Ok... episode 6.2 is only hours away so I suppose we need to finish up with episode 6.1.
There were essentially 3 important elements to this episode going on at once. And really, I think they are the 3 elements that are going to present themselves in every episode left. The first story element is Jacob/Smoke Monster Story line. Second is what is happening to our survivors on the island. Those first 2 will clearly be interwoven with each other throughout this season. But it is important to note how vital the Jacob/Smoke monster story is because after all. Jacob is the one who brought them to this island so he stand to be at the center of the shows mystery. The 3rd element is the alternate reality where the plane lands and while there is no empirical evidence to suggest it, I think we will see that story line cross paths with the other 2 as well... and that is where we will start.
Frankly I was rather surprised how many people have been asking me questions like "why isn't Shannon on the plane" and "why is Hurley the luckiest guy on the planet?" I thought it was pretty obvious actually. In thinking of the reality where Jack's plan succeeded you have to remember that he did more than just stop HIS plane from crashing. The event he changed was in 1977 and would have effected the immediate lives of hundreds of people. Then you have to take into effect the butterfly effect. Every one of those people who's lives have been changed since 1977 have interacted with other people and THOSE people's lives were changed too. So basically, our creators can get away with having jack's hair longer and not a buzz cut like in Episode 1.1. Basically they can make anything be what they want it to be.
As I stated before I believe it is an alternate universe, but time will tell on that one... here are some interesting things I noticed and some questions from the "Bizzaro world":
- What was the deal with the cut on Jack's neck? Possibly some sort of residual injury from the way he is beaten in the island reality?
-What does it mean that the casket and Locke's knives, both of which ended up on the island and both of which were significant, are now missing from flight 815?
-Why is Jin rocking a massive wad of cash? And for that matter did Sun ever learn english and are they the same unhappy couple they were before?
-We only saw Claire from the neck up... in this reality is she still pregnant? (for the record I would have to guess yes)
-Will we see more of Boone and Charlie?
-Boone says to Locke that "if the plane goes down I am sticking with you" - which of course DID happen and ironically is basically what caused his death.
-Jack wanted to try a pen tracheotomy on Charlie and in the plane crash reality there is the funny scene where to get rid of him Jack sends Boone off to find pens for a tracheotomy.
The rest of the episode focused on our 2 other elements. The story line of our survivors on the island jumped right back into love triangle mode before Juliet was even dead. Not shocking considering the creators said that will return as a large part of the story in season 6. I am referring to Kate happening upon both Jack and Sawyer unconscious at the blown up Swan site. She sees them both lying side by side... that was not done by accident. She chooses to go to Jack first and what is the first thing Sawyer does when he wakes up... KICK TO THE FACE! Sure that had more to do with Juliet, but if you don't think it was the start of a rekindled love triangle you are crazy.
To me the most important part of the episode was setting up the conflict between Jacob and The Man In Black. They appear to be enemies, yet I can't help but think it wasn't always the case. There are little clues, like Jacob referring to his killer as "an old friend who grew tired of my company". But more importantly... upon learning of Jacob's death the others began fortifying the temple against the smoke monster. But hasn't it seemed up until not that the Smoke Monster originates from the temple somehow? it makes me think they were connected by some goal at some point. Remember the conversation we first saw them have in last year's finale where Jacob says "It only ends once, everything up until then is just progress". So perhaps at one point they were working towards the same end and the Smoke Monster just got sick of it and now wants to go home. Where is home? I think that will be one of those questions answered at the end. I would think that in Jack, Kate, Hurley, Jin and Sayid Jacob finally found the people he needed to accomplish that goal and he was referring to them when he said "they're coming".
I also can't help but think that Jacob planned to die, which is the only explanation to Ben's question "why didn't Jacob fight back?" Perhaps it was Jacob's plan to die and be reincarnated as Sayid... or if you want to note the crucifix pose Sayid was in coming out of the water perhaps Jacob is resurrected as Sayid (I know that doesn't make sense by the actual definition of resurrect, but I am certain they put his body like that for a reason.)
This episode did tell us one thing about Hurley... his ability to see dead people isn't some coincidence or mean he is crazy. Its safe to say that it is actually a gift he has, much like Miles' gift. Speaking of which... one thing I caught on the 2nd viewing. When Hurley is saying his goodbyes to Sayid he says "If you ever want to talk I am around". The scene was shot brilliantly shot because you are focusing on Hurley and Sayid and unless you are watching him, you miss the look Miles gets. It was as if hearing Hurley say that made him wonder why he wasn't hearing Sayid communicate with him. I still contend that Sayid will end up being Jacob, but hopefully some light will be shed on that tonight. One thing is for sure... that wasn't Sayid's normal voice upon waking up.
There is one thing I want to note as important... but I am not sure WHY it is important. When we first see Jacob in the statue at the end of season 5, he is weaving a tapestry. When Iliana and her group go to the cabin to find Jacob there is a worn piece of tapestry stuck to the wall by a knife. And after Ben kills Jacob, we see Locke/Man In Black cut a piece from a tapestry inside the statue. No clue what it means so if you do, I would love to hear theories.
I'll leave you with one last thing to think about before tonight's show. What are Jacob's powers and limitations? What are the Smoke Monster's powers and limitations? It would seem that Jacob has the power to heal, we also know that he marked people to come to the island with his touch. And in that last one we also know he can leave the island at will. While he can obviously live for a LONG time it would seem that he is mortal... you know... since we saw him die. The smoke monster on the other hand appears to be immortal. I mean I am sure there is SOME way to get rid of it, but Bram shot evil Locke and all of a sudden he is done, the bullet is on the ground and the smoke is raising holy hell. My guess is that among the Smoke Monsters limitations are that it can only take the form of someone who's body is on the island and more importantly he can't cross fire (ash) or water, which is why he is trapped on the island and just wants to go home... where ever the hell that is.
Happy viewing tonight! Check back tomorrow morning for a preliminary post and listen to me with Bob & Brian tomorrow at 8:55am. If you aren't by a radio you can listen via webstream at 1029thehog.com or wait for the podcast to be posted later in the day!