Anakin, Luke, Locke and other.
When watching Lost, you can tell that the writers have taken a lot of inspiration from other high profile Sci Fi shows (X-Files, Star Trek and The Prisoner to name a few).
However, after recently re-re-re-watching possibly the biggest film franchise ever, Star Wars, it got me thinking about the connections between this and Lost.
The first link is with regards to the order that both stories have been told. Star Wars quite famously began it’s storyline with Episode IV when it was released in the 70’s. When episodes V and VI were released a few years later we witnessed Vader tell Luke that he was his father and then we watched the conclusion of the story whereby the war ends. 20 years later, George Lucas then directs Episodes I, II and III which show the story of the rise of the Vader and how all the good Jedi were killed off — basically they set the scene for the subsequent Episodes.
In the big screen world, it is a very clever way of telling a story to the audience — you tell the ending first then you tell the beginning later. Sound anything like how the main storyline of Lost has been set out??? A plane crashes in ’04, the island contains lots of abandoned Dharma stations, other events happen and then the island’s ‘supposed’ main guy, Jacob, is killed. Meanwhile in season 5 we witness how the Dharma got to the island, how all the stations were built and subsequently how they were abandoned which is really the beginning of the Islands story.
Both stories have been told the wrong way round with regards to time.
The next link between the two stories is the uncanny similarities between some of the characters but for the purpose of this theory, I will pick on just a few.
Firstly, Anakin Skywalker. From a young age Anakin is thought to be the chosen one who will lead the Jedi and bring peace to the galaxy. As he grows up, the potential is there and so is the belief of others around him. However as time passes, bad personal events happen to him such as his mother dying and the dream of his wife passing away during childbirth. All these things, eventually, lead him down the path of the dark side where he is corrupted by power and he rains death and destruction on all those around him. The one believed to be the chosen one ends up being the greatest enemy of those people who had raised him.
The Lostie who seems to be following, or who has followed a similar route is Locke. From a young age he is thought to be special but that doesn’t really work out. Later in life he meets a group of very friendly people in the country who treat him as family but once again this doesn’t work out that well either. Locke then discovers who his father and mother are and finally he has true family but yet again, he is taken advantage of and left with his face in the mud. Due to the hatred and want of revenge caused by this, Locke then loses the one woman he loved. On the Island and then off a similar chain of events happens. The Hatch, Boone’s death, the dislike from Jack, Ben’s treachery, all of these caused Locke pain but still he really believed that he was special and he had a mission to do. This is the point when Nemesis/Smokey steps in and takes advantage of Locke’s hatred, just like the Emperor did with Anakin.
Locke probably is very special and has a very important role to play but now he seems to be playing for the wrong team. The chosen one who was supposed to save everybody now has completely the opposite agenda and his intentions are not good!
Now that, according to my theory anyway, the Losties are up against a formidable enemy, they now need their own Luke Skywalker (which is the ‘other’ I refer to in the title). The 2 people that ideally fit the bill are either Walt or Aaron, both of which have unfinished business, I think, when it comes to the destiny of the Island. Both these 2 characters were known to be very special when they were young but are now off the island leading quite ‘normal’ lives and both are growing up. My belief is that one of these 2 will eventually leave there off-island anonymity and return the play a pivotal role in the final episode, whatever this action may be. Maybe Walt will have to kill his friend, Locke or maybe Aaron will need to kill his mother Claire????
Either way, there surely must some sort of showdown right at the end!
Hopefully it made sense and what are your thoughts?
the technique was originally introduced by homer and is called in medias res or something like that (used in the odyssey). i believe that the 2007 timeline is not finished, but it is close to the end. it is a very very very good technique, and one of the reasons homer was so famous.
I’m not even 100% sure my comments are even seen on this site but I really like star wars & lost so had to see whats its all about & you made great comparison between the way both stories were told great read & you might be onto something with the Kids returning.
Interesting thoughts, however I think you have your Anakin match up all wrong. Whereas Anakin had a difficult youth, once he was taken in by the Jedi he lived a loved, appreciated and valued life – Locke’s whole life has been one challenge after and has never been appreciated or accepted or told that he was special and important. With Anakin turing to the dark side, I think he was always destined for that to happen – the comment was about him somehow restoring balance to the universe. His life events and dark side turing all lead to Luke and Leia’s life paths, Luke being the one who eventually bought balance. So Anakin HAD to become a Sith in order for Luke to do what he did.
Back to a possible Lost analogy, I think the closest Anakin charcter is actually Walt. He has been seen to have special gifts from a very young age, was recognised and investigated by the others (have they continued to moniter and possibly influence Walt on the mainland?) lost his Mother but has had te love and support of his family. Which means – does Walt then turn to the dark side to lead someone else to step up and save the world?
who is walts obi wan kenobi then? locke? he taught him about the mind’s eye thing. too bad locke couldn’t be around to eventually battle walt. that would be sweeet.
Very good read, I_am_Jacob!
What about our reluctant leader, Jack? Where do you think he fits in?
BiNG, your comment has definately been posted this time and im glad you liked it.
Hi Tas, i can see where you’re coming from and similar thoughts were running through my mind at the same time. I think probably a better connection between Anakin and locke is that they both were believed to be very special but they both got frustrated that events in their lives held them back. Anakin couldn’t publicise his relationship with Padme and was prevented from going on some important missions with other Jedi. Locke was held back in his life because of his paralysis and was stopped from going on a Walk in the Australian outback. Because of each of their beliefs that they were very special, they ended up proving it, but they went about it via all the wrong reasons. Maybe Locke will end up being overshadowed by someone when he should have been the number good guy who saves the day.
Eko, maybe Walt is someone like Yoda, a very strange being but who is very powerful?
thanks imisscharlie, i glad you enjoyed it. i think maybe Jack’s destiny could end in a similar way to how Mace Windu – in a position of leadership for so long but hen got rid of a the last minute. The feelng i get is that Jack’s story wont end happily, i dont know why, but it’s just a feeling.
I_Am_Jacob, Very interesting theory you propose. You present some very well thought out comparisons and make a good point.
IMO how ever, Locke was never special and just a wannabe leader. He’s spent almost all of his life putting up a facade that he was a person who knew what he was doing and was a natural leader and yet he is the easiest person to con and manipulate.
Although you do make a very good point in your comparisons.
Achalli, I agree with you totally on Locke–he is the ultimate fall guy, always at someone else’s mercy, always being conned. He really is a sad character, and I don’t think he will emerge as the leader. However, I_am_Jacob, I do fear that you’re right on Jack’s not having a happy ending. Although Matt Fox knows how it will end, and I think his character will remain in the story until the end, I’m not sure that ultimately he’ll survive. However, his family (Ray/Christian/Jack/Claire/Aaron) is so important to the overall story, that I think someone in his family will ultimately prevail, most likely Aaron.
Hi Achalli, i always like to encourage productive discussions and i can’t disagree with your point. it just seems to me that someone or something chose Locke for a very special task which was why he was given the use of his legs again. But like you say, this could just be part of the manipulation from some higher being. He is given the use of his legs so he can do their dirty work but he thinks it is his idea. Interesting!
The only other reason i think that Locke may be special/has a special role to play is due to the Season 6 promotional poster. Locke is stood in the middle with his back turned but everyone else is facing forward. I have posted a question about this poster where i go into a bit more detail if you want to check it out.
imisscharlie, regarding Jack and the rest of the Losties and their destiny, i have just submitted a theory about the end of Lost so when it gets posted i hope you have a read that theory too!
I_Am_Jacob, I agree with you totally that Locke was choosen. As to his being special, I guess it really is a matter of how one looks at it. Locke is definately ‘special’ in regards to Nemesis’ plans. At the very least John is the lynch pin. And I won’t deny that he has an important role to play in the big scheme of things. But I wouldn’t say he was special in the same way as Mother Teresa or Ghandi.