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.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
“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.
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.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
“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?
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?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
"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.
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.
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