sgtdraino
02-04-08, 03:08 PM
At first this may seem like a stupid question, but let's think about it a bit.
Granted Mikhail is not a people person, but is he actually "evil," or is he just your basic professional soldier?
When Sayid & Co. first meet him, Mikhail has a chance to kill Sayid, but he only wings him, and once he figures out who they are, he treats them to drinks and friendly conversation. It's only when Mikhail realizes his cover is blown that things turn nasty.
During the hostage situation he only reluctantly kills Klugh, after she insists. And he only shoots at her, he doesn't try to take out any of the 815s, and in fact tries to get them to kill him.
Later, at the fence, he happily lets himself be sacrificed. I don't believe he knew the fence was set at a nonlethal level at that time.
Later still, he exhibits an odd sort of honor in upholding the deal he strikes with Desmond & Co, in helping to fix up Naomi.
Finally, in The Looking Glass, it is only after Ben invokes the name of Jacob that Mikhail is willing to take action against the two women. Even then, he hesitates, asking them why they are there. It is only after they speak of the importance of following orders, that he takes them out. His last words are, "I am sorry, Bonnie, but I too am following orders." And call me crazy, but I actually think he means it.
I guess one could argue that even sociopaths can have a twisted sort of moral code... but might Mikhail be more complex than that?
Granted Mikhail is not a people person, but is he actually "evil," or is he just your basic professional soldier?
When Sayid & Co. first meet him, Mikhail has a chance to kill Sayid, but he only wings him, and once he figures out who they are, he treats them to drinks and friendly conversation. It's only when Mikhail realizes his cover is blown that things turn nasty.
During the hostage situation he only reluctantly kills Klugh, after she insists. And he only shoots at her, he doesn't try to take out any of the 815s, and in fact tries to get them to kill him.
Later, at the fence, he happily lets himself be sacrificed. I don't believe he knew the fence was set at a nonlethal level at that time.
Later still, he exhibits an odd sort of honor in upholding the deal he strikes with Desmond & Co, in helping to fix up Naomi.
Finally, in The Looking Glass, it is only after Ben invokes the name of Jacob that Mikhail is willing to take action against the two women. Even then, he hesitates, asking them why they are there. It is only after they speak of the importance of following orders, that he takes them out. His last words are, "I am sorry, Bonnie, but I too am following orders." And call me crazy, but I actually think he means it.
I guess one could argue that even sociopaths can have a twisted sort of moral code... but might Mikhail be more complex than that?