Has Locke Inspired You?

[Boar Hunter 1]

Just wondering if Locke has helped anyone else with an addiction.

No pot for me since the weekend after the Charlie episode. The drug has been something severely holding me back in life for a long long time now. I've unsuccessfully tried a few times before, but it never worked in the past because I smoked it until my stash ran out and THEN said "No more". I'd always end up returning to my connection and buying more. But after seeing "The Moth", where Locke helped Charlie by *NOT* tossing his baggie away, I was inspired to try this method. So for 10 days now, my stuff just sits there in the refridgerator and I haven't had a smoke since. My wife is helping me through it the most, god bless her, but whenever I have a craving one thing that helps is thinking of Locke's serious face ..... and it works!

Hell, the act of posting on this board is another step, because no way would my conciense let me post again if I go back on what I've come clean to you people on.

Thanks for listening.

[sgtdraino]

Hey there, Boar Hunter 1,

Too bad the rest of the posts on this thread got hacked, looks like a good thread.

I was very pleased to read about your battle against your addiction. Very inspiring. I was wondering how you were doing now, almost a year later? Hopefully you haven't stumbled onto a crashed plane full of reefer.

I definitely found Locke to be an inspiration. I don't have a story anywhere near as amazing as yours to tell, but I definitely found him an inspiration all the same.

I am always a big fan of stories about average-joe underdogs who, when placed in amazing circumstances, do extraordinary things. Locke's story is definitely one of these. An average joe office peon confined to a wheelchair, who discovers he really does have a destiny.

And this may sound simplistic, but one of the reasons I like Locke as a hero more than the other characters on the show, is that he's just an average-looking bald guy, not some model-type. Being an average-looking bald guy myself, I can identify with that. :)

[LostInWilderness]

Thank god I look like a model.

[Brian]

SBA said:
Feel the Locke. See the Locke. Be the Locke.
That was priceless! :lol Thanks!

Oh, to keep thread continuity, I don't have a story nearly that inspiring either but I think we might all hope to see a small part of Locke in ourselves. When I say that, I refer to post-crash, pre-hatch Locke. I know people are getting irritated with all the different classifications of Locke but they really do represent different people. The Locke I'm referring to is self-confident, strong, focused, guiding, etc. Not the "bowl-of-jello" Locke that was following Desmond around the hatch waiting for a Scooby-snack! That Locke doesn't inspire me at all, it pisses me off to be quite honest! Sorry, just my .02.

[boonian androphile]

I like the strong Locke of the immediate post-crash. But even then I wondered where would the goodness go. And after one or two wee problems towards the end of season 1, Locke became more resolute. And after episode 3 of this year, I think I understand his internal paradox. I just dont think he does. Does he inspire me? No, not really. But I have more sympathy for him.

[Brian]

boonian says:
And after episode 3 of this year, I think I understand his internal paradox.
I'd love to hear your explanation of that! Anything you, and others, can add can do nothing but help my overall understanding of Locke!

[boonian androphile]

by his internal paradox I mean strength and weakness being equal agents in his psychology. when he is strong, his strength radiates out, helping and/or engulfing those around him. some good results, some not so good. when he is weak, he implodes. and then he seeks to draw in others to revitalize him, to validate his idealized position: that of teacher, mentor, traveler towards some greater truth. the trouble he is looking for spiritual signs but seeks them in an ultimately, and presumably, unspiritual place. the hatch is laden with all elements of the modern era, which may also mean a displacement of spirituality (through some eyes). the only spiritual element that I take from the hatch is the mural and Locke sped right past that. Locke once more, after Desmond and Jack left, fell to the ground in despair. Only after Sayid, Kate, Hurley and finally Jack returned did Locke regain his footing, which means his hope. Locke looks for hope in a buried tomb or spaceshift of a structure, when hope is better found near and within the people around him. It is Helen who offered Locke a new life. Is it Jack and the others now who do the same? Maybe. And maybe they'll find it within him. ???

[Brian]

boonian,

Wow! :eek

Uhm....thank you! I saw where you hinted at this in another thread but that was after I asked you here for a further explanation. I'm going to need some time to think further about this before I go any further. There's a lot here to completely absorb. Thanks again, I appreciate it!

[claireothers]

Boonian - that was an amazing analysis of Locke's character.

" when he is strong, his strength radiates out, helping and/or engulfing those around him. some good results, some not so good. when he is weak, he implodes"

He has definately shown so many sides of his personality. Locke seems both easily defeated when a stumbling block is thrown his way - then turns around and is resolute, not allowing anythig to deter him in his quest.

When I think of all the scenes they have shown of Locke - both present time and back in time when he was being used by his father - he seemed to be totally different in personality and character. He was shaped by by the events that happened to him. So meek and trying to please his Dad.

"It is Helen who offered Locke a new life"

I agree! Wasn't it Helen that pled "Take a leap of faith?" when she was trying to get him to let go of his painful past? Maybe he ruined a life with Helen but did finally get around to making that leap of faith.

[boonian androphile]

thanks claireothers. the characters are all generally strong in certain situations, weak in others. and stronger with certain people, weaker with others. Locke is clearly weakest where his father's abrupt appearance and betrayal are concerned. or when the island ditches him!

[claireothers]

Boonian -The character changes/demeanor sorta reminds me of a story I read about a metamorph. This beautiful woman was being transported to another planet for purposes of an arranged marriage. She was a willing participant by the way. But she was perfect for her prospective groom in the way of interests, tastes, political ideas, etc. Then the twist came when she interacted with other members of the crew. She seemed to fit their interests like glove. How was this possible? She was a metamorph and changed and melded to anyone she was with. Well, anyone she felt she could potentially bind with....didn't matter if it was a male or female, not necessarily a sexual attraction.

To some extent I see what you mean about interactions being different depending on the individual Locke is speaking to.

Maybe that was a Star Trek show, or book, can't remember.

[LostInWilderness]

Star Trek.

[dorje4711]

Yes, Locke has really inspired me : I think, most of time, we judge what happens to us, before we accept it or do it. But that's not fair. What happens is what happens and maybe all we should do is not to get lost in thinking, making choices, waiting or searching, but to face, to accept, to solve, to face, to accept, to solve...

By the way, I do believe in miracle, too...

[Warthawg1]

When I die, I want my ashes buried in a Hellmans Mayonaise jar.

[musical geek]

When I die, I want my ashes buried in a Hellmans Mayonaise jar.

What the hell Warty??? You see, comments like this make us love you even more!!! I :heartpump Warty!!! LMAO!!! :rotfl:

And to this thread...Locke has...NOT inspired me. At least, NOT YET....

[badboy]

I am in pretty much the same situation as you boar hunter, its hard innit! It does hold you back loads, since about 4 weeks ago I used to smoke da reefa every day, and have gradually started trying to fade it out. People that say its not addictive are clueless idiots or secret drug dealers. I never realised how stupid it made me either (This little guy really sums it up :dunce: ). As to whether Locke inspired me to give it up I'd say no; Charlie if anybody has made me think about it a lot, especially as its heroin the character is trying to kick, and theres a plane full of it on the island (Drug addicts dream). Freedom of your mind is a lot better than freedom from your thoughts if you ask me.

[imaguestage]

I have to say that the episode of "Walkabout" is a daily inspiration for me, as well as John Locke, Terry O'Quinn and David Fury (the writer of that episode).

I am a writer and the book that I am currently working on is a fantasy series that involves ordinary people being plucked out of their lives and told that they are, in fact, extraordinary people with great destinies. I have always loved this idea, because as a child, I was inept at most things, didn't have a lot of friends and spent most of my time reading books about great adventures. I always longed for someone to come along and tell me that I was important and destined to do great things. This desire always sat with me throughout my teenage years and through university until I finally started working on this book series.

When I saw "Walkabout" and the scene where Locke screams at the guide that "This is my destiny!" and "Don't tell me what I can't do!" I wept. I had an inkling throughout the episode that Locke was the one in the wheelchair (Can't get anything by me, Mr. Fury! ;)), so him pulling out from the desk was not a great surprise. It was the words that David Fury wrote and the way that Terry O'Quinn delivered them. There was such frustration and a deep seated pain in that scene that your heart literally ached for Locke. From that moment on, I knew I would love the character of Locke, no matter what. Even if Locke decided to go crazy and slaughter every last castaway I would just assume that they all deserved it. :p Seeing the pain in Locke's eyes, I knew what kind of emotions a truly helpless character could create in an audience.

At the end of the episode when Locke rises up from the beach and looks to the sky with this smile, it just takes your breath away at the change in the character. I give total kudos to Terry for a man so thankful that he can not even weep for the gratefulness he feels. These are the scenes that inspire me to go above and beyond with my writing and to do justice to that feeling of discovering you now have a destiny and restoring your faith in the world around you. And in recognising that these are the scenes that inspire me, it pushes me to be a better writer because I want my book to create the same kind of emotions in the readers as the masterpiece of "Walkabout" and the character of Locke did in me.

If my book ever becomes a movie, I will write into the contract that Terry O'Quinn will be cast in it. Oh and that David Fury will adapt the screenplay. :D

After re-reading this long post, I notice it is bordering on an "I :heartpump David Fury" post. My apologies, I :heartpump Locke just as much. :p

[LostInWilderness]

When I saw "Walkabout" and the scene where Locke screams at the guide that "This is my destiny!" and "Don't tell me what I can't do!" I wept. I had an inkling throughout the episode that Locke was the one in the wheelchair (Can't get anything by me, Mr. Fury! ;)), so him pulling out from the desk was not a great surprise. It was the words that David Fury wrote and the way that Terry O'Quinn delivered them.
You're more on the ball than me then. I was floored when he pulled back, and I saw the wheelchair. This is still the most powerful scene in the series and the best episode.

[imaguestage]

You're more on the ball than me then. I was floored when he pulled back, and I saw the wheelchair. This is still the most powerful scene in the series and the best episode.
I am a huge David Fury fan and he is the master of subtext and putting in little hints in all of his work. I've just become good at picking up on those sorts of things from watching his stuff. Totally helps when it comes to LOST too! ;)

[Brian]

You're more on the ball than me then. I was floored when he pulled back, and I saw the wheelchair. This is still the most powerful scene in the series and the best episode.
Absolutely LIW! I don't know if they can make an episode that tops Walkabout. That one scene, when we first see Locke in the wheelchair........wow.

As for Locke inspiring me, I think "Don't tell me what I can't do!" is a great personal motivator. I've caught myself using it in different situations since I first heard it on the show.

It probably doesn't count, but I was inspired to cheer last night when Locke put Charlie on his butt in the ocean!