Great Characters
Do you watch Lost? Ruth loves the show. I enjoy it for the depth with which the writers have developed many of the characters. My favorite character is Sawyer. I just appreciate how his whole persona reveals a fight between the selfishness and bitterness he’s harbored his whole life and the new emotions of love and charity that his experience on the island has spurned (often against his will). I would watch the show just to see Sawyer continue to develop as a character and more towards who he really is.
I just watched the season finale of 24 last night. It was a great finale (as great as a 6th finale can be). Ruth and I have discussed the show and realized that this past season was actually pretty lackluster in terms of excitement, but we still watch it because of Jack Bauer. Having “lived” through seasons 1 thru 5 (especially 1) with Jack has connected us to his character. We watch to see how it turns out for Jack – to see if he finally wins in the end – or if he just loses again. It’s heartwrenching!
What I’m realizing is that character is important. Sawyer is an great character because we see his true self (which isn’t so mean and selfish) coming out more each episode. Jack Bauer is an exciting character because we see him do amazing things and lay down his life because that is who he is – a hero (possibly a tragic one). What draws people to these and other characters is the way we can see who they really are underneath their personas and aside from their circumstances. Whatever the kooky writers of Lost think up next, Sawyer is still worth watching – because of his character.
What I’m realizing is that character is important. Sawyer is an great character because we see his true self (which isn’t so mean and selfish) coming out more each episode. Jack Bauer is an exciting character because we see him do amazing things and lay down his life because that is who he is – a hero (possibly a tragic one). What draws people to these and other characters is the way we can see who they really are underneath their personas and aside from their circumstances. Whatever the kooky writers of Lost think up next, Sawyer is still worth watching – because of his character.
So, I ask myself… am I worth watching as a character? Does who I truly am come out, or am I like poorly written Saturday-morning fluff? Am I a great character? Are you?
Love the new layout! Interesting thoughts about how your life is written as a character and how it plays to other people.
I was thinking about it and its hard to find a chracter to compare you to. You are kind of unique and I don’t know if Hollywood has really captured your essence. The best I can come up with might be a cross between Tootie from “Facts of Life” and Tony Soprano from that one show… whose title I can’t remember. (was it Love Boat or something?)
Jason Arant
May 22, 2007 at 12:31 pm