Episode Analysis of 1.09 "Solitary"

WARNING: If you have not already seen all of LOST, please DO NOT READ THIS.

My LOST re-watch and in-depth episode analysis will include major details from the entirety that was LOST, and will be written with the perspective of having seen everything already. You will be SPOILED if you read any further. It is far better if you learn the story of LOST for yourself, as it is meant to be seen. Trust me on this, and don't say that I didn't warn you first. Seriously. Stop it. Now. Go watch it. Then, come back here.

To read my original post on this episode, please refer to Solitary.

This episode was written by David Fury, and directed by Greg Yaitanes. It originally aired on November 17th, 2004.

This is a Sayid Jarrah flashback-centric episode.

We begin with a shot of Sayid Jarrah sitting on beach, after he's left the rest of the plane crash survivors out of shame for what he did to Sawyer, and also to map the Island.

3.21 Greatest Hits

1. Karl, running through the jungle, gets to the shore, takes a canoe, going somewhere.
2. Jack taking everyone somewhere, Desmond has a flash, tells Charlie he didn't, Jack says that Juliet told him everything, Danielle blows up a tree, Jack found help, for the past 3 days, Rousseau has been getting dynamite from the Black Rock, they know what they want, when coming to get it, and they have no idea, they'll be waiting for them, Juliet will mark the tents, no one will be inside, dynamite. From Lostpedia
3. "When Juliet told me they were coming, the first thing I thought was, "Where the hell are we gonna hide this time?" But hiding's pointless. They're just gonna keep coming back. So I went out and I found some help. And for the past few days she's been bringing dynamite back from the Black Rock. For the very first time we know exactly what they want, when they're coming to get it, and they have no idea that we're gonna be waiting for 'em. So Juliet's gonna mark the tents with the white rocks just like she was told to, but there's not going to be any pregnant women inside; there's gonna be plenty of what we just used on that tree. So tomorrow night we stop hiding, we stop running, we stop living in fear of them, because when they show up, we're gonna blow 'em all to hell." Jack
4. Drive Shaft, pulled over the on side of the road, blown tire, shitty gig, Charlie wants to quit the band because they're not making any money, but Liam says they're building their fan base, right then they hear their song on the radio, You All Everybody, they're excited. From Lostpedia
5. #5 The first time I heard myself on the radio.
6. Naomi asks Charlie who they're going to war with, she's from Manchester too, Charlie says his band got their start at the Night and Day Bar, Oldham Street, Drive Shaft, she says she knows him from the crash, he's the dead rockstar, they made big deal when they found the plane, had a memorial service, a new album, Greatest Hits.
7. "Hey, look on the bright side. You're not really dead, right?" Naomi "Yeah, right." Charlie
8. Jack and Juliet handling the dynamite, Rousseau handling the wiring, says they need more to trigger it from a safe distance, Jack says he can get people to strip the plane wreckage, Rousseau says they can be ready by tomorrow night.
9. Sayid wants to talk to Jack about the satellite phone, trying to get off the island, says the satellite phone can't transmit, Rousseau's distress signal overriding the frequency, wants to go to the radio tower, switch off the message, call for help, Naomi's boat 18 miles off shore, Juliet says no, Ben using a DHARMA station to block all the signals off the island, The Looking Glass, an underwater hatch, but Juliet says she had no idea where it is, but Sayid he knows where it is.
10. Claire wonders if they're coming for Aaron again, Charlie says he will protect her, Desmond asks to have a word with Charlie.
11. Desmond tells Charlie he saw Claire and the baby getting into a helicopter that lifts off, leaves the island, if Charlie doesn't die, none of it will happen.
12. "What I saw, Charlie, was Claire and her baby getting into a helicopter. A helicopter that lifts off--leaves this Island." Desmond
13. "We're getting bloody rescued! I thought you were gonna tell me I was gonna die again!" Charlie "You are, Charlie." Desmond "Wait, what?" Charlie "If you don't, none of it will happen. There won't be any rescue. I'm sorry, brother, but this time--this time you have to die." Desmond
14. Charlie's dad is teaching him to swim, says there's nothing to be afraid of, to jump in, that he'll catch him, Charlie jumps in, but his father doesn't catch him.
15. #4 Dad teaching me to swim at Butlin's. From Lostpedia
16. Charlie wants to know how it happens, Desmond says he's inside a hatch, room full of equipment, blinking yellow light above a switch, flip switch, light goes off, then he drowns.
17. Sayid map, The Looking Glass, underwater DHARMA station, Juliet says she's never been down there, doesn't know anyone who has, there was some accident, Ben said the station was completely flooded, Jack asks if it's flooded, then how it still works, Sayid says how is irrelevant, how they got it to stop working, diagram shows The Looking Glass connection to the island by a cable, wire from the beach, they swim in, through the moon pool, room with an open floor at base of the satin, for sub to dock, find relay switch, and disable, Jack asks about swimming back out, it's a suicide mission, Jack says no, Sayid says they have to do it or they'll never leave the island, Charlie says he'll go, he was Junior swim Champion in Northern England, can hold his breath for 4 minutes, Jack says no. From Lostpedia
18. "How it still works is irrelevant. The question is, how do we get it to stop working, so we can use the satellite phone. The diagram shows that The Looking Glass is connected to the Island by a cable. I feel sure that this is the very same cable down the beach which runs into the ocean. So if we follow the cable, it should lead us to the station. We swim in. There's a moon pool. A room with an open floor at the base if the station, big enough for a submarine to dock. Even if the station's flooded, I think I'll be able to find the relay switch and disable it." Sayid
19. "No. And there's no reason to do this now, we're going to focus on the Others, and then we'll deal with this." Jack "Wait a minute. We have the chance to signal for a rescue." Sayid "Look, for ninety days I've been asked to make decisions for this entire camp. There you go. I just made one." Jack
20. Everyone is gathering the plane wrecking, working the wiring for the dynamite.
21. Jin asks Sun about what Juliet said, heard her name on the tape, Sun tells him about the baby, went to a medical station, the baby is okay, very healthy.
22. Karl arrives to the beach, Sayid tackles him, Sawyer says it's okay, Karl tells them they're coming, they say they know already, but Karl says they're coming RIGHT NOW. From Lostpedia
23. 6 hours ago--Ben back to camp, no Locke, Alex is gutting a rabbit, he gives Alex her gun back, tells Ryan that Jacob wants it to happen now, tells Richard John had accident, can bring his 10 best, Ryan says, by night fall, Richard says what if Juliet isn't ready, Ben says then they'll take all the women, if the men get in the way, kill them.
24. Alex tells Karl to go warn them, gives him the gun, Austen and Ford saved his life, asks Karl if Ben is her father.
25. Jack says everything has to happen at once, the wiring isn't ready yet, Sayid says shoot the dynamite, 3 tents and 3 guns, Karl gives them his gun, Rousseau too, but Jack says she's not staying, she has to lead everyone to the radio tower, contact Naomi's boat, everything has to happen at the same time, asks Charlie if he's up for a swim, Desmond goes with.
26. Charlie in bed with two birds, it's Christmas, Liam shows up, they're in Helsinki, Finland, gives him the DS ring, mom gave it to him, her father's, his before, family heirloom, named band after Dexter Stratton, Liam says Charlie will marry, have a family, a baby, the ring has to stay in the family, pass it on, Charlie says he'll hold on to it.
27. #3 The Christmas Liam gave me the ring. From Lostpedia
28. Charlie tells Claire he didn't want her to worry, he'll be fine, while he's gone, don't worry about him, he takes Aaron, tells him to take care of his mum, he loves him, kisses Claire.
29. "It's what needs to be done to get us all rescued. I'll be fine, Claire. Now you've gotta promise me something. While I'm gone, don't worry about me." Charlie From Lostpedia
30. Charlie playing Wonderwall on the street, he walks by an alley, hears a woman in distress, saves Nadia from a mugger, says his last fight, he was 8 years old, and he lost, she says that he's a hero, 3 people walked by and didn't help her.
31. "Three people walked by the alley. They saw me, but they just kept on going. You are a hero, sir. And don't let anyone ever tell you differently." Nadia From Lostpedia
32. #2 Woman outside Covent Garden calls me a hero.
33. Desmond and Charlie getting ready to go, Desmond makes a weight belt, asks Charlie how long he can really hold his breath.
34. Bernard practices shooting, Rose is worried, she wants to stay, Jack says no.
35. Jack says to get going, Rousseau said days to walk to radio tower, Sayid says he's not going, Jack is, be the leader, he can execute the plan.
36. "What are you more concerned about, killing the Others, or getting our people off this Island? This afternoon you said you were our leader. It's time for you to act like one. Lead them to the radio tower, Jack. And then take us all home." Sayid
37. Hurley wants to go with Charlie and Desmond, Charlie says he's too big, won't fit in the boat, he'll catch up with him later, remember he loves him. From Lostpedia
38. They're ready to leave, the tents are marked, Jin is the 3rd shooter, Hurley helps with Claire and Aaron.
39. "So here we go again, huh?" Kate "Here we go again." Jack
40. Charlie left the DS ring for Aaron. From Lostpedia
41. Charlie and Desmond find the wire on the beach, start paddling to the station.
42. First night of the crash, Charlie meets Claire for the first time, gives her a blanket, tells her it will be okay, they're alive on a beautiful island, they can sleep under the stars, then the helicopters will come and take them home.
43. "We're alive, we're on a beautiful Island. We'll sleep under the stars, and before you know it the helicopters will come and take us home." Charlie
44. #1 The night I met you.
45. Charlie and Desmond arrive at The Looking Glass, Charlie tells Desmond to give Claire his Greatest Hits, Desmond says he'll go, that maybe he keeps seeing Charlie die because he's supposed to take his place, Charlie asks what about his girl, but Desmond says what about his, that he might be luckier, to keep his memories to himself, but Charlie knocks Desmond out, puts Greatest Hits in his pocket, not supposed to take his place.
46. "I want you to give this to Claire for me." Charlie "What is it?" Desmond "It's the five best moments of my sorry excuse for a life. My greatest hits. You know, memories. They're all I've got." Charlie
47. "You don't have to do this Charlie. Maybe I keep seeing you die because I'm supposed to take your place." Desmond
48. "What about your girl, Penny?" Charlie "What about your girl? Besides, I might be luckier than you. Keep your memories to yourself. I'll take it from here." Desmond
49. "You and I both know you're not supposed to take my place, brother." Charlie
50. Charlie swims down to the station, goes through the moon pool, but it's not flooded, he survives, two women are in the station, they come out with guns. From Lostpedia
51. "I'm alive. AH! I'm alive!!!!" Charlie

Questions:

1. Did Desmond really see Claire and Aaron getting into a helicopter?
2. Will Claire and Aaron get in a helicopter and lift off the island?
3. Why did Charlie say that he couldn't swim?
4. If Desmond hadn't told Charlie how he dies and why, would it have still happened?
5. Did Charlie learn how to swim in the past in order to save Claire in the future?
6. Will Claire ever get Charlie's Greatest hits?
7. Will Aaron get the DS ring?

Favorites:

1. "Anyone want to venture a guess as to what Jack's going to be showing us out here in the middle of nowhere?" Charlie "I dunno. Stuff. Probably secret stuff." Hurley "Why does everything have to be such a secret? How about some openness for a change?" Charlie "We kept the parachute lady secret." Hurley "Ah, that's different." Charlie "Different how?" Claire "Well, because we weren't out there playing football with them..." Charlie
2. "Oh, bloody hell!! Why are we even doing this?!" Charlie "Chin up, mate. We're headlining." Liam "Headlining? We're playing Clitheroe--the arse-end of nowhere." Charlie
3. "We're on the bloody radio!" Charlie "I told you, baby brother, we're gonna be bloody rock stars!" Liam
4. "Who are you people about to go to war with?" Naomi "Now that's a long story. Wanna ask me something else?" Charlie "You having a laugh?" Naomi "No, of course not. I'd never disrespect a fellow Mancunian." Charlie
5. "If you're angry, I doubt that you'll be happy to make a sincere apology later." Sayid
6. "You're swimming, Charlie, you're swimming!" Mr. Pace
7. "I'll do it. Swim down, turn off that bloody switch, swim back up. Piece of cake." Charlie "Charlie, you don't even know what we're talking about." Jack "I was Junior Swim Champion in Northern England. I can hold my breath for four minutes. I know exactly what you're talking about, Jack." Charlie
8. "Rose, that's a sailor's hitch. It's not gonna hold. You wanna do a sheet bend like mine." Bernard "Oh, so now you're knot expert?" Rose "Well trust me its, er..." Bernard [Rose pulls his knot apart easily, then makes her own perfect sheet bend knot very quickly and pulls it taut to demonstrate its strength] "How did you do that?" Bernard "Watch and learn, dear. Watch and learn." Rose
9. Karl running toward them on the beach, Sayid sacking him like what.
10. "Get off him, dammit, its okay." Sawyer "What?!!! He's one of them!" Sayid "I know, I know, its okay. He was in the cage next to me. I know this guy. What the hell are you doing here, Karl?" Sawyer
11. "I thought you were bringing rabbit." Karl
12. "She's a spy. She's supposed to mark the tents of the pregnant women with white rocks so they can take them." Karl "They know, Karl, but thanks." Juliet
13. "Radio tower?!" Claire
14. "Ho ho ho! It's here, baby brother. Christmas is here. Oi, are these the birds from row two? Well done, mate. Well, as you have spent another year as the only drug-free rock star in the world, I'm gonna share a little known fact with you. Father Christmas lives just down the street from here." Liam
15. "Hey! All right, turnip head, now you take care of your Mum while I'm away, okay? [Pauses] I love you." Charlie
16. "Pardon me while I have a heart attack. The last time I was in a fight I was eight years old. [Laughs] And I lost." Charlie
17. "So how long can you really hold your breath for?" Desmond "Does it matter?" Charlie
18. "Bernard, this is not pheasant hunting in Montgomery County." Rose "I know what I'm doing." Bernard "No, you don't. Pheasants don't shoot back." Rose
19. "Everyone's gathering down at the south end of the beach. No one's staying behind but the shooters." Jack "Says who? You wanna give me your word that nothing's going to happen to my husband, then I go." Rose "I'll give you my word that if we don't kill everyone that shows up here in about an hour, it's not gonna matter where Bernard is." Jack "I like you better since you got back, Jack. You're almost an optimist. [To Bernard] Come on. If you're gonna be hiding in the bushes, let's get ya into something dark." Rose
20. "Dudes, wait! I heard. I heard what you're doing. I wanna come with. Everyone--they're all going to the radio tower--and I'm sick of trekking and, you know, explosions. I think I can help you guys out. I'm a really good paddler." Hurley
21. "Because...you're too big! You won't fit in the boat." Charlie "That's uncool, man." Hurley [Hurley begins to go] "Wait, wait, wait!" Charlie [Charlie hugs him] "Dude, it's fine. I don't even wanna go on your stupid boat." Hurley "Catch up with you later. Just remember I love you, man." Charlie "Yeah, whatever, love you too." Hurley
22. "So, first plane crash?" Charlie "[Sarcastically] What gave it away?" Claire "Ah, you can always spot the newbies. We're gonna be okay, you know." Charlie

Notes:

1. Uh, Jack, probably not a good idea to blow a tree up just to make a point, and doing so probably isn't the most intelligent thing to do, considering the Others might hear you, plus you're wasting dynamite, Jackass.
2. When Charlie's father is teaching him how to swim, you can hear someone in the background clearly say, "Desmond, come on!"
3. In White Rabbit, Charlie exclaimed, "I don't swim! I don't swim!"
4. I love this episode, the acting, the music, the direction, everything about it, so glad Charlie's character was vindicated and I started to like him again.
5. The shot of the shoe is the saddest thing ever.

3.17 Catch-22

1. Desmond, Hurley, Charlie, Jin, walking through the jungle, it's raining, Hurley and Charlie are arguing about a Superman vs. The Flash showdown, Charlie steps on a trip-wire, gets an arrow through the middle of the throat, suffocates, chokes on his blood, dies. From Lostpedia
2. Hurley picking up the beach wire during the day, then it's night, a beacon blinking in the sky, Desmond and Penny photograph, Jin, Hurley and Charlie holding a tarp, Charlie and Hurley arguing, a parachutist, hanging from a tree in the jungle, Penny.
3. Desmond has a flash, he asks Hurley where the wire is, the cable buried in the sand, if he knows where it is, says that it's important, that someone's coming.
4. Desmond is praying in a Monastery, reading the bible, a monk comes in, gives him a robe, says he had a vow of silence, that it challenges his patience and faith, he didn't think he would last that long, that his path led him there, he's now one of us, welcomes him.
5. "God tests our faith in many ways. So, as you well know, we have our own test here. A vow of silence that lasts as long as we see fit. This challenges both one's patience, and his faith. For some, it may last a week. Those we are less sure about, a month. Personally, Desmond, I never thought you'd last. And so now I stand corrected. For whatever reason, your path has led you here. And now you're one of us. Welcome, brother." Brother Campbell
6. Desmond asks Jack for a medical kit, says he twisted his ankle, while Hurley tries to act coy, Jack gives it to him.
7. Hurley asks if someone will get hurt, wants an explanation, Desmond says he saw a sequence of events, things that are going to happen, it's like a jigsaw puzzle, he saw Hurley pulling a cable out of the sand, not trying to stop something from happening, he wants it to happen, he's not trying to stop it.
8. "So you're not trying to stop something from happening, you want it to happen." Hurley "[Desmond sees himself and Penny posing for their photograph, of him wiping Penny's tear at the stadium, of her kissing him in their flat] More than anything." Desmond
9. Sawyer asks Kate if she told Jack about them, she says no, but he knows, he saw them on the surveillance camera in The Hydra station, he asks her to have sex, she says no, so he asks her if she wants him to make her a mix-tape. From Lostpedia
10. Desmond says Jin was there with them in the flash, but doesn't know how to get him to go with them, Hurley convinces him to come with, says they're going camping, under the stars, with marshmallows, Jin agrees.
11. Desmond goes to get Charlie, but he's suspicious, says he doesn't want him to go camping, that he had another vision of him dying, Desmond tells him that someone's coming to the island, that he's not going to die this time, Charlie agrees, asks to bring his guitar. From Lostpedia
12. "Right, but with all due respect, you haven't previously told Jin or Hurley that they're gonna die." Charlie
13. They're walking to the wire, whistling The Bridge on the River Kwai, Jin spots the wire, Hurley picks it up from the sand, Desmond has a flash of when he saw him picking up the wire on the beach, they agree to camp there for the night, Desmond tells Charlie that they're coming soon.
14. Desmond and Brother Campbell are packing wine for Moriah Vineyards, Desmond says Moriah is the mountain where Abraham was asked to kill Isaac, but Brother Campbell says that God spared Isaac, that it was a test, a sacrifice.
15. A man comes to see Desmond, punches him in the face, says he's sorry and leaves. From Lostpedia
16. Kate is eating oatmeal, says it's awesome, she says it's strange being back, Jack borrows her spoon, is going to have dinner with Juliet, and Kate is jealous, so she has sex with Sawyer to compensate, she's crying, Sawyer doesn't mind.
17. Jin tells ghost stories, Hurley gets scared, Charlie plays guitar, they toast marshmallows, Desmond shows Charlie the photograph of Penny, Charlie asks how he left her behind, he says he's a coward, he tried to run away and she tracked him down, he says that maybe she meant it, that she never gave up, spent the last 3 years looking. From Lostpedia
18. "You know I tried to run away from her and she, she tracked me down. With enough money and determination you can find anyone, she said. And I used to wake up in nights, thinking if she actually meant it, that she never gave up, then maybe she's spent the last three years looking for me." Desmond
19. They hear a helicopter, see it off in the distance, over the ocean, hear it getting choppy, crashes into the water, see a beacon, Jin says it's the pallet, Hurley says maybe they ejected, Charlie says you can't eject out of a helicopter, Desmond wants to leave now, but Charlie says they can't go into the jungle in the middle of the night, with Rousseau's death traps, that it will be light in 2 hours, Desmond says she can't wait, that they could be hurt, that's the way it's supposed to happen, Charlie says it's supposed to happen without him, but then Desmond has a flash and remembers that it was day time when they find the parachutist, says that they'll leave at first light, together. From Lostpedia
20. Desmond goes to a house, the man who punched him, Derek, answers the door, his sister is Ruth, Desmond says he's a monk now, she says he left one week before their wedding, dated 6 years, disappeared, everything was paid for, closest to religious experience was Celtic winning the cup, Desmond was scared, he says he had a calling, drank too much, asked if hew was doing the right thing, woke up in the street, a man asked if he could help, he was a monk, knew we was supposed to go with him, a sacrifice for a great calling. From Lostpedia
21. "I had a calling. Okay, yes, I was scared about the wedding, so I had a few pints too many, maybe I, I raised my eyes, and I asked am I doing the right thing, and that's the last thing I remember. And when I woke up, I was lying on my back in the street, and I don't know how I got there and, there was this man standing over me, Ruth. And he reached out his hand and he said to me, can I help you brother? And the first thing I noticed was the rope tied round his waist, and I looked at him and I knew, I knew, I was supposed to go with him. I was supposed to leave everything that mattered behind, sacrifice all of it, for a greater calling." Desmond
22. Sawyer and Jack play ping-pong, Sawyer says that it's strange being back, Jack says that Kate said the same thing last night in the kitchen, that he had dinner with Juliet, Sawyer figures out that Kate used him because she was jealous of Juliet and Jack. From Lostpedia
23. It's daylight, they go looking for the parachutist, the beacon, Charlie thinks Desmond is lying, Desmond says to trust him, Charlie spots a little Hula girl doll, they find a backpack in a tree, a Portuguese Catch-22, a satellite phone, the photograph of Desmond and Penny.
24. "Look, mate. I've saved your life three times now, if that hasn't bought me your trust I don't know what will. Let's move." Desmond From Lostpedia
25. Sawyer gives Kate The Best of Phil Collins tape, he asks her why she jumped him, says it's because she saw Juliet and Jack, that she doesn't have to use him, he calls her out on it. From Lostpedia
26. Charlie says that Desmond thinks the parachutist is Penny, Desmond has a flash of Charlie getting pierced by the arrow again, it starts to thunder and rain.
27. "You think its her don't you?" Charlie "Who?" Desmond "Your girl. Penny. You think it actually her who bailed out the helicopter." Charlie "Earlier, I hoped it. Now, I know it." "Why didn't you tell us?" Charlie "Would you come if I had?" Desmond "Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Charlie "I didn't wanna tell you because, I didn't want anything to change." Desmond "Fair enough. Look if whatever you're seeing leads to your girl getting us rescued, why would we want to change anything, right?" Charlie
28. Desmond gets drunk on Moriah Vineyard's wine, Brother Campbell catches him, says it costs 100 quid, bottled 108 cases that year, says Desmond isn't cut out to be a monk, fires him, but Desmond says he heard the call, Brother Campbell says God has bigger plans for him, that he's spent too much time running to realize what he's running toward. From Lostpedia
29. "I'm sure you did hear the call, but the abbey clearly isn't where you were meant to end up. I have little doubt that God has different plans than you being a monk, Desmond. Bigger plans." Brother Campbell "Oh, aye, I'm sure he does." Desmond "He does. You've just spent too much time running away to realize what you may be running toward." Brother Campbell
30. The flash that Desmond had in the opening happens, Hurley and Charlie argue over Superman vs. The Flash, while there is a flash that appears in front of Hurley when he says the word flash, the wire, the arrow, but Desmond stops Charlie from dying. From Lostpedia
31. "I'm moving as fast as I can. In case you haven't noticed dude I'm not exactly The Flash." Hurley
32. They disagree about where the parachutist landed, so agree to split up, Desmond and Charlie, Jin and Hurley, go looking.
33. Charlie questions if Desmond knew, if he was going to sacrifice him, Desmond says the flashes have to happen the way he saw them, says that maybe it's a test.
34. "If the flashes don't happen exactly how I saw them, the picture changes. I was supposed to let you die, Charlie." Desmond "What's that supposed to mean?" Charlie "It means its bloody pointless. I keep saving your life, and what good has it done? Its just gonna keep happening again and again, maybe that's the point eh? Maybe its a test." Desmond "Test?" Charlie "Like God, testing Abraham, except I failed, because I changed what I saw." Desmond
35. Jin and Hurley find the parachutist hanging from a tree.
36. Desmond returns the robe to Brother Campbell, he says he can get a ride with Brother Martin into town, help loading the cases of wine for them before he goes, there is a photograph on the desk of Brother Campbell and Ms. Hawking in front of the Monastery. From Lostpedia
37. Desmond helps load the cases of wine, a woman says her father sent the check, 10 cases of wine, it's Penelope Widmore getting wine for Charles Widmore, Desmond meets her, tells her he used to be a monk, she asks him to help her unload the cases in Carlisle.
38. "You know I was told under no uncertain terms that the abbey wasn't where I was meant to end up. Just a, step along a path. You know, God allegedly has bigger plans for me." [On the Island, Desmond cuts free the chute, and the others catch it.] "Something tells me you don't entirely believe that." Penny "I suppose that's because I don't." Desmond "Well maybe they're right. I mean, just think, if you hadn't have got fired, we wouldn't have met, and then, how could you possibly help me unload these crates in Carlisle." Penny "Did I say I was coming to Carlisle with you?" Desmond "Not yet." Penny From Lostpedia
39. Desmond climbs up into the tree to cut the parachutist down, he's sure it is Penny, the scene cuts back and forth between him cutting her down and meeting her, she falls from the tree, Charlie, Jin and Hurley catch her, Desmond says to wait.
40. Desmond takes her helmet off, it's not Penny, but she knows Desmond. From Lostpedia
41. "Desmond?"

Questions:

1. Did Desmond change what happened because he saved Charlie?
2. How did Naomi get the photograph of Penny and Desmond and why did she have it?
3. Why was there a photograph of Brother Campbell and Ms. Hawking?
4. What is their relationship to eachother?
5. Was Brother Campbell someone to guide Desmond along his path to the island?
6. Did Desmond really have a calling?
7. Why doesn't Desmond remember what happened when had the call?
8. Is Desmond's destiny to push the button?

Favorites:

1. "You're insane, mate. Superman can fly around the entire planet in the blink of an eye." Charlie "Dude, if we're going by a pure footrace, Supes would get dusted by The Flash." Hurley "But, why would the Man of Steel agree to a sodding footrace?" Charlie "Er, for charity. And Flash would totally win cause he can like, vibrate through walls and stuff." Hurley "Oohh vibration, whatever would Superman do if he came up against a wall?" Charlie "Well, no smashing allowed." Hurley "No flying, no smashing, any other restrictions I need to know about? Perhaps we should fit Superman with a pair of Kryptonite..." Charlie
2. "Something wrong Hurley?" Jack "Nah, uh uh, just, keeping Desmond here company. Cause, we're friends." Hurley
3. "Well, you weren't around when I lost the bet, so you're...[Sawyer enters the tent to see Kate getting dressed]... Exempt." Sawyer "[Kate looks at Sawyer as he ogles] What's up?" Kate "Er, I wanted to ask you something." Sawyer "Yep? [Kate notices Sawyer ogling her breasts] I'm up here." Kate
4. "You know, did you tell the Doc? About you and me?" Sawyer "No. But he knows. He saw us on one of those surveillance monitors." Kate Thought you said the camera was broken?" Sawyer "Well they had another camera." Kate "Perverts." Sawyer
5. "Well now that, that's out the way, maybe a little afternoon delight. [Kate doesn't look impressed] It means sex." Sawyer "I know." Kate "Come on, Freckles, wait, now look, you need me to make ya a mix tape?" Sawyer "Yeah why don't you do that." Kate
6. "Watch the master. [Hurley walks towards Jin]" Hurley "Camping?" Jin "Yeah, you know, like sleeping under the stars, fire on the beach. Marshmallows." Hurley "Camping. Yes." Jin "[To Desmond] Everybody likes marshmallows." Hurley
7. Hurley, Charlie, and Jin whistling The Bridge on the River Kwai.
8. The ghost story that Jin tells, Hurley getting scared.
9. "Dude, I love the part about the bird. It was a bird right?" Hurley "[To Hurley] You." Jin "Me? Okay erm, have you heard the one about the Chupacabra.." Hurley "Chupa...?" Jin "Yeah, like a bear with spines..." Hurley
10. "That's not bad, Des. Not bad at all." Charlie
11. "We dated for six years, and the closest you ever came to a religious experience was Celtic winning the cup." Ruth
12. "Well its a good thing a bloody shepherd didn't help you up, or as I suppose you'd be off with the sheep wouldn't you? Next time you want to break up with someone, Des, don't join a monastery. Just tell the girl you're too bloody scared." Ruth
13. "What, your dad never taught you to use a hammer?" Juliet "No my dad taught me how to drink." Jack "Oh, well, at least it's something." Juliet
14. "Hope I'm not interrupting. You two arguing over whose your favorite Other?" Sawyer "What do you want, Sawyer?" Jack "Well, what I wanted, Doc, was to inform you there's been some developments since you were AWOL. So tell me...[He holds up some paddles]...How's your backhand?" Sawyer
15. "So where'd you get the table?" Jack "Don't you recognize it? Fell out of the purple haze. We don't play every hundred and eight minutes, the Island's gonna explode! [Sawyer wins the point] Finally, something I can beat you at." Sawyer
16. "Dude, seriously I'm gonna have a coronary." Hurley "Actually, you're not." Desmond
17. "It can't be Rousseau's, if it was Rousseau's a massive rock would be flying at my head right now." Charlie
18. "Crap, it's dead." Hurley "Shocker." Charlie
19. "The Best of Phil Collins, huh?" Kate "Don't get picky. And if Bernard asks, I don't know a thing about it." Sawyer
20. "Well, it's a grand old team to play for, and its a grand old team to see. And if you know your history, its..." Desmond "Brother Desmond. What are you doing?" Brother Campbell
    "Well, I believe I'm, getting pissed on a lovely wine." Desmond
21. "Who's Penny?" Jin "She's this chick Desmond used to date. And now he thinks she fell from the sky. So we're gonna go save her life, and she's gonna get us rescued. Dude, even if I spoke Korean it wouldn't make any sense." Hurley
22. "You better drive safe Miss, this vineyard only makes a limited number of these cases each year." Desmond "Is that so?" Penny "Aye, it's because the monks are lazy. [Penny laughs]Yeah, its easier making grape jelly than wine." Desmond "And how do you know so much about monks?" Penny "Because I'm an ex-monk." Desmond "Really?" Penny "As of last night I was fired. [Penny laughs again] Ah, it wasn't that funny." Desmond "I'm sorry I never I, I didn't know monks could be fired. I mean of course if an ex-monk already has plans, then..." You know I don't usually get into cars with strangers." Desmond "Well in that case, I'm Penelope. Penny." Penny "Desmond. Very nice to meet you, Penny." Desmond

Notes:

1. Jin's ghost story: "And the girl turned to the man who saved her and said, 'Thank God. I was afraid you were the Hook Man.' And the man looked at the girl with a smile and said, 'Don't worry, little girl. My hook is....STILL IN YOUR FATHER'S HEAD!"
2. If Desmond wouldn't have gotten scared and left Ruth, he wouldn't have gone to the Monastery, wouldn't have become a monk, then he wouldn't have been fired from being a monk by Brother Campbell, which he then wouldn't have met Penny, fallen in love with her, met her father, Charles Widmore, broken up with her, and then entered the boat race to get his honor back, ship-wrecked on the island and net Kelvin, ending up pushing the button for the next three years, and eventually not doing so, causing Oceanic Flight 815 to crash on the island, which also causes Desmond to get rescued with them, and reunite with Penny. So, is this Desmond's destiny?

3.11 Enter 77

1. Sawyer sees everyone carrying the ping-pong table, Hurley says Jin found while looking for firewood, they made legs, paddles and now all they need is a ball, it must've landed in the jungle when the hatch exploded, Sawyer says that he thought it collapsed.
2. Sawyer wants his Guns and Ammo magazine back from Paulo, but he says that they share things now, while carrying it wrapped around a roll of Dharma toilet paper.
3. Sayid says they're still heading North, bearing 305, Locke senses a lack of confidence, Sayid says they've been walking for 2 days following a compass bearing from Eko's stick, Locke says it's the only bearing they have.
4. Sayid is picking fruit, he hears a bell, finds a cow, a house, sees the eye patch man, calling the cow to him, it's another station.
5. Sawyer has a ball, challenges everyone to ping-pong game for his stuff back, pick their best man, they say no nicknames for a week if he loses.
6. Sayid circles the house, he says there's nothing but jungle surrounding it, there are horses, cows, fenced in, a satellite dish on top, Sayid says a dish of that size would have broadcasting capabilities for thousands of miles. From Lostpedia
7. Sayid asks Danielle if it's the radio tower, but she says no, she's never seen it before.
8. Kate asks Sayid where he recognizes the man with the eye patch from, Sayid tells her The Pearl video feed, the only way to find out who he is, is by asking him, if he's unarmed, he won't feel threatened, they cover him.
9. Rousseau says she has no interest on the man inside the house, that she survived by avoiding encounters, that she'll wait by the stream for those who survive.
10. Sayid is a cook, going by the name Najeev, meets a man named Sami, says he's Syrian, but Sami says he's Iraqi too, wants him to work for him because his chef quit, they're in Paris.
11. Sayid approaches the house, with his hands up, there is a horse, saddled, stirrups, a grey cat catches his attention, the eye patch man shoots Sayid, says he didn't cross the line, it's his land, they said he could stay there. Sayid tells him his name, he's not who he thinks he is, says he was on plane that crashed months ago, that he's unarmed.
12. Locke and Kate approach the house, tell the man to drop the weapon, he surrenders. He asks if they really crashed there, Sayid tells him over 40 of them did, Kate asks who he is.
13. "My name is Mikhail Bakunin and I am the last remaining member of the DHARMA Initiative."
14. Mikhail takes a look at Sayid's gunshot wound, spent time in Afghanistan, had experience with field medicine in the Soviet Army, tells Sayid his story while Locke and Kate investigate the station. Kate goes in the kitchen, while Locke sees a computer with a chess screen, "Ready to play? Y/N," he presses yes, the computer tells him it's his move. From Lostpedia
15. "I grew up in Kiev and joined the Soviet Army. I was stationed at a listening post at Vladivostok. After the Cold War, after we lost the Cold War, my unit was decommissioned. I was dismissed from my life in the military. And after years of conducting unpleasant actions against our enemies, I found myself wanting to do something good. So I replied to a newspaper advertisement." Mikhail "An advertisement?" Sayid "Would you like to save the world? it read. That’s how I met them, the Initiative. They’re very secretive, very rich, very smart." Mikhail "So, when did you come to the island?" Sayid "11 years now. I like computers, communications equipment, being along like a lighthouse keeper. So they put me in this station. They called it The Flame." Mikhail "What is the purpose of the flame?" Sayid " To communicate with the outside world, of course."
16. Mikhail says the Dharma Initiative all dead, initiated war against hostiles, the purge, didn't participate in it, likes being alone, after the war was over, 4 men appeared in the yard, they offered a truce, line around the alley, do not cross, he'll be left alone, they took 2 cows, never saw them again, satellite hasn't functioned for years, the hostiles were there a long time before Dharma Initiative.
17. Mikhail removes the bullet from Sayid's arm.
18. Sayid goes to see Sami at his restaurant, Sami greets him, introduces him to his wife, Amira, she says it's him, Sayid is attacked by Sami and his men.
19. Mikhail has a cat named Nadia, after Nadia Comaneci, greatest athlete the world has ever known, they have the same birthday. Mikhail stitches up Sayid's wound, he offers them some iced tea.
20. Locke plays chess on the computer, Mikhail says he's been playing it for 10 years, it's been programmed by 3 Grand Masters, and it cheats.
21. "Well, I’ve played a lot of computers and I’m pretty sure they don’t know how to cheat. That’s what makes being human so distinctly wonderful." Locke
22. Kate questions why they'd leave Mikhail there all alone, with the equipment, but Sayid says that it makes perfect sense, that Mikhail is one of them, and he's not alone.
23. Sawyer plays Hurley in ping pong, gets schooled.
24. Sayid says he noticed thick wires when he walked around the station, Mikhail says that it's the hub, they go around to other stations all over the island, Sayid asks if they go underwater, Mikhail says there's underwater beacon that emits solar pings to help guide in the vessels, submarine, Dharma Initiative used it to bring them there, hostiles have either destroyed or decommissioned it by now, Sayid says that explains how they were able to get around his position and capture the sailboat, lost it to them, killed one.
25. Mikhail wonders why they're playing a game, Sayid fights him, Kate and Locke draw their guns, Mikhail surrenders and they tie him up.
26. Sayid is being held prisoner by Sami, who brings him water, says he was a torturer in Republican Guard, he victimized his wife, Amira, arrested, harbored an enemy of the state, held for 3 months while she was questioned. Sami wants him to admit what he did, but Sayid only admits who he is, Sayid Jarrah, was in the Republican Guard, was an interrogator, but says he doesn't know Sami's wife, he can remember every face, Sami says his wife remembers, wants him to admit or he will kill him.
27. Sayid says Mikhail is not alone, the horse is still saddled, for someone much shorter. Locke says that he's checked everywhere, but Sayid reveals a trap door under a rug. From Lostpedia
28. Sami brings his wife into the room, Sayid says he didn't know her, wouldn't touch a woman, wouldn't admit to something he didn't do, bu Sami says Amira admitted to something she didn't do and he poured boiling water on her arms and hands, he beats him badly, but Sayid won't admit to torturing his wife. Amira says that's enough for today.
29. Sayid and Kate go underground, while Locke watches Mikhail, the entire place is wire with C4, Sayid finds Dharma Initiative Operations Manuals. From Lostpedia
30. Locke beats the chess game, you win, checkmate, a video begins with Dr. Marvin Candle, "Manual override complete. For pallet drop enter 24. For station uplink enter 32. For mainland communication enter 38." Locke enters 38, "The satellite dish is inoperable. Communications are down. For sonar access enter 56." Locke presses 56, "Sonar is inoperable. Has there been an incursion of this station by The Hostiles? If so, enter 77." Mikhail approaches Locke with a knife. From Lostpedia
31. Kate finds a rack of DHARMA jumpsuits, Ms. Klugh pops up from behind it and attacks Kate, Sayid stops her, Kate says it's her, she was there at the dock. Sayid asks if there's any more of them there, but Ms. Klugh is silent.
32. They bring Ms. Klugh upstairs, Locke and Mikhail have disappeared, they are now outside, where Mikhail has a gun on Locke, he wants to do a prisoner exchange.
33. Mikhail and Klugh speak to eachother in Russian. Klugh says Mikhail knows what to do, but he says they have another way out, she says they can't risk it, but he says no, she says he knows the conditions, they captured them, can't let them get into the territory, he knows what to do, it's an order, Mikhail says that there's still another way, but Klugh insists, he says to forgive him, pushes Locke and shoots her, but Sayid has his gun on Mikhail, who tells him to do it already, to finish the job, to kill him. From Lostpedia
34. Hurley beat Sawyer badly in ping pong, tells him his mom had a table in her basement, played a lot in the instu--this place he hung out at, gives him back one of his Playboy magazines, tells him that Kate's going to be okay, she's with Locke and Sayid.
35. Locke is looking at the computer again, Kate is downstairs, Sayid questions Mikhail, who admits he wasn't a member of the Dharma Initiative, but says that everything else was true. Rousseau wants to kill him, but Sayid says they're collecting whatever is useful from the house, they have a ticket to where the Others live, they can find her daughter, Jack and maybe a way home.
36. Mikhail says that he won't help them, but Sayid has a map to the barracks. From Lostpedia
37. "I didn’t say you were our ticket, did I? This is a map showing electrical and data cabling running from The Flame, here, to a place called The Barracks, here. It’s comprised of houses and dormitories, with water and power large enough to accommodate an entire community. Sounds like a place well worth visiting, don’t you think?" Sayid
38. Mikhail says Sayid will have his guard down, and he won't hesitate to kill him.
39. Sami's wife, Amira, visits Sayid with a similar cat to the one from The Flame.
40. "After my husband and I first arrived in Paris, I was afraid to ever leave our apartment. So I would stare out in the window into the alley, and I would see this cat looking for scraps. One day some children came into the alley and trapped him in a box. I watched them light firecrackers and drop them in the box. I could hear him howl from three stories above. So finally, I had a reason to leave my apartment. I rescued this cat and I brought him home. He sits with me when I read, sleeps with me, and he purrs. But, every once in a while, he will bite me or scratch me. He does this because sometimes he forgets that he is safe now. So I forgive him when he bites me, because I remember what it is like to never feel safe. And that is because of you. So today, I ask only one thing of you: I ask you now to show me the respect by acknowledging what you did to me. That it was you who questioned me, tortured me and that you remember me." Amira From Lostpedia
41. "I remember you. I remember your face. Your face has haunted me ever since I left Iraq. I am sorry. I am so sorry for what I did to you. I am sorry." Sayid
42. Amira forgives Sayid, says she'll tell her husband she was wrong, she made a mistake, that it wasn't him, that they're all capable of doing what the children did to her cat, but she won't do that, won't be that.
43. Rousseau says they should kill Mikhail, but Sayid wont kill him, Locke and Kate show up. Locke says he knows why Mikhail didn't want him to beat the game, The Flame explodes. From Lostpedia
44. "What have you done, John? That place was our one hope of communication with the outside world!" Sayid "The computer said that if there was an incursion of the station by The Hostiles, I should enter 77. So I entered 77." Locke
45. Sayid says they should leave, the explosion will attract attention, he sees the grey cat again.

Questions:

1. How did objects explode out of the hatch when it imploded?
2. How could Sayid live in Paris and not know a lick of French?
3. Why were the codes on the computer in The Flame hidden behind a chess game?
4. Was Mikhail really a member of the Dharma Initiative?
5. Why would Mikhail tell a story that was partly true?
6. Why would Sayid say the horse was saddled for someone much shorter than Mikhail?
7. Did anything happen besides an explosion when Locke entered 77?
8. Who occupied The Flame before Mikhail?

Favorites:

1. "Look, dude, all I know is the sky turned purple. After that I don’t ask questions. Just make myself a salad and move on." Hurley
2. "We’ve been walking for two days, following a compass bearing provided by the carvings on a stick!" Sayid
3. "Uh-uh. We need to do a quick prid quo first. I know I’ve been gone a while and you thought the General Store was having a “going-out-of-business” sale. But now I’m back. And I want what’s mine." Sawyer
4. "Ooh, looks like crouching tiger and hidden dragon got something good. Lay it on me." Sawyer
5. "So, you really the number one draft pick, Grimace?" Sawyer
6. "Not every nook and cranny, John." Sayid
7. "Sorry I beat you so bad, dude." Hurley "Sorry you hustled me, you mean." Sawyer
8. "Looks like that last slam didn’t cause any long-term damage to your forehead. And you got 3 points which is better than nothing." Hurley
9. "Uh uh. It’s Hurley. Or Hugo if you want." Hurley "Get bent, Hugo." Sawyer

Notes:

1. The Flame station's name foreshadows its ultimate fate.
2. This is where my severe thoughts of time looping began, with Paris and the grey cat.
3. One of my favorite bloopers is from the Season 3 DVD, perhaps my favorite ever, where Naveen Andrews exaggeratedly says, "Not every nook and cranny, John!"