3.18 - D.O.C.

Title’s significance: “D.O.C.” stands for “date of conception,” the issue under interrogation in this episode.

Recap: In Sun’s flashbacks, we learn that she was being blackmailed by a woman who knows the truth about Jin’s past – he’s the son of a fisherman and a prostitute. Sun meets Jin’s father, who confirms the old woman’s story; Sun deduces that the blackmailer is Jin’s mother. On the island, Desmond’s team cuts down the parachutist, noting that she’s injured. Sun begins to worry that Jack may be working with The Others in pursuit of her pregnancy; she learns from Juliet that pregnant woman all die on the island. While Desmond’s team tends to the parachutist, Mikhail dashes out of the jungle, and Jin gives pursuit; Mikhail volunteers to help Naomi if he’s released, while Juliet takes Sun to The Staff to see about her baby. As Mikhail patches up the parachutist (and tries to steal the satellite phone), Sun confesses her affair with Jae Lee to Juliet, worrying that Jin isn’t the father. Juliet’s test, though, proves that Jin is the father, boding ill for Sun; before leaving, Juliet leaves a message for Ben about the pregnancy, but she turns the tape recorder off before saying, “I hate you.” The parachutist tells Hurley that Flight 815 *was* found, and that there were no survivors.

Thoughts: Like last episode, “D.O.C.” was good but not great, though the concluding revelation was enough to make the whole episode worthwhile. We got closure on the question of the father of Sun’s baby, but in true LOST fashion we opened up a whole Pandora’s box of questions about what happens during conception on-island.

Favorite moment: I’d have to say it’s Jin beating the crap out of Mikhail.

Characters introduced (in order):

• BLACKMAILER, Korean woman who knows Jin’s parentage – she’s his mother

What we learned:

• Mikhail’s not dead.
• Jin’s mother was a prostitute.
• Jin worked for Mr. Paik to pay off the blackmail money Sun acquired from her father.
• Mothers who conceive off-island can give birth on the island, but on-island conceptions cannot.
• There is a hidden chamber in The Staff where the pregnancy supplies are.
• The island definitely has a healing factor, since Mikhail promises Naomi will be okay.
• Sperm count on the island is five times higher than on the mainland.
• Jin is the father of Sun’s baby.

Questions:

• How the heck did Mikhail survive the sonic fence incident?
• Why is the room in The Staff hidden?
• What about the island increases sperm count?
• Is Sun going to be okay?
• What’s the deal with the Flight 815 discovered by those not on the island? How can that be?

Things that are going to be important in Season Six:

• Pregnancy.