Y'all are assuming that Ethan has recognizable motives. If one of the main characters kidnapped someone and hung him or her, that character would be a psycho, because we've been made aware that they share common background, and therefore a common frame of reference on what is and is not socially and ethically acceptable behavior, with us. If Ethan is, say, of supernatural, extraterrestrial, or some other unforseen origin, he may be behaving in a way that is rational to him. We just don't know enough about who or what he is to throw around terms like "psycho."
Was the Terminator a psycho? Are cannibal cultures psycho? Are Hummer drivers psycho? (Well, ok, I'll give you that one.)
Taking a page from Richard Rorty, I prefer the term "non-essentialist."
Well, with the kidnapping and hanging, Ethan's certainly shown himself to be a *driven* personality. However, up until then he'd also shown himself to be patient and capable of maintaining normal social functioning for days or weeks at a time. A few creepy stares notwithstanding.
Ethan is a very different character depending on why he kidnapped and attemped hobbicide.
He could have a cunning, rational scheme to get off the island and his actions are in support of that.
Alternatively, he could have done it because his many-tentacled god (who talks to him via magical hatrack) told him to. His many-tentacled god tells him to do a lot of things that don't always make a lot of sense, but dammit he's TRYING and could you JUST GIVE HIM A BREAK, Etc.
He could also be a cluster of super-intelligent bacteria, or a hitchhiking alien from the planet Quarnax.
Not that any of that necessarily matters (especially to Claire and Charlie), but it does have an effect on how our heroes will be able to deal with Ethan.
He could also be a cluster of super-intelligent bacteria
I think that the evidence undeniably supports this. I mean, look at the guy's brow.
However, up until then he'd also shown himself to be patient and capable of maintaining normal social functioning for days or weeks at a time.
Yeah, I guess he had to wait until he had access to Claire? Although trying to inject something into her stomach while she was sleeping doesn't seem like the stealthiest course.
He could also be a cluster of super-intelligent bacteria,
A hyper-intelligent shade of the color blue?
Y'all are assuming that Ethan has recognizable motives. If one of the main characters kidnapped someone and hung him or her, that character would be a psycho, because we've been made aware that they share common background, and therefore a common frame of reference on what is and is not socially and ethically acceptable behavior, with us. If Ethan is, say, of supernatural, extraterrestrial, or some other unforseen origin, he may be behaving in a way that is rational to him. We just don't know enough about who or what he is to throw around terms like "psycho."
I'm still comfortable calling him a psycho. Until I have a frame of reference to put him in which might indicate that kidnapping and hanging are considered non-criminal acts by him and/or his society of origin, I'm going on the assumption that he's human and psycho.
So...
am I late to the party or did any of you think that the metal doors were the entrance to the Initiative?
I'm going on the assumption that he's human and psycho.
Bacteria ways are not our ways, my friend.
