The Power Struggle

[TheDharmaShark]

Well its been fairly obvious that there is a power struggle between Jack and Locke developing recently. So, since this is the Locke forum, why do Locke fans think he should be leader? Or, why do Locke fans not want Jack to be leader?

Wow, first topic in the Locke forum!

[D-Roc]

Well as an ardent Locke disciple I feel that he is the natural leader of the group..he has insight, charisma and can normally see things from both sides.

I admit that he's lost his way somewhat this season..he's become rather blinkered and closed minded..he's lost his sense for adventure and he's starting to display that ill-temper he once had.

In syaing that he's still a better man to lead the group than Jack who although he has had his inspirational moments, ultimately the man is a dangerous leader.. im suprised more of the losties havent been slain under his leadership.

I think the idal thing would be for Jack and Locke to lead the group together, in harmony, however it's been shown that even in the most desperate of situations they cannot unite for long.

Maybe the time as come for Locke to take charge. Or even Ana?

[Kiowa Warrior]

As a devoted Locke fan (love that icon!) I can think of no-one else I would prefer as my leader on that island; Locke has practical survival skills, an open mind about how to deal with problems and the patience and insight to think a situation through before acting on it.

I have to agree with what Roco says about Locke losing his way lately - Locke seems to have been too caught up in the hatch and the computer, and seems to be putting all his energy and commitment into it for, what I horribly suspect, is mainly for a selfish reason. I think that Locke believes there is more to his destiny than just pushing a button, and so (out of impatience, anger and possibly desperation), he is prepared to give more and more to the hatch in order for it to reveal its 'true' purpose to him. Although I dont believe that Locke would purposefully put anyone else in danger, he could be doing so by his omission to act for them while his energy and focus are turned towards the hatch.

But saying all that, I stil agree with Sayid when he told Locke that he is probably the best hope of survival on this island (or similar words). Locke may not be as open and insightful as he was on S1 (and no doubt his belief that he knows what people are thinking and how they will behave has been dented by Sawyer in The Long Con), I still have faith that Locke will play a key part in the survivors' future and (hopeful) redemption.

Sorry Jack fans, but I'd rather take my chances following Henry Gale than Jack! Jack is emotionally questionable at the best of times, and I would always be on edge and wary of him snapping and running off with a gun in his hands to deal with a serious problem. I just don't think Jack is prepared to see the bigger picture of the island and what's been happening on it so to speak, and as such a part of his mind is closed to possibilities that could be ultimately helpful and correct.

[Snowy~Owl]

I have a feeling that Locke doesn't want to be the leader. He likes to take control from the background. I can't see him being a man who wants to take responsibilty for the others, but he wants to be on hand to offer advice as and when it is needed.

Then again Jack didn't want to be the leader either. He didn't think he had what it takes and he is constantly striving to live up to what he believes is expected of him. He does feel responsible for everyone else on the island, but he needs guidance. Unfortunately he appears to be too strong willed or maybe proud to accept it.

They appear to be opposing sides of one coin and together they could be a great leader. I propose we have a Jaocke.

[D-Roc]

What you said about Locke investing his time etc in the button for [possibly] selfish reasons is very interesting Ki. I never thought that would be the case but i think you could be right with your summisation. Like you say, perhaps this isnt intentional on Lockes part but it's just that he's so frustrated now that he's prepared to [as you said] invest more and more energy to the hatch/computer..and this is perhaps making him rather blinkered..wait..did I just say Locke was becoming blinkered!?? ..oh dear, it seems he's becomming more and more like Jack..because it's similar to how Jack invests more and more energy into things/people who need fixing and becomes blinkered/clouded that way..

It's funny how their roles and traits and intergrating and merging! If this carries on we might not know the diffewrence becetwen jack and Locke soon..i mean what will make then distinct, apart from a bald head and a tendacy to smirk all of the time? ..Ok..shoot me now before i start to question Locke's decline any further!

[D-Roc]

Originally Posted by Snowy~Owl,Aug 13 2006, 19:11 PM

I have a feeling that Locke doesn't want to be the leader.  He likes to take control from the background.  I can't see him being a man who wants to take responsibilty for the others, but he wants to be on hand to offer advice as and when it is needed.

Then again Jack didn't want to be the leader either.  He didn't think he had what it takes and he is constantly striving to live up to what he believes is expected of him.  He does feel responsible for everyone else on the island, but he needs guidance.  Unfortunately he appears to be too strong willed or maybe proud to accept it.

They appear to be opposing sides of one coin and together they could be a great leader.  I propose we have a Jaocke.

Yes well said Snowy, i particularly found great value in what you said about them being like 2 sides of a coin..in that they are different and yet together they COULD make a great leadership team! ..if only Jack didnt have such a huge ego, huh

[kirsty290182]

Originally Posted by KoRevo,Aug 14 2006, 18:06 PM

Yes well said Snowy, i particularly found great value in what you said about them being like 2 sides of a coin..in that they are different and yet together they COULD make a great leadership team! ..if only Jack didnt have such a huge ego, huh

I agree with this too. Locke thinks the island is "good" and Jack is wary of everything so i think if they put there heads together and got over themselves then they could be a very strong "couple".

[E Pluribus Unum]

I love Locke. I don't think he has the stones to be a leader though (although Henry has pushed him to start and stand up to Jack). I think the reason Locke has fallen back from the frotn line a little this season is because in season 1 - he knew what he was looking for, but he hadn't found it yet. In season 2 he has found what he was looking for and that would be fine if what he'd found was a cool treasure map but sadly it was pressing a putton every 108 minutes. I think the sooner he finds out nothing happens when you dont press the button (that's right, I trust Henry! lol) the better for him as a character and the losties as a group

I agree with snowy, I don't think he wants to be the leader. But I think he and Jack would make an excellent pairing!

[kirsty290182]

Originally Posted by E PLURIBUS UNUM,Sep 1 2006, 17:12 PM

I think the sooner he finds out nothing happens when you dont press the button (that's right, I trust Henry! lol) the better for him as a character and the losties as a group

:supr:

[Kiowa Warrior]

Originally Posted by E PLURIBUS UNUM,Sep 1 2006, 18:12 PM

I love Locke. I don't think he has the stones to be a leader though (although Henry has pushed him to start and stand up to Jack). I think the reason Locke has fallen back from the frotn line a little this season is because in season 1 - he knew what he was looking for, but he hadn't found it yet. In season 2 he has found what he was looking for and that would be fine if what he'd found was a cool treasure map but sadly it was pressing a putton every 108 minutes. I think the sooner he finds out nothing happens when you dont press the button (that's right, I trust Henry! lol) the better for him as a character and the losties as a group

I agree with snowy, I don't think he wants to be the leader. But I think he and Jack would make an excellent pairing!

I don't think that Locke really wants to be a leader in the traditional sense, whereby, like Jack, he would be responsible for the day to day running of the camp and all the minor problems that brings. I think that he wants to lead from behind - he doesn't want to be in the spotlight, but he wants to know that he has a certaint influence and authority over people and that they know it as well.

I agree with your comment that Locke knew he was looking for something in S1, and as such he was more fired up and looking forward to what was to come. But now that in S2 he's found it (the computer and the button), there's no more sense of adventure or wonder for him, and because he now has nothing to plan or think about, doubts have begun to creep in and he's questioning himself and the island. Again!

I'm inclined to believe Henry as well, and that nothing happens if you don't push the button. I've believed that from the start, but regardless of whether nothing happens or the island explodes, I want Locke to be out of the hatch doing something like in the good old days of S1!

[E Pluribus Unum]

Yeah I agree, it is strange. There are times when he's speaking to Jack - trying to express his views - when I think he just wants to be respected by Jack. I think he's prooved that he has a certain amount of respect for Jack and has accepted the idea that he needs [or will need] Jack - I just think Jack needs to realise the same about Locke.

[Kiowa Warrior]

Yes, Locke made it clear early on in S2 when he told Jack (at the end of Orientation I think) that he couldn't do it alone (enter the numbers) and needed Jack to do it with him. I think Locke does have a certain amount of respect for Jack, but not as much as the other losties do...becuase Locke really doesn't like being ordered about or snubbed by Jack. I think Locke's respect/need for Jack has decreased ever since Henry started playing them off one another...

And I think it will be a lot harder for Jack to admit that he needs Locke...Jack does need him in certain situations and he knows he does, but I don't think he likes to acknowledge that he does.

[E Pluribus Unum]

I agree, in my opinion if Jack was to ask someone else for help (especially Locke) he would see that as failing - which of course Jack hates doing. You could say that Jack is too proud, but I think stubborn is more fitting