THE LAST RECRUIT

Okay, so now we know that the stick Smocke was whittling is to crush communication devices! All that work for that? I would have used a rock. Less work and it saves a tree. We also know that none of the women, knowing that they were returning to an uncharted island, bothered to pack a hair brush. Those slobs! Claire really needs a hairbrush and by the way things are looking, so does Kate and Zoe. What woman doesn’t pack a hair brush? Seriously, this is really bothering me! I usually pack a hairbrush, two combs and like a gazillion pins, ponytail holders and barrettes. People, these women are not normal.

There was a much anticipated (and prayed for) reunion, a whole lot of double dealing and even more back stabbing in this episode.

2004 “What If”

What if time is full of a multitude of snippets from all our LOSTIES this week.

Two ambulances converge on apparently the one and only hospital in LA. One is carrying Sun and the other is bringing in John Locke and the stretchers meet outside. Sun recognizes John Locke, but is unable to explain to Jin how she knows him. For some, I think that a traumatic event is what causes memories of that other life to surface.

Ever since last week’s episode I have been trying to understand why Desmond would run down a seemingly harmless man in a wheelchair. I have a theory on that, but we’ll get to that later.

Desmond meets up with very pregnant Claire and offers the assistance of a lawyer before she visits the adoption agency. It’s not a bad idea and he’s promised that it will not cost her a penny (even I’d jump at a free legal consultation). Were you as surprised as I was that the lawyer who was his very good friend was Ilana? AND that they seemed to be very close? It was no coincidence that she had been looking for one Claire Littleton from Australia since she was also handling the probate of Christian Shephard’s last will and testament.

Jack and his son David (who seem to be improving their relationship) arrive to hear the will and meet Claire. Jack didn’t seem too surprised to learn that Claire was his half sister. I really wanted to see David get excited about a new “Auntie” and baby cousin, but alas, the boy is an emotional android. But the reading of the will would have to wait as Jack is called to the hospital to operate on a spinal injury who happens to be John Locke.

Okay, that was quick. Now, let’s get to Desmond running over John Locke in cold blood last week. I truly believe that Desmond has a “link” of consciousness to what is happening on the island. I have spent over a week pondering his seemingly remorseless act and the reasons he could have behind it. The link is the only explanation I can come up with.

Essentially, Desmond knows almost instantly what is happening on the island. He didn’t run down John Locke to avenge himself on the island. It goes much deeper than that. I’m thinking that Jack will operate on John and repair the previous damage to his spinal chord, thus allowing him to walk again. This change in his “physical status” could cause Smocke on the island to lose the use of his corporeal form’s legs. Kind of a paradox if you think about it, but almost fitting in a way.

I know it’s far fetched, but it’s all I got with regards to Desmond and John Locke.

I’ve also been thinking about how things are very different in the “What If” time. Jack has a pre-teen son. Jin and Sun aren’t married (although they are still involved). Sayid isn’t searching for the love of his life because she’s married to his brother. Hurley, ahem, Hugo doesn’t believe he is cursed and has never been in a mental institute. On that thought, do you wonder if Tricia Tanaka will make an appearance? Miles is a cop. Pierre Chang is working at the museum with Charlotte. Daniel gets to play the piano. Eloise is married to Chuckie (I think they deserve each other) and Penny knows her half brother (I’m doubtful that she ever met Daniel in the other time).

But two things remain the same. Kate is still on the run and accused of murder (although she denies this and could very well be innocent of it) and Sawyer’s father still killed his wife and then himself. He is still seeking vengeance for that, it seems. As an aside, do you think he still killed that shrimp seller in Australia?

Kate and Sawyer were the only two survivors who were visited during childhood if memory serves me correctly.

And let’s not forget those island inhabitants! Ben’s a doctor of European History and teaches high school. Roger turned into Father of the Year (how’s that for irony?). Alex is alive and living with her mother (I wonder what happened to her father). Ethan is a doctor and is averse to poking people with needles. Will we see Mr. Friendly and will he still be gay and living with Arturo? What about Juliet. Many of my LOST friends think that Juliet is Jack’s ex-wife. Could be. What about Goodwin and his harpy fishwife, Harper? I need a spreadsheet to keep track!

2007 – Original time

Zoe, the mercenary geologist, and her team of thugs showed up at Smocke’s camp to politely request the return of their “package” and were only willing to wait until sundown for it to happen, promising an explosive retaliation if Smocke didn’t turn Desmond over. Apparently Smocke wasn’t planning to get going on his plan to take the plane just yet. Obviously Widmore wasn’t aware of the schedule. Smocke sends Sayid to take care of Desmond, who’s still down that well.

Speaking of that well, am I the only one who noticed that it isn’t as deep as it was last week? It appears to have gotten shallower since then and I was thinking that one more week and Desmond could just hop out under his own power!

Which brings us to even more fracturing of the survivors…sort of. Smocke gives Sawyer a map to the Elizabeth (remember, Desmond’s boat that Sayid, Sun and Jin used to try to ambush the Others) and tells him to meet him at the Pala Ferry dock. Sawyer, seeing this as his opportunity, then gives Jack the map and tells him to get himself, Hurley, Frank (everyone needs Frank), and Sun away from the others. Freckles, ahem, I mean Kate, accompanies Sawyer to get the boat.

How many times did Sawyer call Kate Freckles during this episode? It’s starting to be like when we used to count Hurley’s “dude”. I guess this means that he’s over Juliet enough to revert to his happy-go-lucky-nick-naming former self.

Smocke notices that Sayid still hasn’t rejoined the group and goes looking for him, giving Jack and the others opportunity to remove themselves. Claire sees this and follows. She feels a certain loyalty toward Smocke. After all, he’s the only one who didn’t abandon her. Of course, he’s also the one who led her into the jungle and kept her from rescue and her baby for the last three years. Ha! You were thinking that I missed that admission, weren’t you? Nah, I was just waiting for the right time to mention it.

Anyway, Kate convinces Claire that she’s going to take her off the island and back to Aaron and the survivors set sail for Hydra. Smocke catches up to Sayid who says he’s just killed a man and needed a moment. Yeah? When have we seen Sayid EVER take a moment to refocus himself after killing? We will see Desmond again, I’m sure. Desmond found that little teeny tiny bit of “light” within the darkness that was consuming Sayid.

But Jack doesn’t think it’s right. “We were brought here because we’re supposed to do something, James. And if Locke--that…that thing--wants us to leave? Maybe, it’s afraid of what happens if we stay.” In a scene that calls to mind Sawyer’s epic helicopter exit, Jack jumped ship and headed for the island, where Smocke was waiting for him.

Meanwhile, the boat reaches Hydra Island. Sawyer and Kate, and the others, believe they have reached safety only to be confronted by the mercenary geologist and her crew. Did you hold your breath as Jin walked across the fence line and prayed that his head wouldn’t explode? And yes, I had to wipe my eye as Sun and Jin were finally able to embrace. Reunited and it feels so good. At least until Widmore takes his turn at stabbing someone in the back. Widmore, me thinks, is either working with Smocke or, now that he had pretty well all the survivors he feels the need to continue protecting the island from the outside world. I haven’t decided yet.

Back at the beach on the big island, Widmore’s missiles make landfall and blow Smocke’s rag tag group of red shirts (yes that’s exactly what they are and silly you if you had hopes that they’d be more useful). Poor Jack is dazed and confused as Smocke tosses him over his shoulder and carries him to safety. Hey, wasn’t Claire somewhat dazed and confused when Smocke, pretending to be her father, lead her into the bowels of hell? I wonder if Jack will be just as resentful that everyone abandoned him to the tender mercies of Smocke.

I’m not sure what to make of the continuing fracturing of the people. One group splits then joins another group then decides to go their own way, then splits again. Holy crap, it’s like a biology test tube experiment gone awry as cells divide and join and divide again and join and….I’m pulling my hair out here. Just when I thought things were coming together they fall apart.

I think Jack jumping ship, so to speak, was the right thing for him to do. Again it will come down to Jack squaring off against his nemesis. Or rather, the shell of his nemesis that holds “most” of Locke’s memories and experiences. I say most because I think Smocke is not in total control of the “essence” that is/was John Locke. This may be important in the up coming episodes as we enter the home stretch.

Question?

Why does Miles introduce himself to Nadia as Detective Straum? Isn’t his father’s last name Chang? Does this mean that he still grew up apart from his father?

Why can’t Widmore’s guys hit Smocke with the missiles?

When will Frank take his shirt off? When will Sawyer take his shirt off?

Now that she’s Chuckie’s captive, will Claire go all crazy again and kill off Kate before they can get off the island?

Is Jack the new Crazy Claire?

Why did Widmore renege on his deal with Sawyer (despite the fact that Sawyer was going to double cross him)?

Did Sayid kill Desmond?

DID YOU N OTICE?

This is the first episode that Jack and Claire have met since finding out that that the are brother and sister.

We learned Ilana’s last name is Verdansky

The Elizabeth (Desmond’s boat) appears for the first time since season 3’s The Glass Ballerina

This is the first episode since season 3 that Claire has had a flashback from her point of view.

Jack’s chit chat with both Smocke and Claire happened at night, and yet they returned to the camp in daylight?

Claire and Desmond got off the elevator on the 15^th floor.

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

JACK: Why John Locke?

LOCKE: Because he was stupid enough to believe that he'd been brought here for a reason. Because he pursued that belief until it got him killed. And because you were kind enough to bring his body back here in a nice wooden box.

JACK: John Locke was the only one of us that ever believed in this place. He did everything he could to keep us from leaving this island.

LOCKE: John Locke was not a believer, Jack. He was a sucker.

SAWYER: Sayid ain’t invited. He’s gone over to the dark side.

HURLEY: Yeah, but you can always bring people back from the dark side. I mean, Anakin--

SAWYER: Who the hell’s Anakin? Look, just keep your mouth shut. Don’t say nothing’ to no one.

DESMOND: This woman--when she asks you what you did to be with her again…what will you tell her?

SAWYER: Get off my damn boat.

Next week we have a rerun of Ab Aeterno and don't get a new episode until May 4th, which will be the Candidate.

EVERYBODY LOVES HUGO

Yet another mysterious boy appears on the island. This one is bigger, possibly older and has dark hair. The smile is ominous. Who could he be? And why is Smocke suddenly ignoring the boys? What's Desmond in "What if" time up to and why did he run over wheelchair bound John Locke? Does Desmond have a consciousness connection between the two times? And how about Hurley asserting himself with Richard. I have never seen Richard so "panicky" before and I have a bad feeling about it. But, let's start with my thoughts on the "What If" time, shall we?

2004 "What If"

Hugo Reyes is a saint. Check it out! ^ That's Nunu, Jorge Garcia's real dog making a cameo appearance up there! Okay, back to Hugo. Unlike his previous 2004 self, Hugo can't seem to do anything wrong. His Mr. Cluck's Chicken franchises are growing in leaps and bounds and going places very few other American fast food restaurants get to go. His philanthropy is massive and demonstrates what we all knew from that very first we met him.....Hurley's got the most generous heart on the planet and he genuinely loves to help others less fortunate than he.

But there is one thing that "What If" Hugo has in common with our original lovable Hurley and it's soon to be rectified when Libby approaches poor stood up Hugo at Spanish Johnny's and tells him about being so connected, like "soulmates". Unfortunately, the good Dr. Brooks comes along and bursts Hugo's bubble by taking Libby back to the Santa Rosa Mental Hospital van!

You know, after being stood up by Rosalita (Grandpa Tito's neighbour's daughter) and then meeting a cracked nut like Libby, you'd think Hugo would give up, but we all deal with depression in our own way. Some people drink themselves into oblivion. Others bury their heads in denial. And still others eat. And eat. And eat. Hugo falls into that category and meets Desmond (not accidental, by the way) at one of his Mr. Cluck's locations and if found eating a family size bucket of chicken. He's depressed. The woman of his dreams is "full on nuts" and insists that the know each other.

Tangent!

Is it just me, or does Desmond remind you of John Locke aka Jeremy Bentham, trying to get the Oceanic Six to agree to return to the island? All Desmond has to do, it would appear, is find a way to make the Oceanic Six "remember" their other world and wait for things to happen.

Back to Hugo's "What If" life.

Something Desmond convinces Hugo to give Libby a chance and so Hugo buys his way in to see Libby at the mental hospital. Hugo and Libby chat, and make a date. Libby checked herself in to the hospital, so she can leave any time she wants. They have a date on the beach (this time Hugo remembered the blanket), they talk about Libby's bizarro alternate universe. They kiss and...WHOOSH...Hugo sees flashes and remembers as well.

From a distance Desmond watches, smiles and drives away. He has other passengers to deal with and John Locke is next on his "to do" list. And man does he "take care of" Locke! I'm wondering if Desmond has a "special" connection to the other "time" because the timing of him running down Locke coincided with Smocke tossing him down the well in 2007. I couldn't help but think "tit for tat" on that one. My daughter, however, has decided that running over a man in a wheelchair (even one who in another time has allowed himself to become a "zombie" of his former self) is just plain wrong and appears to have lost any and all respect for Desmond.

The reason why I feel that "What If" Desmond has a special consciousness connection to his other self is simple. As far as he knows, John Locke is dead in the other time and, logic thinking tells me that there is no way that he would know about MIB taking John Locke's form. There really is no reason for "What If" Desmond to want to harm John Locke.....unless he knew something that no one else did. He has to know that, in the other world, John Locke's machinations lead to disaster for all of them.

2007 "Original" Time

Hurley talks with Libby in this time line as well. My heart was breaking for him as he knelt by her grave, put a fresh flower against her cross and told her how he wished she would come to him the same way as other "dead" people have so they could talk. I have often wondered, aside from the actress not being available *wink wink*, why Libby's essence has never visited Hurley like Charlie, Ana Lucia and other dead people have. I can only assume that she was able to "move on," unlike Michael, Charlie and Ana Lucia. I think she always was a "good" person who had done no harm to anyone (and she did give Desmond the boat so he could regain his honour, right?). That's gotta account for a lot, I think.

Michael's spirit shows up and tells Hurley that blowing up the plane is the wrong thing to do. A whole lot of people will get killed and it will be Hurley's fault because people are listening to him now. I don't think that really was Michael's spirit and I believe that was Smocke using Michael's "appearance" to direct Hurley. I'll get to why later.

Ilana and Richard's plan to blow up the plane on Hydra island is moving ahead, and Ilana visits the Black Rock to get her supplies. I'm sorry, but Richard is a useless twit and SHOULD have insisted on going to collect the glycerin sticks. After all, HE CAN'T KILL HIMSELF SO THE DYNAMITE WILL NOT GO BOOM! I was not expecting her to blast herself into bits and pieces. Am I a sick person for waiting for Hurley to say "Dude, you've got some Ilana on you"? And, am I a sick person for being disappointed when I did not hear it?

I know, I AM a sick person in a twisted sort of way.

While everyone commiserates about what to do now, Hurley looks at Ilana's things and opens the bag containing Jacob's ashes. There has been debate about exactly what was in that bag. Some say it was the diamonds, others think it was something else. I really think it was Jacob's ashes, and seeing the ashes reminds Hurley of Michael's words. He doesn't want to be the one who causes even more people to be killed (do you think he's feeling guilty about the deaths at the temple?). He makes a decision.

Richard decides they need to get more dynamite and takes everyone to the Black Rock and, surprisingly, Hurley backs him up. They all trek to the Black Rock and suddenly Richard decides that he's the only one who can handle the dynamite. A little late on that one, aren't you guyliner dude? Sheesh, he waits for Ilana to self destruct before he realizes he can't kill himself and should be the only one to handle the "temperamental" boom boom sticks? Ha! Just how did Hurley beat them all to the Black Rock? How did the group not notice he wasn't with them? Nice work keeping track of everyone, Richard. I'm blaming Richard because he was leading that particular expedition and protecting the "candidates" would now fall onto his shoulder as a "prophet of Jacob".

I didn't expect Hurley to totally destroy the ship. Really! I just didn't think about what he would do to stop Richard from blowing up that Ajira Airlines plane. I half expected that when Hurley suddenly conceded that they needed to get more dynamite, he was told by Jacob's ashes that they needed to follow this line of attack. Either that or, like a Genie in a bottle, Hurley caught Jacob taking a bubble bath in the bottom of that little grey sack. Which leads me to my earlier thought about Michael.

Let me explain. In my mind, I can only think of one character on that island who absolutely needs that airplane intact, who's very freedom depends upon the plane not being destroyed. Everyone else on the island either wants to live there or already has a way to get back home. Think about this. The Oceanic Six returned to the island fully aware that it was highly probable that they would never leave. Ben DID tell Jack as much. Rose and Bernard happily retired to their secluded cabin with Vincent as their loyal pet.

Now I being you to another reason why I think the spirit of Michael wasn't really him. Smocke told Kate and Sawyer that they were "waiting" for the arrival of Jack, Hurley, and Sun. He KNEW they were coming because he orchestrated it using Michael's spirit. And before you call me mental, I just ask that you think about this for a moment. A lot of it makes sense. MIB needs every one of the Oceanic Six to be on that plane together in much the same way they returned to the island. Something tells me that once the plane is airborne and out of the Island's influence, and he doesn't need them any longer, their lives will end. He did hint at something like that to Claire in Sundown. I'll wait while you go look.

Do you see where I'm going with this? The only person who desperately does not want that plane destroyed is Smocke/MIB/Fake Locke. I could be so wrong on this (and probably am) but the more I think about this one point the more I am convinced.

Once Hurley blows the Black Rock, the beach group divides again. Hurley asserts himself a little stronger this time when Richard "tests" him. Jacob has never directly told anyone what to do, allowing them to make their own choices (and we see where that is getting them, don't we?). Richard, Ben and Miles decide to take their quest for explosives to the Barracks where Ben assures them that there's a cache still there. I wondered how Ben would know that after being gone from the island for three years, but whatever. Ben probably has the guns and grenades well and truly hidden under the floorboards like Sawyer hid his show box.

Which leaves us with Hurley, Jack, Sun and Frank trekking off to find Locke's camp and talk to him. Exactly what they are going to say, I haven't a clue, but I'm sure Hurley will think of something. I really liked Jack's explanation to Hurley why he agreed to follow him into the camp of the enemy. Jack is allowing his faith in Hurley, and Jacob, to point them in the right direction and, in a major way, help him to atone for Juliet's death. He doesn't realize that exploding Jughead has caused a reset.

But before we get to that meeting in the dark between Smocke and Hurley, let's talk about poor Desmond. One of the reasons I think Desmond has a link to the other time is the fact that he calmly allowed Smocke to lead him into the depths of the jungle and toss him into the well. The Desmond we know would not have permitted that, and he would have tried to escape no matter what. Sure, he told Smocke that he thought he was talking to John Locke. Sure he can tell him that there's no where to run. But the fact remains. The Desmond we know and love was done with the island and would have been the first one on that plane waiting for Frank to power up the engines to get them all out of there.

Why would Desmond let these things happen to him? Because he knows that, in the other life, everyone he cares about from the island will survive and be happy. Does this mean that the resolution of the island problems will leave them in the other time? I'm not sure...yet. The convergence has begun and will continue until each of the Oceanic Six in the "What If" time are in possession of the "memories." Then, and only then, will we see which time will be left to carry on, if any.

So, Hurley walks out of the jungle into Smocke's camp. Surprise! Okay, the only one not surprised by the emergence of this group was Smocke. Again, he knew they were coming because he pointed the way. Hurley says they need to talk, but the others with him are worried that Smocke will hurt them and needs a promise that that will not happen. I am skeptical that Smocke will not hurt them, yet positive they are safe until the plane takes off.

Am I the only one who thinks Hurley has a plan and that he will out maneuver Smocke? Or maybe I'm just hopeful.

Speaking of hopeful, many viewers have jumped to the conclusion that the island is purgatory as a result of the revelation that the whispers were those who have dies but are unable to move on. Here is what a friend has said about that. I admit to agreeing with her.

"My inital thought was that Michael was another manifestation of Smokey. But then the whole thing about the whispers. I had thought from long ago that the whispers were the collective consciousness of those that had died on the island. I didn't think of it in terms of Purgatory. Rather that - when we die .. the energy of our bodies (electric) has to go somewhere. Some would call it a soul. Others would say it is just energy. That energy leaves our body (recently been scientifically proven) .. some believe the energy goes to Heaven/hell- all religions have their own twist on death .. I say it has to go somewhere - personally I think we return to our Higher Power. On Lost perhaps .. those who have died on or within the perimeter of the island are contained similar to the containment of the Electromagnetic Energy. I dont think they are being judged .. but yes they are 'trapped' there .. until the energy is released.

I also think there are clues .. in the conversation between Locke and Jack in Alternate U .. when Locke says .. you don't really lose people .they are always with you. And the fact that the Others burned the bodies of the their deceased and floated them out to sea. It kind of reminded me of Hinduism .. but I think it was significant.

To which someone asked: How can it be explained that Sawyer heard the whispers of the man he killed in Australia repeating "It will come back around"

My only thoughts on that would be that the collective consciousness that exists on the island and really anywhere in the universe allows one to hear those things .. particularly things from our past that 'haunt' us. A statement like "It'll come back around" could have multiple meanings to multiple people .. Kind of like "What comes around goes around" .. I've heard that many times in all kinds of context throughout my life. If I were to hear that phrase it would jar certain, specific memories though where I have placed the most meaning to the phrase. perhaps that is what Sawyer experienced. We (the viewers) were allowed to hear it so we could relate it to a specific memory and know that it was coming from a specific incident from a person deemed deceased. I do think that the energy that encapsulates one's body merges with the energy of those around you .. Hippy terms .. You give off a good vice or a bad vibe .. your aura .. Our energies are intertwined once we meet. That's all I got for now. May have to rewatch."

May have to rewatch? MAY?

Just teasing. I agree with my friend about the whispers and the collective consciousness. What to you think?

DID YOU NOTICE?

Of course I'm so far behind everyone else, you've probably already noticed all of the following:

Jorge Garcia's famous dog Nunu made a cameo appearance.

The mysterious boy was older and had dark hair, this time smiling ominously and running away after Smocke ignored him.

Jin did not appear in this episode.

Hurley's mother is still trying to find a girl for him.

Desmond's order number was the number 42 and speaking of the number 4, Ilana blew herself to bits using 4 sticks of dynamite.

On the island, Smocke's eyes are two different colours. One is blue and the other is green.

The book that belonged to Ilana was called Notes From The Underground and was written by Fyddor Dostoyevsky (I think I spelled that right).

It's ironic that Smocke pushed Desmond into the well and Desmond runs over John Locke shortly after. Also ironic that Ben strangled John in the original time but tries to save him in the "what if" time.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

Hurley, to his mother after she tells him about his blind date: "What's she like?"

Carmen: "Willing to meet you.."

Hurley: "Ma!"

Ilana: "With that plane gone that thing won't be able to leave the island."

Hurley: "yeah....well neither will we and the we'll be stuck here with it and it will be angry at us!"

Locke, explaining to Kate why they aren't doing anything: "You were only able to come back to this island because you all did it together. If we're gonna get onthat plane and leave, it has to happen the same way. We're waiting for your friends to get here, Kate. Hugo, Sun, Jack. That's the only way we're ever getting off this Godforsaken rock"

Kate:" I don't see that happening."

Desmond's response to Hurley's assertion that his dream girl is crazy: "Well, all women are a little bit crazy, brother."

LIBBY: I wanna be with you because I like you.

HURLEY: Yeah but, you like me because...well...you're...delusional.

HURLEY: I don't know who you are, dude, or what you want, but we have to talk to you.

LOCKE: We?

HURLEY: There are other people with me. The thing is...you got weapons and we got weapons, and I don't want anyone to get hurt...or killed. So, we're not gonna do anything. I want your word that you're not gonna do anything either.

[Locke hands Hurley his knife.]

The following picture was taken by my daughter outside Chapter's Bookestore. I swear I saw a Dharma logo on the front and thought that Dmarma had a new model for their new island adventures.

I hope you enjoyed the read. On Tuesday we have The Last Recruit. Who could it be? Jack? Sun? Hurley? Frank? of Kate? Notice, she has yet to actually commit to Smocke's cause.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

And now we know why Desmond is so special and unique. He’s the only person in the world to have survived a catastrophic electromagnetic event (and who is still alive because we all know that John Locke was in that room with Des when he turned that fail safe key). Let’s not forget that Mr. Eko and Charlie Pace were present in the “hatch” when it self imploded and stole all of Desmond’s clothes. But alas, THEY are all DEAD and now Chuckie has to resort to plan B (wanna bet he’d planned to use John Locke before dear Ben pulled out an orange extension cord on him and hanged him like a Christmas ornament?).

So this is what I know.

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

There, now you know as much as I do.

Have a good day and we’ll chat next week.

Okay, I’m joking. I’ll give it up and share my thoughts with you, but be warned that I’m still struggling with an infected tooth and have been “affected” by antibiotics and painkillers.

Happily Ever After points out a few home truths to us, even if we don’t really want to know them. First of all, there is no such thing as happily ever after and when we believe we have reached that point something, or someone (Charlie and Daniel) is going to come along to point out that although we seem to have it all, the grass is greener in our other lives. I actually pictured myself living on an island paradise with my LOST friends and our every need or want was taken care of. We were pampered and spoiled and never had a care. Our children loved and respected us and did as we asked them, and …… Who am I kidding? It’s human nature to want to accomplish utter happiness and contentment with our lives, yet once we obtain what we believe we want (and are the envy of limo drivers and CEO’s alike) we realize that it was just too easy. Did I forget to mention on ALL KNOWING BUTINSKI NAMED ELOISE?

We’ll get to her in a moment. First let’s deal with what happened on Hydra in 2007.

Poor Desmond awakens to find that he’s back on the island (sort of since he was never on Hydra) and under the qualified care of Zoe, the geophysicist? What do they teach these people in those universities? He’s pretty ticked when Chuckie tells him that he’s kidnapped him and brought him back to the island and the IV pole gave Des a helping hand in expressing his anger. The island, she isn’t finished with him yet. But we all KNEW (okay hoped) that Desmond would be back. I’m not sure we realized it would be under these terms. And wouldn’t you be just a little peeved (read totally pissed off) if you’d just woken up to find that you’d taken from the sterile safety of a hospital and had been drugged for three days straight, then forced to wake up? Yep, me too.

Things get off to a rip roaring start as Chuckie decides to reschedule the “little test” earlier than expected. Of course, Jin is there, in his normal state of confusion (they really need to make him look a bit more assertive) to see what happens when “normal” people get between the giant electromagnetic donuts. Zap! Interestingly, did you notice that when the tech pulled the switch to reset the breaker for that huge honkin’ generator he pulled it down? And did you notice that when he was told to shut it off (after that dude become a Krispy Kritter) he also pulled the switch down? Just thought I’d point that out to you. And how insensitive of Chuckie and his goons to bring poor Des to the zap shack before the BBQ remains of that guy could be removed? Did you see Desmond’s feet plant themselves on either side of the door frame? That kind of reminded me of the time I needed to give my border collie a bath and I picked her up to put her into the tub…..She did the exact same thing with ALL FOUR OF HER PAWS. She won that round, by the way.

Back on track, Linda.

So, the goons strap Desmond to a chair and the one guy thinks to ask: “Do you have any metal on? Keys? Chains? Coins?” To which Chuckie replies: “Of course he doesn’t, you idiot” and rolls his eyes. I am wondering where our esteemed Mr. Widmore found these guys! Oh, and I also wondered if the zipper in Desmond’s pants was metal. They lock him in and hide behind a cinder block wall (that’s comforting to see that they’re taking all those safety precautions), turn on the generator and watch from a distance as our beloved Scotsman gets an unhealthy dose of what apparently is electromagnetic energy and passes out.

I was kind of worried (hoping) he’d wake up without any clothes again.

Of course Desmond survives and comes to, completely calm and accepting of what he needs to do, much to Charles’ confusion. He follows Zoe back to the hospital, but never makes it as Sayid steps up, kills the two goons and sends Zoe running. In a move that totally confuses me, Desmond seems to happily follow Sayid away from Chuckie’s protection.

And this provides the segue into what I am now calling the “what if” time as we soar through the clouds backwards and out of an Oceanic Arrivals board (if you can find a still of the board, you’ll notice that all of Hurley’s numbers are on that board in various places). It’s Desmond, again in reflection (these are important, but we’ll get to that in a few), and he’s gazing in an apparent trance at the board. That is until Hurley swings by to let him know that his luggage is on carousel number 4.

Desmond helps Claire pull her bag from the carousel (what a gentleman) then offers her a ride, which is declined. I’m going to go off on a bit of a tangent here, but I promise to get back on track quickly.

Am I the only one who noticed the stains on Claire’s shirt? Go back and take a look at the scenes in the airport. I’ll wait here. You’ll see. Big orange stains on her bulbous belly. The least they could have done was give her a clean shirt for this scene. That one looked like she’d been wearing it and slopped mango juice down her front!

Back on track again.

As soon as I saw Fisher Stevens I waited, almost breathlessly, for a reference to a Ferris wheel, but to no avail as his somewhat subdued character just drove Des to the office. But I was glad to see George throughout the episode.

Did Chuckie’s happy greeting to Des surprise you? What about that great satisfied grin? Or that “fatherly” hug? Me neither. The big surprise came when he gave Des a sip of that 60 year old MacCutcheon’s Scotch and told him he was worth it! Yeah, the fact that Des had obtained the one thing he’d always wanted from Chuckie in the “original” time was foreboding. Sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for, because all things, good or bad, come with a price and the fact that Desmond didn’t have Penny in his life (yet) was oddly disturbing to me. Being Charles Widmore’s right hand man comes at a cost and poor Desmond was about to get an assignment that would change his life (and hopefully the lives of all the Lostaways) forever.

Have you noticed that some of the people who are dead in the original time seem to have a better grasp of things in the “what if” time? Think back to LA X for a moment, when Jack saved Charlie’s life, and the ungrateful wretch told him that he was supposed to die. This is important, because Charlie gets it. He knows that he’s not where he’s supposed to be. This isn’t the way his life is supposed to be. And, like Desmond in The Constant, he wants to get back to that place where he felt happiest and was loved by Claire (I’m assuming that the rapturously beautiful blond he spoke of was Claire). This is it. The converging of “original” and “what if” starts to become really evident right here.

Daniel too, has an awareness and he recognizes the same “feeling” in Desmond when he sees his mother (who still knows far more than any other (but not those Others) character in ANY time) attempt to dissuade Desmond (again) from finding Penny. I wasn’t surprised to find that Eloise is still manipulating lives despite being married to a magnate (or money magnet) and raising her son (and not killing him) in this time. Some things just can’t be changed, it would seem. Daniel, as in the original time, does not what his mother would expect and shares his feelings and beliefs with Des.

Des has heard from two separate people now of an emerging awareness that things are not as they are supposed to be and begins to question his own life (and happiness) as well. The name Penny strikes a chord with him. Buried deep in his consciousness is the knowledge that his other life was happier with “her” than having the approval from “the man”. When he meets Penny it is the “catalyst” moment that convinces Desmond that their lives are all wrong and tasks George with getting him a list of all the passengers on Oceanic 815.

“I just need to show them something”

HERE IS WHAT I THINK

We didn’t see it, but Charles has already told Desmond what he needs to do and it involves Smocke and a violent explosion of electromagnetic energy. I’m worried that the sacrifice Widmore spoke of is Desmond’s life. Okay, I admit it. I’m worried for every single one of our LOSTies and expect we’ll be losing almost all of them by the end of the season.

DID YOU NOTICE?

I’m not sure if it’s a continuity error, but in LA X, Desmond wore a wedding ring ( DarkUFO has a screen shot of it), but Des isn’t married in this episode and has yet to meet Penny.

Someone asks Desmond in each time if he’s wearing any metal or has any metal fillings. Once in the zap shack and just before he has an MRI. Also, someone shined a light in Desmond’s eyes in each time as well.

When Desmond walks into Widmore’s office you can see a scale with black objects on one side and white objects on the other side to the left and it is balanced mounted on the left wall. Then, when Charles is talking on the phone, you can see what looks to be the same painting on the wall to the right of his desk.

Eloise’s brooches are of starbursts and look like the mark that was given to Juliet. Incidentally, Eloise is wearing two brooches (one smaller than the other) slightly parallel to the other, but if the longer portion of each pin were to continue you would see the points meeting.

Desmond’s reflection is seen twice in this episode. Once in the Oceanic arrival schedule board and also in the glass door of the police station. Daniel’s reflection is seen in the limo window as well, although it is more of a silhouette.

When Desmond first meets Penny in the “what if” time, she is running the tour de stade. In the original time, Desmond met Jack while running the tour de stade and it was revealed that Penny had sought him out there.

There are a prolific amount of repeated phrases from other seasons. “What happened, happened” and “The island isn’t finished with you yet” for example.

A friend pointed out to me that Eloise’s hair must be Chuckie’s constant.

QUESTIONS:

Where are Penny and Charlie?

Why is it that Desmond can survive a massive and violent electromagnetic event?

Why didn’t the people on the boat rush to help Desmond when he brought Charlie up out of the submerged car?

What exactly is Desmond violating by looking for Penny?

Why did Sayid let Zoe go but killed the other two?

Is Jack’s hospital the only one in LA? Everyone seems to end up at St. Sebastian.

Since Desmond made contact with his constant (Penny) in the “what if” time, is this what makes him special in 2007?

Does that last question make sense?

QUOTES

Zoe: You’re not in a hospital, Mr. Hume. We had to move you…

Desmond: “ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRG”

Desmond (to Charles): “That’s 60 year old Scotch, Charles”

Charles: “Nothings too good for you”

Charlie (explaining about what happened on the plane): “I’m talking about spectacular consciousness altering love. So you know what that looks like?”

Desmond (to Charlie): There’s always a choice, brothah

Des: Why are you running?

Charlie: “Cause no one here can help me”

Charlie: “This doesn’t matter. None of this matters. All that matters is that we felt it”

Desmond (on the phone to Charles): “He’s a junkie that drove my car into the ocean. I’m fine, by the way, thanks for asking.

Daniel: “It’s like already loved her….and that’s when things got weird.”

Daniel: “What if this. All of this…..What if this wasn’t supposed to be our life? What if we had someother life and for some reason we changed things……I don’t want to set off a nuclear bomb, Mr. Hume. I think I already did.”

Desmond: “She’s an idea…”

Daniel: “No, Mr. Hume, she’s my half sister”

Ad the most interesting of them all?

Desmond: “I just need to show them something”

Oddly enough, next week's episode is called "Everybody Loves Hugo" Should be a good one.

THE PACKAGE

Shhhh, we're watching LOST~

I'm not sure about anyone else, but this had to be the most enjoyable episode to watch. Of course, it may have had something to do with the company I was keeping at the time. For the first time ever, I got to watch LOST with a fellow LOSTaholic!

I must explain, for those of you who don't know, that I have many beloved friends whom I have never met. We were brought together by our love and our obsessions with a simple TV show. First we met on the ABC LOST boards, then added each other on Facebook. It was wonderful to have a face and name to go with the screen personnas. We have found that despite sharing the LOST connection we also share so much more. Like many others around the world, we have created our own "cyber family and circle of friends" that has evolved into life long friendships. I'm not sure how to thank ABC, JJ Abrams and LOST for giving us all such a beautiful gift. Nor do I know how to explain how our "cyber family" has come to be. It just has and I am forever grateful.

This past week two "cyber" friends become "real life" friends. True and dear, my friend will be with me forever and although we are separated by distance (and an international boarder) we are close enough that we can visit on long weekends and school holidays. Oh! Before I forget, we've both managed to introduce LOST to our children and create second generation fans.

AND WE GOT TO WATCH LOST TOGETHER!

It was the most amazing and gratifying experience, and one I will treasure for the rest of my life.

SIDE TIME

Once again, we ALL know what transpired, so I'm just going to give you my thoughts on it.

Don't you think that both Keamy and Paik KNEW that it was illegal to carry that much cash into the country? Just a thought, but I'm pretty sure Paik slipped that cash in so that it would be taken away and Sun would be required to visit the bank to get some of HER "not-so-secret" money only to find that her father had emptied and closed the account. It was old lop-sided face Paik's way to tell her he was in control of her life. The fact that he was having Jin deliver the cash to Keamy, and that the money WAS intended as a fee for killing Jin, is both a sign of Paik's bent and twistedly vicious mind and ironic. Very much ironic. But even in the "slightly changed side time" Paik loses, Keamy gets his and, hopefully Jack can save Sun and the baby so Jin and Sun can start a new life in the US.

Now wouldn't that be a proverbial kick in the pants for Paik? Tee hee, I find myself liking that thought.

The fact that Jin and Sun are NOT married (as most of you predicted) at that time also leads me to believe that the "differences" between the original time and the side time go way back since they were for four years prior to boarding Oceanic 815. I'm just not sure how far back. Possibly to the time of The Incident? Did the explosion of the hydrogen bomb, coupled with the release of electromagnetic energy cause a sort of reboot for all our islanders? I'm still not sure, but it's making things pretty interesting.

Let's see what other differences there are:

Jack is divorced with a pre-teen son and is trying to maintain a relationship with him that does not resemble the relationship he had with his still dead father. Jacob touched Jack at the time of his first ever solo surgery on the girl. Kate is still wanted for killing her father and is still on the run. Jacob touched her when she was approximately 10 or 11 years old. James doesn't go by the name of Sayer, is a cop and is using his position to hunt down the man who caused his parents' deaths. He still plans to kill Anthony Cooper.

Miles is a cop as well, and has a girlfriend. I'm not sure if he has the "gift" of talking with the dead. His father works at a museum with Charlotte, so we know that he grew up with both parents now. There was no mention of Charlotte or Miles being born on the island, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. Ben has a doctorate in European History and teaches at an LA high school alongside Dr. Leslie Arzt and the substitute teacher named John Locke, who lost his job at the box factory after using company funds to try to take a "walkabout" in Australia instead of attending conferences. Roger Linus was not killed by Ben in the purge and Alex Rousseau grew up in LA with her mother working three jobs just to make ends meet.

Are you still with me?

Helen is still alive. But her date of death is a few years away. Remember, this is 2004 in side time and she supposedly died in 2006.

Patchy has TWO eyes, well, HAD two eyes until Jin took aim, and works for Keamy. Still not doing "good" things, since Omar and Keamy are still sort of like "mercenaries for hire" and to what ever the highest bidder is willing to pay. As an aside, Patchy used to be somewhat good looking, don't you think? Claire arrives in LA to find that the people who were supposed to adopt her baby have split and didn't have the decency to call or write of their change of plans. Ethan is a doctor off island, but appears to be obsessed with NOT poking people with needles.

Sayid was still a torturer during the Gulf War, and is still consumed by guilt for his actions. His brother is married to the love of his life, and he is still stepping up and cleaning up Omer's (not Omar, Keamy's lackey) messes and killing people. Hurley still won the lottery and still owns many companies, some of which some of our Lostaways actually work for. He also believes he is the luckies guy in the world.

Who have I forgotten? Let me know.

Another thing that was pointed out to me by a friend is the use of reflections in the side times. Each character who is a candidate is seen looking in the mirror (or in Ben's case reflected in the door of the microwave), as if examining the events of their lives. I'm sure this is significant, but haven't decided yet how.

Original time, 2007

I have to tell you that I am finding this point in the island time a bit dark, yet completely absorbing. Our crash survivors are clearly divided, and on has been kidnapped by Widmore's people. Speaking of kidnapping, as soon as I saw that tranquilizing dart that hit Jin, I immediately thought of when the Other's ambushed Hurley, Jack, Kate and Sawyer at the end of Season Two. Almost the same method, don't you think?

Flocke, Smocke or MIB. What ever you call him, it was revealed that he NEEDS all the candidates together and with him in order to leave the island. He already has James and Kate, who's name apparently appeared on the cave wall but is no longer there, but has lost Jin and has to go try to get him back.

The little chat between Chuckie and Smocke was interesting. That Widmore had erected the pylons that keeps the Smoke Monster at bay is telling. He certainly knows a lot more than what's been revealed to us and than what he's told Smocke. And he certainly has no intention of allowing MIB to leave the island. Ironic that he's the one who sent John Locke on the quest to take the Oceanic 6 back to the island and provided MIB with the "means" of possibly escaping his paradise prison. Another interesting thought is that both he and Ben, despite being adversaries, may actually end up fighting on the same side in the end. Just a thought.

Wasn't it heart warming to watch Jin seeing pictures of his daughter for the first time? This is important as it gives him a motive to want to leave the island by any means possible. So that leaves us wondering what he would do if it's revealed that he is the one to take Jacob's place as guardian of the island (although I don't think that is the case).

Smocke tried to get Sun to cross over to his side, but she is one strong woman who relies heavily on her intuition. The only thing Sun wants is to reunite with her husband, return to Korea to their daughter and live life's roller coaster ever after. Her heart's desire notwithsatanding, she followed her intuition and ran from Smocke, falling and hitting her head in the process. The loss of her spoken English was the result, and this has already caused her frustration while trying to communicate with everyone else. Are you thinking that MIB took that ability away from her so that she would go searching for Jin, thus placing her into his camp?

Richard is back! And he is on a mission. It's almost like the knowledge that his beloved Isabella is by his side in spirit was a catalyst for him. He knows what needs to be done now. Stop the Man In Black from leaving the island by all means possible. First of all, destroy the plane, which appears to be the survivor's only way off the island. Not that Sun appreciates his efforts.

Jack helps Sun to understand why they must do what they must do and gives her Charlie's Sharpie Pen and a pad of paper to express her voice. I guess he couldn't find a pencil, because what if the Sharpie runs out of ink? And she could erase things and reuse the paper if it takes her a long time to get her "English" back. With a pen, that kind of can't happen.

According to Widmore, should MIB escape the island, everyone associated with it will cease to exist. I'm not sure if he means that they all die (because MIB will likely kill them once he doesn't need them) or if they just go poof as if they had never been born. But if that happens, what about the rest of humanity? What about the people the LOSTaways knew and loved in the outside world? Widmore has his own idea of how to stop MIB from leaving the island and I think it has something to do with those pockets of electromagnetism that Zoe was asking Jin about.

And he has an ace up his sleeve as well. I'm not sure why or how he did it, but he has Desmond (the package) back on the island. Like Paik, Widmore's actions could have serious consequences for his relationship with his daughter. I hope the side time Widmore isn't such a cruel SOB and allows his daughter to marry Desmond. He could be a great grandfather.

As an aside, do you think Widmore and Eloise Hawking are together? Penny and Daniel could have grown up together!

My friend pointed out something glaringly obvious. Each time Smocke tries to convince one of the candidates to "cross over" to his camp, he holds out his hand. He did it with Sayid. He did with James. He tried it with Kate, but she didn't take it. I can't recall if he did it with Jin. He tried it with Sun, and she didn't take it. When Claire was upset about her name not being on the wall, he held out his hand for her to take. There is meaning in this, but I can't quite find a way to figure it out yet.

Interestingly, when Jack was talking to Sun on the beach and had given her the pen and paper, he too held out his hand for her to touch. It can be interpreted as a comforting touch, but I get the feeling, as does my friend, that it is significant. Does Jack's touching Sun make her immune to Smocke's touch?

The battle lines are almost drawn and soon we will find ourselves observing the war that is coming. Who will win? Who will survive? Who will take Jacob's place and keep the cork in the bottle?

I have had a thought about the two times that is a sort of loose interpretation of the book title, "All That Rises Must Converge". I think that in each time line our characters will be brought together to the same place. Possibly at the hospital in the 2004 time, where Jack will be required to choose which patient to assist (maybe?). In 2007, they may meet on the Hydra (since the plane seems to be the destination for both camps). When both times are together, the survivors will find the power they need to do what ever it is that each needs to do.

In no way am I looking forward to the end of this series. I am very aware that characters whom I have invested six seasons in (and countless hours of intense thought and speculation), can be killed off at the drop of a banana leaf or coconut to the noggin. I have no idea, after all this time, who will choose to do what. I thought I knew, but now not so much. This season is all out chaos and there is no way to predict which way our beloved LOSTaways will turn.
DID YOU NOTICE?

Ilana finally changed her clothes.

This is the first time that all the cast who are full time credited cast members have appeared in the one episode. The last time we saw them all was in LA X.

The only living character who has bee a part of the main cast and has left the island and not returned is Walt.

The map Zoe showed Jin really didn't resemble any map of the island we have seen before.

Locke said "Whatever happens, happens".

Keamy said "Happily Ever After", which it the name of the next episode.

Widmore called Flocke evil and said must he be stopped, yet Ben and the other characters once referred to Widmore the same way.

Miles is annoyed that Hurley brought Richard back, while Ilana is happy he did.

Jin's room number was 842.

QUESTIONS:

Why does Widmore need to find the pockets of electromagnetic energy?

How did Widmore manage to kidnap Desmond?

Why does Smocke need all the candidates in order to leave the island?

Why can't Smocke swoosh across water?

If Dharma knew that Smokey couldn't travel over water, why didn't they just stay on Hydra and eliminate the threat of his possible attacks?

Where did all those people that Widmore brought to the island in the sub sleep? That's an awfully small sub. And where did he store all the equipment, in a tow along tube?

QUOTES:

LOCKE: Well Jin, I'm not sure. But what it does mean is that the only way we can leave the island is if all the names that haven't been crossed off go together.

SAYID: I don't feel anything.

LOCKE: Excuse me?

SAYID: Anger. Happiness. Pain. I don't feel it anymore.

LOCKE: Maybe that's best, Sayid. It'll help you get through what's coming.

MILES: Unless Alpert's covered in bacon grease, I'm not sure Hurley can track anything...

FRANK: Hey, don't talk about bacon.

LOCKE: I promised you I would reunite you two... took me a little longer than I thought it would... but he's with my people, back at my camp across the island. I can take you to him right now.

SUN: I don't believe you. You killed those people at the temple...

LOCKE: Those people were confused. They were lied to. I didn't want to hurt them. Any one of them could have chosen to come with me. And I'm giving you that choice, Sun... right now. I would never make you do anything against your will. I'm asking you. Please. Come with me. Jin's waiting.

[Sun runs away]

ZOE: It's called Room 23. The Dharma Initiative was doing experiments on subliminal messaging in here. But... you know all about the Dharma Initiative... don't you, Mr. Kwon?

BEN: What? Oh, for the fourth time, I was gathering mangoes and she was already unconcious when I found her. Why won't you believe me?

ILANA: Because you're speaking.

MILES: This is your fault isn't it?

HURLEY: Sorta.

So, what did you think? Am I way off with some of my ideas?

Next week brings us Happily Ever After, and for some reason, I think it's a myth. I don't think, in the world of LOST, there is such a thing. We will have to see, yes?