Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev, and Paul Wesley having a laugh, captured on the big screen. The panel was full of fun moments like these. I took this photo myself.

On Saturday, March 6^th, I attended The Vampire Diaries’ panel at PaleyFest, at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California.  It was fabulous.  As anyone who reads my blog regularly knows, I have become quite the fan of this new vamp show, so this was a real joy.  Previously, I had never been to a Paley event, or any TV-related or fan event for that matter.  This opportunity was made possible by Vee (of Vampire-Diaries.net), who invited me to attend the panel, and even took care of the transportation to and from L.A.  She is beyond awesome.  We were joined by our friend Connie (@conallen on Twitter), and the three of us had quite the adventure that weekend.  Such fun!  Once in L.A., we met up with several other awesome tweeps for dinner before PaleyFest.  After the panel, we joined up with others for drinks.  There were many cocktails and laughs to be had, and friends were made.  But what am I waiting for?  You probably want to read about the actual panel.

When we walked into the theatre (only just in time, I might add), I was very pleased to be seated in the orchestra front section, where we quickly found seats in the second row.  Exciting!  First we were treated to a clip from the Paley archives.  Now, there have been many many many panels at Paley, but which one did they choose to show that particular night?  A Buffy clip from “Once More with Feeling”!  It’s like they knew that I was coming.  Kismet.  It was the opening number of the Buffy musical episode, “Going through the Motions.”  Perfection.  “Every single night, the same arrangement, I go out and fight the fight.”  Buffy on a big screen!  It’s a miracle I survived to watch the rest of the panel.

Then, a man by the name of Craig Hitchcock (at least that’s how I heard it) came out to introduce our moderator for the night, Craig Tomashoff, executive editor of TV Guide Magazine.  He gave a silly, but funny, introductory speech about vampire puns, and engaged (some of) the audience in participation.  Tomashoff then introduced Kevin Williamson, executive producer on the show, and familiar to everyone of my generation as the writer of Scream, and creator of Dawson’s Creek.  Which reminds me: I marathoned the complete series of Dawson’s Creek over December and January, and have yet to write up my thoughts.  Ugh.  That shall be a project over my Faux Spring Break, which is fast approaching.  But back to Paley.  Here’s the exciting part: Kevin introduced a screening of the upcoming March 25^th episode, “A Few Good Men.”  Woo hoo!  But I don’t want to spoil the crazy for you, so I’ll save any tidbits about the screening until the end, following a spoiler warning.

Once the screening was over, and my heart jumped back out of my throat (it was touch and go there for a minute, and I may have engaged in some terrified arm grabbing), Craig Tomashoff came back out to introduce the panel.  First introduced was Bob Levy, executive producer.  Next was Julie Plec, executive producer, who is pretty frakin’ awesome and hilarious.  Then Paul Wesley came in, followed by the lovely Nina Dobrev, and Ian Somerhalder.  Finally, Kevin Williamson came out again, and the entire panel was seated.  A great group, but sadly no Matt Davis (*swoon*), Zach Roerig, or Katerina Graham.  Alas, alack, sigh.  But there was PLENTY of fun to be had with this group, so no regrets.  I have compiled my notes from the question and answer segment of the panel below (which are certainly not comprehensive).

Notes from the panel:

• The discussion began with compulsion, and Ian joked that he wished he had that power so he could use it on the producers.  Every actor’s dream, right?
• The moderator was very casual and at ease.  However, I was pretty sure that he doesn’t really watch the show and is not really a fan.  Dear Powers That Be: I nominate Carina Mackenzie (@cadlymack on Twitter) to be the next moderator at such an event.
• In response to a question, Kevin talked about how the show came to be.  In reading The Vampire Diaries book series by L.J. Smith, Kevin noted the unfortunately obligatory Twilight comparisons, but said that after reading further, he realized that it was much more Dark Shadows.  I really need to watch this Dark Shadows nonsense.  Sadly, my only previous exposure to the supernatural soap is a number of references to it in a Gilmore Girls episode.  Sookie made it sound so appealing.  Kevin explained that they just had to “get past the pilot,” which contained the love story elements resembling Twilight, and then they could really tell a story that was different.  He even referred to this as “Twilight Gate.”  Hee.
• Another reason Kevin gave for wanting to do the show was that he really wanted to work with Julie.  After witnessing their rapport, it is no surprise why.  They are clearly having a lot of fun in that writers’ room … er, IHOP.  (That reference will be explained later.)
• In continued discussion of the early days of the show, Julie told a funny story about Nina being cautious about the project, because it was “so Twilight.”  Apparently, in the initial script, some of Elena’s lines were exactly the same as Bella’s in the movie, so Nina asked for them to be changed.  Nina told Julie that she couldn’t say that.  The lines: “Say it.”  “What are you?”
• Henceforth, there should be a moratorium on the Twilight comparisons.  The show has earned that.  Let’s compare it to more fun things, like Buffy! (Kidding!  Sort of.)
• Of course, the other inevitable comparison is True Blood, which Kevin and Julie addressed.  They pointed out that director Marcos Siega, after reading a script, said: “I directed this episode of True Blood.”  Uh oh.
• There was then some discussion of living arrangements, and Paul, Nina, and Ian joked about moving in together.  Nina: “I get the walk-in closet.”  For the record: those three do NOT live together.
• Kevin talked about the choice to film in Atlanta.  There was some discussion by the cast of the fact that this means they are away from the glare of Hollywood, blah blah blah.  Ultimately, however, Kevin explained that it’s the tax rebate.  Ian( or was it Paul?), who had been spouting more lofty aspirations for the out-of-the-way location, quipped, “Thank God for taxes.”  Ha!
• Julie Plec pointed out how great the whole cast is, noting that’s not always the case.  “Imagine being stuck in Atlanta with a bunch of assholes.”  Well said.
• Kevin said that he wanted the show to slowly evolve, and to make it as real as possible.  I think he has done a great job of making that happen.
• Julie talked about the cinematic quality.
• Kevin mentioned the show 24, and how that was an inspiration for him.  He wanted the show to have that “puts you on the edge of your seat” quality.  Mission accomplished, right?  I know those last 10 minutes of every episode always leave me breathless.
• Ian referenced going to see a chiropractor, saying that it was Paul’s doing.  When the moderator asked Paul what he did to Ian, Paul responded: “What did I do to him?  He was being Damon and I had to …”  Cue the laughs.
• Ian joked about using Damon as an excuse for bad behavior in real life.  Hee.
• Julie (wearing fabulous dark red patent leather wedges, by the way) mentioned a story about the boys leaving Nina at the airport.  Nina confirmed that it was on her birthday, and that they didn’t want to wait for her bags.  Apparently they never check bags, but Nina does, so they tire of waiting for her baggage.  Bad vampires!  She says that they treat her like a little sister, and pick on her.  Very adorable.  But Paul and Ian are now on my list.  A lady’s need for checked baggage is unquestionable.
• Then the moderator asked the panel to psychoanalyze their characters.  Ian begged off, so the question turned to Paul: “I think Stefan needs to stop analyzing.”  Ha!  So true.
• In response to a question about the flashbacks, we learned that the cast loves them.  So do I!  (I know, no one is shocked.)  Paul likes them because his character doesn’t have to think.  The implication is that the present day Stefan is a stress-inducing forehead-brooder, but back then he was just a 17 year old human boy, who didn’t have the weight of the world on his shoulders.  Then the subject of corsets came up.  Nina said that she has a love-hate relationship with the corsets.  Ian jumped in at that point to correct her, saying that she loves them.  Nina acquiesced.  Ian described the contraption for her to lean against while in her corset, since she can’t sit.
• Then Julie talked about the books vs. the show.  They were worried about the fans’ reactions, and were much relieved that so many book fans embraced the show.  They point out that eventually most fans realized that the books and the show are two different things.  Julie and Kevin had very kind words to say about the book fans, sending out lots of much deserved praise to Vampire-Diaries.net.
• Next, the moderator asked a question about the vampires turning into animals, which often happens in the books.  Kevin explained that it would have looked cheesy on screen, so they only did so a couple times with the crow, and never actually showed the transformation.  After some explanation of the filming process with the actual crow, Paul added by way of explanation: “Birds are uncooperative.”  Hee.  He got a big laugh.  Julie [I think]: “There’s not PETA people out there are there?”  A really fun exchange.
• The moderator asked them all about their favorite moments.  Julie said the party bus.  She explains that they rented it while filming the pilot.  Apparently it had stripper poles.  Paul quickly inserts: “But no strippers.”  Paul was surprisingly funny.  By the way, I have been on a party bus as described, in San Francisco, and it was lots of fun.  But very hard to dance while holding a drink, while the bus is moving.  Messiness ensued.
• As for their favorite episodes, Julie said “Friday Night Bites.”  Kevin agreed.  They talk about how that was when they really realized they had a show.  Things finally came together for them in that episode, and they realized it was sustainable as a series.  I’m paraphrasing here, but that was the gist.
• Then the moderator asked a question about IHOP.  At first, I thought “Random!”  But Julie and Kevin soon revealed that they recently had a writers’ meeting there.  Hilarious!  Ian joked, “Our lives, our characters, are dictated by what happens at IHOP.”  Ha!  I’m sure that I’m not doing a good job of conveying the hilarity here, but this is now  a guaranteed inside joke in the fandom for the rest of the series.  Someone else on the panel (I didn’t write down the speaker) joked, “They should nickname it IWRITE.”  Unintended side effect: it made us hungry for pancakes the next day, though I went with French toast.
• The moderator asked whether they modeled their characters on anyone.  Ian talked about Cary Grant being a inspiration for Damon.  Ian: “Damon is Cary Grant.  […]  I think Damon secretly wants to be Cary Grant.”  Um, as someone who has watched Cary Grant films countless times since infancy … no comment.  Nina said that she copied Damon to get Katherine’s character, since Katherine taught Damon everything he knows.  Makes sense.
• Then there was a question about the orange peeling, from the book.  The moderator clearly didn’t understand the question, so Julie explained about the significance of the orange-peeling scene to the fandom.  Spurred by this discussion, Paul asked whether he has ever eaten anything on the show.  When it was confirmed that he hasn’t, he asked: “Why can’t I eat anything?”  Big applause and laughs met that question.  Ian joked that Stefan should stop being so cheap, and take Elena out to a restaurant.  He paused a beat and then quipped, “Take her to IHOP.”  Hehe.
• Then the questions were turned over to the audience.  A woman from the audience (@paulwesleylover on Twitter), wearing a Team Stefan shirt stood up to ask a question and got some cheers.  Paul: “I’m also Team Stefan.”  See?  He’s kind of funny.  She gave a hilarious speech, and asked about the sex scenes.  Then Paul actually stood up and left the stage to give her a hug and kiss.  The encounter has been captured on video by Carina: See @paulwesleylover have her moment with Paul Wesley.  It was actually quite sweet.
• Then someone asked about the casting process.  Kevin talked about Nina’s audition first, describing it as “The stuff of legends.”  Paul jokingly complained that he had to audition about 9 or 10 times.
• An audience member asked Kevin about Dawson’s Creek.  She was sad that Joey didn’t end up with Dawson.  Blech.  Apparently there is at least one Dawson/Joey fan.  Who knew?  Kevin explained to the girl that Joey and Dawson ARE together: “Joey and Dawson are forever … She’s having sex with Pacey.”  That got a big laugh from the audience, and from me especially.  Kevin echoes these thoughts on the dvd commentaries as well, explaining that there are a lot of different ways to be soul mates.
• Then someone asked a question about the jewelry.  Kevin revealed that he Googled “vampire rings” for ideas on how the rings should look.  My immediate comment was, “You mean, he Binged it, right?”  That comment will make even more sense when Bing makes a return appearance on March 25^th.
• Kevin: “I had a hard time, like accepting the compass.”  Thank you!  Me too.  He explained that he was ok with it once a scientific reason was revealed—magnetized polarity to dead flesh, or something like that.  Hmmm.
• Ian joked that one of the reasons Paul got the job was that he already had his own fangs.  Hee.
• In one of the questions, an audience member commented to Nina: “I really enjoy your acting, compared to other vampire girlfriends.” Ha!
• There was really only one worthless question, by a girl who wanted Kevin and company to check out her headshots.  Puh-lease.  However, there weren’t any juicy mythology questions, and no one asked about Julian Sark David Anders.  Sorry, Alias fans.  I was too shy to ask a question.

So, that was it for the panel, or, more correctly, my so-so recollection of it.  I took notes throughout, but I must admit that there were several scribblings that I could not translate.  And I did tend to get caught up in the moment and forget to take notes.  I was also busy snapping pictures.  For a look at the photos I took from the panel, you can check Heroine TV’s Facebook page: Photo Album: PaleyFest 2010.

Keep reading if you want some tantalizing hints of what’s to come in the March 25th return of The Vampire Diaries, “A Few Good Men.”  Major spoiler warning!

• We find out what has become of that vampire from the end of “Fool Me Once,” who escaped from the tomb.
• Elena makes some major inroads in learning the identity of her birth mother … and the identity of her birth mother’s killer.
• Caroline and Matt have a hot and steamy scene.
• Julie Cooper Melinda Clarke guest stars!!!  And her character, Kelly Donovan, does not like Caroline.
• We get some more flashbacks featuring Alaric and his wife, Isobel.
• We get a brief glimpse of Anna and Pearl.

Many more heart-pounding moments took place, but I don’t want to spoil you too much.  I can’t wait until everyone has had a chance to see it, and we can freely discuss the awesomeness.  Until then, discuss the panel, and the show in general, in the comments section below.  Thanks for reading.

Video via YouTube – TrailerBrasil’s Channel.

For concept art from the upcoming feature, check out my previous post: Another Disney Princess movie: ‘Rapunzel’ is in the works! | Heroine TV.

The videos are courtesy of CW Television’s YouTube channel.

Videos are courtesy of CWtelevision’s YouTube Channel.

EXCLUSIVE: Nathan Fillion Hints At More Than Just A Sequel For ‘Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog’.

Photo Credit: The Live Feed/ HBO.

The Live Feed reports: “Winter is, indeed, coming.  HBO has greenlighted highly anticipated fantasy series ‘Game of Thrones.’  The premium network has picked up the project for a first season debut next spring.  Nine episodes plus the pilot have been ordered. Production will begin in Belfast this June.”  Click on the following link for further details, and a larger view of the first photo released: HBO greenlights ‘Game of Thrones’ to series (pic) — The Live Feed | THR.

I am simply thrilled!  My brother recommended George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series to me last spring, and I’m so glad he did.  I read the first book, A Game of Thrones, over the summer, and have recently started the second book, A Clash of Kings.  This is a quality fantasy series, which maintains a sense of stark realism in a foreign, yet very familiar world.  The political intrigue and family drama of it all is so compelling.  Funnily enough, HBO announced the first casting news for the pilot soon after I had purchased the first book, and it has been exciting imagining how all the scenes that I love so much would be translated to film.  The casting news for the project has been amazing, including Jennifer Ehle as Caitlin Stark, Sean Bean as Ned Stark, and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister.  I look forward to viewing the first season on HBO, which will cover the first book in the (so-far) four-book series.

Also, if you have somehow missed the casting news,  check out the following link, with photos and information on the full cast, from October 2009:

HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ full cast with photos — The Live Feed | THR.

Will Dawn win the tournament? Or will it be Kennedy or Parker? Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox Television, via IMBD.com.

Buffyfest’s annual March Madness Whedonverse Character Tournament has begun!  This year, however, the contest is a bit different.  Instead of voting for your favorite character, you must vote for whomever is “The Worst of the Lot.”  Click on the link below to vote in round one.  And don’t forget to check Buffyfest frequently throughout the coming weeks so that you won’t miss out on the fun.

Vote in the tournament: Buffyfest: March Madness Whedonverse Character Tournament – The Worst of the Lot.

The previously rumored guest-spot of perfection will actually come to pass.  Kristin Dos Santos reports that Neil Patrick Harris will definitely be appearing on Glee.  Furthermore, she drops details about his much-anticipated character: “Hold on to your track pants, Sue Sylvester! ‘Cause one solid Glee insider tells me that Neil is playing a character who is ‘really funny and really mean.’  I’m told he will be ‘much more of the Dr. Horrible variety than Doogie Howser, M.D.’”  Read the piece on E! Online for more details: Neil Patrick Harris to Be All “Horrible”-Like on Glee! – E! Online.  So how excited are you?  I’m a 12 on a scale of 1 to 10.  NPH and Jane Lynch in scenes together!  Plus singing!  Love it.

I know, it is the best news EVER!  However, being the greedy fan that I am, I have demands.  Dear TV Gods: Please have Anders use his British accent, à la Sark, rather than his actual American accent.  A girl can dream, right?  Anders recently guest-starred on Heroes and 24, and on both shows he played an American.  Second request: Please have Anders sniff a large glass of wine, rapturously.  You know what I am talking about, Alias fans.

Photo Credit: Mario Perez/ ABC.

This post contains a detailed recap and running commentary for Lost 6xo5, aired February 23rd, 2010:

I did my Lost homework this week, and watched the season one episode “White Rabbit” right before viewing “The Lighthouse.”  Like tonight’s episode, “White Rabbit” was the first Jack-centric episode of the season, and was also the fifth hour of the season.  There seems to be a clearly established pattern for season six mirroring season one, with a two part premiere offering flashbacks or flash sideways dealing with a multitude of characters, followed by a Kate-centric episode, then a Locke-centric episode, and then a Jack-centric episode.  If this pattern holds, the next offering should be Sun-and-Jin-centric, to mirror season one’s “The Rising Sun.”  We shall see.  In “White Rabbit,” Jack chased his dead father around the island, and almost fell off a cliff in the process.  The episode was a very important one, as it featured the first flashbacks detailing Jack’s daddy issues, which really set a tone for the entire series.  Also, it culminated in Jack stepping up to be a leader.  “Live together, or die alone” came from that episode—it’s a classic.  Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned the Alice and Wonderland symbolism yet.  I’ll get to that later.  On to the recap.

We open on a flash sideways, in L.A.  Jack has returned home, and is changing.  He has his shirt open, and notices his appendix scar.  He clearly finds it somewhat surprising.  As you may recall, in the other timeline Jack ended up getting his appendix removed on the island, by Juliet (in season 4, episode 10, “Something Nice Back Home”).  Jack’s mom then calls, and asks if they’ve found him—as in Christian Shephard—yet.  She is not doing so well on her own, and can’t even find his will.  Jack offers to come over in a few hours and help her out.  Then he asks, “Mom, when did I get my appendix out?”  She says that it happened when he was seven or eight, and asks him rather rhetorically, “Don’t you remember?”  Jack: “Yeah, I guess I do.”  Um, how did blowing up the hydrogen bomb cause Jack to have appendicitis a few decades earlier?  I mean, I’m all for the butterfly effect, but come on!  A case of the crossing timelines again, perhaps?  Don’t forget about that cut on his neck in the season premiere, and all those looks of déjà-vu.  Oh, show, you have driven me to drink.

Still in the flash sideways, Jack drives somewhere, ending up at a school.  He’s there to pick up a young boy, maybe 12 or 13 years old (I am so bad at guessing ages).  And, surprise!  The kid is Jack’s son!  And his name is the oh-so-biblical David.

Cut to Jack on the island, in the timeline that is taking place three years later and follows the experiences we’ve actually watched for the past five seasons.  Yeah, this is the timeline featuring the unlucky people whose lives suck.  Those L.A. people in the flash sideways have it so good in comparison.  Jack stares at the pond/ lake/ whatever body of water outside of the Temple of Doom.  Dogen approaches: “I was afraid you’d left.”  Jack asks, “Is leaving an option?”  Ha!  Dogen explains, “Everything is an option, but I would have to stop you.”  Jack appreciates his honesty.  Dogen asks about his friends not coming back, which Jack confirms.  Dogen: “I appreciate your honesty.”  Well aren’t they just a little mutual-appreciation-society?

Elsewhere in the courtyard, Hurley and Miles play some type of game that looks like tic-tac-toe.  Hurley goes into the Temple looking for food, and finds Jacob.  Hurley: “Dude, what are you doing here?”  Jacob has some things for Hurley to do, and advises: “You should probably get a pen.  You’re going to have to write a few things down.”  Hurley: “Like what?”  Jacob explains: “Someone is coming to the island.  I need you to help them find it.”  Oooh, who could that person, or persons, be?  And why the need for the vague pronouns, Jacob?  Why do you insist that we suffer?

Back in L.A., in the flash sideways, Jack and David arrive home at Jack’s house.  Jack tells his son that he hooked up the cable so he can watch the Red Sox.  Nice little callback to Jack being a fan.  As I recall, the Oceanic 815 crashed before the Red Sox won the World Series in real life, and Jack found out about it in season three.  Jack spies a copy of Alice and Wonderland and asks David about reading it.  Jack notes that he read it to David when he was little.  Another nice callback, this time to “White Rabbit,” the title of which was clearly an allusion to the classic book.  David, however, could care less, as he has his headphones on, and is ignoring his father.  Jack tries to make conversation, asking the kid what he’s listening to.  David quips, “You haven’t heard of them.”  Jack wonders why the kid won’t respond to his lame attempts to bond.  David responds: “We see each other like once a month.  Can’t we just get through it?”  That is so sad.  I can’t believe that Jack has become as sucky of a dad as his own father.  Ah, the daddy issues on this show are multi-generational.  Then Jack’s mom calls, reminding him that he promised to come over.  Jack watches as his son gets a delicious Mint Milano (at least I’m assuming the Milano was mint, but it could be some other flavor) out of the package.  David is clearly a good kid, because he re-seals the cookie bag with a clip.  It is one of my major pet peeves when people don’t bother to close cereal, chips, crackers, and cookie packages properly, resulting in stale food and lots of waste.  I’m looking at YOU.

On the Island, there are no Mint Milanos, only pain and infection and death.  Sayid walks through the courtyard, while the Others stare.  They aren’t staring at his beautiful hair, however, and Sayid wants to know why.  Jack tells his new best bud to “Just ignore them.”  Sayid exposits all the craziness that went on a couple episodes ago, involving his “infection”—hey, I have to keep track of two timelines in this episode, so I can’t be expected to remember how long ago Sayid was offered the Matrix pill.  Jack explains that the proffered pill was poison, because they wanted to kill him.  He further explains that the Others are fearful of what the infection does, as they said it happened to someone else too.  Sayid asks, “Who?”

Cue the “who” in question: Claire!  And she is Crazy Jungle Chick Claire.  However, she seems nice enough, at first, and helps get Jin out of the trap—remember, he stepped on one of those bear-trap type thingamajigs in “What Kate Does.”  Jin asks how long she’s been living out there alone, clearly noticing the mud all over her face, and her hair that has not experienced a hair brush in months.  Claire: “Since you all left.  How long ago was that?”  Jin: “Three years.”  Awkward.  She says that she needs to get him somewhere safe.  I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that where she brings him is NOT safe.  Jin then proceeds to pass out when he tries to walk.  I tried not to look at his bloody wound, so no comment on that.

Back at the Temple, Hurley walks through some passageway, and we see that he has a ton of writing on his arm.  Hee.  I guess he found that pen.  Dogen finds him, and asks him what he’s doing.  Hurley says that he’s a big fan of temples, history, and Indiana Jones stuff.  Hee.  So many great Hurley moments in this episode.  Love it.  Dogen tells Hurley to return to the courtyard.  Jacob appears to Hurley and gives him advice to get out of this situation.  Hurley tells the grumpy Dogen, “I’m a candidate, and I can do what I want.”  Dogen asks, “Who told you that?”  Hurley replies: “Doesn’t matter.  Why don’t you go back to the courtyard?”  Ha!  Dogen responds angrily in Japanese, but leaves with no further ado.  Hurley asks Jacob, “What did he say?”  Jacob replies: “You don’t want to know.”  And people say that Lost isn’t funny!  Hee.  Jacob reminds Hurley that he was supposed to bring Jack, but Hurley explains that such a task is easier said than done.  He heavily implies Jack’s stubborn contrarian ways, and asks, “Have you ever tried to get Jack to do stuff?”  I died laughing at this.  Hurley is hands down my favorite character this season.  Hurley tells Jacob that he’s willing to listen if the dead guy has an idea to get Jack to go along with the plan.

Cut to Hurley approaching Jack in the temple courtyard, trying out Jacob’s approach.  Hurley is trying to play it cool, and convince Jack to follow him.  Jack: “Follow you where?”  Hurley explains that he found “a secret tunnel” through which they can escape, and that he learned this from Jacob.  Then he adds the kicker: “He told me to tell you, ‘you have what it takes.’”  Perfect reference to “White Rabbit.”  In that episode flashback, a young Jack got beat up trying to help a friend against bullies.  When the bruised-boy version of Jack goes in to see his father, Christian tells his son: “Don’t choose, Jack.  Don’t decide.  You don’t want to be a hero.  You don’t want to try and save everyone.  Because when you fail, you just don’t have what it takes.”  It is the root of Jack’s low self-esteem, and something he really had to struggle with in being a leader on the island.  Jacob sure knows how to push Jack’s buttons.  [Yeah, it’s almost like he’s been watching Jack for his whole life.  Oh wait, he has.]  Jack responds very intensely to this message from Jacob, and it’s clear that he still has the same daddy issues after all these years.  Daddy issues are to Jack, what adrenaline is to other people; they fuel him, so he agrees to go with Hurley.  Also?  Hurley compares Jacob to Obi Wan Kenobi.  Just when I thought that I couldn’t love Hurley any more.  Jacob is totally Hurley’s Obi Wan.  Does that make Smocke Darth Vader?

Elsewhere on the island, Jin wakes up with a bloody and injured foot.  Where are the mystical healing properties of the island when you need them?  He looks around and he is in a creepy living space that rival’s Topher’s makeover of the pods on Dollhouse.  He even finds a creepy hand-made doll (that includes parts from an animal skull) in a cradle.  Yikes!  Then Claire returns, dragging in one of the Others featured in “What Kate Does,” who was only pretending to be dead.  According to IMDB and Lostpedia.com, his name is Justin, so I’m going to go with that.  Claire wants info on where the Others are hiding her son.  Also, in terms of Jin’s injury, she has a hilarious and dead-on line: “If there’s one thing that will kill you around here, it’s infection.”  When Claire steps out to get supplies to take care of Jin, Justin tells Jin that they need to get out of there, or she will kill them both.  While I generally follow a policy of not trusting the Others, I suspect he may be right in this case.

Elsewhere on the island, Hurley and Jack have made it out into the jungle.  They run into Kate by the stream.  She almost shoots Jack, but then she looks really happy to see him.  When Jack asks about Jin and Sawyer, Kate replies: “Jin went back to the temple and Sawyer’s on his own.”  Kate explains that she is going to look for Claire.  [Judging by events later in the episode, this plan is really starting to seem like a BAD idea.]  Jack then tells Kate that the people at the Temple said that something may have happened to Claire.  Really?  That’s all you’re going to say, Jack?  Can you vague that up for me?  He wants Kate to stick with him, but Hurley interjects to disinvite her: “Jacob said just you and me.  She’s kind of not invited.”  Ha!  While I was somewhat relieved, and amused, this scene also struck me as odd.  I don’t want to get anyone angry, but if Jack really loved Kate (which I believe that he does), wouldn’t he bring her anyway?  Or at least inform her of the “heart of darkness” for which she is searching?  Also, my first reaction was: “What a boys’ club!”  However, by the end of the episode I have to take that back, as it looks like Kate is a candidate after all.  More on that later.

Cut to the flash sideways, in L.A.  Jack is at his mom’s house, helping her go through his dad’s stuff.  Having just seen “White Rabbit,” I can confirm that the same actress is used.  Mama Shephard asks, “How’s David holding up?”  Jack is kind of clueless as to why she is even asking, so Mama Shephard explains, “He was really upset at the funeral.”  Aw, poor child.  Jack makes a comment about David never communicating with him, to which his mother references Jack’s own childhood.  She notes, “How do you know David’s not terrified of you?”  Well said!  Then Mama Shephard finds the will, and after reading some of it, she asks whether Jack knows who Claire Littleton is.  Ooh, it looks like the truth is going to come out in both timelines!

And speaking of Claire Littleton, we cut to Island Claire, at Camp Crazy.  She does some creepy and threatening sharpening action with an axe.  Shiver.  Meanwhile, Justin is still trying to convince Jin to help him: “Are you not listening to me?  She’s going to kill us both.”  Then Claire re-enters, and apologizes to Jin that he got stuck in her trap.  She seems all sweet and normal for a second, but then, when she stitches up Jin’s leg, she is super creepy.  Jin wonders why she is keeping Justin, and Claire explains: “He’s going to tell me where they’ve got my baby.  Where they’ve got Aaron.”  So, I guess she doesn’t recall abandoning Aaron in the middle of the jungle to hang out with her dead father?  Also, she makes a cryptic reference to her “friend,” who is so clearly the Smoke Monster.  [Yep, I was right.]  And she asks, “You’re still my friend, aren’t you Jin?”  Jin is not an idiot, so he agrees: “Yes.  Yes, of course.”  He is so clearly freaked out, but trying not to show it.  Then she picks up the axe, and I am terrified.

In a less creepy part of the island, Hurley apologizes to Jack.  Jack: “For what?”  Hurley: “For wrecking your game with Kate.”  Jack pretty much says that his game was wrecked long ago.  Word.  Hurley mentions him and Kate having babies and living happily ever after, and the Jaters all swoon.  Jack, however, thinks that he would be a terrible dad.  Well, he’s not wrong.  [Luckily, there’s time for him to change that around.]  Then, he finds an asthma inhaler lying on the ground.  Hurley: “Dude, it’s Shannon’s.”  They’re at the caves!  Oh, caves, I almost forgot all about you.  Hurley and Jack reminisce about Adam and Eve.  Hurley: “I totally forgot these were in here, man.  Wait a sec.  What if we traveled again, to like dinosaur times?  And then we died and were buried.  What if the skeletons are us?”  I love Hurley’s sci-fi-inspired logic.  Then Jack gets a little sentimental: “Did I tell you how I found this place?  […]  I was chasing the ghost of my dead father.”  He explains that he found his father’s empty coffin here, and then smashed the coffin to pieces because he wasn’t in it.  How did you guys interpret that?  Hmmm.  Yet another reference to “White Rabbit.”  He doesn’t offer a replay of his “Live together, die alone” speech, however.

Cut to flash sideways Jack, in L.A.  He arrives home with pizza, but David is nowhere to be found.  He’s gone!  Inexplicably, Jack sits at a table drinking a beer, in response to this observation.  At some point later—I’m unsure how much time has passed—he calls David’s cell phone and leaves a message telling him that he’s worried, and is going to drive over to his mom’s house.  Which brings up the question: who is the child’s mother?  I’m guessing Sarah, but it could always be someone we’ve never met.  Also on the message, Jack apologizes for whatever he did.  Sorry dude, but that type of vague apology is never accepted well.  First step on the road to forgiveness?  Know what in the hell you did wrong!  When Jack arrives at the mother’s house, the address is 233 (for the numbers-obsessed among you.  Also, this was apparently the 108th episode of Lost, and aired on 2/23!  Oh, the fun never ends.  No one seems to be home, so Jack uses the spare key hidden under the bunny statue.  It’s a white rabbit!  Inside the house, no one is home, but Jack finds some sheets of music composition and it clearly means something to him.  As we learn later, David is a pianist.  Jack also sees pictures of himself and his son displayed in the room.  Aaawww.  Also, he listens to the message machine, and learns that David has an audition scheduled for that afternoon.  Then, Jack listens to a message that he himself left, when in Australia.  It must have been left after Jack learned about his father’s death, and he just wants to hear his son’s voice.  Double aaawwww.

On the Island, we return to Jack and Hurley.  Commenting on their trip through the jungle, on a mysterious mission, Hurley breezes: “This is cool dude.  Very old school […] good times.”  Hee.  Hurley is pretty much The Viewer, so everything he says I completely relate to.  He asks why Jack came back.  Oh no, not that again!  Ugh.  Hurley explains that his own reason was because Jacob jumped into his cab, and gave him the guitar case, etc.  Jack replies: “I came back here because I was broken.  And I was stupid enough to think this place would fix me.”  Yeah yeah, we know.  At least this time he didn’t make it all about Kate.  Then, suddenly, the two arrive at a lighthouse.  Yes, a frakin’ lighthouse!  Jack wonders why they haven’t seen it before.  Hurley: “I guess we weren’t looking for it.”  That is one explanation.

Meanwhile, at Camp Crazy, Justin continues to deny knowing anything about Jungle Claire’s son.  Claire says that she escaped from the Temple, and that they branded her and stuck her with needles.  This explains how the Others knew that she was infected.  They must have tested her like they did Sayid.  But did she get dipped in the healing waters too?  Did she get resurrected and come back wrong?  I want an explanation for why she left Aaron in the middle of the jungle.  Justin tells her she’s remembering it wrong, which is clearly not the right approach to take.  She is a crazy person, so Justin really should have told her what she wanted to hear.  Luckily, Jin will show greater presence of mind when it matters.  At this point, however, Jin speaks up, in order to save Justin’s life.  He tells Claire that Kate took Aaron when she left the island, and that she has been raising him for the past three years.  Claire kills Justin with her axe anyway.  It is truly frightening, and Jin is understandably scared.

Elsewhere on the Island, we cut back to Hurley and Jack, trying to get into the lighthouse.  Jack snarks, “It doesn’t say anything on your arm about the door being jammed?”  Hurley: “No.”  Hee.

In L.A., in the flash sideways, Jack goes to his son’s audition.  David plays the piano like a pro (not that I would know, as I don’t have any musical expertise, but it sounds pretty).  Jack looks on very proud and happy.  And on the verge of tears.  A kid about David’s age asks, “Is that your son?”  Jack: “Yes.”  Kid: “He’s really good.”  Then, the boy’s father enters, and it is Dogen!  I love moments like this.  Craziness.  Dogen notes to Jack that the kids are too young to have this type of pressure.  He then asks Jack how long David has been playing, but Jack doesn’t know.  So sad.

Back at the lighthouse, Hurley and Jack have reached the top.  Hurley: “Dude, this is cool.  They must have built this to help ships get here and stuff.”  Hee.  Uh oh, Hurley’s arm ink looks like it is melting off.  [Red herring I guess, because it doesn’t become an issue.]  Hurley starts pulling on a chain, which makes the mirror-thingy-that-gives-off-light turn.  All my knowledge about lighthouses comes from Pete’s Dragon, so I don’t really know.  I was kind of sad that Hurley and Jack didn’t break out into song.  Hurley tells Jack: “Tell me when it gets to 108 degrees.”  Oh sorrow!  More numbers.  Sigh.  Jack sees something in the mirror and tells Hurley to stop.  Then he sees that there are names—the same ones as on the cave, and with the same corresponding numbers—corresponding to each degree on the dial.  Jack quickly spies his own name, corresponding to the number 23.  Also, thanks to @ITveee for linking the following screen cap showing that Kate’s name was also included: 51-Austen.  So it looks like Kate is, indeed, a candidate.  And here are more screen caps, so that you can examine to your heart’s content: Get Lost Podcast’s Gallery of Screencaps.

Jack tells Hurley to turn the dial to 23 degrees, since that’s his number.  Hurley is hesitant, as his is not sure that Jacob wants this.  I think it is interesting how much Hurley trusts Jacob.  Do you think that is a sign that Jacob is good?  Or a sign that Hurley is too exhausted by life on the island to put up a fight anymore?  He just wants someone to make his decisions for him, perhaps?  Then, Jack is fixated by what appears in the mirror, once the dial has been moved the appropriate number of degrees.  Hurley asks what it is, and Jack replies: “It’s my house.  The house I grew up in.”  Hurley really captures the moment: “That’s weird.”  Hee.  So, it seems that Jacob has been watching them the whole time, and now Jack knows it.  Then Jack freaks out, and starts yelling at Hurley to tell him where Jacob is, and he gets kind of scary.  I was worried for a minute that he was going to hurt Hurley.  Jack’s image does not need that.  Instead, Jack smashes all the mirrors.  Oh, Jack, why would you do that?  That is a lot of years of bad luck, and you’ve had quite enough of that already.

Back in L.A., David is unlocking his bike, when Jack approaches.  Jack tells his son: “You were great in there.”  David is surprised and talks down his accomplishment: “You saw me?  I kind of missed a couple notes.”  Jack tells David that it sounded perfect from where he was standing.  He also tells David that he was really worried, and the boy has the grace to look chastened.  He tells his Dad: “You were at Grandma’s.  I thought I could get back to your place before you got home.”  Jack wonders why David didn’t tell him that he was still playing, and David explains that he made his mom promise not to tell him.  Jack asks why, and his son says that he made such a big deal of it, and also: “Because I didn’t want you to see me fail.”  Just heartbreaking.  Every time I watch this show I am thankful for how great my parents are.  Jack realizes that he has become his father in his son’s eyes: “You know, when I was your age, my father didn’t want to see me fail either.  He used to say to me that I didn’t have what it takes.  I spent my whole life carrying that around with me.  I don’t ever want you to feel that way.  I will always love you.  No matter what you do, in my eyes, you can never fail.  I just want to be a part of your life.”  Aaaawww.  This is the Jack I love—the Jack who is a hero at heart, and a loving man.  We have had to see Jack suffer and flounder quite a bit, but this moment almost makes it worth it.  In this timeline, at least, Jack seems to have learned to be a good father, and a good man.  This moment was so wonderful and happy, that when the two were walking back to the car, I expected David to be hit by a car or something.  A happy moment with no deadly consequences, on Lost?  Does not compute.

Cut to a childless and much less happy Jack, on the Island.  He looks out at the ocean, contemplating the insanity that is his life.  Hurley sits a ways off, and Jacob appears.  Hurley: “Thanks for the seven years of bad luck by the way.”  Exactly!  That’s what I’m saying.  Stop reading my mind, Hurley.  No, wait, keep doing that.  He IS the audience.  Jacob doesn’t care too much that his pretty lighthouse mirrors were ruined, however.  In response to Hurley’s worry about how the people will be able to get to the island, Jacob says that he’s sure they’ll find some other way.  Ah, yes, he is the proponent of Team Fate.  I’m Team Free Will.  Hurley: “So everything you wanted me to do didn’t get done, and you don’t even care?”  Hurley starts to suspect what is going on: “Wait a minute, did you want Jack to see what was in that mirror?  Why?”  Jacob: “It was the only way for him to understand how important he is.”  Hurley: “If that was your plan, I think it back-fired, man.”  Jacob: “Jack is here because he has to do something.  He can’t be told what that is.  He’s got to find it himself.  Sometimes you can just hop in the back of someone’s cab and tell them what they’re supposed do.  Other times, you have to let them look at the ocean for awhile.”  Jacob reveals that he had to get them away from the temple as soon as possible, because someone “bad” is coming.  Hurley wants to warn them, but Jacob says: “We can’t warn them, Hugo.  I’m sorry, it’s too late.”

Cut to Claire and Jin at Camp Crazy.  Claire asks, “Why’d you say that Kate was raising Aaron?”  Jin says that he was lying, in order to save the Other’s life.  He tells Claire that she’s right; Aaron is at the Temple, and he knows this because he saw him there.  Furthermore, he says that she will need his help to to get in.  Way to prolong your life, Jin!  Good strategy.  Too bad Justin was not as wise.  Claire: “How do we get in?”  He says that there is a secret way.  She thanks him, and says: “I’m so glad to know you were lying.  Because if what you said was the truth, if Kate was raising Aaron, I’d kill her.”  Then Smocke pops his head in.  Jin is shocked: “John?”  Claire: “That’s not John.  This is my friend.”  Creeeepy smile.  The end.

I enjoyed the episode immensely, and was inspired to write a lot more than I originally planned.  I loved every moment featuring Hurley and Jacob, and I can’t wait to learn more about this Candidate mumbo jumbo.  Even more, I loved that Jack got a little bit of redemption, and his scenes with his son warmed my heart.  I’m cheesy like that sometimes.  So, what did you think?  Comment away.