Lost
All
The Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues
original airdate: 12-08-04
In creating what is arguably the most innovative if
not best new show of the season, JJ Abrams recruited
some of the talent from Angel.
That show, which was
unfairly cut down after more than restoring quality in
it fifth season, was often at it best when an episode
showed many scenes featuring different combinations of characters.
As with Angel, that same formula works in this
episode of LOST to equally satisfying effect. But
the episode actually opens with a tool Abrams and company
perfected during the spectacular Season One of ALIAS:
The cliffhanger. Here the action picks up exactly at the
end of last week’s shocker kidnapping of Claire and
Charlie. While Locke suggests a calm,
organized approach to pursuit, Jack becomes frantic.
His behavior seems very out of character at first; if
nothing else, Jack more than anyone should know the
dangers of running blindly on the island. And his
rashness is beyond what one might expect from the
guilt of not believing Claire. Fortunately for the
audience, subsequent flashbacks effectively explain
his motivation as well as the long suspected incident
that resulted in the rift with his father.
While
an argument between Locke and Michael is nothing new, it
is interesting to see Boone with Locke during the search.
Perhaps the few bits of Boone are priming fans for a pending
back-story about him and Shannon. Another interesting scene
pairs the entertaining Hurley with Walt, who once again
manifests manifest powers reminiscent of classic Trek’s
“Shore Leave” or the classic sci-fi novel The
Lathe of Heaven.
But
the most captivating scene is the reunion of Sayid and Sawyer.
With almost everyone from the caves searching for Claire
and Charlie, Sawyer has the perfect opportunity to exact
revenge against the incapacitated Sayid. Instead, the two
have a civil conversation about the happenings of late.
Does Sawyer accept Sayid’s apology and feelings of
shame? Has Sawyer changed because of pre- and post- crash
crises? Perhaps those factors contribute to their shared
civility. But more likely these two men are realizing they
have a lot in common. Both are practical, grounded in reality,
and interested in getting off the island. It will be interesting
to see if these potential enemies end up forming a close
friendship.
Eventually
one of the search parties catches up with Ethan, who’s
pretty much confirmed that he’s a baddie. It’s
also clear that Ethan isn’t normal. His stilted, even
toned speech, exceptional strength, and lightning reflexes
suggest something supernatural. Possession? Android? Vulcan?
Time will tell.
The
episode ends with a potentially bold choice from the writers,
i.e., the death of a major character. Whether you like that
character or not, you would have to respect the writers
for demonstrating that anything could happen on the show.
Alas, the writers wimp out (and with the pending release
of the Extended Version of The Return of the King,
who can blame them? With the proven fickleness of ABC execs,
it’s best to keep one eye of the Nielsens at all times…)
This
would-be death scene is one of two weak spots in the episode.
Jack’s actions border on the absurd. The other flaw
comes when several characters are shocked to learn that
Kate is a “tracker” as well. Yet what Kate concludes
is nothing special. Anyone could have come up with the same
thought. It had more to do with logic than tracking skills.
But
those scenes are nitpicks in an otherwise solid episode.
And once again the writers deliver not one, but two new
questions that will fuel the fan boards during the break.
First, is Charlie changed by his experience? And second,
what is the underground metal that Boone and Locke discover
in a new part of island that feels special to the latter
man?
It’s
going to a difficult wait. The only upside is the return
on LOST will also bring the return of ALIAS as well!
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