I've been thinking about the first few epis and how I felt that Michael had a bad temper. It's interesting that Sun made the comment to Michael that Jin has a bad temper. Yet, she confided in him on more than one occasion. I was just wondering if anyone else thought that Michael might have been portrayed that way to show that Sun had a blind spot toward Jin?

hmmm...I'm not sure about that...but it's an interesting thought

I did find it kind of strange that Sun seemed concerned about Jin's temper...and yet Michael has one that is equal to it if not worse.

I actually found that I DIDN'T see Michael with much of a temper in the very beginning of the show. I intitally loved his character because of some key comic moments from him...and my interest in his relationship with Walt. But in the middle of the season, he seemed to spend most of his time yelling, being threatening or over-reacting to situations. And I think that's part of what turned a lot of people off his character.

Then towards the end of the season...we really saw him softening and relaxing again.

I actually found that I DIDN'T see Michael with much of a temper in the very beginning of the show.

Thinking back, you're right. It wasn't the very beginning of the show when we were shown Michael's temper. He was just a regular guy with a child he didn't know how to relate to in the beginning. Somewhere along the line though, in conjunction with his interactions with Sun, we saw a change.

I think he identified with Sun. Michael has had to deal with the ramifications of someone else imposing their will on his life. Susan left, taking Walt with her. Then he had to deal with the fallout after her death. (I suppose that's what made him angry at Locke too. He was usurping Michael's authority over his son.) Jin was imposing his will, that she cover herself, on Sun by force, dragging her around as he was. I suppose it is natural that Michael would identify with her.

I have been thinking of Michaels anger towards Locke.I guess he's jealous of Walts interest in Locke,I thought it was very touching of Locke to let Michael return Vincent to Walt...but basically every other interaction between Walt and Locke has infuriated Michael.
I guess Michael is insecure as a father and it comes out in anger...

Yeah I think it does have to do with Michael's insecurity. I think his initial problems with Walt stemmed from the fact that he was trying to protect him and be a comanding father figure...but he didn't know how to get Walt to see him as a friend and an ally as well. And then along come Locke who Walt is really intrigued by. Locke treats him like an adult and Walt thinks he's really cool and wants to hang out with him all the time. I think that's something that most parents have to deal with at some point....jealousy because their kids look on another adult as a 'cool friend'...while they have to play the role of 'evil parent'. But it's intensified in Michael's case because generally when a child is taken with another adult...their parents realize that the child still loves them. But Michael barely knows Walt...and I think it was very frustrating for him that Locke was always in the way.

Yeah I think it does have to do with Michael's insecurity. I think his initial problems with Walt stemmed from the fact that he was trying to protect him and be a comanding father figure...but he didn't know how to get Walt to see him as a friend and an ally as well. And then along come Locke who Walt is really intrigued by. Locke treats him like an adult and Walt thinks he's really cool and wants to hang out with him all the time. I think that's something that most parents have to deal with at some point....jealousy because their kids look on another adult as a 'cool friend'...while they have to play the role of 'evil parent'. But it's intensified in Michael's case because generally when a child is taken with another adult...their parents realize that the child still loves them. But Michael barely knows Walt...and I think it was very frustrating for him that Locke was always in the way.
Well said~ ;D

In short Michael is learning how to be a father. He knows hes missed valuable time in Walt's life. He realizes that if he and his son cant connect and see eye to eye they may never get the relationship they should have. When Michael is talking to Walt and is being ignored this is troubling to Michael making him doubt his decision even more. Then to get to the Island and watch his son open up to (at the time total strangers) is a bit troubling to a struggling father. In my opinion Michael is wondering if Walt over-heard more than he wanted when Michael placed that telephone call to his mother in Airport. Cause at that point he would have given up if given the chance too. He fears that Walt heard this and it why his son seems to be opening up to everyone but him. Which had Michael on edge.

Michaels interaction with Sun. I think he felt that something was wrong there in the beginning. First time he met Sun, Jin got on her for a button. Then Jin attacks him for a reason not known to Michael at the time (the watch). Sun secretly confides in Michael and tells him something that even her husband doesn't know about her. Jin becomes very abusive to Sun on the beach, everyone seems to acknowledge that there is a problem but yet no one does anything.......except who?? Thats right good ol Michael, who walks up only to be slapped (a good one too) by Sun......it even startled Jin. I think Michael woke up then and realized that Sun/Jin's problems were non of his business. But it all came to a head, as Michael is totally going off on Jin, swearing it was Jin who burned the boat. Only to find out Jin was burned trying to save the boat, and it was his son who burned it. Michael changed tremendously when he realized that he had more in common with Jin than he thought. I think thats why they are so close now. I sure hope they are allright out there though. I know when Sawyer got shot, Jin jumped in after him.

Good thoughts, everyone.*

I just wanted to make another point.* I think that Michael's parenting instincts went into overdrive when it came to Locke.* Looking at it from the perspective of a parent, I wouldn't let my child go anywhere alone with another adult that I know nothing about.* If I found out that such a thing had happened without my knowledge, and that this adult was telliing my child secrets...you bet....all my alarm bells would be going off.* It doesn't show good judgment on the part of the other adult to take those kinds of liberties.* I would have to question what his motives were.* If a child came to me in the jungle, wanting to learn to throw a knife, I would have to refuse until the parent gave permission.* In fact, I would stop what I was doing and take the child back to his father that very moment.* Encouraging a child to wander around the jungle alone is just wrong.* Perhaps if Locke had done it that way, Michael would have given permission for Walt to learn.* Personally, I don't think it was all insecurity.* I think it was good judgment on Michael's part to be alarmed.* I just don't think it helped his cause to react so strongly.

ETA: People don't always do nice things to be nice. Sometimes it is a manipulation. I think Michael sees through some things that others do not.