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.

SUNDOWN

Or, My Head Exploded And I think The Dog Buried My Cognitive Thinking Somewhere In The Back Yard

It is the morning after we have all seen Sundown. I am sitting in a piddly coffee shop on the main floor of the local hospital and they are NOT sharing their WIFI with me! I KNOW they have it because I have it before. I had planned to use my time here productively and re-watch online, but since Café Movito is being chintzy with their WIFI (shameless berating), I have decided to start collecting my thoughts (the ones that I can gather without using the vacuumcleaner and a metal detector) and try to find some sort of understanding to the speeding train wreck/ crossing the sound barrier sonic boom plane crash/ catastrophic Swan implosion that was Sundown (and I mean that in a good way Damon and Carlton).Considering there wasn’t too much movement or action the last couple of episodes, Sundown threw us in head first within minutes and didn’t stop until Smocke, as they are calling the combination of Locke and Smokey, calmly led the Others away from the temple. I’d like use some smart Biblical reference here about good people being led astray, but my head hurts and I the last version of the bible I read were the children’s stories and I can’t remember anyone other than Moses leading the masses. Besides, I’m pretty sure there is no comparison here.

At this point in the game I am questioning the whole somewhat shaky understanding that Jacob was good and Smocke is bad, yet I’m pretty confident that Team Darlton wants us to be as dazed and confused as humanly possible. As we are all aware, nothing is black and white or clear cut or even unquestionable when it comes to LOST and the twists and turns that its super creative (and delightfully evil) writers have produced. THANKS A LOT, GUYS FOR THE MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS!

Basically, in a nut shell (and we all know I’m nutz) Sayid in side time travels the globe translating oil contracts. His beloved Nadia is married to his brother and they live with their two kids in suburban LA. They own two “dry cleaning” shops and appear to be living the American Immigrant dream. But all is not on the up and up with brother dearest and he has taken out a loan with a very shady character (Martin Keamy you are slime in any time), and despite having paid back the loan is being forced to pay extortion money now. When Sayid is threatened things turn ugly and, yet again, Marty pays the ultimate price for his errant ways. But wait, there’s more!

This is the first time we see Jin in Side time since he was led away by the customs officials in LA X, so we can assume the “obscene” amount of cash was satisfactorily explained away and that he was able to avoid incarceration. So, off to finish Paik’s bidding and deliver that “priceless” watch post haste, right? Yes, and who could be the recipient of said watch? Either Marty was “friends” with Paik (I can totally see that, by the way, since they both exhibit such cold ruthlessness), or Jin lost the cash and was looking for more to make his escape. I’m probably wrong.

After Sayid dispatches Keamy and his minions he hears banging and follows the noise to a cooler, where he finds poor Side time Jin, tied up and silenced (sort of) with duct tape across his mouth. That had to hurt royally when he pulled it off don’t you think? I’ll bet Jin’s thoughts were not publishable in any language! I have a thought on how poor Jin came to be mixing it with the Romaine lettuce and cole slaw and I’m not sure I like it.

In original time we see the Sayid we all know and love. Obviously he has recovered enough from both the drowning and diagnosis by electrocution/white hot cattle prod, to demand some answers. There aren’t many 815ers left at the temple and Sayid feels it’s time to either win Dogen over or leave. We learn a little about Dogen and how (and why) he came to the island. Speaking of the Japanese Samurai, I was surprised that he isn’t older than I had expected. He came across as a wise and ancient soul, having collected many many years of experiences and learned important lessons along the way. Instead, we learn that he was a banker and had killed his son in a drinking and driving accident then sold his soul to Jacob in exchange for his son’s life.

Dogen sends Sayid out to kill Smocke and when that fails (and really, we kind of expected that, right?), Smocke makes Sayid an offer he can’t refuse. It’s ironic that he voices that he is a good man to Dogen and then surrenders to his evil side as soon as he is offered a sweet deal by the competition. It’s too bad that he’s struggled so long to regain his self respect only to give up in a moment of weakness. Do you really think Smocke is going to keep his promise and Sayid will see Nadia again? Dead is dead, right? Although, on second thought, she could come back as a polar bear or a Hurley Bird, I guess.

Poor misguided Claire. First of all she’s lured into the forest by the ghost of her father and leaves her baby behind. Then, when she isn’t found, Kate takes Aaron as her own and takes care of him off the island. Meanwhile, it appears her loving father has abandoned her and Smocke has befriended her (I wonder how that friend request would look on Facebook) and lies and tells her that Aaron is in the temple. No wonder she’s a bit nutty and rotating on a wobbly axis! But, she’ll do anything to get her baby back and whatever Smocke wants, Smocke gets at this point.

I know that I said I was growing to seriously dislike what Kate does a few weeks ago, and I still think she’s a loose cannon, but in this case, I think she may have done the right thing. She told Claire the truth, and in the face of certain “black freight train smoke” kind of danger, Kate could only think of helping Claire (even though she didn’t actually need it, bit it is a redeemable act). It’s what kept her alive and, I think, why Smocke didn’t kill her as he rolled over the pit or during the aftermath when they were all leaving the temple.

I’m wondering how Ilana, Frank, Sun and Ben got into the temple, since the spot in the wall we saw Hurley looking at appears to be some sort of hidden room. As an aside, I was curious about the symbol on the wall where Ilana took them to be safe and did a little research. The symbol is an ancient Egyptian Hieroglyph (I found this in a book called the Egyptian Book of Hieroglyphs no less!) that is called a Shen Ring. It is a symbol of eternity and protection, but also represents dual concepts of time. The first concept being the periodical time (based on the rise and fall of the Nile water levels, so maybe a year) and then the infinity (a life time or career?). Interesting, huh? I haven’t quite figured out if this is an inside joke by the writers, or if we should pay some serious attention to it.

Creepy things!

How creepy was Sayid’s smile when he told Ben that it was too late for him? And the haunting “Catch A Falling Star” as Sayid, Kate and Claire walk through the temple courtyard amidst the death and destruction? I still get chills.

DID YOU NOTICE?

Omar and Keamy are the first two characters to be killed in the side time and are also dead in the original time. Also, Omar was accidentally killed by a grenade tossed by Keamy in the original time and was accidentally killed by his associate in the side time. Poor dude can’t win.

The SUV that takes Sayid to “visit” Keamy, has the same license plate as Jack’s Bronco (recycling at its best).

If Kate had just stayed at the temple, Claire would have come to her.

When Dogen explains “the scale” to Sayid, he holds up his hands. One represents good and the other represents evil. The hand he uses for “evil” is covered by a black glove while the hand he uses for “good” is bare.

I know you all saw him, but just in case, did you see Jack at the hospital when Sayid and Nadia were arriving?

QUESTIONS:

Why can’t Smocke be killed the same way as Jacob? Why wasn’t there any blood on the dagger when he pulled it out of his chest?

How did Dogen’s death allow Smocke to enter the temple? What was keeping him out?

Since it wasn’t the Others who saved Sayid, who or what did? Jacob? Smocke? Another entity that we have yet to meet?

Where are Sawyer and Jin? They were last seen in the company of Smocke, so what happened to them? Have they been recruited or doesn’t Smocke trust them?

Why didn’t Richard make it to the temple to warn them? Where is he? Did he realize it was too late and go into hiding? Where did he go, the barracks, the Black Rock, the beach for a sun tan?

Why was Jin being held by Keamy? Where’s Sun in the side time?

QUOTES:

Claire: Are you going to hurt them?

Smocke: Only the ones who won’t listen.

Sayid: Since I’ve been here, I’ve been drowned, beaten and tortured at your hands. Why would I ever do anything for you?

Miles: Welcome back to the circus!

Miles: Right. Claire. She strolled in here a couple hours ago acting all weird. Still hot though.

Frank: We’ll play catch up later. You wanna live, you better move your ass! (I like this one)

Frank: You do hear that, right? You got a plan or are you gonna keep staring at the wall?

Ilana: I have a plan. (sounds like Ben, doesn’t she?).

So, I WAS wrong. I had assumed Sundown would be Sun and/or Jin centric, but instead we got Sayid. Not that I’m complaining. I forgot to take into account the fact that season one was LONGER and was comprised of several more episodes (still not pleased with that BTW).

Next up? Dr. Linus, and I can’t wait! The mere fact that Benny Boy has a doctorate is causing my curiosity and imagination to run wickedly wild.

See? Isn't that a creepy smile?

LIGHTHOUSE

As soon as I heard the title for this episode I started thinking about what it meant.

A lighthouse is a tower, building, or framework designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire and used as an aid to navigation and to pilots at sea or on inland waterways. Lighthouses are used to help guide the way for those who are lost. Do you like my pun? Okay sorry, but you can't blame a girl for trying.

I'm not going to detail what happened on this episode. YOU already know what happened and watched it the same time as I did and probably as many times over as well.

Who the heck would EVER have guessed that Jack had a kid? But I don't think the existence of his son, David, is as important as what Jack does with his son. We see a very troubled relationship between father and son. Neither are skilled communicators and neither really knows what to do about the other. Sure Jack does the "parental" stuff because that's what he HAS to do, but really, even then it's only once a month. What's up with that? No wonder the kid is distant and cold.

Anyway, there a few things we can learn from this side time. Jack is still struggling with the loss (literally and figuratively) of his father. His mother is still a needy, demanding cow. One way or another, Claire Littleton will meet her brother (and Mommie Dearest Margo is not going to be very happy about that), and Jack will learn that his father wasn't the pious father he tried to make everyone believe he was.

In side time, Jack had broken the circle and taken steps to be a better father. This is important, because the changes he makes in that world will eventually spill over into the "original" world and Jack will have his answers and his purpose.

Ever since LA X we have seen the Others popping into the Losties' lives. Ethan is a doctor. Ben is a teacher. Dogen is the father of a gifted boy. I have a thought about why the Others are showing up in the side time and why certain things (Jack's appendix, for one) have been changed. Something Dogen said to Jack at the conservatory sort of made things click.

"It is hard to watch and be unable to help"

Since the two side by side (almost) times were first revealed (thanks Team Darlton for yet more confusion), I've been wondering how it would all play out. Why have the writers given us this other time (thankfully no time travel as of yet), a sort of "what if" view of how the survivors' lives would have turned out had the plane landed, but changed details of their lives and pasts? And I just couldn't get that book title "All That Rises Must Converge" out of my head (remember, I shared some thoughts from my friends?) and started thinking about what must happen before our Losties, and the island, find a somewhat peaceful purpose in their lives.

Other than the obvious learn to play in the sand box together nicely, I realized that in both times the characters were floundering, no matter the differences in their lives. You and I know it, too. Something has to happen to bring our characters to a point of enlightenment. At some point, I think we will see the characters from the side time and the original time merge and become one. Only then will they know what they are doing and why. I think the Others are off the island to help bring them to that point, just like on the island the survivors are slowly learning what it is they need to do.

Of course, I am probably sitting on that non planet Pluto with this one, but that's the charm of LOST. It enables us to think things up and be creative as we try to find that which is LOST.

I wonder what Jack was thinking as he looked into the pond at the temple... He's been doing a lot of introspection lately and trying to find his answers within. As Jacob explained to Hurley, sometimes you just gotta sit and look out to the sea. Ya think?

When was the last time we saw Jack sit and look out at the ocean? Think about it. Think about what happened just before he parked himself in the sand and lost himself in the rolling waves. I'll let you work on that and discuss.

Speaking of the sea, I need to mention that lighthouse. As soon as I saw it I thought of the Lighthouse of Alexandria (nice picture, eh?). For some time I have suspected that Jacob was watching not only the people he has touched, but others as well. I rationalized that he had a way to see the appropriate time to enter into their lives. I just didn't think of this. I like this! Each degree is a possible candidate and he can look into their lives to see how they are doing. What I didn't like was the thought that Jacob has been manipulating everything in their lives with the sole purpose of bringing them to the island. It really destroys that whole "Everything is an option" thing that Dogen was talking about right before he qualified it with, I'd have to stop you. Nice guy.

Of course, Jacob's revelation that there was danger on its way to the temple has alarmed me. Sayid and Miles are still there! In Jacob's eyes Flocke is the "someone bad", I'm sure. And he's bringing CWAYZEEEE CLAIRE along for the ride!

Here's a question for you. Did Claire naturally just start going loopy on her own or do you think she's has a nudge, shove and push along the way? I can think of two "almost" people who would do this to her. Well, actually one because I'm pretty sure one is the pretending to be the other.

If you can't see where I'm heading I'll give you a hint, but only one. Christian and MIB. I can't tell you any more without giving it all away. Sorry.

And poor Claire. Sheesh, this girl just can't catch a break, can she? First her mother is in a coma for I can't even remember how long. Then her lover leaves her because he can't handle the thought of being a daddy. Funny how some people try so hard to be grown up but run at the first sign of responsibility, isn't it? Oh, and I think Thomas is an Other, BTW. Back to Claire. She tries to give the baby up for adoption, and you can't blame her there, survives a plane crash, is kidnapped and injected, traumatized by the that, she goes and gives birth on a deserted island with a fugitive to help her. Do you see where I'm going with this? There is no reason on Earth this girl SHOULDN'T be crazy! And let's not get started on the whole Charlie thing. That's just painful.

I'm not liking Jin too much right now and was disappointed that he failed to mention how they found the baby all alone in the jungle, saved it's life and, when the chance for rescue came, they took him with them. Those are some pretty important facts to leave out of the conversation, Jin! Then to tell her that Aaron is at the temple? What is he thinking? I really don't know where they are going with that one and I'd hate to see the Kwon name crossed out.

I think this episode shows us that change is possible. We saw Jack's life completely different and are left wondering how he can have his appendix removed twice. There are definitely some changes that go farther back in time than the explosion of Jug Head in 1977, if it did indeed explode in 1977. Could it be possible that it was "flashed" to a totally different time and the rubble under which Juliet died was from the implosion of the Swan a second time?

Man, I just LOVE how LOST leaves me dazed and confused!

DID YOU NOTICE?

The theme of black and white is again prevalent. Jack's apartment had black and white furnishings and there was a long shot of David's hands playing the piano.

In the Annotated Alice, Alice has two cats. Kitty and Snowdrop. One cat is white and the other is black.

The poster on David's bedroom wall was for a concert dated on the 19th. That's the date of the Purge and Ben's birthday.

In case you missed the shot up there ^..... the sign at the music conservatory said "Welcome All "Candidates"".

The chain that Hurley used to move the mirrors was nice and shiny.... almost brand spanking new, in fact!

The name Shephard at 23 degrees is written in much darker than all the other names.

I had speculated that Kate's number, if she had one, was 108. I was wrong. Her number is 51 and hasn't been crossed out. Wallace (crossed out) was at 108.

Just a note. From what I was able to read of the crossed out names on the disk with the mirrors.

Pryce - 14

Rousseau - 20

Brennan - 35

Stanhope - 48

Burke - 58

Faraday - 101

Friendly - 109 (I'm assuming this is Tom)

Linus - 117

Dawson - 124

QUESTIONS:

Did Claire flash through time like everyone else left behind or did her "condition" keep her feet firmly planted in 2004 (and her loopy brain)?

How long does it take to be fully "claimed"? Dogen said that once the darkness reaches the heart there is nothing left of who that person was, yet Claire can remember Jin.

If Claire had a friend, why didn't they bring her a hair brush?

Since Sayid was shot and Claire said she was shot, does the darkness that claims a person need an open wound to enter the body? If so, is Jin next?

Who's coming to the island and can they find their own way, as Jacob said?

QUOTES:

There were some good lines in this episode that I'm having a difficult time choosing a few. Most of them were from Hurley.

My fave?

Hurley to Jacob: I just lied to a samurai.

Jack: I don't understand. How is it that we've never seen it before? Looking at the lighthouse.

Hurley: I guess we weren't looking for it.

Jack: Does it say anything on your arm about the door being jammed?

Hurley: Uhm, no.

Jack kicks in the door.

Hurley, mostly to himself: "I guess they used mirrors because electricity hadn't been invented yet....."

Claire had a few good lines too. My fave?

"If there's one thing that'll kill you around here, it's infection" Hahahahahahahahaha, that's irony for you considering Dogen says she's infected.

Hurley to Jack after encountering Kate: "Dude, Jacob said just you and me. She's kinda not invited"

Hurley, to Jacob: "Jack broke your lighthouse, dude. Mission UN complished!

Jacob after telling Hurley about the bad person at the temple: "You can't warn them, Hugo. I'm sorry, it's too late"

Dogen, in Japanese: "You're luck I have to protect you. Otherwise I'd have cut your head off"

Of course, that's if my friend translated is correctly for me. She has been known to give me false translations before.

Next week, Sundown.

I suddenly have Gordon Lightfoot singing in my ear....

Sundown, you better take care.......

WHAT KATE DOES

What Kate Does ranks pretty low on my list of all time favourite episodes, but it did provide us with a few insights, which we'll get to a bit later.

SIDEWAYS

Kate carjacks a taxi. I found it almost comical as the driver tries to drive and keep from filling his pants at the same time, and wanted to see him trip when total cowardice overtook him. Talk about a real man who leaves a poor pregnant girl at the mercy of this crazed gun toting woman. Then, dumping a very pregnant Claire on the side of the street and paying the mechanic $200 to punch open the handcuffs.

We saw a glimpse of the real Kate when she realized exactly what she had done and went back to that bus stop bench for Claire, then helped to find her destination. The indignation on Claire's behalf when the woman said that she didn't want to adopt the baby anymore and she couldn't even be bothered to CALL? As an aside, did anyone else wonder if, in this side time, Claire had visited Richard Malkin and he had told her that the baby should not be raised by another? Did you question if the Fates were making sure that Claire kept her baby?

Poor Claire starts going into labour and Kate rushes her to the hospital, then grabs the first doctor (that was a bit of a shock) she could find, who calms Claire and takes an ultrasound.

I snickered at Dr. Goodspeed's line "I just don't want to stick you with needles if I don't have to."

Oh, the irony of that statement.

The police come and Claire lies, then gives Kate her credit card as a show of gratitude.

2007

Dogen and Lennon and the rest of the Other Others were shocked to find that Sayid in fact survived. I'm still amazed that his shirt was miraculously healed as well. Just think, the Others must have clothes from decades ago that's in pristine condition! Am I the only one who thought it odd that Jack said to get Sayid water? Really, Sayid must have swallowed at least two litres of the beer coloured swill in the spring!

Sawyer and Miles arrive, not of their own accord, and Sawyer's resentment that some people get to live while others die filled the already oppressive room. We are seeing the return of Season One Saywer. The one cares for no one but himself and who will challenge anyone and everyone. Right now he has no reason to stay and most certainly no reason to help Jack, Hurley, Jin, Sayid, Kate or even Miles. And on that note, he makes a break for it and, of course tells them NOT to follow him. Kate, of course, takes that as an invitation.

Aldo. Wow, what can be said about Aldo that hasn't already been said before. The boy has a chip on his shoulder and I really don't think he's "Other" material. He's bent on revenge for being rifle butted by sweet Kate. Poor dude just can't win and his aggression gets him in the end. Well, that and Claire, but I'll get to that in a bit, I promise.

So, while Kate and Aldo and Jason, plus Jin head out to track Sawyer, Dogen and Lennon take Sayid for "questioning". A few electric shocks and a red hot poker later they return him to Jack's custody. Just what Sayid failed, I'm not sure, but how the heck does one pass the electric shock and red hot poker test anyway? Jack, of course is not impressed and takes a walk.

Dogen explains that Sayid is "infected", which to a doctor means high fever, delirium. You know, the normal kind of symptoms for infection. So, Dogen offers a "pill" but refuses to tell Jack what is contains and what it will do to Sayid. He tells Jack: "You'll just have to trust me". Ha ha, Jack's display of trust is to swallow the little green happy pill himself, which elicits such a rapid response that I'll bet his chest completely regrets it. This is when we learn that the pill contained poison and that Sayid was "claimed".

According to Dogen, "there is a darkness growing in him and when it reaches his heart, everything Sayid once was will be gone". I can only guess that the Black Smoke Monster or MIB has something to do with this. This is also when we learn that Claire is still alive....sort of.....maybe....well, her body anyway? Is this why Ben is the way he is?

Just an observation here. In 1977, after Sayid shot young Ben and Richard took him to the temple, they brought him back to the camp to heal. HIS wound was in approximately the same place as Sayid's, but I did notice how it didn't heal as well as Sayid's did. Just an observation and a little something for you to chew on.

I used to care about Kate and what happened to her until last season, then I found myself growing more and more annoyed by her than anything else. Her constant wavering between Jack and Sawyer, even after leaving the island and they didn't really know if the others were alive or dead (really, the island DISAPPEARED PEOPLE!!) Kate was still unable (or unwilling) to love the one she was with. She has an innate ability to listen and then go and do the complete opposite.

Really, what did she hope to gain by chasing after Sawyer? The man is consumed by grief, guilt and anger and Kate only represents all that he has lost since the return of the Oceanic four (not counting Sun because she accompanied Locke's cadaver to 2007). I was glad to see Sawyer grieve for Juliet and angered by Kate crashing his little pity party. But this was a scene that HAD to happen for several reasons.

First, we needed to see Sawyer grieve for Juliet. His relationship with her allowed him to grow past the stunted resentful little orphan boy into a man able to give himself over heart and soul. Kate would never have been able to do that. Another reason this scene had to happen is because Kate needed to be shown and told that Sawyer was unavailable to her. His is a ship that sailed when he jumped from the helicopter. He had moved on while Kate was still wavering between two men. Finally, she needed to see that he did not need her, nor did he want her, to help in his grieving process.

A thought about Dr. Ethan Goodspeed and the Sideways Timeline.

Since Horace and Pierre evacuated the island, and we saw that the island is underwater, I am assuming that a return to the island was impossible. Dharma would have been forced to abandon their "foray" to the island and the people who were evacuated would have had to find their own way in the world. Ethan would have grown up without the influences of Ben, the Others and the conflict between the Others and Dharma. But it still saw the irony of his "sticking with needles" quip.

Also, since the Others did not evacuate the island, and young Ben was still in their care, I am assuming he died with them as the island descended into the great blue yonder.

Which brings me to Eloise Hawking. In 1977 she was pregnant with Daniel and if she went down with the island, we will find that his existence had been wiped out. I am thinking that it is possible that Penny still exists since she was born off island and had never been there. Things would be different for her, though, since she would not be exposed to her father's amassed wealth and it is possible that she and Desmond never meet.

DID YOU NOTICE?

Am I the only one who thought that "Claimed" Claire looked an awful lot like 1954's version of Eloise Hawking? I don't know, but those blond curls, that knowing but not sure expression...... Maybe it was just me.

The guy that played the taxi driver runs like a girl. Just sayin'

Jason really wanted share with Kate and Jin and called them "THEM", so now we have three groups. The Others, the Other Others, and Them? Elitist jerks.

Ethan still became a doctor and still has that goofy grin.

The nurse that takes Claire into the hospital is the same woman who played Aaron's Nanny in Eggtown.

QUESTIONS

How long is years? Jason said that the Rousseau woman has been dead for years.

How was Dogen brought to the island and when? Is he like Richard? Ageless?

Was the poison meant to completely kill Sayid or just what "claimed" him?

Where has Claire been since wandering off into the Jungle of Mystery with her dead but not dead father? Did he facilitate the "claiming" of her? Speaking of the walking dead, where's Christian? Did he abandon Claire once she was claimed, or did the "whatever" is is that does the claiming move from Christian to Claire?

Why do the Others call the survivors of the crash "Them"?

Now that Kate is alone, will she go back to the Temple or will she do what she promised to do and seek out Claire?

When will Miles speak up and tell Jack about the things that he is sensing? We all know that he sensed something was not quite right with Claire and again with Sayid.

When Kate was on the dock crying, was she crying for Sawyer's loss or the fact that he's rejected her?

After so long on the island, and sharing a bed with Juliet, what has she told Sawyer about the Others? I mean, I'm sure they had some pretty interesting pillow talk sessions in the quiet of the night.

QUOTES

Dogen: Please, you have to stay.

Sawyer: No, I don't.

Mechanic: I've got a steady hand, but I kind of feel like we off on the wrong foot.

Hurley: We'll be in the food court if you need us.

Kate: I'm sorry, I never should have followed you.

Sawyer: Which time?

Jack: Did I say something funny?

Lennon: I kind of doubt it. He doesn't usually have a sense of humour.

Sayid: I remember being shot.

Hurley: You're not a zombie, right?

I already know that this was a low episode in the list of favourites, but what are YOUR questions? Did you want that hour back? I know I didn't.

Next we see The Substitute. Does this tell us what Frank could be a candidate for? Does Flocke find a way to get off the island? Will Kate ever redeem herself or will we be glad if she's the next to die?

Let me know.