“John, put the gun down. You have work to do.”
It’s 11:15 Wednesday night and how can I be expected to sleep after that? Lost is the greatest show EVER.
Through the Looking Glass
The title of the episode is “Through the Looking Glass” which is the sequel to Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”. In the book, as in last night’s episode, on the other side of the looking glass, everything is the opposite. I started to catch on to Jack’s backstory not being a backstory, but actually sometime in the future around 10:15. The actual revelation was akin to seeing the movie “The Sixth Sense” for the first time, when you first figure out Bruce Willis has been dead for the entire movie. I was distracted because I was trying so hard to catch the name of the woman—or at least figure out who she was because I was so sure she had to be SOMEBODY—that I wasn’t just letting the story happen. In actuality, she was nobody. The connections that brought them to the island were destroyed once they were “rescued”.
Also, the other thing that kept throwing me off was that Jack referred to his father several times as if he was alive—“He’s upstairs right now and if I’m drunker than he is, you can fire me.” Plus writing out his pain killer prescription using his father’s name but when the pharmacist wants to check on it, Jack gets agitated and says that no one will answer because his dad is “out of town”. Clearly, Jack has either had a severe break with reality in this future, or somehow, by getting rescued, time has turned backward enough for him to save his father’s life.
What a shock to see this ruined Jack: fat, bearded, alcoholic, suicidal and addicted to pain killers. When Ben asked him, on island time, what he had to go back for is when the light started to go on for me. When Locke told Jack that he was not “meant” to get them rescued is when it finally clicked home.
Jack is on an Oceanic flight back to L.A. (hoping for a crash, it turns out) drinking himself into oblivion when the stewardess flags him and gives him a paper to read instead. There is a small article that Jack reads that upsets him so much that he tries (unsuccessfully) to call someone (it turns out to be Kate, but he keeps getting her answering machine.) He then pulls over on a bridge and climbs up, looking to kill himself. He instead causes an accident, injuring the spine of the woman driver and hurting her little boy. The accident brings Jack to his senses; he saves the boy and his mother but is in no condition to operate on the mother. Jack is hailed as a hero “twice over” but he knows that he is the only reason for the woman to have had the accident in the first place.
Jack goes to the funeral listed in the paper. (WMMR revealed a little Easter egg I didn’t pick up on: The name of the funeral home was Hoffs Drawlor, which is an anagram for “Flash Forward”.) My guess is that the funeral was for Hurley. Hurley was the most popular and well-liked guy on the island. Through the looking glass, no one comes to his funeral. Also, his death would make the paper because he was so rich.
Kate does not think it was a mistake to leave the island since through the looking glass, she is now legitimate and not a fugitive anymore and living the life she always wanted. I think she ends up with Sawyer (which is who is “waiting for her”) living her little Stepford Wife life even though she knows Jack loves her. Kate feels little more than pity for the once-great Jack now, and perhaps that’s the biggest tragedy of all.
At the end of the show, we see a destroyed Jack pleading with Kate to understand that it was a huge mistake to leave the island. “We have to go back!”
“John. Get up.”
How awesome was it that they brought Walt back to get Locke out of the pit? Even though we had speculated about this, still, it was great to see it come to pass. As I have said before, Locke ALWAYS does the right thing where the island is concerned. And while he was bleeding out in the pit, losing his faith, along comes Walt to tell him to suck it up and “Put the gun down, John. You have work to do.” Clearly, Locke’s work is to keep everybody on the island, which, we can see now, is the RIGHT thing to do. I knew he’d come back at the end to try and stop Jack from using the sat phone to contact Naomi’s ship. I’m still wondering why he let the call go through. Perhaps because Locke is such a good man, he cannot bring himself to kill Jack, another good man, in cold blood. Plus, if he did that, the rest of the Lostaways would turn on him and he knew it. It’s Locke’s job to lead them in the ways of the island, and he cannot do that if he betrays the trust of everyone by killing Jack.
In last week’s special, “Lost: The Answers” the writers dropped a couple of clues that that I did not pick up on before but seem obvious now. They included the scene from “Man of Science, Man of Faith” when Jack says, “I don’t believe in destiny.” And Locke answers, “Yes you do. You just don’t know it yet.” (Can Locke also see into the future like Desmond?) In Jack’s front story, I think Jack believes very strongly in destiny after he realizes he was not supposed to leave the island. Also, Cuse and Lindelof describe the show as a great mosaic with tiles they are filling in from the past, present and future. I think tonight’s episode revealed the strategy in the storytelling. The story is a great big jigsaw puzzle and each episode is a piece. We are starting to get enough pieces now that the picture is now starting to emerge.
Juliet: Still a lying lint licker?
Ok, tonight’s episode went a long way to proving that Juliet’s allegiances are not with the Others. But does this mean we can cancel the prime directive? I think not. Juliet wants to go back with Sawyer to save Sayid, Jin and Bernard so she smoothly lies to Jack saying she knows where some guns are. Sawyer questions her as to why he and Kate had to break rocks while they were in captivity and she calmly answers that they are building a runway…for the aliens. Ha ha ha, like my little joke Sawyer? Except of course, she’s not joking because Jacob, as I explained last week, is an alien and Juliet knows it.
Juliet knows many secrets about the island, knows the reasons for Ben keeping all of them there—including her—yet she still wants off regardless of the consequences for everyone else. Juliet only cares about one person, and that is Juliet. She cares about Jack because he is the best way to get what she wants. Hence, the prime directive is still in effect:
JULIET IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED
Body count = 12
HUGE sigh of relief that Sayid and Jin live another day. Bernard…mmmm…not so much. He’s too much of a wimp. He friggin’ lays the whole plan out for the Others at the first threat of violence. How bad to Sayid and Jin want to kill him themselves after that?
Ben tells Jack that Naomi is “not who she says she is. She’s one of the bad guys.” Ok, show of hands: who believes Ben? I do. I actually trust Ben to do what’s right now more than Juliet, but more on that below. Penny also didn’t know who the hell Naomi was and for sure that wasn’t her boat out there. Warring corporation themes come in again as I believe Naomi was either working for the competition or for Penny’s vile father, while Penny plots surreptitiously behind his back. In any event, it doesn’t really matter who the hell Naomi was since Locke kills her DEAD with one of his throwing knives.
7 Others buy it in the execution of the plan, maybe one or two more when Hurley charges the beach in the hippie bus, but by far the most significant death on the beach was Zeke, aka Mr. Friendly, aka Tom. Tom had surrendered, yet Sawyer shot him point blank. “That’s for taking the boy off the raft”. Since Juliet’s whole reason for coming back to the beach was “karma”, I fully expect that Sawyer will have to atone for the cold-blooded killing of Tom. But, it’s hard to feel really bad about killing off Tom since Tom felt they should have killed the Lostaway shooters for real instead of just shooting into the ground. Sawyer, won’t however, have to atone for the killing of Cooper. Anthony Cooper was a gimme. Sawyer was supposed to kill him and we all breathed better when that slimeball was put down. R.I.P., Mr. Friendly. We shall miss your malicious bonhomie.
Bonnie and Greta, aka Thelma and Louise, in the looking glass both end up dead thanks to Mikhail following orders from Ben. Right up until they died, though, it was so great to watch Charlie work them over with his patented watch-me-get-on-your-last-nerve-with-my-annoying-personality routine. Bonnie, in particular, had to go, just because she was so gleeful in smacking Charlie around—and he was so heroic in his taking of the beating. Charlie won all of his rounds against Bonnie.
Mikhail buys it by attempting to blow up the Looking Glass station with a hand grenade, which Charlie saves by closing the airlock, allowing Desmond to escape and Des’s prophesy to be fulfilled so that Claire and the Baybay can get on the helicopter. Of course, now we are wondering if Charlie died in vain since clearly there are some big doubts as to whether getting off the island is in anyone’s best interests. Charlie lets Penny know that Desmond is alive and with him, though it seems Penny doesn’t have an immediate way of figuring out where they are and he lets Des know right before he drowns that the ship is not Penny’s.
Like my daughter, Aaron begins to cry the moment he senses that Charlie has died. Charlie’s death, though I was beginning to think it would never come, was truly sad, as the character was redeemed at the end of his life.(Remember the emphasis on redemption by Cuse and Lindelof in last week’s special) R.I.P. Charlie. May you live on in the backstories of the Lostaways for three more seasons.
Charlie and other heroes
A few folks have wondered why Charlie locked himself in the airlock (effectively committing suicide) when he could have easily escaped and lived to escape the Looking Glass with Desmond. The answer is simple: Charlie believes in Desmond’s flash forwards and believes whole heartedly that if he lives, Claire will not be rescued. Charlie died for Claire and that makes him a hero.
Hurley wants to come along with Sawyer and Juliet back to the beach to help save Sayid, Jin and Bernard but Sawyer tells him basically that he’s too fat to be of use and he would just get in the way. Sawyer, in his own abrasive way also acted a little heroically here to save Hurley. It’s Hurley though who’s the big hero: storming the beach in his hippie bus and saving the shooters from captivity.
In Jack’s front story, Jack is called a hero twice over. The second hero label is applied for saving the woman from the accident. The first time the label is applied is presumably for his role in getting the 815 survivors off the island. In both cases, Jack is not truly a hero even though all of his actions were heroically intended; they have all resulted in devastating consequences.
Best lines of the night:
Bleeding Ben laying on the ground, still acting the creepy host of the island: “Alex, this is your mother.”
Sawyer to Juliet: “You screwing Jack yet?” Juliet: “No. Are you?”
Rousseau’s first words to her daughter: “Do you want to help me tie him up?”
Ben is not as evil as he seemed
He’s still as creepy as ever, just not evil. Locke and Ben are playing for the same goal: the best interests of the island. Ben’s methods were corrupted because his leadership was being threatened by Locke, which made him desperate and insecure and caused him to make the “mess” he now has to clean up. Ben lives, but the real power of the island has now passed to Locke. The story is all about the island and I believe the next three seasons will show what fate has delivered to our Lostaways after their rescue. However, I don’t think that they are off the island yet and I believe that the flash-forwards only represent one possible outcome. The balance of the series will be a continuance of the struggle between the man of science and the man of fate.
The difference is that now we all believe in fate.
Now What????
Ok, so now we wait until February for the next fix. In the meantime, I will probably re-watch the entire series (season three when it comes out on DVD). I will, as “g” suggested, re-read The Stand and I suggest you all do the same. I’ll probably periodically update fishbiscuits.blogspot.com and hopefully if any of you have any cool theories to share we can discuss them out there.
Huge props to “S” for scoring the Dharma Beer Cozy from the P&S Lost party last night. You are my hero.
Quite simply, the best storytelling I have seen in a long time, maybe ever. I pity anyone who is missing out on this event. Peace out, people.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Lost: The _Answers
First and foremost, I have to go on a little tirade about ABC. They must think that Lost fans are either stupid, or the folks in marketing simply don’t “get” the show. They title this 45 minute special “Lost: The Answers” as if any true Lost fan would really believe that any significant mystery on this island is going to be revealed in a 45 minute recap episode. Call it “Lost: So Far” or “Lost: Let me Explain…no there is too much. Let me sum up.” Whatever. Just don’t think we’re gullible enough to be taken in by your lame marketing ploys, ABC. The Lost audience is way smarter than that. I guess we should be grateful that the writers do this, otherwise, we may be subjected to a Michelle-Tanner-hits-her-head-while-playing-baseball-with-Uncle-Jesse-and-the-teary-eyed-family-comes-together-over-her-bedside-remembering-the-best-times-from-this-season episode once or twice a year.
Ok, so I got that out of my system. I watched “The Answers” twice through, and as I said, I use these shows as clues to see what the writers think is important that we remember. A couple of interesting points to note:
Walt was featured at least three times during the recap, and not to illustrate any currently developing plot points, but simply as if the writers are saying “Hey, remember Walt? You may be seeing him again soon.” Which adds a paper thin layer of evidence to support the internet rumor that Locke will be found in the pit by Walt—especially since two of the scenes featured Walt’s special relationship with Locke “I like it here,” says Walt. “I like it here, too.” Answers Locke. This would be completely cool on so many levels and I would be curious to see how the writers pull this off given the actor’s aging over the past two years: Will it be a previously taped footage, CGI, or will Walt be played by himself and the aging process added to the mystery of the island.
Cuse and Lindlehoff emphasized themes of redemption—how each of the major characters was seeking it and gained it only when they acted in the best interests of the community.
Also mentioned was the conflict between Jack and Locke: Man of Science, Man of Faith. If nothing else, it blows to hell my theory that Jack is going to die (I kind of abandoned that one sometime in the beginning of March, anyway) and also reinforces the idea that Locke is still alive. They also mentioned that they don’t think that Jack has given up on Kate yet and kind of joked around that the only question they answered regarding Kate’s choice between Sawyer and Jack was who she was going to sleep with first.
Sayid and Rousseau were also figured prominently. And, as Scarecrow’s daughter so aptly observed on this blog, why swim down to flip the switch when you can just cut the cable? And if one end of the cable is tethered to the Looking Glass, where’s the other end? Don’t you think it’s time someone found out?
Desmond was also featured prominently in the recap, as was Penny. This adds another (tissue-paper thin) layer of evidence to my warring evil corporation theory. Since we know Penny’s dad is the head of Widmore and we know that the Hanso Corporation was at the head of the Dharma Initiative, I think these are our two main players. Richard Eyeliner recruited Juliet into the Hateterat (…?) Corporation and Sun’s father owns the Paik corporation, both of which are probably part of Widmore, since that company seems the more malicious of the two. Hanso is probably more benign with all of their “Namaste” and peace love hippie Dharma Initiave. Also, look for a reveal that Hurley is an (unwitting) partner in one or both of these corporations due to his huge lotto windfall. I would not be surprised to find out that it really comes down to two corporations battling for the rights to the secrets (fountain of youth; powers of alien Jacob) of the island. After all, someone is manufacturing and importing those noxious gas filled canisters the Others seem so fond of, right?
I’m digressing from my original point, though and now I will plunge headfirst into pure speculation. Some people have asked how Penny knew where to look for Desmond. Penny knew Desmond was entering the around the world race sponsored by her father to get his honor back. She had to have an inkling of what her father was involved in and peeled off a couple of her father’s operatives, stuck them up in that “snow hut” and told them what to look for based on the information she was able to glean from her father. I believe Penny is a force for good. And, as always, I must express my delight in seeing Desmond featured as a major player in the show. We can never have enough Des.
So, here we are that the edge of the end of season three. What will happen? Who will die? My guess is that Rose, Bernard and Sayid all die. Charlie, however, will live another season. Oh, and they won’t be rescued, either. And next season, I predict the Harlem Globetrotters will crash on the island and the castaways will hold a beauty pageant.
Ok, so I got that out of my system. I watched “The Answers” twice through, and as I said, I use these shows as clues to see what the writers think is important that we remember. A couple of interesting points to note:
Walt was featured at least three times during the recap, and not to illustrate any currently developing plot points, but simply as if the writers are saying “Hey, remember Walt? You may be seeing him again soon.” Which adds a paper thin layer of evidence to support the internet rumor that Locke will be found in the pit by Walt—especially since two of the scenes featured Walt’s special relationship with Locke “I like it here,” says Walt. “I like it here, too.” Answers Locke. This would be completely cool on so many levels and I would be curious to see how the writers pull this off given the actor’s aging over the past two years: Will it be a previously taped footage, CGI, or will Walt be played by himself and the aging process added to the mystery of the island.
Cuse and Lindlehoff emphasized themes of redemption—how each of the major characters was seeking it and gained it only when they acted in the best interests of the community.
Also mentioned was the conflict between Jack and Locke: Man of Science, Man of Faith. If nothing else, it blows to hell my theory that Jack is going to die (I kind of abandoned that one sometime in the beginning of March, anyway) and also reinforces the idea that Locke is still alive. They also mentioned that they don’t think that Jack has given up on Kate yet and kind of joked around that the only question they answered regarding Kate’s choice between Sawyer and Jack was who she was going to sleep with first.
Sayid and Rousseau were also figured prominently. And, as Scarecrow’s daughter so aptly observed on this blog, why swim down to flip the switch when you can just cut the cable? And if one end of the cable is tethered to the Looking Glass, where’s the other end? Don’t you think it’s time someone found out?
Desmond was also featured prominently in the recap, as was Penny. This adds another (tissue-paper thin) layer of evidence to my warring evil corporation theory. Since we know Penny’s dad is the head of Widmore and we know that the Hanso Corporation was at the head of the Dharma Initiative, I think these are our two main players. Richard Eyeliner recruited Juliet into the Hateterat (…?) Corporation and Sun’s father owns the Paik corporation, both of which are probably part of Widmore, since that company seems the more malicious of the two. Hanso is probably more benign with all of their “Namaste” and peace love hippie Dharma Initiave. Also, look for a reveal that Hurley is an (unwitting) partner in one or both of these corporations due to his huge lotto windfall. I would not be surprised to find out that it really comes down to two corporations battling for the rights to the secrets (fountain of youth; powers of alien Jacob) of the island. After all, someone is manufacturing and importing those noxious gas filled canisters the Others seem so fond of, right?
I’m digressing from my original point, though and now I will plunge headfirst into pure speculation. Some people have asked how Penny knew where to look for Desmond. Penny knew Desmond was entering the around the world race sponsored by her father to get his honor back. She had to have an inkling of what her father was involved in and peeled off a couple of her father’s operatives, stuck them up in that “snow hut” and told them what to look for based on the information she was able to glean from her father. I believe Penny is a force for good. And, as always, I must express my delight in seeing Desmond featured as a major player in the show. We can never have enough Des.
So, here we are that the edge of the end of season three. What will happen? Who will die? My guess is that Rose, Bernard and Sayid all die. Charlie, however, will live another season. Oh, and they won’t be rescued, either. And next season, I predict the Harlem Globetrotters will crash on the island and the castaways will hold a beauty pageant.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Greatest Hits SE3 EP21
"You said you were our leader. So lead."
Nice show of toughness and leadership from Jack last night. Nice show of loyalty to the Lostaways from Juliet
Too bad I'm not buying a bit of it.
Good set up episode for next week's two hour finale, so let's get into it.
Sorry Charlie
Every time I start to think Charlie is actually going to die, I start liking the character and hoping he makes it. Dana and I were watching last night and as soon as we saw the first Charlie backstory, we were both like, "Oh well, I guess Charlie's going to really die tonight." And, as usual, the writers faked us out. I actually started to get a little misty about Charlie, who actually was a good person until the drugs changed him. I think that good person comes out more and more the longer he's "clean" and on the island (again, the Charlie character is based on the conflicted Larry in The Stand--with each passing week the resemblance gets stronger--especially if he sacrifices himself for the other Lostaways). Charlie's backstory wasn't the traditional backstory we've come to expect. Instead, we see Charlie remembering his favorite moments of his life--as he tells Des, his "greatest hits". The first time he hears a Drive Shaft song on the radio. When his dad taught him to swim. When Liam gave him the signet ring (the "DS" standing for not only the initials of their dad, but that they named the band "Drive Shaft" after him). Saving the woman from the mugger. Meeting Claire was number 1.
Of all the scenes from Charlie's Greatest Hits, the most significant was the disruption of the mugging in the alley. First of all, you may remember the scene of Charlie on the street corner singing "Wonderwall" ("Maybe...you're gonna be the one that saves me....") from Desmond's earlier flash back/flash forward/time traveling episode. We pick up the scene immediately after the Des - Charlie encounter. Of course, the cool thing here is that the song still has significance: Charlie saves the woman from the mugging. The woman, of course, turns out to be none other than Sayid's Nadia (whom last we saw getting her home inspected by John Locke in flashback). Nadia hails Charlie as a hero: "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
All of the "Greatest Hits" scenes were quite bittersweet: Charlie either overcoming a great fear or obstacle (the flat tire, jumping in the pool, stopping the mugging) Or taking the ring from Liam because Liam feels like he's so messed up on drugs he'll never have anyone to hand the ring down to, much less live until he's 30 (as an aside, Liam does clean up his act after Charlie is completely hooked on heroin--Liam goes on to become a father and husband--yet Charlie still has the ring even though he clearly said he was only going to "hold on to it" not "take it" from Liam). And of course, there was the meeting with Claire. All this goes to tug on your heartstrings and get all sentimental for a character that is usually quite annoying. Just like Shannon. But of course they weren't going to kill him last night--the writers need to keep us on our toes. When they finally do kill Charlie, we won't even see it coming.
The Looking Glass Mission
Another Des flash and another premonition of Charlie's death, this time Charlie drowns after he flips the flashing yellow switch in the Looking Glass Hatch. Except, this time we, the audience, are not privvy to Des's flash and therefore, when Des seems a little more enigmatic than usual when telling Charlie his fate, I'm getting the strong feeling that he's holding something back. Please note--and note well--that Des NEVER says the Looking Glass is flooded or deserted (it's Juliet who claims that, but more on that lying lint-licker below) He just says that Charlie needs to drown so that Claire and the BayBay can get on the helicopter. Which doesn't necessarily mean they are getting rescued, either. Charlie really loves Claire and Aaron, so he will sacrifice himself to save them.
When Sayid tells Rousseau he wants to shut off her message so they can use the sat phone to communicate with Naomi's boat, Juliet tells the gang that they will never be able to transmit because the signal is being jammed in the Looking Glass (which, she adds, Ben has told her is deserted and flooded--nice way to lie and blame somebody everybody already hates, don't you think?). Sayid, equipped with the schematics he took from the Flame, works out the strategy for Charlie to infiltrate the Looking Glass. Des offers to come with him. Charlie then says a heartfelt good-bye to Aaron and Claire, and then Hurley, on the beach. He tells Aaron & Hurley that he loves them, but was unable to tell Claire. He leaves the ring in Aaron's bassinet.
By the way, another bittersweet moment for Charlie as Naomi tells him she recognizes him as the "dead rock star" from the recovered flight 815 and fills him in on the career comeback and fame he's enjoying post mortem. Remember that poor, strung out, drug addicted Charlie went to his brother Liam desperate to start the Band back up because he had nothing left, only to be denied flat out since Liam was now a family man with a decent job. What a slap in the face to Charlie that his brother would bring the band back to exploit Charlie's death but not to save his life.
Once Charlie and Des take to outrigger to the Looking Glass, Des is having second thoughts about letting Charlie die. "Maybe," he says to Charlie, "I keep seeing you die because I'm the one that's really meant to die." He gives Charlie back the Greatest Hits, turns his back and just when you think Charlie's going to be all cowardly and let Des do the job he was meant for, Charlie whacks Des over the head, knocking him out. He leaves the list with Des and dives in, and we see his Vans floating to the surface.
Charlie makes it into the Looking Glass, which is enormous and looks like where they doc the sub (before it's unfortunate demise). Clearly there is power on and Charlie is so happy that he made it there alive he starts whooping it up and then--surprise, surprise--we find out that the Looking Glass hatch isn't deserted at all and a host of power-chicks come out and train their guns on Charlie. Hmmmm...just can't get over the fact that Juliet gave them faulty information.....
Preparing for Battle on the Beach
Ok, so they are going to blow up the three tents that Juliet marked with white rocks (BTW is there any significance to the fact that they are using white rocks to mark the tents that they are going to blow up with dynamite confiscated from the Black Rock?) This strategy, while it will be cool to watch, won't really work in real life unless the Others all enter the tents at the same time. But whatever. General Jack is in charge here and I'm still not buying into his loyalty to the Lostaways. He's all "I'm the leader here an I've been making the decisions here for the last 90 days and you wanted a decision, so I'm making it." Once again, I'm not too fond of this don't-you-dare-question-my-motives-or-methods Jack. And, to further my suspicion of Jack's loyalty, please witness Jack's reaction to Sayid's insistence that Jack "lead" the Lostaways to the radio tower and not stay on the beach to kill the Others. "You said you were our leader, so lead." Sayid is the master of keeping people off balance--especially those he does not trust. He specifically told Jack to go to the radio tower, not because the Lostaways needed him to "lead" them, but because Sayid wanted to gauge Jack's reaction to a logical suggestion in a change of plans. I think Jack failed that test. Sadly, I think Sayid is going to die next week, and either Jack or Juliet is going to kill him, if only because he does not blindly and unquestioningly follow Jack's directives. Plus, Sayid is the one they all turn to when Jack is not around. Sayid would be the natural leader in Jack's absence (given the loss of Locke to his "own journey" now...), except when Sayid is gone, too, which is when Sawyer is in charge. The only other Lostaways to question Jack are Locke and Sawyer. We all know what happened to Locke last week (but he's NOT dead!) and Sawyer better watch his back. I mentioned earlier this season that we may see a division of loyalties within the Lostaways with some following Sawyer and some following Jack. Perhaps that lame off-the-top-of-my-head theory I dashed off earlier in the year will come to pass after all...
And speaking of the battle, Rousseau is all about blowing the Others up, but what if they bring Alex on the raid with them? Will Rousseau be able to blow up her own daughter? And why does she feel more loyalty to the Lostaways than her own "father" (whom, we find out, she doesn't really believe is her "father").
And I don't believe for a moment that Juliet has been on this island for three years and didn't know there were people down in the Looking Glass. She completely set up Charlie and Desmond. How do I know this? Because of the prime directive:
JULIET IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED
Also, has anyone else picked up on the fact that more and more often, Jack seems to be sporting those weird little ambiguously inappropriate half-Mona-Lisa smiles that Juliet has heretofore been famous for? Ok, maybe I AM reading WAY too much into it, but it does seem to me that Jack has picked up some of Juliet's mannerisms. Also, Carl/Chiachi was completely incredulous when he saw Juliet in the camp. Even though she played it off like she was completely blowing Carl's accusation off, I think that was a strategy to make the Lostaways doubt Carl instead of her.
Also, I'd like to go on record as saying that I believe we brought Rose and Bernard back just so we can kill them off in the season finale.
Kate = Annie Rumors
OK, I heard this rumor floated on WMMR this morning and they said the internet is all a buzz with it. The theory is that Annie from Ben's back story last week (she of the wooden doll and birthday remembering fame) has grown up to become Kate. This is easily one of the more intriguing theories floating around out there and there is quite a bit of info to back it up. I'm winging it here on memory since the Internet Gestapo at work has all the good websites blocked, but some of the facts I heard on MMR and that I remember are as follows:
1. Kate's step father was in the army with Kelvin (Mr. Krabbs) who was a Dharma Initiative member working the original hatch when Desmond arrived on the island.
2. In many of Kate's backstories, we see her using the alias "Annie" to avoid capture. In particular when she was working the farm in Australia (season 1) when she got married to Kevin (season 3), and when she met up with Cassie on the road (season 3)
3. At the beginning of this season, immediately following Kate, Jack and Sawyer's capture by the Others, Ben takes Kate up to a cliff overlooking the ocean for a quaint seaside breakfast because he wants her to have "something good to remember" before they do whatever it is that they do to her that makes her wrists all bloody when she comes back to the cages. (By the way, we STILL don't know what happened to Kate during that time.)
4. Kate was desperate at the beginning of Season 1 to get the case--not because of the guns inside, but because of the little airplane inside it. Did Ben (or some other Dharma Initiative member or an Other) give that airplane to Kate when she was on the island (and before she presumably had her memories wiped of the island) to remind her of of her fate...?
5. ....Or is Kate perhaps the biggest underground Other Mole of all time? Could THIS be the reason Locke was so disgusted with her after reading her file a few episodes back? And could the tenacity of the federal bounty hunters tracking her be tied to the intentions of one of our nefarious big corporations?
Another interesting rumor that's floating around out there is that it will be Walt who finds Locke and saves him.
Tonight:
Lost Special after Gray's Anatomy. I sincerely doubt I will be able to remain awake to watch this tonight (one 11:00 night is already one too many for me) but I will tape it and recap it, probably over the weekend. These are good if only to see what the writers have decided are important plot points to cover. Check the Blog (fishbiscuits.blogspot.com) for updates over the weekend, but I will probably send an email on Monday or Tuesday if you don't get around to it.
Season Finale:
Everything will change. And who is Jack saying I love you to? The way they had it edited, it looked like it was Kate, but I doubt they'd be that obvious in a preview with such a major plot point.
Then no Lost until 2008. Withdrawal is already setting in.
Nice show of toughness and leadership from Jack last night. Nice show of loyalty to the Lostaways from Juliet
Too bad I'm not buying a bit of it.
Good set up episode for next week's two hour finale, so let's get into it.
Sorry Charlie
Every time I start to think Charlie is actually going to die, I start liking the character and hoping he makes it. Dana and I were watching last night and as soon as we saw the first Charlie backstory, we were both like, "Oh well, I guess Charlie's going to really die tonight." And, as usual, the writers faked us out. I actually started to get a little misty about Charlie, who actually was a good person until the drugs changed him. I think that good person comes out more and more the longer he's "clean" and on the island (again, the Charlie character is based on the conflicted Larry in The Stand--with each passing week the resemblance gets stronger--especially if he sacrifices himself for the other Lostaways). Charlie's backstory wasn't the traditional backstory we've come to expect. Instead, we see Charlie remembering his favorite moments of his life--as he tells Des, his "greatest hits". The first time he hears a Drive Shaft song on the radio. When his dad taught him to swim. When Liam gave him the signet ring (the "DS" standing for not only the initials of their dad, but that they named the band "Drive Shaft" after him). Saving the woman from the mugger. Meeting Claire was number 1.
Of all the scenes from Charlie's Greatest Hits, the most significant was the disruption of the mugging in the alley. First of all, you may remember the scene of Charlie on the street corner singing "Wonderwall" ("Maybe...you're gonna be the one that saves me....") from Desmond's earlier flash back/flash forward/time traveling episode. We pick up the scene immediately after the Des - Charlie encounter. Of course, the cool thing here is that the song still has significance: Charlie saves the woman from the mugging. The woman, of course, turns out to be none other than Sayid's Nadia (whom last we saw getting her home inspected by John Locke in flashback). Nadia hails Charlie as a hero: "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
All of the "Greatest Hits" scenes were quite bittersweet: Charlie either overcoming a great fear or obstacle (the flat tire, jumping in the pool, stopping the mugging) Or taking the ring from Liam because Liam feels like he's so messed up on drugs he'll never have anyone to hand the ring down to, much less live until he's 30 (as an aside, Liam does clean up his act after Charlie is completely hooked on heroin--Liam goes on to become a father and husband--yet Charlie still has the ring even though he clearly said he was only going to "hold on to it" not "take it" from Liam). And of course, there was the meeting with Claire. All this goes to tug on your heartstrings and get all sentimental for a character that is usually quite annoying. Just like Shannon. But of course they weren't going to kill him last night--the writers need to keep us on our toes. When they finally do kill Charlie, we won't even see it coming.
The Looking Glass Mission
Another Des flash and another premonition of Charlie's death, this time Charlie drowns after he flips the flashing yellow switch in the Looking Glass Hatch. Except, this time we, the audience, are not privvy to Des's flash and therefore, when Des seems a little more enigmatic than usual when telling Charlie his fate, I'm getting the strong feeling that he's holding something back. Please note--and note well--that Des NEVER says the Looking Glass is flooded or deserted (it's Juliet who claims that, but more on that lying lint-licker below) He just says that Charlie needs to drown so that Claire and the BayBay can get on the helicopter. Which doesn't necessarily mean they are getting rescued, either. Charlie really loves Claire and Aaron, so he will sacrifice himself to save them.
When Sayid tells Rousseau he wants to shut off her message so they can use the sat phone to communicate with Naomi's boat, Juliet tells the gang that they will never be able to transmit because the signal is being jammed in the Looking Glass (which, she adds, Ben has told her is deserted and flooded--nice way to lie and blame somebody everybody already hates, don't you think?). Sayid, equipped with the schematics he took from the Flame, works out the strategy for Charlie to infiltrate the Looking Glass. Des offers to come with him. Charlie then says a heartfelt good-bye to Aaron and Claire, and then Hurley, on the beach. He tells Aaron & Hurley that he loves them, but was unable to tell Claire. He leaves the ring in Aaron's bassinet.
By the way, another bittersweet moment for Charlie as Naomi tells him she recognizes him as the "dead rock star" from the recovered flight 815 and fills him in on the career comeback and fame he's enjoying post mortem. Remember that poor, strung out, drug addicted Charlie went to his brother Liam desperate to start the Band back up because he had nothing left, only to be denied flat out since Liam was now a family man with a decent job. What a slap in the face to Charlie that his brother would bring the band back to exploit Charlie's death but not to save his life.
Once Charlie and Des take to outrigger to the Looking Glass, Des is having second thoughts about letting Charlie die. "Maybe," he says to Charlie, "I keep seeing you die because I'm the one that's really meant to die." He gives Charlie back the Greatest Hits, turns his back and just when you think Charlie's going to be all cowardly and let Des do the job he was meant for, Charlie whacks Des over the head, knocking him out. He leaves the list with Des and dives in, and we see his Vans floating to the surface.
Charlie makes it into the Looking Glass, which is enormous and looks like where they doc the sub (before it's unfortunate demise). Clearly there is power on and Charlie is so happy that he made it there alive he starts whooping it up and then--surprise, surprise--we find out that the Looking Glass hatch isn't deserted at all and a host of power-chicks come out and train their guns on Charlie. Hmmmm...just can't get over the fact that Juliet gave them faulty information.....
Preparing for Battle on the Beach
Ok, so they are going to blow up the three tents that Juliet marked with white rocks (BTW is there any significance to the fact that they are using white rocks to mark the tents that they are going to blow up with dynamite confiscated from the Black Rock?) This strategy, while it will be cool to watch, won't really work in real life unless the Others all enter the tents at the same time. But whatever. General Jack is in charge here and I'm still not buying into his loyalty to the Lostaways. He's all "I'm the leader here an I've been making the decisions here for the last 90 days and you wanted a decision, so I'm making it." Once again, I'm not too fond of this don't-you-dare-question-my-motives-or-methods Jack. And, to further my suspicion of Jack's loyalty, please witness Jack's reaction to Sayid's insistence that Jack "lead" the Lostaways to the radio tower and not stay on the beach to kill the Others. "You said you were our leader, so lead." Sayid is the master of keeping people off balance--especially those he does not trust. He specifically told Jack to go to the radio tower, not because the Lostaways needed him to "lead" them, but because Sayid wanted to gauge Jack's reaction to a logical suggestion in a change of plans. I think Jack failed that test. Sadly, I think Sayid is going to die next week, and either Jack or Juliet is going to kill him, if only because he does not blindly and unquestioningly follow Jack's directives. Plus, Sayid is the one they all turn to when Jack is not around. Sayid would be the natural leader in Jack's absence (given the loss of Locke to his "own journey" now...), except when Sayid is gone, too, which is when Sawyer is in charge. The only other Lostaways to question Jack are Locke and Sawyer. We all know what happened to Locke last week (but he's NOT dead!) and Sawyer better watch his back. I mentioned earlier this season that we may see a division of loyalties within the Lostaways with some following Sawyer and some following Jack. Perhaps that lame off-the-top-of-my-head theory I dashed off earlier in the year will come to pass after all...
And speaking of the battle, Rousseau is all about blowing the Others up, but what if they bring Alex on the raid with them? Will Rousseau be able to blow up her own daughter? And why does she feel more loyalty to the Lostaways than her own "father" (whom, we find out, she doesn't really believe is her "father").
And I don't believe for a moment that Juliet has been on this island for three years and didn't know there were people down in the Looking Glass. She completely set up Charlie and Desmond. How do I know this? Because of the prime directive:
JULIET IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED
Also, has anyone else picked up on the fact that more and more often, Jack seems to be sporting those weird little ambiguously inappropriate half-Mona-Lisa smiles that Juliet has heretofore been famous for? Ok, maybe I AM reading WAY too much into it, but it does seem to me that Jack has picked up some of Juliet's mannerisms. Also, Carl/Chiachi was completely incredulous when he saw Juliet in the camp. Even though she played it off like she was completely blowing Carl's accusation off, I think that was a strategy to make the Lostaways doubt Carl instead of her.
Also, I'd like to go on record as saying that I believe we brought Rose and Bernard back just so we can kill them off in the season finale.
Kate = Annie Rumors
OK, I heard this rumor floated on WMMR this morning and they said the internet is all a buzz with it. The theory is that Annie from Ben's back story last week (she of the wooden doll and birthday remembering fame) has grown up to become Kate. This is easily one of the more intriguing theories floating around out there and there is quite a bit of info to back it up. I'm winging it here on memory since the Internet Gestapo at work has all the good websites blocked, but some of the facts I heard on MMR and that I remember are as follows:
1. Kate's step father was in the army with Kelvin (Mr. Krabbs) who was a Dharma Initiative member working the original hatch when Desmond arrived on the island.
2. In many of Kate's backstories, we see her using the alias "Annie" to avoid capture. In particular when she was working the farm in Australia (season 1) when she got married to Kevin (season 3), and when she met up with Cassie on the road (season 3)
3. At the beginning of this season, immediately following Kate, Jack and Sawyer's capture by the Others, Ben takes Kate up to a cliff overlooking the ocean for a quaint seaside breakfast because he wants her to have "something good to remember" before they do whatever it is that they do to her that makes her wrists all bloody when she comes back to the cages. (By the way, we STILL don't know what happened to Kate during that time.)
4. Kate was desperate at the beginning of Season 1 to get the case--not because of the guns inside, but because of the little airplane inside it. Did Ben (or some other Dharma Initiative member or an Other) give that airplane to Kate when she was on the island (and before she presumably had her memories wiped of the island) to remind her of of her fate...?
5. ....Or is Kate perhaps the biggest underground Other Mole of all time? Could THIS be the reason Locke was so disgusted with her after reading her file a few episodes back? And could the tenacity of the federal bounty hunters tracking her be tied to the intentions of one of our nefarious big corporations?
Another interesting rumor that's floating around out there is that it will be Walt who finds Locke and saves him.
Tonight:
Lost Special after Gray's Anatomy. I sincerely doubt I will be able to remain awake to watch this tonight (one 11:00 night is already one too many for me) but I will tape it and recap it, probably over the weekend. These are good if only to see what the writers have decided are important plot points to cover. Check the Blog (fishbiscuits.blogspot.com) for updates over the weekend, but I will probably send an email on Monday or Tuesday if you don't get around to it.
Season Finale:
Everything will change. And who is Jack saying I love you to? The way they had it edited, it looked like it was Kate, but I doubt they'd be that obvious in a preview with such a major plot point.
Then no Lost until 2008. Withdrawal is already setting in.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Theory - The Fountain of Youth
The other day I was contemplating why Richard Eyeliner is who he is, i.e. why is he wearing that eyeliner. It then occured to me that perhaps the island is the fountain of youth. Let me explain how I got there:
So at first, I was thinking, hey, maybe Richard Eyeliner is an ancient Egyptian Pharoah since we have a theory that the folks on the island don't age like normal folks (remember the films of the 70 year old reproductive organs in the 28 year old woman Richard showed to Juliet to entice her to come to the island?) So I started thinking, when in history did males wear eyeliner? My first thought was ancient Egypt, but my second thought, which makes more sense, actually, is that Richard was a slave on the Black Rock. I think that everytime there is a wreckage on the island, the survivors are tallied and some are chosen to join the Others--hence the "Lists". Children are taken becuase they probably add to the energy of the island until they reach adulthood. I think we may find out that each one of the Others arrived from a different era in time to join the island dwellers. Ben was the last one asked to join, Locke is next. The only thing marring this paradise is the Other's inability to reproduce--hence the need for Juliet's reproductive expertise.
So part two of this theory is that Jacob has some kind of powers (ala the aliens in Coccoon) that keep everybody young. Jacob probably IS an alien, albeit a humanoid one with four toes (hence the statue) But he can only keep so many people young and all these people on the island are weakening his powers which is why the the Others feel that the Lostaways must die, why Jacob seemed so weak and in need of Locke's help, and why Ben developed a tumor.
So at first, I was thinking, hey, maybe Richard Eyeliner is an ancient Egyptian Pharoah since we have a theory that the folks on the island don't age like normal folks (remember the films of the 70 year old reproductive organs in the 28 year old woman Richard showed to Juliet to entice her to come to the island?) So I started thinking, when in history did males wear eyeliner? My first thought was ancient Egypt, but my second thought, which makes more sense, actually, is that Richard was a slave on the Black Rock. I think that everytime there is a wreckage on the island, the survivors are tallied and some are chosen to join the Others--hence the "Lists". Children are taken becuase they probably add to the energy of the island until they reach adulthood. I think we may find out that each one of the Others arrived from a different era in time to join the island dwellers. Ben was the last one asked to join, Locke is next. The only thing marring this paradise is the Other's inability to reproduce--hence the need for Juliet's reproductive expertise.
So part two of this theory is that Jacob has some kind of powers (ala the aliens in Coccoon) that keep everybody young. Jacob probably IS an alien, albeit a humanoid one with four toes (hence the statue) But he can only keep so many people young and all these people on the island are weakening his powers which is why the the Others feel that the Lostaways must die, why Jacob seemed so weak and in need of Locke's help, and why Ben developed a tumor.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
The Man Behind the Curtain SE3 EP20
“Help Me….”
No, I don't think Locke is dead.
I think the island will save him. Awesome, awesome episode. I'm actually starting to feel sorry for everyone who gave up on the show. Anyway, we got a lot of information last night and very little of it made definite sense so let's get to it...
Toto, we're not in Oregon anymore
Ben's status as manipulative liar is cemented within the first five minutes of the show when we find out he was born not on the island, as he claimed, but in the woods in Oregon. His mother dies shortly thereafter, in the trunk of Percy Goodspeed's Kharman Ghia. When next we see Percy, it's about 10 to 12 years later with a great big "Namaste!" for Roger (Ben's dad) and Ben. Roger (Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite) is a miserable alcoholic S.O.B. who blames Ben for killing his wife Emily in childbirth because of his early arrival. He's also a bit of a disgruntled postal worker at the hippie commune Dharma Initiative--he expected to be much more than just a "Work Man". So poor little Ben is a sad and surprisingly sympathetic character. He hates living on the island (probably as much as his dad) and has, it seems, only one friend, Annie, who is also the only one who ever remembers his birthday.
During school one day, the teacher is re-creating the Peter Brady volcano experiment and one of the children asks "Is that what it would be like if OUR volcano blew up?" just as she is answering yes, a huge rumbling explosion rips through the school and the children are directed to begin their "duck and cover" drill. The Dharma Initiative is under attack from the "hostiles" aka the Others. (As an aside, I'd just like to point out that the timing of the explosion--as an answer to the kid's question--was NOT a coincidence, but another instance of the island responding to the wishes/thoughts of one of it's inhabitants) Later that night Roger Work Man files a grievance with Percy looking for hazard pay for getting shot at (he must have been a union guy back on the mainland) He wants an extra $30 grand.
When Ben goes to bed one night he hears a thunking on his window and briefly sees his mother. Later we see little Ben at home on his birthday with his drunk dad passed out and he opens his present from Annie alone: two carved dolls of "Ben" and "Annie". After a particularly nasty blame session from his dad, fully holding baby Ben accountable for his mother's death, Ben runs away out into the jungle until he reaches the sonic fence. He sees his mother on the other side, who tells him that it's not time for him to join her and that he must have patience. Soon thereafter, he takes his white rabbit (is it the same one he used to con Sawyer?) and actually makes the move to run away for good, somehow obtaining the code for the sonic fence then using his pet rabbit to test to make sure it's off. He crosses to the "Other" side and eventually runs into....Richard Eyeliner, who in addition to his usual eyeliner is also sporting an era appropriate hairdo and looks exactly the same age as he does 30 years (or so) later on Island Time. Richard reiterates his mother's message about patience and then we assume sends Ben back to the Dharma hippies for at least 10 to 15 years.
Now 10 to 15 years later, Ben and Roger are loading up the hippie van with supplies for the Pearl station and once again, it's Ben's birthday. And once again, Roger has forgotten. Presumably, since he's sober when Ben reminds him this time, he's a little more magnanimous and offers to take him up to "mesa" for a few beers. Ben seems a little startled and pleased that his father has offered this and off they go. Over Dharma beers, Ben asks his dad if he really thinks he (Ben) killed his mother. Roger doesn't answer directly "What do I know?" he says. Ben then reminds him that while Roger has lost a wife, Ben misses his mother, too. To which Roger makes some kind of halfhearted promise to be a better father and spend more time together. The cold, calculating Ben we have come to know and love, then emerges, tells his dad "I don't think we'll have that chance." dons his gas mask and proceeds to kill his father with nerve gas.
It's worth noting here that even though the Others are supposedly indigenous to the island, they apparently still have a very active connection to the mainland, unless they have some sort of nerve gas manufacturing plant hidden elsewhere on the island, which I doubt. So where did the nerve gas come from? My guess is one of the malicious corporations: Hanso, Widmore or Paik. Also, regarding the seeming agelessness of Richard Eyeliner: recall that when he went to recruit Juliet he showed her a slide of a the reproductive organs of a 28 year old that looked like the insides of a 70 year old--which is what he needed Juliet's help with in the first place, in addition to the fertility stuff. Are the Others somehow aging on the inside but not the outside?
Ben comes back to the hippie commune where all of the Dharma Initiative has been gassed and is dead. (The image of the bodies, dead in the midst of carrying on their everyday lives is another image from The Stand) Ben sees Percy on a bench and tenderly goes over and closes his eyes. However, when Richard Eyeliner arrives with the Others and asks if Ben wants them to go up to Mesa and get his dad, Ben says "Leave him up there." Which they do, for Hurley to find some years later.
I'll get you my pretty...
Meanwhile, back on the beach, the Others' plot to kidnap the pregnant women (is Kate one of them?) and take them back to the Others has been revealed as Sawyer plays the tape for first Sayid then Kate. Jack come back into camp, naturally indignant that he has not been informed of every little tiny detail while he apparently has no qualms about using his sole judgement to keep Juliet's original mission a secret from the Lostaways ("I wasn't sure how it should be dealt with yet"). When they are confronted, Juliet tells them to turn the tape over, knowing that Ben's instructions for her will be there on the other side. Ben wants her to mark the tents of the pregnant women so that the Others can come and get them. I don't think this necessarily clears Juliet or her intentions or Jack. The scenes for next week show the Lostaways preparing for battle with the Others.
Nobody gets in to see the wizard..not nobody, not nohow!
Back on Island Time, it's Ben's birthday again and Ben is holding his Annie doll as Richard Eyeliner approaches asking if Ben wants the recorder delivered back to the medical station. Ben, obviously unaware that Locke has taken the recorder and given it to Sawyer, panics: where is it? I thought you already took it? Just then, Locke arrives back at Camp Other with his dad on his back. "Ok, Ben, you owe me some answers." Not only Ben, but every other Other seems a bit surprised that Locke has come back with his dead father on his back just as he was directed by Ben. Ben struggles to put Locke off: "You just don't 'go and see' Jacob--he is a man who summons you." but Locke is having none of it. Then Mikhail runs into camp, telling Ben of the woman who has parachuted onto the island and has a boat 180 miles off the coast. Once again, Ben seems caught off guard--as if things are slowly spinning out of his control--also, this reaction seems to indicate that Naomi is part of a legitimate rescue effort (perhaps pitting one evil corporation against another?). He tries to use this as a reason for putting off Locke again, but again, Locke is determined and beats the crap out of Mikhail while the Others all stand by and watch, even as Ben orders them to intervene. It seems the Others know that some kind of power transfer is in effect between Ben and Locke--after all, as Cindy said last week, they've been waiting for Locke.
Finally, Ben sees that Locke will not take no for an answer. On their way to Jacob's, they run across the path of Alex, who gives Locke a gun telling him he's going to need it (Does Alex know Ben is going to try and kill Locke? Or does she think he needs it for protection from Jacob?) She then wishes Ben a not very heartfelt happy birthday.
We're off to see the wizard
My theory is that "Jacob" is the island. Ben has had power as leader of the Others because he has been able to convince them that he is the only one who can talk to Jacob. He tried pulling his act on Locke last night ("What do you mean, you can't see him--he's sitting right here."), but Locke didn't buy it--Locke thought he was crazy and talking to no one. And so did I until I heard that voice say "Help me..." I knew it wasn't Ben. Then when Locke turned around with the flashlight in Ben's face, Ben looked absolutely terrified (Jacob doesn't like technology) and then all hell breaks loose--windows shattering, Ben being throw against the wall, stuff flying around...and then, the outline of a man--"Jacob" appears. How can he be there and not there at the same time? My theory is that it is "Jacob" who manipulates the Black Smoke and BTW, the Black smoke is the ashy substance Locke spots on the way to Jacob's cabin and Ben nervously steps over in it's dormant state. Jacob manipulates the tree uprooting sentry and makes different images appear to people--Yemmi, Dave, Jack's Dad, Kate's Horse, Sawyer's Boar etc. Ben knows Jacob exists, yet he has never been able to really talk to him--he has been able to make people believe he is the only one who can talk to him up until now. Ben knows Locke has a stronger connection to the island and therefore knows that Locke will be able to actually communicate with Jacob, which is why he so easily goes along with Locke's request/demand that they go see Jacob--once again, Ben using his powers of manipulation to get Locke to do exactly what he wants him to do. Ben is also jealous of Locke and knows that Locke will take his place as "leader" of the Others, which is why he shoots him when Locke says he will go back to camp and expose him for the pathetic fraud that he is.
One question that I have is that Ben seems in awe of Jacob--even scared of him, yet when engaged in his "dialog" with him seems to be talking down to him. "That's enough, you've had your fun" and "I can't hear what he's saying if you're talking over him." Is this all part of Ben's act to make people think Ben has real power (even over Jacob) or is Ben really talking to him?
When they emerge from Jacob's shack, you can see Locke is all WTF? Ben, just as calm as can be "That was Jacob." Ben then takes Locke a different way back to camp so he can show Locke the mass grave of the Dharma Initiative then make him a part of it. "I guess I'm still smarter than you." Ben wants to know what Jacob said to Locke, so he obviously couldn't hear it and it truly didn't seem to make much sense to Ben once Locke told him that Jacob said "Help me." "Well, I hope Jacob helps you now." and Ben leaves him for dead.
Now, I didn't think Locke was dead last night since he was still breathing at the end of the show. I truly believe that the island will save him--and maybe that's all part of Ben's plan too--just another test for Locke to pass. But as someone pointed out on P&S this morning, Locke's wound was on his lower left torso--a shot that would ordinarily result in a fatal wound to the kidney--IF a man had that kidney. So perhaps Locke's bastard of a father actually ended up saving his life by stealing his kidney.
Next week...
Two more episodes left and next week looks awesome. I think Jack is taking control again and they will use Juliet's information to defend against the Others but always remember the prime directive:
JULIET IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED
No, I don't think Locke is dead.
I think the island will save him. Awesome, awesome episode. I'm actually starting to feel sorry for everyone who gave up on the show. Anyway, we got a lot of information last night and very little of it made definite sense so let's get to it...
Toto, we're not in Oregon anymore
Ben's status as manipulative liar is cemented within the first five minutes of the show when we find out he was born not on the island, as he claimed, but in the woods in Oregon. His mother dies shortly thereafter, in the trunk of Percy Goodspeed's Kharman Ghia. When next we see Percy, it's about 10 to 12 years later with a great big "Namaste!" for Roger (Ben's dad) and Ben. Roger (Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite) is a miserable alcoholic S.O.B. who blames Ben for killing his wife Emily in childbirth because of his early arrival. He's also a bit of a disgruntled postal worker at the hippie commune Dharma Initiative--he expected to be much more than just a "Work Man". So poor little Ben is a sad and surprisingly sympathetic character. He hates living on the island (probably as much as his dad) and has, it seems, only one friend, Annie, who is also the only one who ever remembers his birthday.
During school one day, the teacher is re-creating the Peter Brady volcano experiment and one of the children asks "Is that what it would be like if OUR volcano blew up?" just as she is answering yes, a huge rumbling explosion rips through the school and the children are directed to begin their "duck and cover" drill. The Dharma Initiative is under attack from the "hostiles" aka the Others. (As an aside, I'd just like to point out that the timing of the explosion--as an answer to the kid's question--was NOT a coincidence, but another instance of the island responding to the wishes/thoughts of one of it's inhabitants) Later that night Roger Work Man files a grievance with Percy looking for hazard pay for getting shot at (he must have been a union guy back on the mainland) He wants an extra $30 grand.
When Ben goes to bed one night he hears a thunking on his window and briefly sees his mother. Later we see little Ben at home on his birthday with his drunk dad passed out and he opens his present from Annie alone: two carved dolls of "Ben" and "Annie". After a particularly nasty blame session from his dad, fully holding baby Ben accountable for his mother's death, Ben runs away out into the jungle until he reaches the sonic fence. He sees his mother on the other side, who tells him that it's not time for him to join her and that he must have patience. Soon thereafter, he takes his white rabbit (is it the same one he used to con Sawyer?) and actually makes the move to run away for good, somehow obtaining the code for the sonic fence then using his pet rabbit to test to make sure it's off. He crosses to the "Other" side and eventually runs into....Richard Eyeliner, who in addition to his usual eyeliner is also sporting an era appropriate hairdo and looks exactly the same age as he does 30 years (or so) later on Island Time. Richard reiterates his mother's message about patience and then we assume sends Ben back to the Dharma hippies for at least 10 to 15 years.
Now 10 to 15 years later, Ben and Roger are loading up the hippie van with supplies for the Pearl station and once again, it's Ben's birthday. And once again, Roger has forgotten. Presumably, since he's sober when Ben reminds him this time, he's a little more magnanimous and offers to take him up to "mesa" for a few beers. Ben seems a little startled and pleased that his father has offered this and off they go. Over Dharma beers, Ben asks his dad if he really thinks he (Ben) killed his mother. Roger doesn't answer directly "What do I know?" he says. Ben then reminds him that while Roger has lost a wife, Ben misses his mother, too. To which Roger makes some kind of halfhearted promise to be a better father and spend more time together. The cold, calculating Ben we have come to know and love, then emerges, tells his dad "I don't think we'll have that chance." dons his gas mask and proceeds to kill his father with nerve gas.
It's worth noting here that even though the Others are supposedly indigenous to the island, they apparently still have a very active connection to the mainland, unless they have some sort of nerve gas manufacturing plant hidden elsewhere on the island, which I doubt. So where did the nerve gas come from? My guess is one of the malicious corporations: Hanso, Widmore or Paik. Also, regarding the seeming agelessness of Richard Eyeliner: recall that when he went to recruit Juliet he showed her a slide of a the reproductive organs of a 28 year old that looked like the insides of a 70 year old--which is what he needed Juliet's help with in the first place, in addition to the fertility stuff. Are the Others somehow aging on the inside but not the outside?
Ben comes back to the hippie commune where all of the Dharma Initiative has been gassed and is dead. (The image of the bodies, dead in the midst of carrying on their everyday lives is another image from The Stand) Ben sees Percy on a bench and tenderly goes over and closes his eyes. However, when Richard Eyeliner arrives with the Others and asks if Ben wants them to go up to Mesa and get his dad, Ben says "Leave him up there." Which they do, for Hurley to find some years later.
I'll get you my pretty...
Meanwhile, back on the beach, the Others' plot to kidnap the pregnant women (is Kate one of them?) and take them back to the Others has been revealed as Sawyer plays the tape for first Sayid then Kate. Jack come back into camp, naturally indignant that he has not been informed of every little tiny detail while he apparently has no qualms about using his sole judgement to keep Juliet's original mission a secret from the Lostaways ("I wasn't sure how it should be dealt with yet"). When they are confronted, Juliet tells them to turn the tape over, knowing that Ben's instructions for her will be there on the other side. Ben wants her to mark the tents of the pregnant women so that the Others can come and get them. I don't think this necessarily clears Juliet or her intentions or Jack. The scenes for next week show the Lostaways preparing for battle with the Others.
Nobody gets in to see the wizard..not nobody, not nohow!
Back on Island Time, it's Ben's birthday again and Ben is holding his Annie doll as Richard Eyeliner approaches asking if Ben wants the recorder delivered back to the medical station. Ben, obviously unaware that Locke has taken the recorder and given it to Sawyer, panics: where is it? I thought you already took it? Just then, Locke arrives back at Camp Other with his dad on his back. "Ok, Ben, you owe me some answers." Not only Ben, but every other Other seems a bit surprised that Locke has come back with his dead father on his back just as he was directed by Ben. Ben struggles to put Locke off: "You just don't 'go and see' Jacob--he is a man who summons you." but Locke is having none of it. Then Mikhail runs into camp, telling Ben of the woman who has parachuted onto the island and has a boat 180 miles off the coast. Once again, Ben seems caught off guard--as if things are slowly spinning out of his control--also, this reaction seems to indicate that Naomi is part of a legitimate rescue effort (perhaps pitting one evil corporation against another?). He tries to use this as a reason for putting off Locke again, but again, Locke is determined and beats the crap out of Mikhail while the Others all stand by and watch, even as Ben orders them to intervene. It seems the Others know that some kind of power transfer is in effect between Ben and Locke--after all, as Cindy said last week, they've been waiting for Locke.
Finally, Ben sees that Locke will not take no for an answer. On their way to Jacob's, they run across the path of Alex, who gives Locke a gun telling him he's going to need it (Does Alex know Ben is going to try and kill Locke? Or does she think he needs it for protection from Jacob?) She then wishes Ben a not very heartfelt happy birthday.
We're off to see the wizard
My theory is that "Jacob" is the island. Ben has had power as leader of the Others because he has been able to convince them that he is the only one who can talk to Jacob. He tried pulling his act on Locke last night ("What do you mean, you can't see him--he's sitting right here."), but Locke didn't buy it--Locke thought he was crazy and talking to no one. And so did I until I heard that voice say "Help me..." I knew it wasn't Ben. Then when Locke turned around with the flashlight in Ben's face, Ben looked absolutely terrified (Jacob doesn't like technology) and then all hell breaks loose--windows shattering, Ben being throw against the wall, stuff flying around...and then, the outline of a man--"Jacob" appears. How can he be there and not there at the same time? My theory is that it is "Jacob" who manipulates the Black Smoke and BTW, the Black smoke is the ashy substance Locke spots on the way to Jacob's cabin and Ben nervously steps over in it's dormant state. Jacob manipulates the tree uprooting sentry and makes different images appear to people--Yemmi, Dave, Jack's Dad, Kate's Horse, Sawyer's Boar etc. Ben knows Jacob exists, yet he has never been able to really talk to him--he has been able to make people believe he is the only one who can talk to him up until now. Ben knows Locke has a stronger connection to the island and therefore knows that Locke will be able to actually communicate with Jacob, which is why he so easily goes along with Locke's request/demand that they go see Jacob--once again, Ben using his powers of manipulation to get Locke to do exactly what he wants him to do. Ben is also jealous of Locke and knows that Locke will take his place as "leader" of the Others, which is why he shoots him when Locke says he will go back to camp and expose him for the pathetic fraud that he is.
One question that I have is that Ben seems in awe of Jacob--even scared of him, yet when engaged in his "dialog" with him seems to be talking down to him. "That's enough, you've had your fun" and "I can't hear what he's saying if you're talking over him." Is this all part of Ben's act to make people think Ben has real power (even over Jacob) or is Ben really talking to him?
When they emerge from Jacob's shack, you can see Locke is all WTF? Ben, just as calm as can be "That was Jacob." Ben then takes Locke a different way back to camp so he can show Locke the mass grave of the Dharma Initiative then make him a part of it. "I guess I'm still smarter than you." Ben wants to know what Jacob said to Locke, so he obviously couldn't hear it and it truly didn't seem to make much sense to Ben once Locke told him that Jacob said "Help me." "Well, I hope Jacob helps you now." and Ben leaves him for dead.
Now, I didn't think Locke was dead last night since he was still breathing at the end of the show. I truly believe that the island will save him--and maybe that's all part of Ben's plan too--just another test for Locke to pass. But as someone pointed out on P&S this morning, Locke's wound was on his lower left torso--a shot that would ordinarily result in a fatal wound to the kidney--IF a man had that kidney. So perhaps Locke's bastard of a father actually ended up saving his life by stealing his kidney.
Next week...
Two more episodes left and next week looks awesome. I think Jack is taking control again and they will use Juliet's information to defend against the Others but always remember the prime directive:
JULIET IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
The Brig SE3 EP19
“It’s a little hot here to be heaven…”
I'VE FIGURED IT OUT! IT'S PURGATORY!
Ok, I just had to get that out of my system. The producers have said over and over that it's not purgatory, but I'm sure those theories will start to surface again after last night's episode. And a busy episode it was, so let's dig in...
The Naomi Thing
Before the new episode came on last night, I indulged in the repeat of last week's Sun D.O.C. episode and noticed something that slipped by me last week. Naomi has the same, or similar, tattoos as Jack got from Bai Ling back in February. From what I could see, there were 4 oriental characters, just like Jack's.
Charlie, Des, Hurley and Jin are back from their camping trip and are acting rather obvious about being secretive. That's because they've brought Naomi back to the beach. (If they didn't want anyone--ie Jack and Juliet-- to know about her, why not set her up at the caves? I have a feeling this is not one of those questions we are supposed to ask) Naomi is awake and lucid and explains what we all figured out last week--that she was hired by Penelope to find Desmond. Our campers are convinced she is there to rescue them, but she tells them that not only has Flight 815 been found at the bottom of the ocean in a trench, but all of the bodies were recovered. So that's a little weird...especially considering that the island has these healing powers and last week we saw Mikhail rise from the dead. But think about it: what are the odds that a an airplane can be recovered in a deep sea trench with all the passengers intact in real life? I believe the Flight 815 that was recovered in the "outside world" was probably a plant by one of our nebulous sinister big corporations (like Hanso or Widmore or Paik).
Charlie, Des, Hurley and Jin need some leadership but don't trust Jack anymore. Of course, they get Hurley to approach Sayid (Dude, can you keep a secret?) who questions Naomi (who then gets offended at his questions) and works to get the sat phone working again. They're doing a pretty good job of keeping Naomi's presence a secret from Jack until Kate happens upon them. They specifically tell Kate NOT to tell Jack, so of course she immediately runs to Jack.
The Jack, Juliet and Kate thing
Kate wants to talk to Jack in private, which Juliet seems perfectly willing to do, but no, Jerk --errr I mean Jack insists "Whatever you have to say to me you can say to her." For some reason, Kate seems desperate to believe that Jack has not been compromised in any way. Everyone else has picked up on it, and so has she, but she refuses to acknowledge it--even holding herself back in her burgeoning relationship with Sawyer--who is either content or doing a good job of acting content in letting her have her space. Kate then spills everything she knows to Jack and Juliet while Juliet is positively shooting meaningful looks at Jack the whole time. Jack is all indignant: Why didn't anyone come to me?" "Because," Kate says, "No one trusts you anymore." and she might as well have added "DUH!" Juliet then tells Jack "We should tell her." To which Jack replies "Not yet." So obviously, Jack is in cahoots--or THINKS he is in cahoots--with Juliet. Not sure if this whole the-Others-are-coming-to-raid-the-beach-for-the-pregnant-women thing is an actual plan, and not sure that Jack, or even Juliet, is in on the actual plan. The point is, Jack THINKS he's in on the plan and it only took 10 days with the Others to turn him against the Lostaways on the beach.
The Other 8 days
We begin right where we left off, with Ben opening the door to Locke's dad, Anthony Cooper--who promptly bites Locke on the hand, drawing blood. How'd he get here? Well, he was riding along in his car in Tallahassee when his tire blew and he hit the guardrail. The last thing Cooper remembers is the paramedic smiling at him and then everything went black and he woke up here bound and gagged. Cooper believes he is dead and in hell. Meanwhile, Ben starts talking about the magic box--more ask and you shall receive--it's you, Locke , who have brought this dirtbag to the island and you who must get rid of him.
Ben tells Locke he must have some kind of special powers since he's been around, Ben is actually healing--getting up out of the wheel chair and using a cane to get around. The next day, Locke's making camp with the Others and who do we run into but Tailies Cindy and the Kids. Cindy tells Locke that everyone is glad he's here--they've been waiting for him. Later that night (?) Ben makes this big show of Locke having to kill his father in front of the group-Ben calls it making a "gesture" to the group--which he cannot do (FYI--this scene was very reminiscent of a scene in The Stand when Randall Flagg (bad guy) ties our heros (Larry and Ralph) to stakes and bekons on of his followers to kill them) Locke's dad of course was never worried--he says Locke is spineless and all he ever wanted was his daddy to love him. The whole episode seems contrived by Ben to make Locke look weak in front of the group--like Ben is worried that maybe Locke is going to take his place, or that Locke has more "island power" than he does. Since Ben is the master manipulator, this scenario seems a little too obvious for our bug-eyed Machiavellian friend, so I'm not sure about my theory here. I do know I will need to rewatch this episode this weekend. Anyway, after the demoralizing I-Can't-kill-my-father episode, Locke is up on the hill examining his now healed dad-bite when Richard Eyeliner comes up and has a seat next to him. Richard then gives Locke a pep talk to boost his morale after the embarrassing weakness, but reiterates that Locke's dad has to go. He hands him Sawyer's file and when Locke asks why Richard thinks Sawyer will kill his dad, Richard just tells him to"keep reading". The next day, the Others are packing up and Ben tells Locke he is going to be left behind. He'll leave a trail for him to follow, but he's only allowed back if he comes carrying his dead father on his back. Which leads him right back to the beach and Sawyer.
The Locke, Sawyer and Locke's Dad thing
For all of you out there who felt like the servings were a little lean, say during February and March (Jack Tattoo episode and Hurley Van episode) this episode makes sitting through that nonsense all worthwhile. Let me just say that I pretty much knew where this episode was going right from the very start--which almost makes me wish I didn't obsess about the show so much because I found it really hard to believe that some people actually saw this story arc's conclusion as a surprise--which might have actually been fun. But whatever--it didn't make it any less satisfying.
Ambivalent Kate gets up in the middle of the night to go back to her own tent, waking Sawyer, who then feels the need to relieve himself. He grabs his gun (why?) and steps out into the jungle only to meet Locke, who just so happens to be looking for him. "I've kidnapped Ben and I want you to kill him because I can't." Sawyer of course can't believe this happy horse doody, but follows Locke anyway saying he's not going to kill anybody. "You will when you hear what he has to say." He starts to walk away when Sawyer jumps him from behind and pulls the knife on him. Sawyer is terrified of what Locke is asking him to do. Locke then leads our shoeless (but unfortunately not shirtless) Sawyer through the jungle right back to the Black Rock. He then locks Sawyer in a room with Cooper, who may I say, has absolutely no redeeming qualities.
As Locke is sitting outside, Rousseau stops by for some dynamite. "Aisle 6, next to the peanut butter" says Locke pointing his flashlight. There is very little dialog exchanged and it seems none is needed between these two. As Sawyer gives up on Locke letting him out, he starts to turn his attention to the man in the room with him, who he does not recognize. After he begins to question him, Cooper lets slip that he's a con man. As the slow realization that this man is the man who slept with his mother, stole their money and caused Sawyer's dad to kill his mother and himself, the emotions running across Sawyer's face are incredible to watch. Finally, after Cooper provokes him to the limit, Sawyer garbs a chain and brutally strangles Cooper to death. It was, as my daughter said, a hard scene to watch. Locke comes in, nods his head and the relief is visible on his face. "Thank you." He says to Sawyer. What a satisfying tie up of one of our ongoing mysteries. I believe I will also rewatch the Sawyer backstory from Season one as well this weekend.
Sawyer and Locke then leave the Black Rock, Sawyer getting physically ill over what he just did. Locke tells Sawyer he's going back--not undercover, but on his "own journey now". He tells Sawyer about the raid on the beach--Juliet is in on it and the Others are going to come and take the pregnant women (one of whom I suspect is Kate with Sawyer's baby). When Sawyer protests that they won't believe him, Locke hands him Juliet's tape recorded report to Ben. More manipulation by Ben or not? We'll find out next week, I think. Ben then hoists up his dad onto his back and begins to trek back to find the Others. Remember, you heard it here long ago: the show is all about Locke.
Next week:
I was so flabbergasted and tired at the end of this show that I am now completely drawing a blank on the scenes for next week. All I know is it's going to be good. BTW, a couple of tidbits from Preston & Steve this morning: Michael and Walt will reappear and the little voice glitch at the very end scene with Locke was probably stupid channel 6 setting up the stupid lottery mikes. Oh, yeah and IT'S NOT PURGATORY!!!!!
I'VE FIGURED IT OUT! IT'S PURGATORY!
Ok, I just had to get that out of my system. The producers have said over and over that it's not purgatory, but I'm sure those theories will start to surface again after last night's episode. And a busy episode it was, so let's dig in...
The Naomi Thing
Before the new episode came on last night, I indulged in the repeat of last week's Sun D.O.C. episode and noticed something that slipped by me last week. Naomi has the same, or similar, tattoos as Jack got from Bai Ling back in February. From what I could see, there were 4 oriental characters, just like Jack's.
Charlie, Des, Hurley and Jin are back from their camping trip and are acting rather obvious about being secretive. That's because they've brought Naomi back to the beach. (If they didn't want anyone--ie Jack and Juliet-- to know about her, why not set her up at the caves? I have a feeling this is not one of those questions we are supposed to ask) Naomi is awake and lucid and explains what we all figured out last week--that she was hired by Penelope to find Desmond. Our campers are convinced she is there to rescue them, but she tells them that not only has Flight 815 been found at the bottom of the ocean in a trench, but all of the bodies were recovered. So that's a little weird...especially considering that the island has these healing powers and last week we saw Mikhail rise from the dead. But think about it: what are the odds that a an airplane can be recovered in a deep sea trench with all the passengers intact in real life? I believe the Flight 815 that was recovered in the "outside world" was probably a plant by one of our nebulous sinister big corporations (like Hanso or Widmore or Paik).
Charlie, Des, Hurley and Jin need some leadership but don't trust Jack anymore. Of course, they get Hurley to approach Sayid (Dude, can you keep a secret?) who questions Naomi (who then gets offended at his questions) and works to get the sat phone working again. They're doing a pretty good job of keeping Naomi's presence a secret from Jack until Kate happens upon them. They specifically tell Kate NOT to tell Jack, so of course she immediately runs to Jack.
The Jack, Juliet and Kate thing
Kate wants to talk to Jack in private, which Juliet seems perfectly willing to do, but no, Jerk --errr I mean Jack insists "Whatever you have to say to me you can say to her." For some reason, Kate seems desperate to believe that Jack has not been compromised in any way. Everyone else has picked up on it, and so has she, but she refuses to acknowledge it--even holding herself back in her burgeoning relationship with Sawyer--who is either content or doing a good job of acting content in letting her have her space. Kate then spills everything she knows to Jack and Juliet while Juliet is positively shooting meaningful looks at Jack the whole time. Jack is all indignant: Why didn't anyone come to me?" "Because," Kate says, "No one trusts you anymore." and she might as well have added "DUH!" Juliet then tells Jack "We should tell her." To which Jack replies "Not yet." So obviously, Jack is in cahoots--or THINKS he is in cahoots--with Juliet. Not sure if this whole the-Others-are-coming-to-raid-the-beach-for-the-pregnant-women thing is an actual plan, and not sure that Jack, or even Juliet, is in on the actual plan. The point is, Jack THINKS he's in on the plan and it only took 10 days with the Others to turn him against the Lostaways on the beach.
The Other 8 days
We begin right where we left off, with Ben opening the door to Locke's dad, Anthony Cooper--who promptly bites Locke on the hand, drawing blood. How'd he get here? Well, he was riding along in his car in Tallahassee when his tire blew and he hit the guardrail. The last thing Cooper remembers is the paramedic smiling at him and then everything went black and he woke up here bound and gagged. Cooper believes he is dead and in hell. Meanwhile, Ben starts talking about the magic box--more ask and you shall receive--it's you, Locke , who have brought this dirtbag to the island and you who must get rid of him.
Ben tells Locke he must have some kind of special powers since he's been around, Ben is actually healing--getting up out of the wheel chair and using a cane to get around. The next day, Locke's making camp with the Others and who do we run into but Tailies Cindy and the Kids. Cindy tells Locke that everyone is glad he's here--they've been waiting for him. Later that night (?) Ben makes this big show of Locke having to kill his father in front of the group-Ben calls it making a "gesture" to the group--which he cannot do (FYI--this scene was very reminiscent of a scene in The Stand when Randall Flagg (bad guy) ties our heros (Larry and Ralph) to stakes and bekons on of his followers to kill them) Locke's dad of course was never worried--he says Locke is spineless and all he ever wanted was his daddy to love him. The whole episode seems contrived by Ben to make Locke look weak in front of the group--like Ben is worried that maybe Locke is going to take his place, or that Locke has more "island power" than he does. Since Ben is the master manipulator, this scenario seems a little too obvious for our bug-eyed Machiavellian friend, so I'm not sure about my theory here. I do know I will need to rewatch this episode this weekend. Anyway, after the demoralizing I-Can't-kill-my-father episode, Locke is up on the hill examining his now healed dad-bite when Richard Eyeliner comes up and has a seat next to him. Richard then gives Locke a pep talk to boost his morale after the embarrassing weakness, but reiterates that Locke's dad has to go. He hands him Sawyer's file and when Locke asks why Richard thinks Sawyer will kill his dad, Richard just tells him to"keep reading". The next day, the Others are packing up and Ben tells Locke he is going to be left behind. He'll leave a trail for him to follow, but he's only allowed back if he comes carrying his dead father on his back. Which leads him right back to the beach and Sawyer.
The Locke, Sawyer and Locke's Dad thing
For all of you out there who felt like the servings were a little lean, say during February and March (Jack Tattoo episode and Hurley Van episode) this episode makes sitting through that nonsense all worthwhile. Let me just say that I pretty much knew where this episode was going right from the very start--which almost makes me wish I didn't obsess about the show so much because I found it really hard to believe that some people actually saw this story arc's conclusion as a surprise--which might have actually been fun. But whatever--it didn't make it any less satisfying.
Ambivalent Kate gets up in the middle of the night to go back to her own tent, waking Sawyer, who then feels the need to relieve himself. He grabs his gun (why?) and steps out into the jungle only to meet Locke, who just so happens to be looking for him. "I've kidnapped Ben and I want you to kill him because I can't." Sawyer of course can't believe this happy horse doody, but follows Locke anyway saying he's not going to kill anybody. "You will when you hear what he has to say." He starts to walk away when Sawyer jumps him from behind and pulls the knife on him. Sawyer is terrified of what Locke is asking him to do. Locke then leads our shoeless (but unfortunately not shirtless) Sawyer through the jungle right back to the Black Rock. He then locks Sawyer in a room with Cooper, who may I say, has absolutely no redeeming qualities.
As Locke is sitting outside, Rousseau stops by for some dynamite. "Aisle 6, next to the peanut butter" says Locke pointing his flashlight. There is very little dialog exchanged and it seems none is needed between these two. As Sawyer gives up on Locke letting him out, he starts to turn his attention to the man in the room with him, who he does not recognize. After he begins to question him, Cooper lets slip that he's a con man. As the slow realization that this man is the man who slept with his mother, stole their money and caused Sawyer's dad to kill his mother and himself, the emotions running across Sawyer's face are incredible to watch. Finally, after Cooper provokes him to the limit, Sawyer garbs a chain and brutally strangles Cooper to death. It was, as my daughter said, a hard scene to watch. Locke comes in, nods his head and the relief is visible on his face. "Thank you." He says to Sawyer. What a satisfying tie up of one of our ongoing mysteries. I believe I will also rewatch the Sawyer backstory from Season one as well this weekend.
Sawyer and Locke then leave the Black Rock, Sawyer getting physically ill over what he just did. Locke tells Sawyer he's going back--not undercover, but on his "own journey now". He tells Sawyer about the raid on the beach--Juliet is in on it and the Others are going to come and take the pregnant women (one of whom I suspect is Kate with Sawyer's baby). When Sawyer protests that they won't believe him, Locke hands him Juliet's tape recorded report to Ben. More manipulation by Ben or not? We'll find out next week, I think. Ben then hoists up his dad onto his back and begins to trek back to find the Others. Remember, you heard it here long ago: the show is all about Locke.
Next week:
I was so flabbergasted and tired at the end of this show that I am now completely drawing a blank on the scenes for next week. All I know is it's going to be good. BTW, a couple of tidbits from Preston & Steve this morning: Michael and Walt will reappear and the little voice glitch at the very end scene with Locke was probably stupid channel 6 setting up the stupid lottery mikes. Oh, yeah and IT'S NOT PURGATORY!!!!!
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