We can all agree that tonight’s episode is going to be crazy. Start with the title – Cabin Fever – and I’m already intrigued. As we all know (especially those of us who have lived through a Nebraska winter), cabin fever is term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when someone is isolated and/or shut in for an extended period. Symptoms of cabin fever include restlessness, irritability, forgetfulness, and excessive sleeping. Taken literally, our 815’ers definitely have a case of cabin fever…after all, they have been isolated on this island for nearly 100 days. The Others, on the other hand (pun intended), have an even more serious case of cabin fever.
Even further, the people on S.S. Not Penny’s Boat (yes, we know the real name now: the Kahana) have the worst case of cabin fever of all the characters. In fact, in the episode Ji Yeon, Captain Gault implied it had something to do with the close proximity of the island. Hmm. I believe we’ve seen all of these so-called symptoms displayed by the freighter folk…and we’re likely going to see more tonight. After all, ABC’s press release says that “life aboard the freighter becomes perilous.” Yeah, that sounds about right… But first things first.
John Locke
When we last saw him: Locke was not in last week’s Jack-centric episode. We last saw Locke in the whirlwind Ben-isode The Shape of Things to Come. After Keamy and his men were attacked by Smokey, Ben and Locke headed to find Jacob and forcefully/coercingly (is that a word?) took Hurley with them (as he has found Jacob's cabin before), while Sawyer, Claire and Aaron headed back to the beach with Miles.
His current emotional state: Uncertain (as always). Locke knows he is headed to Jacob’s cabin and the last time he was there, things were dicey. When he and Ben reached Jacob's cabin, Locke initially couldn't see or hear Jacob. However, as he was about to walk out on a likely crazy Ben, Locke heard a voice say "Help me.” It is assumed that this was Jacob speaking, though there are those out there who believe it was Ben. Following the voice, there is a bout of poltergeist-like behavior with furniture (and Ben) being tossed around the cabin. While Locke does appear to believe in the power of Jacob, I imagine he is a little anxious about this ‘08 Reunion Tour.
What Ben and Locke want from Jacob: Ben and Locke believe that Jacob will provide further instructions (Remember that episode (Further Instructions) from last season? When Locke lived at the drug commune?) on what they are supposed to do next. The decision to go to Jacob was Ben’s decision, shortly after the death of Alex at the hands of Keamy. As you recall, in a state of shock, Ben mumbled "they changed the rules.” As he has done before, Ben is relying on the presumed wisdom of Jacob to know how to react to this sudden change of rules. Locke, as someone who believes he has a responsibility to care for the well-being of the island, is following Ben because he does not have a better plan at this point (after all, Sawyer, Miles, Claire, and Aaron just hit the road and left their team).
Remembering where Locke came from: Although we do not know if tonight will be a flash forward or a flash back (what does that even mean anymore anyways?), it might be easiest to review Locke’s life in terms of the locations of importance in his life –
Los Angeles: His birthplace has been assumed, but has not been specifically mentioned.
Iowa: He lives in a commune for a few months (presumed site from license plates).
Tustin, CA: He works as a regional manager for a box company (owned by Hurley).
Mexico: After pushing Locked out a window, Anthony Cooper escapes to Mexico.
Melbourne, Australia: This is where Locke tried to go on a walkabout.
Sydney, Australia: The take-off location of Oceanic 815.
Tallahassee, FL: His father is “taken” from I-10 outside Tallahassee to the box on the island, presumably so Locke can deal with his daddy issues once and for all.
A few of the remaining Locke questions:
1. How did Locke escape the Swan when it imploded? What made him mute immediately after the implosion?
2. Was Ben really coming to recruit him, as he claimed while he was a prisoner in the hatch? If so, why was Locke not on Jacob’s list?
3. Why did the Monster not attack him at first, but then try to drag him down a hole later?
4. How did Locke acquire his knife throwing and tracking skills?
5. Why was he soaking wet right before the submarine blew up?
6. Was there any truth to what his mother said about him being “a special birth?”
Those pesky daddy issues: In nearly every Locke-centric episode we’ve seen in Lost (6 of the 8), Anthony Cooper has played a significant role in challenging and really ticking off Locke. Will Anthony show up tonight? I’m going to say it is probable. In what sense? I am not sure. As I try to piece together the intricate web of Lost (I’m talking about Widmore, Hanso, Paik Heavy Industries, etc.), I’m struggling to figure out if Anthony Cooper is a player or a pawn in the game. Part of me thinks he is just a pawn that has been used by the powers that be (Widmore & Co.) to reach an end or achieve a goal with both Locke and Sawyer. However, the way in which he continues to show himself during the most bizarre and significant situations has me thinking that perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye. I don’t know if he will show his (ugly) face tonight, but if he does, keep your eyes peeled on his every move.
Previously on the S.S. Not Penny’s Boat (Kahana)
Let’s review where we are with our freighter. The Kahana, owned by Charles Widmore, is currently 40 miles off shore (twenty minutes flying time). My research shows some interesting facts about the Kahana. The Kahana is a supply vessel common to offshore oil fields such as those in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea and offshore Nigeria. This type of boat is used to ferry food, water, stores and drilling necessities like "liquid mud" to oil drilling platforms. This type of ship is generally built for speed and not duration, so the last port of call (Fiji) is likely close to the destination. However, the Kahana appears to have been modified for the specific task of finding the Island, and has two helipads on the deck where the boat would normally carry pallets of supplies. It was equipped with 2 helicopters, but one crashed in the ocean when Naomi parachuted to the Island.
We have met a number of individuals on/from the Kahana (but not all):
Captain Gault (alive): Gault informed Sayid and Desmond that Widmore owned the Kahana. He also implied that Ben staged the plane wreckage and 324 bodies inside.
Frank Lapidus (alive): Frank is a helicopter pilot. He memorized the entire manifest of Oceanic 815 because he was supposed to be the pilot.
Kevin Johnson (alive): This is Michael’s alias while serving as a deckhand on the Kahana.
Martin Keamy (alive): Keamy is an ex-Marine mercenary who heads up the Kahana’s military team tasked with apprehending Ben Linus. He survived an attack by Smokey.
Omar (alive): Omar is a member of the military team.
Jeff (alive): Jeff is a mechanic seen working with Michael to repair the engines.
Naomi (deceased): Naomi was hired to provide protection to the team from the freighter operating on the island, and to get the team back safely. She was murdered by Locke.
George Minkowski (deceased): Minkowski is the communications officer from the freighter who first made contact with Jack. After suffering flashes similar to Desmond’s, he is kept strapped to a bed in the sick bay until freed by Sayid and Desmond. He later dies of an apparent brain aneurysm.
Brandon (deceased): After suffering symptoms of time-transported consciousness following his abortive trip to the Island with Minkowski, Brandon died.
Regina (deceased): The Kahana’s contact with the island after Minkowski falls ill. She killed herself by jumping off the Kahana wrapped in heavy chains.
Ray (deceased): Ray is the freighter’s doctor. He was found floating near the island with a slit throat.
Things to Watch For
So after reading all of this, what should you watch for?
Those pesky daddy issues: In nearly every Locke-centric episode we’ve seen in Lost (6 of the 8), Anthony Cooper has played a significant role in challenging and really ticking off Locke. Will Anthony show up tonight? I’m going to say it is probable. In what sense? I am not sure. As I try to piece together the intricate web of Lost (I’m talking about Widmore, Hanso, Paik Heavy Industries, etc.), I’m struggling to figure out if Anthony Cooper is a player or a pawn in the game. Part of me thinks he is just a pawn that has been used by the powers that be (Widmore & Co.) to reach an end or achieve a goal with both Locke and Sawyer. However, the way in which he continues to show himself during the most bizarre and significant situations has me thinking that perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye. I don’t know if he will show his (ugly) face tonight, but if he does, keep your eyes peeled on his every move.
Previously on the S.S. Not Penny’s Boat (Kahana)
Let’s review where we are with our freighter. The Kahana, owned by Charles Widmore, is currently 40 miles off shore (twenty minutes flying time). My research shows some interesting facts about the Kahana. The Kahana is a supply vessel common to offshore oil fields such as those in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea and offshore Nigeria. This type of boat is used to ferry food, water, stores and drilling necessities like "liquid mud" to oil drilling platforms. This type of ship is generally built for speed and not duration, so the last port of call (Fiji) is likely close to the destination. However, the Kahana appears to have been modified for the specific task of finding the Island, and has two helipads on the deck where the boat would normally carry pallets of supplies. It was equipped with 2 helicopters, but one crashed in the ocean when Naomi parachuted to the Island.
We have met a number of individuals on/from the Kahana (but not all):
Captain Gault (alive): Gault informed Sayid and Desmond that Widmore owned the Kahana. He also implied that Ben staged the plane wreckage and 324 bodies inside.
Frank Lapidus (alive): Frank is a helicopter pilot. He memorized the entire manifest of Oceanic 815 because he was supposed to be the pilot.
Kevin Johnson (alive): This is Michael’s alias while serving as a deckhand on the Kahana.
Martin Keamy (alive): Keamy is an ex-Marine mercenary who heads up the Kahana’s military team tasked with apprehending Ben Linus. He survived an attack by Smokey.
Omar (alive): Omar is a member of the military team.
Jeff (alive): Jeff is a mechanic seen working with Michael to repair the engines.
Naomi (deceased): Naomi was hired to provide protection to the team from the freighter operating on the island, and to get the team back safely. She was murdered by Locke.
George Minkowski (deceased): Minkowski is the communications officer from the freighter who first made contact with Jack. After suffering flashes similar to Desmond’s, he is kept strapped to a bed in the sick bay until freed by Sayid and Desmond. He later dies of an apparent brain aneurysm.
Brandon (deceased): After suffering symptoms of time-transported consciousness following his abortive trip to the Island with Minkowski, Brandon died.
Regina (deceased): The Kahana’s contact with the island after Minkowski falls ill. She killed herself by jumping off the Kahana wrapped in heavy chains.
Ray (deceased): Ray is the freighter’s doctor. He was found floating near the island with a slit throat.
Things to Watch For
So after reading all of this, what should you watch for?
*Pay careful attention to the trip to Jacob’s cabin. Look at the surroundings: the pictures on the wall, the books on the shelves, the items on the table, etc.
*In the trip to Jacob’s cabin, it will be test #2 between Ben and Locke. Who does Jacob communicate with and what does he say?
*On the freighter, do you have a sense of who Sayid and Desmond can trust? Whose side is Michael on? Don’t forget that we trusted him once before…and he killed Libby and Ana Lucia.
*Ray the doctor’s body floated to the island last week. With the time differential, does that mean he dies this week? Watch him carefully.
*Anthony Cooper: pawn or player?
*Last week, Claire went missing. Be on the look out for her…and watch who takes care of Aaron. Could this be the start of our transition from Mom Claire to Mom Kate?
Come back tomorrow to talk through things with Charlie, who probably won’t sleep well tonight.
Namaste!
-Maggie
Come back tomorrow to talk through things with Charlie, who probably won’t sleep well tonight.
Namaste!
-Maggie
6 Snarky Comments:
Slander. Pure slander. If Desmond heard you say I had a man-crush on Locke, all hell would break loose, as Desmond is my LOST non-sexual man crush of all time. That's just wrong.
And on the issue of "who will Jacob communicate with?" I'm going to go with option (c) Hurley. Hurley saw the cabin a few weeks ago, and eventually Baby Huey gets the ability to talk to ghosts. Maybe tonight is where the seeds of that ability are planted. Wouldn't THAT piss off Ben and Locke!
Also I think somebody has to die soon. It's been a long time. And in the interest of coming full circle at the expense of breaking my own heart, I fear it may be Desmond. Perilous freighter life + we know Sayid lives = yikes.
Hmm... Desmond dies? That'd be tragic. It would put an end to the love story element between him and Penny. I don't think it's going to happen, and I'd bet dollars to donuts against it.
Anthony Cooper: pawn, but a knowledgeable one who tries to become a player. Maybe he conned the wrong guy: Widmore. Maybe it plays into why he ends up dead on the island.
Truth is, I'm grasping at straws. I'm pretty much worthless before an episode.
Maggie, thanks for the awesome preview! I forget so many details: Locke going mute, Regina jumping off the boat, Ben claiming to have come for Locke. Good stuff! Should be a great episode tonight!
I think Locke was all wet from sabotaging the sub to blow up. He probably had to swim out to it and then swim back, hence he's dripping wet.
Good job on the rest of the preview, it will be interesting to see how things play out in the cabin tonight.
Oh, by the way Charlie, to slander someone you have to actually speak the words. If it's in written form, it's libel. So maybe Maggie libeled (is that a word?) you, but she didn't slander you.
Well played, Batty. Damn, my Media Law & Ethics professor must be rolling in her grave. Actually, she's probably still alive. So she's rolling in her office. That's less dramatic.
I always knew that college education would help me out at some time! Glad to see that finally came to fruition.
Thanks for writing this.
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