I'm hoping that after the next ep, Special, he'll have many more.* I love him.* Harold Perrineau is great.* There's a big thing with names on the show, and so when I think of Michael I automatically think of the archangel Michael (which means, who is like God).* Fought in the battle against evil who stood at heaven "to keep the way of the tree of life."* Could be totally unrelated, of course.

Michelangelo

Michelangelo


He was named after the angel, though, right?* I honestly* have no idea and am too lazy to look it up.* =)

Yeah it is Michaelangelo. Michael is an artist/architect just like him. Yeah so far there is not much to Michael, but like everyone else on the island, I am sure there is plenty to this character.

I'm curious.....
I'm new here, but I've been on other LOST boards, and it seems that on all of them, including this one, the Michael character ( along with Walt ) has so very few posts.. I also seen many derogatory comments made regarding his character, and how he looks, etc.
Also, it seems that many people are so adamantly against his any possible having any relationship with Sun, I wonder if it has to do with other reasons, not just her being married........
I seriously doubt that there would be any controversy or the outcry if it was Jack , Sawyer, or even Charlie!
I know that LOST demographics are focused on a more or less white audience ( which is probably a pre - requisite for any major network show in America ), but I applaud the writers and producers for having a regular looking black guy on the show, with a major part and giving him unique situations
( not to mention including having even asian characters, which are even a rarer sight on televison! )
But as for the relative lack of popularity of the Michael character?
Could it be that most of the viewers and fans of LOST are not very comfortable with the Michael character, how he looks, what he is, and what he represents?
That they are more comfortable with , and identify more, with the White cast members?
I hope that i am wrong on that count, and that is not the case....

But.....

We could do a racial breakdown of the major characters of the show:

White:
Jack, Kate, Locke, Boone, Shannon, Charlie, Claire, Sawyer ,
Sayid ( Middle Eastern Caucasian )

Black:
Micheal, Walt

Asian:
Jin, Sun

Hispanic:
Hurley

Now guess which two here have the lowest and fewest posts in typical LOST forums?
Something to think about........ :-\

Harold Perrineau is a very accomplished actor. I remember first seeing him in the old tv show "Fame" in the early eighties, and his Augustus Hill charcter on the show "OZ " was great. His version of the character Mercutio from the movie" Romeo + Juliet" was unforgettable. These were just a few of the well know roles that he is known for. As for the Role is is presently in, "Micheal Dawson" is an interesting charcter, which really haven't been fully explored yet. I'm really suprised there is so little activity in his area of the forums. I really hope this changes in the future here.
I hope.

LostOne, I think the first thing to factor in is that, among the main 14, Michael is one of the least-featured characters, as well as one of the least-mysterious. There isn't as much to discuss about him as there is most of the other characters.
I agree, Vos. I think Harold is an excellent actor and I would love to see more discussion on Michael. However, I haven't been able to come up with any topics to start in this section but if someone has a new idea for a thread, I would post in it. Perhaps you have some ideas, Lost One; your post was thoughtful :) .
That said, this forum is 85% female and from what I've seen, the male characters' folders are driven mostly by females attracted to the characters. Hey, I for one would like to see you jump in and contribute to the character analysis topics in those folders :) .* My personal opinion is that the character sections should be mainly about discussion of their role within the storyline and that their attractiveness should be more of an aside than a major focus. That being said, I don't think it's uncommon for people to be drawn to characters that they find attractive(hence, the attract part ;D). I believe I know someone whose fondness for Shannon does seem enhanced by her lovely appearance but who still makes insightful posts about her ;) . As a disclaimer though, I should mention that I called Harold attractive in the Jin section so I may be biased ;) .That was in response to a comment made about his appearance though--I generally try to refrain from referencing looks.
It's probably controversial to say this, but imo it is due in part to his race. There's probably truth to that. I didn't respond to Lost One's post initially because I didn't want to get embroiled in anything but I couldn't let you stand out on the ledge alone, Vos ;) :laugh: . Non-white characters are usually not placed in the "heroic lead" and people generally focus less on them but it seems sort of chicken and egg. Do people talk about them less because they're not the lead or are they not the lead because it's believed that the majority of the advertisers' targeted audience doesn't want to see it? I tend to think it's a little of both :-\ . However, kudos to the people behind Lost for having such a diverse cast and I hope that we will get to learn more about who Michael is as a man :) .

He was named after the angel, though, right?* I honestly* have no idea and am too lazy to look it up.* =)


Remember when Locke was talking to Boone about the hatch at first and comparing the waiting of "discovering" it to Michaelangelo's staring at the marble which eventually became his greatest creation David? I'm convinced that was a clue to something, but haven't been able to piece it all together. We also found out that Michael, along with Claire's baby's father Thomas, is an artist. Then you have Walt, defeating the polar bear which to me is very similar to David defeating Goliath, whom the statue is modeled after.

Hi Vos :) . I understood your point about the folders but you touched upon something that I've been discussing recently so I took the opportunity to meander over to a topic that I've been thinking about ;) .

Thanks for jumping on the ledge with me. I'm not too worried about getting pushed off, though, since I doubt more than three or four people will read what we're saying :laugh: . If anyone wants to say something controversial, this is the place to do it...
Charlie and Hurley are my two least-favorite characters and I wouldn't mind if they were both cut from the show :devil: * :blink: :fear2: :fear3:* Well Vos, I certainly hope you're right that very few people frequent this section, you brave soul :laughing: . . . I will stand out on a ledge with you but I won't throw myself in front of the stampede :whistling2:* . . .* :lol2:

I love a good smilie, Vos :biggrin: . Luckily, you don't seem to be in imminent danger. . .* :no2:
I have to say though that I hope this folder gets some more threads and attention even if it increases your peril. . .* :shocking:* :laughing:

I think it's a drag Michael isn't featured more on Lost. I know it's hard with so many "main"
characters, but he's so interesting you think they'd give him a little more screen time. I can do
with less of Charlie. It's like we can't talk more about him because of the plot. His episode was
one of THE best. But did I read that wrong? "...nice to have a regular looking black actor?"" Harold isn't regular looking - he's handsome! He's sexy, when he's interviewed, that laugh of his!

I'll jump on the bandwagon seeings as he's my dad. I'm still kinda mad at him and the whole world (island), so you better keep a close eye on me. :devil: :angel:??

Well, lack of screen time hurts. We really don't know too much about him. Other than he seems to have a temper much like Jack and his stupid girlfriend used him as a sperm donor. Certainly, I wouldn't consider him or Charlie to be hotties. (why do people think Charlie is good looking?) I think the way he's treated Walt has kind of worked against his popularity as has his Jack like stubbornness (I dislike Jack because of that).

Oddly enough Walt has had many topics, but none seem to get posted in his board. They mostly linger in the theories board. He seems to get discussed mostly in other threads.

How many people saw him on OZ. He was fabulous, and I like his hair.

Is show marketing aimed at the white audience? That would seem pretty stupid, seeings as there is such diversity in the US. I remember Sayid, saying it is the 1st prime time role for an Iraqi.

I think the fans aren't taking to Michael yet, because of his lack of a relationship with Walt.
The poor kid just lost his mom and step dad, and I have no patience with Michael figuring out how to be a dad. Someone commented (Hurley), that Michael didn't like being a dad. When they start bonding, we will see the posts rise, I hope.

I think you're right. Walt and Michael have a lot of tension between them now (and Walt's creepy powers). I think Michael will be respected before the end more than he is now.

As for Walt...I'm all for superpowered kid time! More Walt!

,,,,,you'll see a few of my tricks, before this season ends.......... :devil: :biggrinangelA:???

It's good that at least some people here at this site acknowledge the possible racial aspect of why there are very few posts for Micheal and possibly Walt, unlike other LOST sites.I admit It's the subject that most people don't want to mention, even though it is pretty painfully obvious. I'll repond more to the other previous posts as soon as I can.
Hopefully, there will be more comments here since last nights repeat showing of Michael and Walt's flashback episode, "Special".... :)

It's good that at least some people here at this site acknowledge the possible racial aspect of why there are very few posts for Micheal and possibly Walt, unlike other LOST sites.I admit It's the subject that most people don't want to mention, even though it is pretty painfully obvious. I'll repond more to the other previous posts as soon as I can.
Hopefully, there will be more comments here since last nights repeat showing of Michael and Walt's flashback episode, "Special".... :)


I think it has more to do with Michael's personality also, though race enters into it. He's snappy and temperamental, which is a turn off. No one likes someone who bosses/scorns others who aren't doing things the way they want it done (or for not doing what they think another should). Jack is much the same way, which is the reason he grates on my nerves. There's a self-righteousness to both of these characters that drives me crazy. Still, I'd like to see more Michael.

Race is an interesting topic because his role is really NOT the typical "black guy" role. It's hard to think of him as black compared to the way other shows portray "blackness" for men.

I may have said this already, but I think the "not like Michael camp" is more about his lack of bonding with Walt, and the fact that some think he was a deadbeat dad, which is soooooooooo not true.

When he lied for Brian, and said that it was his idea to take Walt, and that Brian really did want to keep him, HOW COULD YOU NOT LOVE THE GUY.

My 2nd favorite moment is when he steals Brian's dog for Walt.

I don't want to hate his ex, but they better show me more about her, cuz right now I think she is a horrible human being for keeping Walt from Michael, not reading him the letters, and having a man adopt your child, when you know he doesn't love him or want him. Meanwhile back in the US, is a dad that wants to be with Walt.

Any thoughts?

I'm really curious about the problems she was referencing with their relationship. I wonder if they were something normal or something lost normal. And why she never married him. Not that it's abnormal for people not to get married just seems like there's something there. But then I overanalyze everything. On of my all time favorite Lost lines is when Micheal is on the pay phone and he tells her "I'm not coming for you, I'm coming to get Walt."

"I'm not coming for you, I'm coming to get Walt."


Yeah, that was priceless!!!

There is so much to find out about those LOST years.

He was an artist, but took work in construction to put her through school.
Then she's complaining about him not working in the winter.
Then she's leaving him for a job, without discussing it with him, and taking Walt, using the knowledge he paid for her to learn.
Then she's "doing" the boss, and is going to marry him.

My conclusion, is that she is a money/power hungry woman.* Did she notice Walt's special talents, or just Brian, because she is so self absorbed?

Yeah, I wonder how Micheal being and artist will come into play on the island. I've definitely heard some interesting speculation. I wonder was Walt's mom always like that (money/power hungry). It seemed like Micheal thought she was with a different person. He mentioned about her wanting to do public interest law or something like that. I wish they would have given Micheal another flashback. I'm curious if he had always been hot-tempered or was made that way by life giving him various beat downs.

No question Michael's girlfriend used him. >:(

Walts mother totally used Michael. (I'm not saying she wasn't a good mother, I'm talking about
how she treated the father of her child). I can't believe people think Michael was a bad father. Of
course he doesn't have all the answers to child-rearing.... after what his ex-girlfriend pulled on him,
and how he is really learning on the job, what do people expect? I think he is written (and acted)
as a REAL human being. I should think people should at least respect how hard he is trying.

Walt seems to be a pretty hard shell to crack.* He actually seems emotionless.* I would think he would talk about his mom with people.* He doesn't seem sad, he seems detached, like when the bird hit the window, he just went back to his book.

Oh yeah, were supposed to be talking about Michael.* He will either die by seasons end, or something will happen to make him and Walt move to the next level?

I think that's the difficult part. Walt is a little different, they are on some crazy island and Micheal all of a sudden has to know how to play daddy. It's allot to expect of someone in those circumstances. I feel like people forget that the lost are in extraordinary circumstances.

I'm only just getting a look at the Character sections, and I'm also surprised how little there is on Michael--an invaluable addition to the "team," with all his engineering skills at the cave-in, etc., and Harold's excellent acting throughout--a character that is so real in his behavior.

But I must say (even though I try not to have a fixation on the appearance of our characters), who couldn't think Harold was hot? I like him better in Matrix dreads, but still!

And I wouldn't doubt that color plays a role in his character's position on the charts, but I think it's also that we've never seen much humor in him--whether Sawyer quips or Hurley geniality, etc. He's been a man with a mission--to get off the island--and has had little distraction. Even his enjoyment of the golf match was tempered by a perceived lack of attention to Walt (just for that moment). I sure hope he won't be the one that gets killed off. He seems much more of a leader to me than Jack.

I'm throwing it out there, after tonight, do you think this thread will exist?

Ouch. You mean, will he die? I sure hope not. If so, character-wise, what purpose would he really have served? If we're not to see his relationship with his son either strengthen or deteriorate, they may as well have sent Walt with a flight attendant back to the US to meet him there. Of course, maybe the writers do more on the fly than I realize, or change their storylines more, but it seems as if it was their relationship that had a plot/character purpose. Interesting though--only he and Walt, and Sharon and Boone, had familial relationships--and they had no compunction about ridding themselves of Boone. Will Michael die to add more burdens to Walt's life? Or to "free" him to do what he wants without restriction (like teen emancipation early)?

I wish they'd leave death of our main characters out of the way for a while. It's interfering!

I hope not either, and I wish they'd leave death alone too!! I am very curious about Walt and Michael and about their relationship. It will be a big bummer if one of them dies with so much left open. I wish they'd explore Michael, Walt and Jin more instead of just showing them building the stupid raft.

Well I was way wrong, and Walt held his hand. He also had a very touching moment with Jin, when Jin said "Good"

Micheal trapped in the raft subplot of hell. Luckily subplot will becoming plot soon, so I'm hoping for more Micheal.


I'm only just getting a look at the Character sections, and I'm also surprised how little there is on Michael--an invaluable addition to the "team," with all his engineering skills at the cave-in, etc., and Harold's excellent acting throughout--a character that is so real in his behavior.


Yeah, it sucks that Micheal dosen't get his props. I agree with the realness of his character.

I generally agree with the above comments. The writers haven't done nearly enough with Michael, but we can hope his turn comes soon. Harold does a fantastic job with role, a man dealt several raw deals in life, and now trying desperately to reconnect with his son. Michael is too headstrong, like when he unwarrantedly beat up Jin for burning the first raft, and I don't think he's thought the dangers of the raft trip through enough, but it makes the character real. In his position, I would build the raft as well as possible, but let others with more sailing experience attempt the voyage and stay on the island with my child.
If the writers have Michael and Walt and a couple others sail off on the raft not to return for Season 2, I will be extremely upset.