After a near half-season absence, Desmond returns to the foreground this week, and not surprisingly, his story is once again a game changer. As the only person to survive a cataclysmic magnetic event, he is key to Widmore’s plan on the island. And in the flash-sideways, he gets a taste of “the truth” from Charlie, and will be the one to finally bring our wandering, disconnected survivors together. In this final chapter of “LOST,” the end game has never been in sharper focus. And yet we’re still confounded as to what happens next.
“You felt it, didn’t you?” So love is all you need… to see beyond the edges of the universe. Charlie, choking on his drugs, sees (presumably) Claire from the original timeline and realizes that nothing else matters, that nothing else is real. Desmond, after nearly drowning and getting zapped in an MRI machine, sees Penny and the birth of Charlie. Daniel falls in love at first sight with Charlotte, and he gets a brainload of quantum physics. I would guess that the intensity of premature labor and natural, maternal love is what connected Claire with the name Aaron earlier this season. And now Desmond wants to share his revelation with the rest of the passengers on Oceanic 815.
Forgetting for a moment that few people will be receptive to an invitation to have a near-death experience (breath-holding exercises? elective MRI scans?), it bears noting that not everyone in the flash-sideways world would give up their lives for the ones we know they had in the original timeline. If “redeemed dad” Jack somehow gets a glimpse of “Oceanic Six” Jack, for example, I don’t think he’ll be as convinced as Charlie and Desmond that the vision is “the truth.”
In fact, now that our flash-sideways characters are becoming aware of the original, island timeline, the question is whether the opposite will happen. Will Unlocke or Jacob show our LOSTies a glimpse of their sideways selves? Will the final sides in the war be determined by which timeline each character wants to win out?
And the fact that Desmond has a plan in the flash-sideways now suggests that the fate of our characters might not only be decided on the island. Widmore’s high-powered test tonight suggests that his final play involves another failsafe-level release of magnetic energy. But his insistence on a timeline, coupled with how things may soon unfold in the flash-sideways, make me think that something big will happen on both sides simultaneously.
Finally, Eloise. She still seems to be the most in-the-know in any timeline. Her shock at seeing Desmond, supposedly for the first time, was palpable. And the way she turned from surprisingly understanding to angry and frustrated was telling. Desmond is not ready. And for him to start asking questions is not just wrong, but a “violation.” A violation of rules? Of time and space? We shall see.
Notes and Notions:
- “Intense” is the word of the evening. Desmond enduring the energy test was as wild as any climactic moment in “LOST,” and could easily rank as an iconic image through all of science fiction. And Desmond’s claustrophobic MRI flash scene was also powerful.
- Seeing flashes of Charlie drowning once again still put a lump in my throat. But that’s an emotional card the writers probably can’t play much longer.
- The contrast between Desmond’s two lives — globetrotting businessman with no attachments versus loving husband and father — could have probably been drawn a little more subtly. Why would he want Charles Widmore’s approval more than anything else in the world, if there wasn’t a Penny to motivate him? Still, the moment where Widmore let him have a sip of MacCutcheon was great.
- On the other hand, was there something more to the fact that Desmond had no family to declare as an emergency contact? His lack of daddy issues, or even mommy issues, remains one of the biggest blank spots among our characters’ backstories.
- The MRI machine definitely had a little bit of smoke monster in it, at least in terms of sound design. And actually, the smoke monster probably has more in common with MRI machines than you’d initially think.
- I’m not entirely clear if sideways Daniel thinks setting off a bomb was a good idea or not, though he definitely doesn’t want to do it again. He does seem to know that Jughead did detonate, and that it was key to creating “some other life.”
- Daniel is a Widmore, and Penny is not (if she was, indeed, the “Penny Milton” of the mysterious guest list). And the two are half-siblings, as many suspected was the case in the original timeline. Presumably Penny is still Widmore’s first daughter by another woman, but the whole family seems to be pretty even keeled.
- Will we ever learn who Penny’s mother is? I’m not sure. I think giving her the name “Milton” is a way of saying it doesn’t matter. John Milton is the author of “Paradise Lost.”
- I’m not sure there’s much more to George Minkowski turning up as Desmond’s driver, either. But I’m a fan of the cameos.
- With Daniel now a musician, the number of likely suspects for the person who programmed the computer in The Looking Glass underwater station has doubled. It always seemed poetic that Charlie be somehow responsible for the “Good Vibrations” code, but Daniel works too.
- On the island, I’m not entirely sure why Desmond went with Sayid so willingly. Maybe you just don’t want to mess with a killer with a knife? But the way he was so at peace after the energy test makes me think he’s now absolutely convinced of his importance in the universe, and simply doesn’t see Sayid (or anyone) as a threat.
- Locations: So many! The baggage claim was at Honolulu International Airport. Widmore’s office was built inside King Kalakaua Plaza, also known as the former Niketown Honolulu building, in Waikiki. The Airport Courthouse was the State Attorney General’s Office building on Queen St. off Punchbowl St. The bar, “Jax,” was Anna Bananna’s near University Avenue. The marina where Charlie and Desmond drove into the water was the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor behind the Ilikai Hotel. The hospital where Desmond, Charlie, and Jack turned up was Hawaii Medical Center East on Liliha Street. The museum where Eloise was staging her concert was Bishop Museum. And the stadium where Desmond met Penny was Aloha Stadium.
But that’s just us. How did you like the episode? We’d love your feedback! Please share your reactions, theories, favorite moments and other thoughts from “Happily Ever After” below, and join in one of the best post-episode conversations you’ll find anywhere. You can also e-mail us at lost@hawaiiup.com, or leave a brief message on the LOSTLine at (815) 310-0808.
Did anyone else think George, the driver, was going to turn out to be something/someone very creepy? I kept waiting for something dark to happen when Desmond returned to the car. Like Locke would be behind the wheel.
And when a limo driver says “if there’s anything I can do for you…,” the first thought out of MY head would not be to ask for a plane manifest. That would seem to be beyond George’s pay grade.
Thoughts of this episode:
1. No “previously on Lost” was actually one of the best parts for me…
it’s like they were thinking “you know what… if you don’t know what’s going on by now, don’t even bother”.
2. The scales painting in Widmore’s office. Like the bear painting. That was a great little homage. In fact most of this episode was. The famed “running the stairs” stadium, the 60 year old McCutchens (spelling).. etc..etc..
3. While I’m convinced now that Charlie doesn’t remember the other timeline, he’s just trying to see..what I assume is Claire..
though this does mean that near death = visions of all realities?
4. Nice to see Farady explain a “love at first sight” theory.
5. I assume that at some point after meeting penny desmond’s realities meld together? So he knows both things are happening… which is why he asks for the manifest?
6. My major question of the night – Does Eloise know the truth OR is she simply trying to keep a pervy desmond away from her husbands “mistake”?
interesting episode all around.
@Ron Kaplan
You know with the music playing at the very end when Desmond got back into the limo..
the entire time I was on the edge of my seat waiting for something horrible to happen.
I SWOOOOORE George was going to turn around and shoot him and be like “you should have stayed away”.
What an episode! Thank you Lost. Thank you Desmond. Thank you Charlie. Thank you Faraday.
To all those who thought the Flash Sideways were pointless, you stand corrected. Tonight we got not only an emotionally engaging story, but also straight up confirmation of the timelines bleeding into one another. And Desmond apparently plans on shaking things up for all our Losties. Baller.
Also, Sayid’s bit was completely random and totally awesome. BAMF.
@Bonita – My feeling is that Desmond may not know the answers, but he sure is the “key” to the answers. I would have to say it is Daniel who “knows” the answers.
Wow. This whole thing is getting very Donnie Darko very quickly.
Love that the Des episodes always kick arse.
Funny that perhaps the most compelling characters (Des, Ben, Juliet, Daniel) almost seem like afterthoughts by the creators… none were on O815!
PS — love Mientkowski in this one.
I haven’t paid attention who wrote and directed that episode, but they sure hit it straight outta the ballpark. I may still be too hot from watching it but on first impression, ”Happily Ever After” ranks right up there with ”The Constant”. I am going to have to watch it a couple more times to wrap my brain around this one. Wow. Just wow.
Desmond never disappoints! Fabulous episode, great to see Faraday again. I believe Desmond is the key to “sync”ing both time lines.
Holy Freaking Crap. Best episode of the season. Desmond episodes are so freaking amazing. My mind is just completely blown right now.
There are so many things that I absolutely loved in this episode, but perhaps the most powerful was the continuation of Desmond and Penny’s relationship into the sideways–so moving.
I am also totally loving all of the connections between the two worlds. I love that even characters like George that were only in one episode are being used to create parallels in the sideways world.
This was just a breathtaking work of art tonight.
That was one of the fastest hours of my life. I couldn’t believe the LOST insignia flashed at the end. I looked at the clock and an hour flew by. I can’t wait for the Itunes to post up this episode for download. I also can’t wait for the next Transmission. Thanks Ryan and Jen. You guys have made this LOST experience even better. You guys should take a bow.
Yes!! Greatness was achieved!!!! Loved it!!
RE: Daniel’s drawing – last year I posted about it on this blog. Go the episode where Ceasar is in the hydra station. He finds a map and opens it. On the map there is are lines and circles, it says “imaginary time” “island time” and “real time” and there are areas where they intersect. I always felt it was important. I just didn’t know what it meant.
So Desmond will show everybody their other reality, but will they want it? Funny how Kate formed more of a connective moment with Aaron than Jack. Jack and Kate looked at each other twice but didn’t seem to have that “true love” moment, Saywer and Kate didn’t either.
Love seeing crazy Charlie and Daniel Widmore.
What does Eloise know and how does she know it? How does she seem to know everything but Charles doesn’t?
We are going to have so much fun discussing this.
How interesting also that all of the flash-sideways seem to hinge on someone accomplishing the opposite of the conventional timeline.
Des having Penny and seeking Widmore’s approval vs being trusted by Widmore and not knowing Penny.
Daniel as an artist rather than a scientist.
Jack and Locke as men estranged from their fathers coming to terms with fatherhood (Jack with his son, Locke with his father).
Hurley going from bad luck to good.
Sun and Jin going from together and infertile to separate but fertile.
They don’t all work, but this episode really cemented this in a striaghtforward but not “anvilicious” way.
I wanted to scream at the tv, at the end when widmore says “allow me to explain what I need from you” and DES says “I understand”.
I’m like, nooooooooo we don’t understand, so let him explain.
Lol
I can’t help but wonder…
what it is that Widmore wants Desmond to do…
And why they’d go through all the trouble to build that machine…
is Desmond going to bridge the gap between the realities? or something else?
And then why would he so easily go along with charles…but then just as easily go along with sayid?
OMFG, that was the episode I’ve been waiting for all season. I am at a loss for words to express how damn great that was.
I, for one, have been ambivalent about the flash sideways all season. But I just kept telling myself that it WILL connect back to the main timeline. There is no way they are using all those just for the pure curiosity of seeing what happens if the plane didn’t crash. And with that ONE movement…Charlie’s hand and “Not Penny’s Boat”…I knew my faith in this show was well placed. If anyone was going to tie it all in together, it had to be Desmond/Eloise/Daniel.
I freakin loved every little tiny second with Eloise. Everything about the way she corrected the position of the butter knife even KNOWING there is this whole other world, and that stupid butter knife could not possibly have any significance. But there she is, correcting the wait staff with the same fervor she was correcting Desmond for getting ahead of himself when he is not ready. Brilliant.
I also loved that Charlie was the one forcing Desmond down that road. Charlie, as much of a mess as he is in both worlds, did all that he could to make things right.
How am I going to make it until next tuesday!! Augh! I can’t wait for the podcast. xoxo
@Jesse, if your point 5 is true (and I hope it is). Desmond is going to f*ck some sh*t up.
I;m happy so many of you “loved” this episode. “Love” as Kristin on “E Online” has hinted seems to be the key to LOST. That being said, I can’t wait until some of you share what the heck you thought we just saw. Twenty minutes post-show and I have no clear idea of what the heck is going on. What exactly is the alt? It’s clear that some folks there seem to know or at least show signs that their souls know. Eloise seems to know for sure. I, for one, am totally clueless.
@ Jesse… ” No “previously on Lost†was actually one of the best parts for me…it’s like they were thinking “you know what… if you don’t know what’s going on by now, don’t even botherâ€.”
Lol…I had that exact same thought. Why even do those at this point?
@Lreene, I guess I meant more that Desmond will reveal the answers, so calling him the Key would indeed be more accurate.
Well I guess by now it’s clear….LOST is about LOVE….and…that’s all I’ve got after what is undoubtedly the best episode this season and probably of the entire show. I think Happily ever after can even rival Flashes before your eyes in terms of story telling, answers and just plain LOST awesomeness.
It’s weird cause I’m more confused than ever but I feel like the answer is right there, it’s RIGHT IN FRONT OF US and my brain is about to meltdown from all the thinking.
Ok, so facing death in the alt!universe unlocks memories from the LOST Prime timeline. They all feel LOVE when they “see the truth”, somehow Eloise knows wth is going on in this universe too and Daniel has been awakened as well (he didn,t however almost die…mmmm) through the sight if Charlotte and he is begining to piece things together.
Desmond has become the vehicle through which to awaken the rest of our losties to teh fact that this alt!live is not supposed to be so he is once again the tool of the Universe/the Island to course correct. Still not sure how the two realities are connected in terms of time and space and what the point of this awakening to the truth is but Im absolutely loving it and dreading it, all at the same time.
Loved the cameos (Minkowski, Daniel!!!) and seeing Charlie again. Hello to McClutcheon’s and a very telling pic in Mr.Widmore’s office. Des and Jack reconnect once again (WHAT is there only ONE hospital in all of LA!?), and I loved loved loved the mirroring of Charlie’s death and the “flashes” of that epic scene.
I am worried however about this message they got across through Daniel that “All this doesn’t matter, it was not supposed to be our lives”….does that mean all the happiness achieved by some characters (Locke, Ben, Jack) is for naught?
Oh, and who else thinks:
Widmore sent Des to be captured by Sayid ON PURPOSE as he is the key to defeating MIL (who by the way is now definetly connected to the electromagnetism on the Island)
Sideways Eloise was creeeeeeeeeeeepy when she told Des he wasn’t ready
It’s interesting that Jin and Sun ended up together anyways, but Des and Penny didn’t.
Des and Penny will bump into Sawyer and Juliet in the coffee shop? (just kidding on the last one ;P)
Cant wait to hear what you guys gotta say!
So is this the beginning of the rift between Desmond and Widmore? Noodling around with the boss’s daughter? No wonder Widmore doesn’t think Desmond is worthy…. Faraday’s half-sister? I’m no geneologist, but does that mean she has a different mother, and if so, who?
@John Fischer – I think Faraday explained it when talking to Desmond. The release of a high amount of energy changed the future, and thus the life they were presently leading. In other words, it changed things from the way it was “supposed” to be.
Widmore’s people didn’t build that machine, it was part of the hydra station. The baby face guy said “it hadn’t been turned on in 20 years and we don’t even know if it still works”.
My wife and I were trying to figure out how come Eloise always seems to be all-knowing. She knows about the alternate reality and tells Desmond to leave it alone. Then my wife hit on a brilliant idea. If the timelines really did diverge at the moment of the nuclear blast, which Daniel implies they did, then Eloise was there. She knew that Jack and the others were from the future and they were trying to change things. So when the bomb exploded she would be aware that she was living in an alternate time line. With a little help from Daniel’s journal she would have access to all kinds of information about people and events from a world that no longer existed.
I think I need to lie down…
Last week redeemed! One thing we know for sure is that Desmond Episodes = Instant Gold.
It makes a lot of sense because we put so much emphasis on the losties but it was a non-815er that is the real key to the show. Damon was right, the conversation is surely changing this week.
OMG!!!! The episode was amazing! Desmond is now going to start searching for the other Losties on the flight!!
I think the real question is…
What did John Fischer think?
😉
Okay, letting it all hang out.
The parallels here were just so well done. During the MRI scene with Desmond those parallels were made so clear, but in such a creative way.
1) Desmond needs an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) = Desmond goes into magnetic “cage” to undergo his test conducted by Widmore. In both instances, Desmond is subjected to electromagnetic energy.
2) Magnetism = Island EM
3) Panic Button (“The Button”) Desmond is given by MRI assistant = Button Desmond has to press on island
4) Attendant tells Desmond NOT to press the panic button, otherwise they have to start (the MRI) all over again = “Resetting” the electromagnetic energy on the island every 108 minutes?
5) Face Cage Over Desmonds Face = The Hatch Door
6) Sound of MRI Machine = Strikingly similar to flash sideways sound
As Desmond is being placed into machine, the camera pans up close and shows, for a brief moment, a series of numbers on the MRI machine which read E1, A37. 215 C.46 – this has to mean something.
Daniel Faraday Widmore!!!! He is Charles Widmore’s son. He is a musician in this “815 Landed” timeline. Wow.
Ok, so now the conversation has changed. This episode was FILLED with answers and interesting material for discussion. More later…
I think the question becomes…
Are you going to have Desmond running around like Jack going “we need to go back” but… you know..not those exact words…but something similar? While I love the idea that they’d all know about their island lives..
what purpose does it serve?
At the end when Penny held out her hand to Desmond were any of you just yelling at the TV, take it! take it! just take it already! and then poof 🙂
@Knives Monroe – well, that will take a couple of more viewings of this episode to say. Seriously, I used to think I understood this show at least a little. Now I know that I have no idea of what’s going on. I’m a blank page and open to anyone’s ideas. I’m a nobody among millions of viewers, but I suspect there are a lot of nobodies like me who are now totally confused and confused with just a handful of episodes left is on the one hand disappointing and on the other hand very suspenseful and intriguing.
Perhaps, once they find out about their “island lives” they can somehow correct for them in this altered timeline? I mean, for the most part, it seems everyone’s lives are panning out for the better. But if the smoke monster gets to leave, I don’t think any of those characters will ever have that chance, meaning that the alt timeline would never have existed. Maybe this is what Widmore meant?
Okay, where to begin. Here is what I did after seeing the episode, I googled quantum mechanics and consciousness and found this link to a youtube video … which apart from being way over my head (I am not scientificly inclined … give me fantasy anytime over science) … it blew my mind. if you are interested the link is below.
It talks about the connection between quantum physics and consciousness,
that there are an ocean of potential possibilities, and pure abstract possibilities, the likelyhood of creating a big bang (those that listened to Damon in the Filmmakers podcast, will remember him mentioning the big bang) and wait for it ….. that anything you can imagine you can create – that sounds like the metaphoric box Ben was referencing to John Locke. And incredibly at around 7 minutes (in total 10 minutes) someone is explaining that sharing consciousness between two people is possible, he mentions light flashed … that sounds like Smokey …
All I’m saying is if you want science, well you have been served and Dharma is no longer irrelevant… Widmore and company are using the installations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adZ-oBi4NO0
My random thoughts will need more viewings.
HOLY FREAKIN CRAP!!
What an AWESOME episode! I am so glad they brought Desmond back into the series in such a powerful way! I am really starting to enjoy where the final episodes of this season are going (I was getting sick of the Jacob/MIB stuff.) I went crazy over all the references to earlier seasons in this episode (Charlie’s hand, the stadium where Jack and Desmond met, and maybe more I am forgetting.)
I was confused by the scene with Desmond and Sayid. Why was Desmond so calm when Sayid killed the scientist. Did Desmond know Sayid was coming? And also why was he be so reluctant to follow Sayid when he just said he was going to help Widmore? I hope the next episode with Desmond will answer these question and explain Desmond’s current situation/state-of-mind in a little more in detail.
Again I absolutely LOVED this episode! It is by far my new favorite episode!
I have been a big critic of this season. However, tonight’s episode makes up for all of it. This is how Lost should be – all of what makes the series great was in this episode. Only The Constant resonates more with me. Kudos to the writers and actors!
The thing I am confused about is Desmond in the sideways waking up again, is this Desmond on the island flashing between worlds again like in the constant and can his brain take it without Penny on the island with him as his anchor?
I wonder if the fact that Charlotte was eating a candy bar is what made Daniel remember? I think when Charlie was choking he must have remembered dying before and his love for Claire. Charlie seemed to remember the hand he was asking Desmond about what he saw there.
So our “theories”seem to fall into what Daniel said. What “should” have been -vs- What Is.
Enter Déjà Vu.
@Mattfromnd I believe he was referring only to the generator and that Widmore’s ppl did in fact build the “shed” to test Des.
@Ron Kaplan Well when they say Penny’s name her surname is not Widmore so either
a)She carries her mother’s maiden name
b)She carries her mother’s husband name
c)She’s not WIdmore’s kid but Eloise’s??? (that would be a twist!)
Not sure wether there will be a rift between Des and Widmore again as I believe the alt!timeline is not gonna…erm…stick around heh
@ LReene
“Says:
April 6th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
@John Fischer – I think Faraday explained it when talking to Desmond. The release of a high amount of energy changed the future, and thus the life they were presently leading. In other words, it changed things from the way it was “supposed†to be.”
I agree 100% but…WHY are they showing us this alt!universe which is as real and true as the other according to TPTB? It’s the only thing that confuses me….what is the point of seeing all this? Is it to understand the magnitude of the change, of the necessary “sacrifice” our losties must make? Or is there more to it!?
@Montreal, I think Damon and Carlton wrote and Bender directed?
@Jesse It seemed Desmond was trusting the outcome of following Sayid, not trusting Sayid per se, and I think Nana above may be on to something, perhaps Charles did send Des to be taken by Sayid on purpose. I also wonder if the fact that Desmond’s awareness of the FlashSideways World extends from 2004 (that we’ve seen) into 2007(we have not yet seen in the FSW) and he can “See” the convergence ahead?
@ Nana,, I had the same thought about the Coffee
I’m wondering if anyone else thought back to the cabin and the lone chair just before they put Desmond in there, when Locke heard someone saying “help me”. Could it somehow happen that they put MIB in the contraption and this is how he is permanently trapped on the Island where Locke hears his plaintive wail as an echo.
Everything is so subjective. I assume well get a definite and finite conclusion when its all said and done.
This has been an amazing ride.
There isnt anything on TV that comes close to the exhilaration of LOST.
Add me to the list of the people shouting “woo-hoo” for tonight’s episode! I’ve had no problems with the flash-sideways before… I am just along for the ride but tonight got me really excited for both timelines. Can’t wait to see where this all goes. Looking forward to everyone’s feedback and the new podcast!
so…is desmond the key because of the hatch .man..why do i even try…
@nana – if all the losties remember their other life, will the flash sideways cease to exist? The losties will pop into their island bodies.
Now “flashes before your eyes” makes even more sense – Desmond was hit with the bat and became unconscious and went back to the island.
The big question is which reality will be the end reality, I predict they will merge, and the person who stays on the island is the one who sacrifices their flash sideways life in order for them to keep theirs.
Maybe it’s not that this alt!universe is not supposed to be but that the way in which it came to be (the bomb) was not right….as in, Daniel and Jack went for it but the event meant to change things is supposed to be another one (MIL leaving/dying). That would mean this universe is a “what COULD be” but shouldn’t be cau’se we kinda cheated in how we got it? I still cannot believe the life we’ve seen these characters live all theough S1~5 is what was supposed to happen to them period. It feels like a test or a journey with a higher purpose, as in, it will affect their existence somehow so it’s not final, but more like a formality they must endure…
@ Hammer.
You got it!
@carol, if you are right and the realities merge, my first guess is the person who would stay on the island would be Ben.
But then of course the second I type that, I think Hurley.
Damn this brilliant show!
@ Nana… I think you f****** nailed it. For real.
:
Maybe it’s not that this alt!universe is not supposed to be but that the way in which it came to be (the bomb) was not right….as in, Daniel and Jack went for it but the event meant to change things is supposed to be another one (MIL leaving/dying). That would mean this universe is a “what COULD be†but shouldn’t be cau’se we kinda cheated in how we got it?
Damn this is the best show ever.
@Carol, yes, I’m sure both timelines will have to “merge”…somehow. Wether that is the end for these characters or not I’m not so sure. Perhaps this is all progress and once all is said and done they will live the life they were always supposed to once more, one last time. Hahahha…frankly I’m in over my head here, I’m in no way bright enough to decipher what TPTB are going for….and Im a spoiler addict!!No clue…..wow….how amazing is that!?
I think my eyes are still bleeding. That was horrible. The first 5 mins were the only good part of the show. Too much lovey lovey and chasing, who has now become, annoying Charlie around. Awful.
@hammer – Desmond is the key because he had the “key” for the failsafe. Those writers think of everything.