“Inside joke.” A great line. A provocative line. A dangerous line. Through some uncharacteristically straightforward expository scenes, this episode pulls back enough to give us the best view yet of the chess board. The game is afoot, our survivors are pawns, and presumably, despite the Man In Black’s plan to quit the island, there’s another showdown brewing. Yet, is it just a game? A battle between two eternal rivals? On many levels, this makes sense. Since Season 1, we’ve envisioned the entire show as an epic, but simple, contest between two sides. But will it be enough? Jen’s worried it may not be. I’m expecting there’s much more to the story.
The Man in Black is trapped. He sees only futility. He says Jacob is wasting lives to protect an island that doesn’t need protecting. Yet as he says this, we think immediately of the sunken island we saw in the premiere. Perhaps the island is not so invincible. And could its destruction bring about a greater, even global, calamity? Possibly.
Do we want this Man In Black running amok in the real world, in any case? Probably not.
Meanwhile, as we piece together this conflict, it’s less obvious that either Jacob or the Man In Black is noble, or good, or right. Jacob has certainly destroyed many lives in the name of protecting the island. And when The Man In Black learns that Jacob never gave Richard the whole story, his sympathy seems real. Neither player seems innocent. The scale with the black and white stones was a nearly too literal illustration of the balance between both sides. A balance that the Man In Black has apparently disrupted. And a balance that I think will prove to be necessary. No matter how frustrated or flawed, whatever forces Jacob and the Man In Black represent, we probably need them both to stick around.
Who was the young boy who appeared in the jungle? My daughter, fixated on his blonde hair, says Aaron… apparently through yet another twist in the space-time continuum. Maybe he was an embodiment of Jacob, in his original or now recycled form. But the way he reminded the Man In Black of the rules, and the way the Man In Black protested with Locke’s signature line, made me think he may actually represent something bigger, or on a higher plane, than MIB and Jacob.
Or maybe he’s just “special” in the way Walt was, giving some hope that there might be some explanation as to what was going on with him throughout the first half of the series.
We also see “The Numbers.” As MIB said, Jacob has a thing for numbers, and each of our iconic numbers is assigned to one of our survivors, who are merely the latest batch of “candidates.” There are other names on the cave wall, with different numbers, all crossed out. Is this the extent of the explanation we’ll get for the numbers? As someone who thought “The Numbers” might just be a McGuffin, I’m fine with that. But I’m hoping there’s just a little more to them.
The dialogue and flashbacks suggest that “Shepherd” is Jack, though it’s fun to think it could mean Christian, or Claire, or even Ray. The stated ambiguity of Kwon (Sun or Jin) is an interesting twist. And if we’re willing to entertain the thought that the boy in the forest is Aaron, why not add Ji Yeon to the list of possible name interpretations. Not depicted in the cave wall roll call? Austen. I’m not sure if that means anything, though, since there were a lot of names we didn’t see, and there were a lot of people on Oceanic 815 that probably didn’t make the list.
And MIB crossed out Locke, his current — and apparently semi-permanent — human form. He explains to Richard that he took Locke’s form to get to Jacob… but I don’t think that was “the loophole,” since it was Ben who did the stabbing. I also figure this can’t be the first time MIB took the form of a “candidate.” I really like the theory a listener shared on our “LA X” podcast that “the loophole” meant Jacob could only be killed by someone carrying his essence (i.e. Ben, infused in the temple spring). I still think, however, it has something to do with who’s the “leader” at any given time. “Unlocke” was allowed inside Jacob’s lair because everyone thought he was the real Locke and thus the island’s current leader, but the highest ranking person was actually Ben, who was therefore capable of killing him.
What does it mean, though, that MIB is “stuck” looking like Locke? He did change into smoke monster form in the premiere, and apparently again tonight in the eerie island flyover. (They definitely cranked up the mechanical elements of the smoke monster’s sound.) If he just can’t look like another person, can he still become a horse? An inanimate object?
The interplay between Sawyer and “Unlocke” was great. As many predicted last week, Sawyer with nothing to lose is a dangerous thing indeed. Having him allied with MIB makes things much more interesting, and I suspect we’ll see more of our survivors choosing different sides. Yet, for all MIB says about Jacob manipulating people, he conned Sawyer pretty good himself. Tapping into his vulnerabilities, offering answers, and even saving his life. It seems clear that dramatic ladder sequence on the cliffside was orchestrated by MIB to earn his trust.
Notes and Notions:
- It was nice to see Jacob’s off-island visits with our survivors pay off, but really, Jacob’s “master plan” to push all of them to the Island was only introduced in the Season 5 finale. I’m hoping the writers do a little more, and reach a bit further back, to illustrate that they knew where everything was going from the beginning. Until then… it’s still interesting to note that some of his visits were pre-crash, and some were after the Oceanic 6 returned. Why?
- The off-island stuff is still surprisingly compelling. Locke living with Helen, but ready to give up miracles? A wedding where his father would be welcome? An alarm clock that sounds like the Swan hatch? Hurley slams Randy and offers Locke a lifeline. We see both Hurley’s psychic and Rose at the temp agency. And Benjamin Linus as a whiny European History teacher was spot on.
- On the “miracles” question, we’re of two minds. On one hand, it seems like Locke’s life off the island is devoid of worth and meaning. Yet what Rose and Helen tell him aren’t exactly “give up.” The message seems more an argument for reason, practicality, comfort and peace. He rips up Jack’s card because he’s done resenting his disability and daydreaming, and ready to start living.
- Jen asked if Locke somehow never saw Rose on Oceanic 815. It would’ve been great for there to be a glimmer of recognition in their scene together, which of course could be interpreted different ways.
- The temp agency scene? That was filmed in my office. They took over our entire IT department. Take a look at all the detail work that went into setting up the cubicles shown briefly in the background… even though you didn’t see any of it on screen!
- Other locations: Locke’s house with Helen is on Alelo Street in Waikele, literally across the street from the home Locke inspected for Nadia. The box company office where Randy fired Locke was in the Hawaiian Telcom building downtown. The parking lot where Locke met Hurley is behind the Gentry Pacific Design Center in Iwilei, across the street from my office. For details, check out my new site, LOST Locations.
- Books & Music: It was great to hear Sawyer talk about “Of Mice and Men” again. And Jen was impressed in Sawyer’s punk rock playlist: “Search and Destroy,” by Iggy and the Stooges.
What did you think? Please share your thoughts on “The Substitute” (Episode 6×04)! Commenting below is the best way to have your say. You can also email us at lost@hawaiiup.com, or call the LOSTline at (815) 310-0808.
Knowing that this is a Locke/zombie-locke centric episode, I’m bracing myself and expecting to be blown away! The previews are fantastic!
See you on the other side!
Really wanted to catch MIB/Flocke episode tonight, but I dvr’d women’s olympic curling, so I’ll have to give it a pass.
I’m soooo excited for Locke-isode. Main question I have right now, why are there two Locke’s? A dead original Locke body and a Locke-like-vesel inhabited by the Smoke monster, aka Man In Black.
I don’t think Smokie/MIB has anything to do with those who are infected (i.e. – Danielle’s team, wild-Claire, reanimated-Sayid). Whatever is infecting them is separate from that entity. But what the heck is it???
If we’re lucky, we’ll know a lot more after tonight!
Happy Lost watching!
This is an e-mail that I sent to Ryan and Jen after this season’s premiere:
I have a theory that I am going to pose to you and I would love to hear your ideas/comments. Please listen, and then let it roll around in your head and the connections to past episodes are too numerous to count:
Jacob is God and MIB(Man-In-Black) is the devil. I know that you have probably heard this one in some form before, but REALLY think about it. Even if, in the end, our characters don’t end up being revealed as such, the connection is undeniable. Ben then represents Judas and the group coming in on the new plane, sent to help Jacob, are then the angels of our story.
At the end of last season, Jacob sits on the beach watching a new group of “his children” come to the island and hopes that this group does a better job that the last group, but the decisions are theirs. MIB/Devil, knowing that HE cannot kill Jacob/GOD is optimistic that he will be able to do his work one and have them accomplish the one things that he is unable to do. MIB/Smoky/The Devil exploits weaknesses in people and looks for ways to enter their lives and have them do what he cannot do.
Ben/Judas, a loyal follower of Jacob, does whatever is asked of him by Jacob, but at the same time is falsely being pulled in by the devil/Smoky, thinking that Smoky can be controlled by him. The MIB/devil is able to take many forms, but only of those that allow him in, even if only temporarily, through their own sins. When someone is redeemed through asking for forgiveness, he cannot enter their life. An example of this would be Echo.
When walking to the statue with UnLocke/the devil, Ben is going to see Jacob, but would never have believed that he was, in a matter of minutes, going to deny him and kill him. As Ben/Judas talks with Jacob/God/Jesus he gets more and more angry until he lets UnLocke/the devil get inside his emotions and kills Jacob in a rage of anger. As soon as he does this he instantly knows that what he has done was wrong and that he was manipulated by UnLocke/the devil. MIB/the devil would also know each characters thoughts on and off the island, which would explain how he knew Locke’s thoughts as he was dying.
As Sayid is dying, he says to Hurley that he doesn’t know where he is going and that he has done bad things. Jacob appears to Hurley, as Jesus did when he was resurrected and gave instructions on what needed to be done. Knowing that Sayid had never asked for forgiveness, Jacob/Jesus sends Hurley to the Temple. Now here there are several things: The water is either a baptism where Sayid’s sins have been removed through Jacob/Jesus’ forgiveness and he will still be Sayid or Jacob needs a physical body(Locke’s, “It’s just his body” comment to Jack is interesting here) to occupy on the island. Remember that as Sayid was carried from the water his pose was that of the crucifix. The new arrivals/Angels sent to protect Jacob are in a panic as they realize what has happened and understand that it appears as though MIB/the devil now has run over the inhabitants of the island.
One last Jacob/Judas connection…back in an earlier episode where the group went to see Eloise at the church, Ben/Judas had an interesting conversation with Jack while looking at a painting on the wall….who was the painting of….Judas of course.
There are so many other connections that I don’t want to take up any more of your time, but thank you for reading this and I would love to hear your thoughts either through email or the podcast.
Tonight proves this theory even more:
Locke/MIB tries to recruit Sawyer for his side by saying to him that if he wants the answers to everything he should trust him and follow him. The young boy that Locke sees could even be GOD and tells Locke that he know that he(Jacob) can’t be killed that he’s not allowed to do that.
What are your thoughts?
Hell Yes!…if that isn’t the biggest clue…or play on a clue.
“Hell Yes”?!
That was EPIC. Made up for last week a million times over.
One of the greatest Lost episodes ever (45 minutes in). The final 15 were insane. W O W
I’m not sure what to make of this episode. More questions…
Who was the kid in the jungle? Could it be Aaron or a young Jacob?
Why was Kate not assigned one of the numbers?
Most interestingly, the MIB said he was once a man just like Sawyer. What are we to make of that?
Now, I still wonder, who is the good (white) and who is the bad (black)? I’m just not sure anymore.
Comment left on the VM but here is my theory. My theory is that Smokey/AJ cannot leave the island unless a candidate (touched by Jacob) take him. Just like he could not kill Jacob directly. It is part of the rules.
Great episode! Sort of… It raised so many more questions and seemed to move a bit slow.
I thought it was a great moment in the episode when MIB walked into the cave, took the white stone from the scales and threw it into the ocean. “Inside joke.”
Like John, I’m curious about why Kate wasn’t assigned a number. And I have to admit that I’ve been intrigued by some of the “MIB is really the good guy” arguments going around the net. I’m far from convinced, especially after seeing MIB throw the white stone away, but its an intriguing possibility.
Ryan and Jen,
It was a very good episode. More questions though. I liked it.
Search and Destroy by Iggy and the Stooges is the song that was playing during the scene when Sawyer was getting drunk in the house. At first I thought it was the Dead Boys- which would have been kind of funny… oh well! These are the lyrics in case anyone is interested:
I’m a street walking cheetah
with a heart full of napalm
I’m a runaway son of the nuclear A-bomb
I am a world’s forgotten boy
The one who searches and destroys
Honey gotta help me please
Somebody gotta save my soul
Baby detonates for me
Look out honey, ’cause I’m using technology!
Ain’t got time to make no apology
Soul radiation in the dead of night
Love in the middle of a fire fight
Honey gotta strike me blind
Somebody gotta save my soul
Baby penetrates my mind
And I’m the world’s forgotten boy
The one who’s searchin’, searchin’ to destroy
And honey I’m the world’s forgotten boy
The one who’s searchin’, searchin’ to destroy
Forgotten boy, forgotten boy
Forgotten boy said
hey forgotten boy
@John Fischer – I would say if White = Good, and Black = Evil, then Jacob is the good and MIB is the Evil. To me this was indicated when FLock took the white stone from the balance scale and tossed it away.
But why is MIB/FLock trying to recruit somone (first Richard then Sawyer) to take Jacob’s place. Could it be because like a previous poster suggested, they both have to exist? Hmmmmm, Interesting madness.
TEAM DARK!!!
Okay, nitpick time. Why did they need to carry Locke all the way back to the beach camp graveyard? Why not just bury him near where they were?
Fabulous episode! Lots of intrigue and holy freakin’ cow moments! Okay Ben presiding over Locke’s “funeral” is pretty hilarious. He says all the right things. And Frank’s wit is spot on. Happy to see badass Locke back, but hate that it’s because he is Flocke. A possible Aaron sighting was a shocker as well as Richard’s switch from immortal to all too real human being, bloodied and scared.
The rules are still in play as “Aaron” points out to Flocke. Definitely lots of biblical allusions. I’m still not sure Flocke is bad although he seems to be. Creepy to watch him move through the forest and approach Sawyer’s house as the smoke monster.
So, could the young boy be someone (something) that is the ultimate authority – above both Jacob and the MIB?
Kate wasn’t given a number yet WAS contacted by Jacob in her past. But remember the context? He reprimanded her from stealing and told her to be good. I’m assuming blowing up your dad, no matter what the reason, officially counts as bad. Thus, she did not stay on the path Jacob was meant her to – and is no longer considered a candidate. I wonder if Austen was crossed off somewhere in that cave…
So i have had such sadness with the season so far this year. Come on who doesn’t see the whole good bad black white homage that is going on! And Juliet dying WHO CARES!!! and Kate and her nonsense and really why are they wasting time doing this whole parallel universe nonsense please just tell me what the deal is with the island!!! Come on I want some answers. That was until tonight. if Terry OQuin doesn’t win an Oscar for his role then I am bulking! I laughed I cried I felt some completeness to the story line. This episode made me excited and really want to watch the show that I invested countless hours trying to understand what is going on. YEAH LOVE IT. Night
There was a lot of interesting things to chew on this episode. Where was Kate’s name on the rock wall? Who was the boy in the jungle? Why is UnLocke “stuck” in Locke’s body?
But what I wondered most of all was the ways in which characters’ off-island lives are different. It was nice to see Rose, Hurley, and especially Ben (that coffee filter scene was delightful) and how things have changed (or not changed) for them. We found out that Locke’s life is more similar than it first appeared; he still works for Randy Nations, and he was still rejected on his walkabout. What I found interesting was how his relationship with Helen has played out. She is still with him, which means he must not have given in to his obsession with his father like he did in the other timeline. But on the other hand, she makes a comment about his father being at the wedding, which seems very unlikely given their relationship. The biggest question then is how did Locke become paralyzed in THIS timeline? I’m guessing his father had nothing to do with it, but he still got paralyzed through some other means. In the same way that Locke lost the use of his legs when he tried to leave the island, he has lost the use of them in this alternate reality. The universe has a funny way of course-correcting.
Best Quote:
“Weirdest damn funeral I’ve ever been to” Lapidus
Great episode. Love all the appearances in timeline X. I noticed a pattern of helping or offers to help John that started in the Premier with Jack a spinal surgeon, Hurley as the new Boss, Rose in Human Resources and maybe now Ben as a teacher? hmm
Need a rewatch,/review to sort it all out and I’m sure all of Locke’s conversations (especially on Island) will reveal quite a bit.
@Sobaika – Male Chauvinist thought – Could it be that Kate wasn’t assigned a number because she is a female? All the # people seem to be male (Although we don’t know yet about “Kwon”, but can assume it was Jin).
Oh and to parrallel novels… I thought of the stand throughout the whole episode and Harry Potter, oh and I could probably talk about 50 other books also:)
@LReene – I really REALLY hope that’s not the reason why Kate wasn’t mentioned.
Also, when Sawyer and Flocke were headed down the cliff, anyone else think of Jacob’s Ladder?
Best line in my opinion. – “we’re so close, don’t turn back now”. Obviously directed at the fans, saying have faith in the creators of the show, and don’t give up.
@John Fischer – Whoever the young boy is, MIB/FLock was DEFINITELY afraid of him.
My head hurts! I’m going to bed. More thoughts tomorrow (probably after a rewatch.
What about if Jacob is like VOldemort in harry potter when he touches someone he leaves his mark like Voldemort leaves his pensive and Locke needs to kill all the pensives/ people to finally kill Jacob and be free of his hold that the island has on him and be free of the world and that is why people like Christian Shepard are dead becuase they were old island keepers and slowly but surely have died becuase of this bound to the island. OMG I think I figured it out. As Jay and jack say that is my crack pot theory and I am sticking to it!
“what was that all about”
“Inside joke”
hahahaha LOVE IT!!!
The boy, I believe, represents the “spirit” of Jacob, but not his body, since only smokey etc could see him. In the cave, we see that evil cannot exist without good. The balance represents the good & evil at the time of Jacob’s death, with the black rock weighing heavily. Thus, the inside joke was that since Jacob has been killed the white rock doesn’t matter.
The boy showed up to tell smokey the rules, saying that he can’t kill someone, maybe referring to Richard and his special place between Smokey/Jacob. Then, the numbers in the cave mean that those mentioned are candidates… and candidates are the possible bodies for young-boy Jacob to take over.
I thought it was funny when Helen suggested a shot gun wedding. Isn’t that how she would have gotten married in Wanker County?
Have to add that it was interesting that each of the chosen ones was assigned a number. Why didn’t he show Austin when he showed Sawyer the names? Is that a clue or editing? I still think the numbers have meaning beyond just being assigned to those on the list.
I very much like EricfromOhio’s theory. If the MIB is actually the devil, I wanted to add a little exposition (perhaps from a ‘Sayid-perspective’): in Islamic tradition, the devil was not a fallen angel but a fallen jinn (creatures made from fire – smokey? – that have free will) and as he was cast from heaven and abased by God, he asked for reprieve until the end of time and vowed that he would lead men astray. In this tradition, he has the power to whisper into men’s minds and hearts to lead them away from what God wants them to do. And, like the Old Testament, Jacob is a prophet, trying to lead men, with their free will, to do ‘the right thing’ (i.e. what God wants them to do). Finally, in this tradition it is mentioned that when God made man, the angels asked God why He did it because (they said) all man will do is create disruption, fight, and spill blood/kill. Sounds an awful lot like what MIB told Jacob in the Season 5 finale.
That being said, as much as I like the theory, I’m not sure it will end up being correct. Despite MIB/Flocke’s claims, I have this nagging suspicion that he doesn’t really want off the island, but I think that he wants to possess it. Jacob’s ‘Plan B’ is still in play as long as our Lostaways are there, and he wants to get them away from the island to ruin Jacob’s plan and – I think – have the island for himself.
Question1: Why was Richard not able to see the boy, but Sawyer was?
Question 2: was there some significance to Helen’s shirt as it relates to the flash-sideways? It read ‘Peace & Karma’ and is a real shirt made by Lucky. (see it here: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7572522/c/210628.html ). The bottom says ‘Joy and Enlightenment. Live a life of enlightenment. Love, joy, and peace.’ Very Dharma-ish.
@ Geoff Gentry- This makes sense. If Jacob needs a replacement, MIB might need a replacement- or “substitute”. I hope Sawyer isn’t being conned by MIB:(
Obviously the white stone represents Jacob, but that doesn’t mean that Jacob is good and mib is bad.
[note: I’ll try this again without the link to see the shirt, since it seems to be holding up my post for moderation – sorry]
I very much like EricfromOhio’s theory. If the MIB is actually the devil, I wanted to add a little exposition (perhaps from a ‘Sayid-perspective’): in Islamic tradition, the devil was not a fallen angel but a fallen jinn (creatures made from fire – smokey? – that have free will) and as he was cast from heaven and abased by God, he asked for reprieve until the end of time and vowed that he would lead men astray. In this tradition, he has the power to whisper into men’s minds and hearts to lead them away from what God wants them to do. And, like the Old Testament, Jacob is a prophet, trying to lead men, with their free will, to do ‘the right thing’ (i.e. what God wants them to do). Finally, in this tradition it is mentioned that when God made man, the angels asked God why He did it because (they said) all man will do is create disruption, fight, and spill blood/kill. Sounds an awful lot like what MIB told Jacob in the Season 5 finale.
That being said, as much as I like the theory, I’m not sure it will end up being correct. Despite MIB/Flocke’s claims, I have this nagging suspicion that he doesn’t really want off the island, but I think that he wants to possess it. Jacob’s ‘Plan B’ is still in play as long as our Lostaways are there, and he wants to get them away from the island to ruin Jacob’s plan and – I think – have the island for himself.
Question1: Why was Richard not able to see the boy, but Sawyer was?
Question 2: was there some significance to Helen’s shirt as it relates to the flash-sideways? It read ‘Peace & Karma’ and is a real shirt made by Lucky. The bottom says ‘Joy and Enlightenment. Live a life of enlightenment. Love, joy, and peace.’ Very Dharma-ish.
Interesting episode…first time poster here…
My one nagging question now is how does Dharma fit into all of this?
Seems like that whole storyline has slipped away. I’m sure we’ll eventually get answers but it seemed like such a big part of the mystery of the island/show and now not so much.
Also…Jacob, being god or whatever, sure has sloppy handwriting!
I forgot that I danced so much to Lost when it’s great… Almost too tired to re-watch but think I’ll make it!
Team Dark shoots……..and scores! Goooooooaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllll!
I DO have a comment actually ; as much as I used to dislike Locke for all the same reasons that Smokie points out & what a fool I thought he was I love love love ‘Not-Locke’! I also thought it was great how immediate that Sawyer picked up on the fact that it was not the man he knew before…
It was also great seeing Locke and Helen so happily together. Did anyone else notice, though, that when Helen proposed eloping she said, “We’ll get my parents and YOUR DAD…”? It would seem that John’s relationship with his father is quite different in this parallel storyline.
@LReene – My idea on “Kwon” is that it’s Sun. Every one that Jacob touched was by physical contact, that is, skin on skin. When Jacob touched their shoulders, Jin was wearing a suit but Sun’s arms were bare due to her dress.
@Sobaika – Jacob’s Ladder! To be honest, the thought did not cross my mind tonight, but certainly whenever Jacob appeared in previous episodes, I’d wonder, “What about Jacob’s ladder?” Hopefully, someone can provide some insight.
Could the “X” in LAX. A.K.A the alternate timeline, be “The Variable” in a constantly repeating equation/game that has been taking place on the island for centuries?
@Dave — I think its Sun as well, though not really for the same reason. I can’t remember precisely, but I think he touched Hugo on his chest or perhaps his arm, through his shirt. Come to think of it, I’m not entirely sure why I think its Sun. All the other candidates are male, and the other prominent female –Kate– wasn’t written in the cave.
So excited for the numbers! Wonder why their numbers are so low. Why did those numbers have to be entered every 108 minutes, why were they on the radio transmission? How did that “call” them to the Island?
I am very nervous for Sawyer, I don’t think smokey and Sawyer have the same definition of “home”.
I am not sure the little boy is Jacob because he said you can’t kill “him” not you can’t kill “me”.
Loved seeing Ben as an uptight nerd. Loved Lapidus.
Now I get the comment about Jin maybe not being one of them, could be Sun could be their baby.
I have some rewatching to do. Can’t wait to hear every body’s comments.
is there any chance that the boy MIB was running after was zack? remember emma and zack the two children captured by the others from the tail section of the plane, i don’t understand the significance to MIB but he kind of looked like a grown-up zack to me..and walt used to just appear like that even when he was held captive by the others (to shannon and sayid) although i really don’t understand why he would intimidate MIB at all..
Too much too process. Excellent episode. But let me get out a few comments/questions?
The photo of Ben that the girl Ilana has was from the “X” timeline, right?
Did Rose work for Hugo in the “island” timeline?
The little boy that Sawyer and Locke saw was a young Sawyer?
Why did they have only one name for Jin and Sun?
Does Flocke trying to temp Sawyer like Satan tried to temp Jesus to jump off a cliff?
yep…definitely a Holy Freakin’ Crap episode.
On Island:
I think that it’s pretty apparent that Smokey/MIB is looking for his next loophole. Its pretty obvious is Jacob was the only thing keeping him on the island was Jacob, he would have gone *home* as soon as Jacob was nothing but ashes. Instead he is playing Sawyer the same way he played Ben to get him to kill Jacob. And can I just say that if the whole story behind the numbers is *just* that “Jacob had a thing for numbers” I am going to be upset. I mean, great we have an answer, but not a very good one. I am hoping we learn that there is more behind it, and Smokey/MIB just doesn’t understand.
I know there is sooo much more to Smokey too, can’t wait to get ALL of that story. Richard was scared to death, a very different Richard Alpert than we have ever seen before. There is definitely some history there.
Off Island:
I was really pretty happy to see Locke happy with Helen. But I LOVED seeing Ben as a teacher! OMG I swear I had a teacher just like that… Looks like his life was fairly normal, much like Dr. Ethan on the Flash-Sideways.
I would say this episode was almost on par with LA X. Even though there was much action… WOW!
The number 23 is assigned to Shepherd; as in, Psalm 23, “the Lord is my shepherd”. Discuss.
@Steven – good point with Hurley. I’ll have to check it out, even though I want to think that they grazed or maybe when Jacob left the taxi. Hmmm…
WOW!….great episode. The writers hit a homerun with this one. Jeff Fahey gets another great one liner “Weirdest funeral I’ve been to.” The sideways story got Ben and Locke together….hmmm….interesting destiny got them together. Sawyer choosing a side. Wonder what that means for the end game. Wow, can’t type anymore….my hands are hurting as much as my head. Clear and concise sentences I cannot do. Can’t wait to hear the podcast this weekend.
It seems like the numbers correspond to the Oceanic 6, 6 numbers, 6 people.
Actually thats AMAZING that I’ve never thought that before! So Fareday was right, people are the variables.
This episode on the island was incredible! But, although I have complete faith that timeline X is important, the flash sideways go absolutely nowhere. In season 1 flashbacks told us something about the character and had just as good of a plot as the island part.
These episodes do seem slower paces with a lot of exposition.
I feel like the writers need to listen to Mel Brooks in Spaceballs “The ship’s too long, if I walk , the movie will be over!”