Christian Shephard

"Christian" redirects here. For other uses of "Christian", see Christian (disambiguation).

Dr. Christian Shephard
Actor	John Terry
First	"Walkabout"
Last	"The Incident, Part 2"
Episode Count	18
AKA	Tom
Place	Los Angeles, California, USA
Profession	Chief of Surgery, St. Sebastian Hospital
Reason in Australia	...to see his daughter one last time
Reason For Trip	...deceased, in a coffin
Family	Ray Shephard - Father Margo Shephard - Wife Jack Shephard - Son Claire Littleton - Daughter Carole Littleton - Former lover Sarah - Ex-daughter-in-law Aaron Littleton - Grandson

Dr. Christian Shephard was the son of Ray Shephard, the father of Jack Shephard and Claire Littleton, the husband of Margo Shephard, former lover of Carole Littleton and the grandfather of Aaron Littleton.

Prior to having his license stripped for performing surgery under the influence of alcohol, he was the Chief of Surgery at St. Sebastian Hospital. After being fired, Christian left for Australia with Ana Lucia where he died as a result of an alcohol-induced heart attack. However, following the crash of Oceanic Flight 815, on which his son Jack was transporting his body back to Los Angeles, he began appearing, seemingly alive and well, to Vincent, Jack, Hurley, Claire, Locke, Miles, Michael, Sun, and Frank. Moreover, his coffin was found unlocked and empty, raising questions about the nature of his death and whether or not he is possibly still alive. He has referred to himself on the Island as being capable to speak on Jacob's behalf. It is unclear if Christian was able to come back from death in some way, or if his essence and appearance have just been used by Jacob or Jacob's nemesis.

Before the crash

Building a family

Christian discusses with his son, Jack, what it takes to be a hero. ("White Rabbit")

Sometime in his young life, Christian began dating a woman named Margo. He eventually proposed to her, but Christian's father told him on his wedding day that he disapproved of their union. Nevertheless, he gave him a watch as a family heirloom on that same day. Christian accepted it, but never wore it. ("The Watch")

Christian's early relationship with his son, Jack, was distant and authoritarian. One such occasion demonstrated the tension between them when a young Jack attempted to defend his friend, Marc Silverman, against a pair of older boys. Christian took this fight as a chance to dispel his son's heroic nature. Christian explained that Jack should not try to be a hero, because he "didn't have what it takes". Christian stated many years later that he was like Jack during his childhood , and Jack himself noted after being rescued from the island that his father had been a good storyteller. He also taught Jack how to play chess at a young age. ("White Rabbit") ("Something Nice Back Home") ("King of the Castle")

Visiting Claire

Christian meets his daughter after her mother's accident. ("Par Avion")

As time passed, Christian developed a drinking problem, became disconnected with many of his friends, and began to distance himself from his family, even to the point of taking sporadic, private trips for periods of time. ("White Rabbit") During one of those periods of absence, Christian developed an extramarital relationship with an Australian woman named Carole Littleton. Carole became pregnant by him, and she gave birth to Claire, their daughter. Christian saw Claire regularly when she was very young, but stopped visiting because Carole disliked sharing Christian with the Shephard family back in America. Christian's decision to stop visiting was further solidified when Lindsey, Carole's sister, became hateful and aggressive. Claire's mother later told her that her father was dead. ("Par Avion")

Years later, however, Christian received a phone call from a doctor he knew in Sydney. Through this conversation, Christian learned that Carole was in a coma as a result of a car accident. He decided to return to Australia. He intended to pay for her medical expenses anonymously, but Lindsey and a teenage Claire returned to the hospital and found him in Carole's room. At first, Christian attempted to leave without causing any trouble, but hostility between him and Lindsey led Claire to ask questions. Christian revealed his identity as her father. After this event, Claire, too, became hostile toward him.("Par Avion")

Nevertheless, Christian later convinced Claire to grab some coffee with him so they could discuss his affair and Carole's vegetative condition. Christian said that Carole wasn't really living and needed to be let go. Claire became angry at this suggestion and began to leave their meeting, but Christian urged Claire not to keep her mother alive with machines "for the wrong reasons." After pleading with Claire, he returned to America, presumably never seeing her again, and things returned more or less to normal for Christian and his main family. ("Par Avion")

Working with Jack

Christian talks to Jack about hope in regards to his patient. ("Man of Science, Man of Faith")

Christian supervised Jack's first solo procedure operating on a young girl. When Jack made a critical error and began to panic, his father was the one who calmed him down and advised him to count to five, then resume working and fix what he had done. Later, Jack was angry at his father for embarrassing him in front of the attending surgeons, remarking that his position at the hospital was rumored to be a product of nepotism. ("The Incident, Part 1")

In the meantime, Jack graduated medical school and began working alongside Christian at St. Sebastian Hospital in Los Angeles. In Jack's adult years, Christian took a more encouraging approach to Jack. When Jack was working on a patient named Sarah, Jack's no-nonsense diagnosis left little hope, but Christian reminded Jack that everybody needs a little hope. Jack disagreed, but eventually managed to "fix" Sarah despite impossible odds, and the two later became a couple. ("Man of Science, Man of Faith")

Christian helps Jack with the writing of his vows. ("Do No Harm")

Some time later, Jack proposed to Sarah. Prior to the wedding, Christian shared a profound discussion with Jack on a nearby beach. Christian gave Jack the family watch, expressing the approval he had never received from his own father. He hinted that his own decision to marry Margo had been the wrong choice, but that Jack was doing the right thing. Before leaving, Christian asked Jack to be a better father than he, Christian, had been. ("The Watch")

Christian continued to encourage Jack as time passed. While Jack was having trouble writing his vows, Christian asked Jack if he loved Sarah. Jack responded, saying "absolutely", but expressed a worry that he might not be a good husband or father. Christian tried to dispel these fears, telling Jack that commitment was what made him tick. ("Do No Harm")

Christian warns Jack of getting personally involved with Gabriela. ("The Hunting Party")

One difficult case at the hospital was a man named Angelo Busoni, who was accompanied by his daughter and de facto translator, Gabriela. Christian and Jack explained that Angelo's condition was inoperable, and Christian refused to perform surgery. But Gabriela said that she had heard of Jack's miraculous surgery on Sarah and had come for him, not Christian. Jack sympathized and agreed to attempt the difficult surgery. ("The Hunting Party")

As the weeks of preparation for surgery went by, Christian began noticing his son's attachment to Gabriela. One night, he took him aside to discourage Jack from getting too personally involved, reminding him that ignoring the line of professionalism would be a mistake for his career and his marriage. Jack was offended and ignored his father's advice. After Angelo died in surgery, Christian tried to comfort his son, but Jack was enraged by the fact that Christian had already told Gabriela about the outcome of the surgery. ("The Hunting Party")

Christian later joined Alcoholics Anonymous, hoping to put an end to his drinking problem. Around this time, Jack's marriage had begun falling apart. Sarah was having an affair, and her divorce with Jack led him to become obsessed with stalking her, trying to determine the identity of the other man.

Christian lies to his superiors regarding the cause of death of his patient. ("All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues")

Jack eventually accused his father of being the other man, and during one of his AA meetings, he physically assaulted his father. After this hurtful incident, Christian returned to drinking. ("A Tale of Two Cities")

Christian's drinking problem eventually crossed over into his professional life, with profound ramifications. He operated on a woman named Beth while impaired, inadvertently causing her death. Christian's surgery team all signed off on the fact that there was nothing Christian could do to save the patient's life, except for Jack. Jack insisted that the whole truth should be told, but Christian pleaded that he not mention alcohol because it would cause him to lose his medical license. Jack wasn't persuaded until Christian tried to reconnect with his son. Christian apologized for being so hard during Jack's childhood and explained that medicine was his life. Jack agreed to sign, but later, when he learned that the patient was pregnant, he revised his statement, saying that his father was responsible for the death of the woman and her unborn child. After this, Christian lost his medical license and became estranged from Jack. ("All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues")

Sydney

Christian meets Ana Lucia. ("Two for the Road")

Christian began taking extended trips again. At a bar in LAX, where Ana Lucia worked as a security guard, the two shared a conversation. He told her about the rift between him and Jack and asked her to come to Australia with him as a bodyguard. He didn't tell her what he was going to do there, but explained it might be "a little dangerous," and he needed someone to protect him. He then explained that fate had brought them together in order to help one another out. Ana Lucia agreed. Christian suggested not using real names and that the two go by aliases. He decided to call Ana Lucia "Sarah", his daughter-in-law's name, and she decided to call him "Tom". ("Two for the Road")

Christian demands to see his daughter. ("Two for the Road")

While in Australia, Christian went on a severe drinking binge for four days. He then told Ana Lucia it was time to protect him. In the middle of the night, Christian drove to Lindsey's house, hoping to regain contact with Claire. Lindsey refused to let him in, and when he became violent, Ana Lucia grabbed Christian and forced him back to the car. When Ana Lucia asked Christian why he had been arguing, he nonchalantly explained that he was just having a conversation. ("Two for the Road")

The next day, Christian and Ana Lucia were parked near a wharf. Ana Lucia began questioning Christian about the woman from the night before, but he refused to give a straight answer. She told him her real name, but Christian didn't reciprocate. She remarked on how pathetic a life Christian was living and asked why he was even in Australia to begin with. Christian admitted to her that his son was trying to help him, but he felt so hurt that he had to run away. He suggested they enter the bar on the wharf and drink together, but she refused.

Christian discusses his son with a man in a bar. ("Outlaws")

After the argument, Christian left Ana Lucia and stumbled into the bar, where he met a man named Sawyer. Christian had forgotten his wallet, so Sawyer bought the drinks. Christian told Sawyer about the falling-out with his son, Jack and in turn, Sawyer told him he was there on business of his own, but wasn't able to do what he came to do. Christian admitted that he was weak and didn't have what it took to call his son and tell him how he really felt. He nonetheless encouraged Sawyer to go through with whatever business would ease his pain. ("Outlaws")

During this time, Jack flew to Australia to find Christian, upon his mother's urging. He was told that Christian had been found dead in a Sydney alley, with his blood alcohol concentration so high that it was probably responsible for the massive heart attack that ostensibly led to his death. Jack was brought in to identify his father's corpse. Afterwards, Jack made the preparations to fly his body back to Los Angeles, though he ran into some trouble with regulations at the airport. ("White Rabbit")

On the Island

Season 1 (Days 1-6)

Jack sees his father in the jungle. ("White Rabbit")

Just after the crash, Vincent found Christian Shephard (wearing white tennis shoes) in the jungle. Christian told the dog that his son, Jack, was in a nearby clearing. He asked Vincent to go wake Jack up. As Vincent obeyed, Christian said that Jack had "work to do." ("So It Begins")

He was later seen on the Island, still wearing the white tennis shoes, several times by Jack. ("Walkabout") Jack was convinced that these appearances were hallucinations brought on by lack of sleep and post-traumatic stress disorder. Locke encouraged Jack to suspend his skeptic nature and follow the apparitions. Jack did so and ended up discovering the caves, which contained a source of water and some debris from the plane. He found Christian's coffin intact among the wreckage, but the body was not inside. ("White Rabbit")

Jack didn't mention his father's appearance on the island to anyone aside from Locke, but Sawyer later became unusually interested in Jack's father when he came to suspect that he was the same man he'd met in the Sydney bar. Jack told Sawyer his feeling about his father, claiming that "he didn't want to take responsibility for his actions, so he blamed it on fate." When Jack asked why Sawyer was interested, he simply claimed it was out of curiosity. ("Outlaws").

However, Sawyer later revealed to Jack that he had indeed seen his father a week before the crash. Sawyer repeated Christian's words about Jack being the better man and about how Christian's self-confessed inability to call Jack up and tell him that he loved him. Sawyer remarked, "something tells me he never got around to making that call. Small world, huh?" Jack was visibly moved by this. ("Exodus, Part 1")

Season 3 (Day 68)

Christian made no further appearances for a while, although on one occasion, Jack heard his voice through the intercom in his cell in the Hydra, saying "let it go." ("A Tale of Two Cities")

Season 4 (Days 91-100)

Christian holding Aaron ("Something Nice Back Home") (Promotional still)

Later, when Hurley got separated from the group leaving the beach, he stumbled upon Jacob's cabin. When Hurley looked into the window, he saw Christian Shephard sitting in Jacob's rocking chair, wearing the same suit, tie, and shoes from prior appearances. Hurley was startled by the sudden appearance of another man inside and ran away from the cabin. ("The Beginning of the End")

He later suddenly appeared outside Sawyer, Miles, and Claire's camp, holding Aaron. Claire awakened to see him, recognizing him. This was the first time that Christian was seen on the Island without his blue suit—instead, he appeared to be wearing a dress shirt. Claire walked away with him at some point in the night, and Aaron was later found, crying but unharmed, at the base of a tree. Miles seems to have seen Christian as well, as he told Sawyer (who was asleep at the time) that Claire walked with someone she called "Dad." ("Something Nice Back Home")

"You can go now, Michael." ("There's No Place Like Home, Part 2")

After Locke, Ben, and Hurley found Jacob's cabin again, Locke entered alone. There he met Christian, who claimed to be speaking on Jacob's behalf. Claire was present in the cabin as well, pleasantly and nonchalantly describing her self as "with him." Christian told Locke that the people who intended to do harm to the Island and its inhabitants were en route, making questions about Claire's disappearance unimportant. He suggested Locke should ask the sole important question, prompting him to ask, "How do I save the Island?" Afterwards, Locke exited Jacob's cabin and told Ben and Hurley that Jacob told him to "move the Island." ("Cabin Fever")

Soon afterward, Christian appeared to Michael Dawson on the Kahana, who had been attempting to keep a bomb from detonating with liquid nitrogen. After the nitrogen ran out, Christian appeared to Michael, heralded by whispers, and told Michael that he could "go now." Michael, confused, asked Christian who he was, but the bomb immediately exploded. ("There's No Place Like Home, Part 2")

Season 5 (Time Shifts)

Christian appears to Locke, moments before turning the wheel. ("This Place Is Death")

In an attempt to stop the Island's jumps through time, Locke descended down to the Orchid station, yet another jump trapped him underground, breaking his leg. While catching his breath, Christian approached Locke in the underground cave. Christian claimed that when he told Locke they must move the Island, he was referring to Locke specifically, and claimed that nothing good happens when listening to Ben's suggestions. Christian encouraged Locke to turn the frozen wheel, and confirmed Richard's statement that Locke would die in his attempt to convince the Oceanic Six to return to the Island, calling it a "sacrifice".

Locke asked for help to stand up and Christian said he could not help him. He watched as Locke made his way toward the wheel. Moments before completely turning the wheel, Christian asked Locke to say hello to his son. Locke asked for his son's identity, but disappeared before Christian could answer. ("This Place Is Death")

After the rescue of the Oceanic Six

Christian appears to Jack at St. Sebastian Hospital. ("Something Nice Back Home")

Ten months after the crash, and some time after the rescue of the Oceanic Six, Jack could finally give Christian Shephard his funeral, although he claimed he was unable to properly bury his father, presumably because the body had disappeared on the Island. ("There's No Place Like Home, Part 1")

Christian appeared to Jack twice after the departure from the Island. First, Jack caught a glimpse of Christian as he walked by in the hospital (although this might just be someone who looked like his dad). The second time also occurred at the hospital, while Jack was working late hours. Christian said Jack's name from a nearby sofa, but one of Jack's co-workers appeared and Christian vanished. Believing this to be a hallucination, Jack requested a prescription for clonazepam. ("Something Nice Back Home")

Sometime later, Jack sat at the bedside of John Locke, who had been in a car accident. After failing to convince Jack to return to the Island, Locke shouted that Jack's father, on the Island, said hi. Jack was shocked to hear this, and when he told Locke that his father was dead, Locke replied, "Well, he didn't look dead to me." ("The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham")

Over the next month, Jack had begun referring to his father as if he were still alive. Jack presented a pharmacist with a prescription for oxycodone, claiming it was written by Christian Shephard. When the pharmacist said she'd need to call his office, Jack stumbled away, telling her not to bother. Later, a drunk and distraught Jack told Dr. Hamill to "get my father down here... and if I'm drunker than he is, you can fire me." ("Through the Looking Glass, Part 2")

Back on the Island

Season 5 (2007)

Christian takes the 1977 DHARMA Recruits picture off the wall. ("Namaste")

After Flight 316 crash-landed on Hydra Island, Sun and Frank took an outrigger canoe to the main Island, and subsequently began to search for Jin. Christian appeared from one of the houses at the Barracks. Sun asked him if he had seen Jin, to which he replied for them to follow him. Inside the Processing Center, Christian searched for a photo on the wall and showed it to Sun. The photo revealed that Jack, Kate, and Hurley were members of the DHARMA Initiative in 1977. He then said that Sun had "a bit of a journey" ahead of her, ("Namaste") and that if she ever wanted to see Jin again, she was to go to Ben's old house and wait for John Locke. ("Dead Is Dead")

Death and reappearance

Christian's death, though not shown on-screen, has been confirmed in a Official LOST podcast (April 20, 2007 Edition). Even further clarification was received in "Access: Granted", when Carlton Cuse stated "In terms of actually physically corporeally in existence... he's dead".

He is, along with Locke and Yemi, one of three previously deceased bodies that later appeared to be living people. What's interesting to note is that all three of these men were already dead, and on airplanes, before they came to the Island. A few of Yemi's appearances were confirmed to be influenced by the Monster in the Official LOST Podcast (March 21, 2008 Edition), however, Christian was confirmed as being one of three characters (Yemi and Kate's horse being the other two) to be classified as "undead".

Characters and encounters

The following is a list of main characters who encountered Christian Shephard when he was alive:

• Jack – Christian is his father.
• Claire – Christian is her father.
• Ana Lucia – met Christian at an airport bar and travelling with him to Sydney. ("Two for the Road")
• Sawyer – met Christian at a bar in Sydney, drowning his sorrows. ("Outlaws")

The following is a list of the characters who encountered the apparition of Christian Shephard on the Island:

• Vincent - encountered Christian in the jungle shortly after the crash of Oceanic Flight 815. ("So It Begins")
• Jack – saw Christian numerous times -- first on the beach, then he followed him through the jungle. ("Walkabout") ("White Rabbit")
• Hurley – saw Christian when he accidentally stumbled across the cabin. ("The Beginning of the End")
• Miles – heard Christian talk to Claire. ("Something Nice Back Home")
• Claire – Christian visited her before she left Sawyer and Miles ("Something Nice Back Home")
• Aaron - Christian cradled his grandson before leaving with Claire ("Something Nice Back Home")
• Locke – has received orders from Christian on two occasions. ("Cabin Fever") ("This Place Is Death")
• Michael – told him that he could "go now," right before the Kahana exploded with Michael on board. ("There's No Place Like Home, Part 2")
• Sun - asked Christian where her husband was at the Barracks after the crash of Flight 316. ("Namaste")
• Frank - encountered Christian at the Barracks with Sun. ("Namaste")

Name symbolism

• Christian Shephard likely refers to the idea of the "Good Shepherd" in Christianity thought and imagery, and Jesus Christ specifically.
• A widespread title for Jesus, "The Good Shepherd" is an idea based upon passages from both the New Testament and the Hebrew Bible (aka Old Testament). Such passages use the image of a shepherd gently protecting and guiding his flock as a metaphor for God's relationship to believers. The most prominent use of this image in the New Testament is Jesus' parable of the "lost sheep" (Luke 15; Matthew 18): God is like a shepherd who tirelessly searches for one lost sheep out of 100, and rejoices once it is found (or "saved"). Language referring to God as a shepherd also is found in the Hebrew Bible, such as Ezekiel 34 or Psalm 23, with the famous beginning "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." This psalm often is read at funerals, as it also contains the lines, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me." (The last line is a reference to the shepherd's traditional staff or "crook.") Mr. Eko recites the 23rd Psalm when he cremates the remains of his brother Yemi in season 2: that episode is titled "The 23rd Psalm". In early Christian art, Jesus very often was depicted as a shepherd.
• The metaphor of a shepherd caring for his flock also is used more generally in Christian tradition for religious leaders and their congregants. In fact, the word "pastor" means "shepherd" in Latin, just as "congregation" means "a flock gathered together". For this reason, the name Christian Shephard need not refer narrowly and specifically to Jesus, but rather to a more general symbol for the character's mysterious function as a spiritual guide and informant from the beyond. However, there have been multiple occurrences in the series, and an episode from Season 1 specifically, that could be used as evidence to prove that Christian does in fact represent Jesus Christ specifically, rather than just a general spiritual guide.
• In the episode "White Rabbit," Christian's death, mysteriously empty coffin, and subsequent reappearance to Jack are all clear references to Chapter 16 of the Book of Mark, specifically verse 8. Mark is the oldest of the 4 Gospels, and Chapter 16 is the final chapter. In it, Mary Magdalene & Mary, Jesus' mother, go to Jesus' tomb to anoint His body. When they arrive, they find that the large stone placed to block the tomb's entrance has been moved. They enter the tomb and find a man, assumed to be an angel, dressed in a white robe. The man in white tells them that Jesus has been resurrected and that they should go and tell the disciples He has gone ahead of them and will meet them in Galilee, just as He had prophesied. However, the women go away frightened, initially saying nothing to anyone. Jack's reaction to seeing his father is similar to that of Mary & Mary Magdalene. Lacking the faith to believe what he has seen, Jack never tells anyone of his visions, or even of the fact that his father's coffin was empty. It may also be important to note that the oldest known versions of the Book of Mark, and other ancient witness accounts of the Gospel, do not have verses 9-20, making verse 8 the Book of Mark's original ending. While we can't be sure of anything until a canonical source confirms it, in light of this episode and evidence, it is hard to think that Christian Shephard's name refers to anything or anyone else other than Christ.
• In Season 5 This Place is Death when Locke goes down into the well, he is greeted by Christian Shephard. Christian leads the way holding the light as a “shepherd” with the Sacrificial Locke Lamb following him stating “That’s the sacrifice you have to make John.” This is part of the sacrificial theme – the “island” expects it. There were the religious recapitulations especially at the end of This Place is Death – the close up on the statue with the arms lifted up open in prayer and the lighting of the candles in the church.
• In Season 5 Namaste Christian Shephard uses the phrase “follow me.” This phrase is found all through both the Old and New Testament of the Bible. Recall the LOST episode called The 23rd Psalm has that phrase: Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Jesus is quoted as saying “follow me” many, many times. Matthew 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 8:22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Mark 1:17 Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
• The 23rd Psalm is known as God is the Good Shepherd. This scripture can be interpreted that God knows life can be unfair, but that people of faith do not walk through life alone. The 23rd Psalm in both Christian and Hebrew faiths tend to be viewed as saying that although people walk through the dark times, people should not be afraid. Comfort will come to the faithful because that’s the essence of faith.
• In Season 2 The 23rd Psalm Mr. Eko recites the 23 Psalm and writes scripture on his staff nicknamed the "Jesus stick" by Charlie. Locke called it a "prayer stick." On it is the inscription: "Lift up your eyes and look north John 3:05". Locke interprets "305" as a northward compass bearing. Eko made it from a branch he found on the beach. Mr. Eko carved many Bible scriptures on it. Claire asked him about it and Mr. Eko said it contained things he needed to remember. Mr. Eko is reciting The 23rd Psalm when the smoke monster kills him. Psalm 23 - A psalm of David which many people believe discusses "heaven." Psalm 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Trivia

• Christian's episode count is 18 (as of "The Incident, Part 1").
• Christian has appeared in flashbacks, in flashforwards, as a dead body, and as a corporeal entity, but never once as a living person in the story's present.
• While open to interpretation, many scenes where he has appeared to characters, has been in the style of G-Man, a character in the popular game series, Half-Life. In the game, he appears to help the player, or to just observe them, but quickly leave's the scene before players can reach him. This would also tie in to the fact that the Producers of Half Life have included Easter Eggs in their games about the Dharma Initiative.

Unanswered questions

Unanswered questions
Do not answer the questions here. Keep the questions open-ended and neutral: do not suggest an answer. More details...

For fan theories about these unanswered questions, see: Christian Shephard/Theories

• What happened to Christian's body?
• Why did he need Ana Lucia for protection in Sydney?
• Why did he have two families?
• Why does Jack see Christian off the Island in the future?
• What is the nature of his appearance in the island?
• What is Christian's connection to Jacob?
• Why does he appear in different clothing?
• How is he able to move within space and time?
• How is he able to (apparently) physically hold Aaron, pet Vincent and hold a lamp in the frozen wheel chamber if his body is deceased?
• What is the "journey" he tells Sun she is about to go on?