(MUEY SPOILERS!!!)
Lost has some of the most amazing, fun, and fascinating characters I've seen. Which is funny, because they aren't all totally original or anything. The real reason they are so great is probably because the show spends a large portion of its time to let the audience get to know them. You learn of their secrets, their demons, what they've done, what they are capable of doing, and they all felt real (even The Monster). I enjoyed them all in some way or another, but if I had to choose ten favorites this would be it. However, yes, I am excluding my already proclaimed favorite character on the show, man of adventure and utter tragedy himself, John Locke. Let's begin.
10. Hugo "Hurley" Reyes
"I want some freakin' answers!"
I rank Hurley at ten because, well, Hurley is a given too. Not liking Hurley is the equivalent to making a thousand smiling children cry. Though he at first seems like an ordinary, generous, and laid back young man, he has his own secrets, naturally. If the fact that he is a multi-millionaire and businessman isn't surprising enough, the introduction of his infamous Numbers did the trick. Though anyone looking in on the outside would assume he had it all, Hurley was literally stalked by fate. Misfortune plagued his already out of sorts life after he used the Numbers, and it was his quest to find their meaning that led him to board Flight 815 and crash on the Island. On the Island, Hurley did his best to help others and make things easier when he could; he, actually, has an active role in many of the main events. Though terribly afraid, Hurley is also exceptionally brave and capable of leadership in desperate situations. I think a thing that really struck me when it was all over was that Hurley ends up the Protector of the Island. I just think it's cool that the true everyman, the vessel for the audience, in fact, winds up becoming such a powerful force in the world. It kind of exemplifies Lost's theme of starting over and discovering yourself. Hurley was funny, lovable, heroic, flawed, and probably the show's purest character.
9. Boone Carlyle
"Relieved...I felt relieved..."
Though his role was considerably minor in comparison to the others, I still thought Boone was a well done character. Boone was one of the first survivors to take an active role in leadership. Though strong and brave, he usually fell short of heroism and ended up being more troublesome than helpful. His story doesn't really kick off until he befriends Locke and they find the Hatch. It's then when Boone begins seeing things differently. I also liked that he started to let go of Shannon after that psychedelic trip (I need Locke to whip me up some of that!). Of course, if I'm being honest, Boone's true purpose was to influence the actions of Locke, Jack, and Shannon. This was accomplished when he became the first main character to die. And damn, the episode where Jack tries to save him is so very intense and depressing (though beautiful too in a lot of ways). But yeah, it's his death that turns Shannon into a wildcard, and, more importantly, begins the legendary cycle of mistrust between Jack and Locke. This point is echoed repeatedly as Boone makes appearances throughout the series after that, either in flashbacks, dreams, or hallucinations (and the afterlife). I liked Boone for his determination, heart, and common sense. His unrequited love and manipulations from his stepsister Shannon also gained him sympathy. Was glad he was part of the reunion at the end.
8. Jacob
"You've got ink on your forehead."
Next to his brother, Jacob is probably the most mysterious character in the series. Built up by the native Others to be the great, brilliant, magnificent, and even supernatural individual in control of The Island, Jacob was kept hidden for most of the show. His motives were said to include protecting the Island and befriending people seen as special. I never trust The Others though, so I will just go with who he really is. It was at the end of Season 5 and entirety of Season 6 that Jacob revealed himself. He was seen in flashbacks orchestrating events that would bring many of our favorite characters to the Island, before his death is rigged by his nemesis, The Man in Black. Near the end of the show, we discover that Jacob was born on the Island some 2,000 years ago, along with his brother, The Man in Black. In contrast to MIB's cold and pragmatic nature, Jacob primarily thought with his heart and was ruled by his emotions. This leads him to kill his brother in a fit of rage, while also turning him into a force of true destruction. In the present, he is still compassionate but is also more confident and wise. Yes, it is true that his meddling with fate resulted in the hundreds of deaths we see throughout the show, but he really couldn't risk his brother escaping. It's also admirable that he did his best to do the right thing and help others, even after he was dead. I also thought it was interesting that even Jacob, a character who we all thought of as a an all powerful deity for so long, was just another victim of some random fate. All Jacob wanted was peace and I can respect that.
7. Sun Hwa Kwon
"I lose, either way."
I think Sun is a character who had some of the biggest transformations. Her arc in the series mainly involves her growing more self reliant and developing a stronger personality. Sun and Jin episodes were always compelling even if they weren't as exciting as other arcs. Her transformation from the long suffering wife to independent hero was nice to see. I was also surprised that Sun was from a wealthy family (I thought they were both middle class when I first saw them). Even in her world of luxury back then, Sun's destiny was still controlled, this time by her parents. It is her father to be blamed for the gold hearted Jin's initial douchebaggery, as well. Jin was such a bastard during the first season, it made Sun's strength even more satisfying (even though, we are all happy they worked things out). Sun does a lot, actually: she lies to her husband and others, kills an Other, and smacks around several main characters. In the last few seasons though, when she gets her own money, power, and motive for revenge, she owns her corrupt father financially and literally, gaining control of his corporation and even begins a vendetta against Ben Linus. I won't again go into how tragic her and Jin's deaths were. I will just say that starting your revolt by unbuttoning your shirt collar and ending it with corporate espionage and assassination plots is quite something.
6. Mr. Eko
"I did not ask for the life that I was given. But it was given, nonetheless. And with it, I did my best."
Eko is just one of those characters you think of when you think of Lost. One of those stand out characters. Probably because he's a badass. At first appearing to be a chivalrous giant, flashbacks reveal his dark past as a vicious drug lord in Nigeria. His actions eventually end up killing his priest brother and leaving him mistaken for a man of god himself. Eko rolls with it, though, out of respect for his brother. His darkness never seems to leave him, however, no matter how hard he struggles to redeem himself. On the Island, he serves as a defender of his group of survivors but eventually becomes a new man of faith, next to Locke. But while Locke clinged to faith out of desperation, Eko did it more for atonement. Unfortunately, he is another character who was cut short upon making a true discovery about himself and died like the majority of the tail section survivors. I wasn't angry that he died as much as I was angry that his death is almost immediately forgotten by the rest of the characters. His true spiritual relationship with the survivors was intriguing, as were his interactions with The Monster. I think his main purpose in the show was to teach Locke not to turn his back on his faith. More incentive: Eko was known for cutting down his enemies with a machete; he carved himself a club, nicknamed "scripture stick", on which he carved insightful Bible passages; and he's not only the one person not to run away from The Monster, but he freaking stares it down. 'Cause Eko ain't afraid.
5. Jack Shephard
"I'm gonna fix you."
Jack is the first character we meet. His eyes open, he finds himself in some jungle, he is in shock, scared, injured, and confused all at once. Nevertheless, after about a minute of wondering where he is, he rushes to the scene of a plane crash, his plane. And he immediately charges into the fray as explosions, screams, and panic fills the air. He isn't concerned about himself or his wound, he only sees people in danger and he saves them. And amazingly the next scene where his wound is stitched up, he tells a past story that reveals that he is more than a collected, magnificent hero, he's an extremely vulnerable human being. And those two aspects intrigued me about Jack from the beginning. His tragic backstory was not as Shakespearian as Locke's or Ben's or as western as Kate's or Sawyer's, Jack's backstory is a bit more personal and real. Your drunk old man telling you not to be a hero because "you just don't have what it takes" when you're a stubborn kid might have some consequences. Jack's interactions with his father, his wife, and, yeah, even that weird tattoo artist he banged were all compelling and they really showed how this man's doubts and fears and anger constantly lead to his destruction (like most of the characters, I know). I guess it's poetic, a man so obsessed with fixing other people's situations is himself a broken man. His status on the Island did get tedious after about three or four seasons of denial about what was going on. Being a doctor who usually lives in a world of rationality (when it isn't about him personally, that is), Jack was originally a man of science. That's a good excuse, I understand, but there was just too much craziness happening in those few months he spent on the Island for him to keep insisting there wasn't anything strange going on. Yeah, so that became frustrating after awhile. I guess though, not every person can change too drastically in just a few months. Three years and one dead man of faith later, Jack didn't know who he was anymore and in this instance faith in the impossible was the only thing he had. In other words, he got more badass and everything he did became interesting. In fact, the man who once seemed to just be a cosmic rag doll started driving events and setting things in motion himself. Plus, his death was the only one that made me weep; then again, I think the whole last scene was perfectly designed to make you weep. Looking back, Jack's journey was really impressive and inspiring in its own way. The fact that he realized he had what takes all along was reason enough for him to be number five.
4. James Ford aka Sawyer aka Jim LaFluer
"I became the man I was hunting. Became Sawyer."
Every character was emotionally wounded in a profound way as a child, but I don't know if any of them got it as bad as Sawyer. Granted, I did find his backstory particularly badass because I love a good revenge story, but what makes it so good is because of how depressing it is. As a kid his parents are manipulated by a mysterious con artist named Mr. Sawyer, resulting in his father killing his mother and then himself (sitting on the bed little Sawyer is hiding under no less). This prompted him to write a letter promising revenge, but that path leads him to become just as good a confidence man as his nemesis, to the point where he takes on the name Sawyer too. His plight on the Island was very interesting. Mixing his abrasive southern demeanor with his brilliant cunning, he set out to get what he wanted more than redemption: punishment. And for the first half of the series that is the person he tried to be, feeling he should pay for the bad things he did. Thankfully though, the second half shows him embracing his opportunity to change things and be the hero he must have thought he was in the beginning. From a broader perspective, Sawyer is really just a very well done version of the bad boy character. One of the better ones I've seen, at least. He's also a genuine fan service machine (which I don't think anyone minded): he was funny, intriguing, badass, handsome (and very often shirtless), well acted, provided the majority of pop culture references, and was just a well rounded character with a fantastic arc. That's why he's on the list.
3. Sayid Jarrah
"What would be the use of killing you when we're both already dead."
Just because Locke takes home the prize for worst possible life ever doesn't mean the other characters' lives couldn't be routinely destroyed in the most powerful of ways. Next to Hurley, Sayid was an initial favorite character. The fact that he is one of the few survivors immediately trying to help and figure things earned him sympathy, as well as the racism and accusations that immediately befell him because he was Iraqi. Even cooler is the fact that he was a soldier (like I said, the survivors only certified badass), tech whiz, and natural leader. Plus the dark 'greater good' perspective that rested beneath his benevolence was evident early on and is built on very well. Sayid is a man who can never forgive himself for the people he tortured after the war. Ever. That's a compelling backstory right there. The fact that the Island events force that monster out of him is even saddening. Sayid is actually the best example of all of these characters who are constantly trying to be good and do the right thing but are constantly setback by the sins of their pasts. Also the fact that he already considered himself damned meant he was more willing to go to extremes for that greater good. But as much as Sayid tried to be a hero he still ended up believing he was pure evil, ruining many lives, losing everyone he ever loved, dying, being resurrected a hollow shell of himself, and then dying again. Hurley, probably his best friend, telling him he was a good guy in the after life despite of what Sayid himself thought was very touching. Was especially glad he got a happy ending. God knows he deserved it.
2. Benjamin Linus
"How many times do I have to tell you, John? I always have a plan."
Another character like Sawyer who you initially hate, than love to hate, than just love. Ben probably believed for a long time that he and his people were the good guys. It was hard for me to believe when he dedicated his time to abducting, harrassing, killing, and generally making life hell for a group of unfortunate innocents. Especially when he was only concerned with a few of them. But, as usual, as time went on, we started to see some different shades to the Island natives' sinister leader. For as grand and mysterious as he likes to appear, Ben is cut from much of the same cloth as the heroes. He was emotionally scarred as a child by an abusive father, lost his innocence when he killed his father and the island's DHARMA Initiative (which he was a member of in his youth), and became an intelligent manipulator, a trait that led to his becoming leader of The Others. It's especially painful that he was another character whose entire life may have been just another part of The Man in Black's scheme. He had the habit of mixing his sincere ambitions with more personal ones. Ben was even more dedicated to his personal destiny than his rival, Locke, to the point that he sacrificed his daughter when his power was threatened. An interesting aspect of season six was that Ben was no longer a powerful leader, he was just a follower, and as a follower he realized none of the real good guys respected or trusted him. I'm glad that didn't deter him from trying to redeem himself and fight for the right side at last. In the end, I liked Ben because he was freakishly smart and badass to boot, because he realized he was the bad guy and turned good, because Michael Emerson is an awesome actor, and because he made things interesting.
1. Desmond Hume
"God allegedly has bigger plans for me."
Odysseus. Billy Pilgrim. The badass Scotsman, Desmond Hume. All good men who are caught in the most unfortunate of destinies. Though, Desmond is pretty much a combination of the first two. Desmond is a true victim of love. His poor handling of good relationships usually results in him making life altering decisions that he hopes will make him a better person, but ended up leaving him more empty. Namely, participating in a race around the world, hoping to impress his beloved Penny's father, Charles Widmore, and instead gets caught in a storm while lost at sea. He awakens on the Island where he is...initiated into the DHARMA Initiative, and spends the next three years pressing the button in the Hatch. As fate would have it, one day Desmond isn't able to push the button on time, correcting the mistake just as things start to crazy. This, however, results in Oceanic 815 and all of the characters we know and love crashing on the Island. Though introduced as a half-crazed Omega Man in a hell of his own, he turns out to be a bit more once he integrates into the group. His longing to get back to the woman he loves is probably one of the show's most endearing and famous story lines; I think we were all relieved when Des and Penny finally did reunite. But as a survivor, his role is perhaps one of the more interesting. He becomes something of a leader figure along with Sawyer once he begins hunting and protecting the castaways. More significantly though, his attempt to save the world by self destructing the Hatch led to his very bewildering relationship with The Island's power. This includes allowing him to see Charlie's death in the future and trying to prevent it (which he could not), finding himself skipping back and forth between the present and 1996, and even crossing over into the afterlife for a brief second (or was it?) Desmond was a soldier and did time in military prison, so he is not one to screw with. Aside from his tragic love story and emotional vulnerability, I thought Desmond's real part in the whole show was as a variable in the lives of the survivors. He is responsible for crashing their plane, beginning the story, and he is responsible for bringing them together in the afterlife, ending the story. Just thought it was kind of beautiful that Desmond, a man most saw as a coward, who saw himself as living a life without purpose, in the end he got to be an essential part of so many lives, eventually even leading everyone to their own place of serenity. He was great because I felt for him and wanted him to win, because he was the coolest of the Island's super humans, because he introduced us to the Hatch, because he got back to Penny, and because he is just a likable guy. Truly one of my favorite characters.
So those are my favorite characters, but, again, I loved all of the characters, even most of the very minor ones. They are a testament to how good of a show Lost was.
This has been another top ten list from Your Modest Guru. Thanks for reading.
