Lost - 316

"316"

Wow. I am so impressed that the writers managed to move the story significantly tonight and yet sprinkled in a few more questions into the mix that is sure to get Lost fans buzzing for a while. I found myself thinking: Ok, so I see that this is happening, but what really is happening?

In a nutshell, the Oceanic 6 minus Aaron, plus Ben, Locke's body and Frank (!) manage to board a plane together from LA to Guam. The plane's route flies directly above a "pocket of energy window" which will bring them back to the island (as explained by Eloise Faraday). While on board, the plane experiences turbulence -- and then... a flash of light.

Jack, Hurley and Kate wake up near a waterfall and are met by Jin in a Dharma Initiative uniform!

That is how the episode ended.

In the beginning: Only Jack and Ben are convinced that they should go with this crazy plan of getting on an airplane to go back to the island. In fact, Desmond storms out of the church after delivering his "message" to Daniel's mom. Jack then finds something that belonged to his father to bring back with him since they needed to recreate how they ended up on the island as much as they can. I like the Wizard of Oz touch: he found a pair of shoes. Eloise also gave him Locke's "suicide note".

And then crazy things happened. Kate showed up in Jack's apartment. I'm going back with you to the island, but promise me never to ask what happened to Aaron! says Kate. I wont, says Jack. They have sex.

In the morning, Kate leaves and says she'll meet Jack at the airport. Jack answers his phone. It's Ben. He's at a phone booth, his face covered in dried blood. There's been a change of plan, you have to get John's body for me, he says.

Jack puts his father's shoes on Locke's dead body and places the suicide note which he did not read in the coffin.

At the airport, Jack is happy that Kate followed on her promise to come. Then at the security check, Sun approaches Jack. While they talk, Sayid is dragged in handcuffs through security.

Cut to Hurley. He is also at the airport as a waitlisted passenger on the flight. He asks the ground crew how many seats are available. She says 78. He buys all the seats out. Jack finds him.

They all go into the airplane and are surprised all of them are together. Jack gets Locke's suicide note back after it was discovered by security during the coffin checkup. Jack says later that he can't get rid of it, and he must be destined to read it.

Ben arrives and boards the plane, still with dried blood and an arm sling. (Rickey's Note: Apparently he refuses to wash his face for dramatic effect. LOL)

Frank introduces himself on the intercom as the the pilot. Everyone is surprised. Jack talks to Frank. Frank says, We're not going to Guam are we?

Jack reads the note:

Jack,

I wish you had believed in me.

JL

The plane experiences turbulence -- and then... a flash of light.

So the narrative for the next few episodes is how the others managed to find themselves on that plane, mixed in with their adventures back at the island. What happened to Aaron? What happened to Sayid? Hurley? Ben?

Next week we will find out about Locke's suicide.

I love Lost.