Isn't there anyone on this island without a tragically sympathetic past?

So far just Rose, Vincent and Snicker-bitch.

Isn't there anyone on this island without a tragically sympathetic past?

Sawyer's tragic past has been thus far incapable of wringing any sympathy from me, but I get what you're saying. Maybe Shannon? The horribleness in her case seems to be as much a conscious choice as a product of her upbringing.

She's still more a victim than a criminal, and to me, that's boring writing.

I can see your point, but I have very little sympathy for the whole "I shoot people because I'm damaged" schtick. Even if they do try and make her out to be a victim in the end, I probably won't be buying what they're trying to sell me, much as I don't buy Kate's "supposedly".

But Shannon and Rose both have tragically sympathetic presents, what with Boone and Rose's husband both being recently dead.

Vincent, though...he's a killing MACHINE! And that science teacher from last night seemed a little bitchy. Maybe there's hope yet.

Unfortunatley, I think it is a problem with series television. They want you to be sympathetic with characters. and they write black and white. In real life people that commit crimes have families and friends that care about them and visa versa. on tv, if you are going to like a criminal they are often 1) funny and/or clever or, 2) justified.

I could buy the fact that kate is a really smart criminal. She has been running long enough. So I am guessing that would mean she could chose when to be ruthless - but that doesn't happen on tv

Even if they do try and make her out to be a victim in the end, I probably won't be buying what they're trying to sell me

That's really interesting, actually, because I've been having the exact opposite reaction. I feel like they're trying to sell me a hardened criminal, and failing.

I'd be really cool with a character who feels the normal assortment of affection, loyalty, and concern for friends and relatives while treating strangers with the same steely disregard that most people direct toward garden pests.

And then last night, with the whole "crime I supposedly commited" or whatever the line was....I have a horrible sinking feeling it's going to be like watching the OC all over again.

See, now I didn't get that she really didn't commit the crime, but that she threw that "supposedly" in there to try and cover her ass to her fellow islanders. She could tell they were already starting to turn on her, and tried to get them to think of her as "Innocent Kate" again, or at least put that thought into the backs of their minds. More manipulation, which makes her even more interesting than she has been in previous eps. All that baby-delivery and supportive behavior for both Jack and Sun has made her more vulnerable than she appeared in this week's ep, IMO.

I'm with Kathy, I thought her "supposedly" was just something she threw out there because what was she going to say? "Yeah! I did it!"

The Marshall said he didn't think she did it, but that doesn't hold weight for me. She played the guy at the bank, the bank robber, etc.

So I am guessing that would mean she could chose when to be ruthless - but that doesn't happen on tv

If Minear wrote Alias...