Charlie, Claire, and the spiritual aspect of the show

[awff7]

If JJ is trying to make the show into a sort of "spiritual journey" of all the characters, he could be using Claire as the show's madonna figure (as in Mary, mother of Jesus, not the singer Madonna). The birth of the baby will mean the redemption of all the character, especially Charlie after he had "fallen" (like how the fall of mankind was redeemed by Christ) because of his lifestyle of drugs and whatnot. It puts an entirely new perspective concerning Charlie's past as a Catholic schoolboy and the line "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned," because he seems to represent the one person on the island who has been corrupted in both body and soul, but his sins will be washed away once the baby is born.

[Baron X]

But......does that make good tv?

[awff7]

What does having spiritual themes have to do with good or bad tv? I mean, JJ can make an enjoyable show and subtly include spiritual themes. I mean, there's already a spiritual theme in that all of the characters are lost because of something that happened in their past. Does that make bad tv? No, it is nice to find out their backstories, and it is great for drama. Their character development is also enhanced greatly because they all are lost and will need to "find" themselves. In terms of Charlie's character, I think the writers are trying to connect him with Claire because it's the only way he can "find" himself, and that there are things more inportant than drugs or driveshaft.

Besides, it'll be nice to see Charlie with a baby, lol...unless either Claire or the baby dies (which would make sense if the writers are trying to include a savior/martyr redeeming figure in the story), in which case I would be absolutely bawling. If all goes well, though, seeing Charlie, Claire, and the baby as one happy family would be quite a sight.

[drabauer]

I think it's a very pertinent idea, because the birth of a baby in isolation here can encompass many themes--that of starting over, the cycle of life continuing after trauma, the moral that families are what we create not what we're born into, and that hoary chestnut that the love of a good woman and an innocent child can reform the sinner. I think it's great drama (if done right).

[JacksGirlfriend]

I don't have a problem discussing redemption and moral dilemna as a theme or even using religious "symbols" as a starting point. I also don't have a problem discussing religion as a philosophical endeavor as long as it falls in the category of mankind's search for his place in the universe and the individual choices he makes to find that place. I will however have a problem if it turns into a debate on whether or not each of us is going to be "saved" based on what we believe.

JacksGirl

[Baron X]

:lol

[awff7]

I'm definitely not trying to say that believing in a certain religion is going to save someone. I mean, really, my extended family encompasses at least three different religions, so any indication that I might proselytize for a certain religion is a bit baffling. I'm only talking about the spiritual, but I tried to give examples, this time coming from Christianity, but I'm sure many world religions have something similar to the idea that humans are a shadow of what they once were and a redeeming figure or aspect will "save" us. Suffice to say, religion has a lot to do with the spiritual, but the spiritual does not have a lot to do with religion. I definitely think JJ is trying to put a lot of spiritual themes and symbols that are prevalent in all religions in the show, and, so far, he has not mentioned much of a specific religion overtly, except the "Adam and Eve" thing.

[JacksGirlfriend]

AWFF7: Yes, I agree. There are definitely spiritual themes in play and I too am hoping it will become an amalgam of all kinds religious theory and belief. That would be interesting and add to character development.

JacksGirl

[awff7]

JacksGirlfriend, I totally agree with you about the character development thing. I really hope that island isn't purgatory, because it's waaaay too specific a religion, renders everything meaningless, and is too anti-climactic. I KNOW that JJ and the writers aren't that stupid. Anyway, I just hope that Claire is the redeeming aspect of Charlie's life. Seeing Charlie with a baby would be so sweet. Even seeing Jack with a baby would be sweet, too, or Sawyer, which would just be hilarious.