Yeah, Nutty, I do see where his options as a doctor who can actually do anything are limited. But, you know, at least he'd have a knowledge base and skill set. So, maybe he could reset my broken leg or something better than the others. On my team, he and Sun have a complementary medical practice. She'll, you know, make the sterilization goo, and the anesthetic goo. And now I need to go check my spelling goo.

so barring some really spectacular coconut-technology

Hey now. Let's not be barring coconut technology.

I'm with tavella.

mixing hallucinogens

ita, were you being funny? I can't see how this skill of Locke's is really useful. :-)

Jack is positioned as a leader, and I don't think he's even compellingly reluctant.

He's saved more lives than anyone else on the island, and that's not even counting *medical* saves

If we don't count medical saves, has he saved more than Locke? Given that both Sayid and Locke have the skillset to find water too?

I guess I'm counting value in terms of uniqueness. Sure, Jack is the only doctor, but most of his skills will never come into play. And only a few people have needed what only he can bring to the table.

I can't see how this skill of Locke's is really useful. :-)

You only say that because you're not sleeping with your brother.

You only say that because you're not sleeping with your brother.

Do not assume, young one. It will become your demise.

Do not assume, young one. It will become your demise.

LeN and I go way back. Trust me. He's not her brother.

From what I've seen, any shmuck who gets lost in the woods could find (a) caves and (b) water. Possibly (c) invisimechasaurs as well, but their appearances are awfully convenient.

Sun and Sayid are the two who have shown the longest-range planning, although that's not saying a hell of a lot. As a group, they're just not willing (or haven't been willing) to think strategically. They haven't even mapped Lost Island, and don't know if, ten miles down the beach around that curve, there might be a Club Med.

I'm not really sure what would be a catalyst for the survivors to cohere and begin to think strategically about the group as a group -- I'm sort of surprised that the Ethan/Claire debacle didn't have more impact. Being a raging paranoiac myself, I find the idea of an infiltrator freaky, and a kidnapper double-freaky. I would, at this point, long since have organized a buddy-system for going anywhere, emergency noise-makers or whistles, and a rotation for guarding the camp at night.

If we don't count medical saves, has he saved more than Locke? Given that both Sayid and Locke have the skillset to find water too?

Dragged Claire and Hurley out from under an about to collapse fuel-filled wing; pulled a drowning Boone out of the water; went back to rescue trapped Charlie from rampaging Lostzilla. Locke's hauled Jack up from a cliff; that's his only save so far.

I guess I'm counting value in terms of uniqueness. Sure, Jack is the only doctor, but most of his skills will never come into play. And only a few people have needed what only he can bring to the table.

But that's the thing; Jack's skills *are* unique, and extraordinarily hard for anyone on the island to learn the full array of. Protein-gathering is something any reasonably competent adult can figure out. This is not to dis those who do it especially well and tastily -- Jin would definitely be in the running for my 4th pick after Michael -- but I'm confident I can provide my own protein, and *not* confident I can undislocate my shoulder, set my own leg, and sew up gaping wounds. And while I bet Jack hopes he never has to do a Cesaerian section or a trepanation, at least the victims would have a fighting chance.

Locke's hauled Jack up from a cliff; that's his only save so far.

I guess I'm still counting feeding 40 odd survivors for at least two weeks as save-ish.

Jin would have to be catching a whole lot of fish to match a couple hundred pounds of boar. Also, the monster in the woods has not eaten since Locke stared it down/made his contract/it turned into Ethan and helped him catch rabbits.