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The Lostie-a-Day-a-Thon : [link]




Occasionally, a non Lost-watcher will approach you, and ask you what-the-hell that the show is about. You can hem and haw, offer the vaguest of explanation ("there are people stranded on a crazy island"), or attempt to inform them of the awesomeness that is Lost... normally, only to receive cocked eyebrows and awkward 'a-ha?'s in return.

Characters are sometimes the same way. There are those that make sense, and those that defy summary. If someone asked you who the hell Kate was you could probably offer a decent explanation. Nothing completely comprehensive to a non-watcher, but enough to give them a brief overview.
Should someone ask you who John Locke was though... well, you'd best offer them a shot of whisky and sit them down for a few hours.

While embarking a a re-watch (as many folks seem to be doing now), it came back to me how important Locke was in getting me to tune in. Why? Well, when Lost first came on air, I had an intense, irrational hatred for it. Seriously. I saw the previews, and something about the concept or tagline or title or SOMETHING absolutely turned my stomach. I wanted no part in it.

Then, while flipping through the channels one night, the very end of an episode was playing. I didn't even know what show it was, but felt oddly drawn to it. It was the scene where Locke reunites Vincent with Michael, who then gives him to Walt. I really can't explain it, but something about John Locke put me in a weird television-induced mindfucked trance. He wasn't even, you know, doing anything exciting... I just had to know what the hell was going on.

At the very end, the camera slowly pans around, then settles on Locke's face. He's just... smiling. Smiling that all-knowing smile, eye scar still fresh and red. Then, BAM. LOST.

I think my jaw dropped. It was a serious 'ga-whaaa?" moment, and, like I said, it was Locke's fault.

The episode was actually a re-run, and the next week, I felt the urge to turn on the show. It was the first Charlie-centric episode, and, instantly falling in love with Charlie, it seemed that Lost was a worthwhile watch.

Then, the addiction started. Holy shit.

So, if it hadn't been for that sly John Locke smile, I may never have become the crazed fan I am today. (Er... thank you Locke? Thanks for a serious addiction?)

But I digress. Back to that whole 'defying summary' characteristic John Locke so confidentially sports.

...

Well, oh fuck, I have to provide a summary? Goddamn. Well, let's try, shall we?

Imagine if you could somehow combine Jack Bauer, an Ingmar Bergman film, most Charles Bronson characters, your first year philosophy course, a skilled World of Warcraft hunter, the concentrated explosions of all of Michael Bay's films, Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid, Mr. Clean, a tiger, the suppressed rage of a low-level paper pusher, an avid paintballer, Hudson from Gargoyles, Master Po, The Lord of The Flies in its entirety, and that guy who works at your local Applebees that you suspect is batshit insane because he smiles way, waay, waaaay too much.

Slap on a large collection of hunting knives, a penchant for finding (and employing) dynamite, a boring yet bizarre past, and a miracle... and you might BEGIN to have John Locke.

By this point, most non-watchers have politely smiled and excused themselves, claimed to have gone to the washroom, but have secretly climbed out through the window and ran. Oh, those smart bastards... run while you still can.

Like, I don't even know where to begin with John Locke. He's that 'ultimate badass' (sorry Anton.) But... it's more than that. He can hunt boars and build things and destroy things and give 'sage' advice, but he also used to be a complete loser who worked in a box factory and be addicted to phone sex or something. He has moments (very brief moments) of clarity, but for the most part, he seems to be doing his own damn thing.

Locke's journey has had its ups and downs. Some people grew sick or bored or upset by him... but, the thing is, his story is SUPPOSED to be ever-changing. He always needs to find that new place, until he can find that RIGHT place.

Regarding the ending of season 5 (spoilller!!!)
I really don't believe Locke is dead. Yes, his breathing form might just be Jacob's rival finding his 'loophole', but I honestly don't believe that Locke-proper is gone for good. No one believed that they'd seen the end of John when the camera panned over him during the s4 finale, and for good reason. You can't just rub that guy out of existence.

How will he return? I have no clue, but I have no doubt that he will.

In a verrry vague season 6 spoiler:
Matthew Fox, who knows the ending of Lost, has said that he has long known that Jack and Locke will have a final confrontation. Duh-duh-duuuuuh.

Man of faith, man of questing, man of kicking some serious ass.

Man of mystery, man without a full explanation. Man with that quality that always makes us wonder what the bloody hell is ACTUALLY going on.

Man with a plan, or a plan in the making, or at least an ideology.

Man with a vertical eye-scar and an orange in his mouth. I think that weirdness sums him up perfectly.

May season 6 bring us something truly baaaaaaaaadass from you, Mr. Locke. I have faith.

Photoshop + tablet
stock: ~struckdumb