The Long Con

First impressions? An interesting episode that continues the darker mood of “Fire + Water” with some interesting twists. Almost no clues for the sci-fi theorists, and a lot of emphasis on characters and motives… some of which left us scratching our heads. On the one hand, it made us sit up and say, “Well, now things are getting interesting.” But some of the turns our old friends take — Jack, Locke, Charlie, and of course Sawyer — seemed unusually sharp, at least packed into one episode.I think the identity of Sun’s would-be kidnapper was a great surprise, as was how the anticipated “Jack v. Locke” face off instead led them both to be conned. Sawyer’s double double-cross to close the flashback was also a nice touch, and Kate’s guess at his motives (especially after he clearly disliked being liked in previous episodes) is a fair one.

But we were left with plenty of questions. Just what else is driving Sawyer? Seems this turn proves what some of the creators have said about the journey of the characters not being one way (liked to disliked, bad to good). If it wasn’t the Virgin Mary statues (and simply embarassing Locke), how did Sawyer talk Charlie into a second drastic abduction attempt? And Locke’s sudden panic when Sawyer rattles his cage about Jack seemed a little off. His remark to Jack about locking up the drugs adds to the “he’s up to something” theory, but he was also surprisingly unsteady. Part of the evolution of his character’s nature? Or just a random quirk to advance the plot?

Some random thoughts…

  • Yep, there was Kate’s mom Diane in the restaurant scene. Didn’t seem particularly significant, but it was one of the few crossovers where the characters interacted directly, as with Jack’s dad and Sawyer in Australia.
  • Locke was looking for more film, it seems. The book he was flipping through was “An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge.” It’s a short story (that was also adapted for a Twilight Zone episode) that you can read online, with a twist that links it to many of the other literary references we’ve seen.
  • Hurley was reading “Bad Twin.” The closest we’ll get, hopefully, to product placement.
  • Locke is superstitious, too? What an interesting mix of beliefs he’s turning out to have.
  • Sawyer tells Charlie he’s not a “good person.” Wonder if, over time, each character will basically categorize themselves?
  • Jen actually had a dream last year where Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade” figured heavily in an episode of “Lost.” Too bad no one will believe her.
  • Hurley’s “another time” line: meaningful hint toward a time-travel theory, or yet another jab at obsessed fans? We’re guessing the latter. If so, though, they were picking up an FM radio signal from east of the Mississippi (the call letters started with “WX”).
  • Loved the return of the Scott and Steve thing. Craig and Dylan must be thrilled.
  • The restaurant where Sawyer and Gordy met was Bob’s Big Boy in Mapunapuna (you could see Moanalua Freeway out the window), and the place where Sawyer and Cassidy shacked up was indeed a model home in Mililani Mauka. Didn’t see the pigs reported on the set, though.

How’d you like the episode?

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33 Responses to The Long Con

  1. Boilerblues says:

    My theory is that at some point in time there will be another confrontation with the Others (similar to their last run in) where Sawyer turns traitor and joins the Others. That’ll run for a while and then at some point when things seem dark Sawyer will reveal that he’s been conning the Others.

  2. Frank says:

    Great insite. Thanks for the blog entry. But I will greatly miss your podcast. I looked forward to it every Thursday.

  3. Mike says:

    I really liked this episode, much better than Fire + Water. I especially liked “The Long Con” Sawyer pulled on everybody, I didn’t see it coming. (Not all of it anyway, BING!) I will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming episodes, will Charlie and Sawyer join up into an evil team?

    Didn’t learn much new from the flashback except maybe that Sawyer is, was and always will be a Con Man but maybe there was something I missed.

    L8R

  4. Mark says:

    Well, it’s no podcast………………just joking. I liked the episode. They needed to really stir things up a bit. The Charlie turning into a henchman is a little weak, but otherwise great.

  5. Brian_N says:

    Hello Ryan and Jen,

    Glad to see you are still writing about the show!

    I enjoyed this episode quite a bit. I thought Charlie’s kidnapping of Sun was a nice progression from last episode, and in nearly every shot he looks more like Anakin from Star Wars. Now we can add to the list Sawyer as Palpatine – manipulating everything from behind the scenes.

    Loved Sawyer’s line about Donky Kong, too – very amusing.

    What bothered me, however, was the preview for the next episode, in which several of the charaters clearly have guns. Huh? If Sawyer just hid/took them, how is it that they already have the guns back a just a day or two later? (or even hours knowing the progression of time on the show.) I hope there is a good explanation for that. I suppose Charlie could reveal the location, but that would seriously hamper the arc they are creating for his downward spiral.

    Just my .02¢ – Looking forward to reading other reactions.

    Brian
    Minneapolis, MN

  6. Thurston Howell III says:

    Wow – the plot twists and wriggles even more! I was caught completely off guard by the ending. After reflection I realize that the storyline of the “long con” is the subtext to understanding how Sawyer ultimately got the guns. Now to connect the unseen dots …

    At first I logically worked back and considered that Sawyer was involved in the whole scenario of the fake attempt to abduct “Sun”. But then I realized that he was able to see through the Anna Lucia angle and this was an honest perception he shared with Kate. Sawyer being an opportunist then realized as he sat with Kate watching the posse form that he had Kate set up to assist him fully in getting the guns. My suspicion is that Kate followed Sawyer to the Hatch and then watched Locke hide them. This is why Kate insisted that Sawyer be the one to talk to Locke. Additionally I think Kate out conned Sawyer and she kept a gun for herself. This will come into the ever twisting storyline later I would imagine.

    Another thought I had on a complicit person to Sawyer’s con would have been Charlie. His motivation would have to be tied to either the heroin in the lock up or to Claire. I considered he would have had to have been the person to do the Sun abduction; Kate didn’t as she was surprised to see Sun’s injuries. Heck even if he didn’t the rest of the group are likely to suspect him now and his estrangement will only deepen if he has no alibi. I like to believe that Charlie really has been falsely mistrusted about his current addiction needs (but instead that there are none). The storyline of his being estranged from the group and him really being falsely mistrusted pulls us into pitying him and hoping for his vindication. I anticipate the writers won’t miss this episodes opportunities to further exploit Charlie. Still though it would be easy enough to twist the storyline to show that Charlie is really a junkie with no redemption capacity whatsoever.

    If this were true then he would be the first character to abandon any hope of getting his flawed traits turned around. This would add a new element to the story of predictable bad guy/good guy plots and I hope and can’t believe that it will ever turn to that. The fact is the twisting plot line is the star of the show as stated in today’s blog on Michelle Rodriguez’s off-screen problems. LOST sets itself apart from other TV drama/action shows by the quality of the storyline itself. This show ROCKS!

  7. Andy says:

    Thanks for keeping thing going on your website.

    I was trying to figure out what Sayid was doing when Hurley walked up yesterday but I think I figured it out this morning. Do you think that he was making a net to catch an “other”?

    I can’t wait for next weeks episode!

  8. Brent says:

    I saw the Long Con coming. They left a lot of clues… Sawyer made Kate and Locke think it was their idea, just like we saw. I knew that there was more than just a passing connection between the main story and the back story. It was right before Sawyer got to the hatch that I figured it out. But I figured that it was Anna Lucia that he was working with. Don’t know why I didn’t think of Charlie.

    Did anyone see Josh Holloway on Conan last night talking about skinny dipping in Hawaii — and not wanting to go out too far, lest fish take his “bait”? Good stuff.

    Cheers to Charlie for not taking the drugs! It will be interesting to see where they go with the weapons thing.

    Brent
    Austin, TX

  9. Gretchen says:

    Well, it’s not as good as listening on Thursday morning on the Metro, but it’s a close second. Thanks for posting, guys! Now, MY 2 cents — I think Locke somehow believes that the Others aren’t totally evil, in fact, he may believe that they’re good and truly a part of the island that he’s so very, very fond of. I’ve been reading and hearing that Aaron may get grabbed and I think if it happens that Locke will do it for the Others.

    Sawyer may be bad, but he’s still really, really cute.

  10. Ken says:

    Hey guys, I was glad to see that you’ve left us some of your thoughts. I was actually disappointed after last night’s episosde because I knew there would be no podcast, so I was excited to see this post.

    I don’t really understand Sawyer’s drive to hoard things. There isn’t much on the island that people can offer him, and he never seems to get much for the things that he used to have. I guess he has a desire to remain in control over something, and since people don’t like him, the only thing he can control is access to goods.

    I’m also interested in Charlie’s transition. He was a relatively minor character this season, and I figured he could be the next to die, but now he’s potentially more dangerous than the others, and I have a renewed interest in his character.

    Finally, next week’s episode looks like it’s going to be one of the best of the season.

  11. Steve says:

    Hi Ryan and Jen!
    This show is getting very dark and Lord-of-the-Flies-ish. I hope that at least some of the characters on the island stay good and admirable.
    Anyways, thanks for continuing to add to your blog.
    -steve

  12. Lost in CA says:

    So glad to hear from you again. All these eps are setting us up for the big plot turns and twists in the 2nd half of the season. Can’t wait to see how the dynamics between the characters will change in the coming episodes. Hopefully, you will be able to continue your postings. Thanks Ryan and Jen. (and can’t wait for the next HawaiiUP podcast!)

  13. Kenneth from Scotland says:

    They should just follow Sawyer to where he keeps the guns without him knowing and then kill him, this is SERIOUS BUSINESS people.

  14. Ashley says:

    Just wanted to say I loved the part where Hurley said the bit about time travel and then said “…..just joking!”, thought that was a great line, all you time travel theorists better freshen up!

  15. carol-anne says:

    My take on the “Long Con” episode is that Charlie is the one who is in control of the con. He got Sawyer to believe that it was his idea. Sawyer it seems is becoming the object of a con.

    Also “the sickness” was never explained, now her’s my theory. The sickness is the individual’s response to the island. The person I believe to be very sick is Locke. He was the first to dream and experience something significant on the island. He seems to be getting more and more desparate.

    Then there is Jack, Kate, Michael, and the others who have dreamt or seen something “off” on the island.

    The exception to this theory is Walt. I believe he is young enough that he still believes what he sees to be some sort of truth.

    Also the connections among the characters is going in some sort of spiral from the numbers to the guy in the asylmn with Hurley, to Hurley, to Locke, to Jack, to Shannon and Boone, to… (well there is someone out there who obsesses about lost more and can continue) but the spiral ends with Walt and Aaron.

    Also the BlackRock is in the middle of the island. How many episodes do you think until the floods?

    Well by for now. It will be interesting to see how many people agree/disagree with my assumptions.

  16. Jen says:

    I agree, Carol-Ann, about the gun scam being Charlie’s idea. I think Sawyer thinks he pulled a fast one, but Charlie pulled an even faster one. We’re not done seeing what’s up Chuckles’ sleeve, I bet.

  17. Kitten says:

    Has anyone else noticed that Sawyer seems to have a thing for running into peoples parents?

  18. Will says:

    Did you catch the “About the Author” blurb at the Amazon site for the book Bad Twin? Am I slow, or is this the first time that the date of the plane crash was revealed? Do you think this book is for real, or is Amazon playing along here?

    About the Author
    Bad Twin is the highly-anticipated new novel by acclaimed mystery writer Gary Troup. Bad Twin was delivered to Hyperion just days before Troup boarded Oceanic Flight 815, which was lost in flight from Sydney, Australia to Los Angeles in September 2004. He remains missing and is presumed dead.

  19. Paige says:

    I think Locke is changing his character. He seems to be changing a little bit and becoming a little less “Man of Faith” and a little more “Mess with my people and I will punch you in the face”. I wonder if he is just a little too smitten with the island and it is messing with his head? And where the heck is Michael? I have been worried about him for like 3 weeks now.

  20. Gracie's Mom says:

    I didn’t expect this site to still be up and running. Glad to see that you two are keeping part of our obsession going! 😉

    I loved this episode…loved all the twists and turns…loved gasping out loud when I was shocked to find out that Charlie was the one that hurt Sun…shocked when I realized that Sawyer was conning Cassie the entire time…even more shocked that it was him that planned everything that happened on the island. I was sold on the idea that it was Ana Lucia trying to rally up the Army.

    This episode made me even more interested in Sawyer…I think they set us up having him almost…nice…at times in the past few weeks…this side of his character is the most interesting.

    So..I’m thinking that this will now lead Kate to go back and try to be buddies again with Jack..which will cause tension with Ana Lucia…I think Kate will go back to Sawyer after something bad happens to him *which…we all know it will…if the pattern continues* She is obviously drawn to him. I loved when he pointed out….”you run, I con….” great line.

    I’m curious to see if the connection with Kate’s Mom ever comes up..I don’t think that it will. I think that was just “in passing” there wasn’t anything really significant about their meeting or encounter.

    Loved the side story with Hurley and Syaid….I agree with Ryan…I hope there isn’t anymore product placement in the show….that would just cheapen the whole thing.

    I can’t wait until next week to “meet” the new person on the island…and see what “the French Chick” is up to.

    So…there’s my thoughts…all in all….I loved this episode…this made up for Fire and Water…which was my least favorite.

    Just a side question….have they/are they going to release a CD with the songs from the show? I downloaded about 15 different songs that I liked from different episodes…and was just wondering if that is in the plans. If anyone knows…please share the info.
    Thanks 🙂

  21. Peter says:

    This was in many ways my favorite episode of Lost so far. The tightness between the island plot and the flashbacks, and the implications at a higher level… The thing that struck me most is this: how much of this show actually represents a “long con” for US, the viewers? What will we look back on in a year (or longer), and realize that we were duped into believing this or that? Fascinating.

  22. Tom says:

    To Jack and the rest of “Island Town” the evidence for Suns kidnapping still points to Ana Lucia.After all she saw Vincent just before being grabbed. We know Vincent has been hanging out with AL.This was a brilliant move on Sawyers part. She probably will be on the outs and join up with Sawyer and Charlie.I think Sawyer Charlie and Ana will appear bad but their good sides will triumph. This is opposed to Jack Kate and Locke who appear good but probably will turn out to be overcome with evil. Just my opinion at this point in the series.

  23. mark says:

    Regarding the Bad Twin manuscript: For what its worth, Gary Troup is an anagram for “Purgatory”

  24. Scott says:

    Hi Ryan and Jen! Thanks for posting your thoughts. Your podcast became such an integral part of my Lost experience that I have to say I haven’t been looking forward to watching the epidsodes without you guys. Not to make you guys feel bad, just missed.

    Nothing to add about this episode, but wasn’t the series originally conceived as a response to the success of Survivor? With that in mind, do you think it will be much longer before we see the survivors form into tribes? Are they all on Exile Island? Or is that where Michael wound up when he went searching for Walt? And where does Jeff Probst fit in to all of this?

    See how LOST we are without you! Hope you guys are well! Mahalo!

  25. Ira says:

    This episode had me thinking of The Stand, and the division of the survivors into two distinct camps: good and evil. That seems to me to be where Lost is headed. Some characters will be clearly good (Jack), some clearly bad (Sawyer), and some will wobble back and forth before falling into one bucket or the other (Charlie). Looks like Sawyer landed in the evil camp with a distinct thud.

    Jen and Ryan – thanks for continuing to post and keep the site running. As so many have posted I really miss your podcasts. Am not sure if anyone else has suggested this but have you considered charging for the podcasts? While you didn’t give a specific reason for stopping, reading between the lines I’m guessing it’s a huge time crunch that is at least a factor in your decision. I can only imagine how tough it must be to hold down day jobs and still get those podcasts completed. Now if Apple allows ESPN to charge $.99 for their classic commercials, I don’t see why they wouldn’t allow one of their top podcasters to charge the same for an hour long podcast. I for one would be absolutely fine with committing a $1 a week in return for such a great product as your podcast. And I’m thinking most of your loyal listeners would likely feel the same. If you start to do the math on this…..the potential exists for you guys to make enough money to open up a lot more time in your lives.

    Anyway, just a thought from a fan who’s still hopeful we can get you back in the saddle.

    Thanks.

  26. iggy says:

    please come back and podcast.

    please.

  27. Nadia says:

    So I am just reading a regular old book…really good one I think (Sophies World by Jostein Gaarder) which is a history fiction book about the history of philosophy. One sentance caught my eye…this was in the history of Mysticism
    “People of our own time who do not adhere to a particular religion also tell of mystical experiences. They have suddenly experienced something they have called ‘cosmic consciousness’ or an ‘oceanic feeling’. They have felt themselves wrenched out of Time and have experienced the world ‘from the perspective of eternity.'” (page 138)

    It just reminded me of Lost when I read that. Also Mystics believe he or she is experiencing being one with god “I am God” or “I am You”

    Religion is a big part of lost. Belief is a big part of Lost. Lost is also finding yourself sometimes….even if a person is good or bad. Everyone on the island is questioning their own beliefs whether it is if one should baptise a child, or if one is a priest, or if one is a hero, or one believes in change….etc..etc…etc…

    Still confused…not sure which theory to believe..just wanted to put this out there……..

  28. Avery says:

    I was totally geeked to see your posting here!!! I had no idea you were keeping this part up. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
    With regards to the appearence of Kate’s mother. I’m not sure what to make of it. It seems like the audience is privy to these encounters that the characters have no knowledge of. For example, Jack’s decision not to save Shannon’s father. With both Shannon and Boone now dead….how will Jack ever know that? It will be interesting to see if Kate reveals the name of her hometown to Sawyer down the road…and what his response will be.
    Please keep posting….I will be so LOST without you guys!!!

  29. Brooke says:

    I miss you guys so much. I even thought about what y’all might say had you podcasted about this last episode – you rock and I don’t think I’ll enjoy any Lostcast half as much as I did yours (I only listened to yours and the official one anyway).

    I feel LOST is going in the direction of “Lord of the Flies” time, but I also think the writing has hit a bit of a slump. I like this past episode quite bit, just because Josh Holloway is so damn good, but there have been at least 3 sub-par episodes this season (for LOST at least), and I’m hoping they get back on track.

  30. Mark says:

    Seems like the long anticipated battle of Good vs. Evil has really begun in earnest [and guess what? … it doesn’t even involve the “Others” (at least for the moment)].

  31. James says:

    What “iggy” said 😛

    Can’t wait for tonights episode post. Thanks for posted here though!

  32. Kathleen says:

    Wow….really great thoughts. I think there might be something to the time travel thing because Hurley thought of it and he was the one who noticed that something weird was up with the numbers. Thanks for posting and thank you everyone else for your great insights. Can’t wait for the next one…LOST addict!!!

  33. Medusa says:

    Add me to the many happy to hear from you guys again… your insights are really thoughtful and appreciated.

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