Episode 6x14 – The Candidate

Hours after it aired, I’m still unsure of how to put my feelings about last night’s episode into words. It’s had a lot of “sitting” time, but there’s quite a bit of information to digest, leaving us with only death and darkness after the credits roll.

The Candidate was filled with everything from excitement to tragedy, and if you watched it last night, you’re probably filled with a toxic mixture of emotions (betrayal, devastation, hatred, sadness, etc.) One thing is certain, however: The Candidate reaffirmed one truth that Lost fans are no doubt finding difficult to accept— Lost is coming to an end…and soon.

The plot events and inundation of emotional scenes in this episode is proof enough to prove this point and shows that Lost isn’t afraid to dispose of some major characters and shake of viewers emotions in order to tell its story.

As Widmore said referring to the Smoke Monster, “He’s coming”, and so is the end. With that, let’s take a look at The Candidate…

Flash-Sideways Timeline:
Locke wakes up from surgery with Jack hovering over him, refreshing his memory about what happened and how Locke got to where he is now. He remarks to Locke that he may be a Candidate for a new surgical treatment to repair his spine, hopefully making him mobile again. And…there we have it: a mention of candidacy in the FS timeline. How’s that for ironic? With The Candidate being the episode title this week, it’s natural to infer that the writers were referring to the one who will replace Jacob in the 2007 Island time, but ironically, it’s relating to Locke and his possible new surgery, which he refuses to accept. Jack puzzled, walks away.

I’m going to go out on a limb and throw out a theory here: since it seems like all of our Island Candidates are getting picked off, maybe none the names on the cave ceiling and Lighthouse will become the Candidate. With Jack referencing to Locke his surgical Candidacy, is it possible that maybe alt-Locke is the Candidate, the purpose to be revealed in a later episode? I mean, he was a Candidate before he died, so since he’s alive in the alt-timeline, why couldn’t he be?

Soon after, Jack goes into a dentist office and finds Dr. Bernard Nadler there, seemingly holding the same occupation in both timelines. Ah, there’s our Bernard! Though he’s pretty much MIA on-Island, it was great to finally at least get to see him again, no matter the timeline.

Jack asks Bernard for a patient file, John Locke, in an attempt to find out how he was paralyzed and in so, why he’s refusing a possible cure.

Both Jack and Bernard remember that they were on Oceanic 815, but Bernard seems more insightful than we know. He refuses to hand over Locke’s file, but gives Jack the name “Anthony Cooper”, saying that he was brought in with Locke three years prior.

Jack follows Bernard’s lead and finds Anthony Cooper at a nursing home, bumping into Helen upon his arrival. They make their way into a room where Helen goes up to a man in a wheelchair, turns it around, showing an almost brain-dead Cooper, and reveals him to be Locke’s father.

Considering all the shitty things that Cooper pulled on Locke in the 2007 timeline, it should’ve been very easy to hate him. Key words: should have been. However, once I saw that deep, blank look on Cooper’s face with his mouth hanging open, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. The acting of all the actors paired with the music in the scene made it very emotional (the type of scenes that would later infiltrate the remainder of episode) and the realization of the differences between Cooper’s situation in both timelines was tragic, and somehow extremely hard-hitting and realistic.

Later, Jack goes back to the hospital at stands at Locke’s bedside, listening to him in his sleep murmuring phrases such as, “Push the button” and “I wish you had believed me", once again showing another character seemingly connecting with their 2007 Island counterparts. Though, this is a tough one because on-Island Locke is dead so how is alt-Locke connecting with his dead self? Maybe through the memories of Locke remaining alive through MIB inhabiting his body? Who knows? But it sure is interesting to ponder.

In the hospital, Jack runs into Claire for the first time since abruptly leaving Christian’s will reading and Claire tells Jack that Christian felt it was very important to will her a music box, ironically enough, playing “Catch a Falling Star”, which conjures up contrasting images of sweet, innocent alt-Claire, with that of infected Claire singing the song as the Losties exit the Temple in Sundown.

Jack, however, doesn’t know the meaning of the gift and answers Claire’s question of how Christian died and how he was bringing the body back from Sydney. They both then realize that they, too, were on Oceanic 815 together and Jack offers to let Claire stay with him because they’re “not strangers, we’re family.”

A recuperated Locke starts to leave the hospital and runs into Jack, thanking him for his help (by the way, did you see Jin pass by with a bunch of flowers going into a hospital room?). Though, Locke is somewhat upset to learn that Jack invaded his privacy and tacked down his father to see how Locke became paralyzed. He then tells Jack that he was paralyzed via a plane crash (irony being that the Oceanic 815 crash reversed his paralysis in the 2007 timeline) which also put his father into a vegetative state.



Locke says that he received his pilot’s license and begged Cooper to be his first passenger. Though afraid of flying, Cooper went along, as Locke had said that he could trust him. Whatever the reason for the crash, Locke is certain that it was his fault. Jack tells Locke that he now has to accept that his father is gone, but Locke refuses to face reality, responding to Jack with, “he he’s not” (similar to Jack’s own denial of his father’s death). However, Jack reminds him that although a physical being of his father remains, he’s not really there. Locke blaming himself won’t get Cooper back, and is only making Locke’s own life worse, revealing that Locke refuses the surgery out of guilt at the possibility of being fixed, while his father is irreparable.

Again, we’re faced with references to the 2007 Island timeline as Jack remarks to Locke that “what happened, happened", and that Locke can "let it go".

Jack and Locke talk for a bit and Locke says goodbye and goes for the exit. Immediately, Jack calls after him exclaiming, "I can help you, John. I wish you believed me” but Locke goes, leaving us with Island Locke’s final message to Jack, now being spoken by Jack.

And so ends the Flash-sideways for The Candidate…

Now, I haven’t been a fan of many of the FS storylines and time usage for a large portion of the season, but I absolutely loved this one and think I am starting to finally understand and accept the reason for the writers inserting it as the season’s new narrative device.

Along with contrasting with the 2007 timeline, the FS timeline seems to be being used in order to show the consequences of Jack & Co. detonating the hydrogen bomb on the Island and the tragedy they caused. At some point, they’ll come to a realization that their selfishness caused others’ problems and tragedy and they’ll have to atone for their actions once again. Though, how the timelines will mesh together and fit in with the storyline, I’m not so certain. But I can pretty much guarantee that everyone in the alt-timeline will, at some point, congregate together and consciously form the realization that there’s another reality, with a different version of them present in it.

What really made the FS this week though, was more of the amazing acting between Jack and Locke. Their chemistry is amazing and shows a fantastic contrast with their past on the Island in 2007. Although Locke is dead on the Island, the writers have somehow find a way to make his story even more compelling and emotional, showing that the well that is Lost, isn’t dry just yet.

The Island, 2007
Welcome to Hydra Island!
Picking up where we left off last week, Jack awakens to Sayid, the official greeter of Hydra Island. He breaks the news to Jack that the rest of Flocke’s followers went out and scattered in the jungle (ah, so that explains where Cindy and the surviving Temple folk are!) and then Flocke says that Widmore’s people are holding the rest of the Losties captive and that Flocke wants to help free them, seemingly caring for the well-being of the Jack and the Candidates. Seemingly.

Back at Widmore’s area, Kate, Hurley, Claire, Sun, Jin, Frank, and Sawyer are forced into the bear cages, Kate and Sawyer giving the impression of recalling their previous experiences in the cages back in season 3. Though this time, there definitely not doing what they were before.



Sawyer tells Kate that her name was crossed off on the cave ceiling, reaffirming Widmore’s statement that she’s totally dispensable. Meanwhile, Jin and Sun talk about Ji Yeon and Sun gives Jin back his wedding ring, ironically given away by Jin to not get Sun back to the Island. Well, that worked out perfectly. But wait…!

The generator powering the sonic fences dies, and we hear the familiar ticka-ticka-ticka sound of the smoke monster. Is it just me or has ole Smokey seemed to have taken on a grey color, as opposed to totally black in previous seasons? I’d like that mystery cleared up please. Forget about the statue, MIB, Candidates, etc. Just tell me why the smoke monster is grey. Maybe it’s just old age? In any case, Widmore’s team is attacked by the smoke monster in an attempt to free the caged Losties/Candidates. Several are killed including Seamus (aka Fatty), by being thrust onto the metal cage.

While Smokey does his thing, Kate reaches through the bars of the cage and tries to get Seamus’ keys to unlock the cage. Before she can though, Frank repeatedly kicks the cage door, while Jack simultaneously comes up with keys and frees the group. With the cage-Losties stunned at the appearance of the smoke monster, Jack calmly expresses, “I’m with him.” Nice Jack, real nice. Put your allegiance with a century-old killer mass of black smoke. But we’ll get to Jack’s decision later.

All aboard Explosive Ajira Airline!
Once freed, they start on their continuous-episode trek to the Ajira plane where Jack says that he’s not meant to leave the Island, but will help the rest of them leave. According to Sayid, “Locke” is waiting.

He arrives at the plane and totally nonchalantly shoots Widmore’s guards pitifully guarding the plane, and takes a watch off one of the bodies. We see that someone has built some bamboo steps up to the plane entrance and Flocke goes up and finds a pack of explosives wired into the plane.



Flocke then explains that Widmore wired the plane so that he could kill them all together and shows them the C4 as proof. The new and improved plan (because the first one worked out so well) is to leave the Island in Widmore’s sub, but Hurley being the Hurley that we all love once again says what the audience is thinking: Flocke isn’t supposed to leave the Island. Oh Hurley, you are the heart of the show.

Time to leave the Island
Flocke leads everyone to the sub and Claire apologizes to Flocke for switching sides, but is forgiven. Whether Claire truly is sorry or is just trying to remain on Flocke’s good side, much like the rest of the smart Losties, is uncertain. I think she’s not completely cured of the “sickness” and is a bit conflicted at the moment.

Though Sawyer said to Flocke that he trusts him, he later tells Jack the opposite and that Flocke cannot be allowed to get on the sub, laying out a plan for Jack and Flocke to be the last on the sub. A portion of the rest of the group makes it onto the sub and orders the crew to start it up.



Meanwhile, I’m getting nervous for the rest of the Losties on the dock. A shootout happens between them and Widmore’s tree-hopping people, with Sayid making it into the sub.

While that’s happening, Flocke asks Jack to reconsider his thoughts of staying.

Flocke: Whoever told you to stay had no idea what they were talking about.

Jack: John Locke told me I needed to stay.

With that, Jack is infuriated and with the power of the audience behind him, pushes Flocke into the water. Yes!

Then I almost died.

Kate is abruptly shot in the shoulder by Widmore’s tree folk and leaving Flocke treading water, carried an injured Kate into the sub. How great would it have been to hear Jack screaming, “KAAAAAATE!” like Michael’s, “WAAAALT!” Okay, not so great, but it’s a funny thought (not to mention much less annoying than Michael’s rendition).

The tension starts to speed up and I was starting to fear the worst: Kate was going to die. If we’re paralleling Sayid getting shot in the season 5 finale though, she’ll probably be fine. However, the injury looks pretty serious and with Hurley unable to locate a first aid kit…who knows.

As everyone boards the sub, Claire is left behind after trying to protect everyone against Widmore’s people (great aim by the way). Kate then realizes that they left Claire behind and Sawyer goes above to call for her to get in, but instead sees Claire and Flocke shooting more of Widmore’s people. Flocke goes for the sub hatch and Sawyer closes it, leaving both Claire and Flocke behind as the sub dives. Claire is shocked that she was left behind and runs toward the sub, but Flocke restrains her saying, "Trust me, you don't want to be on that sub."

And once again, I feel so sorry for Claire as she’s left out and left behind once again. She was just starting to learn to trust again, coming out of her “infection” and then she’s devastated that her once-friends have turned on her. Will this be enough to make Claire once again switch to an allegiance with Flocke, or realize his true intentions? This could play a huge part of the remaining episodes, as Claire clearly isn’t defined as totally good or totally infected as of yet.

“Nothing is going to happen…”
Jack gets his backpack to help Kate and realizes that Flocke put the bomb from the plane into his bag and rigged it to a timer from the dead guard’s watch. I believe Jack was thinking something along the lines of, Oh crap.

The timer starts at 3:54 and Jack demands that they surface, telling Sawyer that Flocke intended to be left at the dock, but Frank informs them that it will take five minutes to surface.



Sawyer starts to take Sayid suggestion about disarming the bomb (by pulling the two wires out simultaneously) but Jack stops him saying that nothing is going to happen if they leave it alone. If they pull the wires…“Boom.” I forget who said it in this episode, but it paralleled Jin’s utterance of the same word on the freighter in the season 4 finale. C4+ship/sub=awesome parallel.

Jack realizes that they’ve done exactly what Flocke wanted by “he wanted to get us all in the same place at the same time. A nice enclosed space where we had no hope of getting out of", the same thing which he accused Widmore of, the lie now exposed.

Flocke has repeatedly stated that he needs all the Candidates to leave the Island together for it to work, but it seems as if the real reason he needed them all together was to kill them, so that he could get off the Island. Contrary to his claims in past episodes, Flocke cannot leave because of the Candidates…and unless they’re dead, he’s stuck on the Island.

Sawyer being Sawyer is unable to trust Jack that everything will be okay, and pulls the wires from the C4. And once again, my heart drops…and I hold my breath…



The timer stops at 1:31 but then rapidly decreases.

From this point on, the episode is an emotional rollercoaster: sadness, action, and complete chaos.

In a split second decision, Sayid grabs the bomb and runs off, but not before informing Jack of Desmond’s location (I’m pretty sure this is Jack’s first bit of information that Desmond’s back on the Island) and saying:

Sayid: “Locke wants him dead, which means you are going to need him."

Jack asks why Sayid’s telling him this all of a sudden and responds:

Sayid: "Because it's going to be you, Jack."

If nothing else, this little dialogue shows that Desmond is alive and that his little speech/persuasion technique worked with Sayid at the well. Flocke is not going to be happy about this one.

With Sayid leaving us to wonder what he meant by that remark, he runs through the submarine, getting the C4 away from the Losties, and the bomb explodes in his arms and begins to sink the submarine.

Episode casualty tally: 1

Though Sayid was a main character, he’s been through a lot (especially this season) and it was nice to see that he was able to shrink away from his “infection” to such a point that he made the choice to sacrifice him for his friends. Much like many other dead characters, Sayid has redeemed himself through his actions, making his death that much more symbolic and easier for the viewer to accept.

Something happens
The sub begins to take on water and Frank is knocked out by a metal door as a cause of the water pressure. Meanwhile, Hurley plays innocent hero and swims with Kate out of the sub (did I mention Hurley was the heart of the show?) before asking about Sayid’s status, prompting Jack exclaiming, "There is no Sayid", really forcing both the characters and viewer to realize the permanency of what’s occurred and what’s about to.

Hurley and Kate escape the sub but Sun is pinned against the wall by a giant metal cabinet and Jin, Sawyer, and Jack attempt to free her. They move the cabinet, but she’s still pinned by metal bars/piping.



Increasing the tension, Sawyer is knocked out by a metal bar and Jack is once again conflicted: to save Sawyer, or to free Sun? After deliberation prompted by Jin’s telling him to help Sawyer instead, he takes a look back at them both and leaves the sub.

And then there were two.

Jin and Sun are left in the sub alone, Sun still trapped beneath the bar. At this point, I think we all knew all too well what was about to happen, but just didn’t want to believe it. Damon and Carlton wouldn’t do that to us, would they?

The water rises to neck level and Sun begs for Jin to leave, his efforts to free her not getting anywhere. Spending 3 years trying to find each other, they vow never to leave each other again, and as the water rises and the sub sinks, they drown together holding hands.

The last image we have of Jin and Sun are their hands clasped together, and drifting apart.



Episode casualty tally: 3

Well, I’m going to just say it: if you didn’t at least shed a tear in the penultimate moments of this episode, you have no soul. Sun and Jin are dead. We might as well be too, right? After spending 6 years with these characters, it’s hard to let them go. Though, it didn’t feel like they were being killed just to do so. Their deaths had meaning and symbolism (which I could easily spend an entire post rambling over) and it seems as if the writers had as tough a time as letting go as we did. Although they didn’t make it to the finale and get that permanent happy ending, Sun and Jin were reunited and their brief happiness should be enough.

Recovery
Jack and Sawyer make it to the beach and find Hurley with Kate, who asks about Jin and Sun. Jack shakes his head, confirming their deaths. Now comes depressing moment #3: Hurley and Kate breaking down into tears. Okay, I can handle character deaths and all that good stuff, but seeing them exhausted and having everything catch up with them was just too much…one of the most impacting moments on the show to date. To date.

Away from the group, Jack stands in the ocean and cries, looking strangely like Christian standing in the ocean in season 1. He looks up into the sky (for answers? help?) and takes everything in, quite possibly contemplating his decision to leave Jin and Sun in the sub.



“…finish what I started.”
Flocke is still at the dock with Claire and says that the sub sunk and that not all of them are dead. He leaved with his backpack "To finish what I started."

L    O    S    T
Saying that The Candidate was a roller coaster would be an understatement. A draining and chaotic rollercoaster sounds more like it.

With Sun and Jin dead, Ji Yeon is now an orphan and also prompts the question of, which Kwon is the 42 Candidate? Jin or Sun? I don’t think it matters much now, but if the writers wanted to pull a twist on us, Ji Yeon still qualifies as a Kwon…

Also, it seems as if Michael was correct: Hurley’s decision is following Flocke got a lot of people killed. It’s a shame (though I’m not sure the deaths can totally be attributed to Hurley’s actions) and Hurley probably realizes it, partially the cause for his breakdown on the beach.

In the end, we’re let with a fantastic episode but there’s still a lot of ground to cover:

- Who’s the Candidate?
- Will Desmond be saved? What’s his purpose on the Island and why does Widmore care?
- Did Frank make it out of the sub?
- How will MIB finish what he started now that the Losties are aware of his rue nature and intentions?
- Where the heck are Ben, Richard, and Miles?

Well, from the short promo of next week’s episode, I think we’ll at least get some answers and insight into MIB and his intentions. As for the rest of our burning questions, we’ll just have to wait and see…

Until next time…

Namaste

Episode 6x13 The Last Recruit

After the amazing ending sequence to Everybody Loves Hugo, it seemed almost impossible to have a not-so-great episode afterwards. Though the start of The Last Recruit was pretty amazing (along with various other scenes), the bombardment of characters in the flash-sideways felt overwhelming for a 1-hour episode. For premieres and finales, various character centricities are fine, almost welcomed, but for a middle-of-the-season episode, I just felt that it didn't work as well.

Without a doubt, The Last Recruit was more of a transitional episode, getting characters and plotlines where they need to be in order to set up for the penultimate episodes. Though it wasn't as action-packed and intriguing as last week's episode, we needed this one so that the remaining episodes of the series can be fantastic.

Flash-Sideways
The start of this episode picks up right where Everybody Loves Hugo left off, with ALT-Locke being hit by Desmond. He's accompanied by Ben to the hospital, where he crosses paths with Sun who is being hospitalized after being shot in The Package. Oddly enough, Sun seems to recognize Locke, exclaiming, "It's him! It's him" in Korean. Now, whether she's just delirious from blood loss, or truly recognizes him due to the bleeding of the two realities (or something else) is something else to speculate.

When Sun wakes up in her hospital room, Jin informs her that her and the baby will be fine (though I wonder what would've happened if Ji Yeon died in the ALT-reality and was alive in the other). Outside, Jack and David are walking around when Jack gets called into surgery. After being informed of the victim and injuries, he looks down and notices that it's Locke, whom he recognizes from LAX (or from the island!?). Considering Jack and Locke's conversation in the premiere about "irreversibility," it will definitely be interesting to see the outcome of the surgery and if Jack will be able to fix Locke.



Elsewhere, Claire is making her way to an adoption agency after her near-labor in the season premiere. At the sign-in desk, a very creepy Desmond approaches Claire and offers his help in providing legal representation during the adoption process from a lawyer he is going to see. Desmond persuades her to take up his offer and as they both make it to the 15th floor, the lawyer, Miss Verdansky, appears and is shown to be Ilana (really? Verdansky? Does that really fit with 'Ilana'? I wonder if that's her name in the island-reality too). As Claire is introduced, Ilana states that they have been looking for her.

In the same building, Jack and David arrive (prior to operating on Locke) to hear the contents of Christina's will (speaking of Christian, did Oceanic ever find his body?). Ilaa introduces Jack to Claire (possibly the reason Ilana was looking for her was due to Christian mentioning her in his will?). Apparently, Jack didn't know about Claire being his half-sister in this reality either. Almost immediately after, Jack gets a phone call--to operate on Locke--and apologizes for having to leave.



At the police station, Sawyer talks with Kate and receives a call about the incident at Keamy’s restaurant. He sees the surveillance tape showing Sayid at the scene of the crime and they go to find him.

Immediately after the event at Keamy’s, Sayid goes back to Nadia’s and begins to pack his things to leave, saying that he’s not coming back. Miles shows up at the door, but Sayid has gone—he runs out the back door where Sawyer ends up catching him, which pretty much concludes the flash-sideways storyline for this week. I can see why the Claire, Jack, Locke, and Sun stories were included but I can’t help but feeling that the Sayid and Sawyer/Miles bits were kind of thrown in there. Now I’m not saying that they didn’t serve a purpose, but they might have fit in better in a latter episode where the focus was more on them both on and off Island.

Now that everyone is joining together again on the Island, it seems fitting that they would do the same in the ALT-reality. It’s also nice to see the “glimpses” of the other reality through each character’s perspective which shows that the writers are showing this us for a reason…I just wish I knew what it was.

Back on the Island, 2007
After a much-anticipated confrontation, Jack finally meets with Flocke, remarking how much he looks like Locke and is mystified, having no idea who he is. Flocke then goes on to say that he chose Locke’s body because Locke was stupid enough to think he was on the island for a reason. He also reveals that he also was responsible for Jack seeing his father all those times on the Island, taking his form to lead him to water back in season one. Though at this point, can we really believe him? Some of his appearances definitely seem “MIB” influenced (i.e. robotically walking through the jungle, standing in the ocean, etc.) but others seem as if it was actually Christian. What purpose would MIB serve in telling Locke in the frozen wheel chamber, “tell my son I said hello,” or sitting there in the jungle holding Aaron? Scare tactics for Jack, influence and trust for Claire? Something just isn’t adding up here and it’s hard to swallow that MIB was Christian all the times we’ve seen him.



In an end to their conversation, Flocke remarks to Jack that John Locke was not a believer but a sucker. Damn you, MIB. Damn you. It’s comments like that that reinforces the idea that he needs to go. Fast.

(I don’t know how they’ll do it but the writers need to bring Locke—the real Locke—back somehow. Seeing that he was used right up until the end is probably the most tragic ending to any of the Lost characters so far. Watching the MIB manipulate others through Locke’s body and use of his memories is almost as bad as watching Ben murder Locke and calls for some smoke monster ass-kicking.)

Now back at camp, Flocke says how nice it is to have everyone together again. Soon after, Zoe emerges from the bushes and demands him to return Desmond. Expectedly, he puts on a show claiming that he has no idea what she’s talking about.
She then uses her radio for her group to “show them what we’re capable of” and a bomb explodes nearby. Zoe gives Flocke until night to return Desmond and leaves.



We know that Widmore wanted Desmond to see if he could survive another electromagnetic event, but other than that, what do we know about his reasons for abducting him? Nothing. Is Widmore expecting another event similar to the Swan’s detonation? His purpose on the Island is pretty vague so far, so anything could happen. Oh, and Zoe, bombs are great for attacking people, but I’m afraid they probably won’t have an effect on century+ old smoke monsters.

After Zoe goes off (and I can’t believe he let her) Flocke states that Widmore has provoked them and makes planes to gather everyone up, go to the Hydra Island, and get on the Ajira plane. He gives Sawyer a map to get a boat and instructs him to bring it back to get them. However, Sawyer goes against Flocke and tells Jack, Hurley, Kate, and Sun to meet them at the dock where they’ll go to Hydra Island themselves to meet with Widmore, with whom Sawyer previously struck an “agreement”. Putting his plan into action, he also explains that Claire isn’t coming with them and “gave up her ticket when she tried to kill Kate.” This was rather surprising coming from Sawyer being that he reacted so strongly in season 4 to Claire’s Dharma house being blown up and his attempts to bring her to safety. I guess infected people aren’t allowed to go on boat rides.
Back on the island, Flocke orders Sayid to kill Desmond. Sayid is unsure at first, but then Flocke dangles his promise of brining Nadia back to him in front of him. With that, he goes off where he finds Desmond in the well (which was surprisingly shallow and empty) and draws his gun. Facing death, Desmond plays on Sayid’s fading emotions and asks if Sayid were to get Nadia back, what would he tell her that he did to be with her again?

While Flocke is leading his group, Claire tells Jack that she trusts Flocke because he is the only one who didn't abandon her, revealing Claire’s inner-child-like emotions and true feelings after being left behind. After Flocke goes off to find Sayid, Jack gathers Hurley, Sun, and Frank and they leave for the boat, unknowing that Claire is following them.

Meanwhile, Flocke finds Sayid and wonders if he really killed Desmond. At this point, the audience knows about as much as Flocke; did Desmond’s persuasion work and save his life, or did Sayid’s darkness prevail?

Sawyer and Kate arrive and meet up with Jack’s group, preparing to leave. Questioning their actions, Claire comes out of the jungle with a rifle and Kate confronts her saying that she can trust them and that the only reason she came back to the Island was to reunite her with Aaron–-a promise more reliable than Flocke’s. Claire agrees to go with them but when he (Flocke) finds out that they left, "he's going to be mad."



On the boat, Jack tells Sawyer that it doesn't feel right leaving the Island and believes that they were brought back to do something. If Flocke is trying to get them to leave, maybe he is afraid of what happens if they stay. Not liking Jack's "crazy talk," Sawyer tells Jack to get off the boat and that if he wants to leave, he can leave. Quite literally, Jack takes a leap of faith into the water and goes back to the main island (in a way paralleling Sawyer’s helicopter jump in the season 4 finale) while Kate unsuccessfully attempts to go back to get him.

They arrive on Hydra Island and immediately following, Widmore's people confront them, the two sides divided by the portable pylons.

Unexpectedly, another long-awaited moment is brought to life as Sun notices Jin and they reunite for the first time since the freighter explosion in the season 4 finale. Though, I can’t help but think that their current happiness is short lived, a prelude to death and destruction in the near future.



During their moment of happiness as they both run towards the sonic fence, I was fearing for them both. I was sure that their joy would take hold of them, make them forget the pylons, and were about to be zapped, ending their reunion in tragedy. It would have been horrible and unfair, yet amazing utilization of irony and twisting the audience’s expectations.

Shortly after, Sun regains her voice (seemingly by being brought back to Jin) but their reunion is cut short by Widmore’s crew holding the new arrivals at gunpoint, emphasizing that Widmore’s deal with Sawyer is off. Zoe makes sure that Flocke is located on the main Island and orders Widmore to fire when ready.

Jack eventually makes it back to the Island and Flocke meets him, remarking that Sawyer stole his boat. The bomb that Zoe ordered lands almost directly on them both, but both are unscathed. Jack is disoriented but Flocke tells him not to worry because "you're with me now."



Thoughts, Questions, and the future of Lost
For a transitional episode, The Last Recruit was fairly entertaining; definitely not the best of the season but not the worst either. Hopefully some greatness was sacrificed so that next week’s episode and the remaining ones after can be fantastic.

Jack getting screen time with Flocke as well as Claire was highly-anticipated as well and along with the reunion of Sun and Jin, we were treated to a lot of “catching-up” on the Island.

With the Losties held at gunpoint and Jack “protected” by Flocke, it’s clear that Widmore’s often-referenced war is coming soon. Though, what is the “war” exactly? We still don’t know too much about it other than Widmore is certain of its coming and that picking the wrong side will result in horrible consequences. Does the war tie in with the rules, an equally vague topic? The specifics of it such as why and how it’s coming and how it will take place are unknown as well, but I’m sure once we finally see it that it will be one of the best pieces of Lost ever.

With Lost returning in two weeks with The Candidate, I’m wondering if the title suggests that we’ll find out who will be replacing Jacob. Hmm…the thought brings up another question: why does Jacob need replacing…wait, why does the Island need protecting…what is the Island? It’s an endless chain of questions (that hopefully be answered before the series finale on May 23rd)!

Until next time...

Namaste

Getting LOST

Here's a post that I've been meaning to make for awhile now. It's an article that I wrote for my school's paper about the decreasing fan base of Lost in the penultimate seasons. It looks much better properly formatted, but the paragraph formatting feature isn't working for some reason, so use your imagination and pretend that it is working.

Enjoy!

On September 22, 2004, Oceanic flight 815 disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

Taking off from Sydney, the 324 passengers were thought dead by the public. However, out of the 324 passengers, 70 came to realize that they were the survivors of a plane crash on an uncharted island in the South Pacific that would change their lives forever.

Each survivor with a unique past and back story, they slowly start to piece together that each of them are interconnected in ways that they could never have imagined. Though does this mysterious island provide refuge and atonement for past sins, or does it create more problems and questions than the survivors are able to handle?

For the pop culture experts out there, you may have known that Oceanic flight 815 is a fictional plane, which is great news for television fanatics. Without which, ABC’s Emmy award winning show, Lost, would not be possible.

Involving numerous intriguing plot techniques devices such as twists, foreshadowing, flashbacks, and cliffhanger endings, Lost is not just another television show, but a television experience that allows that viewer to tap into their imagination and theorize and speculate about what may or may not happen on the show.

While Lost still has a gargantuan fan-base, some viewers simply do not understand (or choose not to understand) the mysteries of Lost whilst the amount of viewers that religiously watch the show each Tuesday night is continuing in a downward spiral. Why is that? For such a popular show, why are long-time fans of the show beginning to stop watching as Lost reaches its series finale? Could it be that the questions and intense situations are too much for the viewer’s mind to handle?

Granted, some aspects of the show are highly implausible, the questions and mysteries are far from boring. For instance: what is the Dharma Initiative? What does the numerical sequence 4-8-15-16-23-42 have to do with the show? And what exactly is that black smoke monster running around the island? It is questions like these that attract and engage viewers to Lost while simultaneously dissuading other viewers from watching. Does the show involve too much thinking and theorizing that some people just turn off their minds?

As Americans, we cannot deny the fact that the level of intelligence in the country has gone downhill over the years. Whether it’s due to laziness, lack of motivation, or something completely different, we can not push away that the public in general has a tough time using their own brains and creativity and rely on others to spoon-feed them information.

Now, you may be wondering what does this have to do with Lost? As the seasons of Lost have progressed, for every answer given, it seems as if three more questions are posed. Some may think that getting answers to one’s questions would give some sort of satisfaction to the viewer and allow them to take a deep breath while re-grouping their thoughts about the show. However, being that some questions aren’t answered for a couple seasons, it gives viewers the chance to ponder and speculate their own answers. As time passes and theories are developed, viewers start to accept the ideas that have been created among other Lost viewers. When the time comes that a large question is answered, some fans are not pleased with the answer being that they had either started to believe a theory of their own or feel that they were cheated if they feel that the answer given does not truly satisfy them.

As Lost prepares for its final season, complaints about the complicated nature of the show are at a high, as are viewer headaches. Questions are still arising just as worries that the producers are “making it up as they go along”. Executive producers of Lost, Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, have stated on numerous occasions that the previous seasons and plot lines were planned and thought through and that they do know where the show is going leading up to the series finale. Though, this does not prevent viewer complaints, it shows that the show is actually planned and outlined, however lack of viewer patience and dedication to the show and its revelations give some viewers the excuse to exclaim that Lost is too complicated and has deviated from its original roots.

In regards to the plan for the ending of Lost, Damon Lindelof says,
“Yes, the actual ending ending is exactly the same as we'd always planned on it being, except we didn't know if we were going to get there after two seasons, four seasons or after six seasons, so the road to the ending has had to change significantly. But the ending itself? Whether people like it or not, that's the ending we've had.”

In the end, Lost is not a show for everyone. Though facts show that the writers and producers know where the show is headed, it doesn’t keep some viewers to continue their complaints of its complicated nature and lack of answered questions. In relation to this, Lost proves to be a successful example of just how little the public delegates their minds to handle when it comes to patience and dissecting information.

Being that Lost is a television show, it is the opinion of many that viewers should not have to be subjected to opening their minds and scratching their heads while being entertained. In fact, some question whether it is entertainment at all. Regardless of viewer opinions, Lost is and will continue to be a show that is extremely entertaining while simultaneously engaging the viewer and allowing them to be apart of the show through creativity and use of their inner quick-witted intelligence…whether the casual viewer agrees with it or not.

The final season of Lost can be seen Tuesdays at 9:00 PM on ABC.

Happily Ever Affter

For the first time since, well, awhile, Desmond's back (and with lines)!

I was looking forward to this episode, thinking that we were going to get some revelations about Desmond being brought back to the Island, his "uniqueness," etc. Though there were some interesting mini-revelations, I was a bit disappointed being that the majority of the episode was Desmond's alt-life. Though it was interesting to see and connect the similarities to the on-Island lives of the Losties, there's so much ground to cover on the Island and with the pre-existing mysteries, that the ALT needs to start coming to a close. Honestly, I thought they would do that earlier on this season, but that's beside the point. On to "Happily Ever After"...

Desmond wakes up to the face of Charles Widmore, obviously shocked, and it is revealed that he's been brought back to the Island (dun, dun DUN). Is he infuriated? Well, does attacking someone with an IV pole count? I'd go for 'yeah.'

Widmore goes on to tell Desmond that, “the island isn’t done with you yet,” while Jin is outside of the room (revealed to be on the Hydra Island). After taking instructions from Widmore, Zoe takes Jin down their “experiment,” where a large industrial-looking crate is, with some sort of electrical equipment is housed.



Starting the experiment early, a man is pushed into the locked crate area and a large circular electrical apparatus is shown, emitting a bright light. Soon, the light engulfs the man and as the machine is turned off, he is shown lying on the floor dead.

After a quick glance at the dead man, Widmore orders Desmond inside the chamber, wanting to know if he can survive another electromagnetic event (and other undisclosed information). Before the experiment begins, he states that Desmond will be asked to make a large sacrifice, but it is not revealed what Widmore meant by that, either metaphorically or literally.

Inside the chamber still, Widmore adds that if Desmond won't help, it will all be for nothing, everyone vanishing forever. With that lingering, Widmore leaves Desmond, locks the room, and starts the electricity inside, the intense light engulfing him.

Flash-sideways
(For the most part, I'm not going to elaborate on the FS, as it was basically "The Adventures of Desmond in Sideways-Land." There were, however, some parts worth mentioning, which is what I'll do)

The FS pretty much follows Desmond as he goes about his day (wow, that sounds quaint, doesn't it?), coincidentally, working for Charles Widmore, who emphatically expresses Desmond's indispensability.

Throughout the FS portion of the episode, Desmond seems to have "flashes" of his 2007Island self, much like many of the other Losties (i.e. Jack and Kate, Sun, etc.), providing us with frightening similarities between both realities: Desmond pushing the Swan Station button vs. Desmond pushing the MRI button, Desmond running in the stadium vs. Penny running in the stadium, and Charlie's "Not Penny's Boat" hand vs. Charlie's hand underwater in the car, just to name a few cool ones.



With this alongside with Desmond's "uniqueness" where the rules don't apply to him, could it be said that Desmond has a much stronger relation with his alt-self than the other Losties, or maybe it means that there is no alt-Desmond, and 2007 Desmond flashed to the ALT, or maybe none of the above. Regardless of the reason, it can certainly be said that Desmond (in 2007 OR the ALT) know what's going on. In future episodes, it will be very interesting to see how this plays out and how his knowledge relates to Widmore's plan and the entire Lost scheme.

Quite possibly one the most intriguing portions of the episode was "ALT" Desmond interacting with Daniel Fara--uh, I mean Widmore and Eloise Widmore (Hawking). Much like her 2007 self, she seems to know an awful lot about the mysteries of the world(s). How she knows, on the other hand, is hopefully a mystery that will not be left out in the remaining episodes.

Desmond also meets up with ALT-Daniel who is ironically a musician and not a physicist. However, he says that one day he woke to find he had written complex equations in his journal in relation to time and space. Later he attempts suggest to Desmond that maybe their life wasn’t meant to be their true and them changing things in another life caused their current existence, mirroring the hydrogen bomb explosion on the Island.



Somehow, Daniel’s existence seems to have merged with his 2007-knowledge to inform him of the existence of both realities. Though, like Ms. Hawking/Widmore, how does he have this insight, aside from the journal equations? Is the fabric of the universe wearing thin, realities bleeding into each other caused by some yet-to-be-revealed event?

Back on the Island, 2007
Desmond is found alive in the chamber and while only a few seconds have passed, Desmond feels as if it’s been hours. Widmore explains that his talent is vital to the mission and Desmond immediately interrupts, stating that he understands and is ready to assist Widmore, the ALT apparently having some awakening affect on him.

Soon after, Desmond is brought back to Widmore’s base, escorted by Zoe who is going to show him something. Interrupting, (a very infected) Sayid immerges from the bushes and points a gun at Zoe, strongly suggesting that she run away. She does.



Sayid alone with Desmond says that "these people are extremely dangerous" and that they need to go now. Desmond looks oddly calm and answers, "Of course; lead the way."

Well, I guess Desmond's line, "See you in another life, brother" has taken on a whole new meaning.

Until next time...

Namaste

Episode 6x10 The Package

Judging from last week's preview of "The Package," I really wasn't looking forward to it that much. Maybe it's because I'm just getting tired of the re-hashing of scenes from past seasons and calling it a preview for the next episode, or maybe it's because it was slated to be a Sun/Jin-centric episode. Now, I like Sun and Jin, I really do. Though this season, it's like they've been thrown aside. Aside from Sun's, "Have you seen my husband?" quote (which she better have mastered by now), both of them have pretty much been on-screen, well...to be on screen. Anyway, I'm pleased to say that I really liked The Package and am glad that the craptastic preview didn't foreshadow an equally craptastic episode.

So starting off, we have Widmore's people using the sub. periscope observing the Losties. A very different start to an episode than usual, but the overall effect was pretty cool. Besides, who doesn't love that green, night vision color?



Flash-sideways
In the flash-sideways, Sun and Jin are at LAX trying to get the confiscated $25,000 back from customs...no luck. Jin says that he already missed the "meeting" at the restaurant and needs to deliver the money and watch immediately.

Once out of the airport and at their hotel, Jin reveals to the clerk that they are not married (a question that rose in the season premiere) and that they have separate rooms. Ironically enough, they are together despite not being married and it seems as if they're covering their bases to make sure that Mr. Paik doesn't find out about their involvement. They talk about eloping using Sun's secret bank funds. Soon after, there's a knock on the door and it's revealed to be Keamy (before he made those "good eggs" and Sayid shot him). He says to Sun that he's expecting the watch and $25,000. Sun gives him the watch, but reveals that the money was taken at the airport. Needing a translator, Keamy summons Mikhail (with TWO eyes!) and says that they'll take Jin to the restaurant, while Mikhail accompanies Sun to the bank to withdraw from her secret account. The bank officer says that the account was closed. Sun is surprised being that she was the only one who knew about it. Upon asking who closed it, it is revealed to be the doings of Mr. Paik, Sun's father, in an effort to keep Jin and Sun apart.



Back at the restaurant, Keamy locks Jin in the freezer in a continuation from "Sundown" and reveals that he was actually hired by Mr. Paik to kill Jin and the $25,000 that Jin was transporting was actually for Keamy for finishing him off. Talk about irony, huh?

When Keamy leaves, the continuation from "Sundown" continues when Sayid finds Jin in the freezer, hands him a razor and leaves him to free himself, neither harming nor helping him.

Later, Mikhail brings Sun to the restaurant and arrives to see Keamy and his men shot, with Jin pointing a gun at his head. They fight and Jin shoots him in the right eye (paralleling with the eye-eyes Mikhail on-Island) and Sun is shown bleeding from her abdomen, showing that one of Mikhail's bullets must have struck her. As Jin carries her off, she reveals that she's pregnant.



At the beach--Flocke's group
On the beach, Flocke decides to make friends with Jin and tell him about the names on the cave ceiling, "Kwon" being one of them. Ironically, Jin already knows about it (take that Flocke!). Interestingly enough, Flocke has more insight to share: they can't leave the Island unless all the names that are not crossed off leave with him. So, why can't they leave unless everyone else comes? What's keeping that from happening? If this is part of "The Rules" that Ben and Widmore have discussed, well, I think I can speak for everyone when I say that some explanation would be fantastic.

Soon after Flocke's friend-making attempts, the Losties are attacked by Widmore's team and shot by tranquilizing darts. (How cool was that seeing all the Losties attacked at once?) Widmore's team and Tina Fey, uh...I mean, Zoe, come in and take Jin, seemingly knowing what they were looking for, and quickly leave the area.



Flocke returns after the attack to find everyone unconscious and attempts to wake up Sayid, his infected buddy. All Sayid can tell him is that they were attacked, but Flocke has a mission for him...he wants him to go over the Hydra Island and take a gun (sounds like infected-Sayid's dream come true).

A confused and less-infected Claire approaches Flocke and asks him if her name was on the cave ceiling. He says it wasn't, but he still needs her and she can come on the plane too. Whether he really needs her or is just saying so to appease her and keep her from going crazy, I guess we'll find out soon enough. (Let me just say this though, Flocke wants to get off the Island pretty bad, right? Okay, where does he plan on going when and if he gets off? Let's see, it's been about...200+ years he's spent on the Island?) Also, Claire asks if Kate's name was on the ceiling (seemingly jealous) but Flocke says that it wasn't either (and if I recall correctly, it wasn't, but the way he said it made it sound like it was on cave ceiling) but he needs her as well.

Flocke and Sayid start to leave for Hydra Island in the outrigger when Sawyer makes a snappy comment about Flocke:

Sawyer: "What do you need a boat for? Can't you just turn into smoke and fly your ass over the water?"
Flocke: "Do you think if I could do that, I would still be on this Island?"

Best line of the night (followed by the one about Hurley and bacon grease). I'm pretty sure alot of fans were thinking the same thing, which made it awesome.

On the Hydra Island, Flocke arrives at the pylons surrounding the area and Widmore's people come out, followed by Widmore himself. Ironically, it seems MIB knows as much about Widmore as Widmore knows about MIB...next to nothing. Flocke states that he recognizes him as Widmore, but not much else. Similarly, Widmore knows that MIB is "obviously not John Locke" and the rest of what he's heard about him was from myth, and other passing-down of stories.

Almost stating his purpose (aside from looking for Jin) Flocke states, "A wise man once said that war is coming to this island. I think it just got here," the wise man referring to Widmore. This is a great statement for two reasons: 1. The "war" that Widmore has been talking about has come up again (in conversation between the two possible "sides"), and 2. This further shows that MIB has access to Locke's memories. It is possible that the longer MIB stays "trapped" in Locke's body, the further he becomes "solidified" as Locke? It's an interesting thought, but I don't think the show will go that route.



The Beach Camp--Ben, Jack, & Co.
Back at the beach camp, Ilana says that Jacob never lied to her and that they'll wait for Richard, as he'll know what to do. Sun goes off from the group and finds her old vegetable garden that she planted back in season one, all of it now overgrown. Jack tries to talk to her and explain that her name was in Jacob's Lighthouse as well, but (strangely similar to Jack's past on-Island self) she doesn't care out being a candidates, their purpose, or destiny. She asks to be left alone and Jack leaves.

While she's alone, Flocke appears to Sun and attempts to persuade her into coming with him by bribing her with a reunion with Jin. Though, she doesn't trust him, as he killed all those people at the Temple, and runs off into the jungle away from him.

Sun runs into a tree and is unconscious when Ben finds her. She wakes up startled and can only speak Korean. They go back to the beach where Jack looks over her and explains that she could have aphasia, the run-in with the tree affecting the language center of her brain. As this is occurring, Ilana smiles as a now-confident Richard and Hurley walk into camp. Richard tells them to back their bags because they're leaving and are going to stop MIB by destroying the Ajira plane. Sun isn't too fond of the idea and rants at Richard in Korean saying that the plane was their only way off the Island and that she hasn't found Jin yet...her only reason for coming back to the Island in the first place and that she is not going with Richard.



Later on it is night and Jack finds Sun alone on the beach. He brings her pen and paper to see if she can still write English even if she cannot speak it and she can. She shares with Jack that she didn't go with Flocke because she didn't trust him and that she does trust Jack. If she goes with the group, Jack promises that he'll help her find Jin and get them both on the plane (but wait, aren't they going to destroy the plane?). Sun takes Jack's hand and agrees to go with him.

Widmore, his people, and his motives
Since being attacked by Widmore’s darts, Jin awakes in a locked room. He finds his way to a large switch, pulls it, and the room darkens as various clips and pictures are projected onto a screen. At this moment, it is revealed that Jin in on Hydra Island and in Room 23. He turns it off and Zoe walks into the room and talks about the Dharma Initiative and the experiments they were conducting. She shows him a map that Dharma used to identify the different pockets of electromagnetic energy on the Island and they seemingly bear his signature (from when he was on-Island in ’77). She looks to Jin to see if he can help her with them but Jin says that he’ll only talk to Wilmore. Ironically, Widmore wants to talk to Jin as well.



Widmore comes in, asks Zoe to get the “package” from the submarine and take it to the infirmary, and talks with Jin. He gives Jin a camera that Widmore found in Sun's luggage from the Ajira plane. The camera has photos of Ji Yeon, whom he has never seen.

If MIB were to get off the Island, Widmore states, “everyone we know and love would simply cease to be.” Revealing his own purpose on the Island, Widmore says he has come to prevent that from happening. With that said, he says that it’s time for Jin to see the “package,” a “who”, not a “what”.

Question time: if Widmore was able to come to the Island now, what was preventing him from it before? The time-jumps from last season? Was he truly unable to find it, or was something else to blame for his inability? One would think he would’ve went to Ms. Hawking for assistance. Speaking of Ms. Hawking, it’d be nice to see her again…hint, hint, Damon and Carlton. Also, how would MIB leaving the Island cause everything to “cease to be?” I have a feeling he means that quite literally.

Near Widmore’s sub, Sayid comes out of the water and notices Zoe pulling someone out of the top of the hatch. They drop the body on the dock and the “package” is revealed to be Desmond. He looks at Sayid for a moment before he is carried away.



Thinking back on it, I really liked this episode (and surprisingly, the flash-sideways). I thought it was refreshing to give Sun and Jin a bit more character development and reassure the audience that the writers aren't done with them yet. Alot of interesting questions were posed and plot devices set into play, as well as the revisiting of a couple older Island locations.

Great episode and I think next week’s will really benefit from what “The Package” has set up for.

Until next time…

Namaste

Episode 6x09 – Ab Aeterno

Finally, the episode that everyone has been waiting for has aired: Richard’s episode. It certainly had a lot to live up to, so…did it? It was certainly an intriguing episode and revisited numerous of the Island characters and mysteries told in linear flashback format, which made for a nice break from the flash-sideways device of this season.

On Island, 2007
In 2007, the newly reunited group of Jack, Ben & Co. sits around the fire while Ilana explains the candidacy of several of the 815 survivors to replace Jacob. They have no idea what to do now, but apparently, even though he says he doesn’t, Richard knows what to do and where to go.
Still distraught from attempting to kill himself with Jack on the Black Rock, he states that it’s time to stop listening to Jacob, leaves the group on the beach, and goes off into the jungle.


Tenerife, Canary Islands –1867
Starting off, Richard is seen attempting to save his ailing wife, Isabelle, by going into town to the doctor. He accidentally kills the doctor, and a servant sees the whole ordeal, eventually leading to Richard’s prison sentence.

Facing death, an officer comes into Richard’s cell and asks him if he speaks English. After some detesting, he gives in, and his life is spared. The officer proclaims that he is now property of Magnus Hanso and will be transported on the Black Rock.

Aboard the ship, a storm is brewing outside causing the ocean waves to grow higher and higher. In the distance, one of the slaves below the ship exclaims that the Island is protected by the Devil, something obviously provoking the odd statement. Soon after, the Black Rock is riding above a massive wave, and crashes into a large statue, revealed to be the source of the slaves exclamations, as well as the now four-toed statue, the statue Taweret.



On the Island, the Black Rock nestled in its familiar place in the jungle, Richard and a few other slaves remain alive. An officer comes down and kills them one by one, as if was only a matter of time before they would turn on him. Richard is left alone, the lone survivor of the Black Rock below deck. Suddenly, the smoke monster sounds are heard and as it comes through the floor grate of the ship, scans Richard, and quickly dissipates. (Hmm…)

Throughout the episode, Richard stumbles upon MIB and chats with him. He eventually tries to convince Richard to go kill Jacob and considers himself a “friend”. Similarly, Jacob thinks MIB is the evil one. Caught in the middle, Richard eventually takes sides with Jacob, assuming the position of his “representative,” watching over those that Jacob brings to the Island. In return, although he cannot grant his wish of bringing his wife back, Jacob grants his wish of immortality, being that he is afraid to die.

When returning to MIB, Richard admits that he didn’t kill Jacob, but the offer that he can always go with MIB still stands.

Later, Jacob joins MIB overlooking the Island and reveals that he knew that he sent Richard to kill him. MIB says that he just wanted to leave the Island, and begs for Jacob to let him go.



According to Jacob, as long as he’s alive, MIB is not leaving the Island, showing that it is Jacob who is keeping him from leaving, keeping the “evil” from spreading out into the world. Because of this, MIB wants to kill Jacob; he just wants to leave the Island and, anyone who replaces Jacob, MIB says he will kill, just as he would Jacob.

Episode & Question Analysis
Overall, I thought Ab Aeterno was a great episode. They certainly had a lot of ground to cover with Richard’s back-story, so I’m thrilled that they realized that they couldn’t fit in present Island time, flashbacks, and flash-sideways and cut out the latter. Besides, it was a nice break from the rather monotonous ratio of 40: 20 alt-timeline-to-present minutes.

I’m glad that a couple mysteries that have been looming over the show for some time have been cleared up: the Black Rock, Richard’s story, how the statue was destroyed, etc. Though, I won’t lie, I thought that the ship, the wooden ship, destroying the statue was a bit of a stretch. In reality, that ship would’ve been smashed to pieces. Then again, this is Lost and I guess anything goes.

Regarding Richard’s story, maybe it was my own perception, but I thought that the episode would cover his entire life on the Island. Leading up to the present, rather than just when he arrives on the Island. That way, I thought that a lot more questions could’ve been answered and just been even more awesome.

Also, it was a nice surprise to finally get to see more expansion of the relationship between Jacob and MIB (especially in his original (?) form). With everything that each of the two has done over the years, I’m starting to form my opinion in stone that MIB isn’t as evil as Jacob sounds. I mean, who’s messed with the free will of everyone? Jacob. Who’s responsible for countless deaths of those brought to the Island? Jacob. Who’s caused false hope among Ben, Richard, Jack, and everyone else? Jacob. He may not be purely innocent, but MIB is definitely not purely evil either…well, unless we’re shown otherwise.

Another interesting bit of information that was made known was that Jacob is keeping MIB on the Island because, somehow, the Island is a “cork” keeping MIB (evil) from leaving. Now, what could MIB have done/been to make him so evil that he’s trapped on an Island and can transform into a mass of black smoke? Hmm…I think I smell a MIB-centric episode in the near future. Well, I hope that’s what I’m smelling.

So, who’s centric episodes are left to go through this season? Jin? Sun? Hurley…? If Darlton is staying true to the S1 format and centricities, then the next episode should be Claire-centric. Maybe it’s wishful thinking again, but I know I’m not the only one who would love to see a Claire episode covering what she’s been doing on the Island, and her interaction with Christian, and where she went when the O6 left the Island.

Next weeks episode is entitled, The Package. Unless it’s a super metaphorical title, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that someone is going to get a package of some kind.

Until next time…

Namaste

Episode 6x06 – Dr. Linus

Well, another episode has come and gone. I don’t think I know what to say about this one. Wait, scratch that. I know exactly what to say, I’m just pretty sure no one’s ‘gonna like it. I normally love Ben-centric episodes (he’s my favorite character, after all), but this one, I feel, missed the mark. Before I get into my opinion though, I’ll recap and share what I thought were some of the (few) positive notes:

The opening of the alt-timeline (I know Darlton doesn’t approve of the word “alternate”, but I’m using it anyway) was certainly interesting and off to a good start. Apparently, Ben is taking care of Roger while he remarks of what their lives would’ve been like if they hadn’t left the Island as well as the Dharma Initiative. This provides some insight into what fans have been pondering since the premiere now: did the Dharma Initiative exist on the submerged, alt-timeline Island? Answer: Yup, it sure did.



Almost immediately after, Alex shows up. Ironically, her last name still remains Rousseau, forcing audience minds to wonder what happened with Rousseau in the alt-timeline and if she still ended up on the Island. One thing’s for sure though, Ben didn’t kidnap this Alex!

As school, Ben remarks of his true caring for the students at the school, while the principal clearly does not. He is hard on himself however, and wonders aloud who would listen to him and his ideas? “I’m listening”, replies a confident-looking Locke, seemingly in a role reversal with him.

Overall in the flash-sideways, Ben is clearly not the manipulative leader that was seen on the Island, but rather a reserved person, looking to better the lives of his students, his father, and himself.

"I Can’t Die…"
For the first time since…well, numerous episodes, Richard appears out of the blue to Jack and Hurley and deceptively leads them to the Black Rock. After taking a couple moments to look around (almost reminiscently) Richard goes for the dynamite exclaiming that he wants to die, but cannot. He explains to Jack that Jacob gave him a gift (presumably not being able to age) and can only die if inflicted by another. There’s where Jack comes in; Richard needs him to light the dynamite to kill him. Why does Richard want to die so badly though. After all, he referred to Jacob as giving him a gift, right?

As Hurley flees, Jack lights the dynamite and confidently exclaims, “Now let’s talk.”

Similar to Ben, it seems as Richard is also feeling a bit used by the Island as well as Jacob, spending years of his life blindly serving without asking questions. He was told that Jacob would later reveal his master plan to him as well as his purpose, but with Jacob’s death, the information was never passed along. Going from the mysterious, confident Richard, to lost and purposeless, he’s desperate.


As the spark grows closer to the stick of dynamite, Jack starts telling Richard of the Lighthouse mirror and seeing his childhood home reflected in it. The new, introspective Jack comes through and reflects that if Jacob went through all the trouble to bring him and the others to the Island and etch their names into the Lighthouse, they’re not going to die now.

As both men sit around the dynamite, digesting each other’s information, the spark fizzles out, leaving them both alive and ready to go to the beach camp, “back to where it all started.”

“Linus killed him.”
Starting off from last episode, Ilana & Co. are fleeing from the Temple, when she holds out a bag of Jacob’s ashes and sternly prompts Miles to find out who killed him.



As Miles looks for the answers Ilana seeks, we find the purpose for the transportation of Jacob’s ashes—for Miles to “contact.” (While they could possibly be used for protection against the MIB, for now, it seems like Ilana just wanted to find out who killed Jacob) Upon finding her answers, she remarks that Jacob was the closest thing that she had to a father. Now, you just don’t go around saying that unless you really mean it. Obviously, there’s some Ilana back story that we haven’t gotten yet (and with the recent absence of flashbacks, I’m wondering if we’ll get it) as well as some interaction with Jacob.

Ben looks at her, digests her comment and further showing his recent lack of knowledge, remains stunned.

"There are only six left."
Well, it seems as if Sun had been bumped down to a secondary character now; it’d be nice for her to get some dialogue aside from a line or two each week. What happened to that ass-kicking Sun from last season, anyway? Is she as dead as Locke? I hope not.

Regardless, she has an interesting little conversation with Ilana (little being the keyword) where Ilana explains that she’s not sure whether she’s supposed to protect Sun or Jin, being that both persons share the digit, 42 on the Lighthouse wheel and Jacob’s cave ceiling (but Sun doesn’t know that, of course). We do find out however, that these “Candidates” are in the running for what else but to replace Jacob. Wait a minute here; let’s go over some key questions:

1. If Jacob told Ilana that the "Candidates" needed protecting, combined with the knowledge that one of them will replace Jacob, why didn't Ilana and Bram take extra precautions to protect Jacob in the first place?

2. Why do the Candidates need protecting?

3. Do Candidates have a choice in being a replacement? What makes them qualified?

4. What if all the Candidates do die? What happens to the position of Jacob’s replacement



Just a couple interesting, yet integral questions that need to be addressed. #4 really has got be boggled though. If MIB is correct, than the Island is just an Island and doesn’t need protecting. Contrastingly, Jacob feels that the Island does need protection. But from what? Like I’ve said before, until otherwise shown, I’m going with the logical answer of MIB: the Island is safe.

“The Island still got you in the end.”
On reminiscing about Oceanic 815 crashing, Frank admits that he was supposed to fly the plane, but overslept that day. Ben remarks that either way, the Island got him.

Is fate at work here, or Jacob’s manipulative nature interfering even beyond the grave? I guess we’ll fin out in the upcoming episodes (I hope).

“I’ll have you.”
Continuing digging his own grave, Ben hears the infamous mix of natural and mechanical sounds, usually preceding the smoke monster. On cue, MIB shows up and greets Ben. He states that he has a group of people (the remaining Temple folk from last week) ready to leave the Island for good and that they’re over on the Hydra Island. Once they’re gone, he plays on Ben’s emotions saying that he can think of no one else better fit to run the Island other than Ben. Now, does this sound like the jungle-stomping, Temple-killing smoke monster that we know? Of course not. Something’s going on here, and it seems like Ben may unfortunately fall into the palm of MIB’s hand. Not this episode maybe, but possibly in the future.

With Ben freed by MIB, he makes a run for it, going for the rifle that MIB left for him and aims it at Ilana, suggesting for her to drop her weapon. Obviously under high emotional stress, Ilana asks what Ben’s waiting for, almost begging to be shot.



Ben explains that he knows what’s Ilana is feeling (the death of Jacob) because he watched his daughter die, caused by him and his service to the Island and Jacob. He continues by saying that he sacrificed everything for Jacob, and "He didn't even care." By stabbing Jacob, he felt that whatever remained of his power could somehow be saved. The only thing that mattered, however, was already gone: Alex.

Ben states that he’s going to go after ‘Locke’ because “he is the only one who will have me." Ilana considerably upset and moved, manages, "I'll have you.” With that said, she heads for the beach and Ben follows.

Reunion
On the beach, Ben helps Sun with her tent and around the corner comes Jack, Hurley, and Richard, the formers seeing Sun for the first time since disappearing off of Ajira 316. It’s a joyous moment for them although Ben and Richard are without anyone to greet them, both feeling used and let down by the Island, and in so, Jacob.

“Proceed as planned.”
From the water, a submarine periscope emerges and views the group of people on the beach. As the person directing the sub. Asks if they should stop due to the people occupying the beach, a mysterious, yet familiar voice in the background is heard: “No. Proceed as planned". As the camera pans around, the voice is revealed to be belonging to Charles Widmore, the person who “is coming to the Island” according to Jacob…or is it? Could someone else be coming to the Island as well?



My Thoughts
Recently, I’ve discovered that people either loved or hated this episode. I for one, wasn’t a big fan. It's a shame because Ben (and Locke) is my favorite character and I always look forward to his episodes, but I feel like it was seriously lacking something. It felt a bit...incomplete. And rushed. Though, I did like the reappearance of Richard and the whole Black Rock scene as well as Ben's redemption/dialogue with Ilana

I think my problem with these episodes is the narrative structuring (i.e. flash-sideways). Plain and simple: until Darlton gives me reason to think otherwise, I couldn't care less what happens in the alt-timeline. I miss the flashbacks and flash-forwards, you know, where the story actually progressed?

With the season more than 1/3 over, I feel like we need to start getting some answers tossed our way, but all we get is a 5:1 question to answer ratio. I'm not digging it.

Another thing I’m not too fond of: the whole Jacob vs. Man in Black tangent that this season has broken in to. Wait, let me clarify, I like it, but I feel like everything else is revolving around it instead of the other way around. There are so many other questions and plot lines that need to be resolved that I just don’t want to see MIB vs. Jacob every week.

Maybe it's the ABC marketing department I'm enraged at for saying crap like, "the time for answers is now!" and "the next episode is so secret that we're only showing you 3 seconds of it!" Or maybe Darlton? Nah, not Darlton. Never Darlton.

I'm just fed up with the alt-timeline time-waster (yup, I said it) and want the story to move along. With 1 hr. runtime, minus 15 minutes for commercials, minus the flash-sideways time, we're looking about 20-25 minutes actually on-Island in the present. In my opinion, that's nowhere near the time needed each week to tell the story.

Just my two cents. Do I sound bitter? Maybe I need to watch this episode over again, but for now, it’s not my favorite this season.

Until next time...

Namaste