Unstuck in Time
The Wizard of Oz again. Ben is still the Man Behind the Curtain; only now he’s come out and given himself up, a sacrifice so that Locke can move the island. But we know that Ben doesn’t get killed because he’s been directing the opposition to Widmore, again from behind the scenes. So, if I’ve got the time thing right all the flashbacks/flashforwards this season have been counting down to this homecoming episode. The farthest forward in time we’ve gone is the final episode last season when Jack told Kate they had to go back to the island. All the flashes for this season have happened in between the rescue that’s taking place this week and two weeks from now and that finale last season.
I’m getting “unstuck in time.” I think maybe when Locke moves the island, he moves it not only in space but also in time. So everyone who has anything to do with the Island, for whom maybe the Island is a “constant”, is now unstuck and drifting. I’m hoping Daniel Faraday doesn’t become unstuck and dead. Sun had a very poignant look on her face when she took the baby and left Jin and Desmond in that cabin full of explosives. How do she and the baby escape —without Jin? And why does she say that Jin didn’t survive the plane crash instead of saying that he died in the water or on the island?
Alice and The White Rabbit
Twins and mirrors and half siblings are big themes in LOST. Jack and Claire are half siblings; Boone and Shannon were half siblings, too. Didn’t Walt have a baby brother, or am I imagining that? Locke and Ben aren’t twins or siblings, but they are sharing more and more characteristics and history: a mom named Emily who leaves the scene soon after their birth, a “calling” to the island, deadbeat dads, a tendency to manipulate people and force them to do things. We’re not only back to Oz; we’re also back to Wonderland with all the rabbits’ feet and the superstition to go with it. See comments here.
Of Tibet, Dharma, and Creeping Syncretism
Oh, and in relation to Locke and his “specialness” in last week’s episode, I thought this tidbit was fascinating from J. Wood’s LOST commentary at PowellsBook.blog:
Two years after Thubten Gyatso (The Dalai Lama) died, his corpse still lying in-state, his head strangely changed positions, and was found facing northeast rather than south. So the monks headed northeast, and after some other signs and omens, they came across little Lhamo Thondup and gave him a particular test: They showed him a number of items, some of which belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama. If the boy recognized the items as his, that would be evidence that the Dalai Lama had been reborn. When they showed the boy the collection of items, he immediately claimed that items belonging to Thubten Gyatso were his, and that’s how Lhamo Thondup became Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. That’s just what the ageless Richard Alpert did with young John Locke.
So do the Dharma people believe in reincarnation? They do act and talk kind of Eastern mystic-like with all the “Namaste” and discovering hidden talents in special children. And Richard was angry because . . . Locke was supposed to go to the island way back when, but he flunked the test out of stubbornness? Did the universe/island self-correct by using Ben instead?
So if all of this story hinges on some Eastern religious metaphysical explanation, I’m going to be disappointed because, let’s face it, I’m not Buddhist or Hindu or even Taoist. And I don’t believe Truth lies there any more than it lies in the fearful superstition of Hurley and his mom. And I won’t like it if there’s a scientific explanation for everything either, although that would be better. So far the writers have been good at keeping their options open and playing one belief system against another (Man of Science, Man of Faith) with Eko and Rose and Claire and Charlie to some extent representing the Christian worldview, but they’re going to have to come to some conclusions someday. They can’t all be right, can they?
Best lines of the evening:
Ben to Locke: Haven’t you learned yet that I always have a plan?
Hurley’s mom: Jesus Christ is NOT a weapon!
Sawyer to Jack: You don’t get to die alone!
Thanks for indulging my rambling thoughts. What are you thinking about LOST these days?
It’s been very good this season – reminds me of how I felt during season 1, could hardly wait from week to week.
That look Sun gave when leaving Jin and Desmond with the explosives makes me worry. I will be very sad if Desmond is blown up. Jin, too, of course, but we already know he dies. The romantic in me is hoping for a reunion between Desmond and Penny.
I loved the way Hurley pulled Sayid into his family reunion. And Hurley’s mom’s line, “Jesus Christ is not a weapon.” Classic.
And watching Claire’s mom walk right by her grandson made me sad.
I am really looking forward to the finale – I read on Shannon’s blog that the producers have promised that we will find out who was in the coffin in the flash-forward from last season’s finale. Locke? Ben? Any guesses?
Actually, Boone and Shannon were step-siblings. Their night together was icky but not THAT icky.
I feel like we’re in that wolf-goat-cabbage crossing the river puzzle. First, Desmond and Sayid were off the island and the other survivors were in two groups. Now Sayid is back on the island and the survivors are in four groups.
I think Claire is dead and I think Desmond, Michael, and Jin are going to blow up on the ship. That all makes me very unhappy, except Michael dying. Don’t care for him at all.
I loved Sun taking control of her father’s company.
I think there are elements of Eastern religion/philosophy in the story, but there are also Biblical elements. I don’t think the writers are going to hang everything on one concept.
I’m really, really hoping Desmond doesn’t die, though…and I’m thinking the writers would have a hard time killing him off, when everyone wants a resolution to his storyline with Penny. Some people even say the show is ultimately about Desmond, although I don’t really buy that…I think the show is more about the contrast between Locke and Jack. But who knows? I just find it fascinating!