THE CHARACTER SUMMATION OF MICHAEL

The character of Michael was the living embodiment of the "daddy issues" which plagued many of the other main characters in the show. Michael was picking up his young son from his adoptive father after Walt's mother had died (which again, makes no legal sense). Walt has abandonment issues with his natural father, but also has some sort of supernatural ability which manifests with dying birds. We don't get that story line until later episodes flesh out these characters.

But the writers guide did indicate that Michael would have an important role.

Michael has always known he was an artist, but his course changed drastically when a casual relationship in his twenties resulted in a pregnancy. Determined that his child wouldn't grow up fatherless, Michael married his girlfriend, dropped out of Art School and took a "real"job. But six months after his son was born, his wife abruptly left him and took the baby with her. Although this was the perfect time for Michael to get back to his dream, the security provided by a regular paycheck kept him in the corporate world. Now ten years later, his world is rocked again as he gains custody of Walt, a son he barely knows. Here on the island, Michael must not only learn to be a father, but get back in touch with his inner creative soul in order to emerge in a new role as the group's most capable BUILDER.

The initial description of Michael pretty much follows through in later episodes. He does become the builder of the rescue raft. He does have trouble coping with fatherhood issues with Walt.  Michael becomes an overprotective parent on the island. He tries to keep Walt near the safety of the beach camp. He does not want Walt to learn things from Locke. This begins to create conflict between Michael and the other castaways. It also angers Walt. Part of it may be the insecurity he feels since Walt is a stranger to him, and Walt could view Michael as a stranger on the island. This makes Michael even more obsessive and protective of Walt. His frustration boils to anger at times, which puts off the other beach campers.

It would seem Michael's role as a "builder" would have been bigger than just raft-builder. It was thought that the survivors would have to construct a compound until they found the underground bunker. Michael's construction skills would be a valuable asset, but a limited resource that could create issues between the group's leaders on how best to utilize it. But in the actual series, the leaders never directed Michael to do anything. Michael made the independent decision to build a raft. No one stopped him. Even though his plan was a failure, he did manage to become the first person to receive escape from the island (through immoral means of killing two people and betraying his friends to cut a deal with Ben for a boat and safe passage home.) It would be ironic that Michael, the builder, had to destroy so many lives in order to save his son.