[spoilers] Lucas. Just Lucas.

[NightOwl]

(27-10-2010 02:52 AM)A Cousin Wrote:  

(26-10-2010 09:10 PM)NightOwl Wrote:  Wow. Maybe we should talk about something less contentious like politics or religion.

LOL! I find that little is less contentious. It is a testament to the writers that they can create characters (all of them) that we connect with so vehemently. But at least we are finally getting to the crux of the problem for those who feel Lucas is being ruined.

(26-10-2010 09:10 PM)NightOwl Wrote:  The storyline isn't working for a number of us who believe that the characterzation of Lucas is inconsistent with series 7 and 8. It has nothing to do with idolizing him or believing him to be a "holier than thou god-like figure" (I believe that would be a better description of the Harry fans!)

Now, now was that last comment really necessary? That implies that we should be choosing favorites. Is it a choice between the two because I certainly hope not. I try to embrace all of the characters, their individual plot lines and their POVs as it pertains to the overall themes of each series. Spooks at its heart is an ensemble piece. One character is no less important than another. Which leads me to my next point.

Before I make it, let me just go on the record as saying that my next comment is not directed only to you Nightowl, but to everyone on this thread who believe that the Lucas character is being inconsistently portrayed thus far in S9.

My gripe is with the writers too but for a different reason. I think they neglected properly developing the character of Lucas through S7 and S8. He has been a character that I have had a very hard time understanding and connecting with. Many of you have expressed in this very thread that you feel in the minority in your understanding of Lucas as illustrated by the penchant for defending him so passionately. That's not your fault. It is the fault of the writers for not making Lucas a character more could relate to in S7 and S8. I do thank all of you for helping me understand him better. However, for me, he was developed in S7 and S8 as a one-trick-pony kind of character: damaged but loyal. S9 and especially 9.6 was the first time I have had any kind of sympathy and emotional connection with Lucas. I have finally been able to see the duality of his character because of everything that has happened to him, how he tortures himself and fights to maintain his honorable and loyal side despite the horrors he has been through. A fight he happens to be losing at the moment. I don't think that is character assassination. I think the Lucas character is finally getting his well deserved and long awaited development.

And stepping back from Lucas to the programme as a whole, I think his charcter arc this series is successfully illustrating the overall theme of how they live with the choices they make as well as how they lose their "selves" because of the decisions they make. Lucas has lost the music. He epitomizes the ultimate loss of self - literally and figuratively.

Also for the record, I ain't buying the Maya thing either but it isn't over yet. However, while his very honorable love for Maya is a portion of it, what is really sending him over the edge is the secret of his life as John yet to be revealed. But what happened to him in Russia makes how he reacts to (whatever it is) that happened to him prior to joining the service in a different way. He is not the John he was when he became Lucas. He can't be. I think that though Lucas' melt down, the writers have so far successfully given us something I find fascinating to explore.

I don't know how to quote bits and pieces so I have to address the whole post at once.

RE Harry fans - I'm not saying that people should choose favorites, though clearly people will have their favorites, just "Pot meet kettle."

As for Lucas's character development, I didn't see him as one-trick pony. I felt that I did know him. Yes, he can be summed up as damaged but loyal. But I saw him as a man who had lost everything, was trying to rebuild what he could, and needed to believe it was all worthwhile even as a nagging doubt told him it wasn't. I may not have read Lucas correctly, but I don't think it's entirely unreasonable view.

I disagree that it's his secret life in Africa, not his love for Maya, that's sending him over the edge. Vaughn said in 9x6 that he involved Maya because that's the leverage to manipulate Lucas. Whatever happened in Africa, without Maya the story as written wouldn't work. (Not that I think it does work, but you know what I mean.) I wish I could separate cause and effect and simply enjoy Lucas's meltdown, but I can't. I do like the idea of Lucas losing it, but the setup is too farfetched.