It's been a long weekend for yours truly. Just got back from a weekend with the Misfits of Sci-Fi, during which we not only caroused but also planned an entire summer's worth of content for that particular arm of Zap2It. I tried to uphold my position as Lost resident-expert, mostly by answering their repeated claims that I shouldn't have anything more to drink by screaming, "Don't tell me what I can't do!!!"

After all, how could I not have John Locke on the brain after last week's episode? Pretty much impossible to forget the center of "Cabin Fever" after such a mind-blowing episode. While it didn't top "The Constant" or "The Shape of Things to Come," it's still in my personal top three in terms of Season 4 episodes. Had the freighter stuff not felt so forced, it might have ranked higher, since the Locke-centric stuff was so uniformly incredible. 

In honor of Mr. Locke, and in honor of the fact that I've been on the road all day, I want to look at four Locke-centric topics over the course of the next two days. Makes sense to me to look at four aspects, in that we got four looks at our favorite survivalist in this week's episode. I'm a fan of lists of five, and three's the magic number, but four feels right for this particular endeavor. We'll look at one topic per flashback, two topics per day. We good? Good.

1) Baby Locke

Personally, I'm intrigued by the birth date of John Locke: near the end of the second trimester. Why? Well, because that's when all babies die on the Island, making Locke's birth potentially related to the fertility issues on the Island. How? Glad you asked. Actually, not so much, since I don't have a good answer. Darn you to heck, inquisitive readers!

I used the word "survivalist" above on purpose, since John's earliest days are marked with great interest by the hospital staff due to his ability to fight off the various maladies that had felled earlier premies. Such interest traveled all the way to Portland, Oregon, apparently, what with the appearance of Richard Alpert. Then again: notice how Emily was struck by a car on her way to her date with super slimeball Anthony Cooper? Did it remind anyone else of another accident involving someone struck by a vehicle?

I can't help but wonder if someone struck Emily on this particular day, at that particular time, for the sole purpose of inducing labor that night. Given Richard's presence in and around car accidents, and given his compunction towards performing/affecting immoral acts in the name of the Island. But, as we saw, this wasn't the only time Richard directly inserted himself into Locke's life.

2) Five Year Old Locke

A lot will, and should, be made of what I've dubbed the "Drawing of the Three" scene. I dealt with in both my recap and podcast, so I won't rehash all that here. But I do want to flesh out with greater detail just how "fate" and "destiny" are in fact intensely malleable things in the Lost universe.

Ben Linus, in particular, spends the majority of the episode bemoaning his fate, believing that everything happened to him according to an architecture he couldn't possibly alter. (Jeff Jensen has some great stuff this week about the architecture of history.) The attempted murder of Locke near the mass grave only confirmed that his time had "passed on." But are either Ben or Locke mere instruments of fate or puppets to very human players with long-reaching agendas?

One can look at Richard's actions in this episode as a way to steer Locke towards his eventual role as Island Protector. Note well that Locke more than likely could not have reached this role as a series of random events, but rather as the culmination of a scripted series of occurrences engineered to put Locke into the position to affect an outcome that an outside party cannot affect themselves.

Now, saying all this doesn't imply that just anyone could be Island Protector. Clearly, there has to be an inner something only people like the Island, Jacob, Richard Alpert, or, I dunno, Oprah Winfrey, has the power to intuit. The problem is that this special something isn't entirely unique, which is why there seems to be some confusion as to the identity of the Island Savior.

This confusion to me signifies just how fluid "fate" can be in the Lost universe: while there may be a number of parties with unique insight into events to come, these events are neither etched in stone nor remotely confirmed as ever always occurring. Ben's shock at Alex's death speaks directly to the lack of stability of future events; even those who have peeked into the future only see a potential future, not a definitive one. If the future were set in stone, there could be no Widmore/Linus War: these two men would always ever enact the actions and dialogue prescribed for them by Fate. Alex's death alone signifies this isn't the case, but it doesn't mean that these men stop seeking to massage people and events along the future timeline they envision as the "happy" ending.

One more thing worth mentioning here, something I touched on in the podcast: there are two ways to look at Alpert's testing of Locke and Linus. One is to assume that Alpert watched over Locke in "real time," meaning that in 1956 Alpert already knew about Locke's potential, tried to foster it fully, gave up, and then latched onto Benjamin as maybe the real deal. The OTHER way to look at this? Richard traveled from Island present, after reaching the Temple, and sent himself back at various points in the past in order to test if Locke truly is the Island Savior he believes him to be in Season 3.

There's precedent in people on the Island going back in time and slightly altering the past. Desmond, in "The Constant," does just this. But Desmond's trip didn't fundamentally alter the universe; it just created a universe in which events as we knew them still happened, just in a slightly different way. The course correction in terms of "Cabin Fever" are ensured due to Richard visiting Locke directly only up until the point in which Locke would have recognized him on the Island years later. This is why Alpert does not visit Locke in high school; he merely sends a brochure through a third party. Locke's still a knife-obsessed man, but he might not have been without Alpert showing him the knife at age five and derailing his supposed "fate."

But we'll get to teenage Locke tomorrow. All good things in time, y'all.

Leave your thoughts and comments on these two particular flashbacks below!

Ryan also posts every 108 minutes over at Boob Tube Dude.

Comments

If Richard "went" back in time to test Locke, after he got to the Temple ... this would certainly be the reason Locke didn't recognize him when they met. It wouldn't change anything in Locke's past though ... would it?

Lost-spy | May 11, 2008 7:35:14 PM | #

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I was of the impression that Locke chose the knife even though he knew it wasn't right. Even then he had the mindset of not being told what he could or couldn't do. As a child, Locke seemed to deny being chosen, while Ben practically begged to be, but was told he would have to be very patient. Was Ben the Islands own Plan B?

Shari | May 11, 2008 8:29:19 PM | #

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The idea that Richard went back in time to test Locke is a good one, but a lot of things wouldn't make sense if this were true. If he needed to go back to face Locke, that wouldn't explain how he looks EXACTLY the same when he sees Ben as a youngster or how Locke's grandmother knew him.

I think the most interesting thing is how far back Locke's connection to the island goes. Could his mother have become pregnant on the island. I don't remember exactly when Sun had her baby, but if she was early also, that could all tie in. Locke's grandma recognizing Richard proves Locke isn't the only family member affected by the island.

As far as Locke taking position as savior of the island, I'm not completely on board. When Ben visits Widmore in the future, he looks an awful lot like someone still protecting the island. While Ben will always have a strong protective feeling toward the island, he doesn't seem like the kind of person to just let Locke take responsibility (even if it is his destiny).

Also, did anyone catch the nurse tell Locke's grandmother there's No Smoking in the delivery room. It seems like smoke is always surrounding these survivors.

A-Rob | May 11, 2008 9:11:40 PM | #

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I'm more interested in knowing what the WAAAALLLTTT Abbadon was doing with Locke. Who was/is he working for? And if, like he said Locke owes him one, when will he want to cash in the 'favor'? Would it be in favor of Widmore, Ben or the island? Furthermore, since Abbaddon seems to know so much abt 'walkabout'hence the island (I assume), why was he so insistent that nobody survived the crash? Could good old Hurley be right? Are they all dead?

Melissa | May 11, 2008 9:15:10 PM | #

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I admit time travel is part of this show however, if island folk can go back in time, why can't Ben go back and save his daughter?
I'm thinking that they may be able to move forward in time so, they know a bit of what fate may be awaiting them and how or if they need to plan for future events. Ben's little gadget that he held onto in the desert, I thought, may have been some fantastic future device.
Like Ryan said, even the future can change and fate may not always be what it's expected/anticipated to be. This is why Alex died and why Ben was so upset about the "rules" changing. I think Ben had looked into the future but, wasn't able to forsee his daughter being murdered. That just wasn't supposed to happen. Still, I don't think it was Widmore's intention, just Keamy's time-warped brain taking control of the situation like he did with the captain and Doc Ray.

But back to Locke.......I think 5 yr old Locke was just as willful and stubborn as he was as a teen and as an adult. Little John wanted that knife. That's who HE WANTED to be thus he DID choose the knife on purpose.
I cannot explain how Alpert was coming and going throughout Locke's life. I'm just not believing in the travel way back in time to find the island savior. At this moment, thought, I can not wrap my brain around any other way Alpert could have been there for Locke's birth, as a little kid and as a teen (all though his life).

If anyone else has a theory other than travelling back in time, please share.

Chris | May 12, 2008 6:20:52 AM | #

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A-Rob: I don't see an either/or with "Richard seemingly doesn't age" and "Richard can move back and forth in time". I think it can be both.

As far as Locke potentially not the ultimate Island Protector, we talk about this in the podcast: I am interested, like you, in how Ben goes from the person we saw in "Fever" and the Dharka-wearing avenger in the nearish future. I don't think we learned the definitive answer this week in term's of the Island's ultimate protector.

Chris: Just as Ben can't save Alex, Richard can't force Locke to change his nature. Perhaps this is why Abaddon is more successful in his attempts: the walkabout doesn't appeal to Locke's inner (false?) sense of self, whereas Alpert's "Book of Laws" contradicts it. Both men can interact with Locke, but they can't MAKE him do anything he doesn't arrive at himself. (See Ben telling Jack it's not enough for him to perform the spinal surgery; he has to WANT to do it. Personal desire plays an enormous part in events on the Island.)

Ryan | May 12, 2008 6:45:06 AM | #

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Re: Abbalabadingdong: I still think that his appearance with Locke in the hospital was a gentle nudge to put Locke on track to "finding" the island for Whidmore. Sure, some have said; why would Whidmore put Locke on course to the island when Locke could protect the island from Whidmore? Remember even Alperts test showed that Locke wasn't necessarily the "chosen one", just someone special who, perhaps, eats his pancakes like everyone else.

Brian of the North | May 12, 2008 6:50:21 AM | #

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Did anyone else get the impression in this episode that Alpert and Abaddon are on the same level? I'm not saying Abaddon is ageless like Richard is, but they both seem similar to me as movers and shapers of events, while not being outright leaders.

Jeff | May 12, 2008 7:02:49 AM | #

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I have a feeling that in a future flashback or forward we'll have a shot of Richard or Abaddon driving the Golden Car of Death!

Juliet already accused Richard in the death of her ex-husband (via bus).

Dick Alpert | May 12, 2008 7:42:57 AM | #

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Is Via Bus the sequel to Via Domus?

Jeff | May 12, 2008 7:44:09 AM | #

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Dick Alpert: stop teleporting into my comments already! Heh. Also, I vote we call that vehicle the "Course Correction Cadillac."

Jeff: The first rule of Via Domus? Do NOT talk about Via Domus. When watching the ep with my producer on Thursday, he saw the compass, shouted, "Hey Via Domus!" and I punched him in the kidney.

Ryan | May 12, 2008 7:56:00 AM | #

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Oops! Sorry about that! I was merely agreeing with your comment and adding more depth. ha ha!

Isn't the car a pontiac bonneville not a cadillac?

Dick Alpert | May 12, 2008 8:39:15 AM | #

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This past episode just re-emphasized that Locke can't die (I apologize if others have already made that observation). It is hard enough for premies at the end of the 2nd trimester to survive in TODAY'S world of technological medicine, but back then...?!?!? Plus, all the infections, pneumonia, etc. that the infant 'shook off.' As Abaddon commented, surviving the fall from 8 stories with "only" a crushed back -- a miracle. Ben standing at the pit with Hurley basically saying "I don't even know why I tried to kill Locke.... I wasn't thinking clearly" (implying that he realizes John can't die).

It was an undercurrent through the whole episode -- the Island (or whatever) had a hold on Locke's life from infancy and from far away.

djc | May 12, 2008 8:41:33 AM | #

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ryan-

ok, maybe this is just me being a total girl here, but i'm confused on a point you made in the podcast. you said that Annie might be in some kind of state of suspended animation. i have to disagree. i'm voting for a dead Annie b/c why would Ben try to get all up in Juliet's bizness if Annie was waiting for him? i mean, he could pull a "hit and run" on her, but i kinda think that would make life in Otherville a little awkward if Annie was brought back into being. just sayin'...

mri | May 12, 2008 9:40:42 AM | #

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Great podcast. Thanks for watching. You're way off in most of your theories by the way.

Darlton | May 12, 2008 9:42:28 AM | #

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mri: Suspended animation's in play, albeit at a very low level of probability. Dead or "elsewhere" in a sense we can't grasp is more likely.

As far as Ben up in Juliet's hizzy, I took it as "I'm with Annie again, against all odds" when he looked at her. Only when confronted with her relationship with Goodwin did he snap out of it. Also, it's equally likely Annie ultimately rejected Ben (a small but in-play idea), and Juliet represents a second chance in some way.

Ryan | May 12, 2008 10:18:44 AM | #

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What happened to Annie. A true de-existing via time travel. Although the possibility exists to re-exist her by altering time lines. Remember Marty McFly's disappearing family photo?

Brian of the North | May 12, 2008 12:23:07 PM | #

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I think Annie's dead dead dead.

Jeff | May 12, 2008 12:27:29 PM | #

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Jeff: How did Annie die, in your opinion? The question's not snark, I'm curious. I think there's a good chance you're right, just wondering if we're on the same page as to the cause.

Ryan | May 12, 2008 1:19:36 PM | #

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i think Annie is dead the same way Claire, Christian, and Charlie are. as for Danielle and Karl and others who've died on the Island...i'll give it a big old "i dunno."

however, i HOPE Nikki and Paolo are dead in the deadest sense of the word.

mri | May 12, 2008 1:52:27 PM | #

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Ben walks in to his kitchen. Annie's lifeless body sits at the table, head tilted backwards, leaving her mouth open in a silent scream. In front of Annie sits a stack of long-cold pancakes. From the cupboard Benjamin Linus hears the soft evil laughter followed by "Oh, dear...Oh, dear. Looks like you'll be eating alone tonight!".

Brian of the North | May 12, 2008 2:05:38 PM | #

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I guess I'll have to try to watch the episode again online, because it didn't really do as much for me as I'd hoped, or as it appears to have for others.

Granted, it was great seeing Richard again, ageless as ever and kinda neat learning that it's Horace who gets to join Quintus in the Crooked House Design Competition, but ... I don't know, maybe it was just the bad TV reception or the late hour, but I just felt like it was another 'all set-up, no punchline (yet)' episode. Definitely need to watch it again.

(And for those who don't get the Quintus reference...while I think most of Robert Heinlein's adult SF novels were total crap - with the notable exception of The Door Into Summer - I did like a number of his short stories. Including "--And He Built a Crooked House", about an architect who built a house based on a four-dimensional geometric figure called a tesseract. A house that exhibited VERY odd properties indeed...)

DanC | May 12, 2008 2:32:53 PM | #

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You asked "Did it remind anyone else of another accident involving someone struck by a vehicle?" I'm blanking out...who should I be thinking of right now? When Jack saved the car wreck people on "The Looking Glass"?

Lauren B | May 12, 2008 2:43:54 PM | #

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Lauren - the other "accident" was when Juliet's ex husband was conveniently hit/killed after she had made a comment to that effect. I think she believed Richard was responsible for his death.

djc | May 12, 2008 2:51:23 PM | #

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I'm all jetlagged, so I don't have much to add other than to say John Locke is my favorite character on this show. I really hope he's not the man in the coffin, because I'd like to see him in the final two seasons. Well, since apparitions are the new "In" thing now, I guess I still can, but anyway...

On a different note, I just saw Speed Racer and I think Dr. Jack should bust out some kung-fu moves on Keamy, or challenge him to a drag race around the Island.

Other Sean | May 12, 2008 4:16:24 PM | #

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To me Abaddon appears to be some sort of rogue agent for Widmore. Moreover, maybe Abaddon connects Widmore with Hanso, but Abaddon is actually working for Hanso not Widmore. (Still with me?) It just seems with Abaddon picking the fantastic 4 that they are working for someone else, while Keamy is clearly working for Widmore (or is he?) I'm confusing myself. Someone please help me out.

Shaggysteve | May 12, 2008 4:18:14 PM | #

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The three objects, the three cabin finders, the three in the cabin - love it!

What at great episode! I have a couple of theories about Locke’s choosing the three objects on the table. Obviously the scene was designed to remind us of the Tibetan Buddhist practice of selecting the next Dalai Lama by selecting the previous leader’s possessions. In Locke’s case, however, it would appear to imply that the objects were actually part of Locke’s own future life.

As I see it, there are a couple of possible significances to John’s choosing the knife:

1) Locke is destined to play an important role on the island but exactly when he assumes that destiny is not predetermined. The objects on the table represent lessons learned before he is ready to move into the “zone” of his rightful place on the island. The knife represents a time further down the road from his childhood so he could not leave his current world with Richard Alpert at that time.

2) The knife represents “the other side” (no pun intended) as offered by Matthew Abbaddon. If I remember correctly, Locke had arranged to go on a walkabout in Australia with a guide who refused to take him because of his wheelchair status. It was on returning from this trip that Oceanic 815 crashed and his walkabout truly began. And, of course, it was Abbaddon who suggested that what Locke really needed to do in order to find himself was a walkabout - just himself and a knife. If it turns out that Abbaddon and Alpert are on opposing sides then it would imply that Locke was the chosen one for Abbaddon’s team (hence Alpert’s annoyance).

Does anyone remember if Locke has been using a similar knife to the one on the table since he has been on the island?

Cosmostrecker | May 13, 2008 11:31:23 AM | #

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I love Jack. It wouldn't be Lost without Jack. Locke and Jack are the main characters, as Damon and Carlton has stated in recent interviews.

Patricia | May 14, 2008 5:20:22 AM | #

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There have been tons of car accidents. They played major parts in the fates of both Michael and Anthony Cooper as well.

milo | May 14, 2008 12:31:24 PM | #

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I am still waiting for an explanation or any inference, or SOMEONE asking Ben, as to why, for a very long time, it was WALT who was wanted. Is this just going to be forgotten? That would be very very disappointing, and messy writing, because it was such a focus of the show for a LONG time.

Melanie | May 19, 2008 4:03:11 PM | #

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