I left cheering. Raising my fists in triumph and cheering. I fist-bumped attendees of the weekly watch party. I cracked open (another) beer. I shrieked like a tween at a Destiny’s Child concert (Thanks Maggie).
This was, for me, the best episode of the season and perhaps the best since last season’s The Constant. Jam-packed with heady discussions of time travel paradoxes and satisfying fill-in-the-blank scenes. Halfway through Whatever Happened, Happened, I looked at Maggie and said, “How the (expletive deleted) am I going to write about this one?” Well here goes.
Sounding the Alarm
Jin is awoken from his Sayid-induced involuntary slumber by Phil, the whiny Assistant to the Regional Other. Meanwhile, at base camp, Horace is directing his charges to clean up the mess and find the Hostile. I thought it interesting how paranoid and fearful these Dharma folk were regarding their neighbors. Horace just raised the threat level to red. Or orange. Or whatever made-up color scheme will scare his people into action. Oh, and Roger Linus took a shine to Kate. But who wouldn’t!?!?
The “I’ve Slept With Sawyer” Club
Back on the mainland (in 2004), Kate pays a visit to one of Sawyer’s other ex-lovers, Cassidy. On the way in to Cassidy’s house, Kate’s croons Claire’s favorite lullaby to her “son,” a subtle wink to those of us devoted enough to remember Claire’s affection for that very tune.
Outlaws Kate and Cassidy were reunited. And it felt so good until Kate brought up Sawyer, spilled the entire Oceanic Six lie and got put under the spotlight by Cassidy for lying about Aaron. Suddenly, the mood changed from glee to bitterness, as Cassidy attempted to expose Sawyer’s true nature to naïve Kate. Awkward!
If It Aint’ Broke, Don’t Fix It.
Once again, LOST explored Juliet’s surgical limitations, as young Ben Linus’ life hung perilously in the balance. Unable to find the bullet, Juliet asks Sawyer to enlist Dr. Shepherd to save Ben Linus (yet again, for the first time). But Jack refuses to fix Ben, dismissing his potential death as a mere hiccup in the unchangeable string of time. No big deal.
Kate confronts Jack and his cavalier attitude toward letting “just a boy” die, and we see Kate’s learned maternal instincts kick in as she begs Jack to save their common enemy. But Jack – invoking Miles’ time travel lesson – remarks that he’s already saved Ben Linus, “30 years from now.” “I’ve already done this once…and I did it for you, Kate. I don’t need to do it again.”
Taking a page out of the John Locke playbook, Jack asks, “Did you ever think that maybe the Island just wants to fix things itself? And maybe I was just getting in the way?” Later he tells a distraught Juliet, “I came back because I was supposed to.” Supposed to what? Jack admits he doesn’t know, but he knows he has a purpose.
For Dr. Shephard, this represents a sea change that’s been developing over the past few episodes. Empirical, fact-based Jack is giving way to submissive, let-fate-dictate-what-happens Jack. In a way, he’s beginning to learn that you can’t mistake coincidence for fate. I get the feeling that this metamorphosis is going to have major implications as we move forward.
Nerd Fight
I love Hurley. Especially when he assumes the role of LOST fan, asking the same questions that so plague us as viewers. A Back to the Future “fading pictures” analogy leads he and Miles into a discussion about time travel paradoxes that could just as well have taken place in the comments section of this very blog (and it has already!).
Hurley argues that if Ben is dying, it negates the existence of everyone in the room. To which Miles retorts with the “Whatever happened, happened” argument. “(This) is what always happened. It’s just, we never experienced how it all turns out.” The kid can’t die because Ben’s alive in the future, says Miles.
Later, Hurley – struggling to comprehend the whacked-out physics lesson – concludes that this conversation has already occurred.
Miles: This conversation already happened, but not for you and me. For you and me, it’s happening right now.
Hurley: Okay, answer me this. If all of this already happened to me, then why don’t I remember any of it?
Miles: Because once Ben turned that wheel, time isn’t a straight line for us any more. Our experiences in the past and the future occurred before these experiences right now.
Hurley: Say that again.
Miles: (picking up gun) Shoot me.
Hurley: A-ha! I can’t shoot you. Because if you die in 1977, you’ll never come back to the Island on the freighter 30 years from now!
Miles: I can die, because I’ve already come to the Island on the freighter. Any of us can die, because this is our present.
Hurley: But you said Ben couldn’t die because he still has to grow up and become the leader of the Others.
Miles: Because this is his past.
Hurley: But when we first captured Ben and Sayid, like, tortured him, then why wouldn’t he remember getting shot by that same guy when he was a kid?
Miles: Huh, hadn’t thought of that.
Checkmate. With that, we learn that our heroes are just as much in the dark as we are. The potential paradoxes and what-ifs that we battle on this blog are no clearer to Miles, Hurley or anyone else. And I think that was the point of this scene. It was the powers-that-be saying, “Don’t worry about all these things, we’ll explain them in due time. You’re okay to be confused for now because, hell, even Miles is confused! And that mo-fo has been here for three years and can talk to ghosts!”
But I’m curious as to who you side with (for now). Is Miles correct in his laissez-faire assessment that messing with non-time-travelers is futile because fate will course correct it (the Faraday/Hawking theory)? Or is Hurley correct in believing that they can cause events to change by interacting with them, and that changing those events can change their own nature and outcomes? For me, it comes down to what time travelers can and can’t affect in the pasts they visit. Are they restricted to changing the way things occur, or can they actually change what happens? Regardless, I loved the scene and the reassurance that our confusion is acceptable. They’ll tell us what’s up in due time.
Mommie Dearest
When Jack refused to save young Ben, Kate took matters into her own hands. As a conveniently universal blood donor, she bought Ben some time with a quick transfusion. At the same time, she comforted a distraught Roger Linus, who laments his failings as a parent while Kate silently ponders her own. Roger’s realization of his faults makes me wonder if, in this altered past, there could exist a Roger Linus that didn’t drive his son to genocide. Of course, as we later learn, we’ll never get the chance to find out. Maybe Miles is right that you can’t change the events of the past. But can you change the motivations of those involved with the events? Last night, we almost found out.
As Roger continued to pace and fret about his son’s fate (he cares now?), we see Kate and Juliet decide to resort to the “extreme measures” mentioned in the episode preview. They can’t save him. And Jack simply won’t. So who do they turn to? Oh shit. But first...
“Missing Bastard Child in Aisle 4. Missing Bastard Child. Aisle 4.”
In a trippy grocery store scene, little Aaron gets separated from mommy, only to be picked up my that meth-addict whack-job. This scene seemed to illuminate for Kate the reality that she wasn’t supposed to raise Aaron – a notion that she later expounds upon to her new confidant, Cassidy. Cassidy explains to Kate how she needed Aaron to fill the void that Sawyer left. And apparently, that stuck with Kate when she went to talk to Claire's mom.
I didn’t expect to love the scene with Kate and Claire’s mom. But I did. I sat agape as Kate finally came clean about the Oceanic Six, with no pretenses and no ulterior motives. It was actually a pretty beautiful scene. We saw Kate’s character come full circle, as she halted her decades of running away and finally shot somebody straight. She told Claire’s mom the truth. She told her she was going back to find her daughter. And she told her about the lie that haunted her more than any other: that Aaron was her grandson. Finally. We see Kate atone for the lies of her past in one painful fell swoop. And she’s rewarded for that honesty by Claire’s mom, who agrees to assume the role of caretaker for baby Aaron.
This stark honesty was refreshing, and Evangeline Lilly proved that – god-like hotness aside – she’s got some acting chops, too. Those quiet tears and hushed sobs showed how badly she wanted to stay with Aaron. But she knew it wasn’t to be. And for an estrogen-charged mother-and-son scene, Lilly was sincere and believable. Awesome.
Like Father…
Back on Time Travel Isle, Sawyer and Kate venture into Hostile territory with an unconscious Ben Linus, where they piece together what Ben did to free Sayid. Suddenly sympathetic, Sawyer says, “A kid’ll do almost anything if he’s pissed off enough at his folks.” He knows what negligent parents can do to a kid. At which point Kate informs him about baby Clementine. An understanding washes over Jim LaFleur, as he realizes that he may do to Clementine what his own parents did to him: drive the child to sad desperation. It was a tragic moment, watching Sawyer realize that he may have become the thing he rebelled against his entire life. And he couldn’t do anything to prevent it.
But never mind that. There was work to do. Ben Linus was hurt, and there was only one man who could help him.
Paging Dr…. Alpert?
Richard Alpert – with his classically poignant timing – enters the scene and identifies the wounded boy as the misguided adolescent Benjamin Linus. Richard realizes that this may be the payoff for the patience that he asked of his curious young convert in the jungle a few years back. Kate and Sawyer ask Richard to care for Ben, to which Richard apocalyptically replies, “If I take him, he’s not ever going to be the same again…he’ll forget this ever happened and his innocence will be gone. He will always be one of us.”
With that bit of course correction (I’ll explain that in a minute) behind him, Richard carries Ben to the temple. A place of healing. Of completion and self-actualization. Almost as if realizing the effect that the action will have on his future, Richard backs himself into the temple door and disappears with our last glimpse of an innocent Ben Linus.
Fate's Funny Way of Course Correcting
As good as the Kate-Claire’s mom scene was, this one put it to shame in a hurry. We saw Kate, Richard and Sawyer come to grips with the fulfillment of a future they didn’t necessarily understand or agree with. And in an instant, we saw Miles and Hurley’s debate rendered irrelevant by one simple act of course correction. Let me explain.
I don’t believe that in the original iteration through time, an Iraqi man shot Ben Linus. I do believe that, in the original iteration through time, Ben Linus was forced to be patient and wait for the right time to join Richard’s people. But all of that ceased to matter when Kate and Sawyer handed Ben’s lifeless body to Richard. Ben’s innocence would be robbed. He would always be one of them. And bullet-wound or no, Ben Linus’ patience was rewarded by his new father figure, Richard, who accepted him into the fraternity of Island mystics. Never mind how it happened. Just know that it did happen. That whatever happened…happened.
This seems to support Faraday’s theory of time travel. No, Sayid wasn’t “supposed” to shoot Ben. But he did. And when that threatened to derail fate’s course of action, fate intervened in the form of Kate. Her new-formed maternal instincts kicked in, compelling her to do whatever it took to save Ben. As it so happened, “whatever it took” meant turning Ben into an Other. And if Kate hadn’t done it, someone else would have, in some other way. You can’t change what ultimately happens, you can only change the way it happens. Make sense?
A Peak Behind the Curtain
Man, this episode just kept getting better. As Richard departed with Ben’s body, a nameless Other warned him that he, “shouldn’t do this without asking Ellie. And if Charles finds out…” “Let him find out,” snapped Richard. “I don’t answer to either of them.”
Oh. Snap! Dharma Blog loyalists know of my long-held inkling that Charles (Widmore) and Ellie (Hawking, presumably, the curly-haired Other from Jughead) eventually hook up, take over the Others and create Daniel Faraday and Penny Widmore. This quick little aside didn’t prove that theory, but it gave it some merit. And true or not, it’s interesting to note that Ellie apparently assumes some level of power among the Others. And Charles – by 1977 – isn’t out of the picture. As we know, Ben will eventually force him out. Last night reminded me just how excited I am for that confrontation.
"The Land of the Living"
Like I said, this episode just kept getting better toward the end. After the epic course correction and subtle nod to Charles Widmore, we saw Ben Linus awaken in the Ajira 316 infirmary to a dead man watching over him. “Welcome back to the land of the living,” said John Locke.
Talk about a loaded statement. Locke’s reference to the “land of the living” carries with it an implication of his own resurrection, a premonition to Ben’s forthcoming reckoning and atonement for his misdeeds (did you see that preview for next week!?!), and a knowing reference to the Island’s capacity for hosting half-alive inhabitants (Christian, Claire). I’ll tell you what, if you’ve got a grand theory as to what Locke really meant by this statement (and why Ben Linus looked so damn shocked to see him), I’ll let you have at it in the comments section. As it stands, I’m at 2500 words, and fighting sleep and sanity at the same time.
Wrap Up
For me, this episode symbolized a turning point for the season. Yes, LOST will continue to fill in the missing pieces of the story arc to this point. But last night it set up some pretty serious developments regarding Ben’s ascension, Locke’s return, Jack’s assimilation and understanding, Kate’s acceptance of her role, Hurley and Miles’ grasping of time travel and, most importantly, fate’s desperate attempt to ensure that whatever happened, happened.
Namaste.
Charlie.
If it happened, it happened. End of story...right?
Yipee!! Happy Lost Day and April Fool’s Day!
And a very, very happy birthday to my Dad. I love you!
Tonight: Whatever Happened, Happened
I don’t know about you guys, but I have been thinking about this phrase for the last few weeks, ever since it was uttered by a dazed Faraday in the middle of the jungle (sidenote: where is that guy?? And Des?? I miss them both!). While I like to think understand the full implications of the statement, it is quite possible that tonight will put my explanation to shame. Actually, given that tonight’s episode is written by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, I’d say it is highly, highly likely my explanation will be put to shame!
Nevertheless, I shall charge ahead!
Simply put, “whatever happened, happened” means that you cannot create a paradox of time. In other words, Sayid can't go back in time and shoot Ben unless that has always happened. Sayid can't add new events to the past. Whatever happened, happened.
Here’s another good example. In March of 2001, Charlie and I went to see the Destiny’s Child Survivor World Tour at the Pershing Auditorium. Now, if Charlie and I went back in time to March 2001, we would have to go to the concert again. We couldn’t, say, go play Capture the Flag at Antelope Park instead. Charlie and I cannot undo the fact that we went to that concert. Whatever happened, happened. Get it?
Okay. So are you saying that Sayid really did shoot Ben?
Well, if you are on board with this theory as I am, then yes. Sayid shooting Ben happened in the actual timeline of Ben’s life. Somehow, Ben survived the shooting, became the leader of the Hostiles/Others, screwed with the Oceanic 815 survivors, turned the Donkey Wheel, killed Locke, came back to the island on Ajria 316, and was slapped upside the head by Sun and her canoe paddle. (whew!) From that moment on, we don’t know what is going on with Ben. However, Faraday’s theory says that regardless of what happens in 1977, all of these events will eventually happen.
Well, if you are on board with this theory as I am, then yes. Sayid shooting Ben happened in the actual timeline of Ben’s life. Somehow, Ben survived the shooting, became the leader of the Hostiles/Others, screwed with the Oceanic 815 survivors, turned the Donkey Wheel, killed Locke, came back to the island on Ajria 316, and was slapped upside the head by Sun and her canoe paddle. (whew!) From that moment on, we don’t know what is going on with Ben. However, Faraday’s theory says that regardless of what happens in 1977, all of these events will eventually happen.
So Ben isn’t dead?
No, I don’t think Ben is dead. There are really two ways the writers can explain how he survives…and I’m super excited to find out what method they use.
No, I don’t think Ben is dead. There are really two ways the writers can explain how he survives…and I’m super excited to find out what method they use.
Option 1: Paging Dr. Jack Shepherd! Paging Dr. Juliet Burke!
This scenario involves a lame, medically-improbable “Grey’s Anatomy”-like explanation for Ben’s survival from one of our resident physicians. For example, Jack might say, “It was touch and go there for a bit, but I was able to remove the bullet entirely and stop the bleeding. He’s going to be fine.”
Option 2: Paging mystical island powers!
This scenario still involves Dr. Shepherd and/or Dr. Burke, but they realize something is happening that, medically, shouldn’t be happening. For example, Jack might say, “The bullet is lodged in his heart, but it is still beating!! Amazing!” (Sidenote: This would be a nod to the island not letting someone die before they have ‘finished their work.’)
My prediction is that Jack and Juliet are going to end up in scenario 1, saving the life of someone who will eventually screw up their lives. And it will be ironic. And whatever happened will actually…happen. (Ah, brain hurts. Brain hurts.)
Guest Stars Tonight!
Oh boy, kids. Fasten your seat belts. Tonight, we’re going to see: Nestor Carbonell as Richard Alpert, Kim Dickens as Cassidy, Doug Hutchison as Horace Goodspeed, Susan Duerden as Carol Littleton, Sterling Beaumon as young Ben, Patrick Fischler as Phil, Jon Gries as Roger Linus, William Blanchett as Aaron, Sebastian Siegel as Erik, Candace Scholz as Debra, Susan King as sweet young woman, Miko Franconi as grocery worker, Scott Moura as manager and Olivia Vickery as Clementine.
No way…Susan King as sweet young women!?!?! YES! (pause) Ha. I jest.
Any episode with Richard Alpert is money in my book. I wonder ‘where’ he will be: 1977 or 2008. The more I think about it, we don’t know what happened with the Others from 2005 to 2008…so an 2008 Alpert cameo might be a good thing. Can I also add that we are freaking WAY overdue for some 2008 storyline progress? Locke seemed so important earlier in this season, but we’ve now gone three episodes without seeing him. I think it is about time for 2008 Locke to reunite with Alpert and figure out where they go from…there. Or whatever. However, Alpert in 1977 could mean that he was there Ben when was shot/resurrected, which could be a reason that Ben was on the fast-track to Otherly leadership. So in either year, it is a good thing. And it will rock. Yay.
Let the record show that I’ll take a side of young Ben and Roger any day, too. Plus, I’m definitely up for some more sentimental Carol Littleton moments (Clarie’s Mom). Come to think of it, the inclusion of Aaron and Carol on the guest star list makes me wonder if those theories about Kate dropping Aaron off with Grandma Carol are actually going to come true. I don’t have an opinion one way or the other…the fact that Kate decided to abandon Aaron, no matter how selfless/good her intentions were, makes me shake my head. Remember, kids: Maggie says “Don’t abandon babies.”
This scenario involves a lame, medically-improbable “Grey’s Anatomy”-like explanation for Ben’s survival from one of our resident physicians. For example, Jack might say, “It was touch and go there for a bit, but I was able to remove the bullet entirely and stop the bleeding. He’s going to be fine.”
Option 2: Paging mystical island powers!
This scenario still involves Dr. Shepherd and/or Dr. Burke, but they realize something is happening that, medically, shouldn’t be happening. For example, Jack might say, “The bullet is lodged in his heart, but it is still beating!! Amazing!” (Sidenote: This would be a nod to the island not letting someone die before they have ‘finished their work.’)
My prediction is that Jack and Juliet are going to end up in scenario 1, saving the life of someone who will eventually screw up their lives. And it will be ironic. And whatever happened will actually…happen. (Ah, brain hurts. Brain hurts.)
Guest Stars Tonight!
Oh boy, kids. Fasten your seat belts. Tonight, we’re going to see: Nestor Carbonell as Richard Alpert, Kim Dickens as Cassidy, Doug Hutchison as Horace Goodspeed, Susan Duerden as Carol Littleton, Sterling Beaumon as young Ben, Patrick Fischler as Phil, Jon Gries as Roger Linus, William Blanchett as Aaron, Sebastian Siegel as Erik, Candace Scholz as Debra, Susan King as sweet young woman, Miko Franconi as grocery worker, Scott Moura as manager and Olivia Vickery as Clementine.
No way…Susan King as sweet young women!?!?! YES! (pause) Ha. I jest.
Any episode with Richard Alpert is money in my book. I wonder ‘where’ he will be: 1977 or 2008. The more I think about it, we don’t know what happened with the Others from 2005 to 2008…so an 2008 Alpert cameo might be a good thing. Can I also add that we are freaking WAY overdue for some 2008 storyline progress? Locke seemed so important earlier in this season, but we’ve now gone three episodes without seeing him. I think it is about time for 2008 Locke to reunite with Alpert and figure out where they go from…there. Or whatever. However, Alpert in 1977 could mean that he was there Ben when was shot/resurrected, which could be a reason that Ben was on the fast-track to Otherly leadership. So in either year, it is a good thing. And it will rock. Yay.
Let the record show that I’ll take a side of young Ben and Roger any day, too. Plus, I’m definitely up for some more sentimental Carol Littleton moments (Clarie’s Mom). Come to think of it, the inclusion of Aaron and Carol on the guest star list makes me wonder if those theories about Kate dropping Aaron off with Grandma Carol are actually going to come true. I don’t have an opinion one way or the other…the fact that Kate decided to abandon Aaron, no matter how selfless/good her intentions were, makes me shake my head. Remember, kids: Maggie says “Don’t abandon babies.”
But what I am really excited about is Cassidy and Clementine!!!
Wait…why are you excited?? Who is Cassidy? And who is Clementine???
For those who don’t remember, shame on you. Cassidy was a recently divorced woman who Sawyer hooked up with, then taught how to con before long…conning her (ew, that sounds really dirty). Sawyer took all of her money and left her...even though he seemed to actually like her and feel guilty about it.
Wait…why are you excited?? Who is Cassidy? And who is Clementine???
For those who don’t remember, shame on you. Cassidy was a recently divorced woman who Sawyer hooked up with, then taught how to con before long…conning her (ew, that sounds really dirty). Sawyer took all of her money and left her...even though he seemed to actually like her and feel guilty about it.
Later on, she meets Kate in a few flashbacks and eventually, Cassidy meets Sawyer in jail to tell him that he had a daughter named Clementine Phillips. So do you remember the secret thing that Sawyer whispered into Kate's ear before jumping off the helicopter in last season’s finale? The popular theory is that he told her about Cassidy and Clementine, and asked Kate to either (1) “take care of them”, (2) “tell them he was a hero”, or (3) “give them some money.” Based on their inclusion in what seems to be a Kate-centric flashback outing, it looks like Kate kept her word...and this was probably the person Kate was talking to on the phone when Jack got all paranoid in “Something Nice Back Home.”
Okay…so while a Clementine/Cassidy appearance might not be as exciting as I originally thought, I’m up for a few answers in this area of the plot. Plus, we all know I love cute kids, so I can’t wait to see how adorable Clementine is…
TiVo says…
Kate goes to extreme measures to save Ben's life when Jack refuses to help. Meanwhile, Kate begins to tell the truth about the lie in order to protect Aaron.
Oh. Okay. Well, crap.
So I guess I should have read this before writing the stuff before about options 1 and 2 for Ben. I guess Jack throws that whole Hippocratic Oath thing out the window and refuses to help bullet-ridden Ben. Hmm. Interesting. And ironic! I mean, in 2004, Jack hated Ben, yet saved his life by performing spinal surgery. But in 2008, after Jack has been working with Ben to get the whole gang back to the island (seemingly on good terms), he is presented with a situation to save Ben’s life and refuses. So…what’s up with that?
Well, whatever it means, it forces Kate to go to “extreme measures” to save Ben's life. Hmm. This is also ironic since, less than a week ago, she was so hopping mad at Ben…slapping Jack for talking about his funeral and walking away from Ben/Jack’s proposal to return to the Island at the marina. So what’s Kate’s deal? Why does she care all of the sudden? I’m not sure what they mean by “extreme measures” either. If we’re talking about medical options on the island, things are a little limited these days, right? I mean, they couldn’t deliver baby Ethan just a few days ago…so a bullet wound might really throw any Dharma ER interns for a loop. I read on another blog that maybe Kate asking Juliet to help is considered the extreme measure…to which I say ‘lame lame lame.’ That is a stretch. If that is how they explain it, I’ll be disappointed. Kate going to the Others for help could be extreme…too extreme, actually. Plus, who would their doctor be? And how would Kate know about her/him? All very strange. No idea how that will play out.
The second half of the description is clearly about the flashback portion of the episode, where Kate begins to tell the truth about “The Lie” in order to protect Goober Aaron. So who does she tell the “truth” to? I’d like to put $5 on Carol Littleton and $50 on Cassidy. Any takers?
Okay…so while a Clementine/Cassidy appearance might not be as exciting as I originally thought, I’m up for a few answers in this area of the plot. Plus, we all know I love cute kids, so I can’t wait to see how adorable Clementine is…
TiVo says…
Kate goes to extreme measures to save Ben's life when Jack refuses to help. Meanwhile, Kate begins to tell the truth about the lie in order to protect Aaron.
Oh. Okay. Well, crap.
So I guess I should have read this before writing the stuff before about options 1 and 2 for Ben. I guess Jack throws that whole Hippocratic Oath thing out the window and refuses to help bullet-ridden Ben. Hmm. Interesting. And ironic! I mean, in 2004, Jack hated Ben, yet saved his life by performing spinal surgery. But in 2008, after Jack has been working with Ben to get the whole gang back to the island (seemingly on good terms), he is presented with a situation to save Ben’s life and refuses. So…what’s up with that?
Well, whatever it means, it forces Kate to go to “extreme measures” to save Ben's life. Hmm. This is also ironic since, less than a week ago, she was so hopping mad at Ben…slapping Jack for talking about his funeral and walking away from Ben/Jack’s proposal to return to the Island at the marina. So what’s Kate’s deal? Why does she care all of the sudden? I’m not sure what they mean by “extreme measures” either. If we’re talking about medical options on the island, things are a little limited these days, right? I mean, they couldn’t deliver baby Ethan just a few days ago…so a bullet wound might really throw any Dharma ER interns for a loop. I read on another blog that maybe Kate asking Juliet to help is considered the extreme measure…to which I say ‘lame lame lame.’ That is a stretch. If that is how they explain it, I’ll be disappointed. Kate going to the Others for help could be extreme…too extreme, actually. Plus, who would their doctor be? And how would Kate know about her/him? All very strange. No idea how that will play out.
The second half of the description is clearly about the flashback portion of the episode, where Kate begins to tell the truth about “The Lie” in order to protect Goober Aaron. So who does she tell the “truth” to? I’d like to put $5 on Carol Littleton and $50 on Cassidy. Any takers?
Maggie is super excited about tonight.
Overall, I’m definitely excited about tonight’s little episode. As Charlie and I have noted numerous times before, any episode written by Cuse and Lindelof means there is a high probability that we will receive some serious mythology or big picture revelations. YESSSSS.
What do you think? Is Ben dead? Who has Aaron? Where in time is Richard? And did you, also, go see Destiny’s Child’s 2001 Survivor tour?
Namaste,
Maggie
Overall, I’m definitely excited about tonight’s little episode. As Charlie and I have noted numerous times before, any episode written by Cuse and Lindelof means there is a high probability that we will receive some serious mythology or big picture revelations. YESSSSS.
What do you think? Is Ben dead? Who has Aaron? Where in time is Richard? And did you, also, go see Destiny’s Child’s 2001 Survivor tour?
Namaste,
Maggie
Worlds Are Colliding!
No, not in the George Costanza "If Relationship George walks through this door, he will kill Independent George. A George divided against itself cannot stand!" way.
Rather, I work (fun fact alert!) at an ad agency as a copywriter and (obvious fact alert!) I love LOST. So a shout out to Dharma Blog reader Justin S. as well as Abduzeedo for these crazy awesome Dharma Initiative print ads (click to enlarge).
Rather, I work (fun fact alert!) at an ad agency as a copywriter and (obvious fact alert!) I love LOST. So a shout out to Dharma Blog reader Justin S. as well as Abduzeedo for these crazy awesome Dharma Initiative print ads (click to enlarge).
A Note on "Spoilers"
Hey Dharma Blog,
I would like to point out how great it is that we've got some good debate raging in the comments section. This is always the point in the season where LOST has set up a lot of pins without knocking too many down. Brace yourselves for a few more weeks of that, before the show enters the home stretch and starts setting up for the finale. Until then, let your crazy little minds wander.
We have had a few instances of "spoiler alerts" in the comments section lately. So you know, here's our (Maggie and I's) position on spoilers: we don't read 'em, nor do we really support them, but we're not going to tell you what you can and can't post on here. This is America!
How to Alert To the Possibility of Spoilers
BUT. If you must read ahead, as it were, please properly alert those of us who prefer to watch the show unfold with characters, dialogue, moving pictures, action, colors and emotion rather than reading it on a web site. El_kin put on a "spoiler alert" clinic last week when he posted the following:
"Stop with the theories, check the next link if you want to know what is actually going to happen!
----------------------
SPOILER ALERT!
This is a screen capture of a yet to be aired episode, so you are warned: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsqidOTzU0_Z5gtr13dOyjwmmabAfis9fHAPSZdQNCodZwzI90FLcnLNQ93makBq61w_hx4sqsYNszdnyMiUlofA5qXvc39gCCtYQhxTzWme88n_H_h-MJoYsavd_7FfFN69HU708v_XB/s1600-h/ben.jpg
Source: DARK UFO Spoilers
---------------"
This is the proper way to denote spoilers. Thank you, el_kin. This way, if you want to read it, you know it's there. If you don't want to read it, you can skip it without learning anything.
Disguising Your URL
One note on URL's. If you're spoiler URL is:
www.RuiningTheEndingofLost.com/ben_is_an_alien_married_to_kate
Please go to tinyurl and change it to a more cryptic URL. It will convert it to look more like this:
http://tinyurl.com/yo6cjd
Note: That tinyurl link will take you to a really cool video that shows the entire Oceanic 815 crash, pieced together and synchronized. You'll like it. (NO spoiler, I promise).
To Recap
1. You may post spoilers.
2. But you must mark them as such. Or your post will be deleted and your first-born will be fed to the smoke monster.
3. If your URL gives away the story, change it using tinyurl
And finally. I won't judge you if you read spoilers. I will judge if you like Sheryl Crow, because every time you listen to a Sheryl Crow song, the terrorists win.
But my take is this: the creators and writers of this show have spun a fantastic story for us. It's a lot of fun to watch, in large part because of all the "Holy shit!" moments. Personally, I'd rather experience those moments in the manner that the writers intended them, rather than reading about them a few weeks beforehand. I think the minds behind this show have earned that.
Again, please continue to comment away. We love reading the theories, the comments, the "did you notice..." moments... all of it! Thanks for making the Dharma Blog part of your LOST routine. We hope you continue to do so until Maggie and I submit to Island madness and are rendered incapable of writing about the show due to time-travel-nose-bleed-itis.
Thanks!
Charlie
I would like to point out how great it is that we've got some good debate raging in the comments section. This is always the point in the season where LOST has set up a lot of pins without knocking too many down. Brace yourselves for a few more weeks of that, before the show enters the home stretch and starts setting up for the finale. Until then, let your crazy little minds wander.
We have had a few instances of "spoiler alerts" in the comments section lately. So you know, here's our (Maggie and I's) position on spoilers: we don't read 'em, nor do we really support them, but we're not going to tell you what you can and can't post on here. This is America!
How to Alert To the Possibility of Spoilers
BUT. If you must read ahead, as it were, please properly alert those of us who prefer to watch the show unfold with characters, dialogue, moving pictures, action, colors and emotion rather than reading it on a web site. El_kin put on a "spoiler alert" clinic last week when he posted the following:
"Stop with the theories, check the next link if you want to know what is actually going to happen!
----------------------
SPOILER ALERT!
This is a screen capture of a yet to be aired episode, so you are warned: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsqidOTzU0_Z5gtr13dOyjwmmabAfis9fHAPSZdQNCodZwzI90FLcnLNQ93makBq61w_hx4sqsYNszdnyMiUlofA5qXvc39gCCtYQhxTzWme88n_H_h-MJoYsavd_7FfFN69HU708v_XB/s1600-h/ben.jpg
Source: DARK UFO Spoilers
---------------"
This is the proper way to denote spoilers. Thank you, el_kin. This way, if you want to read it, you know it's there. If you don't want to read it, you can skip it without learning anything.
Disguising Your URL
One note on URL's. If you're spoiler URL is:
www.RuiningTheEndingofLost.com/ben_is_an_alien_married_to_kate
Please go to tinyurl and change it to a more cryptic URL. It will convert it to look more like this:
http://tinyurl.com/yo6cjd
Note: That tinyurl link will take you to a really cool video that shows the entire Oceanic 815 crash, pieced together and synchronized. You'll like it. (NO spoiler, I promise).
To Recap
1. You may post spoilers.
2. But you must mark them as such. Or your post will be deleted and your first-born will be fed to the smoke monster.
3. If your URL gives away the story, change it using tinyurl
And finally. I won't judge you if you read spoilers. I will judge if you like Sheryl Crow, because every time you listen to a Sheryl Crow song, the terrorists win.
But my take is this: the creators and writers of this show have spun a fantastic story for us. It's a lot of fun to watch, in large part because of all the "Holy shit!" moments. Personally, I'd rather experience those moments in the manner that the writers intended them, rather than reading about them a few weeks beforehand. I think the minds behind this show have earned that.
Again, please continue to comment away. We love reading the theories, the comments, the "did you notice..." moments... all of it! Thanks for making the Dharma Blog part of your LOST routine. We hope you continue to do so until Maggie and I submit to Island madness and are rendered incapable of writing about the show due to time-travel-nose-bleed-itis.
Thanks!
Charlie
Ben Replaces Ben
It looks like my recap needs to be supplemented with a little theory today... with so many thoughts and debates raging in the comment section. After reading through them, processing them, and combining them with the thoughts of one of my favorite LOST bloggers (DarkUFO’s Vozzek 69), I have the following brief theory to posit.
First, I’m going to presuppose a new rule: if you travel back in time, you can not interact with your past self. That would create a paradox. Maybe John Locke knew this when he refused to go encounter his hatch-door-pounding self earlier this season.
So with that rule in mind, here's my theory.
Vozzek69 believes that Ben wanted Sayid to go back to 1977 and shoot him. Ben somehow knows that the Island has stopped in 1977 (Ms. Hawking told him?), and that his 13-year-old self is back there, living out his life. So Ben recruits Sayid to shoot a bunch of guys, to tap into that “killer instinct” and remind Sayid, time and time again, that he is and will always be a killer. Then he abandons him, disappoints him, and makes Sayid hate him. Then he recruits Sayid back to California with the “your friends are in danger” threat. He's purposely toying with Sayid and creating in him a hatred for Ben. A very necessary hatred.
He needs Sayid to get on that flight and go back to 1977. Why? So Sayid can kill 13-year-old Ben. That way, 40-year-old Ben (who arrived via Ajira 316) could reenter the timeline without triggering that paradox I mentioned earlier.
Why? It might have to do with The Incident. The Incident (according to Lostpedia) was an electromagnetic anomaly that apparently caused a catastrophic event that resulted in the DHARMA Initiative establishing the Swan station's protocol. The Incident was first mentioned by Dr. Marvin Candle in the Swan Orientation film. ("Orientation"). “The Incident” is also the rumored title of this season’s finale.
Raise your hand if you see where this is leading...
When 40-year-old Ben reenters the timeline, he can do whatever he needs to do to fit his master plan. Whether that means avoiding The Incident, changing The Incident, or changing the circumstances around The Incident. Or maybe he needs to go back to right some other, non-Incident-related wrong. But to do this he needs his 13-year-old self out of the picture to avoid the paradox, hence his manipulation of Sayid.
So now Ben, unconscious on the Alcatraz Island, can go to the main Island and reenter the timeline. This maybe – MAYBE – also explains why Sun and Frank didn’t get beamed out. If they’re on the Island as children, they can’t just walk back into 1977 and interact with their past selves. It’s plausible – Sun’s father is the uber-connected Mr. Paik and Frank obviously has some special abilities and knowledge of electro-magnetic storms.
Even if this theory doesn’t explain Sun and Frank, it might very well explain what happened with Ben during He's Our You: he goaded Sayid into traveling to 1977 to kill 13-year-old Ben, so that 40-year-old Ben could reenter the timeline at 1977 and fix whatever he needs to fix in order to carry out his master plan, whatever the hell that is.
First, I’m going to presuppose a new rule: if you travel back in time, you can not interact with your past self. That would create a paradox. Maybe John Locke knew this when he refused to go encounter his hatch-door-pounding self earlier this season.
So with that rule in mind, here's my theory.
Vozzek69 believes that Ben wanted Sayid to go back to 1977 and shoot him. Ben somehow knows that the Island has stopped in 1977 (Ms. Hawking told him?), and that his 13-year-old self is back there, living out his life. So Ben recruits Sayid to shoot a bunch of guys, to tap into that “killer instinct” and remind Sayid, time and time again, that he is and will always be a killer. Then he abandons him, disappoints him, and makes Sayid hate him. Then he recruits Sayid back to California with the “your friends are in danger” threat. He's purposely toying with Sayid and creating in him a hatred for Ben. A very necessary hatred.
He needs Sayid to get on that flight and go back to 1977. Why? So Sayid can kill 13-year-old Ben. That way, 40-year-old Ben (who arrived via Ajira 316) could reenter the timeline without triggering that paradox I mentioned earlier.
Why? It might have to do with The Incident. The Incident (according to Lostpedia) was an electromagnetic anomaly that apparently caused a catastrophic event that resulted in the DHARMA Initiative establishing the Swan station's protocol. The Incident was first mentioned by Dr. Marvin Candle in the Swan Orientation film. ("Orientation"). “The Incident” is also the rumored title of this season’s finale.
Raise your hand if you see where this is leading...
When 40-year-old Ben reenters the timeline, he can do whatever he needs to do to fit his master plan. Whether that means avoiding The Incident, changing The Incident, or changing the circumstances around The Incident. Or maybe he needs to go back to right some other, non-Incident-related wrong. But to do this he needs his 13-year-old self out of the picture to avoid the paradox, hence his manipulation of Sayid.
So now Ben, unconscious on the Alcatraz Island, can go to the main Island and reenter the timeline. This maybe – MAYBE – also explains why Sun and Frank didn’t get beamed out. If they’re on the Island as children, they can’t just walk back into 1977 and interact with their past selves. It’s plausible – Sun’s father is the uber-connected Mr. Paik and Frank obviously has some special abilities and knowledge of electro-magnetic storms.
Even if this theory doesn’t explain Sun and Frank, it might very well explain what happened with Ben during He's Our You: he goaded Sayid into traveling to 1977 to kill 13-year-old Ben, so that 40-year-old Ben could reenter the timeline at 1977 and fix whatever he needs to fix in order to carry out his master plan, whatever the hell that is.
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