“And, in the end, the love you take/Is equal to the love you make.”

The answers don’t matter. Walt was special; I don’t need to know why. Babies couldn’t be conceived and born on the Island; maybe it was one of Jacob’s rules. All that matters are these characters, and that’s why 12 hours later, I am still very, very sad, but satisfied.

I read that Matthew Fox described the finale as “beautiful,” and that’s exactly what it was. It was a celebration of the show that some many had come to love and obsess over and it proved that it was worthy of all that adoration. The final sequence on the Island with Jack and Vincent is something that’s going to stick with me for quite sometime. The decision to end the show on Jack’s smile and then his closed eye was beautiful poetry.

I look forward to rewatching the whole series knowing what it all leads to and puzzling out the mysteries again. Right now, I can’t think of any answers that I need to know, maybe because there aren’t any, maybe because I was so moved by the finale that my emotions are clouding my intellect. And that makes me think that it was a perfect finale. What I really think though, is that over the length of the series, we got enough clues to interpret all the mysteries in a logical manner. And I kinda think that’s better than outright answers.

I think this is a show that will lead to days and weeks and months and years of discussion. I don’t know if I am able to come up with any definitive conclusions right now, but I will try.

The sideways world = purgatory: I suppose that is the easiest understanding of that world, but Christian did say that Jack and his friends created this world. My initial reaction was that it was Hurley’s doing as Island protector, and after sitting with that, I think that’s an interpretation I could get behind.

Ben noted that the old rules were Jacob’s rules and now that Hurley is protector, he can make his own rules. So what if this sideways world was a Hurley construct? Knowing that all the people brought to the Island were broken and needed “fixing,” he created a place where their souls could go to find peace before moving on. The Island is a metaphor for God (or whatever you want to call it) and Hurley and Ben are its protectors/mouthpieces/agents. They do not exploit the Island as has been done in the past (even by Jacob), but they use its powers to completely heal and cure those that they care so much about.

And really, could there be a better protector of the Island than Hurley? Presumably, he was eventually replaced on the Island, but I imagine in his time there, he did not just protect, but used (not abused) the Island for the good of mankind. I’d like to think that Desmond eventually went home to Penny and Charlie, that Rose and Bernard lived peacefully on the Island until they died, and Ben who never really had anyone, helped Hurley as he moved toward redemption that he (still) does not feel he has reached.

When the show began, we learned about a group of flawed, “lost” individuals who were in need of healing, in both the literal and figurative sense. The Island was able to do that for them because they all played a part in doing the same for the Island. Beginning from Mother’s reign as protector, the Island was heading for disaster. Her philosophy destroyed her children and the Island became a place to be protected, rather than shared. With Hurley’s ascendance, the dark era of the Island has ended, and it is finally able to be treated as a gift and a part of humanity, rather than the forbidden fruit that Mother and Jacob treated it as.

But those are just my initial thoughts. I think as I have more space from it, I’ll be able to better articulate my understanding of the show. My favorite thing about the finale though was that so much was left undefined and open it interpretation, so I will always have MY understanding of the show. Even if Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse told me that I was way off base, I’d still be happy with my understanding and experience watching the show. And that makes for a great finale.

And I’ve gotten this far without even looking at the three pages of notes that I took last night, so let’s see if I can make sense of those:

Desmond’s role? I think that Island Desmond thought that he was already dead, and if he did what he did, he could finally move on and be at peace. (Which would explain why he was so unbothered by everything and always so smirky, which I have to say I LOVED.) I wonder if when he got hit with that electromagnetism from Widmore, if Island Desmond and Sideways Desmond were actually of the same mind. I also think that Jack really didn’t know what was going to happen if he sent Des down to the heart of the Island – I think that the only thing that he knew is that it would make MIB mortal again.

A list of nods/winks:
- Kate laughing at Christian’s name.
- Sawyer noting Kate’s tendency to follow.
- Sawyer calling Hurley “Bigfoot” – one more for old-times sake?
- “I think you’re a good guy, Sayid” – Hurley
- “Nothing is irreversible” – Kate
- Table 23
- “See you in another life, brother.” – Jack’s last on-Island line, in another bit of perfect poetry.

All the Sideways World was really rocking, both on the emotional catharses and many, many laughs.

Hurley trying to use the tranq gun to “wake up” Sayid was rather amusing.

I was so, so happy to see Rose, Bernard and Vincent, and that they all seemed to be happy. And I know that Darlton said that MIB proved he was the bad guy when he pulled his submarine trick, but I think that he really proved his jerkiness by threatening Rose & Bernard. That actually made me angry and I would have been so pissed if he had killed either or both of them. That said, that standoff scene between him and Des was pretty intense.

The first sideways scene that wrecked me was Sun/Jin/Juliet scene. That alone was worth the price of admission and set the template for the tears/laughter that was to follow in nearly every Sideways scene.

I’m glad that Richard wasn’t dead and that he gets to have some sort of life off-Island.

In other news, Lapidus is alive too! (And Sawyer called him “Chesty” again!) When Miles and Richard found him, whose body was that floating nearby? Jin?

“That’s a helluva long con, Doc.” – Sawyer. Yes indeed, especially since it seemed that he really didn’t know what he was doing. I guess that some with being a man of faith.

“It was a pain in the ass getting her here from Australia” – Boone “Yeah, but it was worth it” – Hurley. Truth be told, I do prefer Sayid with Nadia, but as a way to connect Sayid to the Island, I think Shannon is appropriate.

“I was shot by a fat man.” – Charlie

From the moment Charlie noticed Claire from the stage, I felt like I was fighting the tears, and then Aaron’s (second) birth scene really got me. Claire and Charlie never ranked very high on my couples list, but that scene was very well done.

Jack’s neck cut: Now that was a nice answer to a question I wasn’t even asking. I’m also guessing that the appendix scar wasn’t just an appendix scar, but foreshadowing to his stab in the gut.

That Sawyer/Jin/Sun scene was a laugh riot. The knowing glances that Jin and Sun shared, the smirks and hysterical line readings (“Detective”).

“I saved you a bullet.” – Kate. Good to see Kate really ending the show on a high note in both worlds. Her takedown of MIB and then her jumping off the cliff were nice reminders of the strong character she used to be (actually is?)

I was even moved by Jack and Kate stuff. Like I said a great episode for Kate, and Evangeline Lilly really did great work, but Matthew Fox was fantastic as well. I’m mourning Jack today and still getting teary remembering his last scene with Vincent, and that’s due to both the writers “fixing” Jack this season and the great season-long work Fox did this year.

“I don’t believe in a lot of things, but I do believe in duct tape.” - Miles

But, of course, the show saved two of its best scenes (ever?) for the last portion of the episode. That Sawyer/Juliet scene messed me up something fierce and it was so, so well-played by Josh Holloway and Elizabeth Mitchell – makes me realize even more so how wasted she has been on “V.” Sawyer had a few quick lines that were at the same time heart-breaking and funny. Him repeating “I gotcha” still hurts today and his reply “You got it, Blondie” was a happy callback to the very best thing about season 5.

And then there was the Sideways Ben/Locke scene outside of the church: one last hurrah for two of the best actors that the show featured. In an episode filled with many, many moments of catharsis, Ben apologizing to Locke and being as open and honest as we’ve ever seen him, may have been the most freeing. And that smile on Terry O’Quinn is just pure happiness and relief. Another one of the very many things I will miss.

Something I will never quite understand about Lost fandom is the reaction to the finale that “I’m just glad it’s over.” I understand that the show is not for everyone, but why if it was such a chore, would you watch 120 hours (or however many it was) just because you felt you had to? I went into the finale knowing that love, like or hate it, it wasn’t going to retroactively destroy the 100+ hours of a show that I did love. I’m very happy that I loved the finale, and I absolutely can see how someone could hate it, but why would you watch something and invest so much time to something that you were never really going to enjoy anyway? It’s seems like some people did it so they could say, “Lost sucked and I know because I watched the whole thing!” That just seems counter-intuitive.

Time to stop; maybe I’ll post more after I have more time to digest, maybe I won’t. I just know that I’m glad they ended on their own terms. I’ll miss Lost and all those characters a whole lot, but I’m happy that they didn’t overstay their welcome and went out on a really high note.

“We’re very close to the end.”

I almost don’t want to write about Lost anymore. I know even if I don’t, it will still end, but I think writing and reflecting adds more finality to it. I don’t even know if I will be alive enough to put together coherent thoughts on the finale on Monday morning, but at that point, there will probably be nothing that I want to do more, even though I’m not going to want to do it anyway. (If that makes any sense…)

So, onto last night’s superb penultimate Lost, which had me on the edge of my seat and leaning forward (literally) from the moment the episode began. This was also the most “quotable” Lost in quite some time – most of my notes are my attempt to write down direct lines. All in all, a great setup for the 2 ½ hour madness sure to come on Sunday.

But before I get to Sunday…Zoe! Dead! Widmore! Dead! (And daaaaaamn!) Richard! Dead?!? Rousseau! Alive (and kinda pretty)! Ana Lucia! Alive (and still more awesome than when she was on the Island)!

First off, I totally think Ben is playing MIB. I think that he absolutely wanted revenge on Widmore for Alex’s death, but he also wants MIB to trust him, so he killed two birds with three gunshots when he took down Chuck.

It would be a fitting use of Ben, who, when we first met him, was the puppetmaster, always playing everyone else to his own (and apparently MIB’s) advantage. After leaving the Island at the end of season 4, the show has neutered him a bit and he has been played more than he’s been the player. But now, I think he sees the truth of his life and his past mistakes and to find his redemption, he will play a key part in bringing down MIB.

When Ben, Miles and Richard went to Ben’s old house, Ben said that he was told that he could use that room to summon Smokey, but now he knows he was being played. I took this to mean that Ben’s idea of Jacob has been played by MIB this whole time. I guess that’s a lot of meaning to take from one brief exchange, but I think it’s a logical assumption, and not just because it’s something that I had already guessed at.

This may also mean that Widmore wasn’t really ever the bad guy; he was just colored that way because of his antagonistic relationship with Ben. If Ben was unknowingly working for MIB all this time, he actually was working against the Island, so when Widmore says that his actions are done for the sake of the Island, he’s probably telling the actual truth.

That scene with Jacob and the candidates around the fire was pretty awesome too. I loved the simple, logical explanation for candidates. We’ve always known that these people were flawed, and who better to see these flaws than the imperfect Jacob himself. He has spent his existence trying to correct the mistake that he made, and though I know he said that Jack’s job now is to protect that light in the center of the Island, I feel like he’s not telling Jack the whole truth. Jacob said in last year’s finale “It only ends once.” And I think it ends with Jack and company destroying MIB and then getting to choose to leave the Island without a protector. (Though I’d still like to be right about my theory from last week about Ben.)

What I also liked about Jacob’s explanation was his handling of Kate. He says that he crossed off her name because she became a mother – she had a more important job. Not only does that provide a satisfying explanation, but he goes further to say that that the chalk line really means nothing – if she wants to choose to be the new Island guardian, she can. The “rules” are not hard and fast, but their meaning comes from each person – kinda what I was getting at last week. This also probably means that “Kwon” referred to Jin because Sun was a mother, but it could still refer to both, because if Sun chose to be protector (I don’t really think either of them would have chosen that), then Jin could be Ji Yeon’s father. Regardless, it’s a cow’s opinion.

And as much as I like Mark Pellegrino, I’m glad that the finale will be about “our” characters and will (seemingly) be Jacob-free. That makes me feel better about the show’s endgame –it won’t be about 2 brothers fighting over the lives of the characters that we love – it will be about our characters and their choices and how they shape the end of the series. Also, I was pretty shocked that Jack took the mantle this week – just another way that the show can still surprise me.

I know I’ve written a lot about the good that the show has done for Jack this season, but he had another one of those moments this week, when he insisted that Sawyer not take the blame for the deaths on the sub. That was a really nice moment for both characters and really well played by Matthew Fox and Josh Holloway. (Holloway also had a great non-verbal scene on the beach as he watched the life preservers wash up on shore.)

Adding to the character redemption of season 6, Kate also had quite a few moments this week. I already mentioned her stuff with Jacob (during which she also asked questions, therefore being logical and awesome!), but flirty Sideways Kate was as fun as she was the last time we saw her and Island Kate’s mini-speech about Jin/Sun and Ji Yeon was moving and made me sad all over again. That speech was certainly one of my favorite Kate moments ever.

I love everything that Henry Ian Cusick is doing with Desmond in the Sideways world – from the awesome fake accent when he called Jack about Christian’s body, to that permanent knowing smirk – I just loved everything about the Sideways world, and I can’t wait to get answers about that in the finale.

Also, Hurley knows the whole truth about the Island! Veeeeeeeeeery interesting. (And I just love seeing Michelle Rodriguez now.)

Callbacks to past Lost episodes: the opening on Sideways Jack’s eye and Jack patching up Kate, the mirror of her doing the same to him.

And here is that collection of quotes that I loved so much:

“I lived in those houses 30 years before you did – in other words, last week.” – Miles (Which, in fact, really isn’t true, because young Ben lived there at the same time as Miles, but still funny nonetheless.)

“What’s that… a secret-er room?” – Miles (again)

“Can I get you a glass of lemonade?” – Ben to MIB on the porch of his house after MIB “smoked” Richard

“You told her not to talk to me – that made her pointless.” – MIB (A well-delivered bad ass line that was quickly trumped by…)

“He doesn’t get to save his daughter.” – Ben (Who once again, redefines “bad ass.” I mean, damn, that still gets me 12 hours later. Perfectly played and delivered by Michael Emerson.)

“I thought that guy had a God complex before.” – Sawyer (He just can’t help himself.)

and, of course…

“We’re very close to the end, Hugo” – Jacob

Sunday is too far away and too close. It’s gonna be a long (and very quick) 5 days.

“Every question I answer will simply lead to another question.”

So I think that my problem with “Across the Sea” is not really the episode itself – which wasn’t thrilling, but solid – my problem was the placement in the season. I think it probably would have worked better very early in the season or as a direct lead-in to “Ab Aeterno.” Because it wasn’t really an emotional story (since I have no real love for Jacob/MIB/their mother), it broke the momentum of last week’s emotional roller coaster. I’d be curious to rewatch season 6 with this as the second ep of the season (and maybe even throw “Ab Aeterno” on right after) before diving into the rest of the episodes.

But that’s not to say that “Across the Sea” was a bad episode. The only thing that I really, really hated was the irritating cut to Jack/Kate/Locke discovering the Adam and Eve skeletons. I think, after 6 seasons, the writers should be able to trust their audience a bit more.

I think the episode picked up considerably after Mark Pellegrino and Titus Welliver showed up. The kid actors weren’t awful (and visually they did a really good job casting young Jacob), but I didn’t think they were particularly compelling.

So here’s my understanding of what we learned:

There has always been someone to protect the Island. Eventually his/her time ends and he/she has to find a replacement. I wouldn’t be surprised if women who conceived on the Island always died; that it’s just something that the Island does not allow. This is why so many pregnant women have been drawn to the Island and perhaps why the Others were so interested in children – maybe you have to grow up on the Island to be a suitable candidate. (I know there is a hole in this argument, but I’ll address it later.)

So Mother (because I have no other name for her other than Allison Janney) is on the Island and draws a bunch of people to her. One is pregnant and she needs her because her time will be up soon and needs a successor. However, she wasn’t counting on twins. She obviously can’t let the woman go back to her people because Mother does not want to be discovered, so she kills her and raises the two boys as her own. (I’m fine that MIB is not given a name for us to hear, but I do wonder if she ever gave him one.)

MIB eventually tires of his life on the Island – aided by visions of his real mother (the first of the Whispers, I assume). He goes to live with the other people on the Island and helps them attempt to exploit it. In living with these people, he deduces that man is inherently evil. Jacob stays with his mother, but MIB is never far from his mind and spends time watching over MIB and his people during which he deduces that even though full of faults, man is inherently good. Jacob is resentful that MIB was/is his mother’s favorite and her true choice to guard the Island. MIB’s curiosity has led to his corruption – he would not have chosen to protect the Island even if he was asked.

When she realizes her time is up, Mother stops MIB’s attempted exploitation of the Island and kills everyone in his camp. When MIB discovers what she has done he kills her. She thanks him for killing her – does she have to be killed for Jacob to actually be able to take over? Jacob then discovers what MIB has done and throws him into the heart of the Island – knowing both that this is what MIB always wanted and that his mother told him that doing so would be worse than death. The smoke monster is born. (Or was it re-born? Was Mother both Island protector and smoke monster before this?)

Jacob later finds MIB’s body and places it with his mother’s in the cave with the stones from MIB’s game, thus providing us with our Adam and Eve. (I still kinda wish that it had been Rose and Bernard, but I suppose this does make more sense.)

Sometime after this, they decide to play another game, this time by Jacob’s rules. As in the past, Jacob will continue to draw people to the Island. If he finds someone that *chooses* to replace him as Island caretaker, he wins the game. If after all his candidates are exhausted and there is no one left to protect the Island, MIB wins and he can finally leave.

And here’s where I think that Jacob was being tricksy. I think that the list of candidates was made to throw MIB off and distract from Jacob’s true purpose. I think that the next Island protector does have to be a child that grew up on the Island and one that will choose to stay and protect it: Ben.

I’ve been wrong many times before, but this is just my hunch. Earlier in the season, I felt like Ben was headed toward death as a tragic hero – perhaps dying protecting everyone else. But maybe Jacob’s plan since Ben’s arrival was to groom him to be the last man on the Island. Yes everything that Ben loves has been taken from him, but perhaps it has all been in preparation for the “gift” of Island protection.

Actually, after writing about it for the last hour, I feel like I like the ep a whole lot more now. I still would change its placement in the season, but I like it more than I did upon first reflection.

Some more questions:

Mother insists that they two cannot leave or kill each other, but what if she’s lying? (Or if not technically ‘lying,’ making an untruth true by saying that it is.) What if a lot of the beliefs and understandings of the Island and its mythology are based on belief and not actual truth? Maybe this whole time MIB could have left, but he thought he couldn’t, so he didn’t try? (And he won’t try until all the candidates are dead.) I could see people especially complaining about answers in this episode amount to Mother saying “Because I said so,” but what if that is the answer?

Related to the last, what if when Jacob became the new protector, he learned all this (I would think he had to) and used it to his advantage? Knowing that MIB thought that he couldn’t leave and knowing that that’s the ONLY thing he wants, he was able to set up a game that he was able to rig to his own advantage. He gives MIB a list of 108 candidates that will come to the Island over however many years. He tells MIB that he cannot kill these candidates, but if they all die with no one taking Jacob’s place, MIB will win. However, this whole time, Jacob knows Ben will be the next Island protector, but has hidden this from MIB. So while MIB is trying to eliminate the last of the 108, Jacob is indirectly grooming Ben to replace him.

Is it significant that Mother is not given a name and that MIB is not given a name? Meaning, he is supposed to be (in Mother’s estimation) the one to succeed her but Jacob (who has a name) is the one who does. The truth is in the unknowing? Could all of these problems be arising because Jacob was never supposed to be the Island protector?

"We’re not strangers – we’re family."

So Jack is actually the hero then, right? That’s essentially what I came away with from last night’s episode. (Well, that and deep, deep sadness. And tears. And the night sweats.)

I’ve mentioned it many times before in previous weeks, but this season has done such a wonderful job of redeeming the character of Jack. When I rewatched the pilot before season 5 began, I remember being struck by how likeable Jack was and wondering what the show did to him. Then season 5 really did him no favors. But since this final season began, Jack’s been on the redemption train in both timelines, but especially on the Island.

I’m not sure that I have ever rooted for him more than I did last night. I almost got up and cheered after Jack said to MIB, “John Locke told me to stay” and then hit him with his gun into the water. That was teh awesome.

Then the scene on the sub between him and Sawyer was the most intense of a VERY intense episode. I was shaking my head, agreeing with Jack – willing Sawyer to listen – sitting on the edge of my seat, may hands clenched in fists, grabbing my hair. And when Sawyer pulled the wires, I knew what was going to happen, and I knew that death was coming. But still I wasn’t prepared for the madness that followed.

I am very sad to see Sayid go, but at the same time, I was happy that he died a hero’s death. I hope this means that he can move on and leave the Island; that he’s come to terms with the mistakes he’s made.

Sayid was probably my first favorite character on the show (and that title tends to change every few episodes). Even when he didn’t have much to do during certain seasons, I was always glad when he showed up. Between the innate coolness of Sayid as a character and Naveen Andrews’ always solid performance, I never disliked Sayid. And I’m sure that we will see Andrews again in the Sideways world, but I know that I’ll miss him on the Island. It’s not that I really thought Sayid would survive, because death was really the only way for him to redeem himself, but I’m still not really *happy* about it.

Did Lapidus die too? His reaction to the oncoming flood seemed to indicate that he thought he was going to die, and he looked to be clunked pretty hard on the head, but we never saw a body. If so, I’m sad to see him go too (and I’m not sure that we will see him again). I do wish they had found more for him to do this season, but even if it was just one quip or reaction shot a week, Jeff Fahey was always a welcome presence.

And then Sun and Jin. I’m glad that they were able to have their real reunion in the polar bear cages after their momentary embrace was interrupted by a cock-blocking Widmore. And that first scene in the cages was moving and touching and perfectly played by Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim (as usual). But then there was their second big scene – and that’s not one I’ll soon forget. It was equal parts Charlie’s death, Juliet being sucked into the hatch and Sun screaming when the Kahana exploded. But it was worse than all three of them. It was devastating, heartbreaking, and still, beautiful and poetic.

I truly thought at least one of them would survive – but at this point we don’t even know what survival means. Survival could just be a lifetime on the Island, and as much as that scene destroyed me last night (and I actually think I feel worse about it now), having them die together, holding each other’s hands – that actually may be the best ending for them. Sideways Keamy said that some people just aren’t meant to be together, but now Jin and Sun are together, and they always will be. Just thinking about him speaking to her in Korean for the last time gets me all teary. Damn this show for creating such indelible, realistic characters. Their ending may not be “happy” in the traditional sense – I mean Jin never even got to meet Ji Yeon – but they ended up together, and that might be enough for me.

--

So who’s left then? Desmond is alive according to Sayid. We didn’t see Widmore die, so he’s still on Hydra Island. I don’t remember seeing Zoe this week, but I didn’t miss her, so I’m happy to assume that MIB as Smokey got her. But some of Widmore’s goons are still around. Then there’s Richard, Ben and Miles – whereabouts unknown. MIB and Claire. Jack, Sawyer, Kate and Hurley made it to the beach. I guess that’s it on the Island, right?

So Widmore put them in the polar bear cages, presumably to prevent them from leaving. I’m still operating under the assumption that he’s against MIB, unless this was just part of an elaborate scheme concocted by MIB to gain their trust so they would kill each other and Widmore was his assistant. No, I still think Widmore is anti-MIB.

It’s worth noting how great Katey Sagal is – especially since she is equally as great on ‘Sons o f Anarchy’ and she plays a character there that has very little in common with Helen Norwood.

“You were flirting with my wife Rose when I was in the bathroom.” – Bernard. Good to see him again too. However, he seems to know more than he’s letting on (just like Rose).

Jack’s candy bar (an Apollo Bar, of course) didn’t get stuck in the machine. Does that mean Jack doesn’t need a “little push” because he’s where he needs to be?

Claire’s music box significance: It houses a mirror that Jack and Claire both saw their reflections in – and I saw some recognition in both of their eyes. Also it plays “Catch a Falling Star,” which has significance to Island Claire and Kate (and Aaron, obviously).

I thought that MIB switched bags with Jack (O’Quinn played that scene very suspiciously), so I saw his double cross coming.

Kate got shot! Yeah, I gasped out loud at that.

It’s worth mentioning again because it was so awesome: that Jack/Sawyer scene on the sub was fan-freakin-tastic.

“There is no Sayid!” Yeah, but it makes it more real when you say it out loud.

Locke’s confession to Jack about Anthony Cooper was rather moving, especially since it referred to one of the more despicable characters the show has given us. A nice small scene, played very well by O’Quinn and Fox. And that left us with “I wish you believed me.” Well yes, of course.

Hurley crying after he asked about Jin and Sun just about broke me. If no one else, at least Hurley has to get a happy ending, right? What bad did poor Hugo ever do?

“We’re not strangers – we’re family.” And to circle back to the title of this entry – if that quote doesn’t perfectly encapsulate the story of the characters of Lost, I don’t know what does. And that’s why, even after it’s over, the show will have staying power. I can go back to it years from now and remember this family of strangers that I’ve come to know, love, hate and love again. That’s why this show is so great. Before the season began, Darlton both said that they would be going back to the characters, a la season one. They have, and this season has been great for it. Even in episodes that were not as strong as others, there’s always the a few character moments that remind me why I love the show so much and why, no matter how they end it, I know I will love it.

So you mean to tell me Lost is NOT new next week?!?!?

So a whole lot happened this week, and it was so exciting, I forgot to take a lot of notes. So, I’m working from memory on this one, mostly.

For the first time, I really wanted to see more of the Sideways world than the Island world. Not that there wasn’t plenty to enjoy on the Island, but it just seemed like the Sideways had a higher potential for answers/intrigue.

So we discover on the Island that Smokey was always Christian. Which I find very interesting, considering that he appeared as Christian to Ben/Sun/Lapidus after he was already Locke last season. Does that mean his permanent appearance as Locke only began after Jacob died? Or was Ilana wrong and can he still change his face?

“He wasn’t a believer Jack, he was always a sucker.” – MIB on Locke (original flavor). That line made me very sad, and I may have uttered a whimper.

That said, the first scene between MIB and Jack was very awesometastic.

So in the Sideways world Sun recognizes/fears Locke. I found that VERY, very interesting, and wish we could have seen more of that.

“You look…great.” – Hurley to Claire. Oh, Hurley.

Sideways Sawyer/Kate scene in the police station had a very fun/playful vibe that I enjoyed. In fact, I found Kate to be very likeable in both worlds this week.

Sideways Ilana doesn’t have an accent. And my goodness, I have no idea what that means.

I love how Henry Ian Cusick is playing Desmond in both worlds. The scene with him and Sayid at the well was especially enjoyable - he even asked Sayid the exact right question. Maybe Sayid isn’t such an emotionless zombie after all. Maybe Hurley is right and Sayid and Claire can be saved, just like Anakin. (Of course, I’m assuming that Sayid did not shoot Des.)

Hey, it’s the Elizabeth! Good to see you again! It’s been what, 3 seasons since we saw that boat? Still looks like it’s in pretty good shape.

“We're going to ditch Locke. You, me, Jack, Sun, Hurley, and that pilot who looks like he stepped off the set of a Burt Reynolds movie.” And in a season of great lines for many different characters, coming from a character who has never had a shortage of great lines, THAT line just may be the GREATEST Sawyer line ever. Maybe. Also, Sawyer later referring to Lapidus as “Chesty,” was rather brilliant.

And since I mentioned that Kate was so likeable this week, the scene between her and Claire was another standout. And I do think I trust Claire now, and she has accepted Kate’s role as not malicious. I hope I’m right about that, because I do want Claire to be saved so she can have her reunion with Aaron.

I was so happy to see Sun and Jin reunite. It may have made me a bit teary, but that’s nothing compared to what my reaction will be if Jin is not able to keep his promise to her.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned my theory that there is a point of no return for both worlds and if they reach that point the Sideways world is irreversible. Now this next part of this, I cannot claim as my own theory, but I think it works well with this time element theory of mine: what if the little boy that is “haunting” MIB is Jacob reconstituting himself, and when he reaches adulthood, MIB is once again trapped?

All told, not my favorite episode of the season, but a solid outing, where a lot happened and we got some mythology questions answered/suggested. Also, good overall work from the cast, especially Matthew Fox and Henry Ian Cusick. Well, everybody except for the actress who plays Zoe. I really do not like her.

"Not wrong, just...off."

Feeling unmotivated today – and my mind’s a little blurry – so I think I’ll just (essentially) transcribe my notes from last night’s ep and maybe come back to it later. I actually quite liked the episode – especially all the Hurley/Libby stuff – but I just can’t find the motivation to devote a few hours to theories and other thoughts like I have the past few weeks. Maybe tomorrow.

The episode’s title, “Everybody Loves Hugo” is a callback to “Everybody Hates Hugo” in the same way earlier this season “What Kate Does” called back to “What Kate Did”

I knew that voice was Pierre Chang as soon as I heard it!

Very funny opening scenes that were quickly juxtaposed with Hurley on Boone Hill talking to Libby’s grave. Because I have been able to avoid looking at the guest starring credits when I watch the beginning of the episode, I wasn’t even sure that Cynthia Watros was going to appear. It was, in fact, very good to see her.

The whispers! And the return of Michael! Unfortunately, I read a headline the other day that Harold Perrineau was returning this week, so he was less of a surprise, even though I did not know in what capacity he was returning.

“You don’t remember me, do you?” – Libby. That line gave me the chills. Is it in moments of vulnerability that the Sideways people can see the Island world? If Libby is on some kind of meds at Santa Rosa, does that make it easier for her? When Hurley and Libby kissed, he saw the Island past – is that because he was so vulnerable at that moment?

Ilana references the outrigger again! More teasing!

My jaw literally hung open until the commercial break when Ilana blew up. I. Was. Shocked. Funny, because I thought she was going to be the one that was shot when they eventually get to the outrigger. Oh well. Definitely a “Holy shit!” moment though.

What was the book that Hurley picked up on the raft? And, continuing the visit to all the hallmarks of past seasons, of course we had to see the raft.

Desmond was #42 at Mr. Cluck’s. Of course he was.

The boy that MIB and Desmond saw – was that a different boy or an older version of the other boy? I actually thought that this boy looked quite a bit like the elder Jacob, but he had dark hair, so I dunno.

“Jacob says we have to talk to Locke.” – Hurley. Why does he trust Michael?

Love that Hurley is standing up to Richard and going with his gut.

Jack, continuing his character transformation: “I can’t ever fix it.” and “Maybe I’m supposed to let go.” Does this qualify as the second “Holy shit!” moment of the episode?

The Whispers are explained! And it makes perfect sense! Michael (and others) are stuck on the Island because of what he/they did – they can’t move on. Hey, the Island kinda IS like purgatory!

LOVE Hurley and Libby scenes, especially the beach scene, where they got to have the picnic that they never did on the Island. (At least Hurley remembered the blanket this time!)

“No, not wrong, just…off.” – Libby

The Hurley and Libby kiss was the third “Holy shit!” moments for me. That whole beach scene was just so well played by both Jorge Garcia and Cynthia Watros. Oh, and once again, all you need is love.

MIB brings Desmond to the well. Or is it just “a” well, since he seemed to indicate that there were many of them?

MIB throwing Des into the well was not unexpected because that’s what I thought would happen as soon as they got there. Does MIB just want to trap Des somewhere so he can’t interfere with his plans? It doesn’t seem like the best idea to throw Desmond (of all people) down a well that is likely over one of those pockets of energy. Is there a frozen donkey wheel down there too?

Sideways Desmond hitting Locke with his car was another odd development. I mean, I guess Des knows what he’s doing, but still, kinda weird. Is Sideways Locke really that dangerous?

A solid episode for sure, but it ventured into some weirdness at the end (even for Lost, I think) that either I’m not processing correctly or that we need more information to understand.

“I must have quite an effect on you.”

So after sitting with it overnight, I have reversed my stance from 2 weeks ago – last night’s Lost was the best of the season (so far). The only thing that was missing was Desmond saying “Cha-lee;” he only called him Mr. Pace, and that was slightly disappointing.

But, holy crap, everything else was fantastic. It’s like Darlton jumped into my head and wrote an episode that featured almost all of my favorite Lost characters: Desmond, Penny, Widmore, Faraday, Sayid (though briefly), Jin, Eloise Hawking, and Charlie. The only ones missing were Juliet, Ben and Sawyer. (And maybe Richard and Sun, but they don’t rank nearly as high as the others.) By the by, I think Charlie is the only character in any medium that I have ever encountered that my love for has grown exponentially after his death. I hated that little hobbit until the last two episodes of season 3, but I find that I remember Charlie fondly and love seeing him when he returns.

Yet another eye-shot to open the ep, this time it’s Desmond’s. Interesting that it wasn’t a sudden eye-open, as I think all of the other ones have been; it was slow and gradual. Don’t know if that means anything, it just struck me as odd.

Widmore actually seems contrite when talking to Desmond on the Island. This morning, I find my feet firmly in the “Widmore is a misunderstood good guy” camp.

The rabbit in the cage in the Hydra station: just a callback to rabbits of Lost yesteryear?

“Once this is over, I'm going to ask you to make a sacrifice.” – Widmore. I do hope that this sacrifice has nothing to do with Penny or little Charlie. I’m thinking however Lost ends, there will be tears, but Desmond has to have his real ‘happily ever after’ right?

The chair in the room reminded me of “Jacob’s” chair from the cabin. (And I put Jacob in quotes because I don’t think that that was ever Jacob’s cabin because I’m convinced that Ben has been played by MIB for a long time and Jacob’s cabin was a major part of this con.) And the room itself, when activated, reminded me A LOT of Dr. Manhattan from ‘Watchmen.’

Desmond has 2 his mirror shots: the first is at the airport when he’s looking at the arrivals chart and the second is in the door of the courthouse.

Minkowski! As always, I love seeing these old characters. It is too bad that (I think) Mr. Eko won’t be popping up. I never really loved the character like many others seemed to, but it would be nice to see him again.

In Widmore’s office, there was a painting of a scale on the wall. Another little joke planted by MIB? (There was also a boat that looked like the ‘Elizabeth’ on the wall.) And of course he’s drinking MacCutcheon. And that was a nice mirror for the last scene of Des and Widmore in Widmore’s office when he refused to give Des the whiskey.

“I saw the truth” - Charlie to Desmond during his speech about Claire and love. And it comes back to love again (for Faraday too). You can have everything you’ve ever wanted in the world, but if you don’t have that love, you aren’t complete. There will always be something missing for Sideways Charlie and Faraday, and this is the difference that Jacob has been arguing for. Wouldn’t you rather be dead having known love than alive with all the material possessions you could ever want, but with no possibility of ever being truly whole? As Desmond said last night (echoing many others throughout the season), “There’s always a choice, brutha.”

I have not been able to get “You All, Everybody” out of my head since last night.

The scene in the car gave me chills. From Charlie’s crazed look when he grabbed the wheel to my realization that it was the same marina where Des was shot by Ben to the “reenactment” of NOT PENNY’S BOAT, I was mesmerized by that scene.

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

So do they all have to die (or choose to die) in the Sideways world to set things right? Faraday (seemingly) did not have a near death moment when he had his crossover to the real world, but Juliet did see herself with Sawyer having coffee right before she died.

Hawking’s reaction to meeting Desmond was the opposite of a poker face.

Penny’s name on the guest list was Penny Milton. Is this a ‘Paradise Lost’ reference? (John Milton wrote PL.)

Three quotes from the enigmatic Eloise:
“What happened, happened.”
“You've managed to attain the thing you wanted more than anything”
“You’re not ready yet Desmond.”

Why does Hawking always know what’s what? Is she on the side of the dark or is she just selfish because her son dies in the real timeline? Could she be part of MIB’s plan and thus has full memories of both timelines? Maybe she is a guardian of this timeline, placed there by MIB to make sure that no one tries to change anything and as her reward, her son lives.

As much as I liked seeing Minkowski, seeing Faraday again (after being teased with the back of his head) was even better. His discussion of love at first sight and seeing Charlotte eating a chocolate bar made me smile.

Two choice quotes from Daniel Faraday (or Widmore, I suppose):
“And that’s when things got weird.”
“I don’t want to set off a nuclear bomb, Mr. Hume. I think I already did”

And, of course, the high-point of the episode for me was the “reunion” of Desmond and Penny. Most anytime those two share a screen, my tear ducts share tears with my eyeballs and this encounter did not disappoint. Reuniting at the stadium where they said goodbye before Desmond left on a boat trip (and where Des first met Jack), Sonya Walger showed in a few minutes how utterly wasted she is on FlashForward (and those commercials for FF annoyed me and made me glad that I stopped watching). Penny probably said it best herself: “I must have quite an effect on you.” Um, yes.

When Des went back into the limo after meeting with Penny, I was convinced that Hawking was going to be there. When she wasn’t, I was convinced that Minkowski was going to kill him. When he didn’t, I heaved a sigh of relief.

So is SidewaysWidmore pushing Des towards the true timeline by sending him to take care of Charlie (more synergy from the Island world!) or is he pushing him toward MIB’s ultimate goal because he sent him to Hawking, who clearly wears the pants in that (every) relationship?

I love Jacob (and I love the Man in Black too), but what this episode helped reinforce is that I love these characters most of all. When something as simple as a handshake between “strangers” can give me goosebumps, I think that the show is doing something very, very right. While the show may one day be able to be described (in the most simple terms possible) as the end of a long war between good and evil for the fate of humanity, the reason it will be remembered and rewatched will be because of all of these characters (even Kate!).

Theory of the week: Maybe Jughead was never meant to kill the castaways and reset time as they thought – maybe it was the release of energy that was important, and that energy was what MIB needed to “rewrite” the world. MIB knows the deepest desires of the castaways (because as the smoke monster, he can scan them) and gave them what they wanted so that they could go on living unaware of the truth. I’m guessing that there is a point of no return, after which the Sideways world cannot be undone. After they pass that point, MIB will win. Desmond, as ever, is special. He is there to end the Sideways before they reach that point.

Oh, and huzzah! the Sideways world is not an epilogue in advance. I never thought it was, and I’m glad that it definitely isn’t.

DESMOND!!!! (Jin and Sun, too, but...DESMOND!!!!)

A bit of a comedown from last week, but since I tend to really love Jin/Sun eps, this one really worked for me. Plus, we got some answers (the reveal of what was in the room on the sub may have been the quickest “important” reveal in the show’s history), some hints at answers and Jin made me tear up, so overall a very successful episode, I’d say.

So Sun and Jin are not married in the Sideways world. This was hinted in “LA X” when Sun was addressed as “Ms. Paik,” and while at first I was sad that they weren’t married, I changed my tune by the end of the episode.

“I don’t feel anything.” – Sayid. And then MIB replied that it will help him get through what’s coming. That was sufficiently creepy and unsettling for me. Still very worried about the ultimate fate of Mr. Jarrah.

“I’m going to find my wife.” Good for Jin; too bad he was interrupted so soon. I like when the characters take initiative and don’t sit around bemoaning their fate (kinda like what’s happened to Sun since she came back to the Island). So I’m glad that when he got his chance, Jin was going to go and get what he wanted. Oh well.

Sun’s garden! I am loving these callbacks to past seasons, and I was especially happy to see Sun back in her garden.

LOVED seeing Jin and Sun together in Sideways world, and Sun standing up for herself. Seems like much more of an equal relationship. Even though I still think that the Sideways world will be rendered null and void, I’ll take this happiness for now.

Sun’s pause in front of the mirror before opening the hotel room door – it looked like she saw something. Could she have seen her Island self? Could she have “flashed” to it? Does Sun start speaking Korean because part of her consciousness shifted from the Sideways world at this point?

Room 23! We finally (definitively) know its true purpose: the Dharma Initiative used it for subliminal messaging. I guess that means that the Others just bogarted it and changed it to suit their needs (“Jacob loves you”).

“We’re taking the outrigger.” (Now they’re just teasing me!) But interestingly, MIB cannot turn into the back smoke to get over to Hydra Island. This lead to this exchange: MIB: “Do you think, if I could do that, I would still be on this island?” Sawyer: “No, because that would be ridiculous!” And that’s my winner for quote of the night, mostly for Josh Holloway’s delivery.

MIB is 3 people short of getting off the Island. Why does he need everyone to leave? So there’s officially no one to replace Jacob? Then he lies to Claire about her name being on the cave wall. And he lies about Kate’s name not being there too. (But I’m just assuming Kate’s name is there because her name was on the dial at the lighthouse.) Can he only leave with the candidates? I’m really not sure what to make of any of this.

“I feel like I’m in a damn Godzilla movie.”- Keamy. I love Keamy.

Mikhail! Finally my attempts to ignore the guest starring credits pay off with an actual surprise!

“Some people just aren't meant to be together.” – Keamy. I certainly hope that this is not foreshadowing. If it is, I will not be happy.

“Why won’t you believe me?” – Ben “Because you’re speaking.” – Ilana (A close second for quote of the night, but Holloway’s delivery wins out.)

Jin and the digital camera pictures of Ji Yeon. Beautifully played by Daniel Dae Kim. Really moving, and as I said before, it brought tears to my eyes.

Whose side is Widmore on anyway? Are we just so hardwired to believe that he’s always been a baddie that I have such a hard time accepting that he’s on Jacob’s team? (I keep wondering if he’s being played by MIB somehow.) But then, there’s this quote to Jin (that I rewatched about 20 times so I could get the whole thing): “I know that what you want – more than anything – is to be reunited with your wife and daughter. But it would be short-lived. If that thing masquerading as John Locke ever got off this Island, all of it – your wife, your daughter, my daughter, everyone we know and love – would simply cease to be. And I came here to make sure that doesn't happen.”

“The package from the submarine” It was at this point I started repeating “Desmond, Desmond, Desmond” over and over in my head. (Like “Candyman” or Beetlejuice,” but more Scottish.)

Jin shot Mikhail in the right eye! Damn, that dude can’t catch an (ocular) break!

Sun pregnant in Sideways! And after Mikhail got off his two shots, I already knew where they landed, but that didn’t make her reveal any less heartbreaking. Very Whedonesque: happy reunions can only last for so long. Once again, this better not be foreshadowing.

Jack continues his awesomeness with his beach scene with Sun (Speaking of Whedonesque, the pad made me think of “Hush.”) Seriously though, this transformation of Jack is one of the things that is working out so well this season for me.

And, of course, there’s the capper to the episode: DESMOND!!!! (All CAPS and four exclamations necessary.) I think that the show has kept him away long enough since we are now on the back 9. I expect that he plays a big part in the rest of the season, but really would have had nothing to do if we saw him earlier. So while I did miss him, I’m glad that the show didn’t just have him there because DESMOND!!!! is awesome. (Even though he really is.)

And DESMOND!!!! is what brings me to my latest thoughts on the Sideways world. So good ol’ Chuck told Jin that MIB leaving is bad. And it seems, from my perspective at least, that there have been a few suggestions that the Sideways world is the world that exists should MIB escape. So, let’s assume that both these things are true. Let’s also assume that Widmore has some knowledge of the actual Sideways world and he needs to use Des as a tool to “course correct” and eliminate the Sideways world.

I’ve mentioned in the past that I think there will be a merge of the two worlds at some point. What if Des has to be used in the Sideways world to bring about this merge? We already know that he is “uniquely, miraculously special” (so sayeth Daniel Faraday). And we now know that Zoey was recruited by Widmore to explore the spots on the Island with energy pockets (like the one under the Swan). What if she is there to make Des go all wonky again, but this time instead of him traveling to his past, he travels to the Sideways world to guide the candidates? We saw him on Oceanic 815 in “LA X,” maybe we will start seeing him in the Sideways world more after his role gets spelled out by Charles Widmore.

This is all assuming, of course, that Widmore is working in Jacob’s best interest. Perhaps Jacob has a “loophole” of his own that will allow him to destroy/permanently trap MIB. Oh, I don’t know, my theories change every week. At least I was right about DESMOND!!!!

Since the beginning..

After having the night to think about it, I don’t think that “Ab Aeterno” is my favorite Lost episode ever, but I do think that it is my favorite season 6 episode so far. This is coming from a season where I have genuinely liked every ep, and while some stand above others (“The Substitute,” “Dr. Linus”), this one really rises above even those.

I try not to read any other reactions of the episode before I write my own reactions – saying pure and what not, but I do go on Twitter, so I usually do see knee-jerk reactions right after the ep airs. And while this week, the reaction has been pretty uniformly positive, the one complaint that I noticed (and I’m sure I will read more as the day goes on) is that it was all too predictable. And I agree with that – there was nothing that completely surprised me last night. But I will say that though predictable has a poor connotation, I don’t always view it as a bad thing. Yes, I saw where the story was headed when we met Richard’s sick wife – it was pretty clear, given all we’ve been told about him, that he was going to end up on the Black Rock as a slave and that would take him to the Island. At least for me, though, watching it all happen didn’t make it any less enthralling. For years now, I’ve wanted to see Richard’s story and even though it played out in a way that didn’t shock me, I don’t think that Lost always has to offer shocking twists and turns to deliver a good episode. I mean, there’s really only so much they could do, and to throw in an artificial twist just for the sake of shocking the audience would be more detrimental than playing it safe (if eternal beings living on a supernatural island that can heal the sick and grant everlasting life is “playing it safe,” that is.)

And now it sounds like I’m getting defensive over an episode that I really loved. (And that’s why I really shouldn’t read reactions before writing this stuff.) Anyway, onto my non-defensive thoughts…

Another eye-shot to open the episode, this time it’s Ilana’s. We saw this first scene in last year’s finale already. Who or what exactly is Ilana? I have no idea if we will get an Ilana ep before the end, but I certainly hope that we learn more about her sooner rather than later either way. Are there more people like her that are tasked with protecting the Island? Why is she so special that Jacob visits her? Why does she know Richard as Ricardus? Is she immortal too? Maybe she’s Jacob’s off-Island Richard?

Jacob tells her that there are 6 candidates left to protect. I would like a definitive answer if Kate is one of them or not. “Austen” was written in the lighthouse, so I’m guessing yes. That would also mean that this meeting occurred after Ben killed Locke, thus negating Locke’s status as a candidate, because with Locke and Kate, that would make 7 candidates. (Jack, Sawyer, Hurley, Jin/Sun, Sayid and Kate)

Thought Richard’s laugh (when they asked him what to do) was pretty amusing.

While it should have been obvious to me (later in the ep, of course) that Hurley was talking to Richard’s wife when they were on the beach, I actually didn’t put 2+2 together, so that was a nice mini-surprise.

When in his cell, the Bible verse Richard was reading was Luke 4:24: “I tell you the truth…no prophet is accepted in his own country.” I know that the Christian imagery was especially heavy last night, but I’m usually one to generally overlook that. (And I think that much of the imagery last night can be explained away as being told through the lens of a clearly religiously devout man.) I don’t really think that Jacob is God/Jesus/an angel and MIB is the devil/a demon, so I don’t think that this line really points to Richard being a prophet of God, but more points to Jacob’s influence on the Island.

The name Widfield (as in the guy who bought Richard from the priest) sounds awfully close to Widmore.

A Magnus Hanso mention! Seeing the Black Rock on the stormy seas! (Does this mean that the ship that Jacob/MIB saw in last year’s finale was not the Black Rock, or that the storm just popped up as storms tend to pop up on and around Craphole Island?)

The shot of Tawaret in the storm was chillingly awesome. (“El Diablo!”)

When Widfield started killing everyone on the Black Rock, I’m guessing that he was “infected” much like Rousseau’s crew. (And Claire/Sayid?)

Speaking of the “infection,” could “infection” = the inverse of Jacob’s blessing? Those that are infected are overcome by MIB’s darkness? If the whole point of this game is for Jacob to prove to MIB that in the fight between good and evil in people, good will ultimately win, could the infected just be those who are too weak to overcome the evil? I’ll briefly mention love later, but it is interesting that Claire and Sayid have lost their loves (Aaron/Nadia) and are infected, and Rousseau was not infected when the rest of her crew was because she had the love of Alex. That would also make Sawyer a logical target for MIB, since he lost Juliet.

Was MIB not allowed to kill Richard? Was he a potential candidate? Or did Jacob bring him to the Island because he needed a consigliere?

When Isabella appeared to Richard on the Black Rock, that was MIB as her, right? (I’m guessing that the smoke “read” Richard earlier when it was killing everyone else.)

Titus Welliver sounded more like Terry O’Quinn as MIB than I remember. And man, he and Mark Pellegrino are commanding presences whenever they are on-screen.

The knife that MIB gives Richard is the knife that Dogen gave Sayid (and the conversation sounded identical to my ears.) So did the knife do something to Locke/MIB or is this all part of their game and it’s inconsequential?

MIB and Ricardo’s conversation is identical (or nearly identical) to the one that Locke/MIB had with Richard earlier this season.

Everything from the moment that Jacob arrived was absolutely riveting. In that way, it was the opposite reaction I had to last week’s ep. This one started out good and interesting and ended Amazing. (Capital ‘A’ intentional.)

Jacob’s bottle of wine – so if the Island is the stopper, is there more evil in the sideways world that we just haven’t seen yet? Will we see, say in Hurley’s sideways world, that things that seemingly are good (like winning the lotto and having good luck) are not truly good, but are just masking the evil? Since this was the midpoint of the season, I wonder if the sideways world stories to come will illustrate more of the bad rather than the good, to mirror the first half of the season.

“If you don't, he will.” – Richard to Jacob about MIB interfering with people’s lives. I think that after hearing this, Jacob reached a turning point. Richard helped him realize that if he just sat idly by, no progress would be made – anyone he brought to the Island would be influenced by MIB and they would die with no resolution of Jacob/MIBs dispute.

I would not be surprised, based on how initially antagonistic Jacob was to Richard, if this was the first human that Jacob had actually encountered. Lucky for Jacob, it was one who truly is good. Not coincidentally, it was a man who had experienced love. As the show has shown us so many times, it’s not the powers of the Island that make people do good; it’s the love that one character has for another. And that’s the one thing that, no matter what he may say, MIB does not understand.

This is how I kinda see it now: Whatever/Whoever Jacob and MIB are, they have this disagreement. Jacob thinks people are by and large good, MIB thinks people are sinners. They agree that Jacob will draw people to the Island to test this theory. MIB wants to leave the Island and Jacob dead, but is stuck and cannot kill him. Jacob just wants to be vindicated. When Richard arrived, I think Jacob realized how trapped he was too and how he truly wanted this all to end.

The entire episode was a perfect blend of a mythology and stand-alone story for one of the most mysterious characters that Lost has offered us.

We got concrete answers to a number of questions: Richard does not age because he asked Jacob for immortality. The statue crumbled because the storm caused the Black Rock to crash into it. (Though I’m guessing that it had more to do with the tsunami-like waves than just the ship.) Also, the symbolism of the statue falling when Richard arrives reinforces my thoughts that his arrival was truly THE turning point in Island history. The Black Rock is in the middle of the jungle because of the storm. We now know that this game that Jacob and MIB are playing truly is about human nature and not just some fun between two omnipresent gods using our characters as pawns. We finally get true resolution that all of the past character action was not orchestrated by Jacob. He believes in free will. And that certainly makes me feel better about where the show is going.

Finally, I have my requisite ‘holy crap that actor totally sold the episode for me” moment. However, this time the praise deserves to be heaped on a little heavier. When Richard first showed up in season 3, I called Nestor Carbonell Batmanuel (because all I really knew him from was the live action version of The Tick). It’s not that I ever really thought he was bad (on The Tick or otherwise) but I guess I used the nickname cuz he wasn’t really distinctive enough to be anybody but Batmanuel. Last night though, but he carried this episode like we’ve seen Michael Emerson/Terry O’Quinn/Josh Holloway do. He sold everything from his time on the Canary Islands to his moment with Isabella/Hurley. (And of course, there was that awesome laugh of desperation from the opening scene on the beach.)

All and all, an all-time great episode to rank along my favorites (“The Constant,” “Walkabout,” “LaFleur,” and “Through the Looking Glass,” off the top of my head) and certainly the best of season 6.

Last night this episode was 'meh.' Today it's 'Meh!'

So I thought last night’s Lost had a really strong first half (maybe 2/3s) and a somewhat weak last half (or 1/3). So my notes are so sparse because I was so engrossed by the beginning and unimpressed/really didn’t have much to say about the end.

However, that’s not to say it was bad. After all, while not my favorite episode, it did offer the return of Josh Holloway (who, of course was great) and we saw some fine, fine acting by Evangeline Lilly as well. (Seriously, her stuff on the Island was fantastic.) Onto my notes…

SidewaysSawyer’s code word is ‘LaFleur.’

He’s looking for the real Anthony Cooper. Are we to assume that he still killed someone in Australia? (I’m thinking not.) Are we to assume that Sawyer still equals Locke’s dad? (I’m thinking he has to, but the truth is still hidden from SidewaysLocke.)

How creeptastic was Claire randomly holding Kate hand? (Very.)

When Miles sets Sawyer up on a blind date and says that she “works at the museum with my Dad.” Does that mean Pierre Chang got off the Island too? Who DIDN’T get off the Island?

There’s that missing outrigger that Sawyer takes to Hydra Island. Closer and closer to finding out who the time-travelers were shooting at last season (in ‘The Little Prince’).

Sawyer being sent by MIB to check out the Ajira plane and do recon could mean that MIB, not Jacob, ordered Ben to build that runway. (And my theory that Ben was always working for MIB but didn’t know it looks more plausible.)

Charlotte is still an archeologist. I wonder if she’s still looking for the Island?

SidewaysSawyer on why he is a cop: “I got to a point in my life when I was gonna choose criminal or cop – and I chose cop.” But what makes this life different? He is obviously still obsessed with finding Anthony Cooper; he still wants revenge. Did he never write his letter to the real Sawyer in this timeline? (Because Jacob wasn’t there to give him the pen.) Will he never be able to get over his thirst for revenge because of this? Could the explanation of the timelines simply be that this is what would have happened to their lives without Jacob’s influence?

I’m not sure that Sawyer had a good way of handling this grief – in either timeline it always leads to obsession. Is this the flaw that he must overcome? Interesting that those in MIB’s camp – Sawyer, Sayid, Kate – have not overcome their issues in the Sideways stories. (Not sure about Claire yet.) And Jack and Ben, who are in Jacob’s group, have overcome some of their issues to find peace.

Watership Down on Sawyer’s dresser. Kate’s dress still in the polar bear cages. Sawyer watching ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ Some nice callbacks. (Though many insist they are trash, I still kinda like the 6 episode pod that began season 3.)

And because the ep had a few unsettling moments, how about Sayid just sitting there while Claire attacked Kate?

Liam’s appearance caught me by surprise. That was fun.

“I am not a dead man.”/”My mother was crazy.”/”Problems that could have been avoided had things been different.” – MIB. I’ll chalk these up to intriguing quotes right now and revisit them when I have an actual theory on what they mean. But at least the castaways aren’t the only ones with parental issues.

I’m also wondering if MIB already knew about Team Widmore and just sent Sawyer away to get rid of him, knowing that Claire would react badly to being around Kate, and without Sawyer there to protect her, MIB could “protect” her and would have some one-on-one bonding time with Kate.

Widmore’s team is setting up pylons! Do they want to keep MIB out or trap him in?

What’s in the locked room on the sub? Desmond? Penny? Both?

Widmore did not know about MIB as Locke. Interesting, and makes me think even more that he’s on Jacob’s team. (I shall not use the phrase “Team Jacob.”)

You know, after writing all this stuff down, it seems to me that I actually did really like this ep, but compared with last week’s awesomeness, it was a bit of a let down. The beginning is still much stronger than the end (because I saw Sawyer’s re-re-con coming and also because as soon as we saw someone running, I knew it would be Kate), but still a solid ep.

Dr. Linus, I presume

Just notes this week, no intro:

Ben teaching class and discussing “the island” (of Elba) was a bit too heavy-handed for my liking, what with the exiled, powerless dictator who might as well have been dead.

However later in the staff lounge, Locke and Ben shared a look not unlike the one that Jack and Kate shared in “LA X,” which I found quite intriguing.

Interesting that Ben seemed to know Dogen and Lennon so well.

After Miles reads (the best description I can think of for what he does) the ash, Ilana states that Jacob was the closest thing she had to a father (and Miles hilariously comments “Uh oh!”). Ilana seems to know a good deal more than ANYONE else on the Island right now (save MIB). I wonder since she too is (seemingly) protected by Jacob’s touch, why she isn’t a candidate also. Her crying over Jacob’s ashes later on (before the reunion scene) does reinforce Jacob’s goodness for me.

Miles has been used so sporadically this season, it was nice to see excellent extended use of him. He got off at least half dozen great lines throughout and made a Nikki/Paolo reference, which was just fantastic. I think he called them ‘jabronies’ which makes it even better. (I couldn’t make out the word exactly, but that’s what I heard.)

Roger Workman! Nice to see you again! Also, it’s nice to see that you made peace with your son. He may think life would have been better with Dharma, but I was very happy to see Ben and his father getting along.

Alex! I certainly did not expect to see her at Dr. Linus’ door.

As soon as Richard showed up, this episode went from entertaining and interesting to OMFG. (And for me to use such an acronym in my notes must mean something.) Absolutely EVERYTHING with Richard was awesome.

“I lied.” – Richard (That just made me laugh.)

“Something I need to do…to die.” So we visit the Black Rock again, and we get (further) confirmation that that is how Richard came to the Island.

“Jacob gave me a gift” Jacob touched Richard and gave him immortality. Did Richard have to be party to this act to make it so? Does this explain the names/numbers? A master list of all the people that Jacob has touched? When I rewatched “Lighthouse,” I noticed that ‘Dawson’ was on the list and we know that Michael was not able to kill himself – no matter how hard he tried. I wonder when Harold Perrineau appears if it will be a flashback to when Jacob touched him.

“Now let’s talk.” Well, damn Jack, there’s the hero that you were always supposed to be! I can get behind this Jack and actually root for him. That’s probably the best moment Jack Shephard has ever had on the show.

And Nestor Carbonell really did some great work in these scenes, showing us the desperation of a man at the end of his rope. He’s all out of faith and feels like he’s made some horrific choices to get him to where he is now. (Actually, now that I write that, he strikes me as a more interesting Jack.)

“Pretty lascivious stuff” – Ben to the principal. Don’t get a lot of ‘lascivious’ in everyday conversation, and Ben is probably the only person on the show that could pull it off without me crying BS.

When Ben walks into the principal’s office and looks at his nameplate, I was ready to give up on him. If he had thrown Alex under the bus (again), there really was no saving Benjamin Linus.

I now will reproduce two different quotes spoken by Ben in his confrontation scene with Ilana:

“I had a chance to save her, but I chose the Island over her - all in the name of Jacob. I sacrificed everything for him, and he didn't even care. Now, I stabbed him. I was so angry, confused. I was terrified that I was about to lose the only thing that had ever mattered to me - my power - but the thing that really mattered was already gone. I don't expect you to forgive me because I can never forgive myself.”

(When Ilana asks why he would go with MIB) “Because he’s the only one that will have me.”

And I reproduce those lines because written as they are, I think they come off a bit cheesy. However, in the hands of Michael Emerson, they actually become moving and had an impact. I feel like every week, I gush about a different actor on the show, but when you have a show so full of quality actors, it’s hard not to. And since this was Ben’s episode, how could I not discuss the genius that is Michael Emerson?

Once again, I found myself rooting for SidewaysBen, even though I really should have no investment there. He’s at peace with Roger, he helps provide Alex with a better life, and although he seems like a bit of a cranky fussbudget, he genuinely seems happy in a way that IslandBen never has been. It was his father that was really wistful about the Island, not Ben. Ben seemed more at peace, no matter how snarky he was.

And so, with Ilana’s offer, we take the first real steps toward IslandBen’s redemption. I am pleased that he (presumably) will find some redemption/peace and that he has chosen (presumably) the side of good, but sad that I am 99% certain that it will end with his death.

Oh, and before I finish: Widmore’s on the sub!

Is this the person coming to the Island that Jacob was talking about? (I’m guessing yes and I’m still hoping Des is with him.) If so, does that mean that Widmore was “good” all along? This conclusion is colored by my assumption that Jacob wants/needs the person that he referenced in “Lighthouse.” Maybe this isn’t the case, and Widmore is just another piece of the puzzle and Jacob was just stating that someone was coming to the Island. I hope we find out next week.

Well that was exciting...

Some follow-up to last week’s ep first:

When I rewatched, I realized that Jacob says that “they” were coming to the Island, not “he.” I wonder if this was just intentionally incorrect English designed to not give any clues or if multiple people need to find the Island. If so, I wonder if he meant the Sideways versions of those that he touched in “The Incident.”

Also, when rewatching the lighthouse scene, I noticed some other interesting names that I missed the first time: Rousseau at 20; Austen at 51; Dawson at 124; and, of course, Wallace at 108 (though I had actually read that before I rewatched). Who knows what that means (if anything) for Kate and #108.

So onto “Sundown”

Funnily enough, before watching, I assumed that this would be a Jin/Sun ep because of the punny-ness of the title.

That Dogen/Sayid fight at the beginning of the ep reminded me of the awesomeness of the Sayid/Keamy fight from back in Season 4. Sayid/Keamy still wins, but Sayid/Dogen was still pretty, pretty good.

The significance of the baseball. I wonder if it fell as a sign from Jacob to remind Dogen of his role.

“Apparently, I’m evil.” – Sayid to Miles

“You were dead for 2 hours.” – Miles. I gotta wonder what he heard in that time (if anything).

The second scene between Sayid and Dogen was very intense. Sayid put on his bad ass pants for this episode.

Dogen calls MIB “evil incarnate.” That seems a bit extreme, no? Everything on ‘Lost’ is shades of gray.

When Dogen tells Sayid that MIB will appear to him as someone who has died, does he know that he can no longer change his face (as Ilana said)? Is Ilana wrong? Or does it not matter because he was lying to him anyway?

“Now why’d you go and do that?” Oh, UnLocke, you crazy bastard. And that’s when I realized that Dogen sent Sayid to be killed by MIB.

“You stabbed me in the chest without even saying ‘Hello.’”

And now I’m wondering if the Sideways world is what happens if MIB wins. Perhaps he (it) creates it and it’s the wishes of the castaways granted. (Jack does not become his father; Kate reunites Claire and Aaron; Nadia is alive; Locke is with Helen and has found peace; Dogen is with his son) Of course, we’re probably heading to it not turning out to be exactly what everyone wanted if this is the case.

When Malkin, the psychic that Claire went to see in Season 1, told her that Aaron must not be “raised by another,” could this be the vision that he saw? (A crazy, dirty, maybe dead version of Claire trapped in a hole, as someone else says that she raised Aaron.) Or maybe he saw/felt the Sideways world and knew that it was “not right?”

Sayid doesn’t deserve Nadia. Is this the point of his Sideways story? He needs her to be happy (and alive), but he has to come to terms with his past before he can deserve her.

Damn, Keamy (Kevin Durand) is still awesome. It was good to see him again. Durand is ginormous, but he’s not just imposing because of his size. His size makes him seem dangerous, but his performance adds a bit of psychosis that make lines like “I make good eggs!” equal parts creepy, funny and (actually) believable.

I’m liking that these Sideways stories are bringing everyone together. Sayid is with Jin; Claire was with Kate and will soon be with Jack (I assume); Locke has contact with Jack, and I gotta wonder if Locke is the key to the Sideways world because of his importance in the Island world.

Dogen’s story about his son dying and his deal with Jacob reminded me of Juliet and her sister Rachel being cured of cancer because she came to the Island.

And the intensity and general awesomeness of the final scenes in the Temple can’t really be overstated. I don’t know if I’m supposed to, but I love DarkSayid and his killing of Dogen and cold-blooded throat slashing of Lennon was great.

Kudos to Naveen Andrews, who was great in both timelines, but especially in his final scenes. His response to Ben telling him that there was still time to escape (“Not for me”) was genuinely frightening.

Additional Random Thought:
So I don’t even know why I thought of this, but what if the Island’s healing power is why those that have died have come back to life? Maybe the healing comes from MIB, not Jacob. It may seem good, but it’s really just a way for MIB to show his power and exert his influence. Locke can walk again when he’s on the Island, but he’s not complete the way he is in the Sideways world off the Island. This could also explain Ben’s tumor: if Ben was (whether knowingly or not) working for MIB, Jacob could have given him the tumor and then brought Jack, the spinal surgeon to the Island. Honestly, all these conclusions make more sense in my head than when I write them out.

I certainly hope that I will be watching Lost in its regular Bat-time on its regular Bat-channel next week. Cablevision is threatening to take it away and that would upset me more than Smokey when he’s gone wild.

Through the looking glass

So before I get to last night’s awesome episode, something occurred to me in regard to the castaway’s “candidate” status. Could that be the reason that Richard asked young Locke (and I’m paraphrasing because I don’t want to look it up) “Which of these items belong to you already?” I know Richard claimed no knowledge of candidates when captured by MIB, but maybe he was sent on a trip by Jacob and that’s what he was told to ask Locke.

Anyway, onto ‘Lighthouse’…

Jack’s appendectomy scar – just another way these 2 worlds are colliding. No coincidence that he noticed it in the mirror (or the looking glass…) just as he noticed the cut on his neck in “LA X.”

David as proxy for Christian. Jack coming to terms with his son and working out their unresolved issues is how the sideways world will help ‘heal’ Jack. Essentially, Jack is making peace with Christian via David.

Tic Tac Toe. Miles hasn’t had a lot to do this year, but when he has, he’s brought the funny.

When David was listening to music, I immediately though that it was Driveshaft, but I guess not!

“Someone is coming to the Island. I need you to help him find it” – Jacob to Hurley. Is Jacob talking about Desmond? Pleeeeease let it be Desmond!

“Why don’t YOU go back to the courtyard?” – Hurley to Dogen. My favorite of the many funny quotes that came from Hugo, who was very funny throughout this ep.

“You have what it takes.” – originally presented to us in Jack’s flashbacks in ‘White Rabbit’ (S1, E5). Christian said that to be a successful surgeon, you have to have what it takes and Jack didn’t have what it takes. Interestingly, ‘Lighthouse’ is episode 5 of season 6 and David is reading “Alice in Wonderland” which also hearkens to ‘White Rabbit’ (not to mention all the mirror-related events in this episode).

“First my father told me, then my friend.” – My one complaint about the episode was that the Claire scenes were a bit repetitive after a while. (Though they all lead to a great end.) However, each time she said it, Emilie de Ravin delivered the words “my friend” with the perfect amount of off-kilter crazy, so it was worth it for that, plus the ending.

Everything about Jack and Hurley’s visit to the cave was intense and fantastic, from finding Shannon’s inhaler, to seeing Adam & Eve again, to Matthew Fox’s performance. Favorite scene in the episode.

“Welcome all candidates.” On the poster for David’s recital. Too on-the-nose or funny little joke? I’m leaning more towards the latter.

During the recital, I kept hoping that David didn’t look up and see Jack and thus bomb his audition. I think that means that I like the sideways technique, in that I care about a character that probably doesn’t really exist.

Dogen off Island? Say whaaaaaaaaaaa? “It's hard to watch and be unable to help.” Dogen says in reference to their kids, but could he be referring to himself and others (Desmond, maybe the dead like Charlie, Boone and Helen) watching candidates in sideways story?

Lighthouse numbers same as cave numbers with names. Only thing I clearly saw besides Jack’s house was Korea, where Sun and Jin were married.

Mirrors in lighthouse mirror mirrors in sideways world. Through the lighthouse mirrors, Jack saw a home that is the root of all his issues. Not coincidentally, in the sideways world, we saw a Jack who is overcoming those issues. If SidewaysJack is developing physical connections to IslandJack (when he looks in the mirror), might IslandJack overcome his long-standing emotional/personal issues because SidewaysJack is overcoming them?

I think Jacob knows that this is truly the end. Not only is he running out of names (obviously), but he knew that Jack would destroy the lighthouse, and he wanted it to happen. But I was damn curious what they would have seen at 108°.

Now all candidates (but Sayid) are out of the Temple, which has me worried for Miles. Especially because Jacob doesn’t want them there. (“Someone’s coming – someone bad.”) But if Sayid is “infected,” why did Jacob want him there in the first place? Were they actually too late as I postulated last week?

“That’s not John, this is my friend.” I wonder if Claire sees MIB’s true face when she looks at Locke. (Whether that’s Titus Welliver or not, I don’t know.)

Matthew Fox was really great throughout the ep, and even with his issues, I’m still feeling the Jack love this season.

Equally fantastic was Emilie de Ravin, who at times seemed lucid and normal, but did not let us forget that she’s a bit crazy with line reading like the last line of the episode. And if you need anymore proof that MIB is the real bad guy, he took poor, innocent Claire and turned her into a crazy-pants who shoves an axe in a random dude’s chest.

And also Terry O’Quinn, who really had little to do this week because he only showed up at the end, made the most of his few seconds by freaking me out just by the look in his eyes when he looked at Jin.

What this episode really did for is reinforce my thoughts on the Sideways universe. I think that is not an alternate timeline or a future timeline (I’ve read that theory in places, and it makes no sense to me) or even a chance to redo things the castaways did wrong in their lives. All of those options make the Sideways world less valid to me. Instead I think that it is completely valid and completely real, in that it will help heal the psyches of the candidates, so they can eventually defeat MIB. Much like the Island physically heals people, this world has been created by the Island to psychologically heal them.

Helen! Rose! Ben Linus as a teacher! Answers!!!!!

Well, I liked last week’s ep, but there really is no comparing it to this week’s superlative entry.

Terry O’Quinn elevates just about every scene he’s in, no matter what character he is playing and who is acting opposite him. When he happens to share scenes with actors like Josh Holloway and Michael Emerson, however, it really doesn’t matter what’s going on, because it’s bound to be awesome.

Anyway, onto my episode notes:

Locke’s dad is going to the wedding? Locke is still in a wheelchair, so either he hurt himself in some other fashion or he’s lying about his relationship with his dad to Helen. They seem to be in a much better place (obviously) and even when he confesses to lying about the walkabout, she doesn’t seem to care about the lie, so I have to think that he’s being more open with her. I wonder if we’ll revisit his relationship with his dad in the sideways world.

That Smokey POV shot was pretty awesome.

Rose! I love no-nonsense Rose. Too bad she still has cancer.

Ben is a teacher!!

“He’s recruiting.” Is MIB recruiting so that none of the candidates say yes to Jacob or because there will be some battle between light and dark? Because I feel like the easiest way to eliminate the candidates is to kill them. Or let them choose to die, if that falls within the ‘rules.”

The little kid says something to MIB about the “rules,” referenced by Ben in the past. He also says to MIB: “You can’t kill him.” Is this Kid Jacob and is the “him” Sawyer?

Source of the ash to keep Smokey out = Jacob’s ashes. How many times has he died? Is that what he means by “It only ends once.” He can die multiple times, but it only ends when a worthy candidate takes his place.

So MIB was human? Jacob too? Maybe the rules were set when they were kids. MIB says to Sawyer that he has loved. Maybe he’s referring to Jacob: MIB loved Jacob and Jacob loved MIB. But they had different outlooks on life and humanity. So they placed a bet on humanity to prove who is actually right.

Ilana says that MIB is stuck with Locke’s visage and can’t change his face. Did something similar happen with Christian? Then how to explain Kate’s horse/Yemi? Maybe it’s more permanent now because of the loophole?

Great Ben reaction shot when Ilana asks if anyone wants to say anything when they buried Locke.

Also great eulogy by Ben and reaction from Lapidus.

When MIB and Sawyer were climbing down the cliff, for a very brief second, I thought Sawyer was a goner.

Black & white stones on scale. (Inside Joke!) Could Adam and Eve be incarnations of Jacob and MIB?

All the names in cave had numbers: 4 = Locke; 8 = Hurley; 15 = Sawyer; 16 = Sayid; 23 = Jack; 42 = Jin/Sun. What about Kate? Could she be 108? Is she not one of the numbers? Is it a gender thing? Can a candidate only be a man? (Then 42 = Jin)

Jacob has been pushing these people to the Island throughout their lives, but I’m guessing the choice will play a big part in how each of their stories end.

Better late than never...

Didn’t get to do this last week, but thought I’d type up my notes on “What Kate Does” just because I wrote them and I may want to read this over someday…

Kate recognized Jack at the airport! (And there was that weird transition noise when she did.)

Mac!

Test to make sure that Sayid isn’t Smokey?

He failed? Does pain = fail or reaction to pain inflicted = fail?

Torture scene reminded me of The Princess Bride.

Infected = the sickness that Rousseau (and Jin) witnessed?

Why can’t the Others ever answer questions. Is this part of Jacob’s rules that they have to get to the destination on their own? (Except for the ‘pushes’ he gives them.)

Hurley: “You’re not a zombie, right?” Sayid: “No, I am not a zombie.”

Characters are very likeable this year, especially Jack.

The events in the sideways universe are happening in a similar way.

Dr. Goodspeed??? Ethan!!!

Scene with Ethan and the Aaron exclamation was first-rate. (“Is Aaron ok?”)

Could the sideways world be a way for Kate to reunite Claire and Aaron since she can’t do it in the “real” world?

Kate: “I never should have followed you.” Sawyer: “Which time?”

Josh Holloway should have all of his scenes on the dock.

Dogen says Jack was brought here and says that Jack knows what he means.

“Because it happened to your sister!”

“He’s one of them” Said by Aldo (?) re: Jin

Claire is the new Rousseau. Did this happen because Aaron was raised by another?

RE: Sayid

Didn’t have time to write about Lost last week…snowmageddon and all. Have notes and maybe I will post and back-date this week, but I don’t know.

However, a thought did occur to me today in anticipation for tonight’s episode…

What if Sayid was already dead and “claimed” before they put him in the murky water. I know he was lucid and breathing still, but he could have died at any point before they got to the Temple. Maybe this is how Claire was originally “claimed” too (back in season 4).

Everyone seems to be assuming that whatever claimed him did so because he was submerged in the murky waters of the Temple, but what if that was just Darlton performing some misdirection?

Maybe, maybe not. I’m wrong more often then I’m right. Just food for thought.

The Magical Mystery Tour is coming to take you away...

My brain still hurts, almost 12 hours after watching.

Quick bullets before I get to my theory on the alternate timeline stuff:

- Arzt! Frogurt! Cindy!!

- Clever sound effects when Kate woke up in the tree.

- That scene with Smokey’s wrath was pretty damn awesome and intense.

- LOVE vengeful Sawyer

- “I don’t understand.” Yes, that is the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. Poor Locke.

- We actually got answers. The Man in Black is Smokey! Richard was a slave on the Black Rock! (MIB said that the last time he saw him, he was in chains, and the Black Rock was a slave ship.) We saw the frickin’ temple! We know how Young Ben was healed! (Interestingly, Young Ben was shot by Sayid, who was healed after being shot by Ben’s dad, who was ultimately killed by Ben.)

- Is Sayid now ‘possessed’ by Jacob or was he just healed like Young Ben?

- If MIB is Smokey, and Ben could presumably summon Smokey, could that mean that all his life, was Ben talking to MIB thinking he was Jacob? Was it all a setup to bring him to the point where he was ready to kill Jacob? Lost’s ultimate long con?

- All the stuff with Sawyer and Juliet was fantastic. I’m gonna miss Elizabeth Mitchell, but as I noted before vengeful Sawyer is potentially awesome, and it gives him an interesting arc this season.

So, onto my thoughts about the alternate/dual timeline…

I suppose the simplest explanation is that both exist to serve as a “what if?” for the cliffhanger of last season. I don’t really think it could be that simple though. It seems to me that the Island action is where they are supposed to end up, which makes me think a few things about the other time line.

I’m going to call the timeline where the plane lands “LA X” because that was the name of the episode and it will create less confusion.

So, could LA X be a way for certain characters to find closure – maybe with people that have died? Jack can officially make peace with Locke and Christian. Kate, teamed with Claire can come to peace with her. Sawyer can say goodbye to Juliet; maybe visit Clementine and right any wrongs. Sayid can be with Nadia again; Hurley could encounter Libby, Charlie, Michael. Maybe Sun & Jin need to come to peace with each other again; Locke – his father, Helen, maybe Boone.

Perhaps part or their consciousnesses split off into these two timelines and the reason that it only happened to these people is that they were the people that were touched by Jacob in last year’s finale. Maybe as this season progresses, Kate, Sawyer, Locke, Jin, Sun, Jack, Sayid and Hurley will come to realize that something is wrong.

As usual, this theory makes perfect sense in my head, yet I can’t really put it into words correctly.

Some more notes about the dual timelines:

- In LA X, after Jack saves his life, Charlie notes “I was supposed to die.” A clue that this timeline was not supposed to happen?

- What is Desmond’s role in all of this? Faraday made a big deal about how special he is and Eloise told him that the Island was not done with him yet. I gotta wonder what the status of his relationship with Penny is in LA X. And it worries me.

- The Locke in LA X is not the same Locke that boarded the plane in Australia in the original timeline. Further evidence (to me) that these characters are not the same as those from the original timeline and that they will eventually realize the truth.

- My guess is that, each week we will see the story from a different character’s perspective (like this week was mostly Jack) as they slowly realize something is wrong. A more interesting scenario than that though would be if it was only Jack that could reconcile both timelines, turning him back into the hero and leader he was in the first season.

- “It worked” – Juliet. Did she see LA X when she flashed through time? Did part of her consciousness move too, but she was more aware of it because she was near death?

- I wonder if the whispers on the Island are the echoes of alternate/dual timelines of Island inhabitants, like LA X.

I’m gonna post this now, think some more and maybe post some more coherent thoughts later. We’ll see.