2.14 - One of Them

Title’s significance: While Sayid is referred to as “one of them” (i.e., the torturers), suspicion mounts about whether Henry Gale is “one of them” (i.e., The Others).

Recap: In flashbacks, we discover that Sayid learned torturing at the hands of the Americans in Desert Storm, working as a translator under a soldier named Joe Inman. On the island, Sayid finds that Rousseau has trapped Henry Gale, who claims his balloon crashed on the island. Meanwhile, Sawyer finds himself challenged by a noisy tree frog and enlists Hurley’s help in catching the little bugger, but he learns that he’s the new least popular person on the island. While Jack treats Henry, Sayid and Locke debate whether or not the man is an Other; Sayid decides torture is the best route, but Henry sticks to his story even when threatened with violence. When he finds the frog, Sawyer squishes it in his hand. Jack is miffed that Locke’s keeping Henry prisoner and frightened that Sayid might torture him, but Sayid and Henry find common ground over losing the woman they love on the island. When the alarm goes off in The Swan, Locke opens the safe and enters the numbers, just as the counter shifts to 0:00 – and a set of black and red hieroglyphics. Sayid claims that Henry is one of The Others, because he doesn’t feel guilty for torturing him.

Thoughts: I shouldn’t even have to say it at this point, but this episode broke a losing streak on LOST, and – no surprise – it was written by Damon & Carlton, in addition to featuring Michael Emerson, who is by far the best thing to happen to the show since Damon and Carlton. This episode moves at lightning speed, introducing a fascinating new mystery, blending in an interesting subplot and compelling backstory, to boot. Take note, LOST writers: this is how it’s done.

Favorite moment: I’d like to say it’s the moments where Sawyer is hounded by an exceptionally vocal frog, but I’ve got to hand it to Michael Emerson’s debut in this episode, which immediately establishes the ambiguity surrounding his character for the rest of the series.

Characters introduced (in order):

• TARIQ, Sayid’s commanding officer
• HENRY GALE, a wealthy balloonist from Minnesota who crashed on the island with his wife
• JOE INMAN, top brass soldier who taught Sayid to torture

What we learned:

• Sayid met Sam Austen in Operation Desert Storm.
• The Americans pushed Sayid to torture.
• The survivors have locked Henry Gale in The Swan’s gun closet amid suspicion that he might be an Other.
• Henry’s balloon has a big yellow smile face on top.
• When the 108-minute timer runs out, black and red hieroglyphics appear on the timer.
• Sayid made a promise to Joe Inman that he would never torture again.

Questions:

• Is Henry Gale legit?
• Why is Rousseau so convinced that Henry Gale is one of The Others?
• Was Henry’s wife killed by the same illness that Rousseau says killed her team?
• What’s the significance of the hieroglyphics?

Things that are going to be important in Season Six:

• The introduction of Henry Gale in this episode effectively sets in motion the whole rest of the show, and what his endgame is – and how he came to be captured – still remains to be seen.
• The hieroglyphics on the countdown timer suggest an Egyptian connection, something that’s been hinted throughout the series, up to the statue under which “the one who will save us all” lies.