One of my favorite scenes in LOST - and one of the most iconic in the series - is the opener of The Incident, which at last introduces us to the elusive Jacob and reveals that he has a nemesis.
When I watch this scene, I can't help being reminded of the old Looney Tunes cartoons about Ralph the Wolf and Sam the Sheepdog. Ralph spends his day trying to steal Sam's sheep, while Sam spends his day trying to thwart his efforts. Just when it seems like one will have the definitive victory, the bell rings to signal the end of the workday, and they cease their chase, exchanging pleasantries before they head home in separate directions.
Jacob and his Nemesis measure their existence in eras rather than days, but it seems that at the end of each era, they too have this moment. Just how genuine is their enmity, anyway? Do they truly hate one another? Or is it more of a partnership? Here are some musings from Jacob, to the tune of John Denver's Poems, Prayers and Promises. (Hat-tip to my good friend Beth, whose contemplation on the possible alchemical framework of LOST gave me the perfect way to extend my slightly reworked version of Jacob's famous quote.)
Tallies, Time and Tapestries
I’ve been on this Island for a long, long time -
Just how long, you know, my old friend.
Although you don’t believe in my grand design,
I’ll prove that you’re mistaken in the end.
We’ve waged an epic battle. I summon, you repel.
You see the worst in men, I see the best.
We keep the scales in balance, do our duties well.
But now and then, it’s nice to have a rest.
You and I understand
How years slip past like grains of sand
Until we stand again as brothers on this shore.
You’re dark and I am light, but now, we needn’t fight.
We have a chance to meet as equals, to enjoy a warm rapport
And talk of tallies, time and tapestries
And which of us is winning,
And whether it has been a waste
And when we will be done.
Why does the world have suffering?
Does fate or free will triumph?
Might we part in friendship when at last the war is won?
You see the ship is coming now; we’ll soon resume our game.
I know what you will have to say to that.
“They come, they fight, destroy, corrupt… It always ends the same.”
How well we have rehearsed our little chat!
You know as well as I do what I’ll tell you in response,
What I’ve replied for centuries untold.
“You’re wrong,” I’ll calmly counter. “My friend, it just ends once.
The rest is progress - lead refined to gold.”
You and I understand
How years slip past like grains of sand
Until we stand again as brothers on this shore.
You’re dark and I am light, but now, we needn’t fight.
We have a chance to meet as equals as we often have before
And talk of tallies, time and tapestries
And which of us is winning,
And whether it has been a waste
And when we will be done.
Why does the world have suffering?
Does fate or free will triumph?
Might we part in friendship when at last the war is won?
Poems, Prayers and Promises
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