'Lost': It's my Locke in a box

March 22, 12:05 AM

It became fairly clear to me about midway through Wednesday's Lost just who "the man from Tallahassee" was, so that last scene didn't really shock me. What it made me do was think of Jennifer Garner whimpering "Mom?" at the end of season one of Alias, which I recall as a much more jaw-dropping revelation.

Maybe because that last scene felt a little telegraphed, what was otherwise a pretty decent episode -- particularly the crackling work of Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson in their scenes together -- left me feeling a little underwhelmed.

It felt kind of like a cheat that Locke's dad apparently came to be on the island courtesy a mysterious box that, when you open it, contains whatever you wished it would (and which will be known from this day forward in this space as the LockeBox). If, as Lost's producers have claimed, there's a world-as-we-know-it explanation for just about everything on the island, how's that happen?

That's kind of a big question, and the fact that it hangs there drags down my enjoyment of the episode. Which is a shame, because I was really digging the back-and-forth between Ben and Locke. ("On this island, there's a very large box, and whatever you imagine ... when you open that box, there it would be. What would you say about that?" "I'd say I hope that box is big enough to imagine yourself up a new submarine.")

What was so interesting to me is that they appeared to want the same thing, more or less -- to understand and be part of whatever it is that the island can offer them. I'm sure Ben was relishing the thought of having the outsider do his dirty work of blowing up the submarine, thereby forcing Jack and Juliet to stay put. But Locke seemed to be onto that (hence his brushoff of Alex's warning about Ben being manipulative), and what's more, he didn't seem to care.

And yeah, he set back the cause of escape or rescue for the Flight 815 survivors back immeasurably. But his action was maybe the clearest statement yet that we've seen of his belief in a connection to the island and his desire to stay on it. So I'm willing to go along with that, and not least because it promises a renewal of one of the show's more intriguing Big Ideas: the science vs. faith question as embodied by Jack and Locke.

It's clear, too, that Ben is pretty upset that the island hasn't healed him the way it did Locke. How the hell is it, he's got to be thinking, that I spend my whole life here and end up wheelchair-bound (at least temporarily) while this joker gets a free pass from day one? (It was probably a smart move on Locke's part not to mention the brief moments we've seen him lose feeling in his legs.) I'd be very interested to see the show explore that some more.

And, oh yeah, the flashback. Our patience (if Lost fans have any patience left) was finally rewarded, and we got to see how Locke ended up in his wheelchair. It was not especially poetic or ironic, but damned if I didn't flinch when Daddy defenestrated him like that. (And that looked a lot higher than eight stories.)

Odds and ends: I liked Sayid's exchange with Alex about her mother, but I'm not sure we needed the scene of Rousseau beaming at her daughter at the sub dock. And I'm curious what angle Tom might be working in being so friendly to Jack, as evidenced by his warning the doc to keep his voice down in the rec room with Kate. Is Tom just a nice guy, or is he one of those folks Ben mentioned who aren't sufficiently committed?

What did you think of this week's Lost? Did the final scene surprise you? And what would you wish for in the LockeBox?

Permalink

Comments (67)

Comments

I still say the LockeBox is a metaphor, and Cooper was there for some unrelated reason -- fleeing the country or whatnot.

Other than that: Best. Episode. Wait for it. Yet.

The only downside: After the strides made in the last few weeks returning back to the status quo, we were once again with Kate and Jack and the Others. Oh well, there's always next week.

Jeff | Mar 22, 2007 12:37:29 AM | #

In retrospect, ABC's decision to impose a long gap between the first 6 eps and the rest of the season was a major gaffe. Especially since these new episodes have been pretty solid thus far. Tonight's Locke ep was overdue but worth the wait. Always great to see Terry O'Quinn in fighting form. Was the final scene contrived? Yeah ... but in the context of the show, I think it works. I'm actually looking forward to catching Lost again. Noticed no Dancing with the Stars promos running under the show. Wonder if ABC got flak about that?

Yojimbo | Mar 22, 2007 12:41:47 AM | #

Best line of the episode, hilarious actually, was Locke to Ben, "You're not gonna start talkin' about the magic box again are you?" Locke's dad is creepy, hope karma gets him.

Oh, and any interaction between Jack and Kate, is worth the price of admission (patience). Matt Fox is such a good actor on this show, so good, as is Evangeline Lily.

I see Jeff is a Barney fan, me too, HIMYM rocks.

NG | Mar 22, 2007 1:04:18 AM | #

I liked it a lot, but wish ben hadn't said "Get me the man from Talahasee" early in the episode so that maybe just maybe the reveal at the end could have been a surprise. not sure how it built suspense (since it seemed obvious who it was) and since locke was already, well, locked up at the end, it's not like there was a time issue. ah well.

and yes, the episodes since the gap have been much much better. almost seems like the old show at times.

Frank | Mar 22, 2007 2:33:37 AM | #

i dunno NG. i thought the best line in the episode was when locke asked ben about the electricity.

:we have two giant hamster running on a big wheel....: or something like that. haha!

but yes. best episode yet

john | Mar 22, 2007 2:52:57 AM | #

Thought it was just okay. I was surprised by the ending. Apparently the "man from Tallahasse" clue was over my head. I am so over Locke's Dad even if Locke isn't ready yet. I was more shocked to learn that eyeliner guy from "Not In Portland" was still on the island.

Juggernut | Mar 22, 2007 3:15:55 AM | #

I know, eyeliner guy shocked me too. And yeah, the hamster electricity line was my favorite too.

I like having as many characters as possible in an episode, but it's hard to fault anyone for only covering the "others" territory in this one I think. There was enough going on there that going back to the beach would have seemed like an afterthought. Next week it certainly looks like we'll be spending some significant time at the beach. Although, really, a Nikki and Paulo episode?...

Great episode. Seriously fine acting from Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson. They have really great chemistry. It was also nice to see mellow Jack again as opposed to the constantly yelling Jack of late. Though the look on his face after that sub blew up...

Natalie | Mar 22, 2007 4:05:01 AM | #

Am I crazy, or does anyone else think that Cooper could be the "real" Sawyer?

Xannie | Mar 22, 2007 4:43:07 AM | #

I've been thinking that Cooper is the real Sawyer since early last season. That's the only explanation that makes sense. James Ford is searching for the con man who caused the deaths of his parents and Locke's father is a con man. Just too coincidental to be otherwise.

papashango | Mar 22, 2007 4:50:05 AM | #

Great, jaw-dropping, maddening episode. I don't know if this was the major bomb that the producers have been refering to, but it was a great episode, even though Locke is being a jerk about not leting Jack and Juliet leave the island (the survivors probably have a better chance of killing each other than being killed by the others). The dual bomb in the sub and Locke being pushed out the window was cool too.

Derek | Mar 22, 2007 4:50:49 AM | #

I could have lived forever without any more Locke Flashbacks.

Kate is beginning to remind me of the girl you are trying to drop, who continues to show up on your doorstep relentlessly after you have tried all the "It's not you, it's me" guff and moved through "don't bother coming after me anymore" -- when he saw her yet again appeared to look at him with those drowned-puppy eyes, I could see that it was beginning to dawn on him that in order to get her to leave him alone, is actually going to have to kill her. That's the episode I can't wait to see. I hope he uses a hammer. I hope we get to see it right up close and personal.

I think this episode could have been condensed to half an hour easily. And I think the Box is a 'monkey's paw' McGuffin which I hope they won't overuse. Maybe Hurley can find a diet that actually works in there.

Appleby Mennym | Mar 22, 2007 5:01:55 AM | #

Thanks, papashango. I looked up the Cooper/Sawyer connection and now I'm embarrassed to say I didn't see it coming more than a year ago like everyone else!

I'm glad Lost is giving answers on its own time rather than that of impatient fans. I was worried the reveal of the cause of Locke's injury would be gratuitous, but it was integral to this episode. Had it been revealed in prior episodes it would have been a pandering handout.

Xannie | Mar 22, 2007 5:12:19 AM | #

The box isn't literal, you giant moron. It's metaphorcial. Jesus christ! You're pathetic Porter.

Btrain | Mar 22, 2007 5:17:16 AM | #

The box isn't literal, you giant moron. It's metaphorical. Jesus christ! You're pathetic Porter.

Btrain | Mar 22, 2007 5:19:17 AM | #

Well ABC announced that Lost will be back next year..I hope the storylines get better. I agree with comments about Locke...enough..let's get the doctor back and have some flashy hot storylines

BATMAN | Mar 22, 2007 5:19:24 AM | #

That's right. I said it twice, ya retard!

Btrain | Mar 22, 2007 5:20:26 AM | #

Didn't like the ending. While I am digging the continued 'coincidence upon coincidence' thing (still can't figure out why they made Jack's dad to be Claire's dad too) 'the magic box' crossed the line. Where's a good sonic-weapon barrier to cross when you need one.

Boo

Brett | Mar 22, 2007 5:47:36 AM | #

'Beaming' at her daughter ? Beaming usually implies a great big smile.

I thought that scene was touching. Danielle is usually portrayed as half crazy and a renegade. It was nice to see her other side

MJ | Mar 22, 2007 5:47:51 AM | #

next to the Desmond episode, this was the best so far this year. I wasn't totally shocked by how he got crippled or that his Dad was in the room, but they were still cool to see. I hope Locke goes medieval on his Dad because that guy deserves to be killed in the most painful way possible. Locke is finally back on track and they actually planted the seed in Alex's head that her mom's not dead. They really are moving things along at a good clip, so at least the producers got the lead out. I always love the scenes between Locke and Jack as they always bring the best out in each other. After what happened this ep., i'm sure we'll get some more good interaction between the two.

Steve | Mar 22, 2007 6:21:12 AM | #

There's a bonus on the Season 2 DVD that STRONGLY suggests Anthony Cooper is in fact the real Sawyer.

I'm just looking forward to the day our Sawyer finds out.

Jay | Mar 22, 2007 6:23:25 AM | #

Nice use of the word defenestrated. I'm thinking eyeliner guy went out and brought back daddy on Ben's orders. Locke should call in Sayid to do some work.

Grant | Mar 22, 2007 6:24:08 AM | #

I don't believe there is an all powerful LockeBox but I do think there is something to everything happens for a reason. Desmond doesn't push the button that brings flight 815 crashing to the island. What if when Locke didn't press the button that brought his father? Thinking that his father was either flying past or sailing at that time. This would explain why he looked beat up.

Spencer | Mar 22, 2007 6:35:26 AM | #

Sorry Rick...there's is no actual box and it isn't magic. I'm rather surprised that you picked up on "the man from Talahase" line, but took literal translation of the magic box.

The box Ben was referring to was the prison cell. And the "magic trick" was having Loche's father inside, because it's so clear that he has "daddy issues" that having his father be inside something that makes your wishes come true is just the next logical step.

Don't worry, the show hasn't jumped the shark. It's slowly getting back to what made it great in the first season: faith vs. science vs. super natural.

Marcus | Mar 22, 2007 6:46:53 AM | #

It seems to me that everything that has happened to Locke before the island is catching up to him.The flashbacks showed us a man who was always down & out.He was a broken man living a pathetic life,Now that he is on the island he seems determined to stay and nothing will stop him.He has his own agenda.I also find it interesting that Ben claims that he was born on the island What does this mean? Everyone has a boss over him so who is his boss?Who is the CEO of the survivors-who is really calling the shots and giving the orders?

dennis | Mar 22, 2007 7:10:18 AM | #

Haha, well just about every other person has said it, but man, the "box" does not exist, it was just Ben's attempt at creating interest in Locke. To take things so literally for what's so far the super-evil-cover-up kind of guy is plain dumb. Remember, mis-direction is the name of the game, if the "other's" could have anything they wanted 24/7, well, as Locke put it, they'd have imagined themselves a hell of a lot of submarines and left or destroyed the other factions already.

LostPal | Mar 22, 2007 7:16:33 AM | #