Title’s significance: Pretty self-explanatory on this one. This episode covers Locke’s time as Jeremy Bentham off-island.
Recap: Caesar and Ilana discuss their plane crash and the fact that a few people “disappeared” from the plane; what’s more, somehow Locke is alive again! Locke reveals that he was at one point dead, but he doesn’t know why he’s alive again. Locke flashes back to turning the wheel and being transported to Tunisia, the same spot Ben came to and which is now under video surveillance. After being rescued by some nomads, he meets Charles Widmore, who reveals he was once leader of The Others and that three years have passed since the Oceanic Six left. Widmore helps Locke track down the Oceanic 6 and sends Matthew Abaddon to help Locke. First they visit Sayid in the Dominican Republic, but he’s busy doing charity work and isn’t interested. Next, Locke visits Walt, who admits he’s been having dreams about Locke but who doesn’t know what happened to Michael; what Locke doesn’t know is that Ben is following him. Hurley initially believes Locke to be a ghost, but he stops listening when he sees Abaddon. Kate won’t sign on because she thinks Locke’s never loved anyone, and Locke learns that his love Helen died of a brain aneurysm. At the cemetery, Abaddon is shot, and Locke speeds away – into a car crash; he’s brought to Jack’s hospital, where Jack refuses to concede that Locke may be right about anything. Despondent, Locke attempts to hang himself, but he’s stopped when Ben arrives; Ben talks Locke down by telling him he’s not a failure, but he kills Locke when he gets the chance and makes it look like a suicide. Back on the island, Locke and Caesar talk about why some people disappeared on the flight, and Locke sees that Ben is one of the people from the plane; none too happy, Locke reveals that Ben killed him.
Thoughts: Back to back Damon & Carlton episodes? What have I done to deserve such a boon? This is another one of those great “answers” episodes in the tradition of “Meet Kevin Johnson” and “The Other 48 Days.” There is an abundance of answers in this episode, with hints of a larger storyline that you just know is going to get fleshed out in Season Six. This episode really gives Terry O’Quinn a chance to shine in what turns out to be his last performance as Locke (from here on out, he’s just Jacob’s nemesis pretending to be Locke), so stay tuned for more on how he’s still on the show.
Favorite moment: For pure shock factor, it’s Abaddon’s death, but I really treasure the scene between Locke and Ben in the hotel room, because (again) these two are the top actors on the show; Ben’s last line – “I’ll miss you, John. I really will.” – epitomizes what’s great about the character, because he just might be sincere.
Characters introduced (in order):
- No new characters introduced in this episode.
What we learned:
- Locke was transported off-island after turning the frozen wheel.
- Widmore remembers meeting Locke in 1954 – this makes him about 70 years old.
- Widmore was once the leader of The Others before Ben exiled him.
- Widmore set Locke up with the Jeremy Bentham identity.
- Abaddon “help(s) people get to where they need to be.”
- Helen died in 2006.
- Matthew Abaddon is killed by Ben Linus.
- Locke told Ben that Jin is alive; Ben also took Jin’s wedding ring.
- Locke didn’t commit suicide; Ben murdered him and made it look like a suicide.
Questions:
- How do Caesar and Ilana know each other?
- How did Locke come to be alive again?
- Is this really Locke?
- Where did Frank go, and who did he take with him?
- What went down between Widmore and Ben, and when?
Things that are going to be important in Season Six:
- Spoilers – it’s not really Locke. It’s Un-Locke, most likely Jacob’s nemesis and perhaps even the smoke monster. So why Locke’s form, and why the charade?
- Widmore speaks of a war coming to the island, but between whom, for what, and who will win?
- How much of what Widmore says can we trust, anyway?
- Jack says that Locke isn’t special, which of course runs contrary to all that I’ve been saying on this blog all along. Final word, Season Six?
- Who’s on the side of good – Widmore or Ben? Are either of them good?
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