Did Locke become too consumed with the button?

[D-Roc]

I love Locke, so do many of us.

But that doesnt mean I should shy away from the issues..so, with that in mind, did his obessesion with the button make him a somewhat selfish and insular character in season 2?

I mean, back in Season 1 he and Walt were best of chums (well, up untill Boone's death anyway ) but since then some might say that Locke has barely uttered the youngsters name let alone shown any concern for him.

Also, it could be argued that for whatever reason, Locke turned his back on Charlie when he needed him most..

So, with that in mind, do you think that Locke became somewhat selfish in S2?

[Toby]

Yes he ws self consumed. BUT that doesnt mean what he was doing wasnt right! The island made him do these things...

Its a tough question, and if I were to vote again I would probably choose something different!

[Kiowa Warrior]

Locke became very consumed with that blasted button - perhaps even dangerously so, and I do think that he shut off a lot of things that were also happening on the island and choose not to deal with them. And yes, that is very selfish of him.

But after spending a large part of S1 doing all he could to get into the hatch in the first place - which included Boone's 'sacrifice' - he was going to put his all into pushing the button, because he really believed that there was a greater purpose to it, and a greater purpose for him if he did it well enough and long enough.

So yes, Locke did become selfish in S2, but there are also a lot of other characters who acted selfishly as well, not just Locke. Charlie was selfish - and very possesive - over Claire and Aarron, Sawyer was selfish with his stash and the guns etc...It's just that a big deal was made of Locke and his button pushing. But now that the hatch seems like it's been blown to kingdom come, I'm hoping that Locke will get back to his jungle trekking ways and not chain himself to any more false destinys.

[Jen]

I mean, back in Season 1 he and Walt were best of chums (well, up untill Boone's death anyway  ) but since then some might say that Locke has barely uttered the youngsters name let alone shown any concern for him.

Well maybe one of the reasons in s2 he didn't talk about Walt or Boone or anyone, wasn't because he was selfish but in his flashbacks the whole thing with Helen and his Dad just leaving him, maybe he finds it hard to become close to people? or becuase these two people were the ones who were supposed to love him but then just left him he's maybe used to it??

i think that locke knew he was doing everyone a favour so that means deep down he cares for everyone and wasn't being selfish at all.

[lost-lover]

I think he's been unable to control to control any element of his life, finally he gets the button and he's in control, only to think it's fake after watching an ORientation film. :P

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by Toby,November 03, 2006 07:12 pm

Yes he ws self consumed. BUT that doesnt mean what he was doing wasnt right! The island made him do these things...

Its a tough question, and if I were to vote again I would probably choose something different!

Fair point, the island (an other things/people) did seem to be using and/or manipulating him.

But this does bring into question the value of blind faith..certainly Locke was blind to just how much faith he had invested in the button and the hatch etc until the Pearl revelation. Henry also planted the seeds of doubt in his head when he told him that he didnt push the button. Which also brings into question how easily Locke can be influenced in both directions - in terms of believing in something/someone and in terms of disbelieving once someone more knowledgeable than him plants the seeds of doubt in his mind

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by Kiowa Warrior,November 03, 2006 07:27 pm

Locke became very consumed with that blasted button - perhaps even dangerously so, and I do think that he shut off a lot of things that were also happening on the island and choose not to deal with them. And yes, that is very selfish of him.

But after spending a large part of S1 doing all he could to get into the hatch in the first place - which included Boone's 'sacrifice' - he was going to put his all into pushing the button, because he really believed that there was a greater purpose to it, and a greater purpose for him if he did it well enough and long enough.

So yes, Locke did become selfish in S2, but there are also a lot of other characters who acted selfishly as well, not just Locke. Charlie was selfish - and very possesive - over Claire and Aarron, Sawyer was selfish with his stash and the guns etc...It's just that a big deal was made of Locke and his button pushing.

Thats a very good point that you raise Ki - Locke wasnt the only one who became somewhat selfish! Sawyer, Chucky, jack and virtually everyone else (even Rose!!) could be argued to have had their insular and selfish moments in S2! It's just that Locke being Locke alot was made of it.

The thing is, Locke's selfishness was very human. I think most people who have walked in his shoes would've reacted in a similar way to the whole button situation. And afterall his selfishness wasnt borne out of greed or the need for power etc..it was just Locke needing to be loved and wanting to feel that his life wasnt worthless and that he did have a purpose. Now that is very touching isnt it.

Poor Locke

[Nickeshi]

I don't think what he did was selfish, but he did let the button rule him sort of. Wasn't his fault really.

[Hordriss]

I would argue, along with Eko, that pushing the button was never entirely a matter of blind faith. The electromagetism had been verified by Sayid's dodgy compass bearings, Jack had discovered the magnetic wall, and the bunker-like structure of the Swan suggested a serious threat potential (Sayid's remarks about Chernobyl spring to mind). Ignoring the button until it had been properly investigated, at any rate, might be viewed as seriously irresponsible (strange that no-one ever did bother to investigate).

On the other hand, Locke did collude in the torture of "Henry", apparently for no better reason than to get some cheap revenge on Jack for trying to start an "army" without consulting him, which was criminally selfish.

[Lost_obsesed_Jade]

Locke was a bit selfish, going to those lengths not to push the button, and trying to hide the guns from jack (before Sawyer got them)
but i think it's just a phase

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by Hordriss,November 05, 2006 10:19 am

On the other hand, Locke did collude in the torture of "Henry", apparently for no better reason than to get some cheap revenge on Jack for trying to start an "army" without consulting him, which was criminally selfish.

Im not sure it was merely for cheap revenge on Jack. I think that Locke also wanted answers. At that stage we saw him depressed and taking daytime naps. He was already becoming frustrated and disillusioned. He saw Henry's capture as an opportunity to glean some information that may help their quest. Though, I admit he was wrong to facilitate the torture of a defenseless man..though perhaps he didnt expect Sayid to become so a-moral so quickly.

[Kiowa Warrior]

Originally Posted by KoRevo,November 03, 2006 06:55 pm

Thats a very good point that you raise Ki - Locke wasnt the only one who became somewhat selfish! Sawyer, Chucky, jack and virtually everyone else (even Rose!!) could be argued to have had their insular and selfish moments in S2! It's just that Locke being Locke alot was made of it.

The thing is, Locke's selfishness was very human. I think most people who have walked in his shoes would've reacted in a similar way to the whole button situation. And afterall his selfishness wasnt borne out of greed or the need for power etc..it was just Locke needing to be loved and wanting to feel that his life wasnt worthless and that he did have a purpose. Now that is very touching isnt it.

Poor Locke

Yes, I think that everyone on the island did indeed have their selfish moments, where they put themselves first and either intentionally or negligently ignored others and what else was going on. But because Locke is such a prominent character, and because the hatch - and Locke's faith in it - had been built up so much, Locke would be getting a lot of close observation however he bahaved over the button.

It is touching I think! All Locke wanted - all he has really wanted ever since his oldest flashback - is to love and be loved, and so experience everything that comes with such a commitment: purpose, happiness, respect, contentment etc etc, but he hasn't had much of that at all. But because Locke was both broken by his experiences while at the same time naturally determined he, pretty blindly it has to be said, put his whole faith and commitment into the hands of the island, because he believed it had provided for him and so he was prepared to do anything to placate it so that it wouldn't be another thing that abandoned him.
Given everything that Locke has been through I find it hard to blame him for acting the way he has...he could just as easily have sunk into depression or uncontrolled rage at how life has treated him, but he still makes the effort with anyone or anything that is willing to give him the time of day.

Poor Locke indeed...bless him

[Murgatroyd]

Originally Posted by KoRevo,November 05, 2006 03:32 pm

Im not sure it was merely for cheap revenge on Jack. I think that Locke also wanted answers. At that stage we saw him depressed and taking daytime naps. He was already becoming frustrated and disillusioned. He saw Henry's capture as an opportunity to glean some information that may help their quest. Though, I admit he was wrong to facilitate the torture of a defenseless man..though perhaps he didnt expect Sayid to become so a-moral so quickly.

But the reason he gave to Jack was, in fact, that he acted as he did because Jack didn't include him in his army games and so he wanted to regain a bit of control for himself. I'm sure he ostensibly did it because it was (he believed, downright stupidly) a valid means of extracting information from Henry, but his subconscious motivation was more linked to his need to play petty power games with Jack. If it wasn't for the fact that he knew Jack would be opposed to it, I don't think he'd have countenanced the torture option.

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by Murgatroyd,November 06, 2006 06:45 pm

But the reason he gave to Jack was, in fact, that he acted as he did because Jack didn't include him in his army games and so he wanted to regain a bit of control for himself. I'm sure he ostensibly did it because it was (he believed, downright stupidly) a valid means of extracting information from Henry, but his subconscious motivation was more linked to his need to play petty power games with Jack. If it wasn't for the fact that he knew Jack would be opposed to it, I don't think he'd hav