Jack doesn’t trust JBurke
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By tr41c
- Jack doesn’t trust JBurke
- Created: Apr 28, 2008
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 4.9: The Shape of Things to Come
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
Jack is feigning trust in his relationship with JBurke for the benefit of himself and his friends; he has garnered much intel from this ploy.
I don’t believe Jack trusts JBurke. He has just moved from the short con that was typical in his early relationship with her (“I’m a repo-man” ) to the long con (this apparent trust/”love” business). Interestingly Jack regularly declares his trust of JB only after those he truly trusts make it clear they don’t trust her and hold her to account (e.g. Jack waits until Kate makes it her business to check out JB’s story in the tempest before he declares he is going to take her at her word) We must remember Jack has openly declared his love for Kate in the midst of this “growing relationship” with JB. Don’t forget these lost writers love parallels. Do you remember how Jack winks at Kate when he feigns cooperation with DF and Miles, because he knows his friends have his back. She is frustrated but she should have learn from this that what Jack does shouldn’t be taken at face value when it comes to folks outside his normal sphere of trust. Jin made the mistake of taking Jack at his word about “friends” when he let CSLewis and DF go off on their own without reporting it to Jack. Do you remember the look on Jack’s face when Jin reminds Jack of his own word, “You said they were friends”. I believe his look communicated unbelief and frustration that anyone would have taken him seriously; haven’t they learned the benefits of the long con? Just think of the early intel Jack has garnered from this relationship (e.g. he learned of the true nature of JB’s mission before the rest of the group). I think this show is all about the “long con”, and I think Jack is getting really good at it; maybe too good!
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack | Jack Shephard | 1.1, 1.5, 2.11, 1.11, 1.16, 1.20, 3.9, 3.22, 3.1, 4.10, 4.12, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1459 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 | The Other Woman | 3-6-2008 | Juliet | 47 |
Key locations
| Theme | Relevant Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|
| The Tempest Station | 4.6 | 35 |
I have definately toyed with the idea that Jack is merely feigning trust in Juliet in order to obtain inside information. At the same time, I also believe that it is possible that Jack really does care for Juliet and vice versa. Either way, nice post, +1.
I had always thought Jack was brainwashed into trusting Juliet. Maybe on Room 23 even. Especially that scene where he was tossing the football with Tom. That right there made me think he got brainwashed somehow.
You are right Lostian, I should have left room for the possibility there are some real feelings at work here as well.
Brainwashing, I hadn’t thought of that lateralus. Hey, I really liked your Black Rock journal auction post. Where did that dynamite come from? Have you had any other thoughts?
no way, he trusts her 100%. well, maybe 75%. but do you really think jack would do that to someone - con them? jack knows nothing about long cons, and i doubt sawyer sat him down and talked him through it. :)
I think it would have been out of character for Jack to do such a thing prior to coming on the Island belle13. Jack’s conscience wouldn’t allow him to lie to save even his own father, but we know that Jack is becoming a different man, a man who will lie to save those he love (e.g. he will purger himself to save the woman he really loves;namely, Kate). I think he is already lying to Juliet (here on the island) to save Kate. His metamorphosis is almost complete.
just wanted to add to that last comment by tr41c, at the beginning Jack would never have shot anyone, but he shot Locke with the gun thinking it was loaded. That moment really showed how much his character has evolved.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Jack cares about everyone, usually too much. I do agree that he is playing Juliet. I don’t think I would call it a “long con” because that would imply some kind of payoff at the end. I think he is just using her for information. And for that matter, she is playing Jack too.
Thanks for the help IamJacob.
abstractarzt, I see your point about the “long con” language. It does suggest the kind of thing that normally results in a personal payoff (often times monetary) in the end, but I think the writers have been hinting at the idea that the con in the hands of a decent person like Jack can have a different outcome. I’m thinking of the con Hurley played on Sawyer, the outcome of which was altruistic, Hurley gets nothing but the community benefits from Sawyer’s good deeds. I think Jack’s long con is similarly meant to benefit the community. Given Jack’s propensity for saving people (even against their own will”, his long con may even be intended to save Juliet.
This is how Sawyer defined a long con in S02E13:
SAWYER: It works by getting someone to ask you to do something like it’s their idea, but it’s not their idea, it’s your idea. …
I’ll agree, the payoff doesn’t need to be money or even be a personal payoff. But it would be something that 1) Juliet already has, 2) Jack knows Juliet has, and 3) Juliet would probably be against giving up if Jack just asked for it (even if he said pretty please and kissed her on the cheek). The only thing I can think of that Juliet could have is information, which she already shares with Jack. She does hold back a lot of information, but when it is needed, she comes out with it.
Juliet could know a way to get off the island, but Jack would have to know she knows this before he could run a long con for it.
I do agree with the trust issues. As well as Jack becoming a different man.
I may be wrong in my thinking abstractarzt, it wouldn’t be the first time. I think time will tell.
Or you could be dead on. That’s the beauty of the long con, you don’t see it coming.