Lost - Further Instructions

*** / ****

So you have Ben demystifying the island in the previous episode, talking to Jack about how they are perfectly aware of what happens in the outside world, even discussing the Red Sox winning the World Series. But leave it to Lost Creative to come right back and build that mystique right back up with Locke’s harrowing character study, hunting for Eko after Boone’s spirit visits him in a “sweat tent” sitdown, taking him around the airport in a vision by wheelchair. Good to see Boone return, even if just for a vision that ignites a mute-stricken Locke into beast hunter mode. The flashback to Locke working on a marijuana commune, responsible for bringing a young, undercover cop accidentally into the fold, allows us to continue seeing him in civilian life succumbing to manipulation. Locke prepares to kill this cop in the woods during a faux hunt. I was in shock as Locke seemed close to pulling the trigger! Everywhere he went, Locke, before the island, was a patsy, too often a victim willing to trust the wrong people. But on the island, Locke has a chance to rescue Jack, Sawyer, and Kate from the Others. An injured Eko, found in the cavern of a rampaging polar bear, seems to awaken (perhaps in a vision) just long enough to encourage Locke. Locke needs it. For a while, Locke lost his way, wrought with existential crisis. The bunker is now an imploded crushed sardine can, as Locke and Charlie look down at what remains. Locke had somehow been thrown from this wreckage, awakening without his voice and a nasty gash on the side of his head. He seeks Charlie’s help, first to watch outside his sweat tent and later to hunt a polar bear and save Eko. They even run into a returning Hurley who doesn’t anticipate his canteen being pierced with Locke’s blade! Hurley then encounters a naked Desmond running about in the woods, giving him a shirt to wear. Desmond speaks of Locke’s speech and rescue of those taken by the Others! Hurley is confused until later when Locke does make that speech and Desmond spends his time skipping rocks in the water. Hurley’s “Woah” as Charlie hears the same speech was probably the same reaction many viewers had…the island is right back to its old tricks, it seems!

These flashbacks, though, can sure be tough to watch. Locke’s journey to the island has had so many setbacks. He’s endured his share of hardships. And on the island, Locke indeed has purpose and the heroic destiny set before him could very well rescue his friends from captivity and strife. His own life, before the island, was quite attached with the struggle. No matter where he goes, trouble finds him. And he once again confronts being made the fool. The Pearl took him right back to that place where he felt pathetic and the fool. Perhaps after this experience of rescuing Eko and preparing to save his friends from the Others will grant him absolution.

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After two episodes spent with the Others, it was nice to return to Locke’s story. I really liked how Charlie was involved in this story as Locke and he weren’t exactly friendly. Charlie reminds him of the punches to the face and accusations of drug use. Not being able to speak for a while, Locke had to listen to Charlie’s wee bit of mockery. But Charlie, nonetheless, follows him into the jungle where they eventually do find Eko and get him to the camp. Hurley and Desmond’s encounter also lends itself to island mystique, where Locke’s mission seems set in motion. Desmond’s experience with the bunker—and surviving it unscathed physically, having expected to die and yet in one piece—provides further example of island “magic”. So this third season, three episodes in, continues to toy around with whether or not the island has any power at all. Ben talks about the island as if it was just that…a location he and his own live. Locke’s relationship with the island appears to be much more than a body on a beautiful piece of property.

With Jack and Kate gone, Locke emerges from the jungle with many of the Oceanic camp left adrift with questions. The Others seem to continue to take away from the camp, and Locke appears to be preparing to get back what has been stolen. With The Swan no longer in existence, and folks to save, Locke seems to have his mission in sight.

Episode 3 of the third season