I promise there will be posts here that aren’t about LOST soon. But, they won’t be today, because last night’s episode kicked ass. I suspect the causal watchers of the show (wait — are there casual watchers of this show?) might have been disappointed with the lack of progression in the Kate/Jack/Locke in-the-hatch storyline, but there were so many little details to pick up on in Season Two, Episode Two that it was all worthwhile.
Here are some of the things I noticed.
- First off, the previews said we’d “learn the fate of all the survivors” in this episode. This was clearly a reference to those on the raft — and yet, we still don’t know where Walt is. The promo for this week was definitely a bit misleading.
- It’s clear that when the numbers (4 8 15 16 23 42) are entered into that sweet Apple II a counter resets back to 108 (which is the sum of all the numbers). It would seem that it is Desmond’s responsibility to enter these numbers before the counter reaches zero, over and over and over again. When Locke asked Desmonds what was going to happen when he hit “execute,” I think he was asking the wrong question. He should have asked what happens if he doesn’t hit “execute.”
- Michael, in the flashback where he is saying goodbye to a very young Walt, gives him a stuffed polar bear. This has to mean something, although I’m not sure what, yet.
- Desmond asked Locke, “So the world is still out then, then?” This indicates to me he’s been there for some time and believes something has happened on the outside that had the potential to kill everything. I’m off the nuclear weapon thing and onto the biological agent bandwagon, instead. It seems as though Desmond might be employed by a company (called “Dharma,” apparently) that was testing some kind of bio-warfare or bio-engineering outfit.
- Desmond seems sincerely surprised that none of the survivors have gotten sick yet after 44 days. My guess is that some of them are, and they just don’t know it yet.
- Did you catch the logo on the shark’s tail. I didn’t, when I watched it the first time. But once I knew what I was looking for, it’s very clear. The shark that is bothering Sawyer and Michael clearly has been branded. To me, this doesn’t look like the same “Dharma” logo that is plastered all over everything in the hatch, but it’s basically the same shape, so it’s hard to say.
- It doesn’t seem like Desmond is sick. I really believe Desmond has been quarantined off from the sick, not because he is sick. This would explain why the word “quarantine” is on the inside of the hatch door.
- Desmond was clearly waiting for someone to arrive, and had been waiting for some time. He asks Locke, “are you him?” It’s possible he was waiting for his own replacement, or perhaps a superior to give him new orders. Either way, he’s waiting for someone, and it isn’t Locke.
- Question: When Locke answer “yes” to “are you him?,” do you think he really believed he was him, or was he just playing nice in order to not get shot?
- As a sort of identity test, Desmond asks Locke, “What did one snowman say to the other?” A Google for this riddle shows two possible answers: “Chill.,”’ and “I smell carrots.” Not sure if either of these would be significant, though.
- Desmond almost shot Kate when she was in the ventilation duct. Did he see her there, or was she just in the wrong place at the wrong time? I’m inclined to believe he didn’t see her there, but it’s hard to say.
- The Others, who we seem to see at the end of the episode, don’t look much like The Others we saw at the end of season one stealing Walt from the raft. Walt’s Others had advanced weapons and tools (a boat, guns, explosives, etc.), whereas Jin’s Others at the end of last night’s show looked very primitive, with handmade weapons and such. Is it possible Jin’s Others aren’t The Others at all, but rather the survivors from the tail section of the plane? I think it’s possible — we know Michelle Rodriguez shows up in the next episode as Ana-Lucia, and we know she was in the tail section of the plane. And, speaking of Ana-Lucia, who is the female sex symbol on this show? I’m not sure who I’m supposed to think is hottest. Kate? Claire? Shannon? Now Ana? I guess there’s something for everyone. Me? I’ll take Ana. Or Kate. :)
- It seems like Desmond doesn’t recognize Jack — although Jack clearly recognizes Desmond.
- How long ago did Jack meet Desmond in the stadium? Jack was clearly younger then — but not 16 years younger. Maybe not even four or eight years younger. How long can Desmond possibly have been on the island, given that he met Jack a few years prior?
There were a lot of answers in the episode, but also a lot more questions. I’m not sure what to think anymore!
001 // AJP // 09.29.2005 // 12:03 PM
So many twists. I literally finished watching the first season 20 minutes before season 2 started, and having it all fresh in your mind is great to see all the plot lines carried over.
Jack/Desmond probably met about 4-10 years ago. 2 years for Sarah’s recovery, plus married, plus divorced(?).
Then throwing Ana-Lucia into the preview. Is it really the tail section? Is Rose going to find her husband, whom she “knows” is still alive?
I hate watching the season back to back to back to… and then be drawn out for weeks. At least 24 was only one real season of plot connections. (well some…)
002 // Chris McMahon // 09.29.2005 // 1:53 PM
Hurley told the snowman joke during season one. I think the answer was: “My balls are freezing”
Is Hurley the one?
003 // Jeff Croft // 09.29.2005 // 2:01 PM
Hurley told that joke? Are you sure? I remember Hurley telling a joke, but I didn’t remember it being the snowman one. If he did, that would be a pretty strong connection — especially with Hurley’s attachment to the numbers. Do you remember what episode? I’ll check my DVDs when I get home…
004 // pdanko // 09.29.2005 // 3:28 PM
Ok, so here’s my guess at where this whole thing is going…
After the next episode they pull “Lost” from the broadcast line-up and make it available only on pay-per-view. MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
005 // Keith // 09.29.2005 // 7:31 PM
While I like Lost, I can’t help but think they’re milking it a bit. I mean it they didn’t advance the main plotline one bit this episode.
It was a good 10 minutes in before it even really started. We all know what’s going on…come on.
Plus, come on, the backstory stuff, can we kill that yet. Unless it’s relating to what is going on on the island I don’t much care. We went through the stuff on last night’s episode last year.
Lost is good, but it’s in danger of losing me if it doesn’t pick up the pace a bit.
006 // Lea // 09.29.2005 // 8:42 PM
Hurley did NOT say the joke… what Chris is alluding to was when he was trying to talk to Jin while they were building the raft, and Jin was making hand motions… Hurley got confused and asked if Jin wanted to make snowballs. That’s it. And to end another rumour, no, Walt nor Michael wrote the joke in the card — that was a joke about a penguin and a sunburn.
Regarding the questions, I have no clue what to think…
As for the sex symbols in the show — they pretty much put damn near every type of man and woman that could appeal to someone. I’m content watching Jack and Sawyer. ;-)
007 // Rowan Lewis // 09.30.2005 // 3:33 AM
It would make a good movie, but a second season? More than one show? No thanks… its like watching Scream 1, 2 and 3 back to back, and about as interesting.
008 // Brian Ford // 09.30.2005 // 8:26 AM
It would make a good movie, but a second season? More than one show? No thanks’¦ its like watching Scream 1, 2 and 3 back to back, and about as interesting.
I’m not sure that I agree with you, and there are clearly a lot of other people who -definitely- don’t agree with you, and despite the slightly “troll-ish” nature of your post….
It’s true that they’re basically gambling that viewers will have the patience to stick with a show for as long as they can drag it out. Open question: How long would anyone be willing to stay with this mystery? 3 seasons? 5 seasons? Longer? This pretty much ties into my original comment about why I’m not watching lost. I’m just not sure I “like” the feeling of being kept in the dark week after week, season after season. Shows like this tend to turn the light on in one room only to open the door to a darker room. I just wonder how long before fans start getting impatient for answers?
009 // Brian Ford // 09.30.2005 // 8:44 AM
Found this over @ rogerebert.com:
http://homepage.mac.com/mprieve/.Public/lost.mpg
Thought you lost fans might want to see it.
010 // Scott Orchard // 09.30.2005 // 12:23 PM
I didn’t notice the logo on the shark, more signs of a massive experiment? Also with the Others, could “they” (whoever is in charge of everything) be intentionally stranding people here for their own nefarious purposes?
011 // Jeff Croft // 09.30.2005 // 1:35 PM
Rowan: Lost would have made a good movie, yes, but I for one am glad it’s a series. The backstories of the characters are what make LOST so great, and there’s no way they could have explored them as deeply in a two hour film.
Brian: I do agree that a show like LOST can’t go on forever. It’s probably two or three seasons tops. To hear creator J.J. Abrhams tell it on the DVD extras, the entire story of was outlined and planned out before the pilot was made. In other words, they’re not making it up as they go along. They know the begining, the middle, and the end, and I would think when they get to the end, they’ll stop. But you’re right…a show that leaves people hanging so much as this one does must start giving out some answers at some point, or people will just get frustrated. But, I think LOST balances it quite well. It doles out answers every week, but also raises new questions. It’s a fine line they have to balance, and fans will tire of the show if they drag it on too long. But I think they know this and will probably either end it this season, or do one more, tops.
That lost.mpg is strange, creepy, and kind of hot. I don’t get it, though. Do you know what the story is on it, Brian? The best part of it is definitely Claire…woah. Also, Dominic Mongahan dancing all by himself is amusing. Heh. Kate and Sun?Tramps! Hehe.
Scott: I do think it’s possible that “they” are stranding people here. But, would they do so with a plane crash? It’s a bit unheard of for most of the people in a jumbo jet crash to survive. It seems like intentionally downing a passenger plane is basically just murder, and not really a way to get people where you want them…alive.
012 // Brian Ford // 09.30.2005 // 2:09 PM
Jeff:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=SCANNERS
013 // Jeff Croft // 09.30.2005 // 2:35 PM
Thanks, Brian.
I just watched it again. i wonder what is up with Boone dancing with Claire? They never had anything going. Claire has been joined at the hip with Charlie since day one. Plus, Boone’s dead. Other than that, all of the partnerships (and even threesomes) make sense…
014 // Mike H. // 09.30.2005 // 10:41 PM
Q: What did one snowman say to the other? A: Drop your pants! Here comes the snow blower!
I don’t blame Desmond for not recognizing Jack. I wouldn’t either, not without that muskrat on his head.
015 // Samuel Sidler // 09.30.2005 // 11:58 PM
Regarding the polar bear, you’ll note that there were polar bears all over the island. Obviously, the boy has some meaning (Walt) and even possibly “brought” the polar bears. Remember the bird from season one that just flew into the window. Everything with Walt seems to have significance and/or cause a problem.
016 // Remi // 10.01.2005 // 7:54 AM
I heard somewhere that the serie was first written for one character, Hurley. So I think that when Desmond ask Locke if it’s him, he’s looking for Hurley.
017 // Scott Orchard // 10.02.2005 // 7:20 PM
Jeff, I’ll have to agree that downing airliners isn’t the best way to keep your experiment subjects alive, its too risky from any point of view. I think I’m going to have to rent season one, since I hadn’t watched much of the show up to the season finale last year and the first 2 episodes this season.
018 // Backpack Fullabooze // 10.03.2005 // 5:27 PM
Dimension-hopping time travel through parallel worlds is gonna be the hocus pocus explaining away this island’s mysteries.
019 // Kim // 10.24.2005 // 8:45 PM
Desmond has been on the island for three years. He says “three years ago, I was on a trip around the world.” Something like that….