Thoughts on Alex: Why is She “Good”?
In episode 2x15, we learn that a young girl among the Others helped Claire escape before the Dharma doctors could take her baby. It’s fairly safe to assume that the girl is Rousseau’s daughter, Alex (it seems obvious, yet the show was coy about her identity so we could potentially be in for a surprise). Obviously, a thorough examination of Alex won’t be possible until more information is revealed about her, but her rescue of Claire brings up some intriguing questions.
According to Rousseau, the Others took Alex when she was an infant. Although Alex was raised by the Others and would no doubt have been indoctrinated in their philosophies, she apparently does not support their activities. She was so determined to thwart the Others’ plan to take Claire’s baby that she had a rag soaked in chloroform (or some similar substance) ready in case Claire resisted her rescue. When Claire told Rousseau about her experience in the medical hatch, she described her rescuer as being different from the Others and added, “She was good.”
Why did Alex rescue Claire? I see three possibilities.
Although it takes place weeks after the flashbacks in Maternity Leave, Alex was first introduced in episode 2x11 when Mr. Friendly called on her to bring Kate out when he was talking with Jack, John, and Sawyer. Although she is not seen, it is clear that Alex was restraining Kate in the background. Since Alex was responsible for freeing Claire, it seems strange that she should be trusted to guard another detained castaway.
Why did the Others trust Alex with a prisoner again? Once again, I can think of three potential answers.
Of course, there is the possibility that everything we know about Alex is wrong. Rousseau is not the most reliable of narrators. Perhaps she was rescued by Alex at some point, as Claire was, and imagined that her rescuer was her daughter. Or, she may be working with the Others and using Alex as part of her cover story.
What we do know is this: the castaways have a secret ally among the Others. This is a plot point I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of in the future.
According to Rousseau, the Others took Alex when she was an infant. Although Alex was raised by the Others and would no doubt have been indoctrinated in their philosophies, she apparently does not support their activities. She was so determined to thwart the Others’ plan to take Claire’s baby that she had a rag soaked in chloroform (or some similar substance) ready in case Claire resisted her rescue. When Claire told Rousseau about her experience in the medical hatch, she described her rescuer as being different from the Others and added, “She was good.”
Why did Alex rescue Claire? I see three possibilities.
- Alex saved Claire to prevent more death among her people from castaways seeking revenge. In episode 2x7, Goodwin told Anna Lucia that the Others changed their plans about kidnapping the strong castaways when two of them were killed. He was still trying to conceal his identity at that point, but there may have been some truth to his remark. The deaths of the four Others among the tail section passengers may have similarly persuaded Alex that the Others’ project involving the castaways wasn’t worth the risk.
- Alex knew that she was kidnapped as a child and rescued Claire to prevent a similar situation. However, if she knows of her circumstances, it is strange that she should return to the Others after betraying them by freeing Claire instead of searching for her mother. There are three possible reasons for this; 1) she is protecting her mother by avoiding a reunion, 2) she has further plans to sabotage the Others’ plans and doesn’t want to lose her infiltrated position, and 3) she doesn’t know that her mother is still alive.
- Alex simply developed an independent conscience that told her that kidnapping is wrong.
Although it takes place weeks after the flashbacks in Maternity Leave, Alex was first introduced in episode 2x11 when Mr. Friendly called on her to bring Kate out when he was talking with Jack, John, and Sawyer. Although she is not seen, it is clear that Alex was restraining Kate in the background. Since Alex was responsible for freeing Claire, it seems strange that she should be trusted to guard another detained castaway.
Why did the Others trust Alex with a prisoner again? Once again, I can think of three potential answers.
- They never found out that Alex helped Claire escape. When Ethan took Claire to the tree stump near the medical hatch, he told her that the Others were concerned about the possibility that she would try to escape. They may have simply assumed that Claire got away without help.
- They assumed that Rousseau, who rescued Claire in the jungle after Alex freed her, was responsible for the entire escape. (This possibility would also explain why the medical hatch was abandoned. The Others may have believed that Rousseau was looking for her daughter but found Claire instead so they quickly left before she could come back.)
- They knew of Alex’s involvement and assumed that the castaways did too. They had Alex bring out Kate to prove to Jack that she was loyal to them. They might also have given Alex the same mind-weakening drug that Claire was on, which would limit her choice in the matter.
Of course, there is the possibility that everything we know about Alex is wrong. Rousseau is not the most reliable of narrators. Perhaps she was rescued by Alex at some point, as Claire was, and imagined that her rescuer was her daughter. Or, she may be working with the Others and using Alex as part of her cover story.
What we do know is this: the castaways have a secret ally among the Others. This is a plot point I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of in the future.
posted by Chris at 7:29 PM
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