Welcome to another *cough* belated *cough* post on The Fail-Safe Key. Last week we got a brief look into the life of “Dr. Linus, Modern European History professor,” and what an interesting glimpse it was. The general fan reaction to this episode was much more positive in comparison to the previous Sayid-centric episode (some have even said it was their favorite so far) and I can’t help but think it has something to do with Michael Emerson’s awesome acting.
Anyway, I have just a few things I wanted to discuss with you so feel free to add your own comments or message me if you have something to share!
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1) “Dr. Linus” — Wasn’t it weird to see yet another character so different from what we know, but still basically the same? The mirror image of Ben Linus was very entertaining to watch and for a moment—just a moment—I thought we would see Ben stumble and fall back into his ol’ Island ways, giving up Alex for a taste of school administrative power. Much like what happened to “I’m-not-a-killer-anymore” Sayid.
But the Alt shows us that these versions are indeed tweaked a bit. It was alllllmost like our Ben but he was just too darn nice. I do think you could see the “Ben-isms” working deeply in his subconscious; however, they were unable to poke through. Is it possible that the characters from each world will begin to bleed into one another? Will Alt Ben become more and more like Island Ben and vice versa? Could we see the decline of Ben in the Alt and the redemption of Ben on the Island?
The Dr. Linus/Alex relationship was also fun to watch. It was good to see them happy and working together and not in the middle of some weird mercenary takeover of a secret Island, yes?
We also learned that Ben and his dad were still part of the Dharma Initiative but left before the Island somehow ended up underwater. I really liked that scene between Ben and Roger. A much better relationship than what we had come to know, right? It seems Roger wanted great things for his son—a moment I found to be quite amusing, since those great things would’ve turned out to be Ben murdering Roger and the entire Dharma population in the Island.
2) Ilana/Jacob relationship — I am very interested in this. Ilana said Jacob was the closest thing she ever had to a father. What exactly is their relationship? Who is Ilana? Where did she come from? We saw Jacob visit her in a hospital and ask for her help in the finale of Season 5 (I think). What was she doing there? Where did that take place??
I initially felt she did an awfully quick 180 with Ben. First she he chained him up, held him at gunpoint, chased him into the forest and then forgives him after a little Jack-style jungle crying. Well I guess he did confess and show remorse. And the last thing Ilana needs is Ben on the wrong side. I hope this Ben sticks around because I’ve always wanted to believe he’d end up a “good” guy.
3) Richard — Seriously, Richard, stop saying everyone is dead. You said you watched the LOSTies die in 1977 and then you said everyone at the Temple is dead. So that’s two times you’re full of crap. Nice try. No one’s buying that you don’t wear eyeliner, either.
Then we have Richard telling Hurley and Jack to not listen to Jacob. Is that simply because he lost his faith or is it because Jacob is dead and Richard is worried about MiB shapeshifting into Jacob? Either way, if there’s one thing to do in this situation it is NOT listen to the ageless wonder.
We also hear the story about Jacob touching Richard and I assume that’s why he does not age. He said Jacob gave him a gift. So then did the other LOSTies get “gifts” as Richard described? Maybe not the whole eternal semi-youth thing, but something else, unique to each LOSTie? Any guesses?
This episode also confirmed (for me, at least) that Richard came to the Island on the Black Rock. The way he looked at the chains when he was walking through made it pretty obvious. Also, it makes MiB’s comment in the premiere (“Good to see you out of those chains, Richard”) a bit more logical, right? Is anyone else dying to see how that all went down???
4) Jack — Jack’s officially lost it. That is all.
(But he’s right, of course.)
5) Widmore — How many of you called it? Did you know Widmore was the person coming to the Island? The final scene was pretty awesome (in all of its CGI glory) and we know that Widmore isn’t there to find the LOSTies or help them in any way. He is obviously on a mission and his mission does not involve stopping to ask them questions. So what’s he doing there?
Does anyone think he's going to the Hydra Island to meet fLocke? Whose side is Widmore really on? Is he truly a bad guy or is he fooling one side to get intel? What’s he got up his sleeve? Is he planning on disposing of Ben once and for all and taking over the Island? Does he know that Ben is not in charge anymore? Maybe he is coming for his own reasons? Will he use Jacob and MiB to get what he wants?
I know, I know, a lot of questions and not many answers regarding this. But when you only get a few seconds with a character at the end of a LOST episode, chances are you’ll have no idea what it means until the next episode (at least). I do know we have some very smart viewers out there so if you have any theories on this, please share!
6) Favorite lines/scenes —
*Dr. Linus’ description of Elba to his students at the opening of the episode.
*RICHARD: What if you're wrong?
JACK: I'm not.
(dynamite fuse goes out)
JACK: Wanna try another stick?
*“He was standing over him with a bloody knife, so yeah I'm sure.”
*"Dude, that's what Arzt said, and I was still picking bits of him out of my shirt two weeks later."
*The mini-reunion at the end of the episode. So season 1, dude.
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So we still haven’t gotten any major clues as to how this Alt plays into the story we’ve been watching for five years and something tells me we’re not going to really know about it for at least a few more episodes. I really hope they don’t wait until the end of the season to start giving us clues but I’m still (naïvely?) putting my trust in the writers to finish their story with a bang. Only time will tell if I am right or not.
I apologize for the delay this week and I hope this post still helps with understanding a little more about “Dr. Linus” and where the series might be going as a whole. If you have any end-game theories, please share because I would love to know where you think we are headed!
Until next time…
Namaste…and good luck.
SFO
I definitely had a feeling it was Widmore ~ and I'm thrilled it was ~ you know that means Desmond is going to get involved which thrills me to know end! And your thought here on Ben in the alt: "I do think you could see the “Ben-isms” working deeply in his subconscious" ABSOLUTELY!!
ReplyDeleteGood write up, Stephen. I never felt that Ilana turned to quickly in allowing Ben to live; to me it was the ultimate sign of her loyalty not only to the entity Jacob, but to his (apparent) ethos -- forgive, believe, have faith that other will follow the "right" course. She made her choice, and as you said, hoped that it meant Ben chose the "right" side and finally turned a corner away from lies and the all-consuming thirst for whatever power he could grasp.
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe Jacob is shaded "good" and fLocke is shaded "evil", while each may have competing motivations within themselves for their actions.
I also noted a lot of people cheering or jeering the reunion at the end as retro or "so Season 1" but I felt it was clearly there to contrast the end of the previous episode and to illustrate that there very clearly are two sides to this battle on the island (with a potential third party, Wild Card Widmore, just off the island...) forming rank and readying for whatever it is they are destined to do. A few characters may switch sides (come on over to the light, James Ford! Kate, eh.), but the sides are clearly delineated and "war" in some form is coming. For what purpose and to what end, I have no idea.
As you can see, this epi rejuvenated me after a personally infuriating one prior. Can't wait for tonight.
Kevin
Yes, I hope Ilana is right for trusting Ben. I don't know how much more flip-flopping I can handle with these characters. I can see a tragic Ben death in the future and I just hope it's for the good of everyone else. I guess we'll see!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the ending of the episode, I would say that it is meant to give us nostalgia for Season 1 AND to cement the idea of two factions preparing to go head to head. It is hard to deny the latter, especially after the dark ending to "Sundown," but I know they've really been trying to bring back some of those memories from Season 1 and I think they've been mostly successful.
Kevin, I'm glad to hear that "Dr. Linus" rejuvenated you and I hope they can follow up tonight with another satisfying episode!
all it took was for Jack to say that they go back where they "started" and we knew that meant The Beach. you're right, setting up Two Camps for a showdown. Ben seems to be on the "good" side but could pretend to be a double agent and foil fLocke. similarly, Sawyer could be a double agent, as well. he's the Con Man, even a smoke monster could fall for his southern charm. that means Sayid has turned for good. that also means that Kate is the wild card.
ReplyDeletei, too, thought of the idea of what happens when Jacob 'touches' you. they showed it very clearly in a previous episode flashing back to the season 5 finale. jack escaping death leans in favor of the fact that they are all immortal like Richard, but im not sold on that as of yet.
by the way, the scene with richard and jack in the black rock was AWESOME. as far as im concerned, richard is easily one of the more interesting characters left because we know so little about him. i CANNOT wait for his very own epsiode next week! and jack is finally excepting destiny and powerfully questioning it - that was awesome.
i have to admit, the Alt storylines have been less interesting to me because they have been so un-forthcoming. that is, there are hardly any clues as to how they fit into everything else. i enjoy them as entertainment now, but truly truly hope they amount to something grander in the end.
as always, thankyou, SFO, for maintaining the dialogue!
drew o'kane
I can't believe my favorite comment of that episode didn't make your favorite lists...it was when Ben offered Miles money to help him escape and he referred to the dead people a few feet away buried with riches. I can't recall exactly what he said...but once again, Miles is the only character in the show that ever gets me to laugh out loud!
ReplyDelete~WHitney Ingram