Initial Reaction to "Everybody Loves Hugo"

This episode was pretty awesome. I always enjoy Hurley-centric episodes and this one was no exception. On the surface, Hurley appears to be the source of the show's comedy, and merely that, but there is some deep-seeded seriousness to his story. He is the source which brought us to the numbers, one of the story's largest mythological mysteries. Speaking of which; we still don't know the answer to what the numbers really mean. Sure, Hurley is funny and he says "dude" a lot, but he's also a very serious character whose story tugs at your heart-strings. He sees dead people and relays messages from Jacob. He is haunted by these things, but tries to make the best of the situation. He can make you laugh one minute and cry the next. That says a lot about the depth of his character. This season; Hurley has become a leader. Everybody loves Hugo? You're damn straight we do.

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "Ab Aeterno"

WOW. That was so incredibly compelling. I was in the story from beginning to end. The storytelling in this episode was gripping and heart-wrenching. I don't think that I've ever been this quickly invested into a character's backstory since we were first introduced to Desmond's story in Live Together, Die Alone. From the moment we saw Ricardo on that horse; I was sold. I'm excited, so enough with the chit-chat, let's talk, in great detail, about how incredible this episode was.

From Lostpedia

Initial Reaction to "Dr. Linus"

Dr. Linus is a doctor? Didn't see that one coming! This episode was pretty awesome, though not as high-paced as I had anticipated. It was a very strong character episode, regardless of the pacing. Well, until the last two seconds when everything is all well and nice and everyone's hugging, and then the cheeriness is all blown to hell when Charles Widmore shows up to the party. Dude always has to ruin everything that's fun. Will he go on a baby killing tour around the island? Well, considering there are no longer any babies on the island at the moment... maybe he'll re-kill Claire's squirrel baby. That thing is the only thing that's more of a mood-killer than Widmore. But, I guess we'll only find out what his deal is in the weeks to come (Though probably not next week because they always like to do that to us. Grrrrr!). Enough chatter, let's get into it, Dr. Linus...

From Lostpedia

5.10 He's Our You

1. Tikrit, Iraq--a father tells his son to act like a man, he's urging his son to kill a chicken, his son says he doesn't want to, but he says to do as your father asks, he makes his son stay outside until he does, but the son's younger brother comes, puts his arm around him, he takes birdseed and feeds the chickens, then grabs one, snaps its neck, the father comes and congratulations his son on killing the chicken, says good for you, you did it, but the first son says that it wasn't him, the father realizes that it was his younger son who killed the chicken, he says at least one of you will be a man, the younger one is Sayid, the father says well done. From Lostpedia
   
2. "Well, at least one of you will be a man. Well done, Sayid." Sayid's Father
3. Sayid in cell, a camera is focused on him, Security station, Ben comes in, he says hey Phil, says he brought another sandwich for him, Phil says he doesn't think it's the menu, he's just not eating, Ben says that Horace told him to, Phil asks why he cares, says that the guy is a hostile, Ben says that doesn't mean that he's not hungry, Phil says whatever.
4. Ben brings Sayid his sandwich, and a book, A Separate Reality, he says that he read it twice, it's good, Sayid says thank you, Ben asks if Richard sent him, asks he's his leader right, Sayid looks at the camera that is watching them, Ben says that it's just a camera, that they can see but they can't hear, Ben says that four years ago, he ran into the jungle, and Richard found him, he said he wanted to leave, that he wanted to join them, so he's been patient, and if Sayid is patient too, he thinks he can help him. From Lostpedia
   
5. "Did Richard send you? [Sayid turns to look at young Ben.] Richard. He's your leader, right? [Sayid looks up towards the surveillance camera and makes a small nod in its direction.] It's just a camera. They can see, but they can't hear. Four years ago I ran away into the jungle and Richard found me. I said I wanted to leave. That I wanted to join you. So I've been patient. And if you're patient too, I think I can help you." Ben
   
6. Moscow--man running through door, in apartment, someone is chasing him, he locks the door behind him, goes in another room, security code, opens a safe, Sayid busts the door down, points his gun at him, the man offers him money, Sayid shoots him anyway, with a silencer on the gun, he leaves, it's night, he goes through a gate, Ben is waiting, Sayid says the man tried to bribe him, that it didn't work, Ben says of course it didn't, Sayid asks where to now, Ben says nowhere, that he's done, Sayid asks what he means, Ben says they're done, Andropov was the last one, he says that Sayid has taken care of everyone who posed a threat to his friends, he says that it's been a pleasure working with him, Sayid says so that's it, he killed all those people for him, and now he's just walking away, Ben says he didn't kill them for him, that he's the one who asked for all those names, Ben says that there's no one else in Widmore's organization that they need to go after, he says congratulations, mission accomplished, Sayid asks what does he do now, Ben says that he supposes he should go live his life, he tells Sayid that he's free. From Lostpedia
   
7. "So, that's it? I killed all those people for you, and now you're just walking away?" Sayid "You didn't kill them for me, Sayid. You're the one that asked for their names. There's no one else in Widmore's organization that we need to go after. Congratulations! Mission accomplished!" Ben "What do I do now?" Sayid "I suppose you should go live your life. You're free, Sayid." Ben
8. Radzinsky and Horace meet with Sayid, Horace tells him to put out his hands, he cuts off his handcuffs, Sayid says thank you, Horace says it's nice to finally hear your voice, says his name is Horace, now is the part where you tell me your name, he says he needs Sayid to tell him what he was doing out there, Radzinsky says to ask him about the model, Horace says he has it, he says those handcuffs, asks if he's having some kind of problem with his people, because either he's having some sort of disagreement, which makes him want to help, or he's a spy trying to infiltrate them, Horace asks Sayid so which is it, Sayid doesn't answer, Horace says he'll give him an hour, to decide whether he wants to talk to him, but if he decides he doesn't want to, then he's going to have to take this to the next level.
9. Sawyer comes into the kitchen, which has bacon burning on the stove, Juliet looking out the window, Sawyer asks what's on the TV, Jack and Kate are outside the window, Juliet asks if it's over, she says isn't it, this, us, playing house, all of it, says they never actually thought they'd come back, Sawyer says it hasn't changed anything, Juliet asks what if Sayid says something, Sawyer says he won't, he says he has this under control, there's a knock at the door.
10. Horace says he just spoke to the prisoner, that they have a problem, La Fleur asks why, what did he say, Horace says that he said nothing, which is what worries him, he needs him to tell why he violated the truce, he's going to have to have Oldham do his thing on him La Fleur says that psychopath, no way, Horace says that it's his only choice, La Fleur says to let him have a go at him, he'll talk to him.
11. Security station, La Fleur tells Phil to take his lunch, Phil asks if he's going back there alone, La Fleur tells him to leave, he asks Sayid how he's doing, Sayid says that a 12 year old Ben Linus brought him a chicken salad sandwich, asks how does he think he's doing, Sayid asks how he could live with him here, Sawyer says he doesn't have a choice, Sayid says is that so, Sawyer says to see how you feel after three years of living in the 70s, that it's lucky for him, he spent that time getting in a position to save his ass, he says sorry to Sayid, then hits him, he says he's going to tell them that he got a confession, he needs them to believe that he didn't get it easily, Sayid will say he was trying to defect, that he'll offer intel in exchange for living with them, Sayid asks why in God's name would he want to do that, Sawyer asks what the hell else he's supposed to do with that, Sayid says to let him go, asks him why not, Sawyer says these people trust him, either he cooperates and joins the party, or he's on his own, Sayid says then he guesses he's on his own.
12. "These people trust me! I've built a life here--and a pretty good one. I let you go, all that goes away. So you got yourself a choice, Chief. Either you cooperate and join the party in DHARMAville, or you're on your own." Sawyer
    
13. In the DHARMA cafeteria, Geronimo Jackson poster on the wall, Hurley with food, he brings Jack and Kate breakfast, dipping sauces, he's a DHARMA chef, he asks them what's going on with Sayid, Jack says that he doesn't know anything yet, Kate says that he was at Sawyer's last night, Jack says he told him to leave him alone and let him do his job, Hurley asks if he's going to, Kate says she'll talk to Juliet, see what she'll tell her, Hurley asks why Juliet would tell them anything if Sawyer won't, Kate asks why, Hurley says because they're together, like living together, like not as roommates, together like Jack and Kate were, he says that he thought it was kind of obvious, who couldn't see that coming, Jack stops him, Hurley says he's going to make some more waffles, Kate asks Jack if he knew, he says yeah.
    
14. Roger Linus cleaning up Security station, talks to Sayid, he says that he can't figure out how the hell he got caught, that his people are supposed to be smart, and how dumb is he that he got captured by these idiots, Sayid says and yet he's the one mopping up after them, Roger says he'll see how cute he is once Oldham gets done with him, Ben comes in with food, sees his dad there, says he was bringing him a sandwich, Roger says he's never made a sandwich in his life, Ben says he made one for himself, Roger grabs him, hurts him, Ben says he made sandwich for him, Roger asks who told him, Ben says he just thought, Roger tells him to go home, that he'll tell him what to think.
15. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic--Sayid working on houses, Ben shows up, Sayid asks how he found him, Ben says he looked, Sayid asks what he wants, Ben says that John Locke is dead, that he thinks he was murdered, Sayid asks why anyone would kill him, Ben says that he'd say it was retribution for the work they did, so then Sayid is in danger, if he can find him, so can the people who found Locke, just like they're watching Hugo, he says that a man in a Sedan has been there all week, just waiting, presumably for Sayid or him to show their faces, Ben says that's why he's there, Sayid says he actually came all this way to suggest that he kill this man, Ben asks if he doesn't want to, Sayid says what makes him think that he wants to, Ben says because he's capable of things that most other men aren't, that every choice he's made in his life, whether it was to murder, or to torture, hasn't really been a choice, that it's in his nature, it's what he is, he's a killer, Sayid says that he's not what he thinks he is, that he doesn't like killing, Ben says that then he apologizes, that he was mistaken about him. From Lostpedia
    
16. "I'd say it was retribution for the work you and I have been doing. So you're in danger, Sayid. If I can find you, so can the people that found Locke. The same people who, even as we speak, are sitting outside Hugo's mental institution." Ben
17. "What makes you think I want to?" Sayid "Because, Sayid... to put it simply, you're capable of things that most other men aren't. Every choice you've made in your life, whether it was to murder or to torture, it hasn't really been a choice at all, has it? It's in your nature. It's what you are. You're a killer, Sayid." Ben
18. They come to get Sayid out of his cell, La Fleur says this is his last chance, asks if he has anything to say, Sayid says nothing, so La Fleur zaps him, says to take him to Oldham,
    From Lostpedia
    
19. In a DHARMA van, Horace, Radzinsky, Phil, take Sayid out of van, music is playing, a tent, fire, Billie Holiday, they call Oldham out, ask if he's ready, Sayid asks Sawyer who is that man, Sawyer says he's our you, Oldham comes out, takes out a needle, injects something into a sugar cube, possibly some kind of LSD, he says they'd better put him in the restraints, they handcuff Sayid to a tree, he fights them, Oldham says don't worry, they're for his protection, he says there are side effects to what he's giving him, he tells them to open his mouth, he puts the sugar cube in, they force Sayid's mouth closed, Oldham tells Sayid not to be afraid, to turn his mind off, and let it take effect, he says that it's beyond his control, so fighting it is a poor use, whether he struggles or not, one thing is for sure, he will tell them the truth. From Lostpedia
20. Back at the Long Beach Marina, Ben tells Sun that there's someone here in Los Angeles, that he take to them there, that it's the same place that will tell them how to get back to the island, Kate asks if that's what this all was about, says he's insane, that they're all crazy, Ben asks where Sayid is going, Sayid says that he doesn't want any part of this, and if he sees them again, it will be extremely unpleasant for them both.
21. Sayid in a restaurant bar, a woman comes to sit down, it's Ilana, she asks if they have a menu, Sayid asks for another MacCutcheon, please, she asks what's that run him, Sayid says excuse him, she says that scotch, what does a glass run him, Sayid says that whatever it is, it's worth it, Ilana says she doesn't understand why anyone would pay $120 for a glass of anything, Sayid says if she knew what his drink costs, why she asked him, she says the same reason she's eating her dinner at the bar, instead of at a table, she says she'll have the rib-eye bloody, Sayid asks if she's a professional, Ilana says a professional what, asks if he thinks she's a prostitute, she says she's not a professional anything, she just thought he looked sad, and she likes sad men, Sayid says he's sorry to hear that, she moves closer, she says so other than drinking alone at bars, what he does, for a living, Sayid says that he's between jobs at the moment, Ilana asks what did he do, Sayid says it was the only thing he was ever good at, she asks then why did he quit, he says he's trying to change, she says that she knows why he's sad now, that when you are that good at something, there are always going to be people who tempt you into staying the same, Sayid asks how she knows so much about temptation, Ilana says to buy her a glass of that scotch and she'll tell him. From Lostpedia
    
22. "I know why you're sad now. When you are that good at something, there are always going to be people who tempt you into staying the same." Ilana
23. Horace talks to Sayid, Oldham says he's going to ask him a few questions, that he wants him to relax and answer them truthfully, not that he'll have any choice about it, Oldham asks what is your name, he says Sayid Jarrah, Oldham asks why was he in handcuffs when they found him, he says because he is a bad man, Oldham asks was he running away form his people, Sayid asks what people, Oldham says the hostiles, he says he is not a hostile, Horace asks then where did he come form, Sayid says that he came on a plane, Oldham asks what plane, Sayid says it was Ajira Flight 316, and that's how he returned to the island, Oldham says returned, asks Sayid if he's been there before, Sayid says the first time he was on Oceanic Flight 815, he says he was there for 100 days and then he left, he says to ask Sawyer, Oldham says who's Sawyer, Radzinsky says who cares, to asks him about The Flame, Oldham asks Sayid what he knows about their stations, Sayid says he knows The Flame was a communications station, The Pearl was to observe other stations, The Swan was to study electromagnetism, but of course, that was before the incident occurred, Radzinsky wonders how he could know the name of The Swan, they haven't even built it yet, he says that he told them he saw the model, he knew it, he is a spy, Horace says to cool it, Sayid says they're all going to die, gong to be killed, Horace asks how exactly he would know this, Sayid says because he's from the future, Oldham says maybe he should've used half a dropper, Sayid laughs, says he used exactly enough. From Lostpedia
    
24. "I came on a plane." Sayid "What plane?" Oldham "Ajira flight 3-1-6.And that's how I returned to the island." Sayid "Returned? You've been here before?" Oldham "Oh, yes. The first time, I was on Oceanic flight 8-1-5. It crashed. I was here for a hundred days. Then I left. Ask Sawyer." Sayid
25. "I know the Flame was a communication station. The Pearl was to observe other stations. The Swan was to study electromagnetism. But, of course, that was before the incident--" Sayid "The swan?! How could he know what we were gonna name it? We haven't even built it yet! I told you! He saw the model! You see?! He is a spy!" Radzinsky
26. "You're all going to die, you know." Sayid "What?" Horace "You're going to be killed." Sayid
27. Juliet shows Kate around the Motor Pool, car talk, asks how she is with a flat-four engine, Kate has no idea what she's talking about, Juliet says it's okay, she asks Kate if Jack told her about them, Kate says no, that it was Hurley actually, Juliet says it's kind of a relief, she wasn't quite sure how to do it, without sounding like she was telling her to stay away.
28. "It's kind of a relief, actually. I wasn't quite sure how to do it without it sounding like I was telling you to stay away." Juliet
29. They show up with Sayid at the barracks, bring him back to Security.
30. They have a meeting, Horace asks what they do with him, Radzinsky says they kill him, La Fleur says hold on, that they're not killing anyone, Horace says that he violated the truce, La Fleur asks since when did they start acting like them, he says that they're civilized, Horace says they are, that they have a rule of law, and they've given him every opportunity to defend himself, Radzinsky says he's seen things, that he's obviously a spy, La Fleur says he was escaping, that he obviously has problems with his people, Radzinsky says and sharing secrets are the quickest way to solve those problems, Horace says he's going to need a little time to consider, Radzinsky says the longer he's among them, the more danger they're in, La Fleur says he can talk to him, that he just needs more time, Radzinsky says he had his time, tells Horace they need to vote, make a decision, either that or he'll call Ann Arbor, and they'll make it for them, Amy says Radzinsky's right, she tells Horace please, that she can't sleep with one eye open, they have a baby now, they have to think about Ethan, they have to think about all the children there, she asks how are they going to feel safe with this man around, she says that she doesn't know what he's up to, but they can't keep him there, she says that they have no choice, Horace says okay, he says that they'll put it to a vote, he says all in favor of Radzinsky's solution, to raise their hand, everyone raises their hand except La Fleur, Horace says he'd really like to say it's unanimous, La Fleur raises his hand begrudgingly. From Lostpedia
    
31. "Since when did we start acting like them? We're civilized." La Fleur
32. Sayid and Ilana making out, she says just for the record, she was really just having dinner, he asks if she's afraid he'll get the wrong idea, she says she thinks it's too late for that, Sawyer holds her boot, Ilana says to take it off, but she kicks him in his face, they fight, she pulls a gun on him, says if he so much as flinch and he's dead, she says that he asked earlier if she was a professional, she is, that she was hired to bring him to Guam, Sayid asks who hired her, she says the family of Peter Avellino, the man he killed in cold blood last year, on a golf coarse, he asks if she's a bounty hunter, Ilana says it doesn't matter what she is, that he's going to answer for what he's done.
33. "Who hired you?" Sayid "The family of Peter Avellino--the man you killed in cold blood last year on a golf course in the Seychelles." Ilana "You're a bounty hunter?" Sayid "Doesn't matter what I am. You're going to answer for what you've done." Ilana
34. Sawyer visits Sayid in his cell, tells him to hit him in the face, that he owes him one anyway, so make it a good one, Sawyer says he'll take his keys out of his pocket, let himself out, that Phil is outside, he tells Sayid he's a dimwit, that he reckons he can get his gun without him noticing, Sayid says that he appreciates what he's doing, but he's fine right there, Sawyer says they're going to kill him, they took a vote, that even a new mom wants him dead, Sayid says that he's going to stay here, calls him James, Sawyer says this morning, he was begging him to let him go, Sayid says because, when he woke up in the jungle, and he realized he was back on this island, he thought there was no purpose to it, but now he knows why he's here, Sawyer says to get shot, says he's out of his mind, he leaves.
35. "Because...when I woke up in the jungle and I realized I was back on this island...I felt there was no purpose to it. But now I know exactly why I'm here." Sayid
36. Sawyer goes to Kate's house, asks her why she came back, he says that Sayid just fulled his ears with some crap up his damn purpose, and he wants to know, why they came back, Kate says she doesn't know why everyone else came back, she just knows why she did, they hear a noise.
37. "I don't know why everyone else came back. I just know why I did." Kate
38. A DHARMA van comes barreling through the barracks, on fire, crashes into a house, sets that on fire, Kate and Sawyer go to rescue, Kate pulls people out of the window, Sawyer goes to the water hydrant, tells people to grab the hose, wrenches, fire gear, asks for help, Jack comes, Sawyer says three years, there were no burning buses, and they're back for one day, Jack uses a hose to put out the fire, Sawyer gets another one, calls Phil at Security on his walkie, La Fleur, they have a fire, to get to building 15, Phil hears on his walkie, says he's on his way, he leaves the Security station unmanned. From Lostpedia
    
39. After Phil leaves, Ben Linus enters the Security station, Sayid asks what happened to his glasses, Sayid says for bringing him the sandwich, he says he knows, that his father was a hard man as well, Ben says he really hates it there, asks Sayid if he lets him out, will he take him with him, to his people, Sayid says yes, Ben, he will, that's why he's here.
40. "I really hate it here. If I let you out...will you take me with you, to your people?" Ben "Yes, Ben, I will. That's why I'm here." Sayid
41. At LAX, attention passengers, Ajira Airways Flight 316, Sayid with Ilana, asks her if she's sure they're going to Guam, where else would they be going, Sayid sees Hurley and Jack, asks her a favor, sees Kate waiting to board the plane, he asks can they get the next plane, he says that he's very superstitious when it comes to flying, Ilana says she'll buy him a rabbits foot at the gift shop, Sayid sees them all on the plane, Ilana says that she's sorry about the handcuffs, but at least they're in business, they hear someone say wait up, please, thank you for not closing, Sayid sees Ben get on the plane, asks Ilana if she's working for Benjamin Linus, she asks who that is, Sayid says that he's a liar, a manipulator, a man who allowed his daughter to be murdered to save himself, a monster just short of genocide, Ilana asks why she would work for someone like that, Sayid says that he did.
42. "Are you working for Benjamin Linus?" Sayid "What?" Ilana "Are you working for him?" Sayid "Who's Benjamin Linus?" Ilana "He's a liar, a manipulator...a man who allowed his own daughter to be murdered to save himself...A monster responsible for nothing short of genocide." Sayid "Why would I work for somebody like that?" Ilana "I did." Sayid
43. Ben opens up Sayid's cell door, they leave the Security station, run through the jungle, Ben follows Sayid, a van pulls by on the path, Sayid tries to hide Ben, but the van stops, Jin gets out with a flashlight, Sayid sees him, Jin asks what he's doing here, how he got out, Sayid says that Sawyer let him go, that they were going to kill him, on walkie, Phil says that the prisoner escaped, to be on the lookout, he could be armed, Sayid says they don't know that Sawyer released him, please, he needs to keep moving, Jin says okay, let him talk to him first, he calls La Fleur, says it's Jin, but Sayid knocks Jin out, Ben is surprised, says whoa, asks where he learned to do that, he tells Sayid to come on, that they'd better go, Ben says he called La Fleur, Sayid takes Jin's gun, tells Ben that he was right about him, that he is a killer, Sayid shoots Ben in the chest, even seems somewhat remorseful about it, Sayid cries, then takes off. From Lostpedia
44. "You were right about me." Sayid "What?" Ben "I am a killer." Sayid

5.06 316

From Lostpedia

1. Jack, eye opens, just like the scene of the crash, in the jungle, surrounded by trees, but wearing a different suit, blue, he gets up, looks at a torn piece of paper in hand, which says "I wish," he hears Hurley screaming for help, screaming for Jack, he runs through jungle, he stops, waits to hear Hurley's voice again, to see which way to go, arrives at a cliff, a waterfall, sees Hurley in water beneath, he's drowning, Jack jumps in after him, swims to Hurley, who has a guitar case, using it as a flotation device, Jack saves him, they look around, Hurley says it really happened, they see Kate unconscious, laying on the rocks, Jack swims to her, checks to see if she's breathing, she wakes up, Jack asks Kate if she's okay, she asks if they're really back, Jack says yes, Kate asks what happened.
   
   From Lostpedia
   
2. 46 Hours Earlier--in the church, they arrive, Ms. Hawking says she thought she said all of them, she says that it'll have to do for now, let's get started, they go downstairs, to The Lamp Post, through a tunnel, a DHARMA Initiative stamped door, air lock door, she turns on light, pendulum, numbers and coordinates, Jack asks what this place is, Ms. Hawking says that the DHARMA Initiative called it The Lamp Post, she says that this is how they found the island, Jack asks Ben if he knew about this place, Ben says he didn't, Jack asks Ms. Hawking if he's telling the truth, she says probably not, Ms. Hawking takes out a folder, Jack looks at photograph hanged on a chalkboard with equations covering it, the photograph is of the island, marked "9/23/54 - U.S. ARMY - OP 264 - TOP SECRET - EYES ONLY," Ms. Hawking says she's sorry if this is confusing, but to pay attention, she says that the room they're standing in was constructed years ago, over a unique pocket of electromagnetic energy, that energy connects to similar pockets all over the world, but the people who built this room were only interested in one, Sun says the island, Ms. Hawking says yes, that they'd gathered proof that it existed, they knew that it was out there somewhere, but just couldn't find it, then a very clever fellow built the pendulum on the theoretical notion that they should stop looking for where the island was supposed to be, and start looking for where it was going to be, Jack asks what she means about where it was going to be, Ms. Hawking says that this fellow presumed correctly that the island was always moving, she asks why do they think they were never rescued, she says that while the movements of the island seem random, this man and his team created a series of equations which tell them with a high degree of probability where it is going to be at a certain point in time, windows as it were, that while open, provide a route back, but unfortunately these windows don't stay open for very long, she tells them that theirs closes in 36 hours, Desmond asks if they're talking about what he really thinks he's hearing, that they're all going back to the island, and willingly, Sun says yes, asks why Desmond is there, he says he came there to deliver a message, he says that Daniel Faraday, Ms. Hawking's son, sent him here, that he wanted Desmond to tell her that he and all the people on the island, need her help, he didn't say Jack, he didn't say Sun, he didn't say Ben, he said her, Desmond says to consider the message delivered, Ms. Hawking says that she's sorry to have to tell him, but the island isn't done with him yet, Desmond gets angry, says that this woman cost him four years of his life, four years that he'll never get back because she told him that he was supposed to go to that island, that it was his purpose, he tells Jack to listen to him carefully, that these people are playing a game with them, they're using them, and they're just the pieces, Desmond tells Jack that whatever Ms. Hawking tells him to do, to ignore it, Ms. Hawking says that the island isn't done with him, but Desmond says that he's done with the island, he leaves, Ms. Hawking tells Jack that the binder in his hands shows all the routes over the island, where it will be, she says that a commercial airliner that will fly to Guam, will fly right over the island, Ajira Airways, Flight 316, and it must be that plane, they all need to be on it, she also says that if they want to return, they need to recreate as best they can, the circumstances that brought them there in the first place, that means as many people as they can get to bring with them, Jack asks what if they can't, she says all that she can tell them is that the results will be unpredictable, Jack asks if that's it, to just get them on the flight, she says that's not all, at least not for Jack.
   
   
   
   From Lostpedia
   
3. Ms. Hawking brings Jack to her office, he asks her what about Ben and Sun, she says they heard what they needed to hear, that this doesn't concern them, she gives him an envelope, which says Jack Shephard on it, he asks what it is, she says that it's John Locke's suicide note, he says he didn't know, she says obituaries don't see fit to mention when people hang themselves, Jack asks why Locke would kill himself, she says there are many reasons, she's sure, but the only one that matters is that he's going to help him get back, that John Locke is going to be a proxy, Jack asks a substitute for who, she says who does he think, that he needs as best he can, to recreate the conditions of the original flight, which is why he has to give John Locke something of his father's, Jack has to get something that belonged to his father, he needs to give it to John, Jack says his father is gone, has been dead for three years, and to give it to Locke, this is ridiculous, Ms. Hawking says to stop thinking how ridiculous it is, and start asking himself whether or not he believes it's going to work, that's why it's called a leap of faith, Jack.
4. "Oh, stop thinking how ridiculous it is and start asking yourself whether or not you believe it's going to work. That's why it's called a leap of faith, Jack." Eloise Hawking
5. Jack leaves, goes into church, Ben is kneeling on a pew, Jack asks him where Sun is, Ben says she left, Jack says and Locke, his body, Ben says he has a friend looking after it, that he'll pick it up on his way to the airport, Ben lights a candle, asks what Ms. Hawking said to him, Jack asks who she is, why is she helping them, how she knows all of this, Ben says Thomas the Apostle, when Jesus wanted to return to Judea, knowing that he would probably be murdered there, Thomas said to the others, "Let us also go that we might die with him," but Thomas was not remembered for this bravery, his claim to fame came later, when he refused to acknowledge the resurrection, he just couldn't wrap is mind around it, the story goes that he needed to touch Jesus' wounds to be convinced, Jack asks so was he, Ben says of course he was, that we're all convinced sooner or later, Ben leaves the church, Jack asks where he's going, Ben says that he made a promise to an old friend of his, just a lose end that needs tying up, says he'll see Jack at the airport.
   From Lostpedia
   
6. "Thomas the Apostle. When Jesus wanted to return to Judea, knowing that he would probably be murdered there, Thomas said to the others, "Let us also go, that we might die with him." But Thomas was not remembered for this bravery. His claim to fame came later...when he refused to acknowledge the resurrection. He just couldn't wrap his mind around it. The story goes...that he needed to touch Jesus' wounds to be convinced." Ben "So, was he?" Jack "Of course he was. We're all convinced sooner or later, Jack." Ben
7. Jack goes to bar, has a drink, someone calls him, Jack goes to a retirement home, there is a magic show, a bunny rabbit, Jack talks to a man, says hey Ray, asks if he wants to get out of there, Jack asks why he took off this time, Ray says does he really need to answer, Jack says to at least tell him where bus was headed, Ray says it doesn't matter, anywhere he goes is somewhere better than there, they go to his room, Jack notices that he packed a bag, Ray says one of these times he's actually going to get away, Jack says if he takes off again, they're going to throw him out of there, Ray asks what would he do without his magic shows, Jack says he'll help him unpack, calls Ray his granddad, he asks Jack if he's seeing anyone special, asks what happened to that girl he brought by with him that time, the pretty one with all the freckles, Jack says he and Kate aren't together anymore, Ray says to look at the bright side, Jack has more time to come visit him, Jack says he'd love to, but thinks he might be going away for a while, Ray asks where's away, Jack say somewhere better than here, Jack finds a pair of shoes in a suitcase, asks if they're his, Ray says no, that they were his fathers, Jack's mom sent a box of his stuff after he died, they must've gotten mixed when he packed for a quick getaway, Jack asks if he can have them, Ray says yes. From Lostpedia
   
8. Jack goes home, pours a drink, hears a noise, goes to check it out, in the bedroom, it's Kate, on his bed, she's upset, Jack asks what she's doing there, she asks if he's still going back to the island, he says he thinks he is, she says she's going with him, Jack asks what happened, where's Aaron, she says don't ask questions, if he wants her to go with him, he'll never ask her that question again, he'll never ask her about Aaron, she says does he understand, he says yes, she says thank you, they makeout, it's gross, the end.
9. In the morning, Jack is getting orange juice, coffee ready, Kate comes out, Jack puts his fathers shoes on the table, Kate says they don't make much sense for the island, that he might want to consider hiking boots, Jack says they were his fathers, when he went to pick up his body in Sydney, his dad didn't have any nice shoes, he says that his mother wanted to have the funeral as soon as he got back to Los Angeles, so he thought who would see his feet, he had these old white tennis shoes, he just said to use them, because his father wasn't worth a nice pair of shoes to him, or the time it would take to get out and get them, Kate says why hold on to them, something that makes him feel sad. From Lostpedia
   
10. "Those were my father's. When I went to pick up his body in Sydney, my dad didn't have any nice shoes. My mother wanted to have the funeral as soon as I landed back in L.A. But I thought, who the hell's gonna see his feet? And so I--I had these old white tennis shoes, and I just said, "Use these. Put these on him." 'Cause he wasn't worth a nice pair of shoes to me. [Chuckles] Or the time it would take to go out and get 'em." Jack
11. Jack gets a phone call, Kate says to go ahead, that she'll see him at the airport, Jack answers the call, it's Ben, wet, bloody, beaten to a pulp, at the Marina, he says he's been sidetracked, that he needs Jack to pick up the body, the coffin is at Simon's Butcher Shop, on the corner of Grand and Hayes, Jack asks why, what's happened to him, Ben says to just do it, even says please. From Lostpedia
    
12. Jack goes to the Butcher, knocks on the door, Jill comes to the door, he says Ben sent him, Jill says that she knows who he is, takes him in the back, asks what's in the bag, she says that Ben said to give him the van, she has to pull it around back, she'll give him five minutes, Jack goes to the coffin, opens it, Locke's body inside, takes his shoes off, puts Christian Shephard's shoes on, he laughs, says that wherever John is, he must be laughing his ass off that he's actually doing this, because this is even crazier than he is, Jack gives him his letter back, that he's already heard everything he's had to say, he wanted him to go back and he is going back, closes the casket, Jack says rest in peace.
13. "Wherever you are, John... you must be laughing your ass off that I'm actually doing this. [Sighs] Because this... this is even crazier than you were. [Exhales deeply. Takes out John's suicide note from his pocket and puts it on Locke's chest.] And here. You can have that back. I've already heard everything you had to say, John. You wanted me to go back. I'm going back. [Jack sighs and looks around. He begins closing the casket.] Rest in peace." Jack
14. At the Airport, the man at the gate says to bare with them, Mr. Shephard, asks Jack his reason for transporting the body to Guam, Jack says that they were his wishes, that he wanted to be buried there, Jack says he will be escorting the body, the Gate Agent asks about his relationship to the deceased, Jack says that he was a friend, the Gate Agent says that they have to inform them that due to increased security, they have to open the casket, Jack notices Kate arriving at the airport, the Agent asks Jack if he understands, he says yes, the Gate Agent asks him to sign, thank you for flying Ajira Air, a man in line behind Jack offers his condolences, says he's sorry that Jack lost his friend. From Lostpedia
    
15. Jack runs into Sun, he's surprised to see her, he says that he thought she might change her mind, Sun says that if there's even a chance that Jin is still alive, she has to be on that plane, they see Sayid being escorted by a Marshal, Hurley is reading a comic book, the woman at the gate speaks to people that are on the standby list, she says that plenty of seats are available, Hurley goes to the desk, with his guitar case, the woman says that there are 78 seats available, Hurley says that he bought them all, he's Hugo Reyes, they're not open, they're his, he tells her to check and see, she says that the people just want to get to their destination, why wouldn't he want them to travel, Hurley says that it doesn't matter why, that they can take the next plane, Jack runs into him at the desk, he asks Hurley what he's doing there, how did he know, Hurley says that all that matters is that he's there right, Jack says that he's glad that he's there.
    
    From Lostpedia
    
16. Jack gets on the plane, he sits in row 8, Sayid is there with the woman escorting him, Jack sees Kate, says she made it, Hurley gets on the plane with his guitar case, the Flight Attendant says that should be everyone, but they hear someone holding them up, he says to wait please, it's Ben, he's beaten to a bloody pulp, wearing a sling, he enters the plane and sees Sayid, and Hurley, who are both surprised to see him, Hurley says that no one told him Ben was going to be there, the Flight Attendant asks if everything is okay, Jack talks to him, Hurley says he'll be fine, the Flight Attendant tells Jack that security found his envelope while screening his cargo, she tells them to take their seats, Ben asks Jack what it is, he says nothing, Jack asks Ben about the other people on the plane, what's going to happen to them.
    From Lostpedia
    
17. The plane begins takeoff, with Jack, Kate, Ben, Sun, Sayid and Hurley aboard. Jack asks Ben what will happen to the rest of the passengers, Ben says who cares.
    
18. Once they're up in the air, Jack gets out of his seat and talks to Kate, he says it's pretty crazy, she asks which part, Jack says that Hurley, Sayid being on this same plane, how did they end up there, Kate says they bought a ticket, Jack says you don't think it means something, that somehow they're all back together, Kate says they're on the same plane, that it doesn't mean they're together.
19. The Captain speaks on the intercom, welcome to Ajira Air, Captain Frank J. Lapidus, on behalf of the flight crew, welcome aboard, currently they're right on schedule, flying at a very comfortable 30,000 feet, so sit back, relax and enjoy.
20. Jack and Kate both hear this, Jack gets up to talk to the Flight Attendant, says he needs to talk the pilot, Frank Lapidus and he are good friends, he asks her to tell him that he's on board, says he'd appreciate it, she says to go sit down, that passengers can't be near cockpit door, she talks on the phone to the pilot, Frank comes out, says hello Doc, small world, asks what he's doing flying to Guam, Jack asks what he's doing there, Frank says he picked the gig up about 8 months ago, he flies this route all the time, he says that sometimes he takes the big birds into New Delhi, Frank looks around, he notices Sayid on the plane, then Hurley, Kate, Sun, he says wait a second, they're not really going to Guam. From Lostpedia
    
21. After the plane has been in the air for a while, Ben is reading Ulysses, Jack asks how he can read, he says his mother taught him, he can read because it beats what he's doing, which is waiting for something to happen, Jack asks what is going to happen, Ben says to tell him, he's the one who got to stay after school with Ms. Hawking, Jack asks if Ben knew that Locke killed himself, he says he didn't, Jack shows him the envelope, says they found it stuffed in his pocket, he's been trying to get rid of it, but it's like it's following him, Jack says that he knows it sounds crazy, but it feels like John needs him to read it, Ben asks why he doesn't then, is it because he's afraid, Jack asks afraid of what, Ben says afraid that he blames him, that it's his fault Locke killed himself, Jack says it wasn't his fault, Ben agrees that it wasn't, says that he'll give him some privacy, Ben gets up and leaves.
22. "[Taking out the suicide note] They found this stuffed in his pocket. And I've been trying to get rid of it, but it's like it's...following me. [Chuckles] I know it sounds crazy, but...it feels like John needs me to read it." Jack
23. Jack opens the envelope, takes out the letter which reads "I wish you had believed me" initialed JL, Jack is clearly upset and affected by this letter to him.
    From Lostpedia
24. The plane begins to shake, everyone becomes alert, the fasten seatbelt light goes on, Hurley puts his blindfold on, the Flight Attendant says to please put on their seat belts, luggage begins falling out of the overhead compartments, there is a bright, white light, noise, a flash happens.
    
25. Jack wakes up in the jungle with part of the letter still in his hand, he hears Hurley, runs toward him, jumps in the water, saves Hurley, Kate, she asks what happened, she gets up, asks where's the plane, Jack says after the light, he woke up in the jungle, Kate asks if it's just them, Jack says he's not sure, asks if either of them remember crashing, Hurley says that one second they're being tossed around, the next he's in the lagoon, Kate asks where Sun and Sayid are, and where's Ben, Jack says to spread out and search the jungle, that if they come across anyone from the plane. From Lostpedia
    
26. They suddenly hear a car, music, it's a DHARMA van, playing Geronimo Jackson, a man gets out wearing a DHARMA Initiative jumpsuit, he points a rifle at them, Hurley notices that it's Jin.
    From Lostpedia
    

The Incident, Initial Reaction

THAT'S JACOB?!?! SERIOUSLY? FINALLY! ROSE AND BERNARD! AND VINCENT!

Questions:

• Did the bomb actually explode?
• If it did, is that what caused the magnetic anomaly and caused the incident to begin with?
• Is Juliet dead? Come on, she has to be dead, right?
• So, was Richard on the Black Rock?
• How is he ageless? Why did Jacob make him that way?
• Is Jacob evil? Is his "friend" the good one?
• Why did he have to find a loophole to kill Jacob?
• Is this the end of Rose and Bernard? Are they Adam and Eve?
• Why did Jacob visit everyone? Why did he touch them?
• Did Jacob kill Nadia, or prevent Sayid from dying?
• What is in the guitar case that Jacob gave to Hurley?
• If fake John Locke is the smoke monster, or Esau, then how does he have all of his memories, and know that Ben was the one who killed him?
• Is Locke really dead?
• What the hell is Kate's purpose anymore?
• Is Sayid dead? Will the island heal him?
• How does Ilana know Jacob? Why was she covered in bandages?
• Who broke the line in the ash around the cabin?
• How did Locke's body get from the coffin into the crate that Ilana and Bram were carrying?
• What happened to the four-toed statue?
• They're coming? Who's coming?
• Were the people from 1977 flashed to present time?
• What the hell is going on? Where is this show going to be next year?

Notes:

• Absolutely loved the opening scene. Very symbolic, following the black and white theme, commonly seen throughout the entire series. Jacob, the hieroglyphs, the four-toed statue, the Black Rock arriving at the island, very well done all-around.
• People are saying that the two men in the opening scene are Jacob and Esau from the bible, who are brothers. People are also saying that perhaps Jacob, wearing the white shirt, is the evil one and "Esau," wearing the black shirt is the good one. I'm starting to really believe that. Considering that, obviously "Esau" is the smoke monster. and has been using John Locke's body in order to find the loophole to kill Jacob. Jacob is the one bringing all of these people to the island, causing conflict and people to be killed. Esau seems to disagree with it.
• Also, considering that Ben never spoke to or saw Jacob, therefore it wasn't Jacob who was in the cabin, but Esau, and Christian Shephard was speaking on his behalf, telling Locke to move the island. The smoke monster, as Alex, was also the one that told Ben to do everything Locke says.
• Cool, we finally got to see the full statue. Also, is has been confirmed that it is Tawaret.
• I cannot believe that not only did they make Juliet die in a completely campy way, but they totally betrayed her character by making her do things that didn't make any sense whatsoever, coughing her up to being nothing but some chick that died just because she thought she couldn't get some dude to love her. What was the point of putting her character through this whole season for that? From our very introduction to her character, she's wanted nothing more than to get off the island, then they give her the opportunity to do so, even if it was in the 1970s, and she doesn't take it. Then she leaves the island again, on the submarine, with Sawyer, and it looks like everything is going to be fine and well for her, but no, she has to go back to save everyone from Jack setting up the bomb, then to have her suddenly change her mind and be the one that "blows" the bomb in the end. What the hell? Come on, guys.
• Not to mention, they put us through the agony of her death, and watching Sawyer's heartache, while she's ripped down a hole by chains which was so stupid, not only, after all of that, she's still alive and blows up a bomb by hitting it with a rock.
• Speaking of which, a hydrogen bomb doesn't go off by throwing it several hundred feet, but hitting it with a rock does the job. Okay.
• Well, we actually don't know if the bomb went off or not. Nor do we know if Juliet is actually dead. I know, I know. But still. That really irked me.
• That was Jacob? Come on, the guy we've been hearing about since Season 2? Though I wasn't disappointed with him at all really. I thought the character and acting were really good, it's just not how a imagined him at all.
• Jacob is kind of a dick. I would've killed him too.
• I thought it was cool how Jacob visited everyone.
• The Juliet flashback was totally out of place, considering the flashbacks were Jacob-centric and Jacob didn't even visit her. The whole point of her flashback was to set up what happens between her and Sawyer. Lame.
• Rose and Bernard! Vincent! That scene was hilarious and pretty awesome. Rose saying "Oh, hell no!" and Bernard going "Son of a bitch!" Good closure on Rose and Bernie, really enjoyed that part, probably my favorite.
• Rose is right, everyone needs to stop trying to shoot eachother and have some tea.
• Where the hell were Penny and Desmond? If that was the end of their story, I'm not going to be happy about it.
• I'm also not going to be happy if everything I've watched for the past 5 years is going to be completely obsolete by the plane landing in Los Angeles and none of it ever happening.
• Although, it would be kind of cool if they had one episode where they showed us what everyone's lives would have been like if the plane never crashed, but just one episode.
• Jacob made physical contact with everyone that he visited.
• Jacob visited young Kate, who was with Tom, stealing the New Kids on the Block lunchbox, which the used as a time capsule, burying Tom's toy plane, among other things, inside, and later dug up together. Jacob touched Kate on the nose.
• Thank God Phil is dead, though I was kind of hoping Sawyer would kill him.
• Now, just for Radzinsky.
• Ben admitted that he's never met Jacob.
• Jacob visited young Sawyer at his parents' funeral, while he was writing the infamous letter, giving him a pen to borrow, touching his hand.
• That was totally Sawyer's uncle with the brain tumor.
• Jacob visits Sayid, asks him for directions, and causes Nadia to get hit by a car and dies, telling Sayid to bring her home, which is why she was buried in Iraq.
• I'm not going to be happy if Sayid is dead.
• The line in the ash around the cabin was broken.
• Jacob visited Ilana, asking her to help him. She was covered in bandages.
• Jacob visited Locke, was reading the book Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor, after Anthony Cooper pushed him from the window, Jacob touched Locke, appearing to heal him and make him come back alive somehow.
• Sun found Charlie's DS ring. Finally! Someone found that damn thing. Now, she just has to give the damn thing to Claire or Aaron.
• Jacob visited Sun and Jin on their wedding day, speaking Korean to them, telling them that their love is special, wishing them well.
• Jacob visited Jack at his infamous "count to five" story from The Pilot, Part 1, after which he was buying an Apollo candybar from the vending machine.
• Jack and Sawyer finally throwdown.
• Jacob visits Hurley after he's released from jail, telling him that he's blessed, and not cursed, touches him, gives him the guitar case.
• "Live together, die alone." Enough!
• Radzinsky tries to drive away in a damn Dharma Jeep. What an idiot.
• The tapestry was translated as "May Heaven grant you in all things your heart's desire," which is said by Odysseus, in The Odyssey, by Homer.
• Instead of the show ending with a "LOST" flash and a fade to black, it faded to white, which I thought was a nice touch.

Initially following this episode, I wasn't sure if I loved it or hated it, or felt somewhere in between the two. Now, after some thinking and watching it a couple of times, I'm still not sure. I guess it's somewhere in between. There are parts that I loved, but there are parts that I loathed. I've gone back and forth from it being one of the best final episodes of a season and the worst ever. I've heard tons of people say that Season 5 was the best season ever, and then alternatively, I've heard people say that they "jumped the shark" after ever single episode. I don't believe that either of those statements are true. But that still doesn't arrive me at a conclusion. I think I'm going to let it sit for the next 8 months and then decide, or maybe even until the very end. I'm just a little too confused right now.

Dead is Dead, Initial Reaction

Awesome. Desmond, Penny and little Charlie aren't dead. By the time Ben told Sun, "Tell Desmond Hume I'm sorry," I was sure that at the very least, Penny was as good as dead. But, nope, they pulled the old switcheroo on us. What a relief, and hopefully they're all alive for good. I honestly think that it would be a huge mistake on the writers part to kill off one of the best character stories on the show. Not only that, but I think that it's imperative that Ben has a human side to him, that his one weakness is women and their children because of his own story. Moving on from that, I enjoyed this episode and really got into it for the first time in a few weeks.

Questions:

• If Charles Widmore didn't leave the island via frozen donkey wheel, then how did he know that the exit point was in the desert in Tunisia?
• Did Richard edge Widmore out in favor of trying to make Ben the new leader?
• What is the significance of what lies in the shadow of the statue? Is it some kind of code? Like what did one snowman say to the other snowman?
• Do Ilana and the other survivors of Ajira Flight 316 have the sickness?
• Does Ilana work for Charles Widmore or someone else?
• If Charles Widmore is the one in charge, then why does Richard Alpert speak to Jacob?
• Why did Jacob stop speaking to Richard and move on to Ben when he took over?
• How and why exactly does one take over as the leader?
• What is in that crate that Ilana and the survivors seem to be protecting?
• If Ben can summon the smoke monster, then can it come out by itself or does it have to be summoned? If so, has Ben been calling it every time it has attacked someone?
• So, the whispers are the others? Did the others control them?
• Why did Widmore want Ben to kill Rousseau?
• Why did Ethan get to join the others?
• How are Ben and Ethan with the hostiles before the purge?
• Why does Danielle Rousseau remember the story of Alex getting taken incorrectly? Why does she say that she's never seen other people on the island when she's clearly seen Jin and Ben? Is she just crazy or was she the one with the sickness?
• Did Ben really know that Locke would be resurrected when he came to the island?
• Why doesn't Ben remember that Hurley, Jack and Kate were in the Dharma Initiative in 1977? Why and how was his memory from that time erased?
• Why is the Processing Center sign still hanging in the barracks in present day?
• Does Ben know who Christian Shephard is? Was he on the island once?
• What are Locke's ideas to find Jin and the rest of them?
• So, basically you flush a toilet to summon the smoke monster? Why is Ben's house on top of it? When was it built there and why is it underneath a Dharma house?
• Who is Penelope Widmore's mother?
• Why can't Charles Widmore go back to the island but Ben can?
• Is John Locke really alive? Or is he undead like Christian Shephard?
• What is the significance of the hieroglyphics?
• Why did the smoke monster let Ben live?

Notes:

• Dead is dead, except it really isn't when you're John Locke.
• Ben has a weakness for mothers because his mother died, which is why he couldn't kill Danielle Rousseau after he realized she had a child and why he couldn't kill Penny when he discovered little Charlie on the boat.
• So, Charles Widmore as banished from the island for making regular trips off the island and mating with outsiders. Ben also made trips off the island, so he was possibly rejected by the island partly for that reason, but was too powerful to be banished.
• Ben seemed to be genuinely surprised that Locke was alive.
• It was nice to see Alex again, even if it was smokey.
• Speaking of Alex, she totally dominated Ben and scared the crap out of him.
• Desmond beat the crap out of Ben!
• Ben knows what the whispers are.
• Locke outwitting Ben is pretty fun and it's interesting that Locke finally knows more about what's happening on the island than Ben does. Who's the man now, dog?
• Also, Locke calling Ben out on being judged for Alex's death, questioning why Ben and the hostiles would move into the barracks because it doesn't seem like something the island would want, and that he didn't imagine Ben leading his people from behind a desk because it seemed a little too corporate.
• Desmond and Penny's boat was called Our Mutual Friend.
• Good bye, Caesar. It was nice not knowing anything about you.
• It was cool to see what Ben really did when he went into his secret room to summon the smoke monster and came out all dirty.
• So, Charles built Widmore Industries when he left the island, which is how he got so rich.
• If Locke is undead, that could possibly be why he knows so much about the island so suddenly, also appearing to people like Christian Shephard. Now, only to figure out what the hell is going on with Christian so it will all actually make sense.
• I loved how Ben says that he can't control what comes out of the jungle, and then John Locke appears.
• The Temple apparently has a wall around it, built by the island natives.
• Apparently Ben was planning to kill Locke again. Dude, maybe you should chill out on the killing for a while. Just listen to Alex and follow John Locke.

This episode was probably one of my favorites of this season.

He's Our You, Initial Reaction

I was really glad to see Sayid back in the mix again, as we've seen so little of him this season. Although, I was a little disappointed with certain aspects of this episode. I'm also wondering if Sayid going rogue means we're not going to be seeing him for a while. Obviously, I wouldn't be very happy with that, considering Sayid and Desmond are my two favorite characters, and having them both out of the show would suck in my opinion.

Questions:

• Is young Ben Linus really dead? Can he die or is he somehow reborn like John Locke?
• Did Sayid change the future? How can he change it without it being paradox?
• If he did, and the purge didn't happen, then what happened to Dharma?
• Are the DeGroots in Ann Arbor, Michigan? Are they the be-all, end-all to the decision making on the island?
• Was the book, A Separate Reality, a hint that we are somehow in a separate reality?
• Why was Richard Alpert dressed differently, with long hair, when he met Ben? Have they been in contact since their first meeting?
• Who lit the Dharma van on fire and sent it into the barracks? Did someone help Ben?
• Why is Oldham out in the middle of the jungle by himself?
• How did they find out that Sayid was the one who killed Peter Avellino?
• Did Ben hire Ilana to bring Sayid to Guam so that he would get on the Ajira Airways flight?
• Is Jack the whipping boy now?

Notes:

• Sayid tripping his face off is fucking hilarious. Any time that Sayid is funny it's great because it's such a rare occasion that he lets it all hang out.
• The book that Ben gave Sayid was A Separate Reality by Carlos Castinada.
• Sayid was drinking MacCutcheon's Whiskey at the bar with Ilana.
• The truth serum that was given to Sayid appeared to be liquid LSD on a sugar cube.
• Right now, I'm not even sure that I care if it's a paradox if Sayid did, in fact, kill young Benjamin Linus, that was just too fucking awesome.
• Radzinsky and Phil really annoy me. I wish they would just die already.
• Oldham is their Sayid? Really? This dude didn't seem very creepy or threatening at all. In fact, he didn't even lay a hand on Sayid other than to put a sugar cube in his mouth. Sorry, not very impressed with that one.
• It was interesting to see young Sayid, as we never have before, and to know that he has a brother. We've never really learned anything about Sayid's family and childhood.
• It was nice to get back to the traditional flashback again.
• Young Benjamin Linus creeps me the fuck out.
• Ilana wanted Sayid. Even I have a man-crush on off-island, suave Sayid.
• Yeah, don't protect baby Ethan. Let the kid die.
• I don't like the "He's our you" line being the title of the episode. It had little and almost nothing to do with the episode. That guy was not their Sayid.
• I'm surprised Kate doesn't know anything about cars.

The Life & Death of Jeremy Bentham, Initial Reaction

Wow, yeah, I really really hate Ben now. I hope Locke beats him with Eko's Jesus stick and then Desmond finds the island and beats him with his bloody fists. I was really hoping that Locke discovering someone that he recognized would end up being Walt, but alas, it was stupid evil Benjamin Linus, the master manipulator and liar extraordinaire. Beat his face more, Locke!

Questions:

• Is Christian Shephard really alive? Did he have the same experience as Locke?
• Does Walt have to go back to the island? Why or why not?
• Did Ben kill Locke because he got the information that he needed or because he knew that he had to die to go back to the island?
• How does Ben know Eloise Hawking? Why is he disturbed by hearing her name?
• Is Helen really dead? Did Abaddon lie to keep Locke from going to see her?
• Did Frank land the plane on the runway near The Hydra on Alcatraz island?
• Who did Frank take off with?
• Are Jack, Kate and Hurley in a different time from the rest of the survivors of the Ajira Airways crash? Are the plane crash survivors in present time?
• Why did Ben and Locke flash with them? Where are Sun and Sayid?
• What, why, who and when are the war that is coming to the island?
• How did Ben convince Widmore to leave the island?
• Why is Walt having dreams about Locke?
• Is Caesar working for Charles Widmore?

Notes:

• In the opening sequence, Caesar finds copies of the same map that Rousseau gave Sayid, a page from the notebook of Daniel Faraday, and the map of the Temple that Ben gave to Alex and Rousseau.
• So, Sayid has clearly turned into Jimmy Carter after working for Ben for a while.
• Whyyyyyyyy did you have to kill Matthew Abaddon?!?!?!
• Who is good and who is fucking bad? Widmore or Ben? I still don't know dammit!
• I felt really bad for Locke in this episode. The face he made right before he died was the most frightening look I've ever seen on Locke.
• I hate Ben now. Especially if he killed Desmond and/or Penny and Charlie too. I really had that bug-eyed little fucker.
• I love how you can clean up an entire crime scene with a rag and a bottle of Windex.
• The place where they are holding the injured survivors appears to be Ben's office at The Hydra, as seen previously in a deleted scene.
• Locke didn't tell Walt he was Jeremy Bentham.
• Hurley was painting a Sphinx at Santa Rosa.
• Helen's last name was Norwood and she died on April 4, 2006.

That all being said, I liked this episode. Although, I'm really wondering where the season is going right now. I really have no idea what they're going to do now that they're back on the island so soon. What's going to happen now?