2.18 - Dave

Title’s significance: As tempting as it is to turn this episode’s title into a Cheech and Chong reference (especially in light of next season’s revelation that Hurley’s father is Cheech Marin), it’s actually a reference to Hurley’s invisible friend Dave.

Recap: In flashbacks, we explore Hurley’s time in the mental hospital, with negative influence Dave who didn’t want him to change; while Hurley blamed himself for a deck collapse, he learned that Dave didn’t exist. While jogging, Hurley confesses to Libby that he’s sick – hoarding food from The Swan – and Libby tells him that this is a simple fix by dumping out the food. But their romantic moment is spoiled when Sun and Jin charge in, leading them to the supply drop, where Hurley sees a mysterious bald man. Back at The Swan, Sayid interrogates “Henry” about who he really is; he denies killing the real Henry Gale and expresses fear of the leader of The Others. When Sawyer teases Hurley about being crazy, Hurley attacks him. Dave claims that Hurley never left the hospital and that all of this is imagined; therefore, he suggests, jumping off a cliff will wake him up. Crutches Locke (the hot new variant action figure) asks “Henry” his real name, but he dodges the question by saying he never pressed the button. Libby saves Hurley with a kiss, but a final flashback reveals that she too was in the mental institution.

Thoughts: There’s some surprisingly good acting from Jorge Garcia in this episode, giving depth to a character that a lot of us only look at as “that funny fat guy.” What’s really frustrating about this episode on rewatch is that we still don’t know anything about Libby’s backstory. Heck, even Rose and Bernard get a flashback, but Libby remains a mystery.

Favorite moment: “Great plan, moonbeam, and maybe after that we can sing kumbaya and do trust falls.” That, or Dave proving he exists by throwing rocks at Hurley.

Characters introduced (in order):

• DAVE, Hurley’s invisible friend and a negative influence
• DR. BROOKS, Hurley’s psychiatrist at the Santa Rosa Mental Institute

What we learned:

• Charlie theorizes that the lockdown was connected to the supply drop.
• "Henry Gale” claims that Mr. Friendly is “no one.”
• “Henry” claims he’s “not a bad person."
• Hurley blames himself for a deck collapse.
• Dave is Hurley’s imaginary friend.
• Libby was in Santa Rosa, too.

Questions:

• Who does “Henry Gale” answer to?
• What’s Eko building?
• Is Hurley’s “Dave” an imagined version of a real person, or is he just a complete figment?
• I think it’s also fair to ask whether Dave was Hurley’s imagination or “the island” just messing with him.
• What’s the so-called Henry Gale’s real name?
• Did “Henry” press the button?
• Why was Libby in the mental institution?

Things that are going to be important in Season Six:

• There’s an infinitesimal possibility that what Dave claims about Hurley’s sanity is true. I pray to God that all this isn’t some delusion, but there’s a point-oh-one chance he’s right.
• “Henry” claims, “God doesn’t know how long we’ve been here... He can't see this island any better than the rest of the world can.” The place of God and of faith has always been central on this show, and I have to wonder if “Henry” is telling the truth (and if the identity of “God” can be conflated with “Jacob”).
• Dear writers: we need closure on Libby. Love, Zach