THE CANDIDATE

The producers and writers of LOST have assured us that they have a plan and that we will get answers to some of the major mysteries that make up the mythology of the greatest show (in my humble opinion) ever to have aired on network television. After The Candidate, I had to convince myself to keep the faith that this will all end accordingly. Since the beginning of this season I have prepared myself with the knowledge that any one of our favourite characters can die. Couple that awareness with the fact that LOST is ending its amazing run and you have a complex formula for dissolution of everything that we have held near and dear to our hearts since September 22, 2004 and we suddenly find ourselves on a bullet train hurtling out of control. Hang on, my friends, for the ride of your lives!

Immediately following last nights airing of the Candidate there was such an outcry of anger, total devastation and absolute confusion that I think it may have caused an almost epic traffic jam on the internet. I have tried to stay away from all reviews and recaps in order to get my own thoughts sorted out. I am still feeling like I have been cast adrift into a vortex of confusion. Sleep is usually one of my dearest friends, but last night it was fitful and fraught with frequent episodes of sitting upright in bed and asking “what does that mean?” and then falling back down to the pillow in a cold sweat.

FLASHSIDEWAYS/WHAT IF/SIDE TIME

I loved how Jack referred to John as a “candidate”, and was initially confused when his offer to perform surgery and “fix” John was refused. As the episode progressed though, I realized that John was punishing himself, forcing himself to be confined to the wheelchair. It wasn’t until I saw Anthony Cooper that I realized the cause of his guilt. Forgive me, but I kind of giggled at the irony. In Original time, Anthony Cooper caused John’s injury that paralysed him and in the Side time, the roles were reversed and John was the reason his father is doing the best impression of a turnip I have seen in a long while. It’s also a bit ironic that John is the cause of his own paralysis, and I think that it is a foreshadowing of what may be MIB’s downfall (But I’ll get to that in a bit).

It was nice to see Bernard again. As time goes by, we are seeing the connections that our LOSTIES have in the Original time being forged in the Side time. I’m not sure how this will pan out in the Side time, but I’m willing to put my faith in the belief that we get our “happily ever after” there and not in the Original time. I enjoyed Bernard teasing Jack about flirting with Rose, and it underscores the deep seated love he has for his wife. That’s two couples now who are soul mates. Maybe three, if Desmond doesn’t get chucked into jail for the hit and run non-accident.

Speaking of Desmond, we haven’t seen him for a while and I’m wondering if he and Penny truly connected over that coffee they were supposed to have

Claire seeks out Jack at the hospital to ask him a question about her portion of Christian’s estate, which was an ornate music box that played “Catch A falling Star”. This was a double-whammy prop, in my view. The music box played a song that has recurred throughout the entire fabric of the show, and as they looked at it, we could see Jack’s and Claire’s images reflected in a mirror. This is only the beginning for Jack and Claire as siblings and I think that Jack’s invitation that she stay with him will allow for Claire to keep “Aaron” in the Side time. My heart skipped a beat or two when Jack assured Claire that they were not strangers, but family. This bodes well for both of them, I think…I hope.

The final scene in the Side time was so very interesting and outlined that both Jack and John are still unable to “let it go” or “forgive themselves”. In Jack’s case, he is learning and is willing to use that life lesson to help another person. We will see if he really is ready to stop trying to “fix” people and things and not chase after John in an effort to convince him to have the surgery.

Earlier I alluded to John’s self inflicted paralysis as a possible cause of falter for MIB in the Original time. I think that John Locke’s “consciousness “will assert itself in MIB causing an inner struggle of who will gain control over the “body”. This struggle will weaken MIB and thwart his efforts to leave the island and leading to his ultimate failure. I really don’t know how it will go down, but I do have a theory (which I’ll get to later).

ORIGINAL TIME

OH

MY

GOD

As Jack woke and sat up in the outrigger I couldn’t help but think of Frank’s similar sleep sailing experience. As Sayid said, at least he didn’t have to paddle. I’m not sure about anyone else, but when Sayid said that I thought I saw a spark of “emotion” and had a renewed hope that his story of redemption would get off that detour to hell he was on. We know now that Sayid’s story has ended.

When Jack tells Smocke that he’ll help him but he is not leaving the island, he sets off a chain of events that lead to a very shocking and sad ending. The final half hour of this episode was spent sitting bolt upright and clinging to the edge of my rocking chair with eyes glued to the TV. I’m not blaming Jack for the catastrophic ending, but I do think it was his mistake to lay out his intentions so soon and it allowed Smocke to formulate yet another evil plan to kill off all the candidates.

Sawyer and his group are tossed into the polar bear cage, and you can hear the hum if the portable sonic fence. I don’t ever recall hearing the other fence hum. This is not a good scene as Sawyer explains to Kate that her name was on the cave wall and that it had been crossed off. At this point I realized that Kate’s usefulness was ended to all parties involved save for Kate herself. I also realized that by telling her, Sawyer was trying to protect her. Forewarned is forearmed? I’m not sure.

I am wondering how Sayid killed the power to the portable sonic fence. Did he just pull cut the extension cord? Did he pull the plug? Did he steal all the gas from the generator? Did he poke that stick Smocke was whittling a few episodes back into some moving parts? HOW? This allowed Smocke to wreck havoc at the cages and help free the others. Don’t think he’s not angry about how they all turned against him, by the way. Jack arrives to help everyone out of the cages and lead them to relative safety, if there is such a thing. He explains to Kate that he’s not meant to leave the island but will help them all get to the plane. Obviously Jack didn’t hear the part about ALL of them having to leave TOGETHER when Smocke was explaining how things are going to work. I had bad feeling as Smocke was checking the plane and found the wires that led him to the C4. Question! Why didn’t Widmore just destroy the plane as soon as he arrived on the island? Yeah, yeah, I know it’s a plot device, but that’s the kind of detail that bugs me. Then I had an awful thought that Widmore is secretly working WITH Smocke and they had planned that. But if our LOSTIES took the sub, how would Chuckie leave? I know there’s no way that he would want to STAY on the island once Smocke had been bottled up again.

Also, I believe MIB DID kill all the other survivors on that plane. Remember all the times he would disappear and when asked where he was, he would say he was taking care of something. Think back to the Incident when he told Richard that they would have to go to Hydra Island and deal with the others from the plane. Yeah, I’m convinced Smocke did that.

So, where was I? Oh yes, the plane. I really loved the home made bamboo steps! I wonder if I can have those for my pool…..Anyway, knew that the plane was not going to be the answer to Smocke’s little problem. For a while now I have considered the thought that his main goal was to kill ALL the candidates in fell swoop, thus gaining the freedom to leave the island at his own will. Let’s review the facts, shall we?

Originally there were multiple “candidates” for Jacob’s job, (if you take the lighthouse compass as the list, there were 360 candidates over the years so far) but as time passed and people were killed on the island, or they didn’t measure up, their names were crossed off the list. A bit of trivia for you to stump your friends. There are 15 passengers from 815 on the list and 4 Others on the list that are in reference to the NUMBERS! Don’t ask where I find this stuff, it would frighten you.

LOCKE – 4, REYES – 8, FORD – 15, JARRAH – 16, SHEPHARD – 23, KWON - 42, Austen – 51

Since Kate’s number is 51, which by the way is the transposition of 15, I am assuming that she’s not going to make it to the end and thus not going to succeed in her quest to reunite Claire and Aaron off island. Interestingly enough Claire’s number is 313 and Charlie’s number was 195.

Okay, back to business. Smocke has been very insistent that all the survivors be TOGETHER when they attempt to leave the island and at first I believed that some magical force dictated such. Then I remembered that Smocke DOESN’T KNOW who will be the one to do Jacob’s job and that he had vowed to kill anyone that may take his nemesis’ place. Since he has no idea WHO would become the next Jacob, he really had no choice but to start eliminating them. The “RULES” state that he can’t kill any of the candidates himself, so over the years he has used his belief that humans will kill each other and manipulated the deaths of many people. Which brings us to the doomed submarine ride….

Smocke switched his C4 filled pack with Jack’s back pack. We all saw it happen and that is when I knew for sure that Smocke had planned to confine the candidates and let them either be killed by each other or Widmore’s men. And how convenient that poor Claire was left behind (that really rankled me since she was defending them). Jack was right when he told Sawyer that the C4 would NOT explode. I know that many of you believe that it would have since it was Jack who carried it onto the sub that it would go off, but since Jack did so UNKNOWINGLY it makes perfect sense that it would not have. Unfortunately for Jin, Sun and Sayid, Sawyer didn’t believe it and pulled the wires, thus setting into motion the disastrous events that followed.

WHY?

Why?

Why?

There are an awful lot of people who are bitter and angry that Sun and Jin (myself included as I sobbed into half a box of tissues) did not get their happily ever after and were unable to leave the island to raise their daughter. But think for a minute. In the Side time they have the opportunity to embrace their futures and raise their daughter together, so in a way, they have achieved it and their story arc is finished. We got to see that Desmond had managed to reach deep within the darkness of Sayid and provided him with the means by which to have his Nadia back. Let’s hope they are reunited in death because we know that in the Side time they will be apart forever.

That leaves us with Lapidus and his status is unknown at this point. He was hit rather hard by that door and I think knocked out, so I’m thinking that he’s dead too. This is distressing to me. We have not seen how his life pans out in the Side time, so I’m hopeful that he has a chance at happiness.

The last we saw of the remaining candidates they were washed up on the dark beach and mourning the loss of their friends. I’m sure, as he had in the flashsideways while talking to John Locke, Jack was wishing James had believed him. I know I was thinking it.

DID YOU NOTICE?

Locke wants to kill Jack in the original time and Jack wants to help Locke in the side time.

Original Locke regained the use of his legs from the crash of 815, Side Locke was paralysed in a plane crash.

Original Anthony Cooper caused John’s paralysis. Side Anthony’s vegetative state was cause by John.

While unconscious, John Locke mumbles; “Push the button” and “I wish you had believed me”. Jack repeated the wish to John later, which caused him to pause.

This episode breaks the record for the largest number of MAIN CAST characters being killed at three, also this season (for obvious reasons) is the first season to kill off more than one original main character.

This is the first episode since the premiere of Season 4 where ALL the main characters appear in the same place at the same time. Go check!

There were 4 bricks of C4

QUESTIONS

How did Widmore know about the list?

Where are Cindy, Zach and Emma?

Is Frank alive?

How’s Jack going to help Kate now?

Why wasn’t the sub more visibly guarded?

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

JOHN: Why?

JACK: Because I think you're a candidate.

SAYID: Welcome to Hydra island. At least you didn't have to paddle.

WIDMORE: I have a list of names. Ford, you're on it. As are Reyes and the Kwons. Kate Austen? She's not. It doesn't matter to me whether she lives or dies.

WIDMORE: You may not believe it, but I'm doing this for your own good.

SAWYER: You're right. I don't believe it.

BERNARD: Do you mind if I ask you why you're so interested in Mr. Locke, Jack?

JACK: Um... he and I met about a week ago. We were on the same flight back from Australia--

BERNARD: Oceanic 815.

[Jack looks shocked]

BERNARD: I sat across the aisle from you. If memory serves, you were flirting with my wife, Rose, while I was in the bathroom. It's pretty weird, huh?

JACK: Yeah.

LOCKE: You know, I would ask him, except I don't think he's gonna give me a straight answer. But I can't imagine that his intentions are good. If we move right now, we can break your people out, run for the plane, and be off this island before Widmore knows what hit him.

LOCKE: Because I could kill you, Jack. Right here. Right now. And I could kill every single one of your friends. And there's not a thing that you could do to stop me. But instead of killing you, I saved your life. And now I want to save them too. So will you help me? (LIAR)

HURLEY: And we're dead... (when the power to the sonic fence goes off)

HURLEY: Well... wait, now he wants us to leave the island?

LOCKE: No, Hugo. He wants to get us all in the same place at the same time... a nice confined space we have no hope of getting out of... and then he wants to kill us. (foreshadowing?)

Jack: Why don't you come stay with me?

Claire: Stay with you? [ Jack nods.] I mean, we're…we're strangers.

Jack [laughs]: No, we're not strangers. We're...we're family.

JACK: Locke…We did exactly what he wanted.

OBSERVATION: We have been led to believe that water is not a good thing for Smocke while he is in his smoke form, so, if my thinking that John Locke from the Side time will assert his “consciousness” into the Original time and force MIB out of his body, he will have no form to take. If that happens on Hydra, all Jack has to do is ensure there are no other forms he can take and remove all forms of travel off that island. But I’m probably wrong.

Next week we get Across The Sea. I’m both fearful and excited to see what happens next.

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.