Why Richard Was Upset When Locke Chose the Knife
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By kissmyapocalypse
- Why Richard Was Upset When Locke Chose the Knife
- Created: May 10, 2008
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 4.11: Cabin Fever
- Status: Current
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“Richard thought Locke was born to join him on the island. But when Locke chose a crude, rough hunting knife, a different fate was revealed.”
— kissmyapocalypse
I’ve posted for a while, mostly trying to poke holes in other people’s arguments, but this is my first theory. It’s a collaboration with my girlfriend, who pretends not to like Lost. Forgive us if someone else had the idea first; if they did, I couldn’t find it. Anyway, please feel free to poke holes. Here goes…
When Richard Alpert came to test little Locke by having him choose objects that were “already his,” baby John chose a vial of sand and a compass. These were both indicative of a future on the island. Richard was openly pleased with these choices, just as he was impressed with the drawing of the smoke monster… he thought Locke was born to join him on the island. But when little Locke chose a crude, rough hunting knife, a different fate was revealed. And it made Alpert kinda cranky.
Little Locke wasn’t wrong when he decided the knife was his… but Alpert was upset because it wasn’t the outcome he was hoping for. Locke chose a future with the Losties, while Richard was trying to recruit him to Mittelos/DI/The Others.
Everybody knows Locke is “special” and destined to end up on the island. But Richard thinks he should be on his side (because he’s his son? I don’t know if I’m willing to go that far) so he recruits him with the test and the summer camp. But Locke’s got other ideas. His science teacher probably wasn’t doing Mittelos any favors with the “you can’t be a superhero” speech, as we could all respond in unison with Locke… “Don’t tell me what I can’t do!”
From a very young age he holds a hunting knife much like he does on the island… examining it, admiring it, clearly in control… I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a kid hold a knife like that. It’s as if he’s already been on that walkabout.
But that walkabout is mutually exclusive with a life with Mittelos. Richard’s not gonna be the one to get Locke onto the island. So Abaddon had to “course-correct” (much like Ms. Hawking) by planting the idea of the walkabout. His speech is (obviously) a lot more convincing, probably because he’s telling Locke not to let people (especially himself) tell him what he can’t do. How could he not eat that up! So of course it leads to a crash landing on the island. Where Locke finally gets that walkabout, and learns what he’s made of, who he really is.
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| John | John Locke | 3.3, 2.17, 1.4, 1.19, 3.13, 3.19, 4.11, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1231 |
| Matthew | Matthew Abaddon | 52 | |
| Richard | Richard Alpert | 310 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.11 | Cabin Fever | 5-8-2008 | John | 215 |
Key events
| Theme | Relevant Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|
| Locke Can Walk | 288 | |
| Locke has close encounter with the monster | 1.4 | 193 |
| Locke, Kate, and Michael hunt boar | 1.4 | 57 |
Key locations
| Theme | Relevant Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob’s Cabin | 4.1, 3.20 | 163 |
wow +1, great theory, both of you. The thing that is kind of awkward tho is the point you made about Locke being too comfortable with the knife, like he’s already been on the walkabout. What if he already had been on that walkabout subconsciously or something. Also, how did Richard know/find out about Locke. How on earth was he at the hospital precisely the time Locke was born? It’s like he already knew about Locke’s future and was trying to change it, moreover than write it. Maybe he was upset because nothing changed, and Locke still chose to be a Lostie. who knows. Good Theory tho.
well this has a contradiciotn, basically RIchard didnt want him to have the knife, but Abbadon clearly told him to take a knife and a compass on the walkabout? so how can this explain that abbadon and richard are working toghther
George, I don’t think Richard and Abaddon are working together. Quite opposite, I think Richard wants Locke to join the Others, while Abaddon just wants to make sure he’s on the island. Locke “chose” to end up on the island with the Losties instead of following Richard. Why Abaddon wants Locke on the island… I’m not so sure. Is he just a mysterious fate-like figure like Ms. Hawking? Is he with Widmore or the DI? (cos Abaddon picked the Freighter crew, and the Freighter has apparent ties to Widmore and DI) Why would they want Locke on the island, anyway? Maybe it’s so he can get the “one” that Locke owes him? You tell me.
In any case, I think he’s shaping up to be one of the more intriguing characters on the show.
Very good for a first post. +1 and welcome to the site.
This is a very good post for it being your first one. i like it except I do not think that Richard and Abaddon are working for the same person. I think Richard was there for the others/Ben and Abaddon was there for either Widmore or himself. Remember when we saw Abaddon when he came to see Hurley at the Mental Hospital? He asks “Are they still alive?” If he was working with Ben he would know that there are survivors and he even tells Naomi that there are no survivors of flight 815. Widmore would not know that there are survivors from 815 cuz all he cares about is the island and he can’t even find let alone know who is on it.
I think you’re on to something. If you incorporate the time loop theory, Richard was upset that little Locke chose the knife because Locke wasn’t “ready”. Read for what? For Richard to take Locke with him and push Locke into the island’s time loop at an earlier age. Richard and the others need Locke, he is clearly destined to save the island, and Richard was hoping to get a head start. Locke wasn’t ready though, and Richard was disappointed by this, something he probably knew but didn’t want to admit.
great theory. good job guys. I wonder if Abaddon time traveled to be with locke in the hospital to set up a time when Locke would owe him a favor.