Lost Reviews and News

Key Points from "Three Minutes"

Season 2, Episode 22 Episode Air Date: 05/17/06
Point 1
	The plot threads that have been dangling throughout the season are starting to wind together in unusual and intriguing ways. Major questions appear to have answers. Unexplained events are starting to make sense. And the motivations of the Others are starting ... oh who am I kidding? We'll never understand the Others. But things are definitely coming to a head, which means the finale is going to be a doozy! So let's jump in! Note: I'm going to try something a little different this week. The backstory segments in "Three Minutes" are deeply woven into the fabric of the overall episode, so I'll be tracing the primary plotline as it played out. This first Key Point will jump back and forth between backstory and current event segments. Hopefully this won't be confusing. And so we begin ... with "The Hunting Party." Yes. We actually begin with an episode that aired back in January. Now, stick with me on this one because it's exceptionally important. It was during "The Hunting Party" that Michael began his Walt rescue mission. You'll recall (or maybe you won't; the episode aired four months ago), that Michael knocked Locke out, stole a rifle and a pistol from the hatch armory, then trapped Jack in the armory with Locke before heading into Other territory to get his boy. During the same episode, Jack, Locke, Sawyer and Kate pursued Michael in the hopes of thwarting his ill-conceived rescue attempt, but the quartet's own efforts were thwarted when they ran headlong into Zeke and the Others. Got all that? So with all this exposition floating in your head, we'll now begin our regularly scheduled episode recap. "Three Minutes" opens with a scene that transpired 13 days ago ... Michael is in the armory with Locke. The armory is full of guns (as an armory should be) because at this point, Sawyer has yet to steal all the guns and hide them in his tent ... but I digress. So Michael is in the armory and he's jittery as hell -- his eyes are too wide, his hair is disheveled, and he's a little too interested in grabbing a big gun and heading out for "target practice." Somehow, Obi-Locke fails to pick up on the warning signs. This proves to be a painful mistake for Locke because Michael cracks Locke on the back of the head and drops him to the floor, unconscious. And this is when things get interesting. With Locke out cold, Michael grabs a rifle and a pistol and runs into the hatch computer room. He sits at the keyboard and types wildly, hoping that Walt (or the Person Posing as Walt) will respond. And respond he does. The exchange goes something like this: >: igmrmpijclhnhuapa ihorroetoncm; rotflmao (Editor's Note: This looks like a random string of letters, but it's actually a rarely used Web abbreviation. In Web parlance, "igmrmpijclhnhuapa ihorroetoncm; rotflmao" is an abbreviation for: "I've Got My Rifle and My Pistol and I Just Clocked Locke in the Head and Now He's Unconscious in the Armory so Please Answer me so I can Head Off on a Ridiculous Rescue Operation that will End Tragically for Our Newest Cast Members; Rolling On the Floor Laughing My Ass Off.") Michael, realizing that Walt doesn't have time to decipher arcane Web abbreviations, erases his first message and replaces it with ... >: You okay? Walt responds: ok. no time. come soon? (Walt is one of those E.E. Cummings chatters; no capitals and no punctuation). Michael responds: >: I'm ready. Coming NOW. You said north ... north WHERE? Walt responds: when they take me out. there's huge rocks with a big HOLE in the middle by the beach. you'll know when you see. Michael responds: >: It's gonna be okay. I'm coming. Alas, the IM session is cut short when Jack walks into the hatch and calls out for Locke. Michael bolts from the computer and finds Jack standing over Locke's unconscious body in the armory. Michael cocks his gun and then, in a very dramatic, very convincing manner, informs Jack that: He's going after his boy. He's going after his boy alone. He's going to lock Jack in the armory, and then rescue his boy. With that, Michael slams the door and away he goes. We now move into the Present Day .... Michael is standing outside the hatch, holding a pink sheet of notepaper. The paper appears to have handwriting on it, but the message is only visible to Michael. Given his facial expression, Michael is not pleased with his grocery list (or his "Honey Do" list, or maybe it's Joe McCarthy's list of Dharma sympathizers). In fact, Michael is so displeased, he pulls out a lighter and ignites the list. The hatch door swings open and Jack pops out, startling Michael. Mikey turns to the side, making sure the blazing notepaper isn't visible to Jack. Jack remains clueless to the waft of smoke emanating from Michael's hand. He asks/demands that Michael come inside so they can discuss a new and improved Walt rescue mission. Jack goes back into the hatch and Michael chucks the charred notepaper on the ground. He squashes the remnants with his boot, then reenters the hatch to pow-wow with Jack, Kate, Hurley and Sawyer. (Remember those names: Jack, Kate, Hurley and Sawyer.) Michael suggests the group raid Sawyer's gun stash and launch an immediate surprise attack on the Other camp. Michael is super hopped up and borderline irrational at this point, but he's adamant about one specific thing: the rescue party needs to be comprised of "just the five of us." For some reason, Michael believes that it is very important -- VERY, VERY IMPORTANT -- that Jack, Kate, Hurley and Sawyer are the only people who help him with the rescue mission. It's as though Michael is following orders ... Anyway, all this talk of Others and gunplay elevates the hatch vengeance level to an unprecedented height, but just as everyone is gearin' up to chew bubblegum and kick ass, Hurley explodes. "They're DEAD!" he shouts. Everyone stops dead in their tracks (except Ana and Libby, they're already dead). "Ana-Lucia and Libby are dead," Hurley says. "I mean, we haven't even buried them yet!" The group realizes the big man is right. All this rescue talk is premature and disrespectful of the dead. Perhaps it would make a bit more sense to properly dispose of the two bodies that are currently stacked in the hatch bedroom. Yeah, that might be nice. The hatch vengeance level drops to DEFCON 5. Jack tells Michael they'll continue formulating a plan tomorrow; tonight, they need to bury Ana and Libby (and have a kegger). Michael looks down. His eyes wash over the crimson puddle of blood pooled on the hatch floor. The scene shifts back 13 days ago ... Michael is running through the heart of the island. He's huffing and puffing, but he appears to have a sense of where he's going (he consults a compass to make sure he's running north -- apparently he doesn't realize that the island wreaks havoc on compasses; oh well). Mid-way through his island jog, Michael stumbles into a clearing. His eyes grow wide as he spots a man standing a few meters away. The man is taking a leak on a Dharma bush, so he's unaware of Michael's presence. Michael cocks his rifle and tells the man to stay put. The man, who's barefoot and dressed in ratty clothing, spins around ... thankfully, he's done whizzing. But here's the weird thing: the guy isn't surprised. Michael just caught him dangling his Dharma device, and the guy isn't remotely shocked. The man -- herein known as "The Whizzing Other" -- holds his hands up and cracks a smile. "You're Walt's old man, aren't ya?" the guy asks. Michael is dumbfounded. His only response is to point his rifle menacingly at The Whizzing Other. The Whizzer's gaze shifts behind Michael. The shot shifts. Zeke/The Bearded Other looms over Michael's shoulder! Michael spins, but Zeke snares the rifle and points it skyward. Michael struggles. BLAM! BLAM! Two shots explode into the sky (and hit another Oceanic plane?). Michael breaks free and starts to run. Out of nowhere, the Whizzer whips out a pistol and fires at Michael. "What are you doing!?" Zeke barks. "We need him!" Zeke spins a bolas over his head and whips it toward Michael. The weapon whips around Michael's ankles and he falls hard to the ground. The Others rush in and slap a burlap sack over Michael's head, then push him into the jungle. (Note: Thanks to everyone who helped identify Zeke's weapon!) The scene cuts to the Present Day ... Jack, Sawyer, Kate and Hurley have taken the bodies of Ana and Libby down to the beach for a funeral. Michael, alone in the hatch with his guilt and a giant puddle of blood, tries to atone for his sins by cleaning the floor with Dharma disinfectant (Fresh Island Scent!). Eko suddenly appears, startling Michael (good thing Michael isn't armed; Eko would be a goner). Michael, perhaps feeling heat from the eternal flames of damnation that await him, asks Eko if he believes in hell. Eko answers the question with an allegory. He tells Michael that for a short time he worked at a parish in England, and while he was there, he often saw a boy sitting in the back of the church. One day, the boy came to Eko and confessed that he had beaten his dog to death with a shovel because the dog had nipped his sister. The boy wanted to know if he would go to hell. "I told him," Eko says, his eyes piercing Michael's guilt-ridden soul, "that God will understand ... he will be forgive ... as long as he was sorry." Michael stops scrubbing and looks at Eko. "But the boy didn't care about forgiveness," Eko continues. "He cared that if he did go to Hell, that dog would be there waiting for him." With that, Eko gets up and leaves the room. Thoughts of Ana's vengeful sneer send shivers through Michael's body. Cut to ... 5 minutes later ... Michael is now rushing through the trees, coughing and hacking like a cat with a hairball. He pauses by a tree and unloads a mighty payload of vomit (guilt barf!). As it happens, Jack is walking by as Michael's chunder bursts forth. Michael, displaying Gale-like trickery, uses his weakened state to pleads his case to Jack. Heaving and looking like pathetic incarnate, Michael tells the doctor that the rescue mission needs to go according to his plan. They cannot deviate from the plan. They cannot include more people in the plan. "It's my call and that's the way it has to be," Michael exclaims as little bits of goo spray into the air. Jack, hoping to get upwind of Michael's breath as quickly as possible, agrees to Michael's demand. The scene shifts to 13 Days Ago ... Michael is still in Other captivity, but they've removed the nappy burlap sack that blinded him throughout the early portion of their journey. Night has fallen and Michael is being watched by a small group of Others. The group is clustered around a campfire. Nearby, footsteps pound through the brush and two figures dart into view: it's The Whizzing Other and a new prisoner. The newbie (who's hooded) looks kinda familiar -- about 5' 3" or 5' 4", athletic build, seems to have an endless supply of form-fitting shirts, never shows any underarm hair growth ... holy crap! It's Kate! It all becomes clear. The scene we're watching is a "fill-in-the-gap" scene from "The Hunting Party." The Others are about to have their historic run-in with Jack, Sawyer and Locke. The scene that's currently playing out shows us what happens during that run-in. So here's what happens: Kate is pushed toward the campfire. Surprise spreads across Michael's face and he opens his mouth to speak, but before he can, Zeke leans in and warns that a single peep guarantees Michael will never see Walt again. Michael snaps his mouth shut. Zeke takes a short walk through the dark woods and the scene quickly cuts to the Other encounter we witnessed in "The Hunting Party." It plays out exactly as before: Zeke mysteriously appears near Jack, Sawyer and Locke's campfire; Jack and Sawyer draw their weapons and Sawyer quickly identifies Zeke from their run-in on the raft ("Exodus, Part 2"); Sawyer points his pistol at Zeke's beard, but before he can fire, a gunshot clips Sawyer and sends him spiraling away. The scene cuts back to the Other campfire. Michael hears the gunshot and his eyes grow wide. One of the Other guards -- a girl (more on her in a second) -- sees Michael's concern and says: "It's okay. He's [Zeke] just delivering a message. He has to scare your friends to do it." The "Hunting Party" encounter continues: Jack tells Zeke he doesn't believe the Others have them surrounded; Zeke responds by telling his cohorts to "light 'em up!"; a series of torches ignite in the woods; Zeke barks a new order: "Bring her out, Alex!" Back by the Other campfire, the girl's face drops. She looks at The Whizzing Other and asks him to bring Kate out. "Come on, Alex," the Whizzer says. Alex gets all doe-eyed and innocent and the Whizzer -- who, like Wooderson, is a sucker for those teenaged girls -- relents and moves Kate toward Jack's campfire. As Kate and the Whizzer walk off, Alex spins and unloads a barrage of questions at Michael: "Is Claire Okay? Did she have the baby? is it a boy or a girl?" Michael's mouth is bound, so he doesn't answer, but his face clearly asks: "Who is this chick?" Who Is This Chick Sidenote: The girl's name is Alex, and she's the same girl who helped Claire escape the clutches of Evil Ethan back in "Maternity Leave" (hence all the Claire questions). Alex is also Rousseau's long-lost daughter. Moving on ... The "Hunting Party" encounter finishes up: Jack, Sawyer and Locke trade their guns for Kate. In a final segment, Zeke returns to the Other campfire. He glances knowingly at Alex. Her shoulders drop and she apologizes to Michael. THWACK! She knocks Michael out with her rifle (somewhere, Locke smiles as the knock-out payback restores order to the Force). The scene shifts to the Present Day ... Jack and Sawyer are in Sawyer's tent divvying up the guns and ammo from Sawyer's stash. Sawyer is feeling chatty (and catty), so he asks Jack what happened with Kate the night the two of them tried to propose a Walt-for-Henry-Gale trade with the Others ("S.O.S."). Jack tells the truth: "We got caught in a net." Sawyer misinterprets the phrase: "Is that what they're callin' it these days?" The moment -- and confusion -- quickly passes. Jack and Sawyer emerge from the tent, armed to the gills. Sayid spots the duo and their stash of guns and runs up to announce that he'll be joining their Other excursion. But Jack puts the kibosh on Sayid's idea, telling him that the Other Army roster is in Michael's hands. Sawyer's mouth drops. He wisely notes that maybe -- just maybe -- it would be wise to go to war with the one guy on the island who's actually been in a war. To drive home his point, he hands Sayid a pistol. "Welcome aboard," Sawyer smirks. Jack sulks and walks off to find Kate so they can make out in a net. The scene shifts to 11 Days Ago ... The Other platoon walks/drags Michael to their final destination: The Other Camp! The Other Camp looks exactly as Michael described it in "Two for the Road" -- a series of canvas tents and teepees sits near the beach. Dirty Others mill around wearing old clothing and no shoes. It looks like a set from a post-apocalyptic Kevin Costner movie. Michael is paraded down Main Street (well, Main Dirt Path). Random Others look on with indifference and/or sneers (it's a colony of Ana-Lucias!). As he's pushed along, Michael sees a heavy metal door built into a beachside cliff. The door is marked with a new Dharma logo. Two armed guards stand watch outside the door. The Others deposit Michael in front of a canvas hut set near the shore. The Whizzing Other (his name is actually Pickett, but "Whizzing Other" has a better ring to it), sticks a syringe into Michael's arm and draws blood. Michael protests, but the Whizzer ignores his complaints. With the blood drawn, the Whizzer grabs a Zip-Loc bag from his shirt pocket and tosses the filled syringe inside. (Oddly, the Zip-Loc bag did not have a Dharma logo on it). The blood thing is odd, but it's nothing compared to what happens next. A woman approaches Michael. She's in her late '20s/early '30s and she's dressed in the same nasty-ass clothing all the Others wear. She tells Michael her name is "Ms. Klugh" (not Ms. Clue -- that would be too obvious), and she has some questions to ask Michael. Michael's eyes narrow and he gets his "I want my boy!" look. Ms. Klugh begins the interview. Question No. 1: "Is Walt your biological son?" Michael: "Bwah? ... uh ... Yes." Question No. 2: "How old was Walt when he started speaking." Michael: ".... I .... he ... but ... hmmm ..." Question No. 3: "Did he have any illnesses growing up? Headaches? Fainting spells?" Michael: "What? No! ... I ... I wasn't there! He was halfway around the world!" And now, the big one ... Question No. 4: "Did Walt ever appear in a place he wasn't supposed to be?" Michael sets his jaw and stares back at Ms. Klugh. He doesn't answer. We need to pause a moment to discuss Question No. 4. Early in season 2, Walt was "seen" by Shannon and Sayid at odd moments (like when Shannon and Sayid were about to get it on -- yeah, awkward). In each instance, Walt would show up soaking wet, spouting backwards warnings. In "Man of Science, Man of Faith" he warned Shannon, "Push the button, Don't push the button. Bad." In "Abandoned" he returned to say, "They're coming, and they're close!" Shannon's death put an end to Walt's wet-backwards appearances, but Question No. 4 now opens new questions about Walt's supernatural abilities. Is he the key to Dharma's research? Was the Cigarette Smoking Man involved in his abduction? Is Walt the next Professor Xavier? We shall see. One last Ms. Klugh thing ... her questions cause Michael's temper to flare and he demands to see Walt. Ms. Klugh looks on passively and waits for Michael to stop screaming. When he does, she unloads this Gale-esque mind screw: "For someone who wants his boy back so badly, you don't seem to know much about him, Michael." Ms. Klugh rises and walks off. Pieces of Michael's brain slide from his ear. The scene shifts to The Present Day ... Michael catches wind of Sayid's enlistment in the Other Army, and he doesn't like it one bit. So, being a man of action, he finds Sayid on the beach and tells him he can't join crew. Sayid begins to argue, but Michael stops him cold by appealing to Sayid's emotions. "I know you want to help," Michael says, "but I've got to do this my way." Sayid (who's a huge Sinatra fan) shakes Michael's hand. "Of course," Sayid says. Sometime later, Michael wanders down the beach and sees Kate and Hurley digging graves for Ana and Libby. Michael strides up and tells Kate that the Other Army will be leaving first thing tomorrow. He then looks at Hurley and asks if he's coming. Hurley, covered in sweat and overwhelmed by grief, tells Michael he's staying behind. Michael snaps. In his mind, Hurley has to come. He tries to spur Hurley's vengeance by reminding him that an Other killed Libby (lie!). Hurley stares back. "Dude, I'm worth $156 million. When we get rescued, I'm gonna buy an ICBM and blow the Others into oblivion, so get off my friggin' back and let me dig this goddamn grave." (Okay, so that didn't happen. But it should have.) The scene shifts to Three Days Ago ... The final backstory segment begins with Michael sitting alone in one of the Others' canvas tents. At this point, Michael has spent the last week tied up and bombarded by an onslaught of Ms. Klugh's questions. His will to fight -- and to live -- is draining with each passing day. The tent door opens and Ms. Klugh walks in carrying a plate of food. Michael ignores the meal and asks Ms. Klugh when they're finally going to kill him. Ms. Klugh is surprised, but Michael has it all figured out: he knows too much about the Others and, more importantly, he knows where they live. There's no way they're going to let him leave, so death must be imminent. Not so fast, Mikey. Ms. Klugh kneels beside Michael and tells him there's "been a development since you came here." She reveals that one of "our people" (Henry Gale) was captured by the castaways and now the Others need Michael to get him back. Ms. Klugh looks into Michael's eyes. "If you do, we'll let you and Walt go free." Michael lifts his head. Aggression washes over his face. "I want to see my son!" he shouts. "You bring him in here, right now!" Ms. Klugh is stunned by Michael's reaction. Moments ago, he was a quivering pile of parental goo, but the prospect of salvation has ignited the fire in Michael's belly. Ms. Klugh calls to her cohorts. The sound of footsteps seeps under the tent door. "You have three minutes," Ms. Klugh says. The door opens and in walks ... WALT! And he's not wet! And he's not talking backwards! Walt is wearing a short-sleeved shirt, shorts and sneakers (the Others don't have a Young Men's line). He appears gaunt and a little weary (and despite what the "Lost" producers have said, he looks way older than 10). Michael is overwhelmed. "Walt, are you okay?!" he asks. "Did they hurt you?" Walt glances at Ms. Klugh, then looks back at Michael. "They make me take tests," Walt says. "They make you what?!" Michael shouts. "We're not going to talk about that," Ms. Klugh cuts in. "How's Vincent?" Walt asks. "Vincent? ... He's great ... He misses you," Michael sputters. Walt winces and looks down. "Hey! Dont' be scared, man, don't be scared," Michael says. "It's gonna be over real soon, okay? I'm gonna get you out of here, okay?" Walt pauses. "They're not who they say they are!" Walt says. "They're pretending!" "Walt!" Ms. Klugh barks. "Do you want me to put you in the room again?" "Pretending?" Michael asks. "Pretending what?!" "That's it, we're done here," Ms. Klugh announces. The Whizzing Other (who's standing nearby), grabs Walt's arm and marches him toward the door. Michael pleads to let Walt stay. Walt breaks free, then rushes toward Michael and hugs him. "Dad, help me!" Walt says. "Help me please! Don't leave me!" The Whizzing Other charges across the room and snatches Walt from Michael. "Dad! Dad! I love you!" Walt cries as The Whizzing Other swings the tent door open. "I love you!" "I love you too Walt!" Michael shouts. Walt's voice fades outside. Michael bows his head and sobs uncontrollably. This is a broken, broken man ... and Ms. Klugh knows it. She looks down at Michael and tells him there's another part of the deal. "Whatever you want," Michael cries. Ms. Klugh pulls out a notepad. "I'm writing four names down," she says. "Four of your friends. We need you to bring them here. You have to bring only these four people, Michael, just them. If you don't bring all the people on the list ... you'll never see Walt again." Ms. Klugh kneels in front of Michael. "What do I tell them?" Michael asks, his chest heaving. "Doesn't matter," Ms. Klugh says. "Make up a story. They'll be angry enough to believe whatever you say." Ms. Klugh rips the sheet from the notepad and shows it to Michael. And suddenly we know why Michael is so anal about the Other Army roster ... The names are: Jack Shephard Kate Austen Hugo Reyes James Ford (Sawyer) Michael stops crying. Anger fills his eyes. "If I do this ..." he says. "You get your son back ... you both go free," Ms. Klugh says. Michael glares at Ms. Klugh. The music swells. There's something else ... "... And I want the boat," Michael growls. And then it ends!
Point 2
	This episode concludes with a funeral ... and a big, bobbing surprise. At dusk, the castaways assemble at the beachside graveyard. Jack and Sayid walk together toward the group and as they move forward, Jack reflects on the moment. He tells Sayid that he was originally en route to Los Angeles to bury his father, and while he knew he was supposed to go straight from the airport to the funeral, he had no idea what he was going to say at the service. "Here we are again," Jack says. Sayid has no time for wussy self reflection. Without missing a beat -- and without offering a segue of any sort -- he tells Jack that Michael has been compromised; the Others got to him. "His actions are not those of a man who is telling the truth," Sayid says. "I believe he is a father who may do anything for his son. I believe he is leading you into a trap." "You believe a lot, Sayid," Jack snaps. "I also believed that Henry Gale was one of them," Sayid says. (Parry. Touche!) Sayid has a point, and Jack knows it. He asks Sayid what they should do, and Sayid recommends continuing the ruse so they can work in the background to create an advantage. Problem is, Sayid isn't sure how to turn that advantage into a victory. Alas, the problem will have to be solved later. Right now, the castaways need to dispose of Ana and Libby. Jack and Sayid join up with the rest of the group and Jack starts the service with a brief reflection on Ana Lucia's life: "Before we crashed, she was a police officer," Jack says. "I don't think it was easy for her being here. She sneered a lot and she wore that same shirt the entire time. But I think she did the best she could. She was a woman of few words, so I'm going to follow her example. Rest in peace, Ana." Hurley steps up to deliver Libby's eulogy: "Libby was a psychologist ... or a psychiatrist ... she was one of those ... she also seemed really familiar to me and I have yet to figure out how we crossed paths ... but I'm sure that'll be addressed in season 3 ... anyway, she probably helped a lot of people ... she helped me ... and she was my friend. [REVENGE-FILLED PAUSE] It's not fair that this happened to her. It's not." Hurley looks over his shoulder at Michael. "I'm going with you," Hurley says with anger in his voice. He turns back toward the group. "Goodbye Libby." The assembled bow their heads and think nice thoughts about Libby and try to think nice thoughts about Ana. But as the group ponders their meager little lives, Sun glances out toward the ocean. HOLY ... CRAP ... Sun's eyes pop. Her mouth drops. "Boat!" she exclaims. The castaways look up, confused. "BOAT!" she shouts. The group turns en masse. One by one, their jaws hit the sand. The camera frames the water and there, bobbing like a cork in a bathtub, is a small sailboat! What?! WHAT?! And then it ends! (Sidenote: The sailboat appears to be one of those super-robust, travel-'round-the-word models. Hmm ... I wonder if we know anyone who's ever tried to race around the world in a boat?)

Point 3
	Claire and Charlie are back on! But does anybody care? Don't get me wrong. I think the Claire-Charlie storyline is fine and all, and it led to some wonderful baptism/kidnap moments earlier in the season, but at this point, does anyone give a damn if these two end up together? Nonetheless, it's my responsibility to reveal the details, so here's what happens on the Claire and Charlie front: Early in the episode, Charlie pays a visit to Claire and Aaron. Claire is initially standoffish (understandable, since Charlie tried to kidnap Aaron and he lied about that whole heroin thing), but she softens when Charlie surprises her with ... a vaccination kit? Charlie says he found the kit in the recent food drop ("Dave") and he thought it might be useful for the baby. And since he's such a great guy, he tested the immunization medicine on himself. Let me repeat that: He tested the immunization medicine on himself. I guarantee this will factor into a future plot development. The "sickness" thing that's been floating around since the early days of season 1 has never been fully addressed, so the sudden appearance -- and use -- of immunizations has to hint at an important future storyline. It has to. Why else would the producers go out of their way to introduce a new immunization kit? Story structure aside, Claire is touched by Charlie's gesture. You can see the ice melting from her veins. "Every Kiss begins with Dharma ..." And in a final illustration of the rekindled burnin' and yearnin' between these two, Claire holds Charlie's hand during the funeral. Charlie is quite pleased with this development.

Point 4
	In other Charlie news ... Charlie spends the early moments of the episode searching for his church-building buddy Eko. He eventually finds him camped out at the hatch computer. At first, Charlie is cordial ("You wake up in the middle of the night. You grab your Jesus Stick. You race off into the jungle. You don't call. You don't write."), but when Eko reveals that he's abandoning the church and moving into the hatch, Charlie reacts like a spurned lover. He throws a mini-fit, then leaves the hatch in a huff. Later in the episode, Charlie opts to continue building the church on his own, but the process is considerably tougher without Eko. At one point, as he's struggling to install a roof beam, Vincent bounds up to Charlie. He drops a blue object at Charlie's feet. "You're kidding, right?" Charlie scoffs. It's a Virgin Mary statue! Vincent runs back toward the beach and Charlie follows. The intrepid lab nuzzles into Sawyer's tent and paws at Sawyer's secret stash. Charlie looks down and sees the remaining statues. But then Charlie does something completely different. He takes the statues down the beach and throws each and every one of them into the ocean. When he comes to the final statue, he gazes at it for a moment, then hauls off and chucks it into the briny depths. It's a big moment for Chuckie. He's battling his demons on his own terms, and it seems like he's winning. It's just too bad the tide will bring all those statues floating back in 12 hours. Nonetheless, Charlie is pleased with himself. As he gathers up his belongings he turns and notices that Locke is sitting alone further down the beach. Disdain crosses Charlie's face. Locke squints back. Is a showdown coming? Is a reunion coming?

Point 5
	Sawyer and Jack shared an interesting moment this week. At one point, the pair are alone in the hatch, going over their guns and ammunition supplies in preparation for the Other attack. As they lube and oil and check their weapons, Sawyer wistfully talks about Ana-Lucia. "I never even knew her last name," Sawyer says. "Cortez," Jack replies. "Cortez ... well there ya go," Sawyer says. [LONG GUY PAUSE] "I screwed her." Jack looks up from his lube job. "What?!" he asks/exclaims. "That's how she got my gun," Sawyer says. "We, uh, 'got caught in a net.'" And here's where it gets interesting ... Jack asks: "Why are you telling me this, Sawyer." "'Cause you're about the closest thing I've got to a friend, doc," Sawyer says. "And because she's gone." If they had gloves and a baseball, they'd have a catch. Unfortunately, guns and violence will have to do. Sawyer snaps out of his self-reflection and cocks his rifle. "At least now we get to kill somebody," he snarls.

Point 6
	I'll conclude a with a few bits and pieces from this episode: As far as I can tell, neither Locke nor Eko tell any of the castaways about their dramatic findings from last week. What's wrong with these people? Rose's prediction that Locke would heal faster than expected appears to have come true. Toward the end of this episode, Locke cuts off his splint and leaves his crutches behind. Interactive Game Update: The Hanso ad that aired during this week's episode included two pieces of new information: The sponsor was Jeep (last week it was Sprite) and the new Web site is www.letyourcompassguideyou.com. You can find all sorts of additional Interactive Game information on our separate game clues page. That's it for now. Be sure to drop by our "Lost" Forum for stimulating conversation and conjecture.

Next Episode:
"Live Together, Die Alone (Parts 1 and 2)" -- Jack and Sayid whip up a plan to take on the Others in the second season finale. Airs: Wednesday, May 24, 9 p.m., ABC.
Review by Mac Slocum. All photos and episode descriptions © ABC Inc.

Posted by Mac on May 18, 2006 11:55 AM | Email This

how is it a first, maternity leave and the other 48 days do the same thing

→ 1. Posted by: super at May 18, 2006 12:01 PM

Great Recap this week but I wanted to point out that the last Claire episode was actually the first episode with flashbacks on the island.

→ 2. Posted by: master of kaioken at May 18, 2006 12:02 PM

You're right! That paragraph will be stricken from the record. Thanks for the catch! -- Mac

→ 3. Posted by: mac at May 18, 2006 12:03 PM

Great recap mac. I havent read it yet, but comon you wrote it so im sure its good.

Of course leave it up to my main man sayeed to be the one person on the island with more than a half wits amount of common sence. I always tell people that "common sence" isent very, i guess that goes for lost as well. Im glad someone noticed how Michel was acting, i was afraid that the writers where going to leave us hanging for the entire off season.

→ 4. Posted by: Cory at May 18, 2006 12:16 PM

MAC - Awesome job as always, I'm not done reading your recap but I had to answer one of your questions: the thing the bearded guy threw at Michael is called a Bolo. It's a primitive weapon created i think in South America a long time ago, very useful for snaring small to medium sized animals and crazed fathers of kidnap victims. Gotta go, more reading to do.

→ 5. Posted by: Mr. Grimm at May 18, 2006 12:16 PM

I believe Zeke's swinging, Michael-snaring weapon must have been a bolo tie. :P

→ 6. Posted by: Trinity at May 18, 2006 12:16 PM

Here Mac,
I found this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolas

→ 7. Posted by: Sabrina at May 18, 2006 12:18 PM

Mac, Great review as usual!

The questions Mrs. Klugh (clue) whatever..are the SAME questions asked by Michael's ex's lawyer before the flight. Word -for- word! WTF??

→ 8. Posted by: Scott at May 18, 2006 12:19 PM

I loved the episode. But I gotta say, Jorge Garcia blew it. He blew his scene. When he stepped up to deliver that eulogy, I thought "this is Jorge's moment to step up and join the ranks as a heavy dramatic actor." But the scene was almost emotionless, and left me disappointed. The moment was soaked in dramatics, but the acting fell flat. Oh, well. Still a great episode. And while I'm in "bitching" mode....WHAT'S UP WITH NEXT SEASON'S SCHEDULE?! An 11-week break in the middle?! Unbelievable.

→ 9. Posted by: KG at May 18, 2006 12:24 PM

Mac, great review as usual. You forgot to include Locke walking down the beach (away from the funeral) after he cuts off the splint. Where is he going? This could be a major setup.

→ 10. Posted by: Asher at May 18, 2006 12:25 PM

Only key point I'd say you missed:

"For someone who wants his boy back so badly, you don't seem to know much about him, Michael."

This marks the *second* time Michael has heard that sentence. The first was in season one, when he heard it during the custody battle for Walt.

→ 11. Posted by: Lex at May 18, 2006 12:26 PM

2 questions.

1) Who takes a random immunization without knowing what it is for?

2) Could someon please clarify the "Hunting Party" scene? When Sawyer says "thats the guy that shot me" I thought he then fired his gun. To me, it appeared that the bullet bounced off some sort of forcefield, but Mac's review said it was one of the others that shot and grazed him. Anyone agree/disagree.

→ 12. Posted by: Charlie Salinger at May 18, 2006 12:26 PM

Ah yes, the force field debate. This was discussed significantly after the "Hunting Party" first aired.

If I remember correctly (and I could be wrong), I think the conlcusion was that Sawyer did *not* fire (we never see a muzzle blast, even in slow-motion) and the gunshot did *not* ricochet, it just sounded that way. The shot we heard was from an unseen Other.

Or mabye Zeke was surrounded by a force field ;) -- Mac

→ 13. Posted by: mac at May 18, 2006 12:29 PM

I tried going to the website from the commerical last night. I guess I don't have the proper software because it says, "Please download the latest flash pulgin here. Thank you and Namaste." What does Namaste mean??

→ 14. Posted by: Shannon at May 18, 2006 12:31 PM

can i just say wow i luaghed when you said she wore the same top every day lol cant wait for next week also GO charlie!!!!!!!!!!!!! luv ya

→ 15. Posted by: hayley at May 18, 2006 12:32 PM

Excellent review and episode. I have to comment on the Other's influence on people by force and exploitation. We all know Alex is doing all she can to mess up the Others plans, yet at a word from Zeke, she has to riflebutt Michaels head. Notice she says "Sorry" before doing it, JUST LIKE MICHAEL says before doing what he has to do. They do not want to do ANY OF THIS, but under duress they have to.

→ 16. Posted by: brich at May 18, 2006 12:34 PM

Wasn't the Tailies story set just on the island?

→ 17. Posted by: PiecesofArzt at May 18, 2006 12:34 PM

Thanks for the recap, really funny!
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!! I knew Michael was not brainwashed and that he was lying the whole time. We finally get to see what typed on the computer and I think it easy to see that it really wasn't Walt telling him where to go, it was the others and they were waiting for him. Again I think there is only one group of others, they are "pretending". So here are the big questions that stood out to me, we probably don't have the answers but I'd love see everybody's take on them, since I always get new insight when I read your.

1. When the other captured Michael and Kate in the clearing, the leader (can't remember name) was talking to Michael, saying things like "gag him". Didn't Kate hear, couldn't she assume that they had caught Michael - she was sitting 2 feet away. Side note: I love that Alex is back and that she asks about Claire and the baby

2. Why do the others say they "need" Michael when they first capture him. The Losties hadn't captured Henry until after the other had Michael. Did they need him for something else and does it have something to do with the blood.

3. Could anyone see the symbol on the new hatch, which one was it?

4. Why do the others want those four Losties, I kind of get Jack, Sawyer, and Kate, but Hurly? Why????

5. So Walt is special and has appeared in places he should not have been before the crash. Creepy - I wonder how that will play out.

6. And finally where is Locke going? I was honestly surprised that he has lost faith in the almighty button, didn't it occur to him the video is staged and that the Swan video said the button came in to play after the incident, it wasn't part of the original experiment. Or how Eko's dream led them to the other hatch - old Locke would have taken that as a sign.

The boat at the end looked like it was drifting there, looked to me like a trap and thank god for Sayid, without him we would all be lost . . .

→ 18. Posted by: Mary at May 18, 2006 12:35 PM

Am I the only one who thought that one of the Others at the camp looked exactly like (a slightly younger version of) Ethan? For some reason, that popped out at me IMMEDIATELY.
Also, I have my suspicions that Walt may have been "acting", having been told what to say by the Others to ensure that Michael would be motivated to carry out his task. He didn't seem sincere to me, but maybe it's just the actor's limited capability. It also seemed to me like he looked at Ms.Klugh before talking, as if to get a cue from her.
Anyone agree?

→ 19. Posted by: Sabrina at May 18, 2006 12:36 PM

I think, and correct me if I'm wrong, that Namaste sort of means, "Peace be with you." I've heard it used in my yoga class as a closing remark.

→ 20. Posted by: Amanda at May 18, 2006 12:37 PM

[broken record alert]

I know a lot of other people have said this, but I really look forward to your reviews every week. They are witty and well done. I feel like the episode isn't over until I have read your recap!

Back to work now, boss is giving me dirty looks.

→ 21. Posted by: cayla at May 18, 2006 12:38 PM

Very funny review, Mac! "Jack remains clueless to the waft of smoke emanating from Michael's hand." had me rolling!!

Could someone clear something up for me? In Hunting Party, when Sawyer, Locke, and Jack are in the jungle, they hear gunshots, and thats when they meet up with Zeke (AT NIGHT), but in this episode, we see that the gunshots were from the struggle between Michael and Zeke, in the DAYTIME...so is there a continuity problem here, or am I crazy?

Also, I was wondering why Hurley didn't think something was up when Michael called him Hugo, since no one but Jack knew that was Hurley's real name, right? Maybe Jack told Michael at some point. Also, when Michael looked at the list, he asked Mrs. Klugh who James Ford was, but not Hugo Reyes, so I guess he knew already.
And the fact that no one thinks Michael is acting really strange except Sayid is preposterous! ESPECIALLY since he didn't want Sayid to go, who is the best fighter there.

→ 22. Posted by: Christina at May 18, 2006 12:38 PM

Nothing new to add about the episode last night, except to say....Mac, GREAT review. I can't pick the funniest line of all, but some of my favorites were: "thankfully, he's done whizzing", "Jack, hoping to get upwind of Michael's breath as quickly as possible, agrees to Michael's demand" , "Michael is paraded down Main Street (well, Main Dirt Path)". Too many more to list! I was laughing so hard my coworkers thought I was sniffing laughing gas for lunch. Well done, Mac!!!

→ 23. Posted by: socompletelylost at May 18, 2006 12:41 PM

Anyone else see the freeze frames from the preview for the finale with Jin and Sayid on the Boat?? how about Everyone standing around about a million of those tubes used in "the pearl" to send the data........
Good times

→ 24. Posted by: HIHI at May 18, 2006 12:41 PM

Mac:

As always, very good job.

Where was Locke going at the end? I believe he, along with Sayid, will save the day. I just want to see 4or5 of the others get their butts shot off.

Desmund has got to be in the boat. He tried to get away but that darn island has such a way of bringing people back.

→ 25. Posted by: Gerard at May 18, 2006 12:46 PM

firstly - i was thinking about what dr clue said about walt - maybe not so much supernatural but cloning instead? I read all of the posts - so I dont think this came up before.

called a boleo (or bolo) or something like that - it is what the old man wings at mikey.

also - the boat does not look like a long range racer. More like a bigger day cruise or for some short haul racing (like afew days).

finally - for your guidance most tides are diurnal in nature (meaning that in 6 and not 12 hours the drugs will be coming back in). There are two hi and lo tides per 24 hour period. Again this my not apply for the lost island.

sorry to geek out

→ 26. Posted by: lost at work at May 18, 2006 12:50 PM

best line: "every kiss begins with dharma..." i actually read it with the tune (in my head) love it

→ 27. Posted by: steph at May 18, 2006 12:50 PM

Another point: Wasn't Mrs. Klugh the face in Eko's smoke monster images?

→ 28. Posted by: Christina at May 18, 2006 12:51 PM

Mac, you are THE BEST!
OK, I am probably getting nit-picky here...but I have been rewatching the first season DVD and early on when those nasty wild boars were scavenging in the fuselage, the losties decided to burn the fuselage with all of the dead crash victims because, as Jack says, "No body will stay buried with these boars around". OK, so why did they bury and not burn AL, Libby, Shannon,...& Boone?
We never see those boars anymore do we?

Yeah, Walt has changed a bit.. (You can make it as dark in the tent as you like-he still looks 14!)
Puberty must have hit during that week or so he was gone!

→ 29. Posted by: Tazbee at May 18, 2006 12:53 PM

Sawyer must spend a lot of time thinking up nicknames for Hurley. I laghed my ass off at the whole "Grape Ape" line.

→ 30. Posted by: Cory at May 18, 2006 12:55 PM

Did we see the entire seen from begining to end when Charlie had knocked out Sun? I can't remember. They often leave out some scenes to bring out in later episodes. If he was compromised due to Erin being kidnapped maybe he was asked by the Others to bring Sun to them. That is still possible. Just as Michael was asked to make a trade for Walt. We didn't find that out until last night. Still I wouldn't be surprised if they were trying to clone Erin and use Sun as a host. Because, remember back when Claire was being held hostage and they were doing some kind of procedure during her pregnancy. Possible or not?

→ 31. Posted by: L _ GeeZee at May 18, 2006 12:57 PM

When the Others brought Michael into their "fake" camp, I really thought it looked like a cheesy movie set or something. Of course, I know about the costumes and Michael doesn't. So he wasn't suspicious, but I really was thinking, "Geez. How much more fake could this look?" It was like right before they walked into camp, someone had shouted, "Action!" and they all took their places.

I really couldn't tell whether Walt's outburst about them "pretending" was scripted or not. My husband thinks it was planned. I'm not so sure.

I have a theory that the "Others" do not live on the island full-time. They come and go, and that's why Rousseau has not been able to find Alex all this time. The Others aren't always on the island.

→ 32. Posted by: Amanda at May 18, 2006 1:02 PM

I also want to know why Kate wouldn't hear Zeke say "If you make a sound, you'll never see your boy again." Seems kinda obvious they had Michael.

→ 33. Posted by: JJ at May 18, 2006 1:05 PM

Great recap - one intrersting note

When Ms Klugh says to Michael -

"For someone who wants his boy back so badly, you don't seem to know much about him, Michael."

It occurred to me that this was the exact dialogue the lawyer said to Michael in Michaels recap episode from Season one. Same words, same inflection, verbatim. Makes me wonder if Michaels mom was somehow involved with Dharma.

→ 34. Posted by: Rick at May 18, 2006 1:06 PM

I love your recaps Mac...always have me laughing. One thing I wanted to point out was Zeke saying "prepare the torches." Meaning "get the extra torches out there so it looks like we have more people than we really do." There were only about 5-6 Others with Michael, and when the torches were finally lit, there were about double that (torches not people of course). Just thought this was interesting. Look forward to your recap of the season finale!

→ 35. Posted by: tiny at May 18, 2006 1:08 PM

MAC - you the man. And have been part of my Thursday morning routine. Not to bash, but your amazing wit and humor felt like it was drying up on a few of the last episodes, but today you are back to full force, much like Obi-Locke is back to his sitting on the beach omni-potent mode.

"The Whizzing Other (his name is actually Pickett, but "Whizzing Other" has a better ring to it)"

Great stuff. I also want to note that to the best of my knowledge. Except for the pilot episode we have never seen Charlie use heroin on the island. I am a firm believer that he hasn't.

→ 36. Posted by: Stephen at May 18, 2006 1:09 PM

No no no no, bad writing (not you Mac) I am sorry Michael may have been a "broken man" and irrational but he was not programed or tortured nearly enough to turn him into a cold blooded killer. I just do not buy that he wants "his boy back" so bad that he would murder two innocent women.

Having said that, I think Sawyer (mr subtle) saying "I screwed her" was pretty funny. I really hope Michael doesn't make it to season three. he has become a completely unsympathetic charachter.

→ 37. Posted by: D LostinBoston at May 18, 2006 1:11 PM

Sayid's a huge Sinatra fan...and the Hurley quotes...all classics! Great and hilariously entertaining review as usual Mac.

Once and for all, I believe there is only one set of Others, as confirmed by Walt when he said that they are not who they say they are, they're pretending. This is also reinforced by Zeke's makeup that Kate found, and the fact that we've seen Zeke sans makeup when he wasn't 'pretending'.

Future conversation between Sawyer and Kate:

Sawyer: So I heard you and Jack got caught in a net.
Kate: Yeah we did. It's a good thing I was able to get ahold of Jack's gun.
Sawyer: Now Freckles, I don't need the sordid details!
Kate: I gave it back to him though...he had the better angle...
Sawyer: Freckles please!
Kate: What? You could've been caught in one of Rousseu's traps just as easily!
Sawyer: Huh?
Kate: It was all my fault. I should've known better.
Sawyer: (Relieved) You mean you really did get caught in a net?
Kate: What the hell did you think I meant?
Sawyer: Nevermind...

Mark my words, some cheesy Lost dialogue coming our way!

→ 38. Posted by: JoePike at May 18, 2006 1:12 PM

Stephen -- The wit comes and goes (I think it goes more often than it comes ...), but it's just one of those things that happens on its own terms. I learned a long time ago not to force it, so there will undoubtedly be times when I just play it straight.

Glad to know you enjoyed the latest review, though!

-- Mac

→ 39. Posted by: mac at May 18, 2006 1:13 PM

once again, great review mac...you have a gift bro! and guys, let's give mac a break and not be so nitpicky about every little mistake he makes!!

"namaste" is a hindu word and it means hello. "dharma" too has a hindi background as budha himself was born a hindu.

someone mentioned about the gunshots in hunting party being at night...jack et al actually heard the gunshots during the day so there is no mistake by the producers there. what i was wondering is, they found the slugs in a very foresty area but we see the gunshots actually took place in an open area??? please correct me if i am wrong.

i could not believe it when saywer called jack a friend!! what a turn of events!!!

obviously it is desmond on the boat as we all know he is to appear in the season finale.

i was getting so frustrated that no one was questioning michaels insistance to leave right away when he earlier had said that after he regains his strength they would go looking for his boy. jack of all the people should know that someone who has been shot cannot be strong enough in what, two days?

KG, i agree with you about Jorge's acting. I was disappointed too that he didn't pull off an emmy-nominating performance. oh well!

i can't wait for the finale and the "war" but it will be so sad to not look forward to a new episode for a long time!

thanks once again mac!

→ 40. Posted by: katePlusSun=Fun at May 18, 2006 1:13 PM

I believe when Mistress Clue was asking if Walt ever appeared even though he was far away, was more a reference to season one when he appeared in the middle of the street and caused Michael's accident

→ 41. Posted by: S at May 18, 2006 1:15 PM

Couldn't the boat be unmanned?

→ 42. Posted by: socompletelylost at May 18, 2006 1:18 PM

Anyone think Vincent's also been compromised by the Other's? He's acting really suspicious.....;)

→ 43. Posted by: Joss at May 18, 2006 1:19 PM

S: ?? I don't remember that at all! Michael's accident was being hit by a brown sedan (which some have surmised to have been Kate driving the marshall's stolen vehicle).

I think Walt appearing in a place he shouldn't be is a form of astral projection. No, not the band. The new age, out of body experience thing. I've heard of some people being able to do it.

I agree with you guys about Jorge Garcia's eulogy. He looked more constipated than sad.

→ 44. Posted by: Trinity at May 18, 2006 1:20 PM

forgot to mention, the others wanted michael so they could question him about walt and find out more about him. its quite obvious that they are really intrigued by this amazing kid and want to know as much as they can. that is why they wanted michael alive.

JoePike, that sounded exactly like what kate and sawyer would sound like...are you sure you are not one of the writers?!!!

i was always insisting that there was only one group of others but nobody would listen...i hope they listen to sayid!!

→ 45. Posted by: katePlusSun=Fun at May 18, 2006 1:21 PM

we have a boat...but is it big enough!

→ 46. Posted by: katePlusSun=Fun at May 18, 2006 1:23 PM

Very good review and funny as well. I am going to have to quit reading at work because I kept laughing out loud. Loved the lines "Michael just caught him dangling his Dharma device" and "If they had gloves and a baseball, they'd have a catch." That is my favorite movie scene ever and it was so appropriate for this scene. I think that maybe the others want Hurley because they want to study the bad luck associated with him using the numbers. Crazy guess, but not much worse than some others. Looking forward to the next show...

→ 47. Posted by: Amy at May 18, 2006 1:25 PM

kateplussun...you're right, we're gonna need a bigger boat.

By the way, how come they haven't rewound the tapes in the Pearl? Maybe people in purgatory don't show up on video, just like vampires. : )

→ 48. Posted by: socompletelylost at May 18, 2006 1:27 PM

I thought I saw someone who looked alot like Desmond in the Others camp. As Mikey is led into the 'camp' a fellow with greasy, longish hair has his face turned away but looks so familiar.....

→ 49. Posted by: Joss at May 18, 2006 1:28 PM

I think they use Betamax in purgatory, so there could be compatibility issues ;)

→ 50. Posted by: mac at May 18, 2006 1:28 PM

Does anyone else think that they took Michael's blood for a paternity test? Maybe he isn't Walt's father at all...and that's why Walt's mom didn't want Michael to have anything to do with him. If Michael isn't the father...who is?

→ 51. Posted by: J-Rod at May 18, 2006 1:30 PM

Betamax.....lmao!!!!!!!

→ 52. Posted by: socompletelylost at May 18, 2006 1:30 PM

In addition to Walt's other many talents, he types with super human speed...

→ 53. Posted by: madiera at May 18, 2006 1:32 PM

Namaste is how people greet eachother in Nepal. They fold their hands in front and say it. Not sure what it means, but it's a version of hello, and peace be with you.

I am intersted in Alex. I felt that the look that Zeke gave her at first was a bit suspicious. As if Alex really wanted to get Michael alone for a minute to ask about Claire, and that Zeke realizes that she isn't fully on their side. I wonder if Alex knows about her mom, and perhaps that is also used as a threat as it was with Michael.

→ 54. Posted by: Meg at May 18, 2006 1:32 PM

Mac, I have such a huge crush on you! Even in your comments you keep the humor coming.

→ 55. Posted by: tiny at May 18, 2006 1:33 PM

Thanks Tiny! Thankfully, purgatory and Betamax jokes never get old ;)

→ 56. Posted by: mac at May 18, 2006 1:35 PM

I cant believe no one has commented about Desmond being in the scene at the Others camp ground. Its just a quick shot, but its him.

→ 57. Posted by: bcook at May 18, 2006 1:36 PM

Just a thought, how many people have been knocked out on this show at least on cast memer per show gets a rifle butt, fist, jesus stick or something to the skull, someone would have had a fatal concusion by now, just a show
I guess, I'd like to know the two season total for "Knock outs"

→ 58. Posted by: D LostinBoston at May 18, 2006 1:39 PM

Which scene is Desmond in? I want to go back and look for him. Can someone post a screen shot?

→ 59. Posted by: Amanda at May 18, 2006 1:39 PM

Sorry to post again so soon, but in response to Hurley's acting I just want to note that it seemed in character for him to do such a lousy job speaking. Think about how insecure he is and how verbally challenged he seems to be. Every other word is "dude" or something of that sort, not the kind of emotionally charged talk one would expect for a funeral.
Did anyone else note that when Hurley seemed to be vague about what she did (psychiatrist or psychologist, or something) it played along with the fact they don't really seem to know anything about each other. Sawyer didn't know Ana's last name. Michael doesn't know a lot about Walt, and they are all uncommunicative.

→ 60. Posted by: Meg at May 18, 2006 1:40 PM

give us time, bcook, this blog was initiatiated only an hour ago...

→ 61. Posted by: DonnaD at May 18, 2006 1:41 PM

rotflmao

seriously, right now -- that is exactly what I am doing. i may get fired, but who cares!!!

→ 62. Posted by: BELost at May 18, 2006 1:43 PM

Are we 100% sure that Michael is Walt's real Father????????????

→ 63. Posted by: J-Rod at May 18, 2006 1:45 PM

My seniors were taking exams and I laughed out loud during it. Bad Mac for being so funny (more like bad me for reading this during class!)

→ 64. Posted by: Meg at May 18, 2006 1:46 PM

Lay off ol' Jorge. He was perfectly in character at the eulogy. Hurley has never been the most eloquent of characters. To have him suddenly spout off an emmy nominated soliloquy would have seemed completely out of place. The scene was perfect as it was.

Still don't get why the others would need Michael to get Jack, Sawyer, Kate and Hugo. Why can't they just take them as they have with everyone else in the past? They seemed to have no problem in season one with invading the losties' camp at will.

I actually did feelsympathetic for Michael last night. I don't get why he couldn't tell the "four most wanted" the truth. Klugh said he could tell them whatever he wanted. If he told Jack et al. that he needed them in order to get his kid back, don't you think they would have done anything they could to help?

→ 65. Posted by: crispy seaplane at May 18, 2006 1:48 PM

Is it just me or does anybody else think CHARLIE IS AN OTHER?

I mean come on, he just HAPPENS to find the exact thing Claire was going nuts over just a few eps ago and out of everyone on the island, he just HAPPENS to pick her to give it to? I don't buy it.

I think Charlie's gone native. He's joined up with the Others who told him to give the vaccine to Claire and the baby because she escaped and they can't get it to Aaron any other way.

I don't believe this is a coincidence... not for one second.

→ 66. Posted by: Paul at May 18, 2006 1:53 PM

Great review as always.

The only common denominator I can come up with for the four on the list is as follows:

A- Jack sees his dad in the jungle
B- Kate sees a horse
C- Hurley sees his imaginary friend who leaves a very real shoe behind.
D- Sawyer hears the final words of the guy he shot in Austraila.

Yeah, I know that some other folks have heard the voices in the jungle but I don't know if it was anything personal like what Sawyer heard.
As best as I can remember nobody else has had these types of encounters.

→ 67. Posted by: Ignatius at May 18, 2006 2:00 PM

Incidentally, did anyone notice how they made a big deal about AL's last name and then in the funeral, only Libby's first name was used? I tend to think that they made the big deal about AL's last name to highlight the fact that we don't know Libby's. I may be rehashing here, but if Hurley has the plane's manifest, why wouldn't he know her last name? She is one of the few characters that doesn't have a last name (see abc.com's list of characters). I'm still convinced there is a lot more to the Libby story that we are going to learn in coming seasons. My theory...she's awfully close to the root of all things Dharma. I think we'll find out her last name in seasons to come and lightbulbs will go off.

PS. Anyone know where can I buy season 1 on Betamax?

→ 68. Posted by: socompletelylost at May 18, 2006 2:07 PM

Great review mac. I have several people at the office hooked now. Every Thursday we come to work and read your post before we discuss the episode.

This may be the lamest questions on today's post, but I am not recalling why this week's episode would be called "3 minutes". Help me out.

→ 69. Posted by: ydnewc1 at May 18, 2006 2:11 PM

Cuz Mrs. Clue Klugh told Michael he had 3 minutes with Walt.

→ 70. Posted by: JoePike at May 18, 2006 2:13 PM

ydnewc1 -- Not a lame question at all. Three minutes is the amount of time Michael and Walt were given to talk to each other.

→ 71. Posted by: mac at May 18, 2006 2:13 PM

the 'second' is up...Charlie is NOT an Other...

→ 72. Posted by: DonnaD at May 18, 2006 2:13 PM

Geeze Mac, your reply about the 3 minute question was so much more eloquent than mine!

Nah, Charlie's not an Other. He had it put into his Driveshaft contract that he could never be coerced by a crazy island cult.

→ 73. Posted by: JoePike at May 18, 2006 2:15 PM

It's going to be a long summer without Mac's reviews. Sigh. Anyway, I really think that they are building something up about Jack's dad. The comment Jack made to Sayid about going to L.A. to bury his father seemed to come out of nowhere (I know they were on their way to the funeral, but still). Jack's dad also ties more of the characters together than anyone else (unless I am just blanking out right now).

→ 74. Posted by: Summer at May 18, 2006 2:16 PM

Duh!! I promise I am usually a lot quicker than that. Thanks for clearing it up for me though.

→ 75. Posted by: ydnewc1 at May 18, 2006 2:18 PM

Anyone think Mrs. Klugh is the leader of the Others?? The one Henry was talking about.

→ 76. Posted by: Mary at May 18, 2006 2:24 PM

Also, the countdown was at 3 minutes during Ecko's conversation with Charlie in the hatch. It appeared over Ecko's shoulder while he was sitting at the computer.

→ 77. Posted by: mcarbone241 at May 18, 2006 2:25 PM

desmond could be on that boat :D

→ 78. Posted by: skandalouz at May 18, 2006 2:29 PM

I thought Eko asking Charlie to "please bring me my things" was great, and then Charlie's response, "Get them yourself" was perfect. Sad to see them break up!

So Eko is now the official button man... I am dying to see the scene between Eko and Locke next week, and possibly the proof of something I and other people suggested, that the magnet is pulling planes in.

Wasn't it interesting that the magnet started to 'kick in' at 3 minutes, lifting Eko's cross up? There are clearly going to be some BIG results when that sucker is not pushed, maybe even bring in a new planeload of people for season 3!

→ 79. Posted by: The Duf at May 18, 2006 2:32 PM

yeah maybe mary oh-er wait MS klugh didn't gale say "he" would kill him

→ 80. Posted by: style-z at May 18, 2006 2:32 PM

The magnetism in the hatch is somewhat puzzling. Like suddenly the metal in Eko's cross is cleary being drawn to something like a magnet. When and why does it start and stop? Also, why don't we see countless other items being drawn likewise? That strength of magnetism would screw the h___ out computers, tapes, etc. (Instructions on my Betamax: Keep away from magnets.)

"E.E. Cummings chatter..." thanks, you crack me up, mac.

→ 81. Posted by: JT at May 18, 2006 2:35 PM

A couple of comments about the boat -

1) Could the Others be showing Michael a sign of "Good Faith" by providing him with a boat (ie, make it more enticing for him to bring them the fantastic four)?

2) If Desmond is on the boat, maybe he ran out of the vaccine and became sick - Jack takes him back to the hatch and maybe this is how we get his backstory in the hatch..

→ 82. Posted by: dknight at May 18, 2006 2:46 PM

lol great review, esp igmrmpijclhnhuapaihorroetoncm; rotflmao !!!

syed did well to realise what mike did, as for the finals im sure not pressing the numbers must pull things onto the island, if so whose really doing the inputting as that scottish guy never missed a shift

→ 83. Posted by: adam at May 18, 2006 2:50 PM

Gale definitely referred to the leader as "He".

Do you think it could be Desmond on the boat? Maybe he was trying to get away from the vampires in purgatory?

→ 84. Posted by: crispy seaplane at May 18, 2006 2:54 PM

Your right style-z, I had forgotten that Henry acually said "he will kill me". She still seems like the leader of the others to me, maybe Henry was refering to a different "he" maybe someone at hanso

→ 85. Posted by: Mary at May 18, 2006 2:54 PM

JoePike - great point about Michael not being Walt's father, I hadn't thought of that, but it makes sense.

Anyone wonder why Locke all of a sudden gets upset at Eko's belief that that button-pushing is their destiny, that they are "supposed" to do it, when all Locke used to talk about was his faith and destiny, and that the Island wants him to do this or that. Why the change of heart?

→ 86. Posted by: Christina at May 18, 2006 2:57 PM

Is is possible that when Michael's blood was being taken it was for a paternity test? The others obviously have doubts as to whether Michael is Walt's father.

As far as the Other's showing "good faith", I just don't see it. They have what Michael wants, there's no reason for them to have to prove they will do what he wants. Did they ever even agree to give him the boat?

→ 87. Posted by: Stacy at May 18, 2006 3:04 PM

Interesting when Michael is told that his people had captured one of the Others, that they didn't discuss what HG's reason for being out there alone was. HG claimed it was because he was sent to bring back Locke, but Michael is sent to bring back four other people (not including Locke). Does this mean that we can basically confirm that HG was lying about his mission to bring back Locke?

→ 88. Posted by: mcarbone241 at May 18, 2006 3:04 PM

"Namaste" literally means "I bow before you." It's sort of a catchall hello/goodbye/thank you/aloha/cheers sort of word.

Also, regarding Michael being a cold-blooded killer who murdered 2 women, remember that Libby was an accident. Now, he may be leading 4 other people to their deaths (as far as he knows) so that's a little odd. But no one talks to each other on this show anyways (as Meg pointed out). I can't believe Locke and Eko aren't speaking up about the fact that there's a camera in their hatch!

→ 89. Posted by: Mark at May 18, 2006 3:05 PM

Strange, my comments have disappeared.

Any reason?

They were: There's no mention of the fact that Zeke/Beardy told Jack et al "Michael will never find us" and then went back and told Michael "Your friends have thrown down their weapons and abandoned you." This means a great deal in terms of Michael's mind-set.

I'm curious as to why my comment was erased.

→ 90. Posted by: Mr Pants at May 18, 2006 3:07 PM

Thoughts on next week's episode.

Desmond is in the boat, Sayid and Jin use the boat to try and pull a surprise attack from the water, while Michael leads Jack, Kate, Sawyer and Hurley to the others.

I think the others will be long gone though when Michael and the gang show up. They might have used him to lure the strongest away from the main group. That is when they plan to take Aaron & Sun (possibly Claire too).

And in the middle of all of this Locke confronts Eko about the Hatch and the button. Somehow Locke tricks Eko or prevents him from pushing the button. The countdown begins and boom, something is unleashed on the island. Maybe an explanation of why the plane went down ties into this pushing button thing. Does another plane crash from Locke not pushing the button, could be the new "Us versus Them" explanation for next season.

Who knows, I'm just guessing. I'm really curious about Libby though. It is a shame we have to wait on her story.

Rick

→ 91. Posted by: Rick at May 18, 2006 3:09 PM

1. Blood test - paternity test. Obvious.
2. Yeah, why aren't Locke and Eko speaking up? Especially Locke. You'd think he of all people would want to blow the lid on this operation.
However, my guess is that because of the weird time warps on this show (ie. Michael's only been gone 13 days, but we haven't seen him for 4 months) that Locke is probably decompressing from the big revelation. Maybe when we see him get up and walk (and leaving behind a perfectly good pair of crutches - the waste on this island astonishes me) maybe he's headed to tell the truth or hook up with Eko to see what they should do next.

Also, remember that Locke didn't share the original hatch with anyone but Boone and then only because Boone wouldn't leave well enough alone.

→ 92. Posted by: Jerk-a-loo at May 18, 2006 3:11 PM

The button was not pushed twice before and nothing happened (except the food drop, if thats connected), so why would anything happen this time?

→ 93. Posted by: Christina at May 18, 2006 3:12 PM

Rick, I agree with you entirely.

While I'm sure the final episode will reveal big surprises, I think that ultimately what you've predicted is really the only way the main thrust of the narrative can go.

Thrust of the narrative... I couldn't resist. Sorry.

→ 94. Posted by: Mr Pants at May 18, 2006 3:13 PM

Mr. Pants -- There are three scenarios under which a comment can be deleted.

1. A commenter posted under multiple identities (see comment warning No. 3).

2. The comment was crude, abrasive, or employed a ridiculous "name" (e.g. "The Jerk-A-Loo" - This kind of thing drags the overall quality of the blog down and I've got no time for it.)

2. During a "pruning" (something I have to do from time to time) a comment could inadvertently be deleted.

If your comment was deleted under scenario 1 or 2, please adhere to the comment warnings in the future. If it was scenario 2, please accept my apologies for the mistake.

-- Mac

P.S. I have backups of all comments, so if you feel your comment was deleted in error, drop me a line directly at mac@filmfodder.com and I can reinstate it.

→ 95. Posted by: mac at May 18, 2006 3:14 PM

So lets talk about Desmond being an Other. Did anyone see him sitting in the Others camp with that sinister look on his face. Maybe he was thinking "the hatch was like the Hilton compared to this dump, were is my boat i need to get out of here".

→ 96. Posted by: bcook at May 18, 2006 3:15 PM

mcarbone241 - I don't think that means HG was lying (doesn't mean he was telling to truth either, he could have just been messing with Locke) But not surprised they wouldn't talk about it, everything they do is so cryptic. If HG was telling the truth, then he failed his mission and the others wouldn't want him sitting around spilling his guts about the island, so they had to get him back. I also doubt they ever had intentions of giving Walt back since he is so important to them. Thats why it makes me so mad that Michael is willing to kill 2 people and deliver 4 more back and be recaptured.

"I want the boat" yeah right - I'm sure they are just going to hand over possibly the only way off the island

→ 97. Posted by: Mary at May 18, 2006 3:16 PM

Someone PLEASE post a link to a screencap of Desmond in the Others camp! Thanks!

→ 98. Posted by: Christina at May 18, 2006 3:16 PM

FHG reinforced the fact that the Others will never give up Walt. Michael is being played and manipulated into bringing the 4 back... Ms. Klugh-Clue has no intention of letting Walt go. (Or Michael for that matter...)

→ 99. Posted by: JoePike at May 18, 2006 3:19 PM

Mr. Pants -- As I look over the logs it appears your post was accidentally deleted. I'm reposting below:

"I think it's important to note that Zeke/Beardy told Jack et al that "Michael will never find us" and then told Michael "Looks like your friends abandoned you." (or something to that effect.) It goes a long way to explaining Michael's behaviour - he's been abandoned, he's been psychologically tortured and he's desperate to get Walt not just because he's Walt's dad, but to make up for everything - all the lost time, etc etc.

It's easy to assume Michael did what he did just because he's a father - but he HASN'T been a father until very very recently. So, he's making up big time. Coupled with the feeling that he's on his own and the terror he must feel that he'll never see Walt again..."

→ 100. Posted by: mac at May 18, 2006 3:19 PM

Great review, Mac.

Mac:"Major questions appear to have answers. Unexplained events are starting to make sense. And the motivations of the Others are starting ..."

I think the writers have successfully confused you, Mac. They see your future. They know your power will be too strong to control. You must break through the fog of lies the writers have created around you. Let me help you to know the subtleties of the plot. My mentor told me everything about the plot -- even the nature of the standard Alias plots. If one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the writers. If you wish to become a complete and wise blogger, you have to embrace a larger view of the plot. Be careful of the writers, Mac. Learn to know the power of standard Alias plots and you will be able to save your brain from certain death.

I know what's been troubling you. Listen to me: don't continue to be a pawn of the writers turnarounds. Ever since I've known you you've been searching for a live greater than that of an ordinary blogger -- a life of significance, of consciousness.

You have great wisdom, Mac. Know the power of standard Alias plots. Power to save you a lot of brain cycles.

So here's this week's major *** SPOILER ***:

Charlie is using again!!!

→ 101. Posted by: Margot at May 18, 2006 3:22 PM

"Thrust of the narrative"

Is that what they're callig it now?

→ 102. Posted by: El at May 18, 2006 3:24 PM

Margot -- Thanks for the warning! I'll tell you this: if the name "Rambaldi" eer appears on this show, I'm calling bullshit ;)

→ 103. Posted by: mac at May 18, 2006 3:25 PM

Here's a possibility, if the paternity test was negative, then maybe they didn't need Michael like they thought. He would not have contributed to Walt specialness. It would take more work to keep him there. I like Rick theory that Michael would come back with the 4 Losties requested and the others are gone. This would accomplish:
-Getting rid of Michael
-Getting the lost camp unsecured
-HG released
-Others new camp location would be concealed
-They would be able to ambush head losties

The only issues I see is that it would take time and manpower to move that fast and that if they wanted the leaders they would have asked for Sayid too.

→ 104. Posted by: Mary at May 18, 2006 3:33 PM

Christina, please correct me if I am wrong, but...

The button wasn't pushed once before, but Locke put the code in before all of the hieroglyphics could turn over, the system reset itself and the second time the button wasn't pushed we can only assume Henry Gale typed in the numbers before the system ended. I assume this, because the system reset itself again. If HG didn't do anything, then yes the button is a red herring.

→ 105. Posted by: rick at May 18, 2006 3:35 PM

Rick - I really liked a lot of your possibilities for next week, however I have to question "They might have used him to lure the strongest away from the main group. That is when they plan to take Aaron & Sun (possibly Claire too)." Fabulous idea, but let's face it... Locke, Eko, and Sayid aren't on that list and in my opinion, they are each far stronger than Kate (bad-ass as she might be) or Hurley. Jack & Sawyer can hold their own, but the strongest aren't part of the Fab 4.

→ 106. Posted by: hookedonlost at May 18, 2006 3:39 PM

Mac,

I hereby change my user name from The Jerk-A-Loo as I didn't realize I was dragging down the quality of your site. It was a moment of infantile humour and I apologize if my posts were a disgrace to you and yours. (C'mon, some of you found me hilarious!)

From here on out, I am "No-one Important"

Saddened-ly yours,
No-one Important

→ 107. Posted by: No-one Important at May 18, 2006 3:41 PM

Is Walt's mother really dead, or is she an "other" - was she "brought" to the island to produce more Walts? Walt's paternity would then be very important.

→ 108. Posted by: howcurious at May 18, 2006 3:42 PM

So ironic. Jack and Kate are camped out in the jungle, waiting, to trade FHG for Michael. Meanwhile, Michael's at the other's camp being told he needs to get FHG released. Seems like the others really aren't paying that close attention to our losties crew, or they would have just traded Michael for FHG. Then, Ana and Libby wouldn't have needed to be shot...
I think that FHG ran away from the others and they want him back to punish him.
Also, blood from Michael could be used for lots of things -- a paternity test, to see if he has/been exposed to the illness/pathogen, or possible for cloning...
I also think maybe the Other camp is where the Palo Ferry takes you to the mainland, thus, they have a boat.
BTW, I don't believe they're going to hand over Walt or the boat.
I wonder if Alex knows her mom's still alive. It seems odd the Others didn't know Clair had her baby and it was a boy!?
I wonder where Locke's going.
I can't believe they'd just leave a big ole puddle of blood in the middle of the hatch for so long.
I can't believe Sayid and Jack haven't questioned FHG letting himself out of a locked hatch, getting a gun, shooting Ana, while she's relaxing on the couch, and shooting Michael at such an odd angle. Convenient.
Love your blog, Mac. Glad others here are old enough to know what a betamax is...

→ 109. Posted by: lostchao at May 18, 2006 3:42 PM

Mary, you are right, I don't know why they wouldn't have asked for Sayid, Locke, Eko - other really strong castaways. Unless they somehow knew that Locke and Eko wouldn't be around - they would be at the Hatch and if they knew that Sayid - having mastered the art of bullshit, would notice Michael's ruse and follow him anyway. Maybe they assumed it would look too much like a set-up to invite all the strong people to the camp. Whatever the case, somehow I think they will be long gone when Michael arrives, they don't need him - they have Walt. They only wanted Michael's blood.

→ 110. Posted by: rick at May 18, 2006 3:45 PM

The Others camp "setup" may not be there, but they can't move the hatch...

→ 111. Posted by: lost chao at May 18, 2006 3:49 PM

the reason no one has a screenshot of desmond in the others camp is because there was NO desmond in the others camp. desmond is in the boat that the losties saw and he has been in it since he ran away from the hatch. he was probably trying to escape the island but as always it drags everything to it and doesn't let anything escape. so please lets forget about desmond ever being in the others camp.

→ 112. Posted by: katePlusSun=Fun at May 18, 2006 3:51 PM

Why would Sawyer be so buddy-buddy with Jack, Wouldn't he still hate that guy. Maybe he is planning another con job or he just had a moment of weakness. I guess it could happen to anybody that would be stranded on an island full of monsters, polar bears and grape apes.

→ 113. Posted by: rick at May 18, 2006 3:54 PM

Super cool review.

Here are some things that I got from this episode.

1. The others are running the experiment and they live underground/someplace else. Beachtown is as fake as Universal Studios.

2. The experiment is one of global proportions.

3. All the characters are tied to the Hanso Foundation and its partners.

3a. The characters' fathers/parents all have involvement in this. ie. Sun, Locke & Sawyer (Locke's dad killed Sawyer's Dad?), Walt, Jack & Claire (same daddy?).

4. Boat Theory 1: The boat is the ferry that is talked about in The Pearl Orientation film and was trigged by Locke putting the scribble map into the vaccum tube.

Boat Theory 2: The boat belongs to Damon who shipwrecked on the island trying to sail 'round the world.

5. Libby is a DeGroot or W??? She obviously was working for Hanso/Dharma. The hopsital that Hurley and Libby and the guy who worked for that company from Austrailia that went nuts and repeated the numbers over and over again also worked for Hanso/Dharma. The hospital is a place for the people that cracked under Hanso/Dharma.

6. Walt's mother worked for Hanso or one of its partners. Was her mysterious disease a ploy to get Walt to the island?

7. Ms Klugh repeats the laywers question to Michael.

8. Libby has no last name, she is the only character on IMDB that doesnt have a last name, HAS GOT TO BE A BIG CLUE.

Things to investigate:

1. In the first season funeral scene, what is Libby's last name as read from the passenger manifest?

2. What company did Walt's mother work for?

3. What was the name of the company that Boone's mother owned?

4. Review Hurley's Numbers episode for info about Hanso/Dharma.

5. I wonder if Walt was using telepathy to converse with Michael on the computer. After all he did make a polar bear come to life.

6. When Season 2 comes out on DVD, watch all eps. back to back.

7. What was the name of the boat that Shannon was on when Boone's came to save her in Season 1?

That's all I've got for now. I am gonna post this on the forums when I figure that out.

→ 114. Posted by: mynameisstolen at May 18, 2006 3:55 PM

It's a sad day for everyone when the Jerk-A-Loo has to say goodbye.

We'll miss him.

Sniff.

→ 115. Posted by: Mr Pants at May 18, 2006 3:57 PM

To clarrify something on the tapes. I believe they are umatic 3/4 inch tapes not betamax. The case was too thick for betamax.

→ 116. Posted by: vikster at May 18, 2006 3:59 PM

Mac - I am a faithful reader every week. Love your recaps, humor, everything about you.

Question is How do you move a hatch? If in fact the camp is a fake, the hatch doors must be also part of the scenery. It's the only logical explaination, if they return and the camp is gone.

I am looking for the screen shot of Desmond. I don't recall seeing him in the camp but I don't always catch everything the first time around.

→ 117. Posted by: Lisa at May 18, 2006 4:00 PM

What if the hatch doors are fake? Just a thought...

→ 118. Posted by: vikster at May 18, 2006 4:05 PM

Rick, I like your scenario (or thrust of the narrative, as it were) with one minor exception. How do you think they will plan a "surprise" attack using a sail boat? Wouldn't it be a little obvious if a sail boat starts bobbing up the shoreline? Doesn't see too well crafted for a former soldier.

→ 119. Posted by: socompletelylost at May 18, 2006 4:05 PM

You'll always be the Jerk-A-loo to me!

→ 120. Posted by: crispy seaplane at May 18, 2006 4:07 PM

socompletelylost,

Not sure how Sayid and Jin use the boat, but from the previews they are definitely on the boat. Maybe they host the first annual Dharma Regatta. I'm sure Walt always wins, you know with the teleporting thing.

→ 121. Posted by: Rick at May 18, 2006 4:15 PM

This is the first time I have tried to post a URL so I don't know if it will work.

The guy in the picture sort of resembles Desmond but I don't think it is him.

Anyone?

http://elfurl.com/7kswt

→ 122. Posted by: Lisa at May 18, 2006 4:15 PM

Now we need another photo to do a side by side comparison!!

→ 123. Posted by: mcarbone241 at May 18, 2006 4:19 PM

Compare http://elfurl.com/16udr with the pic of Desmond and Locke from last week's Entertainment Weekly. Not the same dude, as in the Locke photo, Desmond was more blonde, way more blonde.

However, very similar, leading more credence to the clone theories floating around out there.

→ 124. Posted by: Mr Pants at May 18, 2006 4:20 PM

Namaste is a Sanskrit word (not a hindu word. Hindu is a religion and Hindi is a language based on Hindi) meaning "I bow my head before you". This is a common greeting in Indian subcontinent. It is used in place of Hello and Bye, but the meaning is not of Hello or Bye. It is said with folded hands and with a bowed head. It shows respect for the other person.

you can read in detail at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste

→ 125. Posted by: aj at May 18, 2006 4:27 PM

Another thing not mentioned, was "the Rock with the hole in it", as Walt (presumably) typed to Michael, would be the marker to find the others camp. It was seen by Michael as he was led into the camp, could this be some kind of ancient ruin from a lost civilization? It looked like the side of an old stone building too, the hole looking very similar to a window.

Check it out.

http://elfurl.com/1hrxw

→ 126. Posted by: Rick at May 18, 2006 4:28 PM

thanks for the correction aj! sorry to have misled you guys.

→ 127. Posted by: katePlusSun=Fun at May 18, 2006 4:31 PM

Here is a screen shot of Desmond in Adrift:

Same guy?

http://elfurl.com/uftv4

→ 128. Posted by: Lisa at May 18, 2006 4:33 PM

Out of respect to Jerk-a-Loo's family in this time of loss, may I suggest we all bow our heads and pray for the repose of his soul? (cue Hurley's eulogy with undertones of somber mood music).

During this time of prayer, may I also suggest we specifically pray for Jerk-a-Loo's soul to go directly to Paradise with no pit stops in Purgatory.

Is anyone getting this on their Betamax camera?

→ 129. Posted by: socompletelylost at May 18, 2006 4:34 PM

Gotta vent! I am so annoyed that Michael thinks those Others would set him and Walt free in exchange for Kate, el al. Puhlease! Maybe it would be more believable if they told him that they'd let Michael live with Walt while they tinker with Walt's brain, but let Walt go? No way!

Not to take this TV show too personally (too late), but if I were Michael, the first thing I'd do when I got back to the Lost camp would be to spill the beans. I'm sure that people would be willing to help save Walt with a fake exchange of prisoners/attack/ambush. Tactically, it would be smarter to have a well-thought-out plan than some silly this-is-my-kid-we-do-things-my-way cluster you-know-what. ARGH!

→ 130. Posted by: CA66 at May 18, 2006 4:35 PM

For a moment there it almost seemed like Walt's words were voiced over. He was obvoiusly bigger which means his voice has probably changed as well. Did anybody else notice?

My wife kept asking what I kept laughing about while I was reading your review. "There's this guy who reviews each Lost episode. He's pretty funny...", was my response.

It just occured to me! Desmond has the Betamax tapes on the boat. Isn't Purgatory a strange place?

→ 131. Posted by: jes at May 18, 2006 4:38 PM

CA66

It's hard not to take this show personally, but I hear ya.

Michael is reticent for a number of reasons - all psychological. First, he's desperate to get his boy back because he hasn't seen the boy for 10 years and under Mike's care he was kidnapped. Add to that 13 days of confinement, with the last thing you heard about your buddies being "Looks like your friends have abandoned you, Mike" and bob's your uncle.

Not only is he acting irrationally (and has been since we first met him) but now his irrational behaviour has been given even higher stakes which doesn't always bode well for sharing with others.

But, let's not forget the fact that we didn't see the Other's release Mike, only the deal with Mrs Klugh and then bcck to present day. So what happened between that moment and them letting him go?

Lots of Dharma drugs and psychological torture, their specialty.

→ 132. Posted by: Mr Pants at May 18, 2006 4:40 PM

Thank you, Mr. Pants. I feel better now. We might need a 12-step program to help some of us too consumed by this show like me (please, no offense intended to those in actual 12-step programs). We all have our own personal demons to fight.

→ 133. Posted by: CA66 at May 18, 2006 4:46 PM

So, if you look at the map, if you head north from the Swan, almost directly north would be the Arrow hatch. A little left of north is the scratched out hatch. All the other hatches are smaller than the Swan, so it doesn't seem all those Others at camp could fit/be living in a hatch...
Did anyone notice if there was an Arrow on the Other hatch door?

→ 134. Posted by: lostchao at May 18, 2006 4:46 PM

CA66-

You hit on something that has been bothering me. If I was Michael I would go back and explain exactly what happened to me and that you four have to come with me in order to get Walt back. I sure as heck would do that before I offed two people.

Nobody should reasonbly buy his plan to attack the other camp without some of the other bad-asses. If I'm making an assault I sure want Eko, Sayid, and Jin backing me up in addition to Jack and Sawyer.

I can only assume, like others have suggested, that he got a little of the Dharma brainwashing before they let him loose.

→ 135. Posted by: Ignatius at May 18, 2006 4:53 PM

The hatch in last night's episode had some "door" symbol on it.

I'm guessing it's gotta be the scratched out hatch.

Is it a fake hatch, as some have theorized? Good question. My guess. No. I bet this is the Pala Ferry referred to by Wickman/Candle in last week's show, re-dressed to look like a camp of ragtag survivors. (Why the Ferry? Close to the water...)

Here's a wild theroy: What if next season was all told from the Others' POV?? Wouldn't that just about blow your mind??

Like I said, lots of Dharma drugs keeps a boy happy.

→ 136. Posted by: Mr Pants at May 18, 2006 4:54 PM

THAT IS TOO MUCH! I would really dig an episode from an Other's POV, maybe not a whole season, but an/some episode(s) would rock!

→ 137. Posted by: CA66 at May 18, 2006 4:58 PM

After taking the blood sample from Michael, Whizzer Other says to Michael "See you in the funny pages". Anyone have any theories about that?

→ 138. Posted by: socompletelylost at May 18, 2006 5:04 PM

good point on Ferry - you have dobbs ferry and harpers ferry which are places and not boats.

→ 139. Posted by: lost at work at May 18, 2006 5:04 PM

"See you in the funny pages"

Theory 1: Could be related to the comic Walt had, somehow.
Theory 2: It shows that these folks are putting on a show. Whizzer is very blase about Michael (tried to shoot him to Beardy's constertantion, made "funny pages" quip) and isn't playing "hardened survivors" like the other folks are. I loved the surly door guards. So surly!!

→ 140. Posted by: Mr Pants at May 18, 2006 5:14 PM

thought this ep was a little predictable...

"we're gonna need a bigger boat"

→ 141. Posted by: thinng at May 18, 2006 5:16 PM

Here is a screencap of "Desmond" at the Others' camp. I'm skeptical, but decide for yourselves.

http://elfurl.com/5u6pi

→ 142. Posted by: Sabrina at May 18, 2006 5:22 PM

Charlie was shown several times looking at his watch. I wonder what that's all about.

As far as the blood test goes, it states on the Dharma site that one of their projects involves eugenics (essentially the development of a super race through selective breeding). They want Michael's blood to see if Walt's special abilities are genetically linked to Michael.

→ 143. Posted by: maries at May 18, 2006 5:23 PM

That is desmond in the camp, i see a little pony tail in his hair.

→ 144. Posted by: Kenny at May 18, 2006 5:29 PM

Regarding wanting Jack/Hurley/Kate/Sawyer versus Sayid/Ecko/Locke et al. This is a chess game. The others are using, and always have used a 'divide and conquer' strategy, and in addition, they are thinking of cutting the head off the snake. These four aren't necessarily the smartest or strongest, but could be seen as the most influential of the tribe.

By separating these groups, this maneuver will allow for either separate attacks on two different groups, a singular attack on the beach group sans leaders, or a singular attack on the most influential group.

Misinformation seems prevalent among the Others as well (and the writers!), and it could be that this trek / diversion of the leadership team will allow for some creation of panic and fear among the beach losties. Remember the preview seen with Bernard holding someone back and a key point in S.O.S. being that Bernie couldn't influence his team to work on the SOS? That will come into play in the final episode, but there will be a huge cliff hanger to get us to tune in next season.

→ 145. Posted by: Mike at May 18, 2006 5:35 PM

I've been wondering about the new hatch from last nights episode. I was just watching the Dharma Classification Video on youtube.com (link posted by socompletelylost on the clues thread) I noticed the the Pearl hatch was not on that video and then I went to the ABC site, pulled up last night episode. I got of screenshot the new hatch logo. That hatch isn't on the video either. . . hmmm. On the blast door map there were 6 well defined hatches (just like on the video), one that was scratched out and the question mark. What was this hatch for, didn't seem to be part of the experiment?

BTW - the new logo is a dark circle with a white vertical rectangle and some thing in the center of the rectangle (I can't make it out)

I also got a better profile screenshot of that guy at the camp, I compared it with the image posted of Desmond in Adrift and I could swear it is him, the nose, beard shape and hair look the same.

→ 146. Posted by: Mary at May 18, 2006 5:37 PM

Mike,
A cliffhanger? No way!

That would be so out of character for dramatic t.v. shows. I thought they would tie everything up with a neat little bow.

Since you mentioned Bernard, I was wondering at the beach funeral why we didn't see Bernard and Rose at all. Especially since Bernard was with Libby and AL in the tailies group. I guess those actors had the day off.

I SO want to know what Locke is up to!

→ 147. Posted by: Amanda at May 18, 2006 5:42 PM

I was trying to wait to get home to my notes, but so much is being covered so quickly, wanted to get my two cents in. Several things stuck out to me:

1) Loved the fact that Sayed is on to Michael, it makes sense that someone should be - especially considering how he was treating Hurley, how wierd he is being. Jack wanted to raise an ARMY to fight the others, but now 5 people seems like enough? Huh? (I also thought Reyes' scene in the last ep w/ Libby was far superior - re forgetting the blankets, to the scene this week) I was half expecting Hurley to explain he wasn't going on the expedition because he was "cursed" but... so much for that.

2. As has been recently mentioned, that "See you in the funny papers" line is odd. Supposedly it's a dismissive turn of phrase, that appeared in the 1920's and "died out" in the 1950's but I know I've heard it around. Still... it was an odd turn of phrase. A connection to the comic books? no telling. Also, putting the USED needle & syringe in a ziploc drove me nuts - it should've punctured the bag almost immeadiately. Also, Whizzing Guy must be a pretty skilled phlebotomist to hit a vein and draw it that fast on Michael w/o tying him off.

3. Speaking of that blood - paternity test is a possibility, as is checking the blood for infection. Still, I'm thinking that the "infection" isn't really an infection, unless it's viral-based gene therapy gone awry. Walt being the product of some Dharma gene engineering project is an interesting idea.

4. Charlie seemed just plain odd, the whole episode. The thing with the vaccine kit is *very* odd. It seems like someone would've found it and given it to Jack - but maybe he was trying to get back into Claire's good graces so they could find a net to get caught in. Still, it was wierd. Can't buy he's an other, or that he's using again (unless those were EMPTY statues he was throwing out there).

5. The "vaccine" - I'm pretty convinced it's not really a vaccine, because of the dosing schedule. It's a sorry vaccine that would require dosing every 9 days to provide any protective immunity. In fact, I think the immunological kinetics make it virtually impossible for that to make any sense, unless you require some sort of active immune response to stay un-infected. I poked around looking for any other drugs with a 9 day dosing schedule - there aren't any that I could find, but there are some antipsychotic drugs available in "depot" injection form, which involves injecting a large time release dose, anywhere from weeks to months apart. So, I wonder if in fact the "vaccine" is some sort of drug related to psychological control or experiments.

6. Michael's compass - Mac pointed out, compasses don't work well on the island typically, so I'm wondering if the Others told him to "go north" and then drew him in to the trap by locking his compass in the direction they wanted him to move.

7. Walt / Klugh - it was hard to read, but Klugh seemed genuinely unhappy when Walt said "They're pretending" ... Walt could be manipulating his Dad for the Others, but why? I'm also not sure this resolves the "single group" vs "two groups" of Others. It could be that Zeke, Klugh and som


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