who already is haunting Kate by having her run errands for him, but now haunt her in some physical manifestation or corporeal form?

And whose in the goshdarn box and why don't they have to go back to the island and why do they get to die, when the other Losties can't: Jack (tried to jump off bridge), Michael (tried to crash car, shoot self, and blow self up), Hurley (was in a minor car crash), Sayid (was shot pretty severely), and Widmore (who Ben couldn't kill, though "can't" kill is obviously up for interpretation)? The safe bet on that one is still that Michael is in the box as he has lost all of his friends, is living under an assumed name, has incurred the ire of Kate, and Jack would not call him a friend, has possibly served his purpose to the island by that point, and of course, is actively seeking death.

There are so many unanswered questions in the Lost world? Lost is incredibly entertaining, but is even more special because it occasionally points the finger at the viewer and makes the viewer ask him/her self: "Who am I?" What is my place in this world? Do I have a destiny? Can I change who I am? Should I try? Finally, those are questions I CAN answer for you. But, I would have to charge you for that little slice of heaven.

As always, I wish you the best.
Keep watching, look closer, and the truth is here, so find it,
PB ME