Category: LOST

It’s not long more now. On the 31st of January, LOST continues, and even though the WGA’s strike took away the last eight episodes, at least we can enjoy the first half of season four. I have noted down some predictions for this miniature season, and when it’s over in two months I will return to them and see what has changed. Beware for spoilers!

Previously on LOST

“Jack… you’re not supposed to do this.” Has rescue come for the Losties? They got in contact with the freighter who will get them off the island, and even though John Locke seems to have completely  flipped and gone the way of the Linus, we don’t care: rescue is coming! But what will this rescue bring along?

The last five minutes of the third season finale, however “Through the Looking Glass”, will without a doubt be what will be remembered. They will be embedded in our puny little minds for ages to come as the best so-called game changer moment in at least ten years of television. We got so used to the whole Flashback formula, that we didn’t see it coming, that they would get off the island, that the series would move into the future with Flashforwards, showing us what would happen… which, ultimately, does not seem good at all. At least not for Jack “We have to go back!” Shephard.

Shadows foreboding: what’s next?
Is this the beginning of the end for our Losties? Which questions will the story answer, and which ones will it pass on? Below, I have written down 10 questions, 10 questions I will hypothesize about. After the eight episode run, we’ll see how full of crap I really was. Obviously, these are all spoilers so don’t read them if you haven’t seen the three first seasons of LOST. Point to note: questions of which I’m 99 % positive that they won’t be answered, have not been included. This includes the usual ramblings about Libby, Richard, the monster…

Will we find out…

1. …if all the Losties got off the island? Yes, we will. I’m quite sure of it. Rescue’s coming to the island, we already know Jack and Kate are going to make it off. We’ll undoubtedly find out more about the fate of the other Losties.

2. …what’s up with Walt? Not entirely. My guess is that time travel is somehow involved in the island. The pieces
are there, but mostly have to do with Desmond, whose fate it has apparently become to crash on the
island (proof: Mrs. Hawkins, Mr. Widmore… who always told him what he was and what he was not).
What exactly is up with Walt and his mysterious aging… I don’t think we’ll find out right away. What’s
up with his psychic abilities, I’m sure will be explored later on as well.

3. …who Kate had to return to? Yes, we will. 100 % sure of it. I’ve got a hunch pointing more in the direction of a marshall than an abusive husband. We’ll see!

4. …what Jack meant by “I’m sick of lying”? Yes. Conspiracy. It had to happen sooner or later – Americans love their conspiracy theories. Let’s hope they don’t pull a Prison Break out of their asses, though.

5. …who or what Jacob is? No. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t hear from him/her/it at all over the course of the next eight episodes. More pressing matters are at hand, obviously.

6. …why Ben and Locke didn’t want Jack to place that call? Well… we already know Jack ends up miserable. Maybe they can see the future? This is pretty far-fetched, though. Well, maybe not for Locke: I still think that Locke, in looking into the eye of the island (= having seen the monster) saw the future (just like Mr. Eko who saw the past in it). Ben, not so much. But then again: he knows more about the island, and he knows what things threaten it. He didn’t seem to unhappy to keep it hidden from the outside world. Which leads us to the next question: why are the freighter people
coming, if not for our Losties?

7. …any definite answer to the Jack-Kate-Sawyer triangle? I don’t think they will, but apparently I am mistaken. Rumour has it one of the three is not going to make it off the island, and we would find out the (very definitive) reason in the next eight episodes. I don’t believe this rumour though.

8. …why Ben decided to purge the Dharma initiative? Yes. There’s a black hole begging to be uncovered.

9. …what’s up with Rousseau? Also, who is Annie? See what I did there? People call me stupid for thinking this, but I’m still convinced Annie (Ben’s childhood friend) and Danielle are one and the same person. I’m guessing she will have something to do with the purge. But then again, I’m not sure.

10. …who was in the coffin? At first, I thought it was Locke. Seemed like the most obvious person to be in there. After rewatching the episode, however, and seeing the newspaper’s transcript, my money’s on Michael. The article mentioned something about leaving behind a teenage boy… I’m quite sure we’ll find this out in the next batch of episodes. It won’t be important, though.

Well… the wait will soon be over – thank god! Then I’ll have 8 weeks of sweet, wonderful Lostness to bask in. And then… it’ll be a cold spring, summer and possibly fall..

Another episode that brought a tear to my eyes – something which is starting to get quite common as far as the story revolving around Jin and Sun goes. They’re this perfect tragic couple, and it’s the perfect love story. The wedding ring, and where she found it (in the sand with the raft’s bottle) was symbolism at its finest: don’t bury anything just yet.

Not all is well, though. Jin is now one of those who has seen them, these Others. We witnessed them too, through his eyes. They were barefoot, and were dragging along a teddy bear. Are we dealing with a band of cavemen or is the island a gathering spot for pedophiles and kidnappers? Are they running around with teddy bear as bait for Walt, who they might have lost in the jungle? Time will tell!

I’m starting to grow fond of Mr. Eko. He’s an enigmatic character, not quite unlike Locke – his character could very well develop into anything. Of all LOST characters (Locke excluded), he is the one who speaks in riddles the most. “Are you married”, Jin asked in his one-word sentence. “Worse”, Eko answers. What could be worse than being married? Being divorced? Also, hats off for Sun for delivering a priceless range of emotions during this episode, ranging from tearing apart her garden in despair to looking for Vincent the dog… once again in despair. This was one of those little funny moments that makes LOST such a wonderful little show.

Favourite Quote: Locke: I’m not lost any more.
Sun: How did you do that?
Locke: The same way anything lost gets found – I stopped looking.

White Rabbit. The first episode which refers to Alice in Wonderland, and certainly not the last. This is also the first Jack-centered episode, in which we find out what he was doing on that plane: returning from Sydney to Los Angeles, with a coffin containing the corpse of his father, Christian Shephard.

Am I the only one completely freaked out by Jack’s dad? Dare I say more: am I the only one who dares to say that Christian Shephard seems like a more interesting character than his son? Mystery loomed around Christian, both off the island (“You don’t have what it takes”) and on the island (where’s his body?). Also, why was he wearing white sneakers on the island? A bold fashion choice, or something more? It boggles the mind…

Meanwhile, on the island, the little bit of rationed water that remained for Team Beach has gone missing. I didn’t find this that interesting, mainly because it was impossible to figure out who it was, much like your basic Agatha Christie novel. Boo for Boone, who always seems to want to take matters into his own hands but ends up screwing things up. Imagine this: without Jack, we’d have a Rose with a pen down her throat.
I’m starting to see a bit of a problem here, a little pattern emerging. I’m not going to be the world’s biggest Jack fan. Jack’s the hero, and I’m not really a hero person. But I guess Americans dig him. Maybe they added Locke especially for the European viewers? Anyway, real hero-wise, Jack took up his crown at the end of the episode (nudged towards it in a wonderfully inspiring but equally confusing scene with John Locke) and spoke the famous words that would lead Team Beach to victory and salvation: “If we can’t live together, we’re going to die alone”. Sorry Jack, but you didn’t make my favourite quote section this week. Thanks for participating!
Favourite Quote: Locke: “I’ve looked into the eye of this Island, and what I saw was beautiful.”

Before having seen this episode, I liked LOST. After having seen this episode, I knew it was going to be out of this world. In fact, it already was. They placed something right under your nose, and then yanked away the curtains, making a revelation that brings along dozens of new questions. Absolutely brilliant – this episode is surely one of the best in the series.
As you might have already guessed from the end of the last episode, this is an episode that’s all about Locke, who was apparently in a wheel chair for four years before deciding to join up on a Walkabout tour in Australia, then ended up being not allowed and headed back to L.A. on Flight 815 to then crash onto the island, discovering all feeling had returned to his toes and that he could walk again. Feeling he had gotten a second chance, he seizes the day and acts like he is a God on the Island. Terry O’Quinn, who is performing John Locke’s part, is a genius.

The episode was filled to the brim with tiny little moments, which some would consider fillers, but which I consider wonderful little bits and pieces which makes an ensemble show like LOST feel alive. The scene where Hurley and Charlie went fishing with all due consequences was hilarious, and the little scenes in between with Rose – who refuses to believe her husband is dead – and Jack were acted out brilliantly.

What did John Locke see, when he saw the monster? Why would he lie to Michael about it? Why would he not tell anyone about being a paraplegic for four years? Mystery surrounds this guy, and I just know the best is yet to come.

Favourite Quote: Locke: “Hey, hey, don’t you walk away from me. You don’t
know who you’re dealing with! Don’t ever tell me what I can’t do, ever! This is destiny. This is destiny.
This is my destiny. Listen, I’m supposed to do this, damn it! Don’t tell me what I can’t do! Don’t tell
me what I can’t…!”

Kate, Kate, Kate. I don’t know what you’ve done, but 23.000 dollars? That’s a lot of money honey. You’re really nice for giving it to that nice Australian prosthetic farmer man. Too bad you’re on an island and no one could hear you, except for the now-deceased US Marshall.

Tabula Rasa was a really shocking episode, to be honest. The marshall was really in a lot of pain, and even if most of it wasn’t overt, it was still creepy. In fact: the covertedness made it even more shocking as a whole. Sawyer showed himself to be quite an idiot by being able to shoot a charging polar bear but missing the heart of a dying man lying perfectly still. Thank God our hero Jack rushed in and saved the day. Or something.

Charlie changed the “F” in FATE to the “L” from LATE. Very cute, no? Also, I loved Mr. Locke: he is a wonderful actor, and the mystery surrounding him is wicked. Him making the dog whistle to help Michael out is just great, but he’s still one of those “penny for your thoughts” people. I have no clue what he’s thinking… especially in that last shot of the episode. I can’t wait to find out!
Favourite Quote: Walt: “Mr. Locke said a miracle happened here.”

If you’re reading your first LOST review by me, know that I am cheating. I have seen all episodes up to the end of the third season thus far, and can’t wait for the next batch. Know that I am biased in advance – I simply love LOST.

What to say about LOST’s pilot? Well, the fact that it’s the most expensive pilot episode in the history of pilot episodes and also one of the most hyped aside: it’s brilliant. From the opening shot of Jack’s eye in between of the bamboo trees, the  ask of vodka and the labrador, all the way to the ending shot with the insanely creepy French distress call, it’s a treat. Never is it boring or repetitive or cliché, it’s just great fun to watch. Questions are being set in place, and you just want to watch more.

I was immediately sold watching this episode: I loved all of its characters (which have all been wonderfully cast, by the way) – especially the creepy bald guy who says nothing and has an orange in his mouth (who the hell is that guy?!) and Hurley, who is cute in his own slightly slow little way. Apparently, however, not everyone was sold on this pilot: for many people it was too crazy right off the bat, what with an unseen monster, a distress call and so on. If you are one of these: don’t give up, let yourself be sucked into the story a little bit more. It’ll be worth it.

Favourite Quote: Charlie: “Guys. Where are we?”

Whoa. Seriously. Simply. Whoa. What was that? That thing? In the shed? Jacob? We saw him for about three seconds, and already the entire internet is filled with theories. Some say he’s Christian Shephard (a plausible these), some say he’s John Locke (wait, what?) and some say he’s John Locke with a parrot on his shoulder (ehm.)

Either way, this episode was awesome, and just like the building of the raft in season 1 or Michael’s return in season 2, you can feel the chess pieces are being set out for the season finale. I’m quite sure this will be one of the greatest episodes in the season, even though it’ll be hard to top some of the other ones like The Man from Thalahassee or Flashes before you Eyes – who scored due to integrity, if you ask me. My predictions for the finale: Jack’s a traitor, and either he’s one of the others or one of the Dharma initiative. He’s not going to lead the losties to safety. He’s leading them towards certain doom.

Also, Charlie is going to die. Either that or Claire through protecting him. Penelope should make an entrance (at least that’s what the cast list says – but then again they just might be re-using the Jack, Desmond and Penelope flashback they used in the Season 2 opening and finale. Who will tell? Anyway, the finale is Jack-centered. For a man of whom we thought we knew everything by now… it’s a pretty daring thing to put his  flashbacks – which have never been stellar since the season two opening episode – into finale material. We’ll have to see whether my hypothesis proves to be correct!

Favourite Quote: Ben: “You do remember birthdays, don’t you, Richard?”

Well, what to say? I just couldn’t resist anymore – LOST has got me in its tight grip, and when something grips me, I just have to write something about it. Hence my new site category: LOST reviews! Every week, I will attempt to review the newest LOST episode that aired in the US. Needless to say, these things will contain spoilers – and you can hover over the blank spaces to read them.

Well, so there ya have it. The writers kept their promise, and the viewers find out why John Locke is in a wheelchair. Apparently, being thrown out of a window eight (8!) stories high can do that kind of thing to you. For me, this episode was something I was on the one hand waiting for, while on the other hand I was hoping it wouldn’t come as fast as it would. Because, well, from a writer’s perspective: the cat’s out of the bag now – we all know what happened, and Locke has no more exciting backstory to tell us. I can only hope the writers don’t decide “his time has come” – he’s my favourite character on the show and I wouldn’t want him to leave.

What we can suspect, however, and especially now that the submarine has been blown up, is that Locke will leave the beach in favour of Ben. I can feel it happening, I can know Locke and Jack are to face each other one day, standing on completely different sides. Would be nice to have Locke turn into the ultimate bad guy. Face it, he’s got all the characteristics: he’s cunning, he loves playing games (his favourite one being Mousetrap – can’t get clearer than that), he’s a great hunter, he’s got a lousy relationship with his parents, he’s basically the voice of the island and… he’s got a damn wicked grin – a very important quality for a bad guy. Seriously, Locke could set a new standard for bad guys. Ben was sweet in this episode aswell. It was nice to have him in the wheelchair: while his body may be malfunctioning, his wits are there as ever. Does he really have two gigantic hamsters powering his fridge? Maybe he pulled them out of his box? Sarcasm aside, I’m kind of curious towards the box. I hope it’s a metaphore, but I reckon it’ll be an actual box. Having Eko see Yemi and Jack see his father raised questions about whether the island can revive the dead, but I don’t see that happening. My second guess was that the monster could turn into the dead – or the dead on the island. My newest guess is: maybe they pull clones out of the box? It would surely explain how the hell Anthony Cooper ended up in that
safe.

“You speak to me as if I were your brother.” (Yemi to Eko)
…It’s not the real man from Talahassee.

Favourite Quote: Locke: “The man from Tallahassee. What is that? Some kind of code?”
Ben: “No, John. Unfortunately, we don’t have a code for ‘there’s a man in my closet with a gun to my
daughter’s head’. Although we obviously should.”