Where do I begin? (I decided to watch the 2-hour finale without the laptop, so a break from my normal full recap tonight.)

So many good things and questions in tonight’s episode. I hope I can remember them before I fall asleep.

(Beware of spoilers before opening the link if you haven’t seen the episode!)

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By TVJunkie Jenn | 6 Comments »
Filed under: Ben Linus, Charlie, Desmond, Jack Shepard, John Locke, Juliet, Kate Austen, LOST, Penny Widmore, Sawyer, The Others

*Updated to add*
Links to Pre-Show and Post-Show LOST posts

Previously on LOST

• “You seem to have a connection to the island”
• Juliet is working for The Others
• The Others Break camp and leave John

Random Notes/Moments/Quotes as I’m watching:

Flashback (Ben-centric, finally!)

• Emily giving birth – to Ben
  • Emily is 7 months PG (7 mos x 4 wks/mo = approx. 28 weeks PG)
  • Father is Roger – Workman? From the VW van?
  • In the woods
  • Portland – 32 miles away
• Mr. Horace Goodspeed greets the Linus’ (Ben is older now)
• There is a volcano on the island
• Natives = hostiles
• Roger = disgruntled
• Annie gives Ben a gift (we see the swing set)
• Ben’s birthday is remembered as the day his mother died
• Voices/whispers of the natives as Ben approaches the fence?
• Emily at the fence conversing with Ben
• Ben leaves the compound
• More voices, then suddenly…
• Richard in the jungle?
• Ben had Daddy issues of his own
• Ben chose sides in the Dharma vs. Natives battle

Present time

• Appears Locke took the recorder (or probably was given the recorder by Richard…) and is operating on his own or possibly with Richard
• “We all answer to someone, John”
• Mikhail returns seeking Ben for the first time since his ‘death’
  • Explained as the fence not at lethal level
• The Others turning against Ben?
• Ben being called a liar again
• “Don’t you people want to be rescued?”
• “We have some catching up to do”
• What is the powder?
• “We’re here”
• Empty chair, but Locke hears him
• Surprise ending, but I don’t think it’s the end of that story line.

Good Stuff
[My head is spinning. I can't even begin to put all these thoughts into words.]

We see Ben actually express fear when he realizes his recorder is potentially missing. Richard was supposed to leave it for Juliet with Ben’s instructions. It seems Ben feels threatened by John when he does return with his father on his back. Lots of backstory revealed and new implications.

On the beach, we see that Juliet has confided in Jack and shared The Other’s plans. Can we trust her now? From the previews, it looks like Sayid will be blowing something up and tackling someone…

Again, so much to digest and I’m not sure what to make of it yet.

[After watching Evangeline Lily (Kate) on Jimmy Kimmel, she said that tonight's episode is just the start and that the intensity is going to continue through the finale. She also mentioned that a big reveal in the finale gave her goosebumps. The final hours of the season sound promising!]

Motifs/Symbolism
Power struggles and peace (or illusions of peace)
More Daddy issues
Trust issues
The Wizard of Oz

Questions

• What was Richard doing in the jungle – not having aged between the flashbacks and present time?
• What was with Ben’s mom in the jungle? Another manifestation?
• Why do The Others need Ben?
• What will become of Locke? and Jacob?
• What the heck was Jacob?
• What happened to Annie before the later flashback?

Answers/Explanations

• (Orientation tape) Compound surrounded by sonar fence to protect from the ‘wildlife’ on the island… “There are properties on this island that exist nowhere else on earth. Our mission is to study these properties for the benefit of mankind...” Of course, that wasn’t really new info.
• Naomi must be working for Penny, not The Others…
• Roger Work Man is Ben’s biological father – he was on the way to the Pearl station

Next week on LOST

• Charlie on the chopping block
• Lostaways decide to fight back when The Others come for Sun
• DS (Drive Shaft) ring -
• Sticks of dynamite
• “My people, they’re coming right now!”

Do you have theories? Did you post a recap? Please leave a link in the comments… I am so curious to know what you think!

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By TVJunkie Jenn | 1 Comment »
Filed under: Ben Linus, DHARMA Initiative, John Locke, LOST, Roger Workman, The Others

Previously on LOST

• Locke donating a kidney to his father
• Locke’s fall and broken back
• The magic box “manifested” Locke’s father

Flashback
No off-island flashbacks this week. We see Locke’s experience with Ben and The Others over the 8 days he’s been separated from the beach camp.

Moments/Quotes/Notes

• “Do you need me to walk you home?” – Sawyer
  • “It’s only 5 tents, I think I can make it.”
• Cindy sighting
• “We’ve been waiting for you”
• The sneaky smile on Locke’s face knowing he lured Sawyer
• Naomi – the parachuter
• Black Rock sighting
• “Who the hell are you?”
• Danielle sighting – getting more dynamite
• “Be careful, it’s unstable” – Locke, ironically as Sawyer is trying to beat the door down
• “…Extremely special…”
• “If there were any bullets in that gun, why would you hold a knife to my thoat?”
  • “….argh!!!” stomping
• I’m guessing Locke’s father/Cooper is the man Sawyer has been hunting for
• The rest of the world thinks 815 crashed and there were no survivors (the bodies were all there)
• “Little hot for heaven, isn’t it;”"If this isn’t hell, then where are we?”
• Cowboys Sawyer and Locke resolve their Daddy issues

Motifs/Symbols
Oppression & Closure: Locke oppressed by his father; Sawyer by his hunt to find the man who tore his family apart; the Black Rock – a 19th century slavery ship
Karma: Sawyer vs. Sawyer

Good Stuff
We know that the majority of the Losties and their histories are inter-connected. We also know that the Others have an infinite amount of information about the Losties’ individual history and how they are connected.

I was at a loss how Locke – Ben – Sawyer were connected until Richard handed Locke Sawyer’s file. Then I realized the kidnapped Ben story was just a ruse. “The Man from Tallahassee” also made sense because I couldn’t figure out why TPTB showed Cooper as a marrying-for-money type (although I should have recognized the con).

Ben is a clever man. He knew Locke couldn’t kill his own father even after all of the strife his father caused him. He concocted the Cooper witch trial to play on Locke’s pride and sense of urgency, and then provided John with the knowledge of a man who would kill Cooper. It just so happened he was on the island at the beach (shacking up with Kate). The Others left a track-able trail for Locke, so Ben knew Locke would get the job done.

I can’t decide yet if this is good writing, or just a convenient way to tie up loose story lines. I have a feeling that Cooper’s death and Locke’s full self-actualization are just the springboard. I’ll get back to you on this after a couple more episodes…

Answers
Naomi was hired by Penny Widmore on a search and rescue mission (if she’s not an Other)
Sawyer finds his man

Questions

• Is John becoming an ‘Other’? His initial interaction with Sawyer was very Ben-like.
• What about the discovered Oceanic 815 plane with all the passengers?
• What are Jack and Juliet hiding from Kate and the Losties?
• Did Juliet tell Jack what Ben is up to (or at least whatever version Ben wants Jack to know)?
• Will Naomi’s phone work?
• Are they dead in hell or some type of purgatory?
• Are The Others really dissatisfied with Ben?
• Is Rose special too? Where the heck are Rose and Bernard???
• What is Danielle going to blow up??

Do you have any answers or theories for me?

Next Week on LOST

• “You tell me everything I want to know about the island.”
  • “Once I open this door there’s no turning back.”
• Sawyer shares the tape with the rest of the Losties camp

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By TVJunkie Jenn | Comments Off
Filed under: John Locke, LOST, Sawyer, The Others