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As The Beginning of the End started tonight I found myself literally sitting on the edge of my seat as I watch Hurley's old camero race from the police, crashing through this and that at every turn. Knowing that this could be either a flash-forward or a flashback, I decided to start searching for the clues early. I absolutely love the fact that we will now be guessing at each turn whether we are watching future or past events on Lost. But there was no need to wonder in this first episode of season 4. As Hurley quickly exclaims, "Don't you know who I am, I'm one of the Oceanic 6!" Fade to black, on the screen and in my mind, as a chill ran up my back. What did he say? The realization that Hurley's words could only mean one thing began to sink in instantly...only 6 of our castaways will be leaving this island. So do the others die? Do they choose to stay on the island? Are the forced to stay on the island? We're barely 4 minutes into the season premiere and I already have more questions than answers! By the end of this fantastic season 4 opener I can do nothing but sit, still on the edge of my chair, with my mouth open. The final realization in this episode that the "Oceanic 6" left the others behind on the island, and lied about it all upon returning is something that I honestly didn't expect. Below are my other comments and reactions on the start of season 4.
The Flash-Forward
As the show continued, it was great to see Big Mike again. I found it touching that he asked about Ana Lucia, and a little more startling that Hurley lied about knowing her. But I guess it makes sense with all that happened on the island.
The black man that comes to visit Hurley is interesting. What's his deal? I think we'll be seeing some more of him.
Next we get to see Charlie come to visit Hurley. It's easy to assume that Charlie was just a figment of Hurley's imagination...but one of the other men in the hospital saw him as well. So what exactly does that mean? Yes another new mystery...
As the Flash-forward part of the episode ends, Jack comes to visit Hurley in the mental hospital. Jack is clean shaven and mentions that he is thinking of growing a beard. This is our first indication that Hurley's flash-forward is happening before the flash-forward we saw last season in which a very different Jack was insistent upon returning to the island. In this flash-forward it is obvious that Jack hasn't yet had this change of heart. Hurley's apology about going with Locke says a lot. So was Hurley the only one who went with Locke but still managed to get off the island? We now have confirmation that Jack, Kate, and Hurley are 3 of the Oceanic 6. But who are the other 3? Last season we were all prepared to assume that Sawyer was with Kate, but is that the case? He went with Locke after all. And what could have possibly happened to Jack in between his meeting with Hurley at the crazy house, and his meeting with Kate that we witnessed in last season's finale?
On the Island
I found Jack's smiling and happiness at the beginning of this episode a nice change. The angry and bitchy Jack has gotten so old over the past few seasons, it was nice to see him seem like a human being again. I also believe Ben, heart and soul. He definitely knows more than he's telling everyone else, but the obvious fear in his eyes when he mentions the boat people is proof enough for me that they are indeed a real danger...at the very least to him and his way of life on the island. Upon Desmond's return, and their learning of Charlie's fate I found it very heart-wrenching to see Hurley's reaction.
George M. wants to speak with Naomi, naturally. Only she has mysteriously disappeared. What, is she the season 4 Patchy now? Why is it that supposedly dead people are always running off on this island? When Kate manages to find her and Naomi calls the boat, I can't help but wonder why she said, "Tell my sister that I love her." Maybe she does have a sister and I'm just being paranoid, but I can't help but wonder if this was a warning to her friends, or something like that.
Hurley's stumbling across Jacob's shack was quite interesting. Okay, disturbing is more like it. And as much as I don't believe it, I'll be the first to ask...was that Christian?
Finally, the confrontation of Faith vs Science that we've been led toward for so very very long. Jack stands on one side, Locke on the other. Hurley's speach was touching. And in the end with Locke stood Hurley, Claire, Sawyer, Ben, Alex, Karl, Rousseau, and some red shirts. With Jack was Sayid, Rose and Bernard, Kate, Sun and Jin, and Juliet. As the rain starts, Locke and his new followers head off toward the Other's abandoned barracks. And in the final scene, as Jack and Kate stand together at the cockpit wreckage, a helicopter hovers above, its lights hitting the two briefly, and then they are face to face with a new man who asks, simply, "Are you Jack?"
This final scene held my single complaint of tonight's episode. I think we've all been longing, all summer and winter long now, to see Naomi's friends arrive, and to learn a bit more about why they're there, if its not to save the castaways. But, alas, we will be waiting one more week for that knowledge. We should have known, of course. Past Lost openers have clearly shown us that they tend to offer a final wrap up for the previous season, instead of pushing us, head first, into the new one. This is just a small complaint of mine about this episode. I loved it otherwise. I felt that the level of emotion from Claire and Hurley was very touching and very nice following Charlie's death. I also enjoyed Jack's drive and focus throughout the episode. When he pulled the trigger on Locke's unloaded gun I said aloud, "Hell yeah! About time." In conclusion Lost is back, and like Jack at the beginning of the episode, I'm once again happy and whole. And as much as I'd love to get a whole season this year, I'll take my 8 episodes, and I'll be happy with them. And I won't complain at all...well not until the end of that eighth episode, anyway. I give this episode an 8.5 out of 10.
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I think we're wrong on 6 people leaving the island. All we know for sure is that there are 6 OCEANIC people. That means any of the others could be going, and not counted. So I'm guessing there are 8. The Oceanic 6, plus Juliette and Ben. And my guess is that it's Ben that's in the coffin. No one goes to see him, because he has no family. And Kate doesn't want to see him, because of what he put her through. Jack goes, because he knows that Ben warned him, and he didn't listen. Any thoughts?
I agree Kate is one of the oceanic 6- she was probably given a pardon for her heroism on the island (from the story they told upon arriving back). I think there are many still alive back on the island- that were scared to go for fear it was not a true rescue.
good call on the "tell my sister I love her" from Niaomi
Kat deffinitely is one of the Oceanic 6, I hate to burst anyone's bubble out there. As for Smokey being off the island, I don't see how that's possible, it couldn't even get over the top of that fence thing that was outside the others' Barracks facility.
The Oceanic 6 definetly left some people behind. They might have chosen to stay behind. It is possible that the island is trying to bring the 6 back. Could it be smokie who is showing up as Charlie? That would explain why the other guy saw him also. The island drawing Jack back may be why he goes so over board and needs to get back.
Good job Astro!
greekgod128,
it's not the writer's responsibility for the repeat and flashback episode. that's all ABC-- the studios. the writers strike is very well founded, and the studios just want to keep all the money. and though i hope they resolve it in time to be able to complete the season to a full 16 episodes, i'm with the writers all the way.
anyway, the episode was great, lots of intersting, mysterious stuff, especially christian being in jacob's cabin with locke.
and i've always loved jack, but when he pulled the trigger on locke, that kind of took him over the edge for me. while locke has been the one that's been kind of frustrating the last season or so, i think maybe this season it's going to be jack's turn.
I agree with IFP and Laklost. I have never liked Jack much to begin with, but that click of the trigger really sealed it for me. It was an OMG shocking moment -- I didn't like Jack, but I really honestly didn't think he'd shoot Locke for no reason at all other than anger/revenge.
One funny thing -- apparently Locke didn't think so either. Did you see the look on his face when the trigger clicked? LOL!
The one Jack SHOULD have shot was Ben, but noooooo... he'd rather keep him alive and drag him around behind him. What's up with that? Heaven forbid Jack would ever admit he's been wrong, I guess...
What IFP said. It was Jack's lowest moment - like him attacking his dad at the AA meeting - just because he was so angry he had to do it. Interesting that Locke might have landed on the island crippled, but he had already dealt with his past stuff and anger. When he got on the plane he felt like an old loser having to be carried on, and he noticed Jack the tall capable doctor. I think we know now who was really the crippled one.
Hmmm... When Jack pulled the trigger on Locke, Jack became one of the bad guys in my mind. He's no better now than Ben, maybe worse. To kill to save people, sure... the island, well that's subjective... but just out of anger/revenge? Jack is Lost.
I mentioned this in another post, but I don't think we can assume that Kate is one of the Oceanic 6. Obviously she got off the island, but as a fugitive, she wouldn't want to be in the limelight as it seems the Oceanic 6 must have been. Perhaps more than 6 people got off, but for reasons we haven't seen yet, some of them weren't as public as those 6.
Are you kidding me? 4 hours of television for 34 minutes of a new episode. The writer's strike is bull. They're bitchin' about more money and they give us 3 hours and 26 minutes of fluff out of a possible 4 hours of air time? The only thing those jerkoffs deserve is the right to get in line and kiss my butt. However, the new LOST episode was damn cool. Lotsa questions...
There is a screenshot on Lostpedia.com of Christian Shepard in the cabin.
http://lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:Cap08.jpg
I also thought that maybe the eye that is seen is that of Jacob. This would mean that someone other than Locke can see him.
My feeling is it was def. Locke in the cabin and I immediatly thought of Christian when I saw shot of what we wetre lead to think was Jacob. After all, season 3 finale, Jack said "Get my father down here" SO would that make him one of the survivors? Was he actually alive on the plane? Probably not. Also, I'm still not sure that Charlie is dead, we didn't actually see him dead, just dieing. It is possible that Hurley is imagining Charlie in visions as guilt even when he slapped Hugo. Who's to say the guy who saw Charlie isn't one of Hugo's imaginary friends like Dave?!? ARGH. I hate these clif hangers BUT that's is what brings us back every week. Talk to ya'll at lunch...
PS. Nice job Astro.
Astro beautifully written took the words out of my mouth. You're my hero!
no i dont belive that the island is haunting the six to return to the islan. because the other guy in the nut house saw charlie also.
i also think that the eye looking at hurly was infact charlie.
First time poster but long time lurker here...
My theory is that this future Charlie is actually the island talking to Hurley. If we remember back to when Kate saw and her black horse on the island, so did Sawyer... This explains why Hurley isn't the only person to see Charlie when we all know he is dead.
So is the island haunting our Oceanic 6 to go back and make things right?
We frame advanced the Jacob scene; that was Jack's dad sitting in Jacob's rocker, and the person we THOUGHT was Locke suddenly appearing in the window is really someone with dark hair -- looked more like Desmond, but without the wild curls.
Looks like the "Oceanic 6" are keeping a secret, maybe to protect the lives of those still back on the island? Who are the six? Jack, Kate, Hurley, and whoever was at the funeral parlor, plus a couple more.
Did you notice that it wasn't just Hurley who saw dead Charlie? The other patient pointed Charlie out to Hurley; interesting!
Two things:
1) Was Locke inside of Jacob's cabin, or was that just a weird coincidence where Hurley saw somebody in the window and then Locke showed up?
2) This show that's on right after this has a "message" from Oceanic. It hasn't played yet, but I can't help wondering... is this the beginning of a new alternate reality game from JJ Abrams?