You should go get your friends. We’re very close to the end, Hugo
We really are, aren’t we? The next-to-last installment in the Lost saga, a thrilling, emotional multi-centric odyssey entitled “What They Died For” continued a proud tradition of the series’ pre-finale installments. Think “Three Minutes”, “Greatest Hits”, “Cabin Fever” and “Follow the Leader”. I’ve always had a soft spot for the episode immediately preceding the season (in this case, series) finale. They are traditionally well-paced, forward-moving outings that leave you completely geeking out over the heart-stopping adventure that lies ahead of you. The fact that the next episode looms just a mere five days away this time around only adds to the anticipation.
Now, there was much hemming and hawing over “Across the Sea” last week, and even though I’ve warmed to the episode the more time I’ve had to contemplate it, I will admit I was a little uneasy about the sort of endgame we may have been headed towards. I can safely say that “What They Died For” quelled all of these concerns. And while these episodes are all subject to personal opinion, I would say that if this episode did not leave you with shocked smile on your faccia, then I’m sorry to say you’ve been wasting your time for six seasons. Sorry. Maybe go rent the Heroes box set.
Several plans were put into action in both universes, as Desmond continued his quest as something of a cosmic policeman, awakening Ben–and, to some extent, Locke, by proxy–to the true nature of their split existence. Furthermore, he orchestrated a jailbreak that freed Kate and Sayid, but not before making them promise to grant him some sort of favor once their escape was secured. Hurley’s appearance and naming of Ana Lucia (this season is so good, I don’t even mind seeing Michelle Rodriguez again) would seem to indicate that he, like Des, is now completely aware of their circumstance. Sayid made off with Hurley in the Hummer, while Kate and Des had an appointment to likely rendezvous with Jack at his son’s concert. And wouldn’t you know, the writers are going to keep the identity of David’s mother a secret until the show’s last hour. Gotta admire their gusto.
It’s been quite a while since I can remember a Lost episode that felt so loaded with action and did not feel completely bloated. Every fiber of the story seemed completely organic and meaningful, particularly the brief romantic sideways interlude between Ben and Rousseau. The notion that those two would end up together, given their loaded island history, is highly adorable and satisfying. This seems like something that may have been left on the cutting room floor, but was necessary to counterbalance the subterfuge Ben was pulling on the Island.
The episode’s strongest arc was undoubtedly Jacob’s pow wow with the remaining candidates, as we were enlightened as to why our friends dropped straight out of the sky and onto this Isle of mystery all those years ago. After Jack finished sewing up Kate (a tremendous closing of the pilot episode loop, where in Kate healed the good doctor), the group met up with the Island guardian, who was now fully visible to all of them. Jacob explained that they were brought here to help correct his mistake in turning the Man in Black into the billowing demon entity we’ve come to know. It’s important to note then, that the castaways are not simply additional pawns in the Jacob/MiB game that debates man’s true nature. The fact that they were brought there from there empty solitary existences to eventually replace Jacob gives this whole thing a sense of finality, as opposed to feeling like just another trial in some silly Island deity experiment.
Logically, Jack assumed the mantle, and was given the same treatment that Jacob received last week, sipping from a seemingly “blessed” liquid as part of the Island’s transfer of power. His journey to fulfill his destiny appears to be complete, but there is the matter of that Smokey bad ass. This also begs the question of what happens to the other candidates who did not accept Jacob’s invitation? Do they just get to hang out? I would assume that they would be able to help Jack in his fight, right?
Elsewhere, Ben, Richard and Miles finally popped up again, and it would seem that any of us who bought into Ben’s conversion to the good side in “Dr. Linus” were not unlike the sucker left to pay the bill at a pricey restaurant after everyone else snuck out the back door. Yes, it appears with Sayid blown to bits under the sea, Ben has assumed the mantle of Smokey’s misanthropic muscle of destruction. Lured by the Monster’s promise of total Island control once he’s left, Ben immediately took to his task of offing all of those folks who presented a threat to Smokey’s exodus, namely, longtime nemesis Widmore. However, the fact that Ben had so much baggage with Charles prior to the Monster’s prodding and the seemingly apparent feeling of remorse he felt when he was near Alex’s grave, I can’t help but think that Ben is flipping the script one more time, thus making him, what, like a quintuple agent or something? Stay tuned.
The Monster’s promise to Ben seemed to lose a little bit of steam when he closed the episode with the revelation that he plans to not only leave the Island forever, but also to wipe it from existence. My first thought upon hearing that was that he would attempt to “sink” the Island as we saw in the sideways premiere. Has anyone contemplated the notion that we might be in for a huge downer ending?
Like all great Lost outings, “What They Died For” hit on that perfect mix of plot-driven mystery and character-generated poignancy. I am now, and always have been, more interested in the latter, and this episode took the time to give such treasured moments as Sawyer assuming guilt for his friends’ demise, Claire’s wonderful embracing of her newfound family breakfast, Kate’s impassioned demand for justification of the deaths of Sun, Jin and Sayid and Jack’s emotional assumption of the responsibility that he somehow always knew was his. It’s moments like these that elevate the show from a geeky niche to wholly unique experience.
- If you’ve been reading this with any regularity, you know that I have wholeheartedly enjoyed every Jack and Locke sideways exchange since the premiere, so I am positively tickled that there will seemingly be some payoff to Jack’s pledge to get Locke out of that chair.
- So, what exactly do we make of the appearance of the little kid version of Jacob popping up all around the Island in relation to the full-grown Jacob apparition seen by Hurley, and later, the rest of the candidates?
- How could I have not mentioned the apparent death of Richard? He seemed ticketed for death as soon as he seemed to connect with his long-lost love in “Ab Aeterno”, and I would have to think that that this is a real end for the long-tormented Island concierge.
- Not only did Zoe get the Pez dispenser treatment from the Monster, she was dispatched with a real slap in the face line delivery from the Monster: “You told her not to talk to me, that made her pointless.” Clearly a nod to the fans’ increasing frustration with the character,as Lost is wont to do.
Well gang, are you sufficiently pumped? Very soon it’s all going to be over. I’ll save all of my overly emotional sentiments about what this show has meant to me and my livelihood for Sunday’s writing, since I know you’re all VERY interested. Are we all in agreement that this episode is precisely what the the show needed at this point? However you felt about it at the time, wouldn’t you agree that “Across the Sea” at the very least served to enhance the mythology-loaded pep talk that Jacob gave the candidates? What in the world are we going to do without these people?
Be sure and check out the IPTV LostCast for more of my thoughts on this stellar episode, it should post tomorrow afteroon.
Namaste.
