Good morning, friends.
I want to start by saying that I am a reader. There is little in which I find more joy than a good book – one that has twists and turns, one with interesting and well-developed characters, one with a great message; a book for which you are willing to stay up into the wee hours of the night because you just can’t put it down, but of which you might save the last 20 pages because you just don’t want it to end. A book that sticks with you for weeks even months or years (Blindness, A Prayer for Owen Meany, The Book Thief, The Bluest Eye all come to mind). This is what Lost was for me; another great story. A story I did not want to end. A story that kept me up at night (especially last night) trying to decipher.
I absolutely loved the finale. I know there are some who are disappointed with the lack of answers, but in my insomnia last night, I think I realized that a lot of answers were there all along, or they just didn’t matter. Yes, there are some that I would have liked answered, but wouldn’t it have been lame if it had been an hour of answers? I thought the resolution to Alternaworld was remarkably moving and the overall message of the series was beautiful.
I decided not to take notes while watching last night, but as I said, I tossed and turned all night thinking it through. Here are some finale thoughts:
I watched the pilot on Saturday night, and it was cool to recognize some of the references that were made this season. A few things I noticed:
a. Locke told Walt about his paralysis. Other than Walt, I think Rose was the only other person who knew (until Alternaworld, anyway).
b. Locke and Walt played Backgammon, which Locke stated was the oldest game (Mesopotamia). The whole game started right then . . .
c. Jin told Sun to “button up,” just like he did in LA X.
Sun and Jin:
· I think they were both candidates. I think they had to be together no matter what after all Jacob witnessed them going through to find one another.
· The fact that they remembered during the ultrasound was a way of saying that Ji Yeon is ok. That she was ok in her alternapregnancy seems to tell me that she is ok in real life. Sob.
Sawyer and Juliet
· Interesting that Juliet was Jack’s ex-wife, but it totally makes sense, as they were momentarily together on the island.
· I’m guessing Sawyer’s post-island life was about personal redemption. In his own way, he probably seeking justice – like the detective he became in alternaworld.
· I was so pissed when they first ran into each and didn’t recognize one another. But when they touched, it was all I could do not to completely melt down. “We’ll go dutch.” Oh my goodness!
Claire
· Remember how the psychic kept telling her that she had to raise Aaron? Now I don’t think it was an ominous warning about the future of the world. It was a warning for Claire herself. Aaron was her constant; he was how she would not be alone in the world. In the end, the psychic’s words were about her getting on that plane in the end. She had to go find her constant; she had to be with Aaron; she had to have her family (which I think included Kate).
Kate
· I can’t believe it, but I didn’t hate Kate in the end. She saved Claire and you know she helped her raise Aaron. And she did love Jack . . . after all.
· Thought it was hilarious when she said, “Christian Shephard? Really?”
Rose and Bernard (and Vincent, too)
· They knew all along who and where they were. Remember Rose told Jack on the flight, “You can let go now.” And Bernard didn’t seem surprised at all when Jack came to see him. They always were attuned with each other and their surroundings. I wonder how they finally died . . .
· Vincent . . . what can I say? Best dog ever!
Sayid
· In rewatching the pilot, I came to realize that Sayid’s character was such a huge play on our perceptions of people. In the pilot, Sawyer accuses him of being a terrorist, and Sayid played against type so many times. In the end, when he ran out of the submarine was such a great subversion of the suicide bomber.
· Why Shannon? Well, I think that though he loved Nadia, she was always too good for him; she could never really admit or accept his flaws, I don’t think. Shannon could because she was flawed also. By the way, how do you think Boone remembered?
Hurley and Ben
· Loved, loved, loved this development. Hurley has struck me all season as the perfect replacement, because as Ben said, he takes care of people. I would love to see how the rules changed under his leadership . . .
· Speaking of rules, I thought it was interesting (though questionably too easy) that all the crazy rules were seemingly arbitrary under Jacob. “That dude’s worse than Yoda.”
· Ben CHOSE to do good in the end, and he was rewarded with a true connection to the island. He also chose not to go into the church in the end. I think he wanted to wait for Alex to be ready; Danielle, too.
Desmond
· He must have made it home; he had to have made it home. Hurley helped him.
Locke
· I was not all that satisfied with the end of Flocke. It seemed almost too easy – I kept waiting for Locke to make an appearance in his own body. He did have the line of the night, though: “You’re kind of the obvious choice, don’t you think?”
· The great gift Jack gave him? Knowing that he’d mattered in his life. What more could someone ask for?
Those Who Were Not There
· The biggest question is probably Walt and Michael. Well, we know Michael was trapped on the island. I wonder if there is any way for him to move on? Walt? Well, remember when Locke went to see Walt in season 4? He realized that Walt had moved on, that Walt had a new life, and Locke decided that he could not ask him to return. He was only 10 when he was on the island; I would hope that he made more meaningful connections in his adult life.
· Daniel and Charlotte – Eloise knew the situation all along and was trying to stop Desmond from taking her son. She wanted to give him the life she’d denied him. Daniel and Charlotte seemed to recognize each other, but neither was really connected to Jack, so there was no reason for them to be there. They will find their own meeting place – maybe with Lapidus and Miles.
· Mr Eko – well, the actor wanted no part of the finale, but it also makes sense because he always followed his own path. However, I wonder if he isn’t trapped on the island, too, since he refused to repent for his sins (he had a point since he did it all to save his brother).
Lingering Mysteries
· Why couldn’t the Others have babies? Good question – everyone before and after them were able to. Was it self-fulfilling? Was Jacob punishing them?
· Others you’d like to discuss? I probably thought about it while I couldn’t sleep last night and might have a theory.
Jack
· Why was it so hard for him to let go/to move on? He seemed to fight it all the way. Was this because he was afraid he would lose everyone again, like he did on the island by sacrificing himself?
· I think that David was a projection of himself, and Jack a projection of his father. He needed to prove that he could have a loving familial relationship.
· When Christian asked him, “how are you here?” I almost fell off my chair, and immediately started crying. So many people online didn’t get it, so let me just reiterate what Christian said – the island was real, everything that happened there was real; alternaworld was a world they created for after they died.
· Watching him die; what a parallel to the beginning. The plane over head, Vincent by his side, eyes closing. Priceless.
I feel like crying now. I’m sad it’s over. It’s been a great journey, and I’ve enjoyed getting my geek on with you each week.
Closing the book is never easy, especially one as great as Lost.
Namaste,
LLL
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
What They Died For
This is the end, beautiful friend, the end! My only friend, the end! -- Doors shout out to Rob (worst band ever!)
PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR – Sunday is LOST marathon – there’s a retrospective that starts at 6:00 pm; then the episode begins at 8:00pm and ends at 10:30. It is a damn good thing that the school year is almost over – otherwise, I might feel guilty for the waste of space I am destined to be on Monday.
Anyway, sadly, we are almost at the end. I’m guessing some of you are feeling discontent with the few answers we’ve gotten, but I have to tell you that I think I am ok with some ambiguity at the end. And I do think we’re going to get a good number of answers by the end of the evening Sunday. Even if we don’t, this has been the best show ever . . . and I think I may suffer psychological damage without it to obsess over.
My observations and analysis:
Alternaworld:
1. Cut on Jack’s neck is bleeding again as he looks in the mirror. The island is calling him.
2. David’s big blue eyes are a giveaway – Juliet has got to be his mother.
3. One big happy family – there’s got to be something to the fact that Claire and Jack are together in alternaworld. Somehow they’ve got to get together on the island. Maybe she will be his companion . . . or maybe she has to go back and raise Aaron so that Kate can stay and be his companion.
4. Oceanic calls. They found the coffin. But it’s not Oceanic . . . Des on the prowl again!
5. Des claims his acitons against Locke are about “Trying to get him to let go . . .” Ben is remembering . . . getting punched in the face will jar your memory. And he’s getting his snarky attitude back.
6. Concert at the museum . . . the one where David will be performing.
7. Des turns himself in . . . to get to Kate? How does he know how to find everyone?
8. Alex tells Ben, “You look like Napoleon.” Meets Danielle (I thought she wasn’t going to be on the show this season! Yay! And she looks good . . . no mom pants). Alex’s father died when she was two, so apparently they were NOT on the island. Are Ben and Danielle going to get it on?
9. Locke returns to Jack’s office. “Maybe this happened for a reason” “Mistaking coincidence for Fate” Asks Jack to fix him. CHOICE!
10. Vomit worthy moment#1: Kate expects Sawyer to let her go. Man, does stomach vile burn!
11. Des makes them promise to do something when he sets them free. Ana Lucia!!! Hurley (he remembers Ana Lucia; apparently, he remembers everything) “She’s not coming with us?” “She’s not ready yet?” Does that mean that someday she will be?
It’s Lostapalooza – they’re all going to a concert Sunday! Do you suppose Geronimo Jones will make a guest appearance?
Islandland:
1. Flashback: Jack’s stitching Kate, just like she did for him in the premiere.
2. Shout out to Ji Yeon by Kate. Poor baby.
3. Vomit worthy moment #2: Kate all touchy with Sawyer on the island, too. And just after Jack saved her ass. WTF.
4. Ben, Miles, and Richard are back. Going back for C4 (is this before or after the sub incident?) It appears that no one knows the plane is already a goner.
5. Richard buried Alex. Miles senses her. This sets Ben off, though I think it should have made him a little more beholden to Richard. But, maybe, Ben is not as he appears (more on this . . . )
6. “It’s where I was told I could summon the monster. That was before I realized it was summoning me.” This tells me that Ben is not just giving in to the dark side; I think he has a plan . . .
7. The plumbing still works in Dharmaville. How bout that!
8. Widmore tells Zoe to sink the freighter. Widmore claims that he had the plane rigged with C4 before. Claims to have been visited by Jacob. Do you believe him?
9. James asks a good question: “If [F]Locke wants Desmond dead, why doesn’t he just kill him himself?”
10. Hurley sees little Jacob. Lil Jacob wants the ashes back. Why? “When the fire burns out, you’ll never see me again . . . We’re very close to the end, Hugo.”
11. Ben decides to wait and face down Flocke. Richard thinks all Flocke wants is him . . . wishful thinking, I say. But upon further reflection, now I’m thinking that perhaps Ben believes he is the candidate to replace Flocke!!!
12. Did he just hurl Richard to death? That was way too easy. That can’t possibly be how they are ending Richard. If it were, wouldn’t Smokey have done it a long time ago?
13. WTF Moment #1: Flocke offers Ben the island in return for killing people. Ben gives him up so easily . . . or is this part of his master plan?
14. HOLY CRAP: Flocke slices Zoe’s neck. “You told her not to talk to me and that made her useless.” Interesting . . .
15. Flocke threatens Penny. CW claims he brought Des back because of his immunity to electromagnetism. “It was a last resort.”
16. WTF Moment #2: Ben kills CW. His reason: “He doesn’t get to save his daughter.”
17. All Things Jacob:
-- How can everyone see Jacob?
--“Come and sit down and I’ll tell you what they died for. I’ll tell you why I chose them, and why I chose you.”
--Jacob admits his mistake – I’m responsible for the monster. “I made him that way.” ---- James asks, “Why do I got to be punished for your mistake?” Jacob says they are not being punished:
-- “Chose you because you were like me – you were all alone. You needed this place as much as you needed one another”
--Crossed Kate off because she became a mother. “The job is yours if you want it; it’s just chalk”
--CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jacob believes man has Free Will, even though he never really had one.
-- Honestly, I’m still not sure exactly what they died for . . .
18. “I thought that guy had a God-complex before.” Why does Jack volunteer? Does he really feel it is his destiny or does he just figure he has nothing else to live for? How will the Alternaworld play into this decision? How will cute little David play a role?
19. TWIBS: What’s with the water? Communion? Something changes in Jack after he drinks it. “Now you’re like me.”
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV)
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." Mark 14:22-24 (NIV)
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Luke 22:19-20 (NIV)
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (NIV)
And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 (NIV)
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:53-54 (NIV)
20. I still think there is humanity somewhere in Flocke: “Why do you bother walking?” “It reminds me that I was human.” Somewhere, deep down inside, he still wants to be human. Is that Locke speaking? If Locke in Alternaworld lets go, will he also be getting rid of Smokey on the island? Could Locke still somehow end up the guardian of the island?
21. Where did Des go? I thought everyone had forgotten him . . .Desmond was a failsafe. Locke wants to use him to destroy the island. I’ve got a feeling (woohoo) that Des is going to be making some HUGE sacrifices . . .
Until Sunday . . .
PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDAR – Sunday is LOST marathon – there’s a retrospective that starts at 6:00 pm; then the episode begins at 8:00pm and ends at 10:30. It is a damn good thing that the school year is almost over – otherwise, I might feel guilty for the waste of space I am destined to be on Monday.
Anyway, sadly, we are almost at the end. I’m guessing some of you are feeling discontent with the few answers we’ve gotten, but I have to tell you that I think I am ok with some ambiguity at the end. And I do think we’re going to get a good number of answers by the end of the evening Sunday. Even if we don’t, this has been the best show ever . . . and I think I may suffer psychological damage without it to obsess over.
My observations and analysis:
Alternaworld:
1. Cut on Jack’s neck is bleeding again as he looks in the mirror. The island is calling him.
2. David’s big blue eyes are a giveaway – Juliet has got to be his mother.
3. One big happy family – there’s got to be something to the fact that Claire and Jack are together in alternaworld. Somehow they’ve got to get together on the island. Maybe she will be his companion . . . or maybe she has to go back and raise Aaron so that Kate can stay and be his companion.
4. Oceanic calls. They found the coffin. But it’s not Oceanic . . . Des on the prowl again!
5. Des claims his acitons against Locke are about “Trying to get him to let go . . .” Ben is remembering . . . getting punched in the face will jar your memory. And he’s getting his snarky attitude back.
6. Concert at the museum . . . the one where David will be performing.
7. Des turns himself in . . . to get to Kate? How does he know how to find everyone?
8. Alex tells Ben, “You look like Napoleon.” Meets Danielle (I thought she wasn’t going to be on the show this season! Yay! And she looks good . . . no mom pants). Alex’s father died when she was two, so apparently they were NOT on the island. Are Ben and Danielle going to get it on?
9. Locke returns to Jack’s office. “Maybe this happened for a reason” “Mistaking coincidence for Fate” Asks Jack to fix him. CHOICE!
10. Vomit worthy moment#1: Kate expects Sawyer to let her go. Man, does stomach vile burn!
11. Des makes them promise to do something when he sets them free. Ana Lucia!!! Hurley (he remembers Ana Lucia; apparently, he remembers everything) “She’s not coming with us?” “She’s not ready yet?” Does that mean that someday she will be?
It’s Lostapalooza – they’re all going to a concert Sunday! Do you suppose Geronimo Jones will make a guest appearance?
Islandland:
1. Flashback: Jack’s stitching Kate, just like she did for him in the premiere.
2. Shout out to Ji Yeon by Kate. Poor baby.
3. Vomit worthy moment #2: Kate all touchy with Sawyer on the island, too. And just after Jack saved her ass. WTF.
4. Ben, Miles, and Richard are back. Going back for C4 (is this before or after the sub incident?) It appears that no one knows the plane is already a goner.
5. Richard buried Alex. Miles senses her. This sets Ben off, though I think it should have made him a little more beholden to Richard. But, maybe, Ben is not as he appears (more on this . . . )
6. “It’s where I was told I could summon the monster. That was before I realized it was summoning me.” This tells me that Ben is not just giving in to the dark side; I think he has a plan . . .
7. The plumbing still works in Dharmaville. How bout that!
8. Widmore tells Zoe to sink the freighter. Widmore claims that he had the plane rigged with C4 before. Claims to have been visited by Jacob. Do you believe him?
9. James asks a good question: “If [F]Locke wants Desmond dead, why doesn’t he just kill him himself?”
10. Hurley sees little Jacob. Lil Jacob wants the ashes back. Why? “When the fire burns out, you’ll never see me again . . . We’re very close to the end, Hugo.”
11. Ben decides to wait and face down Flocke. Richard thinks all Flocke wants is him . . . wishful thinking, I say. But upon further reflection, now I’m thinking that perhaps Ben believes he is the candidate to replace Flocke!!!
12. Did he just hurl Richard to death? That was way too easy. That can’t possibly be how they are ending Richard. If it were, wouldn’t Smokey have done it a long time ago?
13. WTF Moment #1: Flocke offers Ben the island in return for killing people. Ben gives him up so easily . . . or is this part of his master plan?
14. HOLY CRAP: Flocke slices Zoe’s neck. “You told her not to talk to me and that made her useless.” Interesting . . .
15. Flocke threatens Penny. CW claims he brought Des back because of his immunity to electromagnetism. “It was a last resort.”
16. WTF Moment #2: Ben kills CW. His reason: “He doesn’t get to save his daughter.”
17. All Things Jacob:
-- How can everyone see Jacob?
--“Come and sit down and I’ll tell you what they died for. I’ll tell you why I chose them, and why I chose you.”
--Jacob admits his mistake – I’m responsible for the monster. “I made him that way.” ---- James asks, “Why do I got to be punished for your mistake?” Jacob says they are not being punished:
-- “Chose you because you were like me – you were all alone. You needed this place as much as you needed one another”
--Crossed Kate off because she became a mother. “The job is yours if you want it; it’s just chalk”
--CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jacob believes man has Free Will, even though he never really had one.
-- Honestly, I’m still not sure exactly what they died for . . .
18. “I thought that guy had a God-complex before.” Why does Jack volunteer? Does he really feel it is his destiny or does he just figure he has nothing else to live for? How will the Alternaworld play into this decision? How will cute little David play a role?
19. TWIBS: What’s with the water? Communion? Something changes in Jack after he drinks it. “Now you’re like me.”
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV)
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." Mark 14:22-24 (NIV)
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Luke 22:19-20 (NIV)
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (NIV)
And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 (NIV)
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:53-54 (NIV)
20. I still think there is humanity somewhere in Flocke: “Why do you bother walking?” “It reminds me that I was human.” Somewhere, deep down inside, he still wants to be human. Is that Locke speaking? If Locke in Alternaworld lets go, will he also be getting rid of Smokey on the island? Could Locke still somehow end up the guardian of the island?
21. Where did Des go? I thought everyone had forgotten him . . .Desmond was a failsafe. Locke wants to use him to destroy the island. I’ve got a feeling (woohoo) that Des is going to be making some HUGE sacrifices . . .
Until Sunday . . .
Namaste,
LLL
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Across the Sea
Well, well, well, we’re almost at the end of this crazy journey we call Lost. This particular episode gave me nightmares – I’m not kidding; I had the most detailed dream about how this show was gonna end – except that I woke up just before the conclusion. And woke up scared that Smokey was ticking above my bed.
I can’t describe how I felt about this episode except that I think that there were a lot of answers (ok, clues to answers) but that it is going to take the final three episodes to understand this one. The live Twitter reaction was very mixed – I assume the same is true of this group. Can’t wait to hear your reactions.
1. What language were they speaking? I read that it was Swedish or a Nordic language. My first thought was that it was Latin, and that makes more sense to me. Remember, the Others spoke Latin . . .
2. Allison Janney! That was surprise casting as crazy momma!
3. I thought Momma said it well: "Every question you ask will just lead to another question . . ." just like this show!!!
4. The real mother of MIB and Jacob is named Claudia. Some sources say the name means “lame” while others state it means “perservering.” I’m going with “Lame” as she was easily taken down, seen by Momma as too weak and prone to evil to raise her babies, particularly BIB (Baby/Boy in Black). Why didn't she want Claudia to see the second baby? Still no name. What the dealio?
5. BIB initiates the game. He tells him that someday Jacob can make up his own game and rules (bringing the Losties to the island a game with his rules?) Jacob a snitch? "Jacob doesn't know how to lie." "He's not like you. You're . . . special."
6. Lies their mother told them:
--"There is nowhere else. It's all there is"
--"Dead. Something you will never have to worry about."
7. Maybe lies their Mother told them:
--Mother says the same thing of the men that Smokey later said of men -- basically that they are inherently evil.
--Momma claims she's made it so they can never hurt each other.
8. What is the light? Why should noone ever find it? "A little bit of this light is inside every man." "If the light goes out here, it goes out everywhere." The cave is what everyone is looking for – the source of life? Existence of God? Existence of the Devil? Going into the light is worse than dying.
9. THIS WEEK IN BIBLE STUDIES: Refresh yourself on twins Jacob and Esau, although the birth order is a bit off and it is the favor of the mother, not the father . . . http://lostloserramblings.blogspot.com/2009/05/incident.html
Interestingly, Jacob asks, "Why do you love him more than me?"
10. Jacob can't see Claudia. Why not?
11. .As they grow older, they stay connected. Smokey comes to believe she was right about "his people," “They are greedy, manipulative, and selfish.” Jacob does not believe they are bad, but he only knows this through his observations; he has had no interactions. However, it seems to me that Jacob makes this his mission.
MIB uses the people he despises because they are a means to an end – he wants to leave the island and prove Momma wrong. He built the donkeywheel that Locke and Ben later turned . . . he did find a way off the island, but Momma prevented him from ever using it himself.
12. Did anyone else think Jacob was like a child even as a grown man? Do you think Momma was trying to prove through him that there can be pure goodness/innocence? Is that why she tried so hard to keep him from others? In the end, I think Jacob realized that while his mother was right that men may be prone to evil, as proven through his actions against his brother, they can CHOOSE to be good. I think that is his end game – if he can prove that most men will choose good, he wins the game.
13. Words that make you go hmmmm: "It was always supposed to be you, Jacob." "Now you and I are the same."
14. Was Momma a protector of the island? How did she get there?
15. HOLY CRAP MOMENT: Jacob unleashed Smokey (or created him, but I’m going with unleashed) by sending his brother into the light. It was as if it was a human sacrifice that unleashed the beast. I don’t really think Jacob’s brother is Smokey; I think his brother is dead. I think Smokey took MIB’s form to F*** with Jacob. However, I believe that when Jacob laid his mother and brother to rest, he made a decision to contain the beast and to save mankind.
16. ANSWERED: Adam and Eve are Smokey and his momma
I think that as I ponder this episode, more may become clear. I’ll post comments if anything comes to mind.
What I would like to know from you all is what questions do you feel HAVE to be answered before the series ends. It seems like there are so many out there still, they can’t possibly answer them all. Tops on my list: Why was Walt special? Why can’t women have babies? Why did everyone want Aaron/what makes him special?
Namaste,
LLL
I can’t describe how I felt about this episode except that I think that there were a lot of answers (ok, clues to answers) but that it is going to take the final three episodes to understand this one. The live Twitter reaction was very mixed – I assume the same is true of this group. Can’t wait to hear your reactions.
1. What language were they speaking? I read that it was Swedish or a Nordic language. My first thought was that it was Latin, and that makes more sense to me. Remember, the Others spoke Latin . . .
2. Allison Janney! That was surprise casting as crazy momma!
3. I thought Momma said it well: "Every question you ask will just lead to another question . . ." just like this show!!!
4. The real mother of MIB and Jacob is named Claudia. Some sources say the name means “lame” while others state it means “perservering.” I’m going with “Lame” as she was easily taken down, seen by Momma as too weak and prone to evil to raise her babies, particularly BIB (Baby/Boy in Black). Why didn't she want Claudia to see the second baby? Still no name. What the dealio?
5. BIB initiates the game. He tells him that someday Jacob can make up his own game and rules (bringing the Losties to the island a game with his rules?) Jacob a snitch? "Jacob doesn't know how to lie." "He's not like you. You're . . . special."
6. Lies their mother told them:
--"There is nowhere else. It's all there is"
--"Dead. Something you will never have to worry about."
7. Maybe lies their Mother told them:
--Mother says the same thing of the men that Smokey later said of men -- basically that they are inherently evil.
--Momma claims she's made it so they can never hurt each other.
8. What is the light? Why should noone ever find it? "A little bit of this light is inside every man." "If the light goes out here, it goes out everywhere." The cave is what everyone is looking for – the source of life? Existence of God? Existence of the Devil? Going into the light is worse than dying.
9. THIS WEEK IN BIBLE STUDIES: Refresh yourself on twins Jacob and Esau, although the birth order is a bit off and it is the favor of the mother, not the father . . . http://lostloserramblings.blogspot.com/2009/05/incident.html
Interestingly, Jacob asks, "Why do you love him more than me?"
10. Jacob can't see Claudia. Why not?
11. .As they grow older, they stay connected. Smokey comes to believe she was right about "his people," “They are greedy, manipulative, and selfish.” Jacob does not believe they are bad, but he only knows this through his observations; he has had no interactions. However, it seems to me that Jacob makes this his mission.
MIB uses the people he despises because they are a means to an end – he wants to leave the island and prove Momma wrong. He built the donkeywheel that Locke and Ben later turned . . . he did find a way off the island, but Momma prevented him from ever using it himself.
12. Did anyone else think Jacob was like a child even as a grown man? Do you think Momma was trying to prove through him that there can be pure goodness/innocence? Is that why she tried so hard to keep him from others? In the end, I think Jacob realized that while his mother was right that men may be prone to evil, as proven through his actions against his brother, they can CHOOSE to be good. I think that is his end game – if he can prove that most men will choose good, he wins the game.
13. Words that make you go hmmmm: "It was always supposed to be you, Jacob." "Now you and I are the same."
14. Was Momma a protector of the island? How did she get there?
15. HOLY CRAP MOMENT: Jacob unleashed Smokey (or created him, but I’m going with unleashed) by sending his brother into the light. It was as if it was a human sacrifice that unleashed the beast. I don’t really think Jacob’s brother is Smokey; I think his brother is dead. I think Smokey took MIB’s form to F*** with Jacob. However, I believe that when Jacob laid his mother and brother to rest, he made a decision to contain the beast and to save mankind.
16. ANSWERED: Adam and Eve are Smokey and his momma
I think that as I ponder this episode, more may become clear. I’ll post comments if anything comes to mind.
What I would like to know from you all is what questions do you feel HAVE to be answered before the series ends. It seems like there are so many out there still, they can’t possibly answer them all. Tops on my list: Why was Walt special? Why can’t women have babies? Why did everyone want Aaron/what makes him special?
Namaste,
LLL
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Candidate
The Candidate
This episode was in the top five episodes of Lost ever! Others I include in my list? The Constant, Through the Looking Glass, and a couple from seasons one and two (the premiere and the second season finale).
Alternaworld:
1. Locke’s initial injury caused by . . . a plane accident he was in with his father, Anthony Cooper. He caused it; destroyed his father. Helen says he loved his father more than anything . . . there we go again with those fathers and sons!
2. Yay! Bernard! Locke’s dentist. How about that!
3. AlternaJack is showing signs of his old ways . . . can’t let go of things.
4. Alternalocke mutters in his sleep, “Push the button” “I wish you had believed me”
5. Apollobar from machine . . . just like when Jacob touched Jack. Foreshadowing here? Jack tries to touch Claire, but she refuses. She isn’t “with” them on the island anymore.
6. Claire never met her father in Alternaworld
7. Mirrorbox . . . Claire and Jack in the same reflection. What do you think it means?
8. “What happened happened. You can let it go . . .” “I can help you, John. I wish you believed me.” Sound familiar? Is this saying that the island really did happen?
Islandland
1. When they put them in the cage, my first thought was “Please tell me this is not going to be a repeat of the last time they were in the cage. I might not ever watch again . . .”
2. I don’t think Flocke actually can kill them, just as Jack stated (Wrote this before he said it).
3. Shooting at smoke seems pretty pointless to me.
4. Flocke’s giving out honest trifles again . . .
5. Come on, Sawyer. You can’t be that dumb. Oh, good, you’re not.
6. Jack’s hair is really getting gray on the island. Do you suppose that is significant?
7. Favorite Line of the Night: “John Locke told me to stay!”
8. OMG! They shot Kate!
9. OMG! They abandoned Claire again!
10. Where’s Richard?
11. SAYID CHOOSES HUMANITY! Awesome ending for him!! You CAN always choose not to go to the dark side. Doesn't this action alone prove Jacob right and MIB wrong? Before he goes, he tells Jack about Desmond in the well and says, "Because it is going to be you." Hmmmm . . .
12. The sub was underwater in the underwater island image from the first episode.
13. Nobody cares that Lapidus died . . . poor guy.
14. Sun and Jin: They’re gonna die together. I am going to cry. Second saddest Lost moment, next to Charlie dying; slightly more weepy than Juliet dying. I guess in the end, it didn't matter which one was a candidate, because they were going to choose to be together no matter what. Maybe they were one candidate together.
15. Kate still loves Jack.
Is it possible that Alternalocke can somehow return to the island? He’s "the candidate" in alternaworld, after all. But more likely in my mind is the idea that Jack is becoming one with Locke (same name, I say again) and is therefore now suited to protect the island. In some ways, Realocke will live on . . .
Or (after a night of tossing and turning I'm leaning this way), will Alternalocke somehow go to the island to take his true place as the candidate so that the rest can live their alternalives? I'm starting to root for the idea that somehow they are going to get their alternalives, and that those lives are imperfect, and that's ok. After all, Jack has a son in alternaworld, Jin and Sun are together and waiting for Jeo Yin to arrive, Hurley is with Libby, Sawyer is going to meet Juliet, mother of David, ex of Jack, any day now (I just know it). Plus, if somehow Alternalocke can be the candidate, his life will have meaning, which is all he's ever wished for.
Next week looks kickass! It's all about Jacob and MIB.
This episode was in the top five episodes of Lost ever! Others I include in my list? The Constant, Through the Looking Glass, and a couple from seasons one and two (the premiere and the second season finale).
Alternaworld:
1. Locke’s initial injury caused by . . . a plane accident he was in with his father, Anthony Cooper. He caused it; destroyed his father. Helen says he loved his father more than anything . . . there we go again with those fathers and sons!
2. Yay! Bernard! Locke’s dentist. How about that!
3. AlternaJack is showing signs of his old ways . . . can’t let go of things.
4. Alternalocke mutters in his sleep, “Push the button” “I wish you had believed me”
5. Apollobar from machine . . . just like when Jacob touched Jack. Foreshadowing here? Jack tries to touch Claire, but she refuses. She isn’t “with” them on the island anymore.
6. Claire never met her father in Alternaworld
7. Mirrorbox . . . Claire and Jack in the same reflection. What do you think it means?
8. “What happened happened. You can let it go . . .” “I can help you, John. I wish you believed me.” Sound familiar? Is this saying that the island really did happen?
Islandland
1. When they put them in the cage, my first thought was “Please tell me this is not going to be a repeat of the last time they were in the cage. I might not ever watch again . . .”
2. I don’t think Flocke actually can kill them, just as Jack stated (Wrote this before he said it).
3. Shooting at smoke seems pretty pointless to me.
4. Flocke’s giving out honest trifles again . . .
5. Come on, Sawyer. You can’t be that dumb. Oh, good, you’re not.
6. Jack’s hair is really getting gray on the island. Do you suppose that is significant?
7. Favorite Line of the Night: “John Locke told me to stay!”
8. OMG! They shot Kate!
9. OMG! They abandoned Claire again!
10. Where’s Richard?
11. SAYID CHOOSES HUMANITY! Awesome ending for him!! You CAN always choose not to go to the dark side. Doesn't this action alone prove Jacob right and MIB wrong? Before he goes, he tells Jack about Desmond in the well and says, "Because it is going to be you." Hmmmm . . .
12. The sub was underwater in the underwater island image from the first episode.
13. Nobody cares that Lapidus died . . . poor guy.
14. Sun and Jin: They’re gonna die together. I am going to cry. Second saddest Lost moment, next to Charlie dying; slightly more weepy than Juliet dying. I guess in the end, it didn't matter which one was a candidate, because they were going to choose to be together no matter what. Maybe they were one candidate together.
15. Kate still loves Jack.
Is it possible that Alternalocke can somehow return to the island? He’s "the candidate" in alternaworld, after all. But more likely in my mind is the idea that Jack is becoming one with Locke (same name, I say again) and is therefore now suited to protect the island. In some ways, Realocke will live on . . .
Or (after a night of tossing and turning I'm leaning this way), will Alternalocke somehow go to the island to take his true place as the candidate so that the rest can live their alternalives? I'm starting to root for the idea that somehow they are going to get their alternalives, and that those lives are imperfect, and that's ok. After all, Jack has a son in alternaworld, Jin and Sun are together and waiting for Jeo Yin to arrive, Hurley is with Libby, Sawyer is going to meet Juliet, mother of David, ex of Jack, any day now (I just know it). Plus, if somehow Alternalocke can be the candidate, his life will have meaning, which is all he's ever wished for.
Next week looks kickass! It's all about Jacob and MIB.
In the end, it's all about the choices we make. Sayid certainly proved that. Sun and Jin (sob) certainly proved that. Jack is proving it weekly (whoda thunk I would spend most of the final season LIKING Jack? Still hate Kate, though).
That was sad. And beautiful. And a great episode.
Namaste,
LLL
p.s. This post was done without time to reflect, as I will be without internet tomorrow. Who runs a workshop in a place with no internet? Oh, people who actually want you to focus on what is going on. Jerks.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Last Recruit
Happy Wednesday. Cherish your moments with me, as we only have four weeks to go. Also, make sure you are free on SUNDAY, MAY 23 – the finale is on this not, not a Tuesday night.
Before I delve in, I was wondering why this episode had a “previously on Lost” when most have not this season. I think it must be because this was a set-up for the remainder of the season; a review was necessary. Anyway . . .
Alternaworld:
Here’s a quick rundown of the events:
a. Locke and Sun are brought to the hospital (more on this . . . )
b. Sawyer has arrested Kate and is flirting with her (gag). Thinks it is a strange coincidence that they’ve run into each again.
c. Miles gets a tip on the triple homicide at the restaurant . . . he and James have gone to arrest Sayid.
d. Des “runs into” Claire as she heads to the adoption agency; offers to hire a lawyer for her
e. Jack and David are going to the reading of the will
f. Ilana is the lawyer
g. Claire and Jack are introduced and realize they are bro and sis
h. Sun and Jin’s baby is ok
i. Jack is called to operate on Locke.
1. Why did Sun freak out when she saw Locke? Has her near death experience caused her to remember some of the island? Is she recognizing him as Locke or Flocke? Why does he give her that little grin?
2. Locke says Helen is the woman he was “going to marry.” Is this because he thinks he is dying or have they already broken up?
3. Locke’s spinal sack is severed, much like Jack’s wife in originalworld was.
4. Still don’t know who David’s mom is . . . I’m going with Juliet. She will come to the hospital to pick David up, and she will run into Sawyer, he will turn back into James.
5. Everyone’s coming to the hospital . . . I’m guessing Miles and Sawyer will be coming to question Jin . . . Claire will go into labor . . . what about Hurley and Kate? And what will happen when they do?
Islandland:
1. CONFIRMED (?): Flocke “admits” that he took the form of Christian shortly after O815 crashed. He claims he did so in order to help Jack find water. This is similar to what he did for Richard. Who else has appeared as? Eko’s brother? Shannon to Sayid? Walt to Locke (although Walt’s not dead, so . . .)?
Again, I remind you of the words of Shakespeare from Macbeth, “"And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray's In deepest consequence."
2. John Locke revisited: There is a lot of discussion of the real John Locke. Was he a believer? Was he a sucker? I’m going with believer . . . who was sacrificed for the greater good, though he never knew it. Though his image has been coopted for a corrupt agenda, his true identity is serving as inspiration for others (see Jack comments . . .). Sounds a little like Jesus, no? We see this every day, yes?
3. How did Claire know that Jack is her brother? Did I miss that somewhere?
4. “COME TO THE DARK SIDE, LUKE.” And the Losties give a resounding, “NO!” As Hurley (future Jacob? Or more likely, future Richard . . .) says, “It’s never too late. You can always bring people back from the dark side.”
n No way did Sayid kill Desmond. No way. He still has a glimmer of humanity . . . because of . . . LOVE
n Claire gives up her relationship with Flocke in about 20 SECONDS, all for the promise of reunion with her son and the possibility of friendship and family.
n ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE. LOVE WILL SAVE THE DAY.
BTW: Did anyone ever see Eddie and the Cruisers? It’s my dad’s favorite movie and there is a song called “On the Darkside” that I haven’t been able to get out of my head since last night.
5. Why do you suppose that James has written everyone off? How will he be “saved”? He is back to being Sawyer, except for Jack is now calling him James. Coincidence? I think not.
6. I kinda wish Claire had gone psycho on their asses. I was waiting for Kate to get shot. I know, I know. It’s time to get over my hatred . . . I’ve made some strides by . . .
7. I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but I don’t hate Jack anymore. Wanna know why? Cause he has taken the lessons he learned from Locke (as hard as he tried to deny them at the time) and become a bit of a Locke-like. He knows they can’t leave the island yet, that it is a part of them (figuratively or literally?)
8. LINE OF THE NIGHT: Sawyer: “The guy who looks like he just stepped off the set of a Burt Reynolds movie” Ha!
9. “Reunited and it feels so good.” But you just knew something bad was gonna happen after . . .
So, much conversation has been had about which candidate is indeed headed toward becoming the new Jacob. What do you think?
After this week, I am more convinced than ever that this whole show is about FREEWILL. It is never too late to decide who you WANT to be.
By the way, who is the last recruit? And what was he/she recruited for?
What did you think?
Namaste,
LLL
Before I delve in, I was wondering why this episode had a “previously on Lost” when most have not this season. I think it must be because this was a set-up for the remainder of the season; a review was necessary. Anyway . . .
Alternaworld:
Here’s a quick rundown of the events:
a. Locke and Sun are brought to the hospital (more on this . . . )
b. Sawyer has arrested Kate and is flirting with her (gag). Thinks it is a strange coincidence that they’ve run into each again.
c. Miles gets a tip on the triple homicide at the restaurant . . . he and James have gone to arrest Sayid.
d. Des “runs into” Claire as she heads to the adoption agency; offers to hire a lawyer for her
e. Jack and David are going to the reading of the will
f. Ilana is the lawyer
g. Claire and Jack are introduced and realize they are bro and sis
h. Sun and Jin’s baby is ok
i. Jack is called to operate on Locke.
1. Why did Sun freak out when she saw Locke? Has her near death experience caused her to remember some of the island? Is she recognizing him as Locke or Flocke? Why does he give her that little grin?
2. Locke says Helen is the woman he was “going to marry.” Is this because he thinks he is dying or have they already broken up?
3. Locke’s spinal sack is severed, much like Jack’s wife in originalworld was.
4. Still don’t know who David’s mom is . . . I’m going with Juliet. She will come to the hospital to pick David up, and she will run into Sawyer, he will turn back into James.
5. Everyone’s coming to the hospital . . . I’m guessing Miles and Sawyer will be coming to question Jin . . . Claire will go into labor . . . what about Hurley and Kate? And what will happen when they do?
Islandland:
1. CONFIRMED (?): Flocke “admits” that he took the form of Christian shortly after O815 crashed. He claims he did so in order to help Jack find water. This is similar to what he did for Richard. Who else has appeared as? Eko’s brother? Shannon to Sayid? Walt to Locke (although Walt’s not dead, so . . .)?
Again, I remind you of the words of Shakespeare from Macbeth, “"And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray's In deepest consequence."
2. John Locke revisited: There is a lot of discussion of the real John Locke. Was he a believer? Was he a sucker? I’m going with believer . . . who was sacrificed for the greater good, though he never knew it. Though his image has been coopted for a corrupt agenda, his true identity is serving as inspiration for others (see Jack comments . . .). Sounds a little like Jesus, no? We see this every day, yes?
3. How did Claire know that Jack is her brother? Did I miss that somewhere?
4. “COME TO THE DARK SIDE, LUKE.” And the Losties give a resounding, “NO!” As Hurley (future Jacob? Or more likely, future Richard . . .) says, “It’s never too late. You can always bring people back from the dark side.”
n No way did Sayid kill Desmond. No way. He still has a glimmer of humanity . . . because of . . . LOVE
n Claire gives up her relationship with Flocke in about 20 SECONDS, all for the promise of reunion with her son and the possibility of friendship and family.
n ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE. LOVE WILL SAVE THE DAY.
BTW: Did anyone ever see Eddie and the Cruisers? It’s my dad’s favorite movie and there is a song called “On the Darkside” that I haven’t been able to get out of my head since last night.
5. Why do you suppose that James has written everyone off? How will he be “saved”? He is back to being Sawyer, except for Jack is now calling him James. Coincidence? I think not.
6. I kinda wish Claire had gone psycho on their asses. I was waiting for Kate to get shot. I know, I know. It’s time to get over my hatred . . . I’ve made some strides by . . .
7. I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, but I don’t hate Jack anymore. Wanna know why? Cause he has taken the lessons he learned from Locke (as hard as he tried to deny them at the time) and become a bit of a Locke-like. He knows they can’t leave the island yet, that it is a part of them (figuratively or literally?)
8. LINE OF THE NIGHT: Sawyer: “The guy who looks like he just stepped off the set of a Burt Reynolds movie” Ha!
9. “Reunited and it feels so good.” But you just knew something bad was gonna happen after . . .
So, much conversation has been had about which candidate is indeed headed toward becoming the new Jacob. What do you think?
After this week, I am more convinced than ever that this whole show is about FREEWILL. It is never too late to decide who you WANT to be.
By the way, who is the last recruit? And what was he/she recruited for?
What did you think?
Namaste,
LLL
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Everybody Loves Hurley
Holy Explodiness! That episode had me swearing in shock more than once! Where is this ride taking us? I don’t know if I can handle it, seriously.
I apologize in advance for the length and randomness of this post.
Alternaworld
1. If you really want to get your geek on, check out this recap of Everybody Hates Hugo. http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Everybody_Hates_Hugo
2. Why does everybody love Hurley (including Pierre Chang aka Dr Marvin Candle aka Miles’ daddy)? Well, Mr. Cluck’s Home for Children should be reason enough, don’t you think?
3. He’s currently benefitting the Paliontology Wing at the museum. I sense a Charlotte connection coming on . . .
4. Laugh Out Loud Moment: Hurley tells Mama that next week, they have “The Human Fund” awards. Ha!
5. Ditched by a date at “Spanish Johnny’s” . . . Libby shows up; he thinks it’s his date. She remembers? Bruce Davison (Dr from Santa Rosa and the melty guy from XMen) always signals creepiness is about to ensue. He seems to know something, if you ask me. A Widmore associate? A former Dharma doctor? A lover for Eloise?
6. Hurley is not as happy as he appeared in earlier episodes this season. Perhaps because he LACKS LOVE!
7. Des, oh Des. How I love thee. You are hot. But I think you are hotter as Island Des, not all clean cut and pretty. But all the same . . .
8. WHAT DES DID:
--Des has tracked Hurley down . . . “Did you believe her when she said she knew ya?”
--Des counsels him not to give up.
--Order #42 . . .
9. SANTA ROSA:
- Dr. lets go of his concerns for a cost . . .
- Libby remembers the island and being the institution, too.
- CONNECT FOUR GUY! The one Hurley got the numbers from?
10. By the way . . . did Hugo win the lottery with the same numbers in alternaworld? If so, how did he come across them in alternaworld?
11. TOO CUTE FOR WORDS! Picnic on the beach, just like they were supposed to have on the island. Same discussion about why she would like him. The kiss helps him remember! All instigated by Desmond.
I’ll be back to Alternaworld soon . . .
Islandland
1. Hurley visits Libby and wants her to visit with him. What do you suppose is the reason she won’t? Could it be cause she did nothing wrong on the island? Since we now know . . .
2. Ominous voices in the jungle are the voices of those who cannot leave . . . this is gonna piss people off, this whole purgatory bit. Other than Michael, whose voices d you think we hear? Ana Lucia? Juliet? Eko? Paulo and Nikki (haha)?
3. HOLY CRAP MOMENT ARTZ Part 2: Ilana has been training her whole life “to protect” Hugo and the other candidates! I kinda liked her, too. Now she’s failed her mission? Or will she return to guide Hurley (you know, since he sees dead people)?
Was the island “done” with Ilana? Or was it her stupid decision to carry dynamite in her purse?
Hurley blew up the Black Rock. Go Hugo!
4. Lockeness waiting for the rest of the Losties to get off “this God-forsaken Rock.” Is that because Locke is God-forsaken? Could he . . . cue the Church-Lady . . . Satan? I don’t know if I think he is Satan, but he is some connection to the fallen angel.
5. THIS WEEK IN LOST LITERATURE: Notes From the Underground by Dostevesky. Another existential novella . . .
From Wikipedia: Like many of Dostoevsky's novels, Notes from Underground was unpopular with Soviet literary critics due to its explicit rejection of socialist utopianism[4] and its portrait of humans as irrational, uncontrollable, and uncooperative. His claim that human needs can never be satisfied even through technological progress, also goes against Marxist beliefs. Many existentialist critics, notably Jean-Paul Sartre, considered the novel to be a forerunner of existentialist thought and an inspiration to their own philosophies.
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was very impressed with Dostoevsky, claiming that "Dostoevsky is one of the few psychologists from whom I have learned something,"[5] and that Notes from Underground "cried truth from the blood."[citation needed]
The novel has also been cited by Paul Schrader as an influence when he wrote the screenplay for the film Taxi Driver, which has existential themes. The novel American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis quotes a passage from the introduction of Notes from Underground as one of its epigraphs, as a means of comparing the use of the Underground Man as a symbol of his generation and environment to the novel's protagonist Patrick Bateman as a similar contemporary symbol.
SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING THE MAN IN BLACK WOULD BE READING?
6. Never thought this would happen . . . LINE OF THE NIGHT GOES TO . . . JACK! “Maybe she [Ilana] died to show us to stay the hell away from dynamite.” RUNNER UP? Hurley does trust Michael. Why? “Dead people are more reliable than live people.”
7. WHAT DES DID:
n Willingly goes with Locke“Nowhere to run to, Brotha.”
n Doesn’t give up what he believes is the reason he was brought by Widmore, but does tell him about the magnetic blast.
n Plays like he believes Flocke is Locke. What is the purpose of this? It’s clear Flocke doesn’t buy it and it’s clear
8. WILD THEORY OF THE NIGHT: Return of the bloody-hands boy . . . Could he be the son of the MIB? A sacrifice he made that he regrets?
9. TWIBS: With the MIB, this idea of the “second” son (in love not birth order) keeps coming up. We’ve discussed Moses and Aaron. (for one example, see http://lostloserramblings.blogspot.com/2010/03/recon.html) We’ve discussed Jacob and Esau. For a moment, let me discuss Isaac and Ishmael. Isaac’s mother, Sarah, could not conceive, so she gave her servant girl, Hagar, up as a surrogate. Shortly afterward, Sarah conceived herself, and sent Hagar away so that her own son would be favored. This seems to be where many religious traditions split – in Christianity and Judaism, Isaac is the favored son. In Islam, it is Ismael.
So why the heck am I bringing this up? Well, for one, many considered Hagar to be wicked and crazy (as MIB considers his own mother). Secondly, perhaps it is not so simple as MIB is bad, Jacob is good. Maybe it is more complex than that. Maybe it is all a question of perception and belief. Then again, maybe I am just talking out my behind!
10. Richard calls out Hurley for lying about Jacob. Good point, Richard: Jacob never tells us what to do. BUT -- why didn’t anyone ask Richard what the island is?!!!!!
11. Ben and Miles go with Richard. Jack, Sun, Frank stick with Hurley. Do we now have THREE tribes . . . (hmmm . . . TWIBS #2? The three major religions and their belief systems? Talking out my behind again?)
12. I’m probably going to Jack realized he can’t always fix everything; needs to let go. Hurley questions whether or not Jack should have let go and listened to him.
13. GET AWAY FROM THE WELL, DESMOND!!! Didn’t you see that coming? Didn’t you yell at your tv for him to move? Locke trying to do away w/ Desmond? What’s the relevance of the hand dug well? Compass needles? Clearly the fact that Des is immune to magnetism is the reason Flocke threw him down there?
Crazy idea? Could he be sending AlternaDes back to Alternaworld?
Why isn’t Desmond afraid? “What’s the point of being afraid?”
14. Why does Jack look like he is going to cry when he sees Flocke?
Return to Alternaworld:
HOLY FREAKING CRAP!!!: After being accused by Dr. Linus of perviness, Des RUNS DOWN Locke!! Why? Here’s what I think, though I don’t know if it makes any sense. He is trying to make Locke remember the island so he can avoid his death or fight Flocke. Somewhere, deep down in Flockey, lives Locke? After all, shouldn’t Locke’s soul be stuck on the island, as he did some “bad” things while he was there, just like Michael.
I guess that’s it for now. However, I cannot get that creepy Willy Wonka music from playing in my head over and over again. I feel like I am on that crazy-ass boat he took Charlie (hmmmm. . .) and the others on where they saw creepy images of giant bugs, screaming people, and Slugworth.
Looking forward to your comments . . . I’m dying to discuss.
Namaste,
LLL
I apologize in advance for the length and randomness of this post.
Alternaworld
1. If you really want to get your geek on, check out this recap of Everybody Hates Hugo. http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Everybody_Hates_Hugo
2. Why does everybody love Hurley (including Pierre Chang aka Dr Marvin Candle aka Miles’ daddy)? Well, Mr. Cluck’s Home for Children should be reason enough, don’t you think?
3. He’s currently benefitting the Paliontology Wing at the museum. I sense a Charlotte connection coming on . . .
4. Laugh Out Loud Moment: Hurley tells Mama that next week, they have “The Human Fund” awards. Ha!
5. Ditched by a date at “Spanish Johnny’s” . . . Libby shows up; he thinks it’s his date. She remembers? Bruce Davison (Dr from Santa Rosa and the melty guy from XMen) always signals creepiness is about to ensue. He seems to know something, if you ask me. A Widmore associate? A former Dharma doctor? A lover for Eloise?
6. Hurley is not as happy as he appeared in earlier episodes this season. Perhaps because he LACKS LOVE!
7. Des, oh Des. How I love thee. You are hot. But I think you are hotter as Island Des, not all clean cut and pretty. But all the same . . .
8. WHAT DES DID:
--Des has tracked Hurley down . . . “Did you believe her when she said she knew ya?”
--Des counsels him not to give up.
--Order #42 . . .
9. SANTA ROSA:
- Dr. lets go of his concerns for a cost . . .
- Libby remembers the island and being the institution, too.
- CONNECT FOUR GUY! The one Hurley got the numbers from?
10. By the way . . . did Hugo win the lottery with the same numbers in alternaworld? If so, how did he come across them in alternaworld?
11. TOO CUTE FOR WORDS! Picnic on the beach, just like they were supposed to have on the island. Same discussion about why she would like him. The kiss helps him remember! All instigated by Desmond.
I’ll be back to Alternaworld soon . . .
Islandland
1. Hurley visits Libby and wants her to visit with him. What do you suppose is the reason she won’t? Could it be cause she did nothing wrong on the island? Since we now know . . .
2. Ominous voices in the jungle are the voices of those who cannot leave . . . this is gonna piss people off, this whole purgatory bit. Other than Michael, whose voices d you think we hear? Ana Lucia? Juliet? Eko? Paulo and Nikki (haha)?
3. HOLY CRAP MOMENT ARTZ Part 2: Ilana has been training her whole life “to protect” Hugo and the other candidates! I kinda liked her, too. Now she’s failed her mission? Or will she return to guide Hurley (you know, since he sees dead people)?
Was the island “done” with Ilana? Or was it her stupid decision to carry dynamite in her purse?
Hurley blew up the Black Rock. Go Hugo!
4. Lockeness waiting for the rest of the Losties to get off “this God-forsaken Rock.” Is that because Locke is God-forsaken? Could he . . . cue the Church-Lady . . . Satan? I don’t know if I think he is Satan, but he is some connection to the fallen angel.
5. THIS WEEK IN LOST LITERATURE: Notes From the Underground by Dostevesky. Another existential novella . . .
From Wikipedia: Like many of Dostoevsky's novels, Notes from Underground was unpopular with Soviet literary critics due to its explicit rejection of socialist utopianism[4] and its portrait of humans as irrational, uncontrollable, and uncooperative. His claim that human needs can never be satisfied even through technological progress, also goes against Marxist beliefs. Many existentialist critics, notably Jean-Paul Sartre, considered the novel to be a forerunner of existentialist thought and an inspiration to their own philosophies.
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche was very impressed with Dostoevsky, claiming that "Dostoevsky is one of the few psychologists from whom I have learned something,"[5] and that Notes from Underground "cried truth from the blood."[citation needed]
The novel has also been cited by Paul Schrader as an influence when he wrote the screenplay for the film Taxi Driver, which has existential themes. The novel American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis quotes a passage from the introduction of Notes from Underground as one of its epigraphs, as a means of comparing the use of the Underground Man as a symbol of his generation and environment to the novel's protagonist Patrick Bateman as a similar contemporary symbol.
SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING THE MAN IN BLACK WOULD BE READING?
6. Never thought this would happen . . . LINE OF THE NIGHT GOES TO . . . JACK! “Maybe she [Ilana] died to show us to stay the hell away from dynamite.” RUNNER UP? Hurley does trust Michael. Why? “Dead people are more reliable than live people.”
7. WHAT DES DID:
n Willingly goes with Locke“Nowhere to run to, Brotha.”
n Doesn’t give up what he believes is the reason he was brought by Widmore, but does tell him about the magnetic blast.
n Plays like he believes Flocke is Locke. What is the purpose of this? It’s clear Flocke doesn’t buy it and it’s clear
8. WILD THEORY OF THE NIGHT: Return of the bloody-hands boy . . . Could he be the son of the MIB? A sacrifice he made that he regrets?
9. TWIBS: With the MIB, this idea of the “second” son (in love not birth order) keeps coming up. We’ve discussed Moses and Aaron. (for one example, see http://lostloserramblings.blogspot.com/2010/03/recon.html) We’ve discussed Jacob and Esau. For a moment, let me discuss Isaac and Ishmael. Isaac’s mother, Sarah, could not conceive, so she gave her servant girl, Hagar, up as a surrogate. Shortly afterward, Sarah conceived herself, and sent Hagar away so that her own son would be favored. This seems to be where many religious traditions split – in Christianity and Judaism, Isaac is the favored son. In Islam, it is Ismael.
So why the heck am I bringing this up? Well, for one, many considered Hagar to be wicked and crazy (as MIB considers his own mother). Secondly, perhaps it is not so simple as MIB is bad, Jacob is good. Maybe it is more complex than that. Maybe it is all a question of perception and belief. Then again, maybe I am just talking out my behind!
10. Richard calls out Hurley for lying about Jacob. Good point, Richard: Jacob never tells us what to do. BUT -- why didn’t anyone ask Richard what the island is?!!!!!
11. Ben and Miles go with Richard. Jack, Sun, Frank stick with Hurley. Do we now have THREE tribes . . . (hmmm . . . TWIBS #2? The three major religions and their belief systems? Talking out my behind again?)
12. I’m probably going to Jack realized he can’t always fix everything; needs to let go. Hurley questions whether or not Jack should have let go and listened to him.
13. GET AWAY FROM THE WELL, DESMOND!!! Didn’t you see that coming? Didn’t you yell at your tv for him to move? Locke trying to do away w/ Desmond? What’s the relevance of the hand dug well? Compass needles? Clearly the fact that Des is immune to magnetism is the reason Flocke threw him down there?
Crazy idea? Could he be sending AlternaDes back to Alternaworld?
Why isn’t Desmond afraid? “What’s the point of being afraid?”
14. Why does Jack look like he is going to cry when he sees Flocke?
Return to Alternaworld:
HOLY FREAKING CRAP!!!: After being accused by Dr. Linus of perviness, Des RUNS DOWN Locke!! Why? Here’s what I think, though I don’t know if it makes any sense. He is trying to make Locke remember the island so he can avoid his death or fight Flocke. Somewhere, deep down in Flockey, lives Locke? After all, shouldn’t Locke’s soul be stuck on the island, as he did some “bad” things while he was there, just like Michael.
I guess that’s it for now. However, I cannot get that creepy Willy Wonka music from playing in my head over and over again. I feel like I am on that crazy-ass boat he took Charlie (hmmmm. . .) and the others on where they saw creepy images of giant bugs, screaming people, and Slugworth.
Looking forward to your comments . . . I’m dying to discuss.
Namaste,
LLL
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
"The Package" and "Happily Ever After"
Did you miss me? Well, be sad no more; you get a two for one this week!
The Package (title refers to two human packages, Desmond and Jin (also two of the hottest hotties on the show))
Islandland
1. “I don’t feel anything,” says Sayid. What’s that all about? (ties in nicely with the next episode, when Charlie desperately wants Des to feel something . . .)
2. Widmore’s people want Jin because he knows where the magnetic fields are located.
3. Don’t you think Jack has definitely become Locke-ish? He tells Sun, “There’s a reason we were brought to this island” (she don’t wanna hear that!)
4. Jin is dropped off in Room 23, where Carl had subliminal messaging tests conducted on him. Two things I noted flashing across the screen: “We are the cause of our own suffering.” “Everything changes.” IT’S ALL ABOUT CHOICE!
5. Claire asks Flocke if Kate’s name is on the wall, as she is jealous and still wants to kill Kate. Flocke informs her, “not anymore.” What did Kate do to be removed as a candidate (other than pout, whine, cry, inject herself where unnecessary, flirt with Juliet’s man, etc)?
6. Flocke cites Locke: “A wise man once said a war was coming to this island . .
7. What’s the package on the sub? Knew it was Desmond!!!
8. RECURRING STATEMENT: If Flocke escapes, everything ceases to be . . .
9. THIS WEEK IN LOST LITERATURE/LOST GOES TO THE MOVIES: Sayid swimming was reminiscent of Willard in Apocalypse Now (based on Heart of Darkness – ROB comment). Willard, to remind you, was the soldier sent to assassinate the twisted Colonel Kurtz, but whose own humanity is compromised by his mission. How does this relate to Sayid, you ask? Well, Sayid’s humanity is certainly compromised by undertaking the mission given to him by Flocke (see #1).
Alternaworld
1. Poor Jin and Sun; no matter what world they live in, they cannot seem to have a happily ever after. Daddy Paik just won’t let it happen; in fact, he has gone to extreme measures to prevent it . . . paying Keamy $25K to kill Jin. I wonder if perhaps the same would have happened in the original timeline had they not crashed on the island . . .
2. Mikhail is shot in eye . . . he wears an eyepatch on the island. Could it be that the two realities have converged previously? I don’t remember an explanation for his eyepatch in the original storyline.
3. In a strange twist, perhaps the island is the reason little Kwon was born . . . In alternaworld, Jin or Mikhail inadvertently shoots Sun, causing her to likely miscarry!
So what is Alternaworld, exactly? Well, I’m standing by the idea that it is what Flocke will give you if you work with him. It is what you think you want, what you most desire, but it comes at the cost of what you need . . . (love?) However, Jack’s and John’s storylines make this theory somewhat problematic, as they seem to have better realities in alternaworld. Maybe they didn’t work with Flocke? Maybe their alternaworlds are the better realities they get for having faith, for making the right choices, etc . . .
“Happily Ever After”
Islandland
1. When Des awakes, he doesn’t seem quite as pissed at Widmore as I would have expected (although shortly thereafter starts beating him with the IV stand)
2. Widmore tells Des, “The island isn’t done with you yet.” Same thing that Hawkins told him when Ben + Company sought her help in returning to the island.
3. Completely unimportant, but I like the way Widmore says “scheduled.”
4. The damned bunny again! Angstrom is his name, which refers to one of two things; Harry Angstrom from the Rabbit Series by John Updike (themes of life, death, redemption) or Jonas Angstrom, a physicist who worked in magnetism.
5. RECURRING THEME AGAIN: Desmond must sacrifice – “if you don’t help, they will all be gone, forever”
6. Why is Desmond the one man able to withstand the electromagnetic event? Is it because he has an ANCHOR?! . . .
Alternaworld
1. Desmond encounters Hurley, Claire (who he has an inkling will have a boy), and Jack in this world.
2. Minkowski, played by Fisher Stevens (“Number 5 is alive!”)picks him up. Takes him to his office, where he is embraced by Widmore. Good to see Fishy again!
3. Reminder of Old Times: Drinking McCutcheon scotch, as when Charles sent Des away on the boat race. This time, however, Widmore says Des is worth the price.
4. Charlie can feel the island!!!!! He could see the islandworld when he was choking; he saw and felt Claire when he was choking, now all he wants is to get back to that place, at any cost. And he wants Des (and everyone?) to feel something, too! “All that matters is that we felt it.”
5. Did you notice that Desmond’s pupils don’t dialate? Suffering from concussion . . . or not really in this world.
6. Who is Mrs. Widmore? She has a nasty reputation for being a beyotch . . . Why, it is Eloise Hawking! She recognizes him immediately, and seems a little shaken by it. She doesn’t really live up to her rep, initially, when she says, “What happened, happened.” But things change when Des tries to see the guest list . . .
Milton, Penny – solo; Eloise goes a little nutso, trying to stop Des. “Attained the thing you want more than anything; my husband’s approval.” At the cost of Penny! SEE THEORY ON ALTERNAWORLD . . . Sing it Mick: “you can’t always get what you want.”
7. Daniel (Farrady) Widmore knows what up too! Love at first sight for Daniel – Charlotte! He’s a musician in alternaworld. He asks, “What if this wasn’t supposed to be our life?” D-dog can remember, too!
8. THE ANCHOR: The stadium where Des met Jack is where he finds Penny. Shakes her hand and wakes up. She is his constant. Because he finds Penny, his destiny, because he chooses to find her even in this world where he got what he always “wanted,” he can save the island/the life he was supposed to lead. Maybe that is what all the other Losties will have to do to overcome Flocke – find their constants, their anchors. Maybe that is why Claire is so lost – her constant is gone. Sayid? – constant dead. James/Sawyer? -- constant gone?
9. MOMENTARY RETURN TO ISLANDLAND: Why couldn’t they allow Widmore to explain?!! Then we might have more of a clue . . . Damn you, Lost Writers!
10. Flashes again. Makes a date with Penny; tells Minkowski he wants manifest from the fight. I just need to show them something . . .
ONLY FIVE WEEKS LEFT UNTIL THE FINALE!! I am so excited but also so sad. Looking forward to your witty remarks (unwitty remarks are also welcome and appreciated)!
Namaste,
LLL
The Package (title refers to two human packages, Desmond and Jin (also two of the hottest hotties on the show))
Islandland
1. “I don’t feel anything,” says Sayid. What’s that all about? (ties in nicely with the next episode, when Charlie desperately wants Des to feel something . . .)
2. Widmore’s people want Jin because he knows where the magnetic fields are located.
3. Don’t you think Jack has definitely become Locke-ish? He tells Sun, “There’s a reason we were brought to this island” (she don’t wanna hear that!)
4. Jin is dropped off in Room 23, where Carl had subliminal messaging tests conducted on him. Two things I noted flashing across the screen: “We are the cause of our own suffering.” “Everything changes.” IT’S ALL ABOUT CHOICE!
5. Claire asks Flocke if Kate’s name is on the wall, as she is jealous and still wants to kill Kate. Flocke informs her, “not anymore.” What did Kate do to be removed as a candidate (other than pout, whine, cry, inject herself where unnecessary, flirt with Juliet’s man, etc)?
6. Flocke cites Locke: “A wise man once said a war was coming to this island . .
7. What’s the package on the sub? Knew it was Desmond!!!
8. RECURRING STATEMENT: If Flocke escapes, everything ceases to be . . .
9. THIS WEEK IN LOST LITERATURE/LOST GOES TO THE MOVIES: Sayid swimming was reminiscent of Willard in Apocalypse Now (based on Heart of Darkness – ROB comment). Willard, to remind you, was the soldier sent to assassinate the twisted Colonel Kurtz, but whose own humanity is compromised by his mission. How does this relate to Sayid, you ask? Well, Sayid’s humanity is certainly compromised by undertaking the mission given to him by Flocke (see #1).
Alternaworld
1. Poor Jin and Sun; no matter what world they live in, they cannot seem to have a happily ever after. Daddy Paik just won’t let it happen; in fact, he has gone to extreme measures to prevent it . . . paying Keamy $25K to kill Jin. I wonder if perhaps the same would have happened in the original timeline had they not crashed on the island . . .
2. Mikhail is shot in eye . . . he wears an eyepatch on the island. Could it be that the two realities have converged previously? I don’t remember an explanation for his eyepatch in the original storyline.
3. In a strange twist, perhaps the island is the reason little Kwon was born . . . In alternaworld, Jin or Mikhail inadvertently shoots Sun, causing her to likely miscarry!
So what is Alternaworld, exactly? Well, I’m standing by the idea that it is what Flocke will give you if you work with him. It is what you think you want, what you most desire, but it comes at the cost of what you need . . . (love?) However, Jack’s and John’s storylines make this theory somewhat problematic, as they seem to have better realities in alternaworld. Maybe they didn’t work with Flocke? Maybe their alternaworlds are the better realities they get for having faith, for making the right choices, etc . . .
“Happily Ever After”
Islandland
1. When Des awakes, he doesn’t seem quite as pissed at Widmore as I would have expected (although shortly thereafter starts beating him with the IV stand)
2. Widmore tells Des, “The island isn’t done with you yet.” Same thing that Hawkins told him when Ben + Company sought her help in returning to the island.
3. Completely unimportant, but I like the way Widmore says “scheduled.”
4. The damned bunny again! Angstrom is his name, which refers to one of two things; Harry Angstrom from the Rabbit Series by John Updike (themes of life, death, redemption) or Jonas Angstrom, a physicist who worked in magnetism.
5. RECURRING THEME AGAIN: Desmond must sacrifice – “if you don’t help, they will all be gone, forever”
6. Why is Desmond the one man able to withstand the electromagnetic event? Is it because he has an ANCHOR?! . . .
Alternaworld
1. Desmond encounters Hurley, Claire (who he has an inkling will have a boy), and Jack in this world.
2. Minkowski, played by Fisher Stevens (“Number 5 is alive!”)picks him up. Takes him to his office, where he is embraced by Widmore. Good to see Fishy again!
3. Reminder of Old Times: Drinking McCutcheon scotch, as when Charles sent Des away on the boat race. This time, however, Widmore says Des is worth the price.
4. Charlie can feel the island!!!!! He could see the islandworld when he was choking; he saw and felt Claire when he was choking, now all he wants is to get back to that place, at any cost. And he wants Des (and everyone?) to feel something, too! “All that matters is that we felt it.”
5. Did you notice that Desmond’s pupils don’t dialate? Suffering from concussion . . . or not really in this world.
6. Who is Mrs. Widmore? She has a nasty reputation for being a beyotch . . . Why, it is Eloise Hawking! She recognizes him immediately, and seems a little shaken by it. She doesn’t really live up to her rep, initially, when she says, “What happened, happened.” But things change when Des tries to see the guest list . . .
Milton, Penny – solo; Eloise goes a little nutso, trying to stop Des. “Attained the thing you want more than anything; my husband’s approval.” At the cost of Penny! SEE THEORY ON ALTERNAWORLD . . . Sing it Mick: “you can’t always get what you want.”
7. Daniel (Farrady) Widmore knows what up too! Love at first sight for Daniel – Charlotte! He’s a musician in alternaworld. He asks, “What if this wasn’t supposed to be our life?” D-dog can remember, too!
8. THE ANCHOR: The stadium where Des met Jack is where he finds Penny. Shakes her hand and wakes up. She is his constant. Because he finds Penny, his destiny, because he chooses to find her even in this world where he got what he always “wanted,” he can save the island/the life he was supposed to lead. Maybe that is what all the other Losties will have to do to overcome Flocke – find their constants, their anchors. Maybe that is why Claire is so lost – her constant is gone. Sayid? – constant dead. James/Sawyer? -- constant gone?
9. MOMENTARY RETURN TO ISLANDLAND: Why couldn’t they allow Widmore to explain?!! Then we might have more of a clue . . . Damn you, Lost Writers!
10. Flashes again. Makes a date with Penny; tells Minkowski he wants manifest from the fight. I just need to show them something . . .
ONLY FIVE WEEKS LEFT UNTIL THE FINALE!! I am so excited but also so sad. Looking forward to your witty remarks (unwitty remarks are also welcome and appreciated)!
Namaste,
LLL
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