Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Jack Shephard


     Be warned that if you don't watch "Lost," because this post is not going to make any sense to you.

I happen to be addicted to "Lost," which given the show's popularity is not so unusual.  I do belong, though, to the silent minority of fans who think that Dr. Jack Shephard, despite his dashing good looks and heroic tendencies, is totally annoying.  In fact, there are times that, and I'm not afraid of the persecution that will follow this comment, I hate Jack Shephard.  
Imagine my disgust, then, when the results of the most recent facebook quiz I took entitled, "Which Lost Character Are You?" said that I'm Jack Shephard.  Clearly, this quiz is completely whacked.  I'd much rather be McGyver-like Sayyid or compassionate and sweet Hurley.  Besides, this is just a facebook quiz, written by some computer nerd who has nothing better to do than to torture me with the fact that I might be like Jack Shephard.  By the way, the irony doesn't escape me that I'm currently writing a blog about said quiz thereby rendering me ten times more geeky than the guy who wrote that quiz.
  
First of all, Jack Shephard is really bossy.  He's also annoyingly dogmatic (For example, why does he still "love" Kate even though she's always coming up with new and innovative ways to humiliate him?)  And although he occasionally listens to the opinions of others, he doesn't flinch from his decided course of action unless circumstances prove so dire that he has no choice other than abandoning his way. (Remember that time in season 1 where he was trying to save that rich kids life and it ended up turning into a torture session?  The only reason Jack stopped trying to save him was because he died.)  

     In Dr. Jack's mind, he's always the best man for the job, regardless of what that job might be. In his head, he is always right.  Finally, despite all his stubborness, Jack is always unsure of himself, and is annoyingly insecure.  He acts like he has the right and the ability to make all the hard decisions on the island, then he sits around moaning about how he might not have done the right thing.
   
Oh my God, I am Jack Shephard!!  Excuse me, I need a minute to collect myself.

  Hmm, I guess that explains why I love "Lost" so much.  It obviously gives me the opportunity to practice self loathing in new, innovative and interesting ways.  Here I thought that the criticism of a fictional character bore no repercussions.  Criticizing a T.V. character should afford you the safety to openly disparage another's choices and character without offending anyone or appearing too judgmental, right?  Wrong.  It's true of T.V. characters as it is of real people, the qualities we despise in others may simply represent our deepest, darkest fears about ourselves.  Furthermore, I assert that the more fervent our dislike is of someone, be they real or fictional, the more that last statement is true.

That in mind, I could give Jack Shephard a break, just every now and then.  I could start to try and understand that when he's bossy, it's just because he wants to do the right thing.  I could start to understand that when he's being obstinate about a decision, it's because he wants what's best for everyone.  I could cut him some slack and realize that his questioning of himself could just be an attempt at humility. After all, Jack's motives are sincere and his heart is in the right place.  Being nicer to Jack, could be an exercise in being nicer to myself.  An act of personal development, if you will.  (Did I mention Jack's superhero ability to rationalize even the most questionable details?)

Yes from now on, I will give Jack Shephard (and myself) a break every now and then.  There are worse characters than Jack Shephard.  Like Benjamin Linus.  You'd have to be real sociopath to get that one.  

Labels:

5 Comments:

Blogger Traci said...

I love Jack and I love you. You are both great leaders. How many times in family outtings do I beg you to take charge? I know you are the only one that can keep us in a cohesive unit, with keeping in mind the various wants and needs of each individual, and do it in the most organized and efficient manner. Chaos ensues if anyone else takes control. Just as chaos would ensue without Jack's leadership.
Jack likes Kate because she is an independent thinker and always stands her ground even if it is passive agressive manner. He secretly loves the arguement, um, I mean debate. This also reminds me of you (and Zia for that matter).
Ya'll love to 'debate' You both enjoy a heated discussion with someone who will stand their ground. I'm pretty sure it's your favorite thing to do together, but it comes from deep rooted respect. You wouldn't bother with someone you didn't respect.
Yes, I too am entirely too into LOST. I'm feeling a little pathetic now.
PS I loved your last line, being that Zia got Ben. I'm still a little creeped out by it. I think he's Jack, but I do recognize some Ben tendancies.

Wednesday, 02 April, 2008  
Blogger Faiqa said...

thanks, traci. i wrote this blog just for you.

Wednesday, 02 April, 2008  
Blogger Unknown said...

whatever...this is so typical...there is an entire blog + 2 responses about Jack!?! As if it wasn't enough that he thinks the entire world revolves around him, we now have to write about him too? I guess I am taking out my anger at this stupid LOST quiz that equated me to Ana Lucia...what a bunch of $%a^&#.

What makes Faiqa different from the Jack chanracter is that while Faiqa takes on the leadership role when she sees a need, Jack does it just because he doesn't trust anybody else.
That's it...that's all I can write without making fun of the fact that the writer's (Faiqa) characteristics are like those of Jack so I am going to quit while I am ahead.

Wednesday, 02 April, 2008  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

tariq- are you *sure* you're not a hot latina chick? and, btw, I appreciate your comments, but I DO take over because I don't trust anyone. the secret's out.

Thursday, 03 April, 2008  
Blogger ScoutDebussy said...

Ummmm I like Heroes better...But Hey! good stuff.good stuff...

Thursday, 03 April, 2008  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home