Jack's Dad is Jacob is Christian Shepherd?
While I tried to cover the high points in my review post on Friday, I was a little too uncertain and/or blown away to cover one subject: why did Hurley see Jack's Dad in the Jacob's cabin of his imagination? I think I've recovered enough to answer that question with a definitive "Huh?" Here are some thoughts.
First, in case you didn't catch it, here's the screen capture that transcended water cooler talk last week:
Who's that sittin' in papa Jacob's chair? Yeah, it's Christian Shepherd - also known as Jack's emotionally abusive, alcoholic, jet-setting with random Latina cops father (also, Claire's father). Let's remember, first of all, that Hurley saw Jacob's cabin twice in that episode. After the eye in the window scared him away, he ran until the cabin reappeared in the jungle behind him.It's obvious that Hurley's mind works a lot faster than he can keep up with. His lucid visions and tortured conscience have complicated a life that is already the victim of many outside forces. The fact that he saw the cabin twice somewhat discredits the notion that what Hurley saw was actually Jacob's cabin. So if it wasn't really Jacob's cabin, we could reason that it wasn't really Jack's dad in the chair. Which leads me back to my thesis for the day (or last three years): "Huh?"
Here's the deal. Like I said, Hurley's mind is capable of constructing things that he can't comprehend: Dave (his imaginary friend), the Numbers, a posthumous Charlie Pace (more on that later). And as far as we know, Hurley doesn't know Jack's dad. Therefore, Hurley didn't really understand what he was seeing when he looked into the cabin last Thursday night. And for that matter, neither did we.
But here's what we do know: Christian Shepherd is important to the overall story of LOST. He was heavily influential in Jack's life, obviously. But he also served as a misguided Sherpa in the lives of Sawyer, Claire, Ana Lucia and potentially others that we don't know yet. What Hurley saw may have just been a clue to the viewer that the depth of Christian's impact has not yet been fully realized. Just the symbolism of putting him in Jacob's chair would lead me to believe that Christian has more work to do. Oh, and let's not forget the final installment of the Missing Pieces series, in which, moments before the opening scene of season 1, Daddy Shepherd told Vincent (Walt's dog) to go wake up Jack, and that Jack had work to do. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the possibility of non-Oceanic 815 passengers' significance to this show. I'm not sayin' "I told ya so," just saying it's clear that the man is important. And Hurley's vision of Christian, I think, reinforces that.
The bottom line is this. Do I think Hurley actually saw Jack's dad in Jacob's cabin? No. Do I think Christian Shepherd is Jacob? Ummm, no, probably not. Do I think Christian will play a big part in this show down the road? Yes. If Christian makes his presence felt, will Hurley recognize him as the man from the cabin? Yes, possibly, as Hurley has a propensity for remembering the things that disturb him. I would just say, don't get too hung up on the idea of Jack's dad in Jacob's cabin... yet. But keep it in the back of your mind as we progress. With that, let's move on.
God, The Devil and Hugo Reyes
Last week's visit from beyond the grave by Charlie Pace (which subsequently reassured me that the things we see from Hurley's point of view can't always be taken at face value) got me thinking a lot. It was a great way to pay homage to Dominic Monaghan's increasingly well-developed character, and they did it without sacrificing plot development, using Charlie to illustrate the mind of Hurley.
You know how cartoons use the little "devil and angel on the shoulder" trick? I mean, not like I still watch cartoons or anything. Okay, sometimes.
Remember Dave? He was Hurley's imaginary pal from season 2's aptly titled episode, "Dave." Dave served as Hurley's negative influence, constantly urging the big man to eat one more taco, stop taking his pills, not listen to his doctors or escape the loony bin. Eventually, Hurley's doctor taught him to block out Dave's influence, citing Dave's mission to ensure that Hurley wouldn't get better. Hurley rid himself of Dave until the Island overwhelmed him into imagining him again. At that point, Dave told Hurley that jumping off a cliff would end the Island nightmare. With the help of a different shrink, this time Libby, Hugo shrugged off Dave again.Now let's flash forward (pun intended) to Hurley's post-Island episode from last week. He's got a new imaginary friend, Charlie. And instead of playing on Hurley's darker side, Charlie urges him to follow the lighter side of his heart. "They need you, Hugo," he cries as Hurley tries to wish him away.
This is LOST's way of illustrating the two sides of Hurley's mind. On one shoulder is Dave the devil. On the other, Charlie the angel. Again, Hurley is not always capable of understanding the things his mind can show him. I think his way of coping with that is by imagining outside forces to make decisions for him, or to reassure him of what is right and wrong. The question becomes if, when and how will he listen to the Daves and Charlies of the world.
My guess is, Hugo's Charlie side will begin to get the best of him. It will convince him that whatever this "secret" is, the price of protecting it is too high. Because that price, in the end, is Hurley's conscience and his good heart. And those two things are, in essence, what "good old, fun time Hurley" is all about.
So that'll do it, just a couple observations on Mr. Reyes for your Monday enjoyment. On a somewhat unrelated note, did anyone find Hurley's beach-traversing cannonball run a little disturbing? I did. Let's just say, Hugo could've benefited from a "bro" (or is it a "manzier?").
Serenity now.Namaste.
.charlie
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