So Gordon's started living out on his own now, and if I hadn't mentioned it before, my parents and I usually bring him some food boxes every few weeks. But since I've been away from Canberra, my parents haven't traveled down there and as such Gordon has been getting very hungry. Observe how he decided to start a convo with me tonight:
So I totally couldn't meet the 7-day pledge I made to Colby to have the next chapter to him by today. Technically I said a week and a half, but I won't get it done by then either. I mostly blame getting incredibly sick with the flu (so much so that I've had to endure half a week more with my parents ;))
The guilt, however, was able to give me a fairly good spurt on my start. Just finished writing the first scene ... started at about 10pm today, so 2-3 hours work ain't bad for 1,433 words. This was a lot easier to write mostly because it works as in independent scene, so I didn't need to fully plan it out and I'm glad it organically evolved to something quite nice. The only thing stopping me from writing this days previous was I needed a name for a new character and I couldn't think of one, but during dinner I found one so it all kinda fell into place
As promised this chapter will reveal my endgame, and ultimately, what I hope will be a nifty endgame for Colby's story though too, though I'd said in the past that we really ought not to have our own endgames.
Also, we're at 79, 592 words. And we're probably half or a third of the way through ... So yeah :\
SPOILERS - Need I say more?
WOW. What a freakin' kickass episode. It definitely shoots up there was one of my favourite episodes, alongside "The Shape of Things to Come" and "Walkabout," both of which, mind you, were quite Locke (and Ben) heavy, so it's no wonder I liked this episode. Those two have a terrifyingly electric dynamic that one rarely ever sees on television and films anymore (only one I can think off lately would've been Dexter and Trinity in ... Dexter :P). And I don't like this episode because it was so answer heavy or mythos laden ... Just the general feel of the episode, the pacing, the character development, the twists ... it all made for a satisfying package. And it's not my fault that the characters I really like are the ones so heavily invested in the mythology.
It's an episode like this which really proves my earlier position that these flash-sideways work and help tell the story. Last week's kinda worked a bit but also kinda didn't ... but this week it just worked. Perhaps it was because Locke is dead and this serves as his 'conclusion' which has tainted how I view the episode. On that note, after this episode and the potential setup of a Ben and Locke and a Jack and Locke relationship in this sideway-universe, I suppose I wouldn't be completely outraged if John Locke doesn't come back into the main reality. It would still deeply sadden me that his character, an inspiration for 4.5 seasons would have died the way he lived, pathetically. At a narratological and emotional level, his alternate storyline would provide the closure necessary to not get upset. At a character level though, it doesn't feel like a very good ending. Of course, this all depends on how the two realities are reconciled, so I'll just have to wait that out.
And this episode went to great lengths to humanise MIB from being the big bad evil entity portrayed in "LA X" and I'm glad for that, even if it is a big con. LOST, since the very first season, whilst I still maintain is a plot-driven show, has not forsaken its characters, and if MIB weren't given this level of humanisation, they would be forsaking their principles.
Whatever the major conflict is (and I have some theories on that below), I hope at its root it is a personal one. Something that speaks out to universal human themes. That the conflict between MIB and Jacob transcends a game or 'the fate of the world' ... something that has its foundation in some semblance of humanity (even though they may not be (or may never have been) human).
Speaking of human ... When MIB was telling Sawyer about how memories as a human ... did his emotions seem eerily like the ones Locke held? Obviously they were quite broad and most humans would, but the possibility that he was just using the memories he has of Locke did jump out at me (though I do hope it is not the case). Either way, I find it incredibly interesting that this flash-sideways story was essentially happening to two different people. The sideways story of Locke to the main story of MIB - first time that's happened. Their only link is that they look like Locke.
So onto my more specific points:
On Ben
How could I not begin with my favourite character? This episode went a long way to develop the thread they started in "LA X" where Ben was a broken man, when he realised just how used and manipulated he was. Indeed, the role reversal where he once held all the answers from a confused Locke to the now MIB holding all the answers to an increasingly ignorant Ben, is quite delicious and I'm looking forward to it playing out.
Ben's eulogy for Locke touched me, though perhaps a bit too short and slightly comical, I think it was very well done. I would've preferred if Ben had been the one to suggest burying the body, instead of Sun, but I guess they wanted to give her one line of dialogue this episode :P
I believe that this is the beginning of one half of his redemption. I get spines down my chill when I think of a Ben who was so utterly deceived by another. He won't go down the same revenge driven spiral he had against someone like Keamy, but I definitely think he will be seeking to right his wrongs and find atonement. On that level, his entire development would be undermined by a revelation that Jacob was evil and MIB was good (though I'm still officially out on which is which).
The other half of his atonement will come in the alternate universe. There better be another Ben centric coming up (will be interesting to see if it'll have any more other than the Locke aspect of it ... comical classroom shenanigans of Mr Linus?) or I will be severely disappointed. Locke's alternate story will be explored here (though I wonder if Locke will get another flash-sideways episode ... Perhaps likely, since MIB is such a major figure. A proper MIB centric episode would be amazing. As would a Richard one). But I do think that we will see a 'good' Ben, one that perhaps would never have gone to the temple and lost his innocence, whatever that means.
On Richard
When MIB told Richard "I want you to come with me," am I the only person that got the romantic implications of that? Like I have no idea where it came from or where it could possibly go. Just the way it as delivered ... it felt like MIB and Richard had some sort of deep bond, perhaps it's brotherly or even paternally or just a close friendship from a time gone by. During my watch I did think for a moment that maybe MIB was actually WIB ... a Woman in Black, that Titus Welliver (actor for MIB in "The Incident") was not his original form. Indeed, I thought that some time ago when trying to link MIB and Jacob to Adam and Eve. But then MIB said he was a man ... Could've been a lie, I guess, but it's still too far of a stretch.
On Ignorance
I think it's incredibly interesting that Richard, the man we've considered for such a long time to have all the answers seems to know nothing at all. Same goes for Ben. In fact, Aldo and Mac (the two Others leading Kate and Jin from the Temple last episode) both seemed to know more than Ben who is ostensibly the leader of these people. The relationship between Dogen, Richard and Ben and who is exactly has most power will be interesting.
To be honest though, I think this will be a somewhat unimportant plothole. Lost escalates on a scale of leading you along with thinking someone holds all the answers only to prove how ignorant they are and creating a new tier of knowledge. I'd say that could only happen once more this season ... Either Ilana+Dogen or MIB will have the rug pulled from under them ... but can't see it happening more than that.
Ben not knowing anything. Alright, that was explained in "The Incident," and, as stated earlier, will be a major driving force in his character. But Richard? Seems a little odd that he didn't know that MIB was roaming free or that he'd not make the connection that "Locke" claiming to have been resurrected was suspect or didn't know MIB could change shapes OR what candidates were (and how they relate to the bigger picture).
As for Ilana (and Bram's) knowledge of the Island ... interesting to see how that compares with Dogen's knowledge and would be interesting to see exactly how comprehensive it is compaired to MIB's.
The Smoking Gun
Ilana picking up the ash of Jacob. That's a smoking gun if ever I saw one. Could that be the same ash surrounding the cabin and Bram used to protect himself? Is the ash made from previous Jacob's (as in literally Jacob) or perhaps from previous stewards of the Island with Jacobian powers?
The Cave
Somehow, I'd like to think that that wasn't Jacob's cave. I mean why does he need a cabin, a statue AND a cave to protect the Island? Especially how none of them are protected and any ol' yahoo can waltz right in. Unless the wall on which the names were written has some special calling power or something, I don't see it.
Instead, I'd like to see it as MIB's cave. (the only problem with that is what's with the scales them, if he owns them). It could be MIB's list, after scanning the people, of all the people Jacob's ever brought to the Island. A list he would've used to progressively kill everyone brought there (or a list of people to judge and therefore kill if they 'fail'). I mean this doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but neither does calling it Jacob's cave.
Also: Note the visible ladder deep in the caves during one of the shots of the names. I wonder where that leads...
The Numbers
This will probably be the only time I have a cynical attitude to Lost, but the addition of the numbers to the names seemed incredibly ... last minute and seemed unplanned. Obviously I'm sure they will be explained more ... but unless the number explanation is absolutely critical to the plot, I feel a bit uneasy that they re-introduced the numbers.
I know in interviews that at one point Damon and Carlton seemed to indicate that the numbers wouldn't be coming back. Then after some change they seemed to be in the camp that it would be remiss of them not to bring them back. Obviously these stories developed and have an organic nature about them, but putting the numbers next to the names seems to indelibly link them directly into the major story (like THE major story, which I get the impression they never belonged). I have no problem with them coming up with a nifty way to explain things that differed from when the questions were initially posed, but I fear this addition doesn't warp the initial story too much.
Though, at the end of the day, I could be wrong and the numbers were always involved. I was always kinda satisfied with the Valenzetti explanation of the numbers :\
Which Kwon?
MIB made a point of saying he didn't know if Jin or Sun were the candidates. I have no real answers, though I'd like to think it was both. But it may have been Jin and this is the reason why Sun never flashed (but since Lapidus didn't then he couldn't possibly be a candidate, by that logic).
On Jack
Just quickly. From this episode ... I do think eventually Locke will call Jack and set up a consult. How this transpires I have no idea ... but whatever the result, I would suspect it to be one of the, if not the last flash-sideways we have (so either at or before the finale). From this you can sorta tell I'm rooting for Jack performing a miracle and healing Locke, no matter how the realities are reconciled.
Who the hell is the Kid?
Let me go on the record as saying that initial appearance of the Kid with the blood on his arms literally made my stick my fist in the air and shout. I didn't really care who/what they were, but the very notion of some Kid being important to the major story filled me with absolute joy. Especially that one shot. I would've been content with just that.
The obvious choice for the Kid is that he is Jacob, either reincarnated or some ethereal manifestation. If this were the case I'd feel a little bit cheated. I mean they already have Jacob appearing to Hurley, why introduce the Kid as well (as cool as it may be)?
The next choice is Aaron... He has to factor into the story somehow and maybe this will be it. Is this the actual Aaron that is currently with Mrs Littleton? Or could it be the ethereal manifestation of Aaron?? I'd like to think it was the latter or something.
Indeed, when MIB was telling Sawyer about his human life, where he lost someone he loved, my mind jumped immediately to the Kid in blood. I think the kid if MIB's child whose death Jacob was responsible for, as well as the mother of the child. Or something like that. Alternatively, it could be Jacob's child, whose death MIB is responsible for (perhaps something that Jacob is responsible for) and MIB carries the guilt to this day. Perhaps MIB and Jacob both cared for a woman and their ensuing rivalry resulted in her death as well as a child's.
This is what I mean by a human ultimate endgame ... I have no idea exactly how candidates and the Losties and DHARMA and the numbers and the Others all fit into an endgame like this, but that's what I'd like. That at the most fundamental level, the entire project of the Island/game has to do with someone's lost family.
Though an entirely separate entity is not out of the question. Indeed, it might be interesting if the Kid was Christian! :D
Who is "him"?
Regarding the Kid's ominous message "You can't kill him." When I first watched it, I took it to mean Jacob, as per "The Incident," hence the need for a loophole. So the Kid was a herald for 'The Rules', which I correctly surmised as paramount to the story. The Kid would be telling MIB he broke the rules (whatever that may be).
But a lot of people on forums seem to believe that it was regarding Sawyer. Which would mean MIB can't kill candidates, adding a whole new dimension to these candidates.
I'm definitely hoping it's the former, but the second one is definitely still in the picture.
Who can see the Kid?
A lot of people are concluding that Richard couldn't see the Kid, whilst Sawyer can, hence MIB making a comment about it. I'm not sure if this is at all significant. I'd like to think that the Kid just disappeared when Richard turned around, like all the Island's illusions (though, oddly, they were all Smokey ... interesting how he himself is also subject to visions). Although the kid may not be an illusion at all and an actual corporeal being.
I just took Sawyer being able to see the Kid as MIB's confirmation that the Kid wasn't just his memories toying with him (in like with my previous theory) and that he was real and hence the chase. I'm sure this will be explored further.
But if only candidates see the Kid, maybe MIB was originally a candidate himself...
Candidates
I'm not sure what to make of the whole candidates thing. Obviously we can't take MIB's words without any scepticism, although I'm not exactly sure how good storytelling it would be to have information revealed now be revealed to be a lie. I suspect parts of it are true and other parts a lie.
Why did Jacob need replacements in the first place? I mean it seems like the Island had some purpose to fulfill, but if MIB is correct then the Island's purpose is to bring people to protect it ... so that it can go on bringing people in to protect it? That seems incredibly pointless and tautologous. So will I think that the losties probably are candidates, I don't think they're candidates to be Jacob's replacement. I mean he brings them here to the Island ... let's them be and then they die. I mean what kind of selection process is that?
Also: I don't for a second believe MIB when he suggests the Island doesn't need protecting. If MIB was imprisoned here then I think Jacob's purpose (and maybe his predecessors and successors) is a warden and to keep him there. Alternatively, wouldn't it be interesting if there is some external threat, to which MIB was not privy to, and he has to end up protecting the Island in the wake of Jacob's death?
Wouldn't it be interesting if candidates were for MIB? That is, new Smoke Monsters, freeing the human from the Smoke.
The Hatch Parallel
I had a thought, and am pleasantly surprised to see someone else on forums having such a thought, that perhaps the Hatch and the whole button pushing aspect of it could be a parallel for this. That is the Island and the stewards (or Jacob) who protect it. They bring people to the Island to protect it and those people bring others in. It's just like the button pushing, blind faith. MIB, who's seen it over and over has lost faith that such an external threat exists. Thus he kills Jacob and decides not to push to button. Leave the Island and see what happens. In this case it would be almost a very interesting iteration of the storytelling, which we also see in Widmore and Ben's relationship (ie their rules vs the ones governing Jacob and MIB).
Just a nifty lil' anecdote as I'm feeling under the weather:
There's a story - in accordance with Poe's Law, I have no idea whether it's a joke or it actually happened - about a creationist who was trying to claim a "gap" in the fossil record, two species without an intermediate fossil having been discovered. When an intermediate species was discovered, the creationist responded, "Aha! Now there are two gaps."I just looked up Poe's Law and *chuckle.* I'm sure Chris would enjoy this:
"Poe's law (religious fundamentalism) — "Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humour, it is impossible to create a parody of fundamentalism that someone won't mistake for the real thing." named after Nathan Poe who formulated it on christianforums.com in 2005 Although it originally referred to creationism, the scope later widened to religious fundamentalism
And just like that, it's so easy to slip back into the mantra of not writing new posts here :O Granted 3 days isn't exactly a long hiatus, I usually enforce a "skip one day you must write something the next" rule. The only excuse I really have is it's been rather busy these past three days, what with Valentines Day happening on Sunday. Ha, I wish. Unfortunately Chinese New Year also fell on that date so pretty much any Valentinian activities I would've planned (which probably would've been minimal. And solitary) was usurped by the Year of the Tiger.
In fact, on the night before I wrote a status update about how we were deliberately trying to be late, and this somehow induced a spat of hate :'( We had dinner scheduled for 8:30 and we needed to be at the temple at midnight ... so we had to be a little bit late otherwise we'd finish dinner and not have anything to do for a coupla hours. Favourable weather and unprecedented traffic conditions meant we arrived at dinner at exactly 8:30, although slow service and forgetful waiters meant we finished dinner at about 11pm, which was perfect for us (though would've grieved us no end any other night).
At the temple we arrived just in time for the inner-sanctum lion dance, which basically involved human-sized lion puppets/costumes to dance to the deities and consume some oranges and cabbages (our offerings to the deities, the eating of which purifies the temple).
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