I agree with you on some aspects. Although Jack is my favorite character, I feel that he's making a bad choice by letting Juliet come back with them. We don't know her true intentions yet so we cannot say that she is a bad person. We can only assume..He's bringing her back because she was left behind by her own people. He can't just abandon her now and let her roam the jungle when theres that crazy ass smoke monster out there. Her people probably took all the food and supplies too so she can't really fend for herself in the middle of the jungle. It is not in Jacks character or nature to leave anyone behind.

However, lately something doesn't add up. Jack and Locke are the two people that we would least suspect of betraying their own or even taking bribes. The others have obviously done something to Jack because his whole character and personality have almost flip flopped completely. The same goes for Locke. Kate keeps saying "what have they done to you?" and after that episode revealing the brainwashing station, I wouldn't be surprised if the others messed with Jack and Locke's head. We know that part of Jacks motivation for leaving the island was because of the whole kate and sawyer incident. He's fed up with the island and the people on it and he just wants out. But the way that he's been acting and more recently how Locke acted around Kate, is too surprising to be a coincidence. I know every man has his price but there's more to the reason behind their actions than just flat out abandonment and selfishness.

As for the comment about getting a leader that cares about the people. Jack was the one who put his neck on the line for so many others so he deserves more credit than that. He was pulling people out of the burning wreckage, tried to save boons life, resusitated charlie when he was hanged, and even after not wanting to be the leader he finally came to terms with what must be done and he took responsibility and leadership. After 90 days on the island it's very possible that he's sick of it all. He doesn't want to be this leader and he just wants to go back to his normal life and not be looked up to as mr. fix it.

I like Jack. He is a good guy in my book.
But he is also self rightous and seriously lacking in humility.
He thinks he is right and you are wrong. And yes he won't hesitate in a crisis to help someone, but it is more about him not wanting to fail than a natural compassion toward the victim. IMO

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Doctor playing golf. Woo, boy howdy, now I've heard everything. What's next, cop eating a donut?

Yeah i'll agree that his motivation for helping someone is motivated more toward his obsesion of not wanting to fail. But also, I believe that a leader must carry traits such as confidence that he is right. Otherwise you aren't a leader and you can fall victim to letting people tell you what to do. It's obvious that Jack is far from perfect and he does have very conspicuous flaws.

You all have made valid points and I hav found out that i dont know as much as I thought I did..LOL..you guys really know the show and dig deep...Im very impressed..thanks for all the great replies...As for Juliet being trustworthy..Im not buying it yet. shes lied every chance theyve given her. she needs to do alot to win me back

I still think the line from Ben Linus to Jack about don't you find it interesting that Juliet looks so much like Sarah (paraphrase) is important to why Jack acts the way (knowingly or unknowingly) he does toward Juliet. Ben finds whatever weakness he can to exploit whatever he can gain from his victim. He is merciless in that sense, using children or loved ones against someone, there is no sympathy there, no compassion or concern for anyone's feelings or situation. Yes, Jack is confident and sometimes arrogant, but we know he has vunerabilites and feelings, too. He is decisive which is a trait people want in a leader - make a decision (we might complain about it later, but at least you made one, taking the pressure off of me to have to decide and risk the anger of the mob) and if he does vacillate on something he's been known to quietly ask the council of others, he's talked to Sayid, John, and Kate. We must also remember they've only known each other 80 days (not the three years that we are experiencing) less than three months. How many of us have worked with people for years and yet know very little about the personal life or even interact with them outside of work? I think like all the characters on Lost there is an ebb and flow to their emotions, actions, reactions, feelings, etc... Some days the characters are strong, confident, assured, accepted, far-sighted, selfless, etc... and other days they are weak, needy, desperate, lonely, short-sighted, greedy, as we all tend to be in life. Motivations change for everyone and that includes Jack, what originally might have seemed important (and might still be) perhaps has changed for Jack, but that doesn't mean that it will stay that way - that is the beauty of the show - the evolution of each character as they rise to or fall to each challenge that they face. Not all of them always do so well, to err is human. That struggle to be the best you can be, to overcome the obstacles you have faced in your life, to say despite every horrid thing that has been thrown in my face (or I have caused) to prevent my success in life I will not give up - is what is fascinating about Lost. There is a refining by fire that is the island going on with each lostie as they seek redemption, peace, purpose for their lives, and some have many impurities that have to painfully be removed in that fire. I'm sure there is purpose to Jack's script and storyline in the big picture of Lost, but they only have 40 minutes once a week to convey a story that includes a huge cast who all need their own stories told. I hope you don't give up on Lost!

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`Dear, dear! How queer everything is to-day! And yesterday things went on just as usual. I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is, Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle!'

-- Alice, from “Alice’s Adventure’s in Wonderland”

great questions you asked emeek77-- I agree that watching the lack of communication between losties is getting tedious at this point of the show- grab an apple on the way back, sit down for 15 minutes and it'll all become clear that Juliette needs to be left in the woods Nathan-style (can't remember what happened to the guy btw.. is he dead? is he around?). I'm hoping Sayyid will take care of things next tuesday ..

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"Bear...? Is that you?"-- Hurley S03E4

Who is Nathan? Are you talking about the man that Goodwin killed?

I hope Sayid extracts all the useful information from Juliet. And I hope they at least tie or handcuff Julie.

I have really enjoyed season 3, and have found it challenging at times which I like. Jack has always proceeded as leader from the beginning. He denies it, rejects it and pouts about it, but in the end he always takes control. Sayid, Locke, Sawyer have always challenged Jack's authority along the way and so it will be continued with the Juliet situation and it offers a good balance. Sayid will bide his time, and keep his eyes open to the possibility that Juliet is a plant. Kate certainly doesn't trust Juliet, but probably for more personal reasons than logical. The lack of communication among the losties is frustrating, but it is a reality about humans in general. We all get wrapped up in our own perspective, it is our nature.

I agree, I really like season 3 also. If people would just sit back and watch the mysteries reveal themselves I think people would be a lot happier with it. It seems to me everyone wants to know everything they have ever presented as a mystery on the island to be revealed in one or two episodes which is not going to happen. I mean the mystery of the show is the whole appeal, once the unknown is known the fun is over and so is the show.

Exactly Darnzy - it's a story that has to work itself out. The fun is the anticipation from week to week. If they wanted to give us all the answers all at once we all could read a story outline and be done and not have to watch the tv at all.

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`Dear, dear! How queer everything is to-day! And yesterday things went on just as usual. I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is, Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle!'

-- Alice, from “Alice’s Adventure’s in Wonderland”