1.14 - Special

Title’s significance: Locke – and the viewing audience at home – believe that Walt might be “special” beyond just normal everyday specialness. We’re talking Jedi special.

Recap: Michael and Walt get a set of flashbacks that reveal that Michael still cares about his son, even after being hit by a car and having his wife leave him, taking Walt with her; when she died, Michael had to step in. On one occasion, Walt demanded his stepfather look at a bird – which then flew into the window. On island, Walt disappears briefly, but it turns out he’s learning how to throw knives with Locke. Locke gives Michael parenting tips – treat Walt like an adult – but turns Walt away from this point forward. Sayid uses Rousseau’s map to find what may be the transmitter’s source, while Michael wants to build a raft to get off the island and enlists Walt’s unwitting help (“Am I being punished?”). Shannon tries to seduce Boone into helping, but he’s so over her that it’s not even funny. Charlie seeks out Claire’s diary, which has suspiciously gone missing, but Sawyer surrenders it. Walt disappears again, and Locke volunteers to help. Michael ends up saving Walt from a polar bear, and the two are cool again. Charlie breaks down and reads Claire’s diary, learning that she really did fancy him and finding a curious reference to a “black rock” – could this be the same “black rock” Rousseau talked about? And using his dog whistle, Locke finds a runaway in the jungle – Claire.

Thoughts: This is the third episode in a row where LOST really seems to be spinning its wheels. I know this is a show about characters first and then mythology second, but at such a critical juncture it feels like we’re in need of some good forward momentum. Fortunately, a last-minute cliffhanger gets us ready to start moving forward again.

Favorite moment: I just love how this episode establishes Michael as someone who constantly loses his son and yells his name. That, and Charlie agonizing over whether or not to read Claire’s diary. Oh yeah, and Shannon wearing the shortest skirt on the island.

Characters introduced (in order):

• SUSAN LLOYD, Walt’s mother
• BRIAN PORTER, Susan’s boss and Walt’s stepdad

What we learned:

• Michael loves to yell “WAAAAAAALT!”
• Walt is named after his grandfather, but his last name is Lloyd (not Dawson, like his old man).
• Michael’s going to build a raft, which Sayid thinks is dangerous.
• Michael burns Walt’s Spanish comic book.
• We knew Michael didn’t have much to do with Walt’s childhood, but now we know it’s because Walt’s mom took him out of the country for a long time.
• Walt might have “caused” a bird to crash into a window.
• Michael’s mom died of a blood disorder but gave custody of Walt to Michael.
• Claire really did fancy Charlie!

Questions:

• Where does Rousseau’s map lead?
• There’s a polar bear in Walt’s comic book. There’s more than one polar bear on the island. Coincidence?
• Why is Michael “holding on” – for Walt or for himself?
• Did Walt somehow cause the Bronze Kahuku to crash into the window?
• Is Claire’s black rock the same as Rousseau’s black rock?
• Where has Claire been all this time?

Things that are going to be important in Season Six:

• Michael says that building a raft is “taking control of our destiny.” Is this even possible, especially on the island?
• Walt hasn’t been on the show much in the most recent seasons, but it might not be too far removed for us to suggest he might come up as important again – especially if the “Jughead plan” works like it’s supposed to.