Black/White really is the theme on this show, isn't it? But for me it all dissolves into gray...

Anyway, here are the two paralells I find most interesting right now.

1) Jack/Ana Lucia

They have the same role in their respective groups (which have been set against each other in a binary from "Adrift" on): They are the leaders. They both have parental issues. Jack was forced to defy his father/superior at work, but it was arguably for the best. Ana Lucia pressured her mother/superior, but it, seemingly wasn't for the best. Both have issues with pregnancy. Jack wasn't going to turn his dad in until he found out that the dead patient was pregnant. Ana Lucia was pregnant when she was shot, and it motived her to kill. Jack is the leader because he is a doctor; he has the ability to heal. Ana Lucia is an officer; though her job is meant to be one of a protector, she is trained to capture, even to kill. What a binary they are. What do you guys think about this?

On another note, I love the look Jack gave Ana Lucia at the end. He seemed shocked by her, horrified, disgusted, and yet he seemed to pity her too. It was powerful. She just looked lost. I liked his reaction to Shannon's death, how he was ready to grab the guns and get revenge, until he found out they were talking about her... that just changed everything. I thought it was great.

2. Locke/Eko. Another poweful binary. Both are the men of faith. Both are responsible for death but in different ways. Locke led Boone to his death, an innocent whom we mourn. Eko killed the Others, whom we are weary of, and we knew she should hate them. In stressful situations, both keep a clear head, but we get the sense that Locke (though I love him for it) isn't always thinking straight, that over time he has stopped putting the wellfare of the group first. Eko risked his life to help a man he didn't know. Locke became a man of communication, communicating with the island, guilding everyone (Claire and her baby, Sawyer and his boar, etc), while Eko was silent fro 40 days. Locke and Eko have the same role, but Eko seems to be good always, while Locke we are supposed to be watchful of, I think... of should we be? I won't say anymore about his binary, but wow, its powerful.

And they there is the tail section v. front section, which seems to be the declension of civilization v. the building of society...

What are you thoughts? share here! :-)

i agree.. quite few characters are similar in many ways.. interesting isnt it? o_O

Fascinating.

Jack and Ana-Lucia. A doctor and a cop. Overall the two most arrogant professions out there. Both think they are God. One has the power to save lives, the other has power to take it. These two are very transparent in this repsect.

Regarding Eko and Locke that is still left to be seen. Locke's 'faith' is not based on religion but more on fate and destiny whereas Eko so far seems to be more spiritual in his 'faith.'

So far, one seems to think his faith must be exercised for weal or woe (Locke) whereas the other's faith is predicated on non-violent, non-confrontational solutions if possible (Eko.) Locke seems to react to challenges to his faith and Eko expresses his faith by default. Locke is on a journey, Eko has already arrived. Locke believes he has a destiny but doesn't have a clue as to what it is whereas somone like Eko already knows what their destiny is because they are fulfulling it every moment.

All assumption of course, especially regarding Eko since we know so little about him right now. and he is definitely willing to use violence to confront what he think is 'evil.'

When Ana-Lucia shot Jason, it REALLY reminded me of when Sawyer shot the Shrimp Man. Of course, Sawyer's victim was innocent, while Jason really was the one who'd harmed A-L in the past...still, their motivations at the time appeared identical in the way they both coldly fired their guns.

The only thing that bothered me is like (now I don't have an exact count), but AL emptied her gun on the guy. I know they said that he shot her 4 times, but she emptied her gun on him. Also remember when she told Sayid "I'm a cop, I was a cop". I think after that she had to come up with some sort of excuse that he came after her again and she defended herself and maybe they finally took away her badge for good.

Ana Lucia worked with her mother while Jack worked with his father.

It appears to me that Locke and Ecko/Eko are two spiritual people.

And if they did take her badge away, i wouldn't blame them. But the original post is right, cops and doctors both think they are gods and act accordingly. It was odd to see AL submit to Jack, but i am pretty sure at that point she knew she didn't have a choice in the matter. She was defeated.

I don't get the feeling that Locke and Eko will be busom buddies. I think that their 'faith' guides them both, but i think it will guide each in a different direction. But as with everything.. who the heck knows. Great post!

arcadia, very astute breakdown of the jack and ana lucia binary. nice. any guesses about why ana lucia was in australia? did she say something at the bar? who do we think danny is? so much has been made of him, he must be connected to someone. i'm guessing he's not kate's boyfriend from childhood that died in the car wreck. who else could he be?

I liked the juxtaposition of Jack questioning Eko, and Ana questioning Sayid, and the irony of each of the questionees turning the tables on the interrogators, especially when one is a master at interrogation himself! Brilliant juxtaposition.

-Mang

There has to be some other connection of AL to someone in the group. It can't just be the meeting with Jack before take off. Something else has to link her.

Peach: I agree, the killing reminded me very much of Sawyer, and now that I think about it, that similarity raises yet another binary. Sawyer and Ana Lucia both killed a man out of revenge. Sawyer killed and old man who we he believed to have destroyed his past, and he was wrong. Ana Lucia killed a young man who destroyed her future, and until proven otherwise, I assume she had the right man. Very interesting. Also, Ana Lucia is certainly a better killer than Sawyer. It was repeated over and over again by various characters that Sawyer didn’t have it in him to kill, though he managed it anyway. He was a lot more hesitant. Ana Lucia was much fiercer, more brutal. I wonder what that means?

Diaz: Good point about Cops and Doctors being arrogant. I’ve talked a lot with friends in real life about how doctors are arrogant, but for some reason I never thought, “hey, Jack thinks he’s god, and so does Ana Lucia!” Also, I never thought about the difference in Locke and Eko’s faith, how Eko is living his destiny everyday while Locke is searching. I wonder if we are meant to judge that. I think so, because I think we are supposed to like Eko more than Locke, and I think that will eventually be twisted or torn apart. Either way, great element to consider.

I agree with everyone who commented that Ana Lucia probably had her badge, or at least her patrol position, taken away. I doubt she was on the run like Kate. I think she got away with murder, meaning that she was never convicted. Nevertheless, it definately seems that her job was taken away.

arcadia, very astute breakdown of the jack and ana lucia binary. nice. any guesses about why ana lucia was in australia? did she say something at the bar? who do we think danny is? so much has been made of him, he must be connected to someone. i'm guessing he's not kate's boyfriend from childhood that died in the car wreck. who else could he be?

Why was she in Australia? I think know. Her encounter with Jack indicates that she was on business of some sort. She got a call on her cell.

Who is Danny? I assume her baby's daddy and either boyfriend or husband. The post about the ring and the fact that at the bar she asks if Jack is married make me wonder if Danny was her husband.

Also, in the bar Ana Lucia told Jack that "the worst part was over" in reference to the death of his father. I am assuming that she has lost a parent, very possibly her mom, if only because Ana Lucia's mom = Jack's dad. Only future flashbacks will tell.

I found AL's "revenge" scene very much like none other than our good pal, Sawyer's revenge. Both eased their heads with some drinks (AL sure does love to knock em' back, haha, awesome) before very astutely and with resolve, killed who they needed to kill for revenge. Of course, we all know how that turned out in Sawyer's case....

I liked the Sayid/Ana interaction. Sayid gave her his "I've seen and done some serious stuff in my life, so be intimidated" speech - and Ana turned around and did the same- "you want traumatized and messed up? get in line!"

Sayid's someone who just might be able to understand her. I don't think he'll hold it against her once he hears the whole tailie story.

awesome post!!!

When Ana-Lucia shot Jason, it REALLY reminded me of when Sawyer shot the Shrimp Man. Of course, Sawyer's victim was innocent, while Jason really was the one who'd harmed A-L in the past...still, their motivations at the time appeared identical in the way they both coldly fired their guns.


i was really confused about that. Did she really shoot him or did she imagine it. Wasn't that the same guy in the police station that she claimed was not the guy who shot her.

Locke is on a journey, Eko has already arrived. Locke believes he has a destiny but doesn't have a clue as to what it is whereas somone like Eko already knows what their destiny is because they are fulfulling it every moment.

Excellent observation!! In this regard, Eko is the stronger of the two. I wonder if they are going to be able to work together or if their relationship will be one of friction.

i was really confused about that. Did she really shoot him or did she imagine it. Wasn't that the same guy in the police station that she claimed was not the guy who shot her.

She claimed he wasn't,so she could go after him herself.

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Why was she in Australia? I think know. Her encounter with Jack indicates that she was on business of some sort. She got a call on her cell.


Oooh! Maybe Jason WAS the wrong guy. And she followed leads to Australia to get the "right" guy. Just like Sawyer. (only Sawyer went to Australia to get the wrong guy)