Lost Season 6 - Episode 4: The Substitute - Recap
As Noelle told me earlier: "My brain." Let's see if we can pick up a few more pieces from the ground...
This episode was a Locke-centric episode which felt weird because in the flash-sideways we see Locke safe in LA but in a wheelchair and just miserable with his life. And then on the island we know that Locke is dead and the "man in black" has taken the form of his body ("Flocke"). Very interesting juxtaposition between the two timelines whose only relation to each other is that the same actor Terry O'Quinn is playing both characters (excellently I may add).
First off LA - and I just have to say, John Locke has to be the greatest character in this series. It was very painful to see him a broken man last night, when on the island for the past few seasons we have seen this character just grow into a fearless man who conquered all (even death at one point but now we know that's not true).
We saw him struggle with his wheelchair, get fired, and have doubts about his relationship with Helen. I really felt sorry for him. And in what turned out to be the best parts of the episode -- when he met people on the island like Hugo and Rose -- that's when his life got energized. Hugo we learn owned the company Locke just got fired from -- and then offered him a job in a temp agency he also owned -- which in turn was where Rose was the supervisor. The part when Rose tells Locke about how she learned to accept her terminal cancer and move on with her life was great storytelling reversal (Rose was not a confident person on the island if I remember correctly). She helps him find a job as a substitute teacher in a school where we find Benjamin Linus as a teacher of European History. Hahaha. Excellent!
It's hard to put into words, and I know this is a work of fiction, but I was very impressed at how Locke was presented as a case for anyone - no matter how broken - has the potential to be great. Very inspiring and it was very hard not to root for him, knowing what he can be and became to other people.
And now to the island where even more questions among the "answers" are revealed:
1. Ilana tells Ben that Flocke took Richard because he was "recruiting". She also takes some of Jacob's ashes.
2. Before they head off to the temple where it is supposed to be safe, Sun suggests that they should bury Locke's body -- so she, Ilana, Ben and Frank go back to the first camp to bury him. Ben eulogizes Locke ending with: "... and I'm very sorry I murdered him."
Frank murmurs: "This is the weirdest damn funeral I've ever been to." LOL, that's the quote of the season right there.
3. Flocke tortured Richard, but Richard refuses to join Flocke in whatever he is doing and is set free. Flocke tells Richard that he took the form of John Locke because Locke was a "candidate". (Oh no here we go again with the non-answer answers). During this conversation, Flocke sees a blonde boy with bloody hands. (Aaron?)
4. Flocke can still turn into the smoke monster at will - and decides to "recruit" Sawyer who is drunk back at the Others village. Sawyer knows that Flocke isn't John Locke because he wasn't afraid like Locke, but agrees to go with Flocke who offers him answers to why Sawyer is on the island.
5. While walking in the jungle, Flocke and Sawyer see the young boy! Flocke chases after him then trips. Young boy says: "You know the rules. You can't kill him." Flocke responds: "Don't tell me what I can't do!"
(Okay, I can't even begin to comprehend that.)
6. While Flocke is away, Richard calls out to Sawyer for them to go to the temple. Sawyer refuses, Richard runs back into the jungle. He really looks very scared now! What a stunning turn of events from the past few seasons.
7. Sawyer threatens to shoot Flocke after narrating the plot of his favorite book "Of Mice and Men". But he hesitates. Flocke leads them to a cave on a cliff. Inside the cave were the names of various survivors of the plane crash written in chalk. The names of those who were dead had their names crossed out.
Flocke explains: Those are the names of the "candidates" that Jacob somehow manipulated to come to the island via various contacts during different times in their lives. (Enclosed video has the scenes). They are candidates to become the "protector" of the island -- to be the next "Jacob".
He tells Sawyer he has three options:
1. Do nothing and see how it all plays out (and possibly his name gets crossed out - meaning die)
2. Take the job and become the new "Jacob" and protect the island -- from NOTHING (he says)
3. Get off the island with him
"So what do you say James, are you ready to go home?"
"Hell yes."
Dammit Sawyer! Do not go to the dark side!
I love Lost.
Video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/v/L3TLai4H9-I&hl=en_US&fs=1&
Read Noelle's recap