LOST: Yeah, it’s really “The End” (Part I)
Photo Credit: Mario Perez/ ABC.
Read on for Part I of my (extremely belated) recap and review of the Lost series finale, “The End,” aired Sunday, May 23rd, 2010:
So, after six years of polar bears, smoke monsters, others, other others, time jumps, and intensity, Lost has ended. But don’t go jumping off any bridges (I’m talking to you, Jack), because the show will never really end as long as the speculation and debate continues. Hey, we still discuss Firefly eight years later, and that only had fourteen episodes. Personally, I’m not even really counting the series as over until I’ve caught up with all the backlogged Lost podcasts on my iPod. That gives me a few extra weeks, at least, to savor the show. And then, of course, there will be the inevitable rewatches. I do love a rewatch! (Attention, family members: if you really love me, you’ll take note that Lost: The Complete Collection is coming out in August … a Christmas gift perhaps? Hint hint, nudge nudge.)
However, one of the big themes of the finale was “letting go,” so I suppose that we should all try to do a little of that too. So part of this post will be me remembering … and then moving on. I got into Lost in April 2006, when I bought season one on iTunes. I had received my first iPod for Christmas in 2005, and I quickly became obsessed with iTunes. What? I have an obsessive personality. But not in a stalkerish way, I promise. Lost was the first show I bought on iTunes. Ah, memories. As a big fan of Alias and Felicity, I checked out the show for J. J. Abrams. But I stayed for so much more. I sped through season one in a little over a week, and quickly bought the season pass for season two. As soon as I had caught up with the already aired episodes, I jumped into watching the show live, with “Two for the Road.”
Then came the end of the season, too soon, and I listened to every Lost podcast I could find. After some experimentation, I discovered that Jay and Jack’s Lost Podcast, and Ryan and Jen’s Transmission were by far my favorites, and I became a loyal listener of both. Honestly, I think my Lost experience would have been totally lesser, if I hadn’t had those podcasts. Lost is a show that you don’t want to experience all on your own. It takes a fandom.
Also contributing to my enjoyment of the show was the fact that I quickly hooked my entire family on it, during various vacations and visits home. That’s nine converts within a year or two. Even my youngest sister, who was about 9 or 10 when she started watching, loved the show. Inculcating the youth. You’re welcome, ABC. Yes, we have been known to talk Lost at the dinner table, and even watch Lost during dinner. Forget the conversation! Usually my mom and I will discuss the episodes over the weekend, on the phone, after they air. I even try to discuss the show with a certain one of my sisters (of “sister commentary” fame), but that is usually an exercise in hilarity. This show has really been a team experience. Love it.
As you might imagine, I was rather militantly obsessive about the show early on, but I’ve relaxed about the show quite a bit over the past couple years. At some point in season five, I realized that almost all of the characters were driving me crazy, and the plot points strayed to the ridiculous (and not in the good way). Slowly over season four and beyond, Lost had lost some of what made me love it. And I did NOT love that bomb/ fade to white season five finale. But I was still devoted, albeit far less enthusiastically. Season six, unfortunately, did not improve my attitude, and increasingly served to confuse and worry me. The female characters were all dead, crazy, or under-developed. Replacing their character development, was a lot of cryptic nonsense. Personally, I was not a fan of anything involving Jacob and the Man in Black, and was possibly the only one who disliked the Richard flashback. I kind of gave up even trying to understand everything. And I had been someone who loved the island mythology and the sci-fi aspects! But then the finale happened. And I loved it. I wept and wept, and then wept some more. And now, when I look back at Lost I will have a warm fuzzy feeling. The show wasn’t perfect (far from it), but it was worth the ride. Totally worth it.
So, let’s get on to the recap …
Previously on Lost, Smocke wanted to destroy the island, so that he could leave. His twin brother, Jacob, wanted to protect it, but he was killed. Before Jacob died, however, he and his childhood ghost-self succeeded in finding a replacement. Blah blah blah mythology. Jack became the new Jacob! Also, in the Sideways world, everyone seemed to be going to the same concert, or meeting up in the hospital. What does it all mean?
We open on an Oceanic plane, as the cargo hold is opened. We see Christian’s coffin, as it arrives at LAX. Christian Shephard has been found. Oh, the symbolism. On the Island, we see little moments, featuring Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Smocke, and Ben, juxtaposed with images of their Sideways counterparts. At the hospital, Jack prepares for Locke’s surgery. Sideways Ben has a cup of tea. And Sideways Locke takes a look at his empty wheelchair before being whisked away. Detective Ford (*swoon*) closes his locker and takes a look in a cracked mirror as he puts on his badge. Of course, Michael Giacchino’s score makes this all way more interesting and emotional that it sounds here. I mean, I was close to tears already at this point, and nothing had even happened yet. Damn you, Giacchino.
Then, the Dharma boss from season five, Horace Goodspeed (Ethan’s dad!), delivers the coffin to the church, where Desmond awaits. Horace asks, “Are you a priest or something?” Desmond responds, “Or something.” Oh, Lost subtext. I will miss you. Kate waits in the car, watching this transaction, and when Desmond returns she asks who died. Desmond: “A man named Christian Shephard.” Kate: “Christian Shephard, seriously?” Ha! That’s what we’ve been saying for the past six years. I mean, seriously? Kate, by the way, is wearing a black strapless dress, for the concert. However, she seems to be sporting her island makeup and hair. Hmmm. I mean, Evangeline is gorgeous, but … would it kill the makeup people to make her lips a color different from her face, or to make her skin tone look … alive? Sorry. Back to the episode. Kate confronts Desmond about all the mystery, and wonders why they’re “here.” Desmond says, “No one can tell you why you’re here.” She is confused, as he is the one who brought her to the church. Desmond: “I’m not talking about the church. I’m talking about here.” Oh, cryptic Desmond, I’ll miss you too. She asks who he is. Desmond answers: “My name is Desmond Hume. And even though you don’t realize it, I’m your friend. And as for what I want … I want to leave.” Kate asks again: “Leave and go where?” Desmond: “Let me show you.”
Back on the island, Jack stands in the water, contemplating his new role. Kate looks at him longingly. THIS week she loves Jack, or so it seems. Keep up, people. Sawyer asks if he’s okay. He comments on Jack’s new role: “So, you’re the new Jacob, huh? Feel any different?” Jack: “Not really.” Sawyer: “Well, Doc, how ’bout you come down off the mountain top and tell us what the hell the burning bush had to say for itself?” Ha!
We cut to the group in front of a campfire, where Jack talks about Jacob’s directions to the place that he needs to protect, which he called “the heart of the island.” It’s a light. Sigh. Hurley asks, “And that Locke smoke thing wants to put it out?” Jack says yes. Hurley: “And what if he does?” Jack: “Then that’s it for all of us?” Oh, really? Sigh. Kate wonders why Locke hasn’t taken care of it already. Good question. Sawyer guesses that he “ain’t got what he needs.” Then they move on to talk about Desmond. Because he’s dreamy. Oh, right, because he’s magnetic. Sawyer also notes that Jacob really hasn’t told them much of anything, and Hurley agrees: “That’s kind of true, dude. He’s worse than Yoda.” Ha! Obligatory Star Wars reference? Check. Sawyer decides that he’ll go off to find Desmond, and as he leaves the camp he jokes to Kate: “I’d ask you along, but that’d take all the fun out of me telling you you can’t come.” Ha! Kate: “I guess I’ll just have to resist the urge to follow you anyway.” Good thing she was shot, or she totally would. I love when this show is meta. Hee. Hurley: “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” Okay, I guess the writers had to get in one more Star Wars reference. It couldn’t be heped. And cue the Lost title card with the spooky music. For the last time ever!!! Uh oh … I may never make it through this recap.
Meanwhile, in the Sideways world, Hurley and Sayid are in the yellow Hummer, on a mission to get Charlie. Yay! Sayid tries to get out of it, but Hurley is all, “Yeah, whatever dude.” He asks his old buddy: “None of this is ringing a bell? You, me, tranquilizer gun?” Ha! Then Hurley leaves Sayid in the car and walks up to Charlie’s hotel door. When he sees the drunk musician, his face just lights up with the best smile ever. Best. Ever. I started to get a little teary eyed. (Sorry, that will be a frequent occurrence in this recap.) Charlie, however, could not care less. Hurley asks him: “Charlie, what if I told you that paying this show is the most important thing you’ll ever do? Would you come then?” Charlie tells him to “Sod off.” Hurley: “Okay, dude. Sorry about this.” He tranqs him, and drags the body to the trunk. Go, Hurley! Sayid: “What was that?” Hurley: “That was Charlie.” Love.
Back on the island, Kate asks, “Why’d you take the job, Jack?” Jack answers, “Because I was supposed to.” Kate is not convinced: “Why, because some stranger wrote our names on the wall?” Jack explains: “I took it because the island’s all I’ve got left. It’s the only thing in my life that I haven’t managed to ruin.” She says that he hasn’t ruined anything and nothing’s irreversible. Hurley: “This would be so sweet if we weren’t all about to die.” Ha! This episode is really proving to me that Hurley is my favorite character. Well, I do love Sawyer too … hmmm.
Elsewhere on the island, Ben finds Sawyer watching Smocke by the well, and pulls a gun on him. Smocke asks, “What are you doing here, James?” Sawyer: “I heard Desmond fell in the well. I came to help him get out.” Ha! He looks in and sees that the well is empty. “Looks like somebody beat us both to the punch. Oh well.” Oh, Sawyer. I will miss your puns. Smocke asks, “Do you know why I’m here?” Sawyer: “I’m guessing you need Desmond to destroy the island.” Well isn’t he the bright one. Smocke: “That’s absolutely right.” Sawyer asks: “Then what, Smokey? You going down with the ship? Suicide doesn’t seem your style.” Smocke says he’s not, but the candidates are. Sawyer goes into bad ass mode: “We’re not candidates anymore.” He elbows Ben in the face and grabs the gun. “I’ll be seeing you,” he says, as he strolls away. Nice. Ben asks, incredulously, “You’re not gonna go after him?” Smocke: “I don’t need to.” Ben: “When you said you’d destroy the island, I thought you were speaking figuratively.” Nope. He wasn’t. Smocke: “I’m sorry I left out the part about the island being on the bottom of the ocean. That being said, you’re welcome to join me on my boat. Because once we get Desmond to do what we need him to do, I’m gonna sail away from this god awful place, and watch it sink.” Smocke is funny, people. Right? But also, so so stupid, as we shall see. He crouches down and spies some tracks: “I think there was a dog here.” Ooh, foreshadowing! The show is all about Vincent, after all …
Cut to Vincent at Rose and Bernard’s camp, waking up Desmond. Rose and Bernard! And they’re adorable! They saved Des from the well. And Bernard has a beard! Bernard goes off to check the traps for fish, calling Vincent to go with him. Desmond asks how long the couple has been there. Rose explains: “Well, we built this place in ’75 and lived here a couple years, and then the sky lit up again. So God only knows when in the hell we are now.” Hee. Oh, Rose, we missed you. She continues: “So, Desmond, I don’t mean to be rude, but after you eat, I’m going to ask you to move on. We broke our rule with you.” He asks what rule. Rose explains: “We don’t get involved. Whatever got you tossed inside a well, that’s the kind of drama Bernard and I don’t want to have anything to do with.” Desmond: “Fair enough.” At that point, Bernard comes back, but he apologizes, as he is followed by Smocke and Ben. Smocke pulls out his big knife and proceeds to threaten. Methinks that guy has more than mommy issues. Just saying. He tells Desmond to come with him or he’ll kill Bernard and Rose, and make it hurt. Aw, Desmond is a softie, so he goes. Also, he has a destiny or some such nonsense.
Then the “we’re going on an important journey” music plays, as Smocke, Desmond, and Ben trek through the jungle. Smocke asks if Desmond knows where he’s taking him. Desmond: “Nope. But I assume it’s a place where there’s a very bright light.” Hee. Smocke: “What makes you say that?” Desmond: “Oh, just a hunch.” Oh, Smocke. Smocke hears something. It’s Ben’s walkie talkie, which buzzed, but Ben lies about it to Smocke. Tricksy. I like it. There may be hope for Ben yet.
It was Miles on the other end, who walkied Ben. He found Richard … and he’s alive! Richard wonders what happened. Miles: “You thought it’d be a good idea to talk to the black smoke. It responded by throwing you into the damn jungle.” Ha! Oh, Miles, I will miss you and your acerbic wit too. Miles wants to get help, but Richard says they have to blow up the plane. Um, why such a stupid plan? Oh right, so that Smokey doesn’t leave the island. Yawn.
Back in L.A., Detective Miles (love him!) ends up at the concert. He sees Sayid and Hurley drive by, and recognizes his former prisoner. Miles calls Sawyer, and they realize that maybe the prisoner transport never got to where it was going. Uh oh. Sawyer rushes off to check on Sun, since she was the only living witness of Sayid’s shooting frenzy. He’s such a big damn hero these days. Love.
At the hospital, Sun and Jin are “alive” and together. Awwww. Juliet comes in, as she is a doctor at the hospital. Juliet! I’m getting weepy again. She prepares Sun for the ultrasound, and as the jelly (is that what it’s called?) is spread on her tummy, she starts to have flashes. She cries, and she says that she remembers! (And I cry too, of course.) Jin doesn’t know what she’s talking about, until he sees the ultra sound. Then he has flashes, and he cries. And I cry. Again. They are so happy. And they’re together. And after their death scene from a couple episodes ago, this is just so poignant that I can barely stand it. I blame you, Giacchino. Juliet shows the happy couple their baby’s heartbeat. And … more tears. Sun and Jin know it’s a girl, of course, and they tell Juliet that her name is Ji Yeon. Juliet: “That’s a lovely name. And for the record, you guys speak English just fine.” Ha! How many times have these two gone back and forth on this English speaking thing? That should be a drinking game.
Back on the island, Sawyer runs through the jungle, and makes it back to Jack and company. He explains that Desmond was not in well and that Smocke doesn’t have him either. He also confirms that Smocke wants to destroy the island. Jack says that it doesn’t matter. because they’re all going to the same place anyway. Sawyer: “Then what?” Jack: “Then it ends.” And the journey music starts again. Mission time!
Back at the hospital, Jack checks in on his patient. Jack quips, “Well, there’s always the chance that I could kill you, but I’m trying to make you feel better.” Huh? Sideways Jack has a sense of humor? Who knew? He tells Locke, “I’ll see you on the other side,” and starts to exit. Before Jack has a chance to leave, however, Locke asks about Jack’s father and Jack tells him that they found the coffin. Locke: “I hope that brings you some peace.” Jack: “If I can fix you, Mr. Locke, that’s all the peace I need.” Oh, Jack, and his fixing people complex. I kind of love him for it.
On the Island, Miles and Richard are at the dock. Miles: “Welcome to the club … looks like you’ve got your first grey hair.” There is a long and emotional pause, as Richard stares at the proof of his aging. Miles asks, “What are you smiling about?” Richard: “I think I just realized I want to live.” Miles: “That’s some good timing.” It is a drag to be teamed up fighting for your life, with someone who doesn’t want to live, so this works out well for Miles. Cut to the two of them paddling in the ocean, when they see a dead body. Creepy. Then they hear a yell and find Lapidus. Alive! Yay! They help him onto the kayak (or canoe?), and give him water. Richard says that they’re going to Hydra Island to blow up the plane. Lapidus hears this plan and thinks it’s as dumb as I do. Lapidus: “Well, if we leave, that thing won’t have a plane anymore.” Richard: “And how are we gonna do that?” Lapidus laughs: “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a pilot.” Aaaaand Lapidus’s purpose is revealed.
Elsewhere on the Island, Kate, Jack, Hurley, and Sawyer come across Smocke, Ben, and Desmond. The dramatic music swells. Smocke: “Well, this is going to be interesting.” Kate starts shooting at Smocke. Go, Kate! There may be hope for you yet. Smocke patronizes her, as he is still invincible: “You might want to save your bullets.” To Jack, he says: “So it’s you.” Jack: “Yeah, it’s me.” Smocke: “Jacob being who he is, I expected to be a little more surprised. You’re sort of the obvious choice, don’t you think?” Well, if that’s not addressed to the audience, I don’t know what is. Jack: “He didn’t choose me. I volunteered.” Smocke: “I assume you’re here to stop me?” Jack: “I can’t stop you. In fact, I uh want to go with you.” Smocke thinks he’s confused. Jack: “No, I’m not. No, you’re going to the far side of the bamboo forest, to the place that I’ve sworn that I’ll protect. And then you think that you’re going to destroy the island.” Anyone else rolling their eyes? Yeah, me too. Sigh. Smocke: “I think?” Jack: “That’s right. Because that’s not what’s going to happen.” Smocke: “What’s going to happen, Jack?” Jack: “I’m gonna kill you.” Smocke: “How do you plan to do that?” Jack:“It’s a surprise.” Smocke: “Okay. Then let’s get on with it.” Whatever.
Back at the hospital, Jack still has not gone into surgery. He and Juliet greet each other, doctor to doctor. Then he gives her the tickets for the concert, to take their son. Juliet is the mother! (No, not that mother.) He suggest that Aunt Claire take his ticket. Juliet is curious about this mysterious new sister. Jack assures his ex: “Well, I’m sure you’re going to love her. She’s extremely pregnant.” Ha! At this point, Sawyer arrives at the hospital, looking for Sun, and he and Juliet brush past each other. Turn around, Sawyer!
On the Island, Sawyer wonders what the “surprise” is. Jack explains, albeit cryptically: “Desmond.” Sawyer asks, “How’s that gonna work?” Jack: “I’m not sure yet.” Sawyer: “Desmond’s bait?” Jack: “No, he’s a weapon.” Sawyer: “That’s a hell of a long con, doc.” Word. The group then arrives at the bamboo forest. Smocke pulls out his knife and says that it should just be him, Jack and Desmond from here on. Hmmm. Hurley tells Jack: “I believe in you dude.” Tears. The trio then treks through the bamboo forest, and finally they arrive the stupid glowy cave. Rope tying ensues, for lowering and such. Desmond tells Jack: “This doesn’t matter, you know. Him destroying the island. You destroying him. It doesn’t matter. You’re going to lower me into that light, and I’m going to go somewhere else—a place where we can be with the ones that we love. And don’t have to ever think about this damn island again. And you know the best part, Jack, you’re in this place. We sat next to each other on Oceanic 815. It never crashed. We spoke to each other. You seemed happy. You know, maybe I can find a way to bring you there too.” Aw, Desmond thinks that the Sideways world is a happier world—a reward. We shall see. Jack: “Desmond, I tried that once. There are no shortcuts. What happened, happened. All of this matters.” Locke: “Shall we?” They go into the cave. Whatever.
Meanwhile in L.A., Sayid and Hurley continue their journey. Charlie wasn’t their last stop. The two sit in the car, parked near an alley. Sayid asks, “What are we doing here?” Hurley: “I’m not allowed to tell you.” Sayid is frustrated: “What do you mean you’re not allowed?” Hurley: “There are rules, dude.” Agh! More rules! Sigh. Sayid asks, “Whose rules?” Hurley: “Don’t worry about. Just trust me, okay. I trust you.” Sideways Hurley is so calm and in-the-know. I like it. Sayid is not buying it, however. He asks, “And what, may I ask, have I done to deserve your trust?” Hurley: “I think you’re a good guy, Sayid. I know a lot of people have told you that you’re not. Maybe you’ve heard it so many times you started believing it. But you can’t let other people tell you who you are. You have to decide that for yourself.” Aw, Hurley is trying to save Sayid from the Dark Side, just like on the Island. Love it. Sayid, however, is not having it: “I’m sorry. You clearly don’t know anything about me.” Oh, he is such an Eeyore. Sayid, you only killed a room full of gangsters, so lighten up already. Hurley: “I know a lot about you, dude.” Then the two hear the sounds of a scuffle in the alley. Hurley comments, “Looks like a gnarly fight.” Sayid just stares, unmoved, but then he hears a woman’s voice yell, “Leave my brother alone.” Can that be … Shannon? It is! Sayid goes out to help the damsel in distress (because, hello, that is the show this is 75% of the time, sadly), and when they touch, they remember being in love on the island. And even though I hated Shannon, and didn’t get their relationship, I totally sobbed at this too. Sigh. I am a hopeless case.
Back at the car, it’s hot vampire Damon pretty but dumb Boone! He talks to Hurley about his sister and Sayid. Damon Boone has clearly already had his awakening, which makes me wonder how. What triggered it? Or is Boone even real? Oops, spoiler alert … we’ll get to that. Also, Boone in the Sideways world is far more smirky and charming than he used to be, don’t you think? Ah, The Vampire Diaries effect. I like it. He’s still a little bit whiny though, so clearly there’s some old Boone still in there. He complains: “I just got pounded, man. Thanks for taking your sweet time.” To be honest, however, Boone seems pretty happy for someone who just got pounded. His flashes must have been of someone else’s life, because … think about it. Memories of being “the sacrifice the island demanded” caused him to go all cheery? And want to help? Please. And it’s not like his life off the island was so great. Also, it’s possibly awkward that he and Sayid might have flashed to the same happy moments … I’m just saying. Hurley responds in a very Desmond-like manner: “It takes as long as it takes.” Boone: “It was a pain in the ass getting her here from Australia.” So, she wasn’t on flight 815 … maybe she came in with the coffin. Maybe she was IN the coffin! Maybe she’s a vampire! Yeah, I watch too many vampire shows. Sorry. Hurley assures his friend, “Yeah, but dude, it was worth it.” It really was. I don’t know why, since, like I said, I hate Shannon. But it was nice to see her in the finale. I know–I make no sense to myself either. Boone asks, “Should I go get ‘em?” Hurley: “Nah. Let’s give ‘em a minute.” Or two … the ladies do love Sayid.
Cut back to Hurley on the island. Miles contacts Ben on the walkie talkie. Ben tells him not to blow up the plane, and Miles says they’re not, they’re gonna fly it off the island. Claire shows up at Miles’ area and begins to shoot. Uh oh. She yells, “Don’t come any closer.” Um, Claire, you were the one approaching them. Kate tries to intercede on the walkie, of course, since she is obsessed with Claire. Richard tries to reason with her: “We’re not with Locke.” Claire: “Why should I believe you?” Good question. He says that they can go home, and asks if she’ll come with them. She says no. Poor Claire. She’s just so sad and pathetic.
At the stupid cave, Desmond is about to be lowered down. Then he’ll “go where the light’s brightest.” Whatever. They begin to let him down. Dramatic music plays. Smocke: “Does this remind you of anything, Jack?” Jack: “What?” Smocke: “Desmond, going down into a hole in the ground? If there was a button down there to push, we could fight about whether or not to push it. Just like old times.” Awww. Jack: “You’re not John Locke. You disrespect his memory by wearing his face, but you’re nothing like him. Turns out, he was right about most everything. I just wish I could have told him that while he was still alive.” Double awww. Smocke: “He wasn’t right about anything, Jack. And when this island drops into the ocean and you drop with it, you’re finally going to realize that.” Why does Man in Black hate Locke so much, again? Hmmm. Jack: “Well, we’ll just have to see which one of us is right then.” Then there is a dramatic moment as the two of them look over the waterfall, into the abyss below. It is very season one finale-ish, I must say.
In the Sideways world, Juliet, her son, and Claire stand in line for the concert. There may have been some ogling, in case you didn’t notice. Juliet gets a call from the hospital, however, so she has to leave. Claire and Jack Jr. (sorry, I cannot remember the kid’s name, and circumstances will prove that I shouldn’t really bother straining myself over him) are left on their own.
Backstage, Charlotte wakes Charlie up. She holds up the sign that found on him: “Bass player wake me up for show.” Ha! She runs into Daniel and asks him where the band is. Daniel explains: “He’s the bass player from Drive Shaft. They’re accompanying me tonight. I play piano. I’m Daniel. Daniel Widmore.” Um, Daniel, you should really avoid telling beautiful women that your daddy hired an aging rock band to accompany you on the piano. Just a suggestion. Sigh.
At a table on the lawn, Claire and Jack Jr. are seated at Desmond and Kate’s table, of course. Kate and Claire are reunited. Awkward. Also, why are Kate’s lips still paler than her skin? I already covered that? Okay. Miles’s dad, Pierre Chang, introduces Daniel and Drive Shaft. Daniel begins to play, and Eloise and her new puffy hair look on approvingly. Charlie, from the stage, and Claire, from the audience, catch each other’s eyes. This potential reunion is interrupted, however, when Claire feels something (possibly labor pains?) and leaves to go to the bathroom. Kate gets up to follow. Of course.
Cut back to the Island, with more cave stuff. Desmond is surrounded by glowy lights. What am I even watching? Is this the Master’s lair? Or something from Hercules’ Legendary Journey? A SyFy original movie? Even the music is a little cheeseball here. Desmond stands in the pool of light and is electrocuted or something. Makes no sense. He is in pain, and he drops and clutches the stone in the center. Then the light begins to flicker. Desmond short circuited the magical light? The light finally goes out. Desmond comes to, and the water is gone. Now it looks like lava may be about to burst forth. Desmond is all upset, because he didn’t wake up with Penny. Sad. I have thoughts on that, but I’ll save them for later. From above, Locke comments, “It looks like you were wrong. Goodbye, Jack.” The ground shakes, and the two of them leave the cave. Jack tackles Smocke, and causes him to bleed. Smocke isn’t invincible anymore! Jack: “Looks like you were wrong too.” Unfortunately, Smocke gets the better of his opponent, and hits Jack with a rock, knocking him out. Smocke runs off, presumably to his boat.
Back in the Sideways world, Claire makes her way backstage, looking for a bathroom. Kate is close behind and she realizes that Claire is going into labor. She sends a guitarist to look for doctor. Claire: “Small world, huh?” Looks like we’re going to see Aaron born … again.
Back at the concert, Eloise and her puffy hair go to sit by Desmond. She scolds him: “I thought I made it clear that you were to stop this.” Desmond happily responds: “Perfectly clear. I chose to ignore you.” Ha! Eloise asks, “And once they know? What then?” Desmond: “Then, we’re leaving.” Eloise asks, terrified: “Are you going to take my son?” He holds her hand, comforting her, and says, “Not with me, no.” Hmmm. I think she has her own journey. And so does Daniel. But more on that later …
For now, we return backstage. Kate helps Claire deliver her baby, just like she did in season one (“Do No Harm”). Charlie shows up, and offers to help. Aw, just like on the Island. Kate sends Charlie off for water and blankets. I’m guessing he won’t return until the hard part is over. Kate tells Claire that she needs to start to push. At that point, Kate begins to flash. As Aaron is born in the Sideways world, she flashes back to his birth on the Island. And once he is born, Claire has flashes too. She cries … and not just because she may have seen her hair in those later Island years. Oh, who am I kidding? I was a mess during that entire scene. Such a sap. Aaaaand, right on schedule … Charlie arrives, late, with blankets. They both know him, but he doesn’t know them yet. Goodness, this show does these types of scenes perfectly. There is just so much meaning. Kudos to all the actors for pulling off this insanity. Charlie hands Claire the blanket, and then begins to flash, and remember everything … even the gorram peanut butter … yeah, I lost it again. The peanut butter!!!!!! Then Desmond comes in and greets Kate, and as the two of them look at the happy makeshift family, he asks, “Do you understand?” Kate does, and she asks, “So now what?” Well, that is the question …
And here’s where I’ll stop with Part I. Come back soon for Part II, along with my conclusions and interpretations of the final episode. As always, I welcome your comments below.
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