Michael Doesn't Redeem Himself

[D-Roc]

This hinges alot on the 'idea' that Michael is the man in the coffin..

In 4.08 - Meet Kevin Johnson, Michael (in his flashback) sold the watch that Jin gave him.

We know that at somepoint Jin dies (least that's the suggestion), most likely before the Oceanic 6 get back home.

I think that Michael selling Jin's watch may be a little clue to the possibility that Michael sells out again, on his return to the island - more specifically, he may be the one responsible for the 'death' of Jin. Jin wouldn't be the first island father to be killed - if the 'is Alex pregnant?' suggestions are true.

This (and other events) would possibly explain Kate's unwillingness to attend his funeral - as I don't believe Kate would be so unwilling to attend his funeral for his initial act in saving his son and leaving the island. There has to be something more..a repeated trangresion perhaps.. to make her of all people so disgusted by him as to not attend his funeral.

Again, this relies largely on the idea that Mike is the man in the coffin (personally I still think it's more likely to be Ben or Locke, but I want to put this idea out there).

All in all I have a feeling that Michael doesn't get to redeem himself.

On a side note, I find it interesting how Mike tried to redeem his freewill via the sale of Jin's watch for the gun (to kill himself), yet redemption still seems so far away.

Not much of a theory at the moment, but as always I hope to flesh it out of the course of time, if only for my own curiousity in the direction of the story.

[E Pluribus Unum]

Interestingly enough, I figured (again, assuming it's Mike in the coffin) that since Mike manages to kill himself, this suggests he does find redemption; otherwise the Island "would not let him".

Ummm, actually, perhaps the word is not redemption but 'purpose'. The Island won't allow Mike to die until he's played his "part" (similar with Jack in the first flashforward of last seasons finale).

I don't think there's a more frightening thing than a man (or woman) not having control over their own life; this happened to Mike and it seems it will eventually happen to first Hugo then Jack... Perhaps going back to the Island is important because it gives Jack, Mike, Hugo the chance to gain 'freewill' back, once they've "played their part"?

[D-Roc]

Interesting

I see where you're coming from and it could be argued that if the island gives him back the freewill to kill himself, then it's a form of redemption in that he presumably did what he was 'supposed' to do for the island.

Although i guess it depends on our intepretation of redemption. For me killing yourself (assuming Mike - if it's Mike in the coffin, does indeed commit suicide) isn't redemption. For me, redemption is making up for past mistakes and leaving ones fate down to God or the island, or the Universe, or whatever force governs fate in the realm of Lost).

But yes, I think that 'purpose' would fit better than 'redemption' if we're talking about Michael playing his role and being rewarded for it by being given his freewill back.

Yeah, I've been mulling that over the past few days/weeks - that returning to the island is all-important for bearded Jack and co because it's the only way to get their freewill back (as you say). I think this latest episode (4.08) certainly rammed that home and in retrospect some of the previous episodes also seem to intimate the same premise

[D-Roc]

Half right.

I'll update this upon my return.