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'Lost': Outlaws
I cringed when I realized this was the infamous "Sawyer gets harassed by a boar" episode, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this one went down the second time through. Coming in clutch this time around was a crucial bar scene that seemed super cool at the time and "oh baby this might be one of the key scenes in Lost history when all is said and done" this time around.
(And in case you're wondering if I actually speak those quotational phrases while watching the episode, yes...yes, I do. Makes the wife cuckoo for cocoa puffs, but that's what she gets for marrying me. Could be worse for her, really. I could go around showing strangers The Joker's pencil trick from The Dark Knight. That's much worse that randomly shouting out things that later turn verbatim into blog fodder.)
Outlaws
4) In Short
"Man, this episode is boar-ing! Get what I did there? I know! I'm here all week, try the veal, tip your waiters!"
8) On the Island
Sawyer walks up from a nightmare to find a boar in his tent. He shines a flashlight on the creature, which causes Sir Snouty to haul ass into the jungle wearing Sawyer's tent as a coat. After giving chase, Sawyer hears something that would be familiar to Sayid: whispers in the jungle.
The following morning, Sayid mocks Sawyer's encounter with the boar. Had the crash landed in 2007, instead of 2004, I've no doubt we'd being hearing some jokes about how the boar just can't quit him. Sawyer tentatively asks Sayid what he heard after visiting Rousseau. When Sayid directly asks Sawyer if he heard whispers as well, Sawyer huffs off after the animal.
Jack and Kate are putting away the guns after a good ol' fashioned night of homicide. Turns out Sawyer decided to not trade in his gun after the incident, which leads to another episode of "Jack and Kate Talk Passive Aggressively About Sawyer," which was put into turnaround as a spin-off show by ABC until they realized such a show would cause their audience to watch anything, even Yes, Dear, rather than that.
In the caves, Claire sits next to Charlie. It's awkward, like morning after awkward. Not "morning after we had sex" awkward, more like "morning after I may have thrown up on your cat" awkward. Claire wants Charlie to go for a walk with her, but Charlie refuses. It's almost as if something's haunting the wee lad.
The scene? The jungle. The man? Sawyer. The motive? Operation: Boar Whuppage. Only the boar turns the tables and unleashes "Operation Spear Sawyer in the Butt." At the camp, Kate joins Team Mock Sawyer as he exasperatedly relates his recent saga with the determined animal. He storms off into the jungle alone as Kate stays behind.
Back at Lost Cemetery, Hurley and Charlie are burying Ethan, with Hurley pitching an idea for the Lost zombie season that Darlton often mention in their podcasts. Worried about his friend, Hurley asks Sayid about signs of post-traumtic stress disorder, and asks Sayid to talk to Charlie. Later on, Sayid just does that, sharing his own story of nightmares and remorse after killing a man as part of a firing squad in Tikrit. His takeaway? "You're not alone, Charlie. Don't pretend to be." Later that day, Charlie finally takes that walk with Claire.
Kate catches up to Sawyer in the jungle. He thinks he's been tracking the boar, but it turns out he's been tracking humans, a rock slide, smoke monsters, a roll of quarters, and the Magna Carta. Kate offers her assistance in exchange for free access to his stash in the future. He agrees, and they make camp.
That night, they play "I Never," and it sounds dumb as hell but it's an incredibly great scene between the two of them. It's as natural as these two ever got in Season 1, and for those Skater fans out there, this is their Holy Grail of scenes. The writing's superb, the acting's superb, and the way that the cinematography mimics their interaction (from distanced to claustrophobic) is gorgeous.
Kate wakes Sawyer up from a nightmare, and he finds that the boar's ravaged his (and only his) stuff. Locke comes across them soon after, having picked up their trail a mile away. He bemusedly watches the two argue about the boar's intent, and launches into an awesome "Season 1 Locke Monologue" about a golden retriever that may or may not have been his deceased sister coming back to allow his guilty mother off the hook. Once he sees his story have resonance with Sawyer, in drops Locke's patented, creepy smile.
Kate and Sawyer come across a "wallow," or boar's nest. In a related story, I'm officially changing the name of "The Man Room" to "McGee's Wallow" upon completion of the "We Have to Go Back" series. Until then, it remains "New Butterton." Anywho, Sawyer runs off and captures what looks like Piglet from a deranged edition of Pooh Corner. After trying to use it as bait, Kate angrily leaves him to find his own way back to camp.
While trying to find Kate, Sawyer runs smack dab into the boar. The two have a standoff, and God bless Josh Holloway for playing this whole thing as straight as he does. It comes right up to the edge of "completely silly" but manages to stay on the right side. The standoff ends when Sawyer decides to let the boar live while Kate watches.
Sawyer gives Jack the last gun back. He wants to know what Kate gave him in return for it. Sawyer snarkily (and misleadingly) answers, prompting Jack to say, "And that's why the Red Sox will never win the World Series." This stops Sawyer dead in his tracks, and for the second time this episode, probes someone for information right up until the moment where incredibly awesome and exciting revelations could occur. Guess Jack will have to wait for another day to learn who Sawyer had drinks with in Sydney.
15) Off the Island
Itty Bitty Sawyer gets woken up by his mother one night. She tells him to hide beneath his bed and not make a sound, no matter what. Oh, fun! Hide and seek! Hrm, the insistent banging on the door from Sawyer's dad makes me think not. Through the closed door, he hears his folks arguing, and then a single gun shot that ends the argument. His father then opens the door, walks slowly towards the scared child, sits on his bed, and blows his brains out. So, no story time for Sawyer tonight.
James Ford, Male Gigolo, is courting another potential mark in a hotel room, when lo and behold a puffy version of the T-1000 appears. It's Robert Patrick, he's been hitting the free buffet, and he has a message for Sawyer: he's found the man whose name he's co-opted. Turns out this man is in Australia. Down undah we go!
We're in Sydney, and Sawyer's purchasing a gun. The man who sells him the piece is an associate of the T-10,000 Calorie Machine, and notes that this type of weaponry is not for intimidation, but for murder. He tells Sawyer that a man finds out who is he when he pulls the trigger. This is actually true. Back in 1986, I pulled my Light Zapper gun on that dog in Duck Hunt, and my life's never been quite the same again. Then again, that dog had mocked me for the last time and had it coming.
Sawyer approaches his original namesake at the shrimp stand mentioned by The Stay Puft Marshmallow Terminator. He's got murder in his eyes, but can't seem to pull the trigger. When Frank introduces himself, Sawyer introduces himself as "James." The gun's shaking in his hands while Frank prepares a shrimp order for the man sent to kill him. But when Frank turns around, there's no one there: just a car pulling away.
Sawyer ends up at a bar, and here's where the show turns from a mediocre episode into a thrilling one: turns out the only other denizen at the bar? Christian Shephard, sans wallet, drunk as a skunk. The two engage in an insanely loaded conversation that I'll delve into a bit later in the recap, but the takeaway is this: Sawyer learns why the Red Sox will never win the pennant, and that he's got work to do. This conversation sends him directly back to the shrimp shack.
It's raining, and dark, and Sawyer, much like Janie, has a gun. He fires, only to find out the man in question is not Sawyer; merely a man who owes Jabba the Hibbs money. He tells Sawyer, before dying, "...it'll come back around." Justin Timberlake would later tell us all the same thing.
16) The Mythology
Well, let's talk about that bar scene for a moment. Did we watch a man try to atone for his ways, or merely send another pawn long a pre-determined path?
I think one of the major revelations of Season 4 really shines a light upon a lot of things that previously seem incongruous. That revelation? That the "light/dark" imagery of Locke's backgammon game with Walt really serves to show the two epic forces trying to gain control of the Island, and perhaps the world itself. Season 3 posited a possible Wizard of Oz type figure in Jacob, but hid from fact that another force, potentially malevolent, lurked in the shadows.
Here's the difference: with a central, sole figure atop the power pyramid of this show, one needs to look at everything that's occurred stemming from one central, consistent master plan. And that's terrifically confusing to do, because the show simply doesn't work that way. There are conflicts and contradictions and a whole slew of messiness that only makes sense if what we've witnessed is in fact the collective effort of two entities pitted against each other, with each claiming "victories" at one point or another.
It's especially illuminating when looking at a figure like Christian Shephard, who seemingly is the only person aware of the pull of both sides. As a firm believer in fate, he's a perfect instrument for these forces to pull and push, almost like a leaf in the wind. As one capable of both light and dark, he's a welcome addition to either side. And by the time he lands on the Island, it's as if both sides have been freed from each other, able to continue their dual/duel work.
We see both sides of this Christian inside the bar; in the end, the one seen inside Jacob's cabin sends Sawyer back to the shrimp shack.
23) The Moment
Realizing Christian Shephard's in the bar with Sawyer. Nothing short of the smoke monster singing "She's Like the Wind" could knock this moment off the top.
42) In Retrospect
- Locke's golden retriever story has me wondering: is there someone inside of Vincent? Just curious.
- Interesting that Sawyer's supposed alias with Frank is in fact his real name. I'm pretty sure this is the first time we learn his real name, although this isn't completely confirmed until "3 Minutes," if I remember correctly.
- To return for a minute to the bar scene: the use of hell-ish imagery by Christian evoked similar imagery used by Anthony Cooper in "The Brig." All this, plus the translation of the hieroglyphics in the Swan ("underground"), give a rich tapestry of the potential "dark" side of the forces at work in the show.
108) In Summary
The Christian scene really redeems what's a very passable but unmemorable episode. At the time, it was a "cool, Kevin Bacon in the hizzouse" type of scene, but now, the mind boggles at the implication of every scene involving Dr. Drunk. The battle between Linus and Widmore suggests that there's some prior knowledge of events to come; is it any longer impossible to assume that Christian had some sort of insight into this potential prophecy?
Moreover, as stated earlier, watching any and all shows through the prism of "two forces fighting for allies without their knowledge" is a fascinating, illuminating, and ultimately rewarding experience. The dark side might have won in Sydney, but the light certainly won the day on the Island. But no worries: the two sides are not content to leave Sawyer alone, nor anyone on the Island, for that matter.
Leave your thoughts about this episode below!
Ryan also posts every 108 minutes over at Boob Tube Dude.
The first time this episode aired, I watched Christian intereacting with Sawyer and thought, "Yeah, yeah, coincidences abound, whoopee." This was the episode that almost lost it for me, because I despise plot twists thrown in just to make the writers seem clever (there are many, many shows I could name where this happens almost weekly--*cough* CSI:Miami *cough*--but I'll leave it be). Thankfully, I stuck with it, because now the scene has so much more meaning than just an excuse to fill five extra minutes of episode time.
The "I Never" game could have been shorter, but it really did play up to the strengths of both actors. I'd love to know how much of that was absolutely scripted, and how much they made up on the spot (I don't recall seeing outtakes of this scene on the bonus features, so maybe it was all planned, but eh). Anyway, there were many things I'd have thrown out there had I been Sawyer, but then the scene would've been too long.
Locke--what Ryan calls his "patented, creepy smile," I call "the smile that makes me want to take Mr. Eko's Jesus Stick and cave in Locke's skull with it, dammit, but Eko doesn't appear until Season 2." Actually, what it always reminds me of is when Locke has that orange that he's eating in either the pilot or the second episode (can't remember), and he does the childish thing of sticking the peel between his teeth and lips and grins. Forgive the language (I really don't swear very often, honest), but it's almost a "I know a lot that you don't, and by the way, fuck you" smile that several of my cousins have gotten fat lips over (not all of them from me). Maybe Locke is portrayed this way so that we don't feel too badly for him when his world just starts to crumble around him.
Finally, I didn't check the credits, so I don't know who played Sawyer as a youngster, but the kid did a great job portraying the horror that the character felt. I've always wondered how they can get kids to act like victims of abuse or rape, even though it's just a TV show/movie. There were two sisters named Ashley and Courtney Peldon who were in several TV shows and movies in the late 80s/early 90s. Ashley was in one where she played the seven-year-old victim of horrific abuse who ends up torturing a playmate when she acts out her trauma. There was one scene where the character starts to go crazy and lets out this primal scream that scared the hell out of me. All acting, yes, but where do kids get the ability to make it look so realistic? Anyway, kudos to the young lad playing mini-Sawyer.
One of these days, I hope the writers reveal just what it is about the Red Sox winning the World Series that is so important to the show. Yeah, I know it's an historic moment in sports history, but for this TV show? It hasn't been made clear, other than to gently put forth the notion that miracles do happen (well, that, and a team can get a front office that isn't afraid of the Yankees, but that's a longer post for a different blog). If the Sox win another one this year, which is possible, maybe the writers will have to switch teams to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Or the Cubs.
Hmm, I would *like* to believe that Christian sent Sawyer to kill his man which, indirectly, led him to the Island and his showdown against Anthony Cooper.
But, if Christian did send Sawyer to the Island, I think it was simply as a messenger; he told Sawyer about Jack and admitted his mistakes so that Sawyer would tell Jack later on, thus giving him closure (sorta).
Sawyer is a bit of an enigma. He's fun to have around, he's eye candy for the lady viewers, and he can be a badass when the plot calls for it. But if I had to pick a Top 5 of characters that are integral to the "epic battle of good vs. evil" taking place in the Lost universe, I can't say Sawyer would be one of them.
However, since he's now the leader/co-leader for the 815'ers in the wake of Jack's departure, this could all change in Season 5.
Other Sean | Jul 21, 2008 11:04:05 PM | #Walt, Aaron, Ben, Jack, and Locke (and Christian), if anyone was curious.
Other Sean | Jul 21, 2008 11:06:17 PM | #Well, forget what I said. Since Ben said all the Oceanic 6 had to go back (and maybe Des and Penny too), I guess everyone is important in this epic struggle. Some just seem more important than others.
Other Sean | Jul 21, 2008 11:09:02 PM | #"I guess everyone is important in this epic struggle. Some just seem more important than others."
....except maybe the red shirts (and Paolo and Nikki)...? :->
djc | Jul 22, 2008 12:54:28 AM | #I don't think Penny would be included since as far as we know she hasn't touched the island...
But forcing Desmond and Penny to seperate would seem awfully complicated.
Who is who and what is what is going to become much clearer this season.
Jiminey Cricket | Jul 22, 2008 1:13:06 AM | #I think the Man Room should be renamed Pooh Corner.
Bluenoser | Jul 22, 2008 5:44:00 AM | #Er...um...
Ryan | Jul 22, 2008 6:18:42 AM | #Speaking of which, Ryan, you may have some new blog readers who have no idea what The Man Room/New Butterton is. They may think it is the er, um ... water closet? or as my Dad used to say, his "throne room."
If Des has to go back to the Island, I would hope Penny would not leave his side. (And I'm talking about the story line, not whether or not actors are available/ unavailable, etc.).
djc | Jul 22, 2008 6:20:37 AM | #DD,
I think the Red Sox reference in this particular episode just proved to Sawyer that Jack was, indeed, Christian's son that he had spoken about in that bar in Sydney. Christian and Jack had used the exact same line about the Red Sox; one off the island and one on it.
I thought Josh Holloway was terrific in this episode. After the character of Hurley, Sawyer's character is the most comical to me. He made that boar chase and that drinking game fun to watch without being too corny.
Ryan, I said the same thing about Vincent a couple of blogs ago when we were discussing the golden retreiver story that Locke told.
Chris | Jul 22, 2008 6:23:01 AM | #Oh, wow, I don't even remotely have the energy or time to try to bring people up to speed on the glory that is btrwthr'ing. But I will leave these two URLs for your perusal.
http://blog.zap2it.com/lost/2008/05/lost-you-are-so.html
http://www.zap2it.com/news/custom/photogallery/zap-lostguide-butterworth-pg,0,1797722.photogallery
Based on all that, my second bedroom dubbed "The Man Room" before this "We Have to Go back" series started, was re-christened "New Butterton" thanks to a reader's suggestion.
Ryan | Jul 22, 2008 6:54:40 AM | #This is one of my all-time favorite character episodes. We get to see Sawyer do what he does best off-island, we watch an integral bar scene between two seemingly unrelated characters, we get one of the best Sawyer/Kate episodes and a terrific Locke monologue that makes me smile every time I watch it.
Interestingly enough about that retriever story, it relates to our discussion about the Lost Experience yesterday. There was a site that was part of the ARG called the Retrievers of Truth (http://lostpedia.com/wiki/Retrievers_Of_Truth) that was a front for a sort of rebellion of Verizon employees against the Hanso Foundation. On the surface, the site was all about the seemingly psychic powers that Retrievers possess.
JeffC | Jul 22, 2008 6:55:13 AM | #The Man Room aka New Butterton is the hottest room in our apartment. This is not due to southern facing windows but the culmination of gaming systems (with Blueray capability of course), surround sound equipment and a television so huge that it blocks out the sun. Additionally, the room is made even smaller by the bookcases jam packed with DVDs and a futon left over from Ryan's college days.
I have mercilessly insisted that all of this stuff be crammed into one room so that I can carry out my evil plan to tastefully decorate the rest of the apartment. My new supervillain name is Pied-a-Terror. Fear my swatches!
Diana | Jul 22, 2008 7:12:03 AM | #BOTN's "wallow" has been encroached upon by Mrs. BOTNs scrapbooking hobby. I've had to pack my man-sack and take my belonging to the den.
More to the point of viewing the Christian-centric episodes through the prism of "competing forces", I feel as if I'm watching a game of Risk or some other board game that involves competing white and black pieces and strategy.
Of course, sometimes I'm watching this show through the prism of syrupy shot glasses or my BTWRTH GGLS. Everything looks better with flap jacks.
But riddle-me-this...Is it really a matter of the writers having the forethought of Christians story, or has the show simply evolved to the point of having Christian become more that Jack's "daddy issue"? One can wonder!
Brian of the North | Jul 22, 2008 10:18:12 AM | #You know, at first I did not like Sawyer very much. He was such a hard soul, self-focused, and cutting. A person can be breathtakingly attractive, but if they are cold or ugly on the inside, I'm totally not impressed (not matter how good looking the portrayer may be with and without a shirt). Sort of like chocolate-covered brussel sprouts. What a waste of chocolate....!
However, with the unfolding of Sawyer's back story, I did begin to feel some sympathy for a young, tragically orphaned boy. Now he is on my list of top 7 Lost characters. I think Sawyer has progressed more than anyone during the brief time on the Island, while others have digressed (e.g., Jack/Locke). And I *think* he's evolved in an understandable way, not done a 180 that leaves the viewer with whiplash, thinking "who was that scruffy man that looks like Sawyer?"
He cracks me up; he breaks my heart. Great character, well acted. It's been a great journey to watch him grow, often surprising himself (or so it seems).
djc | Jul 22, 2008 11:10:23 AM | #Jeff C.'s mention of "a sort of rebellion of Verizon employees against the Hanso Foundation. " reminds me that many people (well, I haven't searched Lostpedia) may not know that the LOST company's headquarters from mid-season 1 through 3 was the old Xerox building on Nimitz Highway where an embittered employee slaughtered some co-workers. It had been remodeled and had stood empty for some years before LOST rented it to build the "caves" set. It was cool, as you could drive by any time and know if the company was shooting there or, if the trailers were all gone, somewhere else on the island. This ended when the Hawaii Five-O/Magnum lot behind Diamond Head was vacated and the company moved in there.
SouthSeaSadie | Jul 22, 2008 11:52:06 AM | #Cool (well not about the slaughter part)! I drove by Lost's Disney headquarters when I was in Hollywood in February. I waved.
JeffC | Jul 22, 2008 12:50:04 PM | #Thanks for pointing out about the other Red Sox reference, Chris; I'd forgotten. Maybe the Sox are Christian's constant, which may be why he's so screwy in the head. Come to think of it, so's Stephen King, and he's been a Red Sox fan for decades, too. Half the Eastern Seaboard must be stark raving bejabbers by now.
Then there's the Cubs fans...
(Note: I say that with the understanding that there are folks here who live/work in and around Chicago, but don't root for the "other" Chicago team. My Aunt Sharon is a huge Cubs fan, and she's been listening to my dissing for years. Surprised she hasn't buried me under the St. Louis Arch yet, to be honest...)
Dark Disciple | Jul 22, 2008 5:56:34 PM | #OMG! Diana is Ben!
Evil plots and everything. I love it!
AdSlinger | Jul 23, 2008 10:16:37 AM | #
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