Does JACK now know where he's going?

[D-Roc]

Correct me if im wrong, but i seem to remember Locke advising Jack:

"A leader can't lead until he knows where he's going"
This, i believe, was said during episode 5 of season 1 (White Rabbit)..seems like a lifetime ago..anyway, DOES Jack know where he's going?

What i mean is, has Jack become a good leader..has he stripped himself of all of the things that were preventing him from being an effective leader back in (much of) S1 and become the man he was perhaps destined to be?

Afterall, last season (Season2) he seemed to have alot more purpose and confidence about him - marching into the others border on more than one occassion, for example. WHilst some may call this foolhardy, others may point out that without him the losties would have no direction..no togetherness. Afterall, Locke's been busy pushing the button, Eko the Church and the button, Charlie battling with his love life and drug addiction, Sayid battling with his past and death of Shannon, Michael busy getting his son back, Bernie busy moaning, Hurley busy battling his demons etc etc..where as Jack..well Jack's always been there really..he must have encountered his own persnal issues (like grieving over his father for instance), yet he's always been there for everyone else.

And that wink/look that he gave Kate just before the potatoe bag went over his head in 2x24..well, that was very heartwarming to see. Never thought i'd suggest such a thing..but has Jack found himself? Is he a good leader? Or perhaps theres a fine line between being brave and being foolish?

[StoneRose]

I think in a situation like that, another leader would arise naturally, its just human nature. I'm guessing it would probably be kate or Sawyer. (How good they would be is another issue!)

Regarding wether jack knows where he's going though, I dont think he does, he might be on his way to getting there, but I think all the losties are on a journey and it will take a long time for them to come to the end.

[Beach Crew]

*Is worried* Poor Jack, you people cut him a break, ya hear!

Anyways....

Does Jack know where he's going?

It's an interesting question. Jack wants to save the people on the island, it's in his nature, he has a hero complex, and as a doctor, he wants to make sure the people around him are safe and looked after.

But this is a situation Jack has never been in before, and so he's struggling.

He's been influenced by so many, for example, Sayid into torture, Kate into doing what she wants, Sawyer into being mean, Locke into fighting against faith....he's been Lost, and is struggling to find his way.

BUT this does not make him a bad leader.

Jack was exceptionally brave throught season two, and took on a much darker quality, perhaps becuase his people were being threatened and killed, he was not willing to let this happen and so went out for the attack, before the others attacked them.

When we look at his relationship with Ana, and the idea of building an army, we can see that although dangerous he had everyone's best interests at heart, all he wanted to do was save his camp.

And I say HIS camp. NObody else has even attempted to take the role of leader, they all put pressure on Jack to lead them from day one, and the poor lad has never gotten a break. Its no wonder he freaks out sometimes.

Like you say Roco, Jack has helped people through their problems but he has always had his own, and really hasn't devoted enough time to healing, especially after the loss of his father, who he thought hated him, although thanks to Sawyer that idea was removed.

He needs time to confront his demons, but yet, he seems to have done so in confronting the Others, he seems so much stronger, and almost a better leader. He seems more prepared.

The look he gave to Kate, I think he has a plan. The look on Sawyer's face too, they know what they're doing. And this just prooves what a good leader Jack has become. The fact that he is prepared, he knows what he wants to do in a situation that doesn't look so good. And hopefully, he, Sawyer and Kate will make an escape soon.

As for being foolish, on occasion, yes, he can be, but so is everyone else. It's natural to go too far, to put yourself and others in danger, especially when you're angry or sad. It's not Jack's fault.

So, IMO, I do think Jack has found himself and is finally letting go of some of those demons that keep him so trapped.

Let's hope Sawyer can do that next.

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by StoneRose,November 10, 2006 01:30 pm

I think in a situation like that, another leader would arise naturally, its just human nature. I'm guessing it would probably be kate or Sawyer. (How good they would be is another issue!)

Regarding wether jack knows where he's going though, I dont think he does, he might be on his way to getting there, but I think all the losties are on a journey and it will take a long time for them to come to the end.

Yeah, Sawyer would perhaps try to take power, though i too doubt how good he would be at leading the group In fact he'd perhaps be the worst leader..and i say that knowing full well that Bernard exists!

Sorry James. You have a heart but it's currently trapped underneath all of that acidic tar. Consistency aint your thing.


I too think Jack is on his way to getting there..he's come along way and is begining to accept reality for what it is.

[Beach Crew]

Originally Posted by KoRevo,November 10, 2006 03:32 pm

Yeah, Sawyer would perhaps try to take power, though i too doubt how good he would be at leading the group In fact he'd perhaps be the worst leader..and i say that knowing full well that Bernard exists!

Sorry James. You have a heart but it's currently trapped underneath all of that acidic tar. Consistency aint your thing.


I too think Jack is on his way to getting there..he's come along way and is begining to accept reality for what it is.

Um, Sawyer, sweetie...can you go get me a cup of tea? Thanks.

*Makes sure Sawyer is out of the room*

I have to agree. Sawyer would not make a good leader. He's too angry, he's too broken inside and it just wouldn't work.
I can see him going straight for the guns, yelling a hell of a lot, bossing people around, and doing things by himself without advice from others.

It would be too dangerous until he learns to let out the inner James, and yes, this is happening, but with so much pressure on him, he would revert back to his old ways.

I'm sorry baby, but you're not ready to lead, just yet. YOu will be soon though.

Ugh. I feel so bad. And evil. And dirty now.

I'm such an awful person betraying him like this.

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by Beach Crew,November 10, 2006 04:11 pm

The look he gave to Kate, I think he has a plan. The look on Sawyer's face too, they know what they're doing. And this just prooves what a good leader Jack has become. The fact that he is prepared, he knows what he wants to do in a situation that doesn't look so good. And hopefully, he, Sawyer and Kate will make an escape soon.

That look can either mean that he's got a plan or that he's hopeful that things will be ok. Eitherway it shows that Jack has made great strides because in S1 he was neither very well prepared nor very hopeful..so i have to give him credit. Though visions of him distributing armed rifles to untrained people still lingure in my head..and that was only about 20 days ago! Oh well, on the whole Jack has made good progress and i agree seems a more competent leader these days. That encountered with Zeke seemed to be the making of him.

I will never be on 'Team Jack'..but credit where credits due

[Beach Crew]

Originally Posted by KoRevo,November 10, 2006 03:39 pm

That look can either mean that he's got a plan or that he's hopeful that things will be ok. Eitherway it shows that Jack has made great strides because in S1 he was neither very well prepared nor very hopeful..so i have to give him credit. Though visions of him distributing armed rifles to untrained people still lingure in my head..and that was only about 20 days ago! Oh well, on the whole Jack has made good progress and i agree seems a more competent leader these days. That encountered with Zeke seemed to be the making of him.

I will never be on 'Team Jack'..but credit where credits due

I'll never be on Team Jack either....I'm always on Sawyer's side, no mtter what happens, lol, but of late, I've felt this place needs someone to stick up for the poor lad.

I agree. Jack has changed so much, he does seem to have more hope and more belief that things aren't always about how they seem. Yeah, Jack has made so much progress, especially since meeting Zeke, and I think he's going to keep changing.

Go Jack!

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by Beach Crew,November 10, 2006 05:44 pm

I'll never be on Team Jack either....I'm always on Sawyer's side, no mtter what happens, lol, but of late, I've felt this place needs someone to stick up for the poor lad.

I agree. Jack has changed so much, he does seem to have more hope and more belief that things aren't always about how they seem. Yeah, Jack has made so much progress, especially since meeting Zeke, and I think he's going to keep changing.

Go Jack!

With the demise of the 'DOTs' Jack's corner has been somewhat empty of late

I too think jack will keep changing - hopefully for the better as he's still got along way to go. I think something will happen to make him regress though..perhaps when it's revealed that Christian is still alive (only hopeful theory btw!)

[Beach Crew]

Originally Posted by KoRevo,November 10, 2006 07:45 pm

With the demise of the 'DOTs' Jack's corner has been somewhat empty of late

I too think jack will keep changing - hopefully for the better as he's still got along way to go. I think something will happen to make him regress though..perhaps when it's revealed that Christian is still alive (only hopeful theory btw!)

Aww, hence why I am here, even though Sawyer may not exactly agree, and sometimes I feel like I'm betraying my James, but still...I feel Jack needs at least one friend! Lol.

Yeah, Jack's changing all the time, I mean, if you compare the first few eppies of season one, with the last few of season 2, he is so different. So much stronger. More powerful, and an all round better guy.

Yup, just like Sawyer, I think something will affect him and he'll go back to his old ways.

And good theory!

[lost-lover]

I think spending time at the Others camp will make or break Jack, hopefully he'll come out of it stronger. I think while he's gone Locke'll take over the camp, assuming he's alive, and maybe Sayid if he gets back from where ever he is

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by lost-lover,November 10, 2006 09:01 pm

I think spending time at the Others camp will make or break Jack, hopefully he'll come out of it stronger. I think while he's gone Locke'll take over the camp, assuming he's alive, and maybe Sayid if he gets back from where ever he is

Perhaps Jack will become one of them!? ..maybe Kawyer will too

Though to be honest, thats probably an improvement because the 'Others' have (Zeke apart) conducted themselves with more honour than many of our lot, imo

[Beach Crew]

Jawyer?

Is this like Skate? If so....ew.

But become one of them? Become an Other?

I don't see Sawyer doing that, or Jack.

ANd maybe I'm lying right now about one of those, but I know that one of the, would never betray his friends.

[D-Roc]

Speaking of Locke..i wonder whether he's now able to take active leadership (assuming he's alive)? I mean, the whole button affair has probably dented his spirit somewhat..at the very least it would have left him tired and run down. I think the losties need someone like EKo now more than ever before. Locke needs someone to lean on..and Eko could be the man (assuming he's alive).

All hail the new leader??