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'Lost': Party of five
Seems kinda crazy, Lost fans, but it's true. I mean, I myself have a hard time believing it. I spent the majority of the day perplexed by this conundrum, unable to fathom the truth which lay before me. I walked around downtown Boston, in a Dharma daze. I bumped into strangers on the street, head firmly facing down, unable to look my fellow citizens in the eye. How could I?
I mean, I've been blogging about Lost for nearly nine months here at Zap2It and never, ever did a "With whom would you want to be stranded on an Island?" article! Insanity! So consider this making up for lost time. (Or Lost time. Either way.)
The rules are this: you can pick five people from the Lost universe to be with you on this island. You're not on THE Island; but something akin to the one in Cast Away. It's in the real world, obeys normal physical laws, and has both food and water in ample supply should you have the skill, knowledge, and work ethic to obtain them. The five people you pick need not be Lostaways: they can be Others, Freighters, people seen in flash backs/flash forwards.
Now, here's the slightly tricky part: in this exercise, the events on the Island never happened. But you can use how people act in the show as a barometer for your five fellow survivors. Think about how they act in the show, both on and/or off the Island. Your goal is to find five people with whom you could sustain a decent amount of time (roughly the amount spent on the show) with eyes of finding rescue as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
We good? Good. Now, before getting to my list, here are three that nearly made the cut but ultimately didn't.
John Locke. Amazing hunter, natural outdoorsman. Unfortunately, wouldn't have use of his legs and would be dead on the inside, crippled physically as well as emotionally. Which makes for kind of dead weight, even if he could simply dispense his knowledge to others to hunt/gather for him.
Michael Dawson. His engineering skills would be excellent in both constructing shelter and building a makeshift raft. Unfortunately, he might sell you up the river as soon as he could if given the proper pressure. Let's just say you wouldn't be surprised if he formed an alliance against you.
Mikhail Bakunin. It's nice to have someone all but indestructible on your side. He'd be your "hey, please do this really dangerous thing for us" man, since he can seemingly cheat death. Also? Fiercely loyal. But also? Fiercely nuts.
So those are the alternates, should one of the following people, you know, eat another. In alphabetical order, here they are.
Juliet Burke. Given her Season 3 actions, you might be surprised by this choice. But I choose to look at the "what if" of her never being contacting by Mittelos Biosciences, combined with the innate strength shown in defying Benjamin Linus, as my doctor of choice in this particular group. After all, you need someone with a medical background in this type of life-and-death situation, yes?
Daniel Faraday. He could determine your global position via looking at the stars, calculate optimal tide patterns in his head, and would offer a compassionate ear when able to actually focus on the conversation at hand. While hardly bad company, he'd be a person more likely to help you get off the Island than enjoy your time on it.
Sun-Hwa Kwon. Naturally gifted at herbology, which could come in handy in treating everyday maladies. Naturally compassionate, a trait which would work wonders in an unusual environment such as this. On top of this, she has a willful side (bordering on Machiavellian) that could come in handy should push come to shove. Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures, and while her response might be extreme, it won't necessarily be devoid of morality.
Sayid Jarrah. The muscle. The heavy. (The accent!) In lieu of Locke, or even Kate, a man who could help hunt and kill any wildlife on the island. In addition, he's a natural leader in the right circumstances, and would establish, along with Juliet, a type of top-down social structure to prevent breakdown amongst the group.
Hugo Reyes. If "Solitary" taught us anything, it's that you absolutely NEED someone like Hurley should you crash in the middle of nowhere. Faraday might pique your interest, but Hurley would tickle your funny bone and touch your heart. He's the person to stop you from descending to the primal level of the game which you hunt to stay alive.
OK, there you go. That's my Party of Five, as it were. Sure, it doesn't have Matthew Fox, but it's MY Party of Five, darnit. Now your turn! Leave your list, and any explanations for those you choose, below!
Ryan also posts every 108 minutes over at Boob Tube Dude.
If I were stuck on an island with five people from "Lost", it would have to be the men who are always going "shirt-less" (who cares about food, I want "eye candy"). Lets see -- Charlie and Hurley have never gone "shirt-less", so they are out. So the list is Desmond, Sawyer, Jack (yeah), Sayid and hmmm.... Who else goes shirt-less? Ethan? Naw! Ben? I don't think so. OK, just for practicality (but he can leave his shirt on), Locke. Now I'm all set -- five men and me (no woman). Well, a girl can fantacize, can't she?
Debra | Jul 7, 2008 6:03:43 PM | #As a woman, I'd go for Juliet for company, with Sawyer and Hurley to amuse me. And Sayid and Jin for practical purposes (fishing, handy help, etc.). Sawyer and Sayid are enough "eye candy" and he-man muscle (with Jin in there, too). Hurley for his heart/humor/insight and Juliet for medical reasons and friendship.
But would Sawyer still be running the cons on this Not Lost island? Would Sayid be torturing?
It's a tough call between Jin and Desmond, but I think Jin won out for me with some scrappy skills that would be handy. Altho he'd be missing Sun as much as Des would be pining for Penny.... hmmmm.
djc | Jul 7, 2008 6:25:59 PM | #I like your list Ryan, with one exception. I think I would pick Kate over Sun. My reasoning, companionship. Sure both Kate and Juliet would be eye-candy, but I'd prefer cuddling up with Kate at night.
Shaggysteve | Jul 7, 2008 6:32:37 PM | #5. Hugo (the dude's hilarious)
4. Sun (for her gardens)
3. Jin (fishing)
2. Sayid (because's he's the man)
1. Juliet (she's smart, she's a doctor, and she's hott)
I choose Sayid over Jack because Jack might try to take Juliet away from me (and probably be successful) and since it's my fantasy, I won't have it.
Jeff | Jul 7, 2008 6:46:20 PM | #Michael, Walt, Sun, Sayid, and Hugo. Three alternates would have to be Mr. Eko, Ana-Lucia and Shannon.
Mark O. Estes | Jul 7, 2008 7:56:47 PM | #1. Kate--she probably doesn't have the best personality 24/7, but eh; plus, she can shoot straight, she's a damn fine kisser, and she probably knows how to survive better than any of the other women on the island.
2. Claire, but only if she weren't pregnant--I doubt Kate and I would become, er, "familiar," but I'd chase Claire to New Zealand and back.
3. Sayid--he has a deep backstory, he knows quite a lot, and he would probably be quite a good conversationalist once it became clear that he wouldn't have to torture anyone or become a hostage of a crazy French woman.
4. Rose--She would be my Jiminy Cricket for when I started lusting too much after Claire, plus I imagine she's a damn fine cook (Bernard certainly seems to be well-fed anyway) and probably enjoys a good talk.
5. Any of the anonymous red shirts--That way, if there were ever a time when a sacrifice had to be made, well, they'd get the knife.
Alternates would be Juliet (her medical knowledge and overall organizations skills would be invaluable), Bernard (so Rose wouldn't get lonely) and Vincent (he's a dog, yeah, but what better companion can one ask for?).
The only reason I didn't include Hurley in this list is that I'm fairly humorous on my own, and as Robin Williams says, "Two comedians sharing the same stage is like two lions fighting over the same lioness in heat...somebody's gonna die!"
Honestly, if it were up to me, I'd be Tom Hanks in Castaway, anyway. Most of the time, I'm downright misanthropic, so not having to share an island of plentiful bounty (especially if it had a hatch with 70s LPs and a decent library) would be heaven. Well, Claire could come. It's that accent, purrrrrrrrr...
Dark Disciple | Jul 7, 2008 8:28:27 PM | #Hi Guys!! I missed you over the holiday. I would choose Jack (I love him) as the resident doctor; Sayid because he is smart and will assist in our rescue; Hurley because he is so much fun; Jin for the fish and Sawyer because him and Jack would fight over me...that is their destiny to compete.
JeffC
Although I know it was difficult for you I am glad you went w/the initial so we can know it is you when you comment...Hopefully there wont be another JeffC to show up and throw a monkey wrench in our now confusion free blog.
kelster | Jul 7, 2008 8:50:09 PM | #I just thought of something...For entertainment purposes we could have Sawyer and the psychic Malkin on the island together so they can discuss their biggest cons...We wouldn't miss tv or radio. I would say Locke's father also but I don't know if I could deal w/his murder after he revealed his alias of Tom Sawyer to the group.
kelster | Jul 7, 2008 8:55:46 PM | #I would say Juliet, Kate, Faraday, Sayid and definitely Vincent.
My first thought was Desmond, but I wouldn't want to separate him from Penny. Alternates would be Sun, Jin, Hurley or Naomi (from the freighter).
Jessica | Jul 7, 2008 8:57:09 PM | #OK Jessica just out of curiosity why Naomi?
kelster | Jul 7, 2008 9:13:59 PM | #Is it me or is the Dark Disciple AFTER your column Ryan?
Going all Ben to your Widmore?
Gosh darn, he has to reply to every word you write.
Newest LOST Theory:
Ryan is the Dark Disciple and just carefully analyzing himself?
Now that's a whole new hatch...
Jiminy Cricket | Jul 7, 2008 9:30:03 PM | #Kelster,
Naomi reminds me of a female version of Sayid in a way. She seemed very highly trained and capable of survival (unfortunately her fate on the island was cut short for us to see these qualities). Wasn't she chosen to see to it that the freighter people's mission got carried out? Pretty heavy responsibility if you ask me. Therefore if Sayid (my first choice) was not available for island crashing, I'd want someone similar to him with me. She seems to fit the bill.
Now I've been accused of many things in my life, but being schizophrenic/multiple personality on a blog? Now that is a first! I laughed so hard I nearly...no you didn't...yes you did, don't argue with me...I'm telling you that my sides were splitting...*slap*...*swat*...
*ahem*
Anyway, rest assured that Ryan and I are two completely different people, and that I'm just naturally long-winded. No chicanery involved here, although it would be rather fun to have my own blog on which to spout off about TV and such. I really did bust a gut laughing about that, though. :P
Dark Disciple | Jul 7, 2008 10:58:24 PM | #Damn Juliet...
I almost believed you...
I am voting for Ryan for President because if someone with this keen of an eye can commit to a television show, i personally believe he could end this war. All Hail Ryan! The Four-Toed LOST King.
And NO Dark Disciple YOU have to move to push the donkey wheel and find your own island/blog....
Ryan - miss your podcasts and getting your wife's comments. Think she'd post her Party of Five list?
djc | Jul 8, 2008 3:55:42 AM | #djc, I'm so flattered that you want to hear from me!
Well since I'm Ryan's wife, I've decided to bend the rules a little bit for my own purposes. It's nice to be able to do that.
So my version of Craphole Island would resemble Gilligan's Island more than Cast Away, and, just for fun, if I were Ginger Grant and wanted to have the LA lifestyle on an island "paradise" who would help me achieve that?
Libby - therapist
Tom Friendly - stylist
Mr. Eko - "spiritual advisor"
Claire - gal pal with whom I would have a reality show once rescued (we both outgrew a Goth phase, and I think we'd get along)
Boone - personal assistant (he's so eager to please)
Runner up would be Ana Lucia as personal trainer, but only if she'd agree to keep her mouth shut. This, however, is why she remains a runner up.
As far as like "food" or "medical care" was concerned, these are only secondary worries for an Hollywood diva. And as for the aforementioned, ahem, "cuddle" buddies, if I can't have my man Ryan McGee, I will make do to pine away like Desmond. It will give the eventual Lifetime movie much more gravitas.
Thanks for asking!
Diana | Jul 8, 2008 4:35:53 AM | #These posts are SO amusing (what a shame that theres a whole portion of people that wouldn't get the joke).
I think that the "DD is Ryan" idea is even more funny, since I have been re-reading old posts and there was a time that DD thought that others weren't reading his posts and he was going to leave. Hmmm.... (I'm learning everything about you all!)
Debra | Jul 8, 2008 5:03:25 AM | #Alrighty, here we go:
Kate Austen
She can pick fruit like nobody's business; she's athletic; she'll single handedly rescue you from peril and she's ridiculously good looking
Juliet Burke
She's a doctor; she's resourceful; she's caring; she's sharp as a tack; she can be as dangerous as a cobra and she's also ridiculously good looking
James Ford
Just to sit around and listen to the nicknames he calls people would make the months fly by. He's the only guy I'd want to play Island poker with. He's fiercely loyal and heroic (when he wants to be). And the man can shoot!
Hugo Reyes
This guy is already so much like my friends, we'd go together like peas and carrots. He also has the uncanny ability to avoid danger, which is a plus.
Sayid Jarrah
He's a lover, a fighter, a fixer of all things electronic or mechanical; he's fiercely loyal and watches over his flock with vigilance. He's pretty much the coolest man in the world.
Runners-up include Daniel Faraday (who I'd hate to separate from Charlotte), Claire Littleton and Richard Alpert.
JeffC | Jul 8, 2008 5:32:22 AM | #I love animals so,
VINCENT: Because he's a cute, smart, loyal dog that I can pal around with. Plus, throw in Nadia the cat and I'm all set since I'm more of a cat person anyway.
KATE: Because she is just so tough, caring and good at survival.
SUN and JIN: Because they are good people who are both quite handy at gardening and fishing. Without medication Sun's homeopathic remedies would be necessary.
CHARLIE: Because I love music and I would be bored out of my mind without it. I would definately need someone who could sing and play guitar so we could all dance and sing along for fun.
Well, that leaves out any manly eye candy for me since Vincent counts as 1 of the 5. I guess I'll just be left to pine away for my husband until I am rescued.
Chris | Jul 8, 2008 6:05:35 AM | #Kate:
Staring at her ass would make the time fly by. Plus she has some survival skills. I'll give her a pass on the whole murder thing just because she's so ridiculously good looking. (gotta love the Zoolander JeffC)
Sayid:
Dude has skills enough to get us off the island.
Juliette:
Need her doctoring skills plus if I strike out with Kate (and I definately would, in fact if it was just me and her, I'd still find a way to screw up) she's a damn fine looking woman.
Desmond:
Just for the accent. And I want him to call me brother.
Jin:
I loves me some fish. Plus this way he'd still be alive and I wouldnt be sad.
A midsummer podcast, you say? Hmmm...I think I could pull one together in the near future. Now I'm off to buy the wife some libations for said podcast...
Ryan | Jul 8, 2008 6:20:45 AM | #A life on an island and who’d be the winners lucky enough to be stranded with me…
1. Dr. Arzt—The fountain of knowledge springing from this man would be truly invaluable. Whether it’s oceanic currents, or how best to handle (or not!) decayed dynamite, I think we ALL have a little piece of Doc on ALL of us.
2. Kate—She’s got skills not only for tracking, but she’s probably a master of the bow-staff as well. Bonus: No one looks better without make-up or pants.
3. Jack—To be cut up and used for chum while I shark hunt with…
4. Jin—His mastery in the art of fishing would be more than an asset. His lack of knowledge of the English language would keep annoying chit-chat to a minimum.
5. One of the red-shirts that came running out of the cabin in “The Shape of Things To Come”. Why? Someone’s gotta take a bullet for Ol’ Brian Of The North!
DD -- Oh I just to add (since this is the internet and you can't see a person's face to tell the tone), is that you DO realize I'm just kidding you! It's truly obvious from remarks and life situations (Ryan is married, DD is not) that you are two different people. I'm merely trying to kid the "kidder"!
Debra | Jul 8, 2008 8:16:29 AM | #Wow, what happened to Zap2it's style sheet all of a sudden?
JeffC | Jul 8, 2008 8:26:07 AM | #Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip that started from a Sydney port aboard a tiny ship.
The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew (me) the Tempest would be Lost, the Tempest would be Lost.
The ship's aground on the shores of this uncharted desert isle, with:
Siansonea
Jack Shepard too
Sawyer Ford
and Sayid
Rose Henderson
The Professer Dan, Faraday
Here on Siansonea's Island!
[end music]
Why did I choose these people for my wacky sitcom stranding on a desert island?
Rose: she's the epitome of calm, and she seems like someone I could spend a lot of time talking to. But on a regular island, she might die of cancer. :(
Jack Shepard: natural leader, hot, medical skills, hot, and did I mention hot?
Sayid: natural leader, hot, survival skills, hot, and also hot.
Daniel: smart as a whip, inventive, and I think he's geeky hot.
Sawyer: rakish, hot, useless, hot, and also oddly charming. I would look downright industrious next to good ol' James.
Plus, with all those guys around Rose and I wouldn't have to lift a finger. :)
Jin almost made the list, but I wouldn't want to separate him from Sun, though Sun would be a good alternate for Rose. Sun's pregnancy might be problematic.
Hugo almost made the list, but I want to be the jokester du jour.
Mr. Eko almost made the list, but ultimately his skills are too similar to Sayid's, and I like Sayid's accent better.
Charlie almost made the list, but I didn't want to be helping him kick the smack for the first month on the island.
Desmond almost made the list, but he's too hung up on Penny to give me a chance.
Siansonea | Jul 8, 2008 8:28:10 AM | #
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