Lost - Special

While I think the back story involving Walt and Michael is compelling enough to have most—if not all—the attention and focus, the subplots regarding Danielle’s map and Charlie’s pursuit of Claire’s diary converging leaves a juicy bait, further tantalized by Claire’s emergence from the woods alive…but not pregnant*. A triangle and a particular dream Claire has (Charlie debates and fights with the desire to read the diary, unable to withstand the temptation), written in the diary, could produce a location where those causing the whispers Danielle heard (told to Sayid when he was held captive by her) might be. The tensions, though--as Michael continued to press Locke on staying away from his son--needed to be diffused. Locke joining forces with Michael to not only find Walt but rescue him from the bear does just that. Obviously Claire’s whereabouts haven’t stayed too far from the mind even as the show continued to develop its characters. It was time by this episode for Michael and Walt’s story to get some clarity. Their story doesn’t involve any significant surprises or startling revelations. It is about a father who wanted to be near his son separated from him due to circumstances beyond his control. Why his sketch cards to his son weren’t given to him sooner is quite a mystery, though. The mother held on to them, so at least Walt was finally able to see them. And with Locke no longer such a bone of contention with Michael, a lot of good can come out of it. Locke has proven that he doesn’t want to replace Michael but just be someone else in Walt’s life he could depend upon when need-be.

Kate and Sun-Hwa are minor pieces in Special, sort of functioning as participants in subplots. Charlie is looking for the diary and enlists Kate’s aid as she is nearby. They go to Sawyer when searching through Claire’s luggage yields no results. Sawyer plays coy with the victim card of “anytime something is missing you all come to be” but, of course, he has Claire’s diary. He plays keepaway with an unamused Charlie, with the two of them swapping punches. In just one quick scene—mere minutes—Sawyer is causing trouble. Charlie gives him a good whack to the stomach as Sawyer retaliates…ole Charlie takes it and doesn’t crumble! And Kate is left to calm him down. Sun-Hwa sits next to a troubled Michael to see how he’s doing, as he contemplates his argument with Locke over Walt. More or less, the writer’s room obviously feels compelled to include those on the island, even if their importance in the overall episode is minute, in one way or another. Whether it is Jack, Sayid, and Shannon studying the map or Boone scuffling with Michael over the knife wielded in Locke’s direction; the characters are not disregarded.

*I have been thankfully corrected on Claire's pregnancy. She still is very pregnant. She just looked to have lost the added preggo when coming out of the woods. Damn the eyes! My Lost buddy had to help me correct this huge mistake...

A tie-in to the conclusion of Hearts and Minds, Shannon requests Boone join her in helping Michael build a getaway ramp. Boone denies her and moves on back to Locke. He has seemingly cut ties with his sister. She can only look on as he leaves her behind. Michael wanted to fix a raft and get off the island. He doesn’t want his son growing up on the island. If Walt studies survival tactics with Locke it is like accepting a life on the island. Shannon is willing to participate but Walt can’t stay away from Locke. The project on finding parts (seats and metal) from the downed plane for the raft is undermined by Walt’s attentions towards Locke, away from his own father. It would take a mission of rescue to ease the heated tensions…