Episode 6.06 — "Sundown"

Greetings, LOSTies!

Well, it seems as if this episode was a turning point for a lot of fans, and I don't necessarily mean story-wise. There have been a lot of negative reviews of "Sundown," which in turn has opened the floodgates to criticism of the whole season so far. LOSTies are some of the most passionate fans of a television show I have ever come across, so it's no surprise that they want to express confusion or frustration when they feel their favorite show is not making the grade during its final season.

However, I do feel that LOST will be looked at in a completely different light when it is viewed by first-timers (and veterans, for that matter) through the DVD experience. Having to wait a week after each episode, especially if you are expecting answers, can be a little tedious. So many people simply want closure and have focused on what hasn't been addressed rather than what info we have been given or the setup that is taking place for the end of the series.

In this post we will look at "Sundown," but I also hope to address a few of these larger issues, maybe putting a few things into perspective so all of us may enjoy the final few hours of the show.



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1) Sayid Jarrah, different but not really — I'd like to first expand a little on why I think a lot of people are frustrated with this new flash storytelling device. For those who are LOST mythology fans like myself, it is difficult to see so much episode time spent on seemingly useless stories about LOSTies, confirming what we already know about them. Certainly their lives are different, some significantly so, but the basic "lesson" is the same. We've spent five years learning the ins and outs of the characters' personalities, so why exactly do we need to see them again in a different context?

All I can say is be patient. Since when do we get major answers in the first few episodes of the season? And actually, we've already been given some decent reveals and even some smaller ones as well. Here are just a few: 1) The MiB is fLocke is the Smoke Monster, 2) We know more about the Jacob/fLocke relationship (i.e., there are rules to their game; the LOSTies are pawns; Jacob has been watching them for a long time), 3) We have a clearer idea of what MiB wants, which is to go home, 4) We've seen inside the mysterious Temple and learned that it has a healing pool.



Okay, anyway I did want to talk about Sayid and his story in "Sundown." A friend of mine sent me an email defending what he felt was a great episode. His points really helped me appreciate some things I might have missed and helped me again realize that LOST is about more than a list of mythology questions that need to be answered. To him, this episode was the climax of the Sayid character arc and forced Sayid to finally comes to terms with what he is: a killer.

Here's his take: "Sayid has spent the entire series trying to convince himself and others that he is 'a good man.' Yet, he consistently shows us otherwise. He tortured Sawyer, beat Ben to a pulp when he was locked up, killed a bunch of people for Ben (including a woman he was romantically involved with), shot a child version of Ben, and I'm still probably forgetting some. He is not a good man (a badass, but in the words of Lost, not one of the good guys). He is a killer. He is a killer here, and he is a killer in the alternate reality, even though it says he's spent the past 12 years trying to atone for that. This episode was Sayid finally realizing that he can't change who he is in either of the realities he exists in right now."

Well said!

This episode also gave us another satisfying death of Martin Keamy, which I cannot imagine was disappointing for anyone. And then we found Jin tied and gagged in the same place. Hmm, did Mr. Kwon owe a little money as well? Or is Keamy one of Paik's goons who caught up with Jin when the Kwons arrived in L.A.?

2) Leaving so soon, Dogen? — Well it looks like my initial assumptions about Dogen were wrong. He is no mystical super power on the Island. Instead, we learn he was just a regular dude before Jacob brought him to the Island like everyone else. It did seem like he was the only one who had answers and now he is dead, floating peacefully in the Temple's pool of life.



I mean, not that we would get any answers from him anyway. His appearances on the show followed the typical "LOST policy of explanations" (courtesy of atlas1212 at the Fuselage): 1) Character asks direct question that would help us understand, 2) Person who should give the answer answers with another question or obscure philosophical reference, 3) Character responds with silence...cut scene...never get a straight answer.

Hmm, does that sound familiar?

I did enjoy Dogen's presence on the show and wish he would have stuck around (maybe he will as one of the infected?) so we could actually get some direct answers from him (maybe). The Dogen/Sayid fight scene was also quite entertaining to watch. And there was one other exchange that is worth noting. It happens after Dogen shares his personal off-Island story with Sayid. Apparently Jacob came to Dogen during a time of grief and offered him a deal, which sounded eerily similar to the one fLocke made with Sayid. Hmmm, who are these guys again? Are we sure either of them is good??

3) The Temple and the Others — Was anyone else surprised at the Temple Others' reaction when they received the message that fLocke was coming? So much for loyalty to Jacob. They practically had their bags packed and were ready to flee at the drop of a hat. I think this pretty much confirms that the Others are just normal people brought to the Island like Dogen, Ben and the all of the LOSTies. And they are definitely ready to get the hell of that Island! Do any of them know who MiB is? If they did, do you think they would really go with him? Are they that dissatisfied with life at the Temple? It just seemed like a strange (and quick) turn of events at the end there.



So is the Temple just a building that houses the pool? Is there anything else special about it? It certainly looks old with all of its hieroglyphics and whatnot, but basically all we have seen is the courtyard, Dogen's lair and Claire's prison. I wouldn't be surprised if it had some spiritual purpose at one point during its history on the Island but now it just seems like a holding cell for wandering Others who have lost their way. I honestly think that the majority of the Others are like Richard in that they have no idea what the bigger picture is.

Which begs the question, "What is the Others' purpose?" Are they ex-candidates left to do Jacob's bidding whenever he needs some manpower? Are they really protecting anything? Anyone have insight into this?

4) Creepy Temple raid scene (and ending) — We've gotten so much Smokey action already this season! I am loving it! Lots of bloody carnage and creepy fLocke looks. Ah, this is the LOST I like to watch. I did have a few questions about this scene, though, and hopefully you will be able to fill in a few holes for me.

First, where was Richard? Last time we saw him, he tried to warn Sawyer and then mentioned he was heading to the Temple. I don't think we have seen him since then. Does anyone know where Richard ran off to? Second, where the heck did Ilana and crew come from? They just appeared out of nowhere, right as fLocke was attacking. Did that feel a bit off to anyone else? Finally, why wasn't Sawyer with the MiB-claimed group? Was he out running an errand?



I also thought it was interesting that Smokey not only spared Kate during the raid but that he gave her a strange look when she, Claire and Sayid joined the rest of the group. Does he have a purpose for Kate? Is she already infected? Could she be the wild card?

And what about that final sequence, which looked more like a horror flick than anything else? That disturbing singing and fire and blood and bodies everywhere. *shivers* Weird, wild stuff. It didn't feel like a typical LOST ending, though it has felt like a different LOST altogether this season. Your thoughts?

5) Alt as "Epilogue" — We can all agree that there is something peculiar about these flash-sideways, yes? I can't help but think that what we are seeing is not what we think it is. We know that MiB promised Sayid anything he wanted for his service. And for Sayid, it was Nadia. Watching this particular flash-sideways, did anyone else think that it was MiB keeping his promise? Is this the Alt MiB's way of giving everyone what they wanted? Like, you suffer in this life and receive your reward in another? Is this proof that fLocke wins the game?

6) Favorite lines/scenes —
*"Now why'd you go and do that?" -fLocke's reaction to Sayid stabbing him.
*Exchange between Ben and Sayid in Temple pool room. "There's still time!" "Not for me..." *insert creepy Sayid smile*
*Sayid killing Keamy!
*Final sequence, evil singing and all. Totally a mirror image of those happy and hopeful first season song/montage endings!



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I will admit that I watched some interviews from the Paley Festival, during which the producers and actors were quite forward when answering questions. They gave some clues for the remainder of the season, yet somehow I'm more confused than ever. I think all we can do is sit back, enjoy the final few episodes and watch things fall into place. So for now, just grab a Dharma beer, prop your feet up and try not to think TOO hard about what it all means. Easier said than done, I know!

Until next time...

Namaste...and good luck.

SFO