“What’s it look like we’re doing? We’re shooting things.”
Groundhog Day
Michael is tortured, depressed, miserable because he can’t see Walt. He can’t see Walt because he told him about killing Libby and Ana Lucia. Walt is so traumatized by this he’s living with Michael’s mother—who refuses to let Michael see him.
So Michael wants to kill himself.
First, he drives into a dumpster to a groovy little tune called “Getting better every day” which sounds suspiciously like it might be part of Desmond’s workout soundtrack in his old hatch-dwelling days. He hits that thing going well over a hundred, but he survives. He wakes up in a hospital in intensive care with a neck brace and with tubes up his nose. Then his nurse comes in and it’s……Libby! “It’s a cold night, I brought you some extra blankets…..” Aaarrgghhh!!!!!!
But not really. His real nurse comes in and asks him if he wants her to call Walt, since Walt is who he addressed his suicide letter to that he had pinned to his shirt. Michael is silent.
Michael makes a miraculous recovery in a few short weeks—or is it? I’m unclear as to how much time has elapsed since Michael’s return to the mainland and then, how much time has elapsed between his suicide attempt and his recovery. It cannot be more than a month, island time. Let’s say he drives that car into the dumpster a few days after he gets back and he meets up with Mr. Friendly right before the discovery of 815 at the bottom of the Sunda trench, which is where we started this season. That's like, what 4 weeks, Island time? I doubt that's enough time to recover properly from the injuries he apparently sustained.
So back to his miraculous recovery, after which he goes to his mother’s, attempts to see Walt again, and she says no, you need to tell me what you said to him, you need to tell me how you survived that plane crash, you need o tell me why I can’t use you or Walt’s real names, you need to tell me where you’ve been for the last two months and you need to tell me why Walt wakes up screaming in the middle of the night. “Will you tell him I love him?” Michael asks. “Yes, I will.” Momma says. Michael turns to go and sees Walt lean out the window, they exchange a look and Walt goes back in.
Distraught again, Michael finds his way to a pawnshop where he hocks Jin’s watch for a gun. Now, people are all freaked out about gun laws, but if you saw someone as crazed as Michael come in there and say he wants a gun and bullets, would you sell it to him, or worse, trade it to him for some Korean watch?
So he’s worked up his nerve to blow his brains out, sitting in an abandoned alley when Tom walks up and asks him for the time. So Michael gets a short reprieve. Tom and Michael scuffle, Michael breaks a champagne glass for a weapon and Tom pulls the gun. Michael grabs the gun and holds it to his forehead, “Do it man!” Oh you’d like that, wouldn’t you? But you’re not going to get it.” You didn’t think we’d let you leave without keeping tabs on you?” Seems our Mr. Friendly came back to ask for Michael’s help. But first he figures out what is torturing Michael so: “You told him, didn’t you? You couldn’t keep the guilt of what you did to those two women to yourself, so you told a 10-year-old kid.” Mr. Friendly, seeing Michael is in no mood to talk like “adults” tells him where he’s staying then tells him he might as well give up trying to kill himself because the Island won’t let him.” He hands him back the gun and tells him to give it his best shot.
So Michael goes back home and indeed, does give it his best shot, but the gun, of course, jams. Just then a news bulletin announcing the discovery of 815. Notably, the report says that there would be no chance of recovering any of the bodies or black box.
It’s interesting that Michael cannot kill himself an indeed can be an indication of the power the Island has over it’s one-time residents. Remember, Jack was unable to kill himself in “Through the Looking Glass”, too.
Undercover Brother
Michael shows up at Tom’s penthouse only to find out that Tom is GAY!!!! Aaaarrrggghhhh!!!! Tom reveal only some of the Others can come and go at will. He then explains how Widmore staged the whole wreckage. Tom produces a folder with pictures of the graves where he stole the bodies, the purchase order for the 777 aircraft and the shipping logs for the freighter he used to drop the bodies.
So who was it that staged the wreckage? There are valid reasons to believe it could have been either Ben or Widmore, so who is the real “good guy”? Who is telling the truth about how the staged flight got there? Tom’s evidence seems more convincing and Widmore does seem way more vile than Ben, so I’m going to say at this point that I’m still with Ben.
So Tom continues to give Michael his undercover assignment as a deck hand. This is Michael’s only chance to redeem himself for what he has done. Tom explains, in his friendly way, that the people on the boat are going to kill everyone on the island and that he, Michael, must kill everyone on the boat.
Michael gets on the boat, meets a few familiar faces and struggles with his assignment, especially when he sees the bomb he has to take into the engine room. As he passes Miles, “Your name isn’t Kevin. But don’t worry, 80% of the people on this boat are lying about something.” Tom calls, realizes Michael is getting cold feet and gives him friendly pep talk as only he can. On board, Frank tells Michael that he knows the Flight 815 wreckage has been staged and he’s on the boat because he knows it was staged and Widmore believes him. Frank seems a basically good sort, so Frank’s sharing this information with Widmore may not have been his smartest move.
So Michael is doing his deckhand thing when the some of the boys decide to start shooting a little skeet—with high-powered automatic weapons. Now why would this rescue mission boat need high-powered automatic weapons and big burly mercenary types who like to shoot them? Michael was wondering the same thing. “You guys playing cards?” He asks. “What’s it look like we’re doing? We’re shooting things. Now I don’t believe you’ve met Jugdish….” After meeting these friendly folks, Michael comes to the conclusion that it’s time to blow up the ship, so he takes the bomb into the engine room, enters 1776, hears a little snatch of that groovy Des workout music then Libby appears with her head creepily cocked to one side: “Don’t do it, Michael….” Aaaaaaarrrrggghhhh!!!!!
So does Michael listen to Libby? No, he sets the bomb off anyway. Except it doesn’t go off, a little flag pops up “Not Yet.” It says.
Shortly thereafter, Minkowski comes to tell him he has a phone call from Walt—only it’s not Walt. It’s Ben calling from the secret closet. Aaaaarrrrggghhhhh!!!!
Ben is surprised that Michael actually set off the bomb. But he needs Michael to know that there are innocent people on the boat and Ben will not kill innocent people, even though he will do what he needs to do when he’s at war. (I think Frank may be one of the innocents—a “useful idiot” to Widmore). Ben has further instructions for him: I want a list of names, disable the engines, disable the radio room, and this is how you will redeem yourself and get your son back. And what wouldn’t a father do for his son? When Michael agrees to do what Ben asks, Ben congratulates him, “Consider yourself one of the good guys.” Cue balloons and streamers.
Thoughts on the appearance of Libby
I think that the image of Libby was used by either Ben or the Island to manipulate Michael into doing what they wanted--in much the same was Harper was used to communicate with Juliet. Juliet seemed to know this was how Ben communicated and she wasn't as freaked out by it. Other instances of images used to manipulate our Losties: Christain Sheppard to Jack, Dave to Hurley, the Horse to Kate, the ugly Cat to Sayid, Yemmi to Eko, Charlie to Hurley at the nuthouse, and Walt to Shannon. Sawyer also saw the horse. Also, I forgot Walt and Shannon--and Sayid. I don't think these are figments of a dream or illusions--I think they are legitimate materializations, but of short duration, therefore easy to miss unless one has a very personal and emotional connection with the image being shown. Keep in mind that Sawyer also saw Kate’s horse, the other nut at Hurley’s nuthouse saw Charlie, Jack also saw Harper and Sayid also saw Walt.
Town Hall Meeting
Locke brings Miles in to talk to the Lockies. Locke’s philosophy is “no more secrets”, and “you deserve to know everything I do.” Miles tells the Lockies that his team is here for Ben. “Um, we kinda like knew that forever though.” Hurley observes. Sawyer is all for turning Ben over to them, which Locke and Ben immediately dismiss and the rest of the Lockies begin arguing amongst themselves since turning Ben over doesn’t really seem like such a bad idea, seeing as how he tried to kill Locke and all. Ben explains that once they get him, they will kill everyone else on the island. Hurley notes, “He won’t even tell us who his spy on the boat is.” “It’s Michael.” Ben explains. Which only ticks everybody off more since he was the one who killed Ana Lucia (whom Sawyer has fond memories of) and Libby (who Hurley has fond memories of). “You mean the guy who sold us all out so he could get off the island? That Michael?” Sawyer asks. “Yes James. That Michael.”
Later, when Locke is escorting Miles back to his prison, Sawyer comes out and confronts Locke about not disclosing the whole $3 million dollar deal with the rest of them. Locke didn’t think it was worth mentioning since there isn’t a bank on the island, which promptly sends Miles into contemptuous laughter. “Linus will find a way to get it. He wants to survive and considering a week ago you had a gun to his head and tonight he’s eating pound cake, I’d say he’s a guy who gets what he wants.”
Meanwhile, back inside, after disapprovingly eyeing Carl’s arm around Alex, Ben finally gets his chance to say what he’s wanted to say to Alex. He gives her a map, tells Rousseau to take them to the Temple, where the rest of their people are. Carl wants to know why they all can’t go and Ben cryptically explains, “Because the Temple’s not FOR them, Carl. It’s for us.” And when Carl asks why nobody else has heard about the Temple Ben replies “Because it wouldn’t BE much of a sanctuary if EVERYONE knew about it.” Ben kindly does not add “DUH!” after both of these sentences, but the “Duh” is definitely implied. He tells them to go quickly and reassures Alex that her mother will protect her. “If they knew who you were—that you were my daughter—they would use you to get to me.” “These people—you said they’re dangerous. More dangerous than you?” Alex asks. Ben has to think about that. “Yes.” He finally decides. “Now GO!”
Three men in a tub
Sayid and Desmond are awakened by an alarm. They rush up on deck to see the Captain kicking the crap out of someone for leaving the boat. This is a form of discipline: “Does everybody remember the last people who left this boat and what happened to them?” There’s a nice big bloodstain on deck. “Johnson! Come over and clean this up!” Hopefully “Johnson” will do a better job on this bloodstain that he did on the one in Sayid’s and Desmond’s bunk. Sayid wants to know what Michael is doing on the boat. Michael does not want to be seen talking to Sayid because he doesn’t want anyone to know that e knows them. “Why are you here?” Sayid asks again. “I’m here to die.”
Later Sayid and Desmond find their way into the engine room where Michael is “fixing” the damage her has done to the engines. Sayid doesn’t care about Michael’s cover—he wants answers.
When Michael finishes telling Sayid how he came to be on the ship, Sayid promptly turns him in to the captain, explaining that he is a traitor. Sayid could be the cause of Michael’s death, or the deaths of some of the other Losties, by turning Michael in, which may be how Ben then gets Sayid to work in turn for him.
I’d like to point out here, apropos of absolutely nothing, that Desmond has done little more in this episode except stand by and look in turns confused, then concerned, then back to confused again. These may very well be the same expressions, however, I would have appreciated a little dialog for our Des rather than his use as a mere prop in this episode. Now where was I? Oh yeah…..
On the way to the Temple
Alex, Rousseau and Carl stop for a quick break. Carl is nervous, but he’s not sure why. Suddenly: Pffft! Pffft! Carl’s water bottle is leaking, then Carl. Carl is dead. Rousseau leads Alex to shelter behind a tree. She says she will count to three, and then they will run. “I love you,” Rousseau tells Alex. They go and Rousseau is shot immediately. Alex surrenders: “I’m Ben’s daughter! Don’t shoot!”
So who is shooting at them? Could it be Ben’s people in an effort to get Alex away from Rousseau and Carl—two people who were clearly in Ben’s way when it came to Alex? Or is it the Widmore people?
Aaaaarrrrggghhh! Has that been eight episodes already??? Five weeks to a new episode! How will I live?????
April 24 (Next Episode)
All of the Oceanic Six have been revealed and Aaron is definitely one of them. The war has begun, Ben is afraid of the Widmore people and something is up with Claire.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Ji Yeon SE4 EP7
“Where Sun go, I go.”
Ok, I was all ready to act all jaded and cocky about the “big reveals” of this episode: the last two Oceanic Six members and Michael being the man on the boat—reveals we have figured out weeks ago. However, I’m going to save my cockiness because I did not see that ending coming from a mile away. Hands down, the best Sun and Jin episode ever. Consider me blown away. Furthermore, I’m not exactly convinced that we got two Oceanic Six members tonight, so there may still be one to be revealed.
Island
Sun and Jin talk about baby names and superstitions. Jin insists they are having a girl and wants to name her Ji Yeon. The next morning they see Kate who tells them about her recent trip to the Tempest. Kate offers nothing in the way of comfort to Sun that the newcomers are there to rescue them: “I’ve heard them talk about a lot of things since they got here, but rescuing us isn’t one of them.” Sun then introduces herself to Daniel, tells him she’s pregnant and asks him outright if they are going to rescue them. Daniel says it’s not really his call. This prompts Sun to make a decision to join Locke’s camp. She tells Jin they must find food for two days while she goes to ransack Juliet’s tent for more prenatal vitamins. Of course, Juliet catches her and figures out she getting ready to leave.
Juliet tells Sun not to go to Locke’s camp because Locke does not want to leave the island. “After everything you’ve confided in me, I should at least have your trust.” Which is really kind of a strange thing to say because it’s not like Sun OWES Juliet anything. Whatever, Sun clearly does not trust Juliet: “Claire’s baby is fine. I feel fine. All I have are your stories that something is going to go wrong. I don’t trust you.”
Kate draws Sun and Jin a map to Locke’s camp, then tells them that she’s going to have to tell Jack—but not until they get a nice long head start. Juliet sees them leaving and tries to stop them. She tells Jin that Sun is very sick and she will die in three weeks if she doesn’t get off the island. She tells Sun to translate for her, but Sun refuses. Jin refuses to be convinced by Juliet, so Juliet makes one last effort to stop them. She tells Jin that Sun had an affair. Sun’s shocked look over her shoulder mimics mine over here on the sofa. Juliet tells Jin that Sun thought the baby was her lover’s. Sun slaps Juliet, but Jin, heartbroken, walks away.
Jin’s reaction tells us much about how much he has changed since he came to the island. The old season one Jin would probably not have hesitated to slap Sun, or at the very least, verbally berated her. This Jin is truly truly devastated and feels the loss of his wife’s fidelity keenly. Sun says she knows he is angry, but Jin is not angry, he is deeply wounded. He will not talk to Sun, but continues to pack up his fishing gear. Bernard walks up into the middle of this altercation and invites himself along to go fishing with Jin. He then realizes his blunder and apologizes and makes to go off, when Jin turns and tells him to come. “You sure?” Bernard asks. “Yes. Come.” Jin says. And it is at this moment that we know he will forgive Sun.
Gone Fishing
Making conversation, Bernard points out to Jin that they are the only two married guys on the island. “Married?” asks Jin doing a very good Long Duck Dong imitation. “Yes, Married! Jeesh!”
Bernard then tells Jin that Rose has cancer—she’s sick and dying—or at least she was until they came to the island. Bernard thought when the survivors split up, that he was sure she’d want to stay—and make camp with Locke. Jin wants to know, then why do you stay with Jack? “Because it’s the right thing to do. Locke is a murderer. It’s all about Karma,” Bernard explains. “You make bad choices and bad things happen to you, you make good choices and...” Just then, Jin hooks a fish. “You see!” Bernard explains. “That’s karma! We must be the good guys.” The look on Jin’s face says he’s not so sure about that.
Apologies
Juliet apologizes to Sun, tells her she had to get her to listen. Sun needs to get off this island, Juliet insists, they all do. Juliet wants to go home more than anything. Juliet then begins to tell Sun what will happen to her if she stays:
· In three weeks, she will be in an almost constant state of nausea.
· A week after that, she will experience shortness of breath that won’t go away.
· After that she will lose consciousness and slip in to a coma.
· And then Sun, you will die.
Juliet tells Sun that she is Juliet’s patient and that makes Sun her business. If she goes to Locke’s camp, her baby will never be born.
Later that night, Sun is in camp and Jin brings her dinner. Sun is stunned; she thought Jin had left her. “Will you let me explain?” Sun asks. “It won’t matter.” Jin replies. “I know the kind of man I was before this island. I withheld my affections. Whatever you did, you did to that man. He caused this. I forgive you.” Jin says he will go to Locke’s camp but Sun tells him that Juliet changed her mind and that they must get off the island. Jin will do everything he can to protect Sun and the baby. Jin then asks if the baby is his and a tearful Sun tells him yes. “You will never lose me.” Jin tells her.
Boat
Frank is bringing food to Sayid and Jin when he runs across Regina guarding their cabin. She is disoriented, agitated and reading her book upside down. Sayid wants to know why they are being held captive and insists they have nothing to do with Minkowski’s death. Frank accuses them of breaking out—Sayid says the door was left open and he thought Frank did it. “Why would I do that?” Frank wants to know and dumps out dinner on the bed: several cans of lima beans. They apparently had a little trouble in the kitchen.
Sayid says he still wants to see the captain, to which Frank replies “No. You don’t.”
Later, Sayid and Desmond, stuck in their cabin and sick of lima beans, a note suddenly flits through the vent. Sayid tells Des about Ben’s spy and opens the note, which says, “Don’t trust the Captain.”
Desmond is going stir crazy because someone is banging pipes. Then the creepy doctor comes in and tells them they can have an audience with the captain. Sayid notices right away that the helicopter is gone. When he questions the doctor, he tells Sayid that Frank is running an errand—back to the island. Meanwhile, a chain wrapped Regina is methodically making her way over to the side of the boat where she calmly throws herself overboard. Strangely, only Sayid and Desmond react to save her. “Get a rope!” Sayid and Desmond scream. The captain suddenly appears: “No, it’s over. She’s gone.” He goes over to Sayid and Des. “I’m Captain Gault. I’m sure you two have a few questions.”
As a sidebar at this point, last season we had a little discussion about a book that Sawyer was reading in the episode “Par Avion” called The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand. The book largely considered Ayn Rand’s masterpiece is called “Atlas Shrugged” and its central hero is a man named John Gault. Atlas Shrugged is about a utopian society of entrepreneurs. There is a bit of a discussion of it on my blog under Par Avion in March, 2007 for more, if you’re interested.
Gault explains to Sayid and Desmond that his crew is suffering from a heightened case of cabin fever that he thinks is being caused by their close proximity to the island. He can’t move the boat to safer waters because he’s been sabotaged. Sayid wants to know who’s giving the orders and Gault answers “Charles Widmore.” “This is Charles Widmore’s boat?” Des asks dumbfounded. “Oh that’s right,” Gault remarks casually. “You know him.”
Gault then takes them inside and shows them the black box from Flight 815. Gault tells them that this black box came from Flight 815, found with the wreckage of the plane along with all 324 passengers. “The wreckage was obviously staged. Now can you imagine what kind of resources and manpower go into pulling off a feat of that magnitude?” Gault asks them. “What’s even more disturbing (and I’ll give him this) is where does one come across 324 dead bodies? And that, Mr. Jarrah and Mr. Hume, is one of the many reasons we want Benjamin Linus.”
Having been fully informed of the Captain’s agenda, the strange doctor leads them down to their new room which is marred by a few cockroaches and a big bloodstain on the wall that should have been cleaned up. The doctor sees the janitor, “Johnson” and tells him to come down and mop this up right away. Johnson hesitates, then makes his way into the light. Meet “Kevin Johnson”; you may know him better as….MICHAEL!
Korea
A very pregnant Sun is back in Korea packing a bag when she suddenly experiences pains. We assume that it is too soon for her to be in true labor, since she tells the emergency operator she needs an ambulance because something is wrong.
Elsewhere, Jin has been called and is rushing to get to the hospital, when he makes a quick stop at a toy store to grab a giant stuffed Panda. He grabs a cab, stuffs the panda in and his cell phone rings. Someone shoves him out of the way, steals his cab, his cell phone is knocked out of his hand and run over by a moped. Jin then runs back into the toy store to buy another panda (and why a panda, by the way? Wouldn’t a polar bear be more appropriate?) The shop owner says he doesn’t have any more, even though there is clearly one right behind his head. Jin wants to buy that one, but the shop owner says its on hold and someone else has already paid for it. He then tries to talk Jin into buying a Dragon, “In the year of the dragon it brings good luck.” FYI, the last year of the dragon was 2000 and next is 2012.
Meanwhile, Sun has been admitted to the hospital and recognized as one of the Oceanic Six. Her nurses start stripping her jewelry and she refuses to let them have her wedding ring. Sun’s regular doctor is not there and the baby is in distress. They give her pain medication and ask if there is anyone they can call for her, husband? Parents? “Just get Jin…” Sun breathes as she starts going under. Sun repeatedly calls for Jin until she passes out.
The doctors want to perform a caesarian, but Sun says no—she wants to wait for Jin. Suddenly the baby is crowning. A couple of quick pushes and Sun’s baby girl is born—Ji Yeon.
Jin finally makes it to the hospital, only he is there as a representative of Paik automotive and delivering a bear for the ambassador of China as a gesture for Sun’s father. Did Jin go back to work for Sun’s father after he got back on the mainland? As he leaves the hospital the nurse asks him why he’s leaving so soon. “Not my baby.” The nurse laughs, “Well maybe someday.” “Don’t rush me,” Jin quips. I’ve only been married for two months.”
???
Back at home, we find Sun is putting her wedding ring back on when the doorbell rings. It’s Hurley, there to see the baby. “I can’t believe you came all this way!” Sun explains. “Is anyone else coming?” Hurley asks. “No.” Sun replies. “Goooood.” Hurley purrs. Sun brings him to the baby. “She’s awesome. Wow. She looks just like Jin.” Hurley says. “So, I guess we should, like, go see him.” “Yes. Of course.” Sun answers
It is at this point, gentle readers, when the truth that Lisa has been denying for about 10 minutes hits her square between the eyes. This was beyond a little misty, folks. I bawled till the end of the show.
Sun kneels at Jin’s grave with the baby. She tells Jin how hard the delivery was on her, how she called for him and how beautiful his daughter is. The year of Jin’s death on the tombstone is 2004.
“Ji Yeon. I named her just like you wanted.”
“I miss you so much.”
Next week:
It’s all about Michael and...Someone. Will. Die.
Ok, I was all ready to act all jaded and cocky about the “big reveals” of this episode: the last two Oceanic Six members and Michael being the man on the boat—reveals we have figured out weeks ago. However, I’m going to save my cockiness because I did not see that ending coming from a mile away. Hands down, the best Sun and Jin episode ever. Consider me blown away. Furthermore, I’m not exactly convinced that we got two Oceanic Six members tonight, so there may still be one to be revealed.
Island
Sun and Jin talk about baby names and superstitions. Jin insists they are having a girl and wants to name her Ji Yeon. The next morning they see Kate who tells them about her recent trip to the Tempest. Kate offers nothing in the way of comfort to Sun that the newcomers are there to rescue them: “I’ve heard them talk about a lot of things since they got here, but rescuing us isn’t one of them.” Sun then introduces herself to Daniel, tells him she’s pregnant and asks him outright if they are going to rescue them. Daniel says it’s not really his call. This prompts Sun to make a decision to join Locke’s camp. She tells Jin they must find food for two days while she goes to ransack Juliet’s tent for more prenatal vitamins. Of course, Juliet catches her and figures out she getting ready to leave.
Juliet tells Sun not to go to Locke’s camp because Locke does not want to leave the island. “After everything you’ve confided in me, I should at least have your trust.” Which is really kind of a strange thing to say because it’s not like Sun OWES Juliet anything. Whatever, Sun clearly does not trust Juliet: “Claire’s baby is fine. I feel fine. All I have are your stories that something is going to go wrong. I don’t trust you.”
Kate draws Sun and Jin a map to Locke’s camp, then tells them that she’s going to have to tell Jack—but not until they get a nice long head start. Juliet sees them leaving and tries to stop them. She tells Jin that Sun is very sick and she will die in three weeks if she doesn’t get off the island. She tells Sun to translate for her, but Sun refuses. Jin refuses to be convinced by Juliet, so Juliet makes one last effort to stop them. She tells Jin that Sun had an affair. Sun’s shocked look over her shoulder mimics mine over here on the sofa. Juliet tells Jin that Sun thought the baby was her lover’s. Sun slaps Juliet, but Jin, heartbroken, walks away.
Jin’s reaction tells us much about how much he has changed since he came to the island. The old season one Jin would probably not have hesitated to slap Sun, or at the very least, verbally berated her. This Jin is truly truly devastated and feels the loss of his wife’s fidelity keenly. Sun says she knows he is angry, but Jin is not angry, he is deeply wounded. He will not talk to Sun, but continues to pack up his fishing gear. Bernard walks up into the middle of this altercation and invites himself along to go fishing with Jin. He then realizes his blunder and apologizes and makes to go off, when Jin turns and tells him to come. “You sure?” Bernard asks. “Yes. Come.” Jin says. And it is at this moment that we know he will forgive Sun.
Gone Fishing
Making conversation, Bernard points out to Jin that they are the only two married guys on the island. “Married?” asks Jin doing a very good Long Duck Dong imitation. “Yes, Married! Jeesh!”
Bernard then tells Jin that Rose has cancer—she’s sick and dying—or at least she was until they came to the island. Bernard thought when the survivors split up, that he was sure she’d want to stay—and make camp with Locke. Jin wants to know, then why do you stay with Jack? “Because it’s the right thing to do. Locke is a murderer. It’s all about Karma,” Bernard explains. “You make bad choices and bad things happen to you, you make good choices and...” Just then, Jin hooks a fish. “You see!” Bernard explains. “That’s karma! We must be the good guys.” The look on Jin’s face says he’s not so sure about that.
Apologies
Juliet apologizes to Sun, tells her she had to get her to listen. Sun needs to get off this island, Juliet insists, they all do. Juliet wants to go home more than anything. Juliet then begins to tell Sun what will happen to her if she stays:
· In three weeks, she will be in an almost constant state of nausea.
· A week after that, she will experience shortness of breath that won’t go away.
· After that she will lose consciousness and slip in to a coma.
· And then Sun, you will die.
Juliet tells Sun that she is Juliet’s patient and that makes Sun her business. If she goes to Locke’s camp, her baby will never be born.
Later that night, Sun is in camp and Jin brings her dinner. Sun is stunned; she thought Jin had left her. “Will you let me explain?” Sun asks. “It won’t matter.” Jin replies. “I know the kind of man I was before this island. I withheld my affections. Whatever you did, you did to that man. He caused this. I forgive you.” Jin says he will go to Locke’s camp but Sun tells him that Juliet changed her mind and that they must get off the island. Jin will do everything he can to protect Sun and the baby. Jin then asks if the baby is his and a tearful Sun tells him yes. “You will never lose me.” Jin tells her.
Boat
Frank is bringing food to Sayid and Jin when he runs across Regina guarding their cabin. She is disoriented, agitated and reading her book upside down. Sayid wants to know why they are being held captive and insists they have nothing to do with Minkowski’s death. Frank accuses them of breaking out—Sayid says the door was left open and he thought Frank did it. “Why would I do that?” Frank wants to know and dumps out dinner on the bed: several cans of lima beans. They apparently had a little trouble in the kitchen.
Sayid says he still wants to see the captain, to which Frank replies “No. You don’t.”
Later, Sayid and Desmond, stuck in their cabin and sick of lima beans, a note suddenly flits through the vent. Sayid tells Des about Ben’s spy and opens the note, which says, “Don’t trust the Captain.”
Desmond is going stir crazy because someone is banging pipes. Then the creepy doctor comes in and tells them they can have an audience with the captain. Sayid notices right away that the helicopter is gone. When he questions the doctor, he tells Sayid that Frank is running an errand—back to the island. Meanwhile, a chain wrapped Regina is methodically making her way over to the side of the boat where she calmly throws herself overboard. Strangely, only Sayid and Desmond react to save her. “Get a rope!” Sayid and Desmond scream. The captain suddenly appears: “No, it’s over. She’s gone.” He goes over to Sayid and Des. “I’m Captain Gault. I’m sure you two have a few questions.”
As a sidebar at this point, last season we had a little discussion about a book that Sawyer was reading in the episode “Par Avion” called The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand. The book largely considered Ayn Rand’s masterpiece is called “Atlas Shrugged” and its central hero is a man named John Gault. Atlas Shrugged is about a utopian society of entrepreneurs. There is a bit of a discussion of it on my blog under Par Avion in March, 2007 for more, if you’re interested.
Gault explains to Sayid and Desmond that his crew is suffering from a heightened case of cabin fever that he thinks is being caused by their close proximity to the island. He can’t move the boat to safer waters because he’s been sabotaged. Sayid wants to know who’s giving the orders and Gault answers “Charles Widmore.” “This is Charles Widmore’s boat?” Des asks dumbfounded. “Oh that’s right,” Gault remarks casually. “You know him.”
Gault then takes them inside and shows them the black box from Flight 815. Gault tells them that this black box came from Flight 815, found with the wreckage of the plane along with all 324 passengers. “The wreckage was obviously staged. Now can you imagine what kind of resources and manpower go into pulling off a feat of that magnitude?” Gault asks them. “What’s even more disturbing (and I’ll give him this) is where does one come across 324 dead bodies? And that, Mr. Jarrah and Mr. Hume, is one of the many reasons we want Benjamin Linus.”
Having been fully informed of the Captain’s agenda, the strange doctor leads them down to their new room which is marred by a few cockroaches and a big bloodstain on the wall that should have been cleaned up. The doctor sees the janitor, “Johnson” and tells him to come down and mop this up right away. Johnson hesitates, then makes his way into the light. Meet “Kevin Johnson”; you may know him better as….MICHAEL!
Korea
A very pregnant Sun is back in Korea packing a bag when she suddenly experiences pains. We assume that it is too soon for her to be in true labor, since she tells the emergency operator she needs an ambulance because something is wrong.
Elsewhere, Jin has been called and is rushing to get to the hospital, when he makes a quick stop at a toy store to grab a giant stuffed Panda. He grabs a cab, stuffs the panda in and his cell phone rings. Someone shoves him out of the way, steals his cab, his cell phone is knocked out of his hand and run over by a moped. Jin then runs back into the toy store to buy another panda (and why a panda, by the way? Wouldn’t a polar bear be more appropriate?) The shop owner says he doesn’t have any more, even though there is clearly one right behind his head. Jin wants to buy that one, but the shop owner says its on hold and someone else has already paid for it. He then tries to talk Jin into buying a Dragon, “In the year of the dragon it brings good luck.” FYI, the last year of the dragon was 2000 and next is 2012.
Meanwhile, Sun has been admitted to the hospital and recognized as one of the Oceanic Six. Her nurses start stripping her jewelry and she refuses to let them have her wedding ring. Sun’s regular doctor is not there and the baby is in distress. They give her pain medication and ask if there is anyone they can call for her, husband? Parents? “Just get Jin…” Sun breathes as she starts going under. Sun repeatedly calls for Jin until she passes out.
The doctors want to perform a caesarian, but Sun says no—she wants to wait for Jin. Suddenly the baby is crowning. A couple of quick pushes and Sun’s baby girl is born—Ji Yeon.
Jin finally makes it to the hospital, only he is there as a representative of Paik automotive and delivering a bear for the ambassador of China as a gesture for Sun’s father. Did Jin go back to work for Sun’s father after he got back on the mainland? As he leaves the hospital the nurse asks him why he’s leaving so soon. “Not my baby.” The nurse laughs, “Well maybe someday.” “Don’t rush me,” Jin quips. I’ve only been married for two months.”
???
Back at home, we find Sun is putting her wedding ring back on when the doorbell rings. It’s Hurley, there to see the baby. “I can’t believe you came all this way!” Sun explains. “Is anyone else coming?” Hurley asks. “No.” Sun replies. “Goooood.” Hurley purrs. Sun brings him to the baby. “She’s awesome. Wow. She looks just like Jin.” Hurley says. “So, I guess we should, like, go see him.” “Yes. Of course.” Sun answers
It is at this point, gentle readers, when the truth that Lisa has been denying for about 10 minutes hits her square between the eyes. This was beyond a little misty, folks. I bawled till the end of the show.
Sun kneels at Jin’s grave with the baby. She tells Jin how hard the delivery was on her, how she called for him and how beautiful his daughter is. The year of Jin’s death on the tombstone is 2004.
“Ji Yeon. I named her just like you wanted.”
“I miss you so much.”
Next week:
It’s all about Michael and...Someone. Will. Die.
Friday, March 7, 2008
The Other Woman SE4 EP6
“It’s very stressful being an Other, Jack.”
Looking for Mr. Goodwin
In her backstory, we see Juliet meeting with her “therapist”, Harper Stanhope. Juliet is uncomfortable being the center of attention, being a celebrity. That’s all in your head. You’re not really special, after you’ve been here awhile, you’ll see that you’re just like everyone else, says her warm and empathetic “therapist” Harper. We at first think maybe this is a front story and Juliet is back on the mainland dealing with her reassimilation. But no, Juliet’s soft and curly hair should have been a giveaway that we are seeing the Juliet shortly after she arrives on the island. Then, who should poke his head in but Mr. Friendly? Nice to see you, Tom! Tom takes Jules to see Ben and tells her that Harper will soon have her crying for her mommy. This is very easy to believe. Harper looks like a predatory cat that will claw anyone’s eyes out who gets in her way.
Harper and Juliet take an immediate dislike to each other, but not so of Juliet and Goodwin, who happens to also be Harper’s husband. Now since we also already know Juliet was sleeping with Goodwin, it appears that Juliet is the Other woman. The only problem is, Ben has a bit of a crush on Juliet as well.
Ben grows suspicious when later, Juliet and Ben are talking in the lab while Ben is all gaga barely paying attention to what she is saying and Goodwin just happens to “drop by” with an extra sandwich. Juliet then goes to meet with Harper who asks what she thinks of Ben. “He’s great. Very smart and intense. Challenging. He’s been really good to me.” “Of course he has.” Harper meows. “You look just like her.”
Let's pause here to consider, whom does Harper think Juliet looks "just like?" I was thinking that it may be the elusive Annie, if in fact Annie is not actually Kate. Sig came up with the theory that perhaps Juliet looks just like Ben's mother. We know that Ben threw Jack and Juliet together to help manipulate Jack into doing the spinal surgery on Ben. Ben told Jack that it was no coincidence that Juliet resembled his ex-wife. Frankly, Jack's ex wife looks like a cross between Juliet and Harper. What would be the significance of that? OK, I'm over thinking again. Back to the wrap up.
Harper then confronts Juliet on her affair with Goodwin. She tells her to stop. “What matters is that you listen to me and you believe me. If you continue to have a relationship with Goodwin, there will be consequences and I don’t want him to get hurt.” Juliet says she would never hurt Goodwin. “I’m not talking about you,” Harper says. “I’m talking about Ben.”
Juliet and Goodwin’s relationship grows. They enjoy wine and a swim on the beach, longing to have more. Goodwin wonders why he doesn’t just tell Harper—he’s been sleeping on the couch for a year, why doesn’t he just tell her? Juliet doesn’t think it’s a good idea because Ben wouldn’t like it. Goodwin doesn’t think Ben’s crush is anything to worry about. Ben has Goodwin working with chemicals that would kill everyone on this island if he flipped the wrong switch (presumably at the Tempest). “What’s Ben gonna do?” Goodwin chuckles.
We soon find out as we see the flashback of the plane breaking up. Ben sends Goodwin on the mission to the tail section. Meaningful looks are exchanged between Goodwin and Juliet, Goodwin takes off, then meaningful looks are exchanged between Harper and Juliet. Harper’s look seems to say to Juliet, “You are the reason Goodwin has been sent off.”
Later, a giddy Ben answers the door for Juliet, who was under the impression that she was invited to a dinner party. Oh, it is a dinner party. Just for two. After an awkward pause, Ben thanks Juliet for how wonderful she’s been with Zack and Emma—the two kids Ana Lucia saved from the tail section. Juliet questions whether it is right to keep them since they are just children, since. “Who are we to question who’s on the list?” Ben asks. Well, since we’re talking lists, Juliet takes this obvious segue way to inquire if it isn’t time to bring Goodwin back since they have everyone on the list from the tail section. Ben, the nerd who never had a girlfriend since Annie, tells Juliet that Goodwin is making a case for Ana Lucia and has grown “inappropriately close” with her. “Goodwin stays where he is. His mission will be over soon.” Ben promises. Ominously.
Juliet is reading Jack’s file when Ben walks in. “He’s a spinal surgeon. Specializing in tumors. He can help you.” Ben doesn’t seem quite as excited as he should be. “You need to come with me.” Ben says. He then takes Juliet out to the jungle to show her Goodwin’s body. Juliet wants to know why. “Why did you bring me out here?” “You mean instead of his wife?” Juliet freaks, “You knew this would happen. You wanted him to die. Why?” She cries. Ben’s turn to freak: “After everything I’ve done to get you here, after everything I’ve done to keep you here, how can you possibly not understand? YOU’RE MINE!!!” Ben takes a little breath from his spaz, “Take as much time as you need.” And calmly walks away.
Tempest Fugit
Juliet, Sun and Jin are hanging out on the beach, when Jack walks up wondering where Charlotte and Faraday have gone. Jin says they went into the jungle. “Why didn’t you say anything?” Jack wonders. “You said they are friends,” Jin replies. “Aren’t they?” asks Sun. Well, no, but in the Jack camp, all information is given on a need to know basis. So they trek through the oncoming downpour into the jungle to track them.
Juliet is by herself and we hear the telltale whispering and round and round camera work that foretells the coming of something weird—and sure enough, there is the human cat, Harper, standing the rain with a message from Ben. Faraday and Lewis are heading for the Tempest. If they release the gas, they will kill everyone on this island. Since we already know that Faraday and Lewis have gasmasks, this doesn’t seem like such a stretch. Juliet needs to point her gun at them and kill them.
Jack comes across Juliet talking to the catty Harper and wants to know what’s going on because Jack, unlike everyone else on the island, needs and is entitled to know everything that is going on. So Juliet tells him she needs his help. She leaves out, however that she has been asked to kill Charlotte and Daniel.
Meanwhile, Charlotte and Daniel are making good progress until they run into Kate, who has had enough of Sawyer for the time being. Kate is suspicious of why they are out there; especially when Charlotte lies about the phones being dead when Kate clearly sees the power light is on. She asks to see what’s in Daniel’s pack, she sees the gas masks and Charlotte knocks her out with her gun.
Back with Jack and Juliet, Jack wants to know about the unfriendly feline. “Who was she?” Jack wants to know. Juliet: “I’m sure there are things in your past that you would rather not talk about, Jack.” “Yeah, but you read them all in my file.” Touché Jack. “We should have caught up to them by now,” Jack complains. “They base jumped out of a helicopter. Give them a little credit.” Juliet says. Soon, Juliet and Jack stumble across the incapacitated Kate. While Jack is occupied tending to Kate, Juliet uses this opportunity to take off to complete her mission. Meanwhile, Kate for the first time tells Jack that she is a fugitive wanted for murder and the people on the freighter know it.
Juliet makes it to the Tempest, where she discovers Daniel in his Hazmat suit furiously tapping on the keyboard while the alarms are sounding all over the place. Juliet tells him to stop and Daniel explains he’s just trying to render it inert—trying to make it safe. Here comes Charlotte from behind and they have a fight. Juliet gains the upper hand, points the gun at Charlotte who tells her to “Look me in the eye and tell me that you don’t think Ben would use this gas to kill everyone on the island. We know he’s used it before.” Well, that’s true. So Juliet hesitates because she doubts Ben so Charlotte and Daniel live another day. Of course the counter goes almost down to zero before Daniel finally succeeds in rendering the gas inert.
Kate and Jack make it to the Tempest where Juliet is emerging from the station with Daniel and Charlotte. Kate immediately draws down on them and Juliet tells her to back off, they are on their side. Which Kate doesn’t buy but is good enough for Jack. Kate follows Charlotte and Daniel back into the station, which gives Jack and Juliet some alone time for Juliet to explain to Jack that Ben told her to kill them. She also tells Jack that those people, Daniel, Charlotte, et al were sent here to wage war against Ben. “And Ben is going to win. And when he does, you don’t want to be anywhere near me. Because Ben knows how I feel about you and Ben thinks I’m his.” Jack, who never takes kindly to anyone telling him what he can’t do, leans in for a kiss with Juliet. “Ben knows where to find me if he wants me.”
Has the revolution begun yet, John?
Claire begins questioning John’s authority about finding out who Miles is. “All we know is who’s boat it’s not. Don’t you want to know whose boat it is?”
As much as I loved the Desmond episode last week, I so missed Ben’s witty repartee. And his wit is never so sharp as it is when he’s needling John Locke. How nice to see him back and in top form, kibitzing with Locke over the petty aggravations of leadership. “They are going to be soooo mad when they find out you don’t have a plan.” Ben remarks while happily munching on…chips..? Rabbit..? (By the way, this rabbit didn’t have a number on it, did it?) Whatever. Locke counters, “I suppose YOU have a plan.” “I always have a plan.” Ben says smugly. “Does it involve you raising $3.2 million dollars?” Ho ho ho! Touché, Locke! Even Ben is surprised that Locke knows about this.
Perhaps this incident leads Ben to the conclusion that Locke is stronger than he anticipated. Or perhaps Ben is indeed cashing in his last chip. In any event, Ben and Locke strike a deal over their common enemy. They go upstairs into the living room, where John opens a safe and pulls out the Red Sox tape, which Ben tells him he taped over. “The people on the freighter, don’t you want to know who they work for?” Ben asks. So they play the tape. And who should appear but Penny’s vile father, Charles Widmore, and he’s beating the crap out of one of Ben’s men.
Widmore is in charge of the freighter team. According to Ben, he knows all about the island and will do whatever it takes to exploit it. Locke, apparently breathing the stupid gas, wonders why this would be so. Ben launches into his story: “Three months ago in Gainesville, Florida the Virgin Mary appeared in some mold on the side of a building and 5,000 people came to see it. Your survived airline crash, one minute you’re in a wheelchair and the next you can stand up and do jumping jacks. How many people do you think would want to see that?” Ben hands Locke a file. “Everything I know about Charles Widmore is in this file. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” Locke apparently sees the wisdom in this and is prepared to own up to his part of the deal—but he needs to know one more thing: “Who is your man on the boat?” Ben says, “Alright--- but you might wanna sit down.” It’s Michael. Oh wait, Ben doesn’t actually say that. But we see that it’s revealed next week and I’ll bet anyone out there dollars to donuts that it’s Michael.
The show ends with yet another friendly competition between Sawyer and Hurley, with Hurley beating Sawyer’s butt in horseshoes. Suddenly, here comes Ben with a nice little spring in his step carrying fresh linens. Sawyer and Hurley are dumbfounded. “What the hell are you doing out?” Sawyer growls. To which Ben cheerfully replies: “See you guys at dinner.”
Next Week
Sun and Jin episode and “The final members of the Oceanic Six are revealed” and Sun has three weeks to get off the island or she is going to die.
Looking for Mr. Goodwin
In her backstory, we see Juliet meeting with her “therapist”, Harper Stanhope. Juliet is uncomfortable being the center of attention, being a celebrity. That’s all in your head. You’re not really special, after you’ve been here awhile, you’ll see that you’re just like everyone else, says her warm and empathetic “therapist” Harper. We at first think maybe this is a front story and Juliet is back on the mainland dealing with her reassimilation. But no, Juliet’s soft and curly hair should have been a giveaway that we are seeing the Juliet shortly after she arrives on the island. Then, who should poke his head in but Mr. Friendly? Nice to see you, Tom! Tom takes Jules to see Ben and tells her that Harper will soon have her crying for her mommy. This is very easy to believe. Harper looks like a predatory cat that will claw anyone’s eyes out who gets in her way.
Harper and Juliet take an immediate dislike to each other, but not so of Juliet and Goodwin, who happens to also be Harper’s husband. Now since we also already know Juliet was sleeping with Goodwin, it appears that Juliet is the Other woman. The only problem is, Ben has a bit of a crush on Juliet as well.
Ben grows suspicious when later, Juliet and Ben are talking in the lab while Ben is all gaga barely paying attention to what she is saying and Goodwin just happens to “drop by” with an extra sandwich. Juliet then goes to meet with Harper who asks what she thinks of Ben. “He’s great. Very smart and intense. Challenging. He’s been really good to me.” “Of course he has.” Harper meows. “You look just like her.”
Let's pause here to consider, whom does Harper think Juliet looks "just like?" I was thinking that it may be the elusive Annie, if in fact Annie is not actually Kate. Sig came up with the theory that perhaps Juliet looks just like Ben's mother. We know that Ben threw Jack and Juliet together to help manipulate Jack into doing the spinal surgery on Ben. Ben told Jack that it was no coincidence that Juliet resembled his ex-wife. Frankly, Jack's ex wife looks like a cross between Juliet and Harper. What would be the significance of that? OK, I'm over thinking again. Back to the wrap up.
Harper then confronts Juliet on her affair with Goodwin. She tells her to stop. “What matters is that you listen to me and you believe me. If you continue to have a relationship with Goodwin, there will be consequences and I don’t want him to get hurt.” Juliet says she would never hurt Goodwin. “I’m not talking about you,” Harper says. “I’m talking about Ben.”
Juliet and Goodwin’s relationship grows. They enjoy wine and a swim on the beach, longing to have more. Goodwin wonders why he doesn’t just tell Harper—he’s been sleeping on the couch for a year, why doesn’t he just tell her? Juliet doesn’t think it’s a good idea because Ben wouldn’t like it. Goodwin doesn’t think Ben’s crush is anything to worry about. Ben has Goodwin working with chemicals that would kill everyone on this island if he flipped the wrong switch (presumably at the Tempest). “What’s Ben gonna do?” Goodwin chuckles.
We soon find out as we see the flashback of the plane breaking up. Ben sends Goodwin on the mission to the tail section. Meaningful looks are exchanged between Goodwin and Juliet, Goodwin takes off, then meaningful looks are exchanged between Harper and Juliet. Harper’s look seems to say to Juliet, “You are the reason Goodwin has been sent off.”
Later, a giddy Ben answers the door for Juliet, who was under the impression that she was invited to a dinner party. Oh, it is a dinner party. Just for two. After an awkward pause, Ben thanks Juliet for how wonderful she’s been with Zack and Emma—the two kids Ana Lucia saved from the tail section. Juliet questions whether it is right to keep them since they are just children, since. “Who are we to question who’s on the list?” Ben asks. Well, since we’re talking lists, Juliet takes this obvious segue way to inquire if it isn’t time to bring Goodwin back since they have everyone on the list from the tail section. Ben, the nerd who never had a girlfriend since Annie, tells Juliet that Goodwin is making a case for Ana Lucia and has grown “inappropriately close” with her. “Goodwin stays where he is. His mission will be over soon.” Ben promises. Ominously.
Juliet is reading Jack’s file when Ben walks in. “He’s a spinal surgeon. Specializing in tumors. He can help you.” Ben doesn’t seem quite as excited as he should be. “You need to come with me.” Ben says. He then takes Juliet out to the jungle to show her Goodwin’s body. Juliet wants to know why. “Why did you bring me out here?” “You mean instead of his wife?” Juliet freaks, “You knew this would happen. You wanted him to die. Why?” She cries. Ben’s turn to freak: “After everything I’ve done to get you here, after everything I’ve done to keep you here, how can you possibly not understand? YOU’RE MINE!!!” Ben takes a little breath from his spaz, “Take as much time as you need.” And calmly walks away.
Tempest Fugit
Juliet, Sun and Jin are hanging out on the beach, when Jack walks up wondering where Charlotte and Faraday have gone. Jin says they went into the jungle. “Why didn’t you say anything?” Jack wonders. “You said they are friends,” Jin replies. “Aren’t they?” asks Sun. Well, no, but in the Jack camp, all information is given on a need to know basis. So they trek through the oncoming downpour into the jungle to track them.
Juliet is by herself and we hear the telltale whispering and round and round camera work that foretells the coming of something weird—and sure enough, there is the human cat, Harper, standing the rain with a message from Ben. Faraday and Lewis are heading for the Tempest. If they release the gas, they will kill everyone on this island. Since we already know that Faraday and Lewis have gasmasks, this doesn’t seem like such a stretch. Juliet needs to point her gun at them and kill them.
Jack comes across Juliet talking to the catty Harper and wants to know what’s going on because Jack, unlike everyone else on the island, needs and is entitled to know everything that is going on. So Juliet tells him she needs his help. She leaves out, however that she has been asked to kill Charlotte and Daniel.
Meanwhile, Charlotte and Daniel are making good progress until they run into Kate, who has had enough of Sawyer for the time being. Kate is suspicious of why they are out there; especially when Charlotte lies about the phones being dead when Kate clearly sees the power light is on. She asks to see what’s in Daniel’s pack, she sees the gas masks and Charlotte knocks her out with her gun.
Back with Jack and Juliet, Jack wants to know about the unfriendly feline. “Who was she?” Jack wants to know. Juliet: “I’m sure there are things in your past that you would rather not talk about, Jack.” “Yeah, but you read them all in my file.” Touché Jack. “We should have caught up to them by now,” Jack complains. “They base jumped out of a helicopter. Give them a little credit.” Juliet says. Soon, Juliet and Jack stumble across the incapacitated Kate. While Jack is occupied tending to Kate, Juliet uses this opportunity to take off to complete her mission. Meanwhile, Kate for the first time tells Jack that she is a fugitive wanted for murder and the people on the freighter know it.
Juliet makes it to the Tempest, where she discovers Daniel in his Hazmat suit furiously tapping on the keyboard while the alarms are sounding all over the place. Juliet tells him to stop and Daniel explains he’s just trying to render it inert—trying to make it safe. Here comes Charlotte from behind and they have a fight. Juliet gains the upper hand, points the gun at Charlotte who tells her to “Look me in the eye and tell me that you don’t think Ben would use this gas to kill everyone on the island. We know he’s used it before.” Well, that’s true. So Juliet hesitates because she doubts Ben so Charlotte and Daniel live another day. Of course the counter goes almost down to zero before Daniel finally succeeds in rendering the gas inert.
Kate and Jack make it to the Tempest where Juliet is emerging from the station with Daniel and Charlotte. Kate immediately draws down on them and Juliet tells her to back off, they are on their side. Which Kate doesn’t buy but is good enough for Jack. Kate follows Charlotte and Daniel back into the station, which gives Jack and Juliet some alone time for Juliet to explain to Jack that Ben told her to kill them. She also tells Jack that those people, Daniel, Charlotte, et al were sent here to wage war against Ben. “And Ben is going to win. And when he does, you don’t want to be anywhere near me. Because Ben knows how I feel about you and Ben thinks I’m his.” Jack, who never takes kindly to anyone telling him what he can’t do, leans in for a kiss with Juliet. “Ben knows where to find me if he wants me.”
Has the revolution begun yet, John?
Claire begins questioning John’s authority about finding out who Miles is. “All we know is who’s boat it’s not. Don’t you want to know whose boat it is?”
As much as I loved the Desmond episode last week, I so missed Ben’s witty repartee. And his wit is never so sharp as it is when he’s needling John Locke. How nice to see him back and in top form, kibitzing with Locke over the petty aggravations of leadership. “They are going to be soooo mad when they find out you don’t have a plan.” Ben remarks while happily munching on…chips..? Rabbit..? (By the way, this rabbit didn’t have a number on it, did it?) Whatever. Locke counters, “I suppose YOU have a plan.” “I always have a plan.” Ben says smugly. “Does it involve you raising $3.2 million dollars?” Ho ho ho! Touché, Locke! Even Ben is surprised that Locke knows about this.
Perhaps this incident leads Ben to the conclusion that Locke is stronger than he anticipated. Or perhaps Ben is indeed cashing in his last chip. In any event, Ben and Locke strike a deal over their common enemy. They go upstairs into the living room, where John opens a safe and pulls out the Red Sox tape, which Ben tells him he taped over. “The people on the freighter, don’t you want to know who they work for?” Ben asks. So they play the tape. And who should appear but Penny’s vile father, Charles Widmore, and he’s beating the crap out of one of Ben’s men.
Widmore is in charge of the freighter team. According to Ben, he knows all about the island and will do whatever it takes to exploit it. Locke, apparently breathing the stupid gas, wonders why this would be so. Ben launches into his story: “Three months ago in Gainesville, Florida the Virgin Mary appeared in some mold on the side of a building and 5,000 people came to see it. Your survived airline crash, one minute you’re in a wheelchair and the next you can stand up and do jumping jacks. How many people do you think would want to see that?” Ben hands Locke a file. “Everything I know about Charles Widmore is in this file. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” Locke apparently sees the wisdom in this and is prepared to own up to his part of the deal—but he needs to know one more thing: “Who is your man on the boat?” Ben says, “Alright--- but you might wanna sit down.” It’s Michael. Oh wait, Ben doesn’t actually say that. But we see that it’s revealed next week and I’ll bet anyone out there dollars to donuts that it’s Michael.
The show ends with yet another friendly competition between Sawyer and Hurley, with Hurley beating Sawyer’s butt in horseshoes. Suddenly, here comes Ben with a nice little spring in his step carrying fresh linens. Sawyer and Hurley are dumbfounded. “What the hell are you doing out?” Sawyer growls. To which Ben cheerfully replies: “See you guys at dinner.”
Next Week
Sun and Jin episode and “The final members of the Oceanic Six are revealed” and Sun has three weeks to get off the island or she is going to die.
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