Men of Faith

Image via WikipediaMaybe it's the fact that X-men and Lost (thar be spoilers here...) have just been the things I've been watching over the last few days but no one else see the John Locke, Charles Xavier links? I don't just mean bald andImage via Wikipedia associated with wheelchairs. They both play similar roles in their duos. You have Xavier and Magneto. Xavier has a dream and believes that it can happen. Magneto on the other hand doubts that what Xavier believes is even possible. Then you've got John Locke and Jack. Again Locke believes, Jack doubts it's possible. Magneto and Jack have their own as they see it more realistic dreams. But in the end the moral of the story in both X-men and Lost is that the believers are right. They're both really interesting characters. Locke is tormented by his past but finds his purpose on the island and each time he almost gives up the Island reaffirms his purpose. Then when he leaves the Island and nothing can reaffirm his purpose he kills himself. So whilst his faith that there is purpose is a driving force of the show it isn't enough to sustain him. But in killing himself he finishes his purpose is fulfilled and leads to his hopes being achieved. Others follow him at points but he never has a true convert until the very end when Jack believes fully and honours his memory. From the X-men I've seen/read Xavier has converts they believe too and take on his role as leaders in the faith. But he still has the same role to play against Magneto he must show him that there is more to the world than is limited broken view. Admittedly I'm straining the two comparisons but it's just a cool theme in both things. The rivalry between adversaries and competition between two incompatible views of the world. There's definitely more in the Man of Faith concept though and how it plays out in fiction but I might come back to that another day.