What evidence is out there that can help us determine Michael's occupation prior to the crash? He has made various statements, but it seems like there is something missing from his resume.

I was an artist in a previous life. S1E9

Oldest skyscraper in the city, built in 1902. It's flat. That one building inspired me to start drawing and, you know, designing things.S1E17

No, I live in a studio apartment. I've got to be out the door in the morning for work by 5:00 AM. Who's going to watch him? How's he going to get to school? What's he going to do after school? I can't do this, ma. You know, I was listen, I was thinking um I was thinking maybe you could take him. Look, ma, if it's a question of money I... Do Then what am I supposed to do with him? He's not supposed to be mine. That was never part of the plan. Yeah, I thanks a lot. S1E24

Eight years of construction work. Hey Walt, get back man, I don't want you near the rocks, okay, and take the dog with you. S1E7

The only way you're going to open that case is with pure force, man. Impact velocity.S1E12

Michael's response to Jack about being in construction:
I am. I mean I was. Long story. S1E9

Happypixie started a thread in WKD that points to possible architectural training.
http://www.thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?t=29905

Shootfire, I saw happypixie's post and was impressed. Do you recall the name (Andy?) of the guy Susan mentioned that could throw Michael some work? I'm just thinking he might fit it to this theory down the road.

I have read this quote several times before, but with this thinking, "the plan" could be a reference to his work? It could be a term he uses all the time at work, and it is now part of his everyday speak?

That was never part of the plan.

Could Michael be a pawn in the great scheme of things?? Being Walt's parent now and getting him to the Island may be what he has been waiting for...he seemed to be floating through life doing nothing but odd jobs here and there and and yet seems to have an amazing skill set...much like a certain former wheel-chair bound office drone we have all grown to love..

Shootfire, I saw happypixie's post and was impressed. Do you recall the name (Andy?) of the guy Susan mentioned that could throw Michael some work? I'm just thinking he might fit it to this theory down the road.

I have read this quote several times before, but with this thinking, "the plan" could be a reference to his work? It could be a term he uses all the time at work, and it is now part of his everyday speak?

You know, I am struck all of a sudden by the idea that he didn't seem to have a "plan" when he was with Susan. He was just going along with the flow. You want a great crib for you child? Just buy it, and worry about the rent later. Also, when Susan questioned how he was going to accomplish his goals and still be a part of Walt's life, he didn't have an answer. He didn't have a "plan." Michael was on the verge of losing his apartment, just as he had lost Susan and Walt. He said he would just "do it by doing it." The term "laisser faire" springs to mind. Yet, if you lost everything because of such an attitude, it might force you to grow up somewhat. Perhaps Michael came up with a plan. Something tells me that Michael went to the opposite end of the spectrum after that final loss. I think you may be right. He may have made his whole life about "plans." He was certainly a different person by the time he crashed on the island.


Could Michael be a pawn in the great scheme of things?? Being Walt's parent now and getting him to the Island may be what he has been waiting for...he seemed to be floating through life doing nothing but odd jobs here and there and and yet seems to have an amazing skill set...much like a certain former wheel-chair bound office drone we have all grown to love..

Baileysdad, it is interesting isn't it? I'm thinking maybe he was just on the brink of huge changes. If he had just completed his education, he might have been working in construction, but in a design role. Could he have been living very simply in order to pay back college loans? We have no way of knowing that he continued to do odd jobs for all of the 8 years after he gave up his parental rights. Could the reason he was so desperate to get Walt back to civilization be that he finally had something worth going back to, at least something that was just beyond his grasp? This idea kind of reminds me of Sayid spending the 7 years before the crash holding on to "just a thought." Nadia was just beyond his grasp. Hmm...