Lost is one of the best TV shows of the 2000s, and Sawyer was one of the best characters on it. Like most characters on the show, Sawyer was a highly complex individual who wasn't "good" or "bad." He was just human.
Many different aspects go into crafting a compelling and realistic character, and moral ambiguity is one of the best ways to do it. Pure, angelic characters are often boring, as are straight villains who just want to cause chaos. Sawyer makes for a great character as he is both heroic and villainous, strong and cowardly.
Selfish Villain: Looting The Plane
Sawyer certainly doesn't make a lot of new friends after crashing on the island. The first thing he chooses to do, rather than helping those around him, is loot the crashed plane and its corpses for supplies. Looting the plane and its bodies is a smart idea, and it had to be done eventually.
But it's the way that Sawyer went about it that makes him a selfish villain. He didn't really consult with anyone, and he wasn't part of a team. He looted the plane himself and for his own selfish gains.
Actually Right: Telling Jack About Christian
Sawyer shows some incredible character development by the end of season one. He's been at Jack's throat throughout much of the season, and he's continuously acted in an oafish and selfish manner.
Aside from Kate, no one seems to like him. Yet he still does the right thing in telling Jack about his encounter with Christian in Australia. It was a wonderfully touching moment, and it provided Jack with some much needed closure regarding his relationship with his deceased father. This may be the best Jack-Sawyer scene in the show's entire six seasons.
Selfish Villain: Hoarding Supplies
Sawyer loots the plane for his own selfish gain, and part of that involves keeping all of its supplies. Not only does Sawyer not consult with people regarding the looting of the plane, and not only does Sawyer loot it by himself, but he keeps all the recovered treasures and supplies in his tent.
This not only sets him up as the island's big boss, but it causes desperate people to degrade themselves by pleading with Sawyer of all people for a particular item. And even then, they'd be lucky to get it! Season one Sawyer was not a friendly or compassionate man.
Actually Right: Conning Munson
Conning people is an inherently selfish idea, and Sawyer is certainly no stranger to cons. He has conned people throughout his adult life, including poor Cassidy who foolishly falls in love with him. But there's one con that is somewhat justifiable, and that's the conning of Munson.
Munson was a criminal serving time for stealing $10 million from the government and stashing it in an unknown location. Sawyer cons the location out of him and betrays Munson to the authorities, and in return, his sentence is cut short and some of the cash is given to his daughter. Fair trade.
Selfish Villain: Stealing The Guns
Despite a brief moral relapse at the end of season one, the old Sawyer was back by mid season two. Sawyer concocts a dastardly and complex plan involving Charlie and the fake kidnapping of Sun in order to get his hands on the Swan's stash of weapons and medical supplies.
So, not only does he trick the entire band of castaways, but he once again selfishly claims communal items for his own. And once again, people are forced to go to Sawyer and beg for particular items. Hoarding guns is one thing, but hoarding medical supplies is simply despicable. At least he admits that he's not a good person.
Actually Right: Challenging Jack's Authority
Sawyer and Jack often clashed throughout Lost, primarily owing to Sawyer's constant challenging of Jack's authority. But shouldn't someone be doing that? The gang diplomatically and democratically elects Jack as their leader, but that doesn't mean Jack should make all the decisions himself.
Jack often fails to ask for opinions, he doesn't often listen to other suggestions, he bosses people around, and he makes hefty decisions on behalf of the entire group. Surely someone should be there to challenge his complete authority every once in a while?
Selfish Villain: Buying His Way On Board The Raft
One of Sawyer's most selfish actions comes at the end of season one, when he buys his way onto the raft with hoarded supplies. Many people probably wanted a spot on that raft, and everyone wanted to get home to their friends and families.
Yet that spot was taken not only by someone who bought his way on, but who was rewarded for stashing and hoarding supplies. It's a real slap in the face to everyone on the island.
Actually Right: Jumping Out Of The Helicopter
On the flip side, one of Sawyer's most selfless acts was jumping from the helicopter at the end of season four. The gas tank is ruptured, and the occupants are too heavy to support a successful flight back to the freighter. The camera lingers on Hurley, as he knows that his weight is an issue.
But Sawyer takes one for the team and jumps out, choosing to live on the island (for the time being) instead of returning home to his daughter. With this, Sawyer's character arc from villain to hero was complete.
Selfish Villain: Killing Frank
There's nothing more selfish than killing another human being. Unfortunately, Sawyer does just that in Australia. Frank Duckett seems like a friendly enough man, and he's just trying to get by running a shrimp stand. His only crime was borrowing money from a less-than-reputable individual.
He owed Hibbs some money, so Hibbs tricked Sawyer into believing Frank was the real Sawyer so that Sawyer would take him out. He obviously wasn't, and Sawyer murdered an innocent person in the first degree. That obviously wasn't his intention, but that's what happened, nonetheless.
Actually Right: Wanting To Stay LaFleur
Some may see Sawyer's reluctance throughout season five as selfish. But come on, who wouldn't do what Sawyer did? Sawyer had nothing back on the mainland (aside from his estranged daughter), so he obviously didn't want to return.
He carved himself out a very peaceful and respectable life on the island with DHARMA, as he was in a respected leadership position and in a loving relationship with Juliet. Why would anyone want to risk and potentially ruin that to go with Jack on his time traveling, nuclear bomb-themed adventures? But he did, anyway. And look how it turned out.