Parent-Child-Island Relationships
Please bear with me the way you might with a first grader learning how to read out loud to the whole class. There might be some long pauses and mispronunciations, but I’m at least going for it, right?
I know I could spend hours reading up on the various themes of the show (free will/fate; black/white; life/death) but I would rather throw a few things out here for discussion. First of all, I am not going to reference black holes, quantum physics, equations or anything of that sort because I am a simple viewer who likes good writing that includes mysteries, double-meanings, metaphors, relationships and personal transformation and redemption. These are all intrinsic to Lost. So, to have a theory that just focuses on the possible explanation of time-travel, time loops, black holes is missing some key elements for me as a viewer.
I know this has been said before, but it’s true, that basically there has to be some simplicity in the answers because this is a primetime show on ABC. Genius, yes it is, but still…it has to appeal and connect to a massive audience in order to continue to be in production. (I am sure that the writers loved writing the scene in the season premiere between Daniel and Sawyer, when Sawyer wants an explanation of what the heck is going on and Daniel said that it’s nearly impossible, even if Sawyer were a quantum physicist.) I am like Sawyer, where my understanding is pretty much limited to what I see in some recurring themes and conversations. Nothing much more beyond that.
So I’d like to discuss some thoughts surrounding”Raised by Another”, pregnancy issues, the children involved, and the island.
We all know that “Raised By Another” was a great episode way back when and it can be read and interpreted to have multiple meanings. One obvious recurring theme on the show has to do with the parent-child relationship. Not just cowboys having ‘daddy issues’ but issues surrounding if a child is actually raised by their biological parent. In Aaron’s case, we know that Claire was warned that she must raise him otherwise there’s a big-but-unknown-problem. How many characters actually have both biological parents in the picture? I can think of one: Hurley. (Am I missing someone?) Okay, I could go on and on about all the convoluted parent-child storylines, like Ben raising Alex, Jack-Christian-Clare, Kate-Sam-Wayne, etc. But I want to especially focus on Locke-no mama, Ben-no mama. But first, the pregnancy issues.
Hi kimberly, this is a very enjoyable read. You make some key points. I can’t really add much, I’m afraid.
It seems as though all of ‘the losties’ have had ‘parent’ issues, yet we see them rise to the challenge of parenting themselves on and off ‘the island’. This leads me to believe, whatever their circumstances were in their own lives, they are now doing the exact opposite.
I think these issues are significant, but am not sure why. I believe something was learned on a spiritual level to make them want to change those circumstances. Feels like it is an act of redemption, and for lack of a better term, a re-do, to right past wrongs. Karma, if you will.
As for the women unable to carry fetuses to full term on ‘the island’, I believe this was not always the case, as you’ve mentioned. Something changed that.
When Juliette was shown the woman’s womb by Alpert during her recruitment she determined it must be that of a 78 year old woman. I prefer to believe she was viewing a much younger woman.
If the ‘wheel’ was turned during the incident/purge, causing ‘time’ to fluctuate wildly, while the women did not physically appear to age, it could have affected their wombs ‘aging’ process.
Someone from LT wrote a really good theory, addressing how a woman’s body might reject a fetus due to the ‘time’ aspect of things. It made very good sense, logically.
I also like the idea you mentioned about ‘the island’ possibly punishing them, too.
Kimberley, thank for a much needed reality check. The writers of the show are first and foremost really good writers. Their first interest and duty is to tell a good and moving story about the human condition, not about some magical island or quantum physics… This is something they do with every episode.
You do a great breakdown of the parenting issues. You could add Mr. Eko who acts as parent to his brother Yemi and sacrifices himself to the drug dealers so Yemi can go on and become a ‘father’ to a whole village.
I like your idea that Locke and Ben are rival sons of destiny to the island. Love the Harry Potter comparison. Must tell my wife that. She adores the Potter books.
How do you Jack fitting in? He was conspicuous by his absence in your analysis, given his relationship with Christian and the elder Sheppard’s unique role as spokesperson for the island.
i think you’re really on to something here. I’m also really happy that you brought up “Raised by Another”. Isn’t it funny that after all we’ve learned, some of the biggest and oldest questions are still unanswered? Like why, exactly, Aaron must be raised by his biological mother, And what the ramifications will be for the fact that he obviously has not been?
Just a thought…Aaron is technically a Shepherd, right? I think that the Shepherd family is crucial to the island. It all fits– name symbolism, Christian’s otherwordly position on the island, Jack’s grandfathers somewhat random appearance earlier this season (I think)…I dunno. maybe.