Delay in Posting

This is just fair warning that I will be a day later than usual in posting my episode thoughts this week. Bruce and I are going to the symphony tomorrow night. I'm sorry that our attempts to add culture to our lives are interrupting with the blog. I'll try to keep incidents like this to a minimum.

I'm Sending Out A Search Party

All I want to know is where are Rose, Bernard, and Vincent? Are they in the Dharma Initiative? Are they with the Hostiles/Others? How come no one cares?

Namaste

I haven't decided how I feel about last night's episodes. I really liked some parts of it, but most left me sort of ... grey. I read somewhere that this seems like a transitional episode, and perhaps that's why it seemed like, even though a lot happened, none of it connected as emotionally as some of the earlier episodes.

• Didn't Frank do a great job of landing the plane? How did the Others know that a runway would be needed? I am assuming that this was the very runway Kate and Sawyer helped build - at gunpoint.
• Why didn't Sun flash with the others? I guess we'll find out, but I'd like to know now.
• The reunion between Sawyer, Hurley, Jack, and Kate was very nice and touching.
• Ethan! Why didn't I think of him! Of course Amy and Horace's son is Ethan. Far more logical a choice than Karl.
• The term "recruit", as in "Dharma recruit" makes me nervous.
• Poor Sayid. He must have felt like he was in bizarro world, with Sawyer in charge and Jin with good English.
• I think that Sun is my new favorite character. Who knew she was so smart? And how refreshing to see Ben being manipulated.
• How cool to see Pierre Chang, complaining about having to leave the lab, registering Jack.
• How uncomfortable was Juliet and Kate's reunion? And how odd that Chang had Jack's name but Phil didn't have Kate's? (Thanks to Brian for noticing).
• Radzinsky was the Paul Giamatti look alike in the Flame station building a model of the Swan station. The Swan station is where the numbers had to be inputted into the computer. Do you remember Kelvin Inman? Long story: Inman was the American soldier who taught Sayid how to torture. We also saw him in the Swan, with Desmond. Inman told Desmond about a man named Radzinsky, who served in the Swan with Inman and started the map on the door that Locke saw. One night, while Kelvin slept, Radzinsky shot himself dead. Inman had 108 minutes to bury him.
• What's going on with the creation of the Swan, anyway?
• Is Hurley going to try to save the Dharma Initiative from Ben's Purge?
• What a nice picture of the Dharma class of 1977.
• So, when Christian takes Sun on her journey, will Frank accompany her?
• Keep an eye on Phil; he's going to be trouble.
• Sayid and Ben's meeting was taut with meaning. I really hope we don't see Sayid trying to kill a young Ben. That would bother me for some reason.

Best lines of the night were all Hurley's (no surprise). "Um....what?" (Upon learning that they were all back in 1977). Later, seeing Sayid hauled out of the van: "I guess we found Sayid."

It was the penultimate confrontation of the episode that left the biggest impression on me. At first, I wanted to bang Jack and Sawyer's heads together, what with all that posturing. Did they need a measuring stick? They had an opportunity to compare notes, to learn what has been happening to them in the past three years. But no, instead, sword rattling.

But I thought about it. Remember Jack's interview with Pierre Chang? Based on Jack's aptitude test, he's suited for janitorial work. It reminded me of Roger Linus's reaction upon learning of his similar assignment. Two alcoholics, two demeaning work assignments. Did Sawyer arrange for the position with an intent to demean Jack? Later that night, he challenges Sawyer. Sawyer responded in kind, criticizing Jack's leadership skills and pointing out that Sawyer saved the day, for all of them. Did Sawyer go too far? Probably, but I can't say that Jack didn't deserve it. Some commentators thought that Jack was shamed, but I'm not so sure. I just think that he'll act on his own (or should I say "react"), without Sawyer. Good things will probably not happen from this.

I'm sure that I'll think of something to add later. I'm curious to hear what y'all think.

Who is The Little Prince?

I asked this question after The Little Prince aired, and I've had a few conversations about this topic. It occurs to me that since we're having a Lost-free week, that tonight might be the perfect time to express my own thoughts on this subject.

Before I discuss who the little prince is, I think I should first start with what I believe the little prince is. With a caveat that this is speculation and assumption on my part, the little prince is the future leader of the island, whether an Other, a member of the Dharma Initiative, or a Hostile. The little prince is the person that the island or Christian Shephard or Jacob has appointed as leader, perhaps because of their special qualities or talents.

In Jughead, we learned from Richard that there is a specific process for selecting the leader of the Others, which starts at a very young age. We know that Locke was indeed tested by Richard, when Locke was approximately five and living in a foster home. Richard told Locke to select the items Locke already owned. When Locke selected a knife (along with a vial of powder and a compass), Richard became completely disgusted and left. That wasn't the end of it, however, since a "Dr. Alpert" tried to recruit a teenaged Locke to join the summer camp at Mittelos Laboratories. This time, Locke rejected Richard.

Now, without much ado, I will list all the potential candidates for this leader, or Little Prince, along with their current whereabouts (as of LaFleur), the pros and cons of their being the leader, and then a final conclusion. Sadly, the little prince is all male, so no females will be listed. With that in mind, in alphabetical order:

Aaron Littleton - Current: MIA. There is speculation that he is on his way to Australia with his grandmother or to Korea to be a playmate for Ji Yeon. Pros: Aaron is the grandson of Christian Shephard, who appears to be some kind of mystical conduit of Jacob. Furthering the mystical association, Richard Malkin, the fake Australian psychic, turned a little less fake as he discovered that Claire "must raise this child." Cons: Aaron is MIA. It is doubtful he is currently on the island, unless he was for whatever reason in coach on 316. Claire, who seemed to be associated with Christian and Jacob, told Kate to not return Aaron to the island. Neither Ben nor Locke made any effort to ensure that Aaron returned to the island. Likelihood of Princedom: Highish.

Baby Austen-Shephard - Current: Theoretical only. Bloggers speculate that Kate became pregnant the night before flight 316 as a replacement for Claire. Gender, obviously, unknown. Pros: Conceived off-island, so is likely to live. Will also be the child of two prominent 815-ers. Con: Barely conceived yet! Likelihood of Princedom: Low.

Baby Goodspeed -Current: Just born in the Dharma Initiative to Horace Goodspeed and Amy. We never learned the baby's name, but speculation is rife that we've met this baby as an adult. Pro: Even though Dharma Initiative babies were typcially born off island, that Baby Goodspeed survived a birth on the island might be meaningful. Con: There's really no reason to believe this baby is more important a character than say, Karl. Likelihood of Princedom: Low to none.

Ben Linus - Current: On the Hydra Island, injured and unconscious, presumably in 2008 or 2009. Pros: Ben has been the leader of the Others, presumably for a long time. Not many know the island and its myriad secrets and subtleties better than he. Plus, he always has a plan. Cons: Ben has apparently lost his leadership and connection to the island to Locke. He developed a tumor on his spine, despite the island's healing powers. No one trusts Ben, as Ben's goals are always cloudy. He doesn't mind following his desires (killing Keamy knowing it would mean the death of those on the freighter, killing Locke twice) at the expense of what is best for the island or his associates. Lastly, Ben claimed that anyone who moved the donkey wheel could not return to the island. Likelihood of Princedom: Nil. Ben's been dethroned.

Bernard Nadler - Current: MIA. Presumably he's in 1977 Dharma Initiative. Pro: Bernard is more heroic than might be assumed, to Rose's dismay. Con: He's not even a main character! Likelihood of Princedom: Nil.

Charles Widmore - Current: Presumably in his office in the UK, trying desparately to find the island and keep Penny safe. Pros: Widmore has been on the island and apparently has acted as leader. He may have been on the island for a long time. Widmore has plenty of resources to help him get whatever he wants. He can also change the rules. Cons: Like Ben, Widmore is willing to harm anyone to get what he wants. Also, like Ben, Widmore may have permanently lost his association with the island due to turning the donkey wheel. Plus, the producers call Widmore "the big bad". Surely the big bad can't be the leader? Likelihood of Princedom: Nil.

Charlie Hume - Current: Presumably with his parents, Desmond and Penny. Some theorize that he may be Charlie Pace - however, I don't buy it. Pros: Charlie is a child of Desmond, to whom the rules do not apply. Further, he's the grandson of Widmore, who was once a leader of the island. Con: Charlie is still a child. Likelihood of Princedom: Low.

Daniel Faraday - Current: MIA. Presumably he's in the Dharma Initiative, 1977-time. Pros: Daniel has esoteric knowledge of the time travel qualities of the island. He took an active role in trying to rescue islanders on the zodiac and dealing with the nuclear bomb in 1954. Daniel is also the son of Eloise Hawking, who clearly has a mystical connection to the island. Cons: Daniel's brain may be permanently affected by his time travel experiments, his own time travel, and Charlotte's death. Plus, the insane rarely make princes (at least, in fiction). Likelihood of Princedom: Low to medium.

Desmond Hume - Current: Presumably with his wife and child, Charlie. Possibly on his way to the island to kill Ben for killing or trying to kill Penny. Pros: Desmond is extremely sensitive to the time qualities of the island. We know that the island is not done with Desmond yet. And, of course, the rules don't apply to Desmond. Cons: Desmond wants nothing to do with the island. And, of course, the rules don't apply to Desmond. Does any of this make sense where he is concerned? Likelihood of Princedom: Medium.

Frank Lapidus - Current: On a boat between the Hydra Island and the main island, presumably in 2008 or 2009. Pro: Lapidus has been peripherally associated with the island 3 times. Con: Frank's not a major player. Likelihood of Princedom: Nil.

Hugo "Hurley" Reyes - Current: Has returned to the island and is now in 1977. Pros: Everyone likes Hugo. He has always maintained his connection to the island, mainly through visitations by dead people. He was the first of the Oceanic 6 that recognized they needed to return to the island. Hurley has also seen Jacob. Cons: Hurley requires too much assistance from others, including ghosts, to survive. Plus, jesters rarely become princes (I'm talking fiction here). Likelihood of Princedom: Low to medium.

Jack Shephard - Current: Has returned to the island in 1977. Pros: Jack is the son of Christian Shephard, who is clearly a conduit for Jacob. He has demonstrated leadership skills in times of crisis. The tatooist, Achara, told Jack that she saw a leader who was unhappy. His tattoo - "He walks among us, but is not one of us" - could reference his princedom. Cons: Jack sucks when he has no one or thing to save. He became addicted and has a limited belief or faith in the island. The Others noted that Jack was not on "Jacob's list." Lastly, the island did not heal Jack's appendix. Likelihood of Princedom: Pretty high.

James "Sawyer" Ford - Current: A Left Behinder who just reconnected with 3 of the Oceanic 6. Pros: Sawyer may have evolved the most of all the 815ers. From a self-centered con-man, he's taken on a leadership role among the Left Behinders. Cons: Sawyer has no clear vision with a history of selfishness and being a con man. Likelihood of Princedom: Medium to low.

Jin-Soo Kwon - Current: A Left Behinder who has just reconnected with 3 of the Oceanic 6. Pros: Jin is loyal and a hard worker. Like Sawyer, he has changed a great deal on the island, becoming the husband that Sun deserved. Con: We've seen no leadership from Jin - he's always a follower. Likelihood of Princedom: Low.

John Locke - Current: Resurrected on Hydra Island in approximately 2008 or 2009. Pros: John has been identified by Ben, Jacob, Christian, Richard, and Widmore (at least) as special. He's only truly alive when he's on the island. Unlike Ben, he is truly interested in doing what is best for the island. He has been healed by the island numerous times. Locke believes it is his destiny to be on the island. He successfully confronted the smoke monster. He discovered the Hatch. John can hear Jacob. Cons: John can be exceedingly indecisive, and has lost his faith in the island a few times. He picked the wrong item when tested by Richard, and rejected the offer of attending science camp at Mittelos Laboratory. He was extremely tyrannical when he took leadership of the Barracks. Like Jack, John wasn't on "Jacob's list" because he is "angry". One day, Ben's attempts to kill John might succeed. Lastly, like Ben and Widmore, John has turned the donkey wheel, which may prevent his ability to return to the island. Likelihood of Princedom: High.

Miles Straume - Current: A Left Behinder in 1977 Dharma Initiative. Pros: Miles talks to dead people and animals. He has probably been on the island before (son of Marvin Candle, perhaps?). Cons: Miles is out for himself with no moral center. On top of that, he's not a very likeable guy (no matter how much fun he is to watch). Likelihood of Princedom: Low.

Richard Alpert - Current: Labeled an "Other". Pro: Richard has a long mystical association with the island. Con: Apparently, Richard is always second in command, never first. Likelihood of Princedom: Low.

Sayid Jarrah - Current: Presumably on the island in 1977 time. Previews indicate that he will meet up with the Left Behinders in a less than friendly fashion. Pros: Sayid is a warrior with a strong moral center. He is also loyal. Further, he's been injured and shot on the island so many times, the island has to have healed him. Cons: Sayid continues to atone for his years as a torturer and assasin for Ben. He works more behind the scenes rather than leading others. He's easily manipulated. He also was not on Jacob's list because he is "weak and frightened." Plus, he becomes obsessed with women. Likelihood of Princedom: Medium to low.

Vincent - Current: MIA. Presumably in 1977 Dharma Initiative. Pro: Vincent has worked for Christian before, including waking up Jack immediately after 815 crashed. Con: He's a dog. Likelihood of Princedom: Nil, but wouldn't it be hilarious?

Walt Lloyd - Current: New York City with his grandmother. Pros: Walt has a mystical association with the island. He may have control over the weather and can make birds commit suicide. Cons: No one has made any effort to ensure that Walt returns to the island. Maybe he's sitting with Aaron in coach? The actor can't seem to act his way out of a paper bag. Likelihood of Princedom: High to medium.

So, these are just some thoughts. Let me know what you think.

An Addendum to "LaFleur"

Well, last night we had company while I was trying to write my blog, and I realized that I forgot something extraordinarily important. So important, that I'm breaking my self-imposed rule of not blogging during the day.

Sawyer, Juliet, Jin, Miles, and Daniel last flashed into 1974 - that's what Sawyer told Juliet when he was convincing her to stay. We know that all but Daniel remained with the Dharma Initiative in 1977 (I assume Daniel is still with them, but as I noted before, we didn't see him.).

I think they might have met Ben by now. If not, they will soon.

Not the adult Ben. He didn't flash with Jack, Kate, and Hurley. He is currently too injured at this point to even know that Locke has resurrected.

I'm talking the young Ben. The Ben we met in "The Man Behind the Curtain." The boy who was born too soon, whose mother died in childbirth, whose father hated him. I did some investigating, because I needed a timeline.

Using Lostpedia, I discovered that Ben was born in the early 1960s. It's a little frustrating that we don't know a specific year, but that will be sufficient for our current purposes. I don't remember if we were told in "The Man Behind the Curtain" how old Ben was when he landed on the island with his father. The actor who played him was Sterling Beaumon. According to the Internet Movie Database, Beaumon was born in 1995. The episode in question aired in 2007. Therefore, the actor was 12 when he played Ben. So, I think it is fair to say that Ben was approximately 12 too.

To me the early 1960s could be anywhere between 1960 - 1964. I think 1965 is just too close to "mid-1960s", but I could be reading too much into this. (I know, a shock). But, using my assumption and my tortured math skills (I am not a rocket scientist), let's take the latest year Ben could have been born, 1964, and add twelve, 1976.

If all these assumptions are correct, Ben is on the island already. If I'm off, or Lostpedia is off, even a little, then it is conceivable that Ben arrives on the island around the same time as three of the Oceanic 6.

If you ask me, the possibilities are rich. I can't wait.

LaFleur

Do you think my mother will ever watch Lost with me again? The first week of Lost after I return home, and it's all about Sawyer. If I were her, I wouldn't watch Lost with me either.

And what an episode it was! Josh Holloway has really grown as an actor, making Sawyer one of the most compelling characters on a drama full of characters. The con man conned his way into the Dharma Initiative, and before he knows it, he is an upstanding member of the Initiative. So much so, that he's chief of security and arranges with Miles to keep Horace's alcoholic indiscretions "on the down low". How did that happen?

Well, I don't know if or when we'll find out. But it all makes sense. Locke disappears, leaving the Left Behinders with two more skips in time - some ancient time when the four-toed statue was intact, and then to 1974. Sawyer is clearly trying to keep it together, and takes on a leader role, a move which Juliet clearly supports. His moral compass remains in tune, leading to the rescue of Amy from the Hostiles, and their eventual capture by the Dharma Initiative. He figures out just the right thing to tell Richard Alpert to prevent the end of the truce between the Initiative and the Hostiles. He's still the con man though, deciding that lies would be safer than the truth. So, Jim LeFleur was born (apparently LaFleur is a common Creole name).

As for Sawyer and Kate, this one hour made me now root for Juliet, who's been second to Kate before. What a sweet couple Sawyer and Juliet made! He talked her into doctoring Amy, even though she's not had any successful birthing experiences on the island. She made him dinner, but more importantly, she supported him, in a way I don't think I've ever seen Kate do (for Jack or Sawyer). Juliet had his back, even if she didn't like his decision. What a great partner! I don't want to see her pine for Jack and I certainly don't want to see Sawyer pine for Kate. But, I doubt that wish will be granted.

That said, Sawyer's face when he saw Kate was exactly what I had hoped to see all those episodes ago in The Little Prince. Despite his assertion to Horace that he couldn't even remember what Kate looked like, the moment he saw her, he looked like a man in a desert eyeing a cold glass of water. Kate, what have you done to deserve this?

Other random thoughts:

• Pay attention to all the Egyptian symbols in this season. We've seen hieroglyphs before, and now an ankh and a statue that looks like Anubis, the Egyptian god with a jackal head, associated with mummification and the afterlife. Remember when Jin, Sun, and Sayid saw the four-toed statue?
• Remember Horace Goodspeed? We met him in the early 1960s, when he met Roger Linus after Ben was born and as Emily died. Horace then encouraged Roger to join the Dharma Initiative. Horace, of course, was killed in the Purge of 1992. He also showed up in one of Locke's dreams, telling Locke that he needed to find his body for what eventually turned out to be blue prints for Jacob's cabin.
• I want to throw dynamite at trees. It looks so entertaining.
• Pretty cool to see the con man at work. Haven't seen that in a while.
• Charlotte's body did not skip in time with the other Left Behinders. I nearly cried watching Daniel's devastation. He clearly loved Charlotte. He repeated, "I won't tell her. I won't do it." Does he mean that he plans to not tell Charlotte to stay away from the island? And I wasn't sure whether to be touched or freaked out when he stared at the red-headed girl. Yes, I'm sure she's Charlotte.
• Did you notice we never saw Daniel in 1977?
• Daniel releases the Left Behinders to act: "Whatever happened happened."
• I wonder if my mother likes Sawyer without a beard?
• I was so happy to see Juliet successfully deliver Amy's baby.
• Jin's English is much better.
• There were a number of scenes that just got to me, including Daniel mourning Charlotte, the guards' obvious fear at waking LaFleur/Sawyer, Juliet's recognition of Richard Alpert, Sawyer's conversation with Richard Alpert, Sawyer convincing Juliet to deliver Amy's baby, Sawyer giving Juliet a rose, seeing Juliet and Sawyer spooning in bed, and Sawyer greedily eating up Kate with his eyes.
• How long will we keep looking? As long as it takes.

I finally feel like we're back where we seemed to be heading when the season first started. "316" and "The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham" were excellent shows, but, as I commented before, I felt like we were in a holding pattern. But that's okay, they're back.

Except for one thing - no new Lost next week?

The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham

My mother may never watch Lost with me again. Two weeks in a row with nary a glimpse of Sawyer. A role in the previews for next week does not count, I assure you.

Unlike last week’s episode, Jeremy Bentham was an exceedingly difficult episode to watch. As you may know, John Locke has always been one of my favorites. It was his shamanic role in the first season that solidified my affection for him, as his comments gave his cohorts insight into their lives and circumstances. I’ve also been fascinated by his search for his destiny.

But clearly, off the island, John is miserable, no matter which philosopher’s name he bears. As Jeremy Bentham, he finds himself crippled again, depending on a wheelchair and an uncanny driver (one question was answered for me – I had wondered if John would return to paralysis once he left the island. Apparently his spine is healed. However, his body clearly does not heal as quickly off the island as it did on the island. A few more thoughts on that later.). Off the island, John is disabled, helpless, and at the mercy of others. John left the island with a mission – to bring the Oceanic 6 back to the island. Usually, John responds with passion and alacrity to any mission. But in Jeremy Bentham, he is weak, unpersuasive. None of the Oceanic 6 believed in him, and he spoke with no messianic fervor. He seemed half the man he once was.

However, upon awakening on the Hydra Island, his leg wound appears healed – John walks with no assistance. I cannot remember – if you do, let me know – whether John also recovered from the wounds he sustained from the car accident. And of course, John was healed from the biggest wound of all – strangulation.

Some remaining thoughts:

• How frustrating is it that no one ever asks the right questions? John had numerous opportunities to ask questions , of Widmore, Abaddon, and Walt, yet he failed to.
• Most disappointing scene: John with Walt. Remember the connection between Walt and John in the first season? John sensed something special in Walt, something that Michael never seemed to pick up on. And who can forget how Walt saved John in the third season’s “Through the Looking Glass”, reminding Locke of how much work John still had to do? The only sign of this in Jeremy Bentham was John’s wave toward Walt. John seemed to have forgotten Walt’s connection with the island, and seemed to ignore Walt’s dream as just a dream (really John? Just a dream? Is anything on this show “just a dream”?). But the most disconcerting issue of all for me was the lack of continuity. In last season’s “There’s No Place Like Home,” Walt visits Hurley who is in the mental hospital, asking why none of the Oceanic 6 never looked him up. He added, “Do you know who did come see me? Jeremy Bentham. ..” In the scene we saw in Jeremy Bentham, John never told Walt his alias. Was there another meeting we haven’t seen yet? Or is this yet another dream of Walt’s? And I must agree with Brian – the actor who plays Walt could use some acting lessons.
• One of my favorite scenes – John with Hurley! I loved how Hurley figured John was just another poltergeist visiting him. When John, justifiably confused, asserts that he still lives, Hurley asks the staff if they see him talking with a guy in the wheelchair. When he gets a yes from the staff, then Hurley gets upset.
• My other favorite scene – John with Jack. Jack engages in what may have been his last stand against John’s belief in destiny. Indeed, Jack looks dissipated, bloated, and as weak as Jeremy Bentham was. And how shocking for him to learn that John knew Christian.
• I have come up with a timeline for Sayid. Assuming that the Oceanic 6 have been off the island a full three years, Sayid was married to Nadia for nine months, worked as an assassin for Ben for 2 years, and therefore, has been involved in the pseudo-Habitat for Humanity for three months. Give or take. I also love that Sayid is working in Santo Domingo as atonement for his “work” with Ben.
• Kate either really hated her on-island life or loves her off-island life. She seems remarkably uncaring about those left behind, though she actually might think that John is delusional.
• How cool that John honored his promise to Jin. I almost want to take back what I’ve been thinking about Locke – he really is a better man than Ben.
• I was surprised by Abaddon’s early demise. I thought he might have a similar role as Richard Alpert. I hope that we see him again, even if only in flashback.
• I almost believed in Ben. I thought he really did care about Locke, and believed that John’s continued survival was necessary to the survival of the island. But Ben continues to surprise. So, what made him do it? John’s mention of Eloise Hawking sparked Ben’s murderous behavior. But why? Was it the one piece of knowledge that Ben needed to return to the island? Or was it the reminder that John has communication with Jacob and has supplanted Ben? Or maybe Ben believes that he can return to his place of prominence if John is eliminated? Or maybe all or none of the above. Who really knows with that recalcitrant Ben?
• Neither Ben nor John “flashed” onto the main island. Neither did Lapidus or “a woman”. Could that woman be Sun? We’ve seen Jack, Hurley, and Kate on the island, but no Sun or Sayid.
• Ben certainly doesn’t seem to heal on the island like John does. He doesn’t deserve to.
• Who is Caesar? Who is Ilana?

These last two episodes have felt like placeholders for me. I feel like next week we should return to the rocking ride that will have our noses bleeding again. I’m really looking forward to it.