Read on Twitter
In defence of Jack Shephard:
This year, it’s been ten years since #Lost ended. The upsurge in island-focused podcasts is brilliant, but I’m less of a fan of the renewed criticism of my fave, Jack Shephard. (1/10)
This year, it’s been ten years since #Lost ended. The upsurge in island-focused podcasts is brilliant, but I’m less of a fan of the renewed criticism of my fave, Jack Shephard. (1/10)
Jack is the anti-hero. He’s not what people immediately want or expect from the main character, and his flaws are exposed and explored. He’s far from perfect and never claims to be. In this show, as in real life, everyone has flaws and a journey to go on. (2/10)
Jack cares. He always wants to help. He looks after his friends; he wants to save them and keep them safe. His obsession with fixing things is often to his own detriment and he has to learn to let things go. That’s one of the main parts of his arc and his journey. (3/10)
He‘s pushed into becoming the leader. “Everybody wants me to be a leader until I make a decision that they don’t like.” Often, he’s seen to be controlling - but he’s usually either showing the leadership that is demanded of him, or acting because he cares about someone. (4/10)
Who can blame him for not instantly becoming a man of faith? He’s a doctor. And yes, he is stubborn, and this holds him back, but how can he have faith in the island with so little proof that it’s ‘special’? He doesn’t know it cured Rose’s cancer, or made John walk again. (5/10)
Jack’s arc is going from a man of science to a man of faith. He has to get to his lowest point before he believes in the island, and in John. It’s a monumental struggle and despite everything, he gets there, admits that he was wrong, and he devotes himself to the island. (6/10)
His relationship with Kate makes him a better man. She calls him out on his shit. They challenge each other. He cares about her and protects her. Maybe those instincts don’t always manifest themselves in the best way. But they help each other grow and he really loves her. (7/10)
And why does James get away with poor behaviour (at the start certainly) - a womaniser, making frequent derogatory remarks? Because he’s witty and has great hair? Don’t get me wrong - I like Sawyer and he ends up a decent man. In my opinion, Jack was always a decent man. (8/10)
Jack gives up his life to save his friends. Believe me, I know that Jack has his flaws, as do all these characters. He’s stubborn. He obsesses. His decisions as leader aren’t always perfect. He fixates. But he’s also brave and caring and devoted. (9/10)
Pretty much every character in #Lost has depth, development, and valid flaws and assets. Jack is no different. He goes from a man of science to a man of faith and learns to be a better man along the way - but the whole time, he is a good man who wants to help his friends. (10/10)
