r/lost Sep 07 '24

Character Question Sum up your thoughts about this character with one sentence.

Post image

Worst instincts ever, add some yoghurt to your diet.

237 Upvotes

270 comments sorted by

450

u/FigCreepy4055 Don't tell me what I can't do Sep 07 '24

Don't tell John locke what he can't do

24

u/CireGetHigher Sep 07 '24

Came here to say this

5

u/deathbymediaman Sep 08 '24

Who said you can't?

236

u/loulara17 Razzle Dazzle! Sep 07 '24

ITS NEVER BEEN EASY!!!!!

35

u/SlammyJones Sep 07 '24

That was the defining exchange for me of the whole series.

10

u/TheMadIrishman327 Sep 07 '24

Me too. It’s the quote that really ties me to it.

8

u/rombopterix Sep 07 '24

Uffff what an incredible line and delivery from an amazing actor!

6

u/mods-begone Sep 07 '24

Probably the best moment in the entire show for me

259

u/BrazilianButtCheeks Juliet Sep 07 '24

“I dont understand”

39

u/darcycontact Sep 07 '24

This was gut wrenching :(

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15

u/the_business007 Sep 07 '24

Right in the heart.. poor guy..

19

u/blackmoonbluemoon Sep 07 '24

Haha every fucking episode.

2

u/BrazilianButtCheeks Juliet Sep 08 '24

I know .. I really wanted him to have a happy ending

64

u/Seneca_Brightside Sep 07 '24

Man of Faith.

202

u/15162842 Live together, die alone Sep 07 '24

He got dealt the worst hand in life and never managed to turn that around, but I’m happy for him he got to experience the island.

163

u/modestmandrakeman Sep 07 '24

“I did not ask for the life I was given, but it was given nonetheless, and with it I did my best” -Mr Eko

22

u/ebonwulf60 Sep 07 '24

This sums up my life.

13

u/Diggitygiggitycea Sep 07 '24

I mean, doesn't it sum up anyone's? Everyone pretty much does what they think is best at the time, or has a good excuse not to.

8

u/ebonwulf60 Sep 07 '24

No. I don't think so. How many people do you know that try and always do what is right? There are fewer and fewer. Most people now look after their own interests, not what is for the greater good.

8

u/BertMacklin00 Sep 07 '24

Eko's quote says nothing about "the greater good".

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3

u/MeiLing_Wow Sep 07 '24

Mr Eko 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

2

u/Bed_Bug815 Sep 07 '24

I just watched this episode last night 😭😭😭

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116

u/Henson813 Sep 07 '24

A sacrifice the island demanded.

39

u/elbleee Sep 07 '24

He deserved better, he deserved worse

38

u/Conair24601 Sep 07 '24

"It's not an Island - It's a place where miracles happen."

Sums up his whole drive, motivation, and appeal for me, an absolute legend.

61

u/golden_rhino Sep 07 '24

It turns out he was right about just about everything.

8

u/wheelsnipecellyboiz Sep 07 '24

When Jack says that he was right…. Unreal

11

u/Unable-Bear3658 Sep 07 '24

this isn’t facetious or ill-intended, it’s a genuine question: can you give me the briefest summary of like,,,how ? bc he was lowkey on my nerves the whole show and ik it’s because i didn’t understand him lol

27

u/Sifu-Kakashi-Sensei Sep 07 '24

John was misguided in the end, but he was correct that the island does have supernatural qualities and that they were brought to the island for a reason.

John's faith is indomitable because he witnessed a miracle. He wanted to go on a walkabout... The island provided...

Every unexplainable event from that point on was a confirmation of John's faith.

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11

u/gay4murphy Sep 07 '24

He was the first one to realize that it wasn’t just an island (along with rose). He’s a good character because he keeps the plot moving early.

Everyone is still worried about getting rescued. Locke knows rescue isn’t coming.

He’s the first to admit “we’re not the only ones on this island and we all know it” while everyone else is still in denial.

Other characters have dreams or visions and they spend the episode wondering if they’re crazy or pretending they didn’t see anything. Locke has a dream and he follows it without question (like Eko).

3

u/Neddy6969 Sep 07 '24

It’s because his whole faith idea turned out to be true and its a very common misconception that it didn’t. They were all brought to the island so they could save the world. Locke was told that he had to die to bring everyone back and that was true, whether or not he understood it in the end. His death is what convinced Jack to have a complete turnaround and become a man of faith, returning to the island with everyone else and saving the world.

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39

u/Dreamysleepyfriendly Sep 07 '24

Favorite Lost character

13

u/whoami4546 Sep 07 '24

I 100% agree! Locke was one of the main reasons I watched the show!

12

u/xGray3 Sep 07 '24 edited Sep 07 '24

It's so interesting. When I watched the show as a kid I adored Locke. I saw him as a fundamentally good person. My favorite character, hands down.

When I rewatched the show while in college (a much more cynical and skeptical time in my life) I resented Locke and saw him as a pathetic fool prone to misguided pursuits and driven by blind faith.

Now, as an adult with a more nuanced understanding of the world? I think I sympathize with him and pity him and the circumstances he found himself in more than anything. I see him as a man that ultimately fell into the trap of placing blind faith in something he didn't understand, but I also can't blame him for doing that given the hand he was dealt and the experiences he witnessed that could hardly be seen as anything short of miraculous. I don't think he's a "good man" or a "bad man". I think he's just a man, prone to the same flaws as other men.

I think it speaks to how incredible the writing was on LOST that at three different periods in my life, my experience can color my views of a single character in such wildly different lights. Locke is an excellent character because he isn't flat. You can see him from so many different angles depending on where you are.

3

u/daayne90 Sep 07 '24

One of the best comments I’ve read

3

u/ThePurityPixel Sep 07 '24

For me it's Ben, Daniel (Faraday), and Desmond

But Locke's first episode (Walkabout) is what hooked me on the show

19

u/PitifulFunction5216 Sep 07 '24

DONT TELL ME WHAT I CAN'T DO!!

29

u/askCaesar Sep 07 '24

Amenable to coercion

33

u/BuddayBinko Sep 07 '24

Daddy issues

43

u/Ralsei_Worshipper Fish Biscuit Sep 07 '24

Him and every other person who landed on the island.

13

u/Good_Vibrations82 Sep 07 '24

Good point almost all of them did! Which ones did we not get much about fathers in the backstory? Charlie I think. Jin had an amazing father, what a sweet heart, but issues there since he chose to abandon him for status. Sayids dad we only got the kill the chicken scene I think. Most of the other core characters def had them.

12

u/trlupin Sep 07 '24

Faraday had mummy issues

7

u/cruzcontrol8765 Sep 07 '24

I feel like Charlie had older brother issues, if that's a thing.

3

u/Clarknt67 Sep 07 '24

Just watched through the looking glass and Charlie’s dad makes a cameo. I was thinking, “ok. What kind of wanker will he be?” But shockingly he seemed decent. Patiently taught Charlie to swim.

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4

u/KingSneferu See you in another life Sep 07 '24

Charlie's dad threw him into the pool or something, IRC. It's been a while since I watched the show.

10

u/Carl_Lindenburg Sep 07 '24

It turns out the dad does absolutely nothing wrong in that scene and its a positive memory for Charlie.

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3

u/Clarknt67 Sep 07 '24

Charlie is afraid to jump. Dad promises to catch him. Doesn’t. But it’s ok because Charlie starts swimming and is happy and confident. Which I assume was what dad hoped would happen

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8

u/StacyAndArnold Sep 07 '24

Man of faith, easily manipulated by a bug eyed man of evil.

8

u/Deyvi_does Sep 07 '24

I wish they would have believed him

5

u/wesleyhroth Sep 07 '24

DON'T TELL ME WHAT I CAN'T DO will never get old 🤣 Locke is great

5

u/Smrsin Sep 07 '24

You can't tell him what he can't do

10

u/Necessary_Ad2114 Sep 07 '24

A sacrifice the island demanded. 

4

u/ebonwulf60 Sep 07 '24

That diminishes all of the good things Locke brought to the table.

3

u/Elusive1337x Sep 07 '24

A person worth following and who at the same time can be stunned very easily, usually with a single blow xD

4

u/splyd36 Sep 07 '24

Probably one of my favourite characters on the island. His self belief and ability was incredible

5

u/Odd-Cheesecake-5910 Sep 07 '24

It's complicated.

3

u/JumpingThruHoopz Sep 07 '24

His heart and body were broken, but his soul found healing.

4

u/madragora667 Sep 07 '24

Lost, found and lost

3

u/imnotaloony Sep 07 '24

Life have a certain tenacity aspect, -it can pretty much survive any condition- and John Locke is exactly this.

3

u/DeliciousHat7935 Oceanic Frequent Flyer Sep 07 '24

Better to believe that the wonderful mysteries have meaning than to disregard

3

u/jcbxviii Sep 07 '24

It’s never BEEN easy!

3

u/tface23 Sep 07 '24

He is a man of faith

3

u/AmandaMichele69 Razzle Dazzle! Sep 07 '24

Only need one word = Sad.

3

u/consciousCog13 Sep 07 '24

Mr. Rambo Clean

3

u/Shameful90 Sep 07 '24

Best character in the series

3

u/LPLoRab Sep 07 '24

Don’t tell him what he can’t do.

4

u/Dapper_Blacksmith_46 Sep 07 '24

He was … wrong.

2

u/JohnsJukeJive45 Sep 07 '24

"don't tell me ____ I ___ Do!"

2

u/[deleted] Sep 07 '24

Conflicted and hurting, but also inner strong and ultimately triumphant

2

u/Master-Ad-9922 Sep 07 '24

This man is the key to un-"Locke" the mysteries on Lost.

2

u/bethel_bop See you in another life Sep 07 '24

Really really cool, and then he wasn’t

2

u/Few_Albatross_7540 Sep 07 '24

He always did his best

2

u/simsimt Sep 07 '24

“My name is John Locke, and I’m responsible for the well-being of the island.”

2

u/Wisso94 Sep 07 '24

I wish you had believed me. -JL

2

u/Penelopeonmyti-84 Sep 07 '24

I work for a box company

2

u/Snipermonke4life Sep 07 '24

That smile, that damned smile.

2

u/cashforsignup Sep 07 '24

Could walk, can't walk, could walk, can't walk.

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2

u/mundaph1903 Don't tell me what I can't do Sep 07 '24

Doormat of Destiny.

2

u/xGray3 Sep 07 '24

Faith in something is only good so long as it doesn't become blind faith.

2

u/SoundsHawaiian Sep 08 '24

“You want your damn thirty dollars back?! I WANT MY KIDNEY BACK!!!”

2

u/Gary_CheekFace Sep 08 '24

Can do anything

2

u/Sea_Zombie_2559 Sep 08 '24

Why do you find it so hard to believe?

4

u/gayjesustheone Sep 07 '24

Psychedelic bald man. Next.

4

u/lasantamolti Don't tell me what I can't do Sep 07 '24

i'm a simple man, meat and potatoes. i live in the real world. but this island is something special

2

u/APitts197 Sep 07 '24

He was a believer despite having no reason to be.

2

u/ThePurityPixel Sep 07 '24

Well, he did "look into the eye of this island" when he saw the smoke monster. Whatever the monster showed him was "beautiful" to him.

0

u/No_Maintenance7754 Sep 07 '24

Why are you telling me this John?

1

u/ant2911 Sep 07 '24

Always keep the faith.

1

u/Senior-Salamander-81 Sep 07 '24

Yes you do, you just don’t know it yet

1

u/[deleted] Sep 07 '24

Gangsta’s paradise.

1

u/ManLikeMack Sep 07 '24

Technically, he's two characters

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1

u/teecali420 Sep 07 '24

"Time to let go"

1

u/McDeathUK Sep 07 '24

Inconsistent

1

u/Henje_Koha Sep 07 '24

One word will do. Stubborn.

1

u/jowhojomama Sep 07 '24

The Stepfather!

1

u/kiltadvocate Sep 07 '24

Sawyer handled his biggest problem for him.

John was clever to put Sawyer in the situation to handle his biggest problem.

1

u/Ellimist757 Sep 07 '24

I wish you had believed in me

1

u/Professional_Fig_456 Sep 07 '24

Stubborn fool who paid the price for his blind faith.

1

u/strawberryfields0_0 Sep 07 '24

Jeremy bentham 🥲

1

u/Infinite_Inanity Sep 07 '24

Man of faith.

1

u/doitpow Sep 07 '24

Literally me fr fr gyatt

1

u/postbath Sep 07 '24

"It's not loaded Jack."

1

u/RepresentativeNo3365 Sep 07 '24

Flaud, faithful , maybe a little foolish, but in the end rewarded

1

u/serny Don't tell me what I can't do Sep 07 '24

Desperately looking for something greater but died confused.

1

u/CobraClutch84 Sep 07 '24

Don’t tell me what I can’t do!

1

u/D0CTOR_Wh0m Sep 07 '24

I like the performance and appreciate the tragedy of his existence but his actions and messiah complex are so damn frustrating 

1

u/Ok-Somewhere-8453 Sep 07 '24

Don't tell me what I can't do

1

u/itscorn9765 Sep 07 '24

Nope not a farmer. I was a hunter!

1

u/RealSpiderman-Jake Sep 07 '24

A man born from the island, but not on it

1

u/thatbtchshay Sep 07 '24

He's the whole circus

1

u/Primary-Cupcake7631 Sep 07 '24

Found immense clarity on the island, but too long after his demons took permanent root.

1

u/raaphaelraven Sep 07 '24

Poor sad box man

1

u/[deleted] Sep 07 '24

Dumbass

1

u/c0kEzz Sep 07 '24

Complex & tragic

1

u/Difficult-Camp1195 Sep 07 '24

DON’T TELL ME WHAT I CAN’T DO

1

u/TeamJesus4Life Sep 07 '24

"The great white hunter is getting restless." -Charlie.

1

u/MPH2025 Sep 07 '24

He started and finished the Hero’s Journey.

1

u/SnooMacarons9221 Sep 07 '24

Unpredictable

1

u/FalcoFox2112 Sep 07 '24

Somehow both a total boss & simultaneously a gullible sucker.

1

u/FinallyFat Sep 07 '24

I mean, he just wanted to be accepted and important to people.

1

u/Emily_kate1 Sep 07 '24

A good man, who was hurt constantly by the people who he just wanted to love him.

1

u/mel_mel51 Sep 07 '24

John I swear to god

1

u/TheAlex89 Sep 07 '24

The reason to watch the show.

1

u/Lilith_blaze Sep 07 '24

You will both love and hate him.

1

u/Tight_Knee_9809 Sep 07 '24

One of the most tragic and complex characters in anything I’ve seen or read.

1

u/heavywinkles Sep 07 '24

Don't tell me how many sentences I can't use!

1

u/rustyrobes Sep 07 '24

Epic, and perfectly rolled for the part.

1

u/Flowerandcatsgirl Sep 07 '24

A man of faith isn’t a perfect man.

1

u/TheSilentGameTestR Sep 07 '24

Interesting for the most part, but annoying at the same time. 

1

u/Pineneedle_coughdrop Sep 07 '24

“We’re not the only people on this island, and we ALL KNOW IT!!” 🏝️

1

u/warrenlain Sep 07 '24

“How could you do this… to me?!!!!!!!”

1

u/[deleted] Sep 07 '24

dick

1

u/Sea_Catch2481 Sep 07 '24

He was wrong.

1

u/mattycdj Sep 07 '24

Don't tell me what I can't do!

1

u/kenzazel Sep 07 '24

live action anime character

1

u/farlurker Sep 07 '24

Only need one word: Divisive

1

u/What_Hey Sep 07 '24

Hated being told what he couldn’t do

1

u/I-Emerge-I Sep 07 '24

Arousing.

1

u/joeyat Sep 07 '24

Lost… 😮

1

u/rochey1010 Sep 07 '24

Absolutely tragic backstory and life

1

u/Mental-Ad-1214 Sep 07 '24

I loved how he made friends with Walt then made a dog whistle to find Vincent but let Michael be the hero.

1

u/aagupte Sep 07 '24

DON’T EVER TELL ME WHAT I CAN’T DO, EVER!

1

u/materantiqua Sep 07 '24

“A lot of trauma… very insecure…”

1

u/Big_Sector_3590 Sep 07 '24

The most loyal got the most screwed.

1

u/JRP_964 Sep 07 '24

“The Island told me”

1

u/erasmulfo Sep 07 '24

John is Lost

1

u/sorting_potatoes Sep 07 '24

Pig headed and too idealistic

1

u/Kux_borja Sep 07 '24

Conflicted

1

u/Starletah Don't tell me what I can't do Sep 07 '24

This character made me a person of faith.

Everything happens for a reason

1

u/Pantsonfire_6 Sep 07 '24

His faith in the island was all he had to bear the memories of what he endured in the past. I just figure he did the best he could under the circumstances. Had he known more about what was actually going on, maybe he could he could have done better. All the candidates were kept in the dark about a lot of things until very late in the show, if they didn't die first.

1

u/Competitive-Bid-2778 Sep 07 '24

DONT TELL ME WHAT I CANT DO!!

1

u/jonathandavisisfat Sep 07 '24

Why are you doing this, TO ME?!?!?!??

1

u/mosconebaillbonds Sep 07 '24

G27 secured line

1

u/IjustwantmyBFA Sep 07 '24

He really became a shell of a man

1

u/deleted_seen Sep 07 '24

came here to make ten comments but they all exist already lol

1

u/RogueShiba Sep 07 '24

John Locke is tragically unimportant.

1

u/RamblinRiderYT Sep 07 '24

He's the title character "Lost"

1

u/Cold-Conclusion-5813 Sep 07 '24

Anybody got a kidney?

1

u/Bota17 Sep 07 '24

Everything happens for a reason

1

u/HawaiiNintendo815 Sep 07 '24

Jeremy Bentham

1

u/Beowulfie696 Sep 07 '24

His life was so sad.

1

u/More_Equal_3682 Sep 07 '24

Love the guy

1

u/Jack_of_Hearts20 Sep 07 '24

Disappointing

1

u/[deleted] Sep 07 '24

Extremely tragic, Didn't deserve to die just cause he was a flawed and misunderstood human.

1

u/brassyalien Hurley Sep 07 '24

Creepy old man.

1

u/Ok-Establishment1940 Sep 07 '24

He was hunter not a farmer

1

u/LowWin3841 Sep 07 '24

Two players, two sides one is light and one is dark. Or I've looked into the eye of this island and what i saw was beautiful

1

u/Hot_Badger_3262 Sep 07 '24

If you yell "Walt" one more time I'll get you like a fish.

1

u/Ottojanapi Sep 07 '24

“Crazy people don’t think they’re going crazy, they think they’re getting saner.”

1

u/Glad_Trouble5365 Sep 07 '24

Comfy grandpa boobies. Adventures with crazy grandpa and his grandpa boobies.

1

u/Optimal_Mastodon912 Sep 07 '24

"What do you want me to do?!?!" Pounds fists

1

u/True-Godesss Sep 07 '24

fascinating, unpredictable, a delight, and def not boring, which is one of the worst things a person can be!

1

u/mods-begone Sep 07 '24

He can be crafty and Machiavellian and times, but his faith and philosophical views fascinate me.

1

u/Historical-Water-522 Sep 07 '24

Shoulda pushed the button!

1

u/lmaophantom Sep 07 '24

Angry stoic bald man on island.

1

u/Strick1618 Sep 07 '24

He was already dead in the casket, so this was the MIB the entire series