lost - what kate does

Kate episode's often get a bad rep. Her character in general usually gets a bad rep. She was the strongest female character on the show until Ana Lucia came along, but Ana Lucia was shot for being too strong. Juliet came along and she was a definite match for Kate. She competed with her leading men and took one of them for three years. And then she died. Ilana could be considered strong. She seems to have a staunch determination to get her job done, but she isn't her own leader. She's following someone. Sun has certainly shaped up into a strong, independent, hands-on woman ever since she left the island. Her character's turning point, in my opinion, came when she watched the freighter explode with Jin on the deck. Her screaming alone was worthy of an Emmy, nevermind her exceptional acting. I got goosebumps.

Despite that fluffery, I think Kate gets the bad rep because she is all about the boys - Jack and Sawyer. Kate started out as a screamer in the Pilot, calling for Jack's name when the Monster's iconic cranking was first heard. Who would have taken her to be a badass fugitive that killed her own father? Her character was on par with the men. It's hard enough writing a strong female lead when she's among men and it's even harder to keep her strong. Kate went from toting guns to fawning over Jack's obsessive need to reason with science and Sawyer's mantra to forgo reason. Her overarcing story was about the two of them for the first four seasons, and then she took Aaron from the island and began to raise him as her own. There was hope.

But she and Jack were engaged to be married and they were raising Aaron together. Girl just needs a man. That's why it is so tantalizing to watch the flashsideways and see season one Kate reborn, taking charge and stealing cars and kidnapping pregnant women. She and Claire form an immediate bond once more, something that I personally missed when Claire went missing in season four.

That's why I can't wait until next week to learn exactly why Claire hopped the bus to Crazy Ville. Her hair looks a mess.