Ok - this might be a stretch, but isn't that the fun of this?
We all know that Jack was absent at Claire's birth due to him giving a blood transfusion to Boone. The birth of a baby represents new life, hope and beginnings. Jack was unable to be there b/c he was literally pouring his own life (his blood) into what appeared to be a hopeless situation. Is this representative of Jack's life - that he often misses the hope and potential for a new beginning b/c he pours so much of himself into what appears to be no-win situations? (i.e. - relationship w/ his father & yet to be revealed but possibly the relationship w/ his wife?)
Plus, when the baby was around he had to deliver the news to Shannon (obviously b/c he was the doctor) but right after instead of focusing on a positive moment (the baby) he went right for the negative (finding Locke) - is Jack our Hamlet? Forever doomed by his own demons?
This does make sense.* You could also extend it to explain the difference between Jack & Locke.* Jack refuses to let go when he continues to fight againist all hope to save Boone or Charlie and Claire when they were kidnapped.* While Locke on the other hand accepts things as they are like thier situation on the Island.* *This episode showcased Jack's trouble with letting go while on an earlier episode Locke convinced Boone to let go of his unhealthy obsession with Sharon.
I have nothing to add to what you said, but I do agree with your analysis of Jack-- I am starting to look at him a whole new way as the show grows, and our understanding of his character is starting to come into focus.
While Locke on the other hand accepts things as they are like thier situation on the Island. *
I disagree. *Locke doesn't "accept" things anymore than Jack does. *"Don't tell me what I can't do"--Locke said it first, in two different episodes. Jack's father is who Jack was always afraid of failing whereas Locke after this incident wanted to know what he'd done wrong from "the island". *He figured he'd "failed" the island in some way. *
jerseygirl, I wondered that myself--it's almost like Jack sets himself up for failure. *Not with his father, he could't help who he was born to but because of that situation, it's like Jack just became caught up in a self-fulfilling prophecy. *As a child of an alcoholic he seemed to have gone the way of being compelled to take care of everyone in his life and to take on all the responsibilities. *
Good analysis of Jack. He does have a problem letting go; Jack's dad realized it and told him so. Jack even seemed to realize it but yet with Boone, he didn't want to give up; even Boone knew he was too far gone to save. Thankfully, the baby was delivered successfully without Jack's help but what if something like this happens again? Will Jack be able to let the mortally wounded person go to help the person who can be saved?
I think it's interesting that both Locke and Jack have said "Don't tell me what I can't do". I wonder what the connection is there?
As Jack's dad pointedly notes in the backstory that Jack is the most committed man he knows- committment is what makes Jack tick - also got me wondering about the duality of being a committed person. Being committed has it's positives and negatives, i.e. not being able to let go, but also meaning never giving up leads one to being eternally hopeful. I think Jack, as most of us also do, needs to learn and accept his own limitations as a mortal person.
Just kidding. Good point BESS2728.
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