Lost - Catch-22

Desmond does appear to be a character with some great destiny. The *universe* telling Desmond that turning the key could very well be the most important thing he ever does (or maybe the only really important thing he does) seems to be a bit premature as he’s “equipped” with the ability to see into the future. Catch-22 does appear to indicate that perhaps Desmond should allow Charlie to die. Maybe it is a test on Desmond, similar to God challenging Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac on Mt Moriah. But in Catch-22, it seems quite clear that if Desmond doesn’t interfere Charlie would be pierced in the throat with a trap-arrow waiting to release once he steps on a cable hidden on the ground.

The episode advises us that Desmond had been involved with another young woman before Penny, having dated her six years and was even set to wed her. And yet he winds up awakening to a monk after some drinks, “told” to join the monastery, “urged” to abandon the prospects of marriage in favor of servitude to a spiritual cause. Later in the episode it is realized that Desmond is simply not meant for the monastery, Brother Campbell (Andrew Connolly) tells him. Yet even Brother Campbell seems to realize that Desmond’s got a destiny ahead of him. Ruth (Joanna Bool) isn’t exactly happy when Desmond nor her brother for his ditching her after dedicating such time to their relationship. However, we soon learn that Desmond is to meet Penny as he is leaving the monastery “fired” by his mentor, Brother Campbell. The two of them have immediate chemistry, develop quick rapport, and will be driving into town together as there are bottles of wine to be sold for the church. Lost takes us through a specific time in Desmond’s life before Penny while during his trek with Jin, Hurley, and Charlie (all in his future vision involving the discovery of a woman he believes might be Penny) on the island focuses on the “jigsaw pieces” of his vision that involve a search and rescue (and possible prevention of Charlie’s death!)

Desmond’s “gift” (curse?) and whatever lies in the future for him remains central to his story (both in past and present) on Lost. The mystery of the lady from a fallen helicopter who lands in a tree and whether or not Desmond saves Charlie from yet another potential demise are the allure of the episode. This time we *see* the death of Charlie and its prolonging shadow over Desmond’s conscience as they journey stays with him. Charlie has every right to confront him over being brought into the trek in order for Desmond to find his love, his narrowly escaping death on a *duck* (and Charlie tackling him) too close for comfort. On borrowed time it seems, Charlie has to look into Desmond’s agonizing face during every rescue realizing that he could die at any moment. That is quite a lingering story thread to follow. How would Charlie die? It feels like this will be a big event when it happens, perhaps in the season finale.

Jin tells a ghost story

A new visitor to the island

Jin is gradually picking up English and his inclusion on the trek continues to keep him involved with members of the cast beyond just Sun. Hurley being part of the vision further continues to show that the writer’s room wished to include him in major sub-stories (and main stories for that matter) without directly tying him to the Others beyond the tragedies that effect those he cares for. But the spiritual side of the island (the mythos) seems to be where Hurley is more intertwined. Desmond added to this mix, with the episode’s introduction of a young woman (Marsha Thomason), no Penny, in a suit and helmet, dangling from a tree thanks to a parachute, as Jin, Charlie, and Hurley look on inquisitively, opens up a brand new angle to the major story arc involving rescue (and Penny locating Desmond) off the island. This young woman who parachuted on the island, once safely on the ground, mentions Desmond, leaving us with evidence that help could just be out there somewhere!

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While Desmond’s story overtook A-status in Catch-22, Lost Creative seemed quite invested in a developing soap opera foursome involving Jack, Kate, Sawyer, and Juliet. While Jack is clearly interested in Juliet, Kate shares a rather awkward scene with him while eating oatmeal (as he is about to fetch some grub also). The third season has built a slight divide between them. I hearken back to the first season when Jack and Kate would sit next to each other looking out into the water together. Now they can’t even share a few minutes before a meal, it seems, without awkwardness. And that impulsive side of Kate once again emerges as she eyes Jack and Juliet eating together, all smiles, retreating to Sawyer’s tent to have sex, startling him. Earlier, Sawyer had entered Kate’s tent while she was slipping into her pants, absent a shirt. Kate just goes on buttoning her shirt as he watches! “Eyes up her, James.”

Sawyer starts to put it all together, realizing that Kate might have “used” him out of abrupt anger towards Jack’s newfound affections for Juliet. Inspired by his training with Hurley, Sawyer orchestrates a series of ping pong contests with Jack, actually besting him for a change.

I guess this new sub-story is more or less shining a light on Kate’s conflicted romantic feelings for Jack, while unsure exactly how to define her relationship with Sawyer. Sexually, Kate seems attracted to Sawyer while there appears to be something deeper there for Jack. But because Jack came across them together in a cage on Hydra Island while looking into Ben’s security monitors, he decided to purpose his affections elsewhere, as Juliet seems to have replaced Kate.

All of this takes focus away, funnily enough, from Locke, Ben, and the Others. Splintering off into different stories involving different characters, Lost can develop stories on the side while we aren’t completely removed from the danger that might exist not far away. I laughed aloud when Jack tells Kate that he’s certain something bad will eventually happen when they talk about making it back in one piece, no longer in a cell or cage. If anyone has a right to be cynical, it is Jack.