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'Lost': Building a mystery
Well, kids, did you catch "Cabin Fever"? (The only prescription? More Dharma cowbell!) I'm tempted, based on the last line alone, to give this episode a review akin to a 13-year old girl reviewing the latest Jonah Brothers' CD, with the caps lock on and variation text-message based superlatives liberally peppered into the recap. But as a whole, as a complete episode of television, it was far from perfect, and perhaps the greatest victim of the writer's strike that we've seen since Lost started re-airing new episodes in this generally stellar Season 4.
Everything Locke-centric? Pretty much solid gold. Everything freighter-centric? Well, a little bit of freighter goes a long way. I think we solidly learned that lesson tonight. But with a few scant hours left in the season, the show clearly tried to shoe-horn in about three episodes worth of freighter story into roughly 11 minutes. The seams showed, and thus had me itching to get back to the Island. But let's accentuate the positive, and leave the negatives for the end, shall we?
So let's go to the Island, and its version of The Three Musketeers. (Or should I call them Jacob's Trio?) Locke, Ben, and Hurley spent the majority of the episode essentially playing hot potato when it came to claiming ownership over Jacob's pet. Locke set out to finally answer the nagging questions that have haunted him since holing up at the Barracks, Hurley set out to figure out why he had previously seen the cabin, and Ben set out looking as if his puppy had just died. And as they traversed the main streets and back roads of the Island, the notion of fate kept cropping up. To quote Shakespeare, "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them." And all three men are trying to figure out where they fall in that configuration.
Locke may not have been borne into greatness, but he was born three months premature. And that time frame sticks out to me, because if you'll recall, that's right around the time when babies on the Island start dying. Locke's miraculous survival attracts the attention not only of the hospital staff, but a certain Mittelos Biosciences as well. Seeing the back of Richard Alpert's head made me squeal with glee, and his decades-long testing of John Locke adds huge dimensions to Locke's back story as well as the mythology of Lost as a whole.
I don't know about you, but I assumed that Mittelos Biosciences was established by Benjamin Linus or, at the very least, by the Hanso Foundation as a way to conduct discreet work out of the public eye. Looks like tonight at least rules out the former, and while the latter is still likely, we really should start looking as the Island as ultimate employer of Richard Alpert. All along we've been trying to establish the loyalties of people in terms of Team Linus/Team Hanso/Team Widmore, but perhaps we now need to add Team Jacob to the mix, with Jacob as the "true" conduit through which the Island can disseminate information.
Most interesting of all the tests was a scene that will be analyzed as much as the Blast Door Map: The Drawing of the Three, a phrase I use in direct homage to the Stephen King novel of the same name. (Lost writers are nothing if not huge King fans.) Locke successfully chooses a vial of ashen stone, a compass, and then incorrectly selects a knife. Alpert, while disappointed by Locke's failure, nevertheless continues to test Locke throughout his life, waiting for the moment at which Locke is fully ready to assume his ultimate role as Island Protector.
But why? Well, my brother astutely emailed me at episode's end and pointed out this Drawing of the Three was eerily similar to the way in which Buddhists locate the Dalai Lama by having him identify objects from his previous incarnation. The person who helps him identify? The Panchen Lama, whose reincarnation is identified by the Dalai Lama, thus forming a never-ending circle by which one ensures the continuation of the Other. One can look at Richard's testing of Locke and Ben as his way of locating the next Dalai Dharma, looking for that one person who is truly meant to protect the Island. The Purge was an unsuccessful attempt at this, and in the aftermath, Alpert realized that Ben was the wrong choice, and needed to bring John Locke to the Island.
(Apologies if I completely butchered bunches of Buddhism there, folks...please go easy on me in the comments!)
And the person who puts Locke in the proper position on the global Risk board that is Lost? Matthew Abaddon, back from obscurity, and apparently back from a walkabout, putting the nugget of information/inspiration that will eventually put Locke in a position to board Oceanic 815. This connects Alpert and Abaddon, apparently, although I will confess at this moment I can't figure out exactly how. I'd assumed Abaddon worked for Widmore, but I can't quite see why somehow working for Widmore would want to push the Island Savior into position to thwart Widmore's plans. It's a conundrum wrapped inside a riddle all wrapped up in blueprints for Jacob's cabin.
So let's talk about the cabin, shall we? Let's set aside the events inside the cabin and instead focus on its origins. What we saw tonight suggested that the cabin was constructed by the Dharma Initiative, not a leftover byproduct of Black Rock survivors. More importantly, we learned who built the cabin: Horace Goodspeed, a mathematician. Not a carpenter, mind you. A mathematician. I'm curious why a math whiz was assigned the construction of a log cabin. Seems a pretty weird thing to me, unless you assume that sometimes, a log cabin is more than a log cabin. (It's like the opposite of a bracelet that way.)
Maybe it's high time to think of it less as a log cabin and more like a psychic log station. In other words, it's in fact part of the Dharma Initiative's original plans, and maybe the high point of those plans: the construction of a place to inhabit and control the essence of the Island. The Drawing of the Three thus becomes a search for someone who can liberate "Jacob," who is either someone we know unstuck in time or an unlucky Dharma Initiative employee "volunteered" to be the vessel for the Island's consciousness. (And you thought working at The Tempest sucked.) In other words, Richard Alpert groomed Locke from Day One to assume his status as the newest version of Jacob and move the Island.
And yes, I said "move the Island," because well, that's what Locke said after walking in on the creepiest father/daughter reunion this side of Jon Voight and Angelina Jolie on the set of Tomb Raider. I guess this sets in motion the series of actions that render the Island "missing" from Widmore's vantage point in the future, renders the Oceanic 6 unable to go back, and renders my brain matter leaking out of my ears. "Move the Island"??? I'll leave it to you, dear readers, to analyze along what axes Locke intends to move the Island. Perchance the Orchid will enable such a move?
As far as Christian and Claire in the cabin...well, I'll give Lost credit. I can't believe they answered a nagging question ("Where did they go?") in the following episode. That HAS to be a record, right? Claire seems pretty darn content to be with this version of Christian, the non-blue suit-wearing version, the Jacob-translating version, the creepier than all get out version. And Aaron is "where he's supposed to be?" Oooookkkkkk. So unless Christian and Claire are illegally squatting in the cabin, we can assume Jacob wants Aaron separated from Claire. I'll try to parse the meaning of this next week in Zap2It's Guide to Lost.
I've tried to avoid the freighter material, because it was entirely mechanical, pushing the plot along with gears that creaked not unlikely those actually aboard the Kahana. Of most interest? Plan B (replete with a Dharma logo on the front!!!), which I'm gonna dub "Light 'Em Up." How metaphorical was Keamy when he stated he was off to "torch the island"? The answer may lie in that crazy contraption on Keamy's arm. Also, more time wonkiness was confirmed when we saw the doctor alive on the ship while on the Island he was deader that Lindsey Lohan's career. Why is this crazy? Well, Faraday's rocket took longer to arrive from Island perspective than freighter perspective. The doctor's dead body? Faster, from Island perspective. That means that we can't assign a singular ratio of time traveling between the Island and the real world. The barrier may merely be a function of entry angle, but could also be a fluctuating, random system or, more intriguely, as something that's constantly degrading through the tremendous entry/re-entry that's been going on in recent days on the Island.
I've only dedicated one paragraph to the freighter storyline, but it took up an extraordinary chunk of episode time. I wanted more of Locke's story, Alpert's constant testing, and more creepy Claire dialogue. Hopefully, having gotten all the major players into a position to enact the final scenes of this season, the narrative needs have been met and we can enjoy three hours of uninterrupted awesomeness to close out an overall fantastic season.
What did you make of Locke's backstory? What is Alpert's true motivation? Does Ben truly think his time on the Island is over, given what we've seen in "The Shape of Things to Come"? And how would you go about moving an entire island?
Ryan also posts every 108 minutes over at Boob Tube Dude.
For someone who obsesses over every detail you occasionally miss rather basic details. Horace said he was building the cabin as a getaway for himself and his wife. So while it is an outgrowth of the Dharma initiative there is no reason to believe that it has a nefarious purpose within the Dharma initiative. He may have chosen the location for a special reason which is why it has the special properties it has now, or perhaps it was adopted because it was there.
Also, there is nothing to definitively suggest that Abbadon and Alpert are working together. Perhaps both sides are interested in John (the reason for which is still uncertain).
Mike | May 8, 2008 10:40:37 PM | #Mike: "Also, there is nothing to definitively suggest that Abbadon and Alpert are working together. Perhaps both sides are interested in John (the reason for which is still uncertain)."
I would also agree with that. If John Locke does in fact, have some kind of special power to control/communicate with the Island, why wouldn't Widmore be interested in having someone like that in his pocket? It seems like Ben and Locke have a connection to the island, and if Ben is Widmore's enemy, it seems likely that Widmore would consider Locke to be a powerful weapon.
Beau | May 8, 2008 10:55:10 PM | #Ok granted the freighter stuff wasn't up to the usual LOST standards, but the island action more than made up for it.
I have to say the Claire/Locke/Christian scene really creeped me out, What exactly happened between last week and this one to make Claire abandon her baby, and move into that creepy cabin with her dead daddy, and to seem so comfortable about it too. Does it mean that Claire is dead?
Nearly fell off my chair, when I saw Richard Alpert in the hospital, how the hell does that man not age? and why didn't Locke recognize him on the island as the man from his childhood?
I love this show, for every question it answers it asks even more.
Can't wait to see exactly how you move an island.
Mike: I heard that explanation as well as you did; I just figure there's potentially something more to it than the cover story, as it were.
Beau: Hadn't thought of Locke as the center of a power struggle
between both sides. Not a bad theory.
Mike/Beau: I threw the word "apparently" in there as a way to allow the possibility that Alpert and Abaddon are not connected, which you both strongly feel. It would be weird, but I can't 100% rule out either possibility at this point.
Ryan | May 8, 2008 11:18:00 PM | #I made some few conclusions after watching the thread and reading this blog. I dont have so much back up for them but Im going with my gut feeling.
1) The time ratio that Ryan is confused about maybe the bearing in which the rocket and the doctor passed through. It is not a question of getting to the island but rather WHEN/WHAT TIME an entity gets to it. We always believed that the bearing is only to get to and from the island but we never actually thought of it with the time plot sophistication
2) Sadly, I think Claire is really dead. The way she looked at John gave it away for me. She seemed so contempt and very happy. She freaked me out the most. That scene was REALLY scary.
3)I believe Abaddon USED to work for whoever Alpert is working with. There must have been some sort of conflict between Abaddon and Alpert's people thus leading to Abaddon aligning with the opposition.
The freighter scenes werent that bad for me. The emotion and the way things are lining up are pretty amazing. EVERYONE did a great job tonight.
James | May 8, 2008 11:29:53 PM | #Where is everyone tonight? Did you guys not take bearing 305? You are missing out the party.
James | May 8, 2008 11:31:27 PM | #The king is dead. Long live the king. Ben's rule is over and so starts the age of Locke.
It would seem to me that either Will or Aaron are next in line to the throne.
Joshua | May 8, 2008 11:44:40 PM | #Who's Will?
James | May 8, 2008 11:47:05 PM | #I forgot. My theory regarding moving the island. Moving the island back in time.
Wouldn't this drive everyone NUTSSSSSS? Charlie, Boone, Ana Lucia, Eko EVERYBODY has a CHANCE to come back.
This would be like an over extended Charlie-Desmond episode in which Desmond already knows Charlie is gonna die somehow.
James | May 8, 2008 11:52:45 PM | #Is it just me or at one point did you guys think that as soon as Juliet stayed in front of the crowd while watching the chopper, she was gonna get shot?
I was already covering my eyes because I thought she's a goner.
James | May 8, 2008 11:58:18 PM | #Joshua: Aaron as the next Panchen Lama? Oooh. Not bad. Not bad at all. I'm severely annoyed I didn't think of that.
Ryan | May 9, 2008 12:08:12 AM | #The king is dead. Long live the king. Ben's rule is over and so starts the age of Locke.
It would seem to me that either Walt or Aaron are next in line to the throne.
Joshua | May 9, 2008 12:11:46 AM | #GOD I LOVE THIS SHOW!
Okay, had to get that out. Tonight's episode was all over the map, but I blame the strike for them trying to cram all these plot points in. And it was all good, so more power to them.
I'll try to make this shorter than my last draft, which I lost on accident:
- John Locke
Like Kara Thrace on BSG, Locke has a destiny. This is clear to me from how Richard has been watching him from birth, waiting for him to be ready to become the captain of the Island Secret Service. And like Kara, Locke had such a hard life because it was to prepare him for his destiny, which was going to be full of hardships.
But Locke kept denying his destiny, in one way or another. He spent his whole life avoiding it; choosing the knife, trying to be socially acceptable, becoming a 9-to-5 wage slave in a box company. In essence, the Island finally "punished" him by setting into motion the events that led to his crippling, just like it gave Ben a tumor and made Jack sick. The ironic thing is that the walkabout itself wasn't what led John to the Island, and in turn, his restoration in the eyes of the Island. It was the journey to Australia itself that was his walkabout. Once he was there, and he embraced the Island and his destiny, his legs were returned.
- Abbadon
This guy continues to confuse me. I like the theory of both Widmore and the Island knowing about John's specialness, and vying for his allegiance. The other, more interesting theory is that Abbadon is a double agent in this secret war.
Think about this; he nudges John to Australia, which seems to be a benevolent move for Team Jacob/Island, yet every other appearance he's made has been sinister and seems to be for Team Widmore.
But think about the Naomi scene; he didn't say "help Keamy in his mass murder". All he told her to do was to get the Freighter Four (who have proved increasingly more good than bad) to the Island safely and protect them. It's possible that Abbadon could be working for Widmore, but simultaneously working to undermine his plans.
- Claire, Aaron and the two notChristians
I'm not gonna lie; Claire being in the cabin creeped me the heck out. Especially when she seemed totally at ease with notChristian.
As I mentioned, the Freighter Four seem to be coming around, turning away from the Widmore plan in their own ways. Miles let Claire go, and since it seems the notChristian at the camp ended up being a mouthpiece for Jacob/Island, then Miles probably knew that she needed to go.
Now, why do these mystical, unseen forces want Claire and Aaron seperated? I assumed until tonight that it was bad for the Island, but now I have a different take. The Oceanic 6 are a part of the grand plan that, along with "moving" the Island, is going to deliver the knockout punch to Team Widmore. They are going to be sent into the real world with the notion that they will one day return; however, they probably don't even know this. Aaron and his connection to Claire is essential to getting them back, which is why Malkin said what he did and why Jack trying to raise Aaron is being no-no'd by Charlie and the other, familiar notChristian. They also have to stay alive, which is why it won't let Jack off himself.
- Ben Linus
This one's short; Ben realizes Locke is now the Island's go-to guy, and I think Ben accepts it. All he cares about now is revenge against Widmore, and while he may still be assisting in keeping the Island's safe, he's not part of the team anymore.
Well, that's enough for now. The board is open, the pieces are set, now is the time for the endgame to begin!
Other Sean | May 9, 2008 12:12:14 AM | #I like what you said regarding O6 sean.
Freighter Four:Island::Oceanic Six:Outside World.
When is Walt going to resurface?
James | May 9, 2008 12:17:00 AM | #Where the heck is Sawyer??
I need some of that bad boy!
is it possible that Christian is also Locke's birth father?
janeplain | May 9, 2008 1:40:36 AM | #Didn't anyone else pick up on the fact that Locke & Ben both have mothers named EMILY? Who look very much alike... making that it's highly likely that John and Ben are brothers!! Perhaps Ben's time as chosen one on the island is up because the first born has finally returned/arrived to take his rightful place?
I too believe Claire is dead, and Aaron's rightful place is on the island, as opposed to with Sawyer.
jolis | May 9, 2008 4:58:03 AM | #janeplain-
Locke's dad was Anthony Cooper. He was also the man who Sawyer named himself after. You can see more here:
http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Cooper
I definitely assumed Abaddon was working on a different agenda after that episode. Although not team Ben or double agent. I think he is on Team Alpert. I don't think Abaddon has aged either.
I also fear Claire is dead. She has never been at ease being around Christian. Or being away from the bay-bee. Plus her smile was just plain creepy.
I'm still confused over why Lapidus would drop that sat phone. Did he really intended for them to follow the beacon? Or was it a warning to stay away?
Morgan | May 9, 2008 5:05:30 AM | #Jolis-
Thats a really interesting theory, however how do you explain Emily Locke being alive in Locke's later flashbacks, when she convinces him to give his father a kidney? Emily Linus definitely died long before that.
seeing Claire look all creepy, really makes me think she died in the bazooka blast. It explains why Miles kept looking at her funny and how someone could actually survive a bazooka blast. Answer: She didn't.
The reason she seemed alive is that her spirit needed to protect the baby until it was safe from harm.
neaux | May 9, 2008 5:25:11 AM | #Agreed, Ryan. This ep was a lil' sloppy from a writing standpoint. (the freighter stuff being the most disjointed) Keemy just lets Saying & Desmond walk around the deck? Given Keemy's mistrust of the the Captain, Keemy's subordinate lets the Captain walk off with Sayid & Des? That with his treatment of Michael, (couldn't buy the reasoning, for keeping Michael alive once he was found out). Really? You want to keep the sabateur alive because he's the only one that can fix the boat? Really?! It seems that he's the only one who's been able to break the boat, but that's just me. Keemy deciding to slit the Doc's throat, when no one has an interest in him? Just seemed like he was trying to fulfill the plot line. Not too buttoned up.
Brian of the North | May 9, 2008 6:32:07 AM | #I wonder what the significance is of showing that from an early age Locke has made it clear that he is not a "man of science" (arguing with the teacher about the summer camp program at Mittelos science program).
What is the Book of Laws and What comic book did Locke pass up?
Morgan - I'm guessing that it was actually John's grandmother that we saw in those flashbacks. This is based only on appearances mind-you, so I know it proves nothing. I also think the grandmother was lying when she said she didn't know who Richard was... she seemed pretty flustered.
Another possible theory is that Ben's mom has been to the island and she can't die?
jolis | May 9, 2008 6:36:30 AM | #Right or wrong, here is my two cents. Claire is NOT dead. She was told in season one that SHE had to raise Aaron because she is a good person, and Aaron must be raised with that same sense of goodness. Unless the island allows the living and the dead to coexist in the same space, Claire will not be able to raise Aaron, and that will have catastrophic consequences. Claire has shown in previous episodes that she believes in the supernatural. Sitting in the same room with her deceased father may not frighten her as it would other people.
Obviously, niether Locke or anyone else has the power to physically move the island. so Locke will have to do something to create the appearence that the island has moved. Locke can send the Oceanic 6 back and tell them to tell the world that the island is a hell on Earth. This way, no one will want to go there. That could be 'the story' that Jack refered to earlier this season. The other option is for Locke to somehow manipulate that magnet that is on the island. (Just because the hatch was destroyed does not mean that the magnet had ceased to have power.) It is possible that the magnet can interfere with the navigation instruments of any ships or aircraft that comes near the island, thus sending those vessels into a different direction.
Now that the captain of the freighter is dead and Crazy Merc Dude is in charge, you know that there is going to be a war much larger than the one that tok place at the end of last season. We haven't seen Alpert or the rest of the others all season. DO NOT be surprised to see them show up and come to the aid of the Losties. Think - the enemy of my enemy is my friend, just like when the US and the Brits fought with the Soviets to defeat Hitler. Just a thought...
Pete | May 9, 2008 6:41:34 AM | #I've been pondering "The Drawing of the Three" when Locke was a child. He chose the knife, which he shouldn't have done -- so what was third object that he SHOULD have chosen? Any thoughts?
djc | May 9, 2008 6:42:50 AM | #
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