Recap: Lost: You Can’t Go Hume Again

Lost

By GreyBishop | Thursday, February 15, 2007 | 2:25 pm | 45 Comments

pic021507First off, this week’s episode has a few things that need sorting out.
Most importantly from my point of view, MacCutcheon Whiskey. Being something of an aficionado of the single malt, I was intrigued by multiple references to a whiskey that I’d never heard of. Google to the rescue. Plug “MacCutcheon” and “Scotch” into the search engine and BLAMO! Not one mention of a single malt. What IS mentioned is a “MacCutcheon Variation”, which is a series of moves in the game of chess. I don’t know what that means in the grand scheme of the story, but I do know that I can’t drink it.
So. MacCutcheon Scotch is a made up brand of very expensive 60 year old single malt. Before all of you ask how I know it’s a single malt when they never mention it specifically, ALL great Scotch is a single malt.
Secondly, was what we saw technically a flashback? Did it reflect events that actually occurred or was it just in his head?
Yes and no. Yes, we’ll call it a flashback (mainly because I can’t think of a better word for it – flashduring? flashover?) and no, the fact that he seems to have legitimate precongnitive abilities makes a pretty good case for it NOT being all in his head.
That’s probably not good news if you happen to be a Charlie fan.
The final head scratcher to be dealt with is Desmond’s friend, Donovan. When we first met him, my brain started screaming. At first I thought it was from a lack of single malt, but it turns out that it was because Donovan and the girl we see him with reminded me of the DeGroots in the Dharma Orientation Film from the Swan Hatch. A concerted googling sorted out that it’s not the same actors, but I won’t be at all surprised if there are DeRoots of DeGroots at work here.

Let’s have it then, brotha.After a brief opening shot of Desmond walking out of the jungle, we cut to Charlie and Hurley rooting through Sawyer’s stash of books, food, medical supplies and shocking amounts of pornography. While Charlie thumbs through the porn, Hurley is leafing through one of Nabokov’s lesser known works, Laughter in the Dark also known by the title “Camera Obscura“, which is pretty much the practice version of his classic “Lolita“. The novel revolves around a respected art critic who leaves his wife and child for a much younger woman. She betrays him for a former lover, but he is so blinded by love that he has to be physically blinded before he recognizes the truth about her. Funny that Sawyer has this particular book in his stash, considering what he and Kate have done on “Camera Obscura” lately. I wonder if Jack ever read this one? He probably should…

I didn’t delve as deeply into the plot lines of the pornography.

Just as the porn is about to get to the good part (notice I didn’t say ‘reach its climax’), the well developed story is interrupted by Desmond, come to bring Charlie and Hurley to a little staff meeting in the jungle. Locke, Saayid and Desmond bring the two into the inner circle of those who know that Eko is dead and warn them so that they can be a calming influence on the rest of the group when Locke announces the bad news about Eko. Speaking of the inner circle, where are Nikki and Paulo? Did he find another working toilet?

While Charlie is trying to get a better explanation than “The Island killed him” out of Locke, Hurley notices that Desmond is acting oddly. Hurley has been looking askew at the formerly naked Scotsman since the whole “Locke’s speech” moment he shared with him way back when. Without warning, Desmond bolts off through the jungle. The other men follow, having no idea what’s going on.

Stripping as he runs, Desmond plunges into the ocean. The rest of the stunned assembly just stands around until someone spots another person in the water. A remarkably calm Sun strolls up with baby Aaron, paying no attention to the hubbub all around her and informs Charlie that Claire went for a walk.

Claire seems to have tried to take that walk on the water, because that’s her out there face down in the ocean.

Can someone please explain why non-swimmer Charlie is the only one who wades out to help Desmond drag the unconscious woman to shore?

Desmond manages to keep Charlie out of the way long enough to resuscitate Claire with CPR technique that is at least as bad as Jack’s. Charlie begins to look askew at Desmond too.

“How did you know? How did you know she was drowning?”

Hurley has the answer. “I’ll tell you how he knew. That guy? See’s the future, dude.”
As ever, the big man has the line that sums it all up.

hurley021507

Charlie is determined to figure out the secret to Desmond’s improbable rescue of Claire, hatching a plan to get the Scot “really bloody drunk” with some of Sawyer’s stash of booze and pry the answers out of him when he’s soused. Fortunately, there’s a bottle of “Let’s Get Demsond Drunk & Find Out How He’s Able To Predict The Future” scotch in the stash for just such an occasion.
It’s a bottle of MacCutcheon and for some reason, that name makes Desmond laugh. It also makes him decide to take Charlie up on his offer to share a drink to apolgize for his less than grateful behavior towards Desmond after the rescue. The three men set to some serious drinking.

Serious drinking leads to some seriously bad singing. Fortunately, before the Islander’s Boys Choir can break into a rendition of “The girl with one leg and heart of gold” (Why the HELL would Hurley ask for a song about “drinkin’ and fightin’ and girls with one leg” anyhow?), Inspector Pace begins the interrogation. He and Hurley do a “good cop/hammered chubby cop” thing until Desmond storms off into the night.
Charlie turns him around by calling him a coward. The two men wind up on the ground, Desmond emphasizing his points with repeated and enthusiastic throttling Charlie’s neck. Charlie gets choked a lot on this show…
“You don’t want to know what happened to me. When I turned that key. You don’t want to know. You don’t want to know. YOU. DON’T. WANT TO KNOW.”

YES. WE. DO!

Cut to Desmond turning the key.

This is Desmond’s eye. This is Desmond’s eye opening. This is Desmond’s eye realizing that it’s flat on it’s back and covered in blood. Oh, and this is Desmond’s eye realizing that it isn’t on the island and that’s not blood it’s red paint.

Desmond has awakened to find himself in his flat, drunkenly attempting to paint his ceiling a startling shade of red. Unlike previous characters when they “flashback” Desmond seems to momentarily confused at his current situation. By the look on his face, we get the sense that this isn’t a flashback in the sense that we’ve grown used to.

mirror021507

A clock with the numbers 1:08 catches his attention as Desmond dresses and heads to an interview with Charles Widmore, Penny’s formidable father. We even hear the infamous “beep” that the hatchbound are familiar with. For those interested, I timed it and from the time you hear a very faint beep behind him to the time Penny’s coffee is ready is almost exactly one minute. Perfectly normal amount of time to reheat coffee. Not a perfectly normal microwave alert sound though. Not surprisingly, it gives Des a bit of a deja vu.
Penny is most supportive of her man, and suggests that he doesn’t need to have a job from her father. Desmond feels that he needs to have the man’s respect and he intends to get it. Desmond should have spent more time with Jin. He could have picked up some pointers on how to deal with the Uber-rich father of your intended. Maybe if Desmond beats the hell out of a government minister on Mr. Widmore’s behalf…

As he announces himself for his appointment, a delivery man brings a parcel for 815 to the reception desk. He also brings Desmond another one of those pesky deja vu’s. Even the painting in Widmore’s office gives Desmond pause. It’s a polar bear and an upside down Buddha, done in a very familiar style.

Of course, if you want to get picky, it also reminded me of the Wampa that almost kills Luke Skywalker in the snow cave in The Empire Strikes Back.

*Geek factoid* – The “Wampa” was played by “DES WEB” in the movie. No joke.

In an awkward moment during the interview, Desmond compliments Widmore’s model sailboat and Widmore tells him about the “‘Around the World” solo race that his foundation sponsors. Again, Desmond seems to experience a vivid deja vu.
When Mr. Widmore offers him an administrative position, Desmond reveals that he came, not for the job, but to ask for Mr. Widmore’s daughter’s hand in marriage. Mr. Widmore acknowledges the noble gesture and moves to the sideboard where he keeps his liquor.

I had to rewind this 5 times to be certain but, when Desmond first sees the afore mentioned Polar Bear/Buddha, he sees it over his right shoulder and the bear is on the left, the Buddha on the right. When the camera comes back to Desmond, the painting is over his left shoulder and the Buddha is now on the left side of the artwork. There don’t appear to be any large mirrors over Desmond’s right shoulder, so this is either an accidentally “reversed” shot OR some kind of clue. I’d spend more time on it, but Papa Widmore is talking Scotch and needs my attention.

He asks the increasingly pleased with himself Desmond if he knows anything about Scotch, which he does not. Widmore relates the story of “Admiral Anderson MacCutcheon” of the Royal Navy who retired with more medals than any man before or since.

bottle021507

Jules Verne fans will remember that “Admiral McCutcheon” was a character in 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. If you are unfamiliar with 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, it’s about a submarine. Verne’s masterpiece has all sorts of fun, possibly Lost related bits in it. For instance, the passengers aboard the Nautilus visit the sunken city of Atlantis, “Nemo” means “No One” in Latin which probably alludes to Homer’s The Odyssey, and most disturbing of all, the book ends and never reveals the ultimate fate of Captain Nemo and the Nautilus…

*Geek factiod* Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje played a supporting role in the 1997 made for TV adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

Turns out that MacCutcheon’s crowning achievement wasn’t winning a battle or turning the tide of a war, but a very expensive Single Malt Whiskey. Widmore pointedly pours only one small dram into one of the two glasses he sets on his desk.
“This swallow is worth more than you could make in a month. To share it with you would be a waste, and a disgrace to the great man who made it.” If he’s not worthy to share Widmore’s whiskey, he could never be worthy of his daughter.

In a frustrated rage, Desmond throws off his tie and stands helpless in front of the office building. Someone sings “Wonderwall” not far away and we are not surprised to see Charlie strumming away on his guitar, busking his little hobbit heart out for a few bob. Desmond recognizes Charle Hieronymus Pace (I could find no significance to the name “Hieronymus” that would be relevant to the story, which surprised the hell out of me…) and starts having what I can only call an “active” deja vu. He remembers events that haven’t happened yet, like the rain.

Best exchange of the episode: Desmond rants “We were on an island” to which Charlie responds “We are on an island, mate. This is England.”

Looking suspiciously like Gerald and Karen DeGroot, two people are discussing a thesis when Desmond interrupts them. The man, Donovan, is a physicist and long time friend of Desmond’s. The woman remains unnamed. I chose to call her “Fake Karen”. Not that it matters, since we don’t see her again. Yet.

Desmond wants Donovan’s opinion on time travel. Donavan does what any sensible physicist does when confronted by someone ranting about time travel. He buys him a pint and asks him point blank, “Are you bloody insane?”

Naturally, Desmond doesn’t think he’s insane. He wants Donovan’s expert opinion on the posibility of time travel. Donovan figures that Desmond’s newfound memories and precognitive ability are the product of his psyche dreaming up a way to prove to Penny’s father that he can be a great man. He even attempts to demonstrate his newfound abilities by predicting the outcome of the football game on television and the identity of the next person through the pub door after a familiar song starts to play on the jukebox. Not surprisingly, his predictions don’t come to pass. A very confused Desmond returns home to Penny.

When she finds out that her father didn’t hire Desmond, she suggests that they celebrate the fact that “Fate has spared you a miserable existence under the employ of Widmore industries.” She loves him despite his failure to impress her father, because he’s a “Good man” which in her experience is hard to come by. After the way her father played on Desmond’s emotions with that unnecessarily mean spirited bait and scotch, I tend to believe her.

Shopping for a ring, Desmond meets a shopkeeper played by Fionnula Flanagan. Since we never learn her name, we’ll call her She of the Nice Chestnuts.

*Geek factiod* Fionnula Flanagan played Data’s Mother on Star Trek the Next Generation. Actually, she played an android that had been built to replace Data’s Mom and didn’t know it, but why nitpick. Hmm. Android replacements…nah.

When she shows him a modest engagement ring and he agrees to take it, our beloved “flashback” format takes a sharp left turn into uncharted territory.
She won’t let him take the ring.
The fact that she won’t let him buy the ring isn’t the bit that takes us off the track, it’s why she won’t let him buy it.

lady021507

It seems that this lovely little white haired lady knows all about Desmond. Not only that, she knows about the sailing race, the island, the hatch, the button and even the failsafe key and she knows for a fact that he’s meant to change his mind about marrying Penny and wind up pushing that button.

Most interesting quote of the episode: “And if you don’t do those things, Desmod David Hume, every single one of us is dead.” Us? Us who? “Us” as in “everyone” or “Us” as in a group of people that She of the Nice Chestnuts belongs to? Or maybe “Us” as in people who can see the future? Jewelry store owners? People who can use “sodding” in a sentence with a straight face?

She of the Nice Chestnuts takes Desmond out for a walk and some chestnuts. Along the way, she spots a man in red shoes and points him out to Desmond, but Desmond is focussed on figuring out how She of the Nice Chestnuts can know so much about him and his tricky memories. As he decides that she must be a figment of his subconscious come to talk him out of marrying Penny, the scaffolding behind where they are sitting collapses, right on top of He With the Funky Red Shoes.

The only thing we can see of him is his funky red shoes. I half expected the toes to curl up and shrink back under the rubble.

The valiant Mr. Hume realizes that She of the Nice Chestnuts knew that He With the Funky Red Shoes was going to be flattened in just that way at just that time. He wants to know why she didn’t try to save him. As she explains, saving the man today would do no good as the universe has a way of “course correcting” and He With the Funky Red Shoes will die sooner, rather than later, no matter what she tries to do to save him. Fate.

Desmond’s fate is to push that button and while he may not like it, it is to be the only truly great thing he ever does. His answer to the unspoken question between them is to ask the cost of the ring. It seems that it’s to be “Des/Penny Vs. Fate” (Worst pun ever. To see what I mean, say it out loud.).

On his way to meet his beloved, he passes a (FAKE!!!) poster for Armed Forces recruitment. (It’s definitely a fake because the proper British spelling of one of the predominant words is honoUr, not HONOR as it is spelled on the poster. No wonder Desmond looks like he’s getting a headache.)

As they walk along the Thames, they decide to get their picture taken. Something to show the grandkids. It’s THE picture that we’ve seen in the hatch and on Penny’s bedside table. Just after they take the photo, Desmond does as his path dictates and breaks poor Penny’s heart by breaking up with her.
She thinks he’s being a coward, but really he’s doing something much more difficult. He’s following a destiny that he doesn’t want but knows that he must.

Back at the pub, he eyes the MacCutcheon but orders a pint of the cheapest. Once again he hears that familiar song and events unfold as he predicted to his friend the previous night.

He channels Ebenezer Scrooge and realizes he can “Still change things.” A quick warning to the bartender gets him to duck out of the way of Jimmy Lennon’s cricket bat. Of course Jimmy Lennon’s cricket bat has to go somewhere when it misses the bartender. That somewhere is upside Desmond’s head. He might want to rethink this changing things business.

des021507

The crack of the bat brings him back to the island, lying naked in the jungle after the hatch implosion. He runs frantically for the hatch and finds the giant pit where it used to be. He knows that this is VERY bad.

At least someone is paying attention to the fact that the hatch represented something real and probably really dangerous.

In the rubble, he finds the picture of the once happy couple. He begs to be given another chance to go back and change things.

Once again, we are back at the beach with the boys. The previous “Choke the Hobbit” scene is replayed for us and after that, Charlie helps a bloody drunk Desmond back to camp. He pushes for an explanation. Desmonds “Life Flashing Before Your Eyes” moment has continued happening. He’s still seeing the flashes, but now he’s seeing flashes of things that haven’t happened yet.

He has tried twice now to save, not Claire, but Charlie. The lighting strike he diverted from Claire’s tent would have killed Our Man Pace and when he learned it was Claire in the ocean, non-swimmer Charlie would have drowned trying to save her. Desmond prevented both, but since the universe has that way of “Course Correcting”, Charlie’s going to die.

I’m gonna miss him!

45 Comments

  1. 1
    msu11y28
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 3:21 pm

    my first ever Tvgasm comment! this episode completely blew me away, kind of reminded me of Hurley’s flashback with Dave in that “is this really happening or is it all in someone’s head” sense..
    Note the significance of the lyrics to Wonderwall…”maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me..”

  2. 2
    dizzlevizzle
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 3:32 pm

    Thanks for the quick turnaround on the recap!

    Not to pile on, but the pints they’re drinking are not english, or imperial pints…they’re 16 oz American pint glasses. British ones are supposed to be 20 oz.

  3. 3
    Lady-in-Gray
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 3:38 pm

    Another great recap Greybishop! Loved it.

    This episode kept me on the edge of my seat. Of course, the Saleslady just about knocked me off my seat with that curveball that she threw at Desmond… Huh? OK! What’s REALLY going on here…..?!? Cool stuff!

  4. 4
    BigFrigginHead
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 3:38 pm

    Didn’t anyone notice the word “Nasaste” or something like that written backwards on the wampa picture? I think that’s how the doctor in the films greeted us.
    Great recap. Very, very thorough on the research. I’m glad someone else is doing the googling.

  5. 5
    Ignorant Bliss
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 3:39 pm

    You missed something in your 5 rewinds of the scene regarding the painting.

    You are correct that the first time Des see’s the painting it is over his right shoulder. But, you didn’t notice the “NAMASTE” banner in the painting – it is in reverse.

    Now, when Whidmore is getting the scotch, you see another painting over Desmond’s left shoulder that is mirror-perfect – “NAMASTE” is printed properly in that painting.

    I didn’t see any indications of reflections for a mirror, either. Why in the world would the guy have two paintings exactly the same, but flopped? (alternate universe imagery?)

  6. 6
    goobs
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 3:45 pm

    GREAT. RECAP. I love it! This episode was great in a very strange kind of way. Although it was a different type of episode in that much of it took place off the island in a flash-something. I thought it took the story in a whole new direction and I am really looking forward to seeing where the writers are going to go with this. Also – does anyone think that Penny greatly resembles “The Pomp” aka Meredith Grey? Sup with that ABC?

  7. 7
    Crazy4Lost
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 3:48 pm

    EXCELLENT RECAP!!! Loved all the little things you always get that I miss!!

    Was it C & L’s sense of humor using that lady for the jeweler? She was in the movie The Others, wasn’t she?

  8. 8
    Merick
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 4:02 pm

    A very interesting episode. I love the whole “messing with your head” thing, like the microwave making the computer beeping sound.
    Desmond is probably my second favorite character behind Locke so I’m glad we got to see more about him and Penny. Still that little issue of military prison though. Surely either Charlie will die or Dessy will in his place trying to save him.
    Again, though, Eko’s death was largely forgotten. It seems like the beach people are just passing time until Jack, Kate, and Sawyer show up. And it looks like next week is all about the hydra too, maybe even the 20th jack flashback.

  9. 9
    lostinqueenanne
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 4:15 pm

    Awesome recap greybishop, I love all the research–this stuff gets me going all day at work, I feel like my bosses are going to start putting two and two together :)

    About Charlie’s middle name: I was curious too and when I googled it I was sent to a wikipedia entry about a dutch painter named Hieronymus Bosch. Apparently, Bosch was a dutch painter who often depicted sin and human moral failings. His most famous painting is a triptych (three wooden panels attached together) called The Garden of Earthly Delights. This triptych depicts paradise with Adam and Eve and many wondrous animals on the left panel, the earthly delights with numerous nude figures and tremendous fruit and birds on the middle panel, and hell with depictions of fantastic punishments of the various types of sinners on the right panel. When the exterior panels are closed the viewer can see, painted in grisaille, God creating the earth.

    Interesting, no?

    Here are some links:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieronymus_Bosch
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Garden_of_Earthly_Delights

  10. 10
    katydydnt
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 4:28 pm

    I may be totally thick, but can someone explain the pun – Des/Penny Vs. Fate? I don’t get it and it’s going to bother me.

    Also, I think I noticed that over the bed in Desmond’s flat there was some artwork on the wall with some of the same symbols as on the 108 counter when it got to zero and had the red pictures. Just another island reference.

  11. 11
    cclost
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 4:28 pm

    Nice Job GB! I still am torn between this time warp stuff and maybe his wires are all crossed and what we saw was the result of his mind blending his past, his time on the island and his psychic abilities. I think he does see little flashes of the future, but I dont think he his mind can decode what exactly what is going to happen. Most of all, I liked the idea of fate vs. free will in determining the future. Finally, the jewlers name was Ms. Hawking- paging stephen hawking, we need you to get your mom to expalin time travel and black holes to Des…

  12. 12
    gillian
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 4:45 pm

    Destiny vs Fate

    Great recap. I really did enjoy this episode. Des is one of my favorite characters as well.

  13. 13
    Greybishop
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 4:48 pm

    Sorry lostinqueenanne -
    This one was a stretch.
    Des/Penny Vs. Fate.
    Des/Tenny Vs. Fate.
    Destiny Vs. Fate.
    What probably made it even worse than it already was is the fact that the pun itself is a play on “destiny vs. free will”.
    These are things you needed to know, and I should have told you. Knowing these things would not have made it any funnier, which is why it is the worst pun, ever.

  14. 14
    cclost
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 4:52 pm

    One other thing that is interesting: the chess move metaphor was also used by C&L in the interview in the latest EW! Sneaky.

  15. 15
    Greybishop
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 4:52 pm

    lostinqueenanne -
    The stuff about Charlie’s middle name is interesting.
    I was hoping for something more concrete, which is why I didn’t include the Bosch stuff. It’s certainly possible that they got the name from that source, but I was hoping to find “Hieronymus Pace” or “Charles Hieronymus” and nail it down a little more firmly. It’s such an odd name that it must have come from somewhere and Bosch is as good a place as there seems to be and better than anything else I found in my search.
    Great link by the way.

  16. 16
    Tony A.
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 5:28 pm

    I kept expecting Ugly Betty to come interrupt Mr. Mead with news from Daniel.

    Check this out; it refers to a movie about Hieronymous Merkin and Mercy Humppe, a dreadful 1960s film:

    “The film is an absurd X rated romp though a land of sexual excess and unconventional perversion that portray women as only a 1960′s film can. Although this film is not for all tastes, exceedingly fine performances, unpredictable twists, and uproarious humor make this film a true cult classic that reminds one of A Clockwork Orange at times. An R rated version also exists.”

    I’m not geeky enough to do further research and seriously doubt there’s any connection, but that’s the only Hieronymous I could think of.

    GB, you are the ubergeek. Your recap is great and your depths of geekiness are outstanding. You are truly a worthy successor to the great EdHill. On the other hand, the ep itself kinda sucked. It didn’t surprise me LOST only had 12.8 million viewers, the lowest ever.

    Read an article on Entertainment Weekly about Lost and the writers’ intent of clarifying things. Looks like they’d better hurry.

  17. 17
    FLAPELE
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 6:22 pm

    Good catch w/ the Wonderwall lyrics!

    Also, Charlie has already died ONCE, he was strung up from a tree and Jack revived him. What does he have, 9 lives? Was he in Drive Shaft or the Stray Cats?!

    I think Desmond hit his head when he flew outta the hatch and his life “flashed” before his eyes- like the name of the episode. I think he was watching it like a movie. In the previews for next week, we see that white-haired lady is an Other, right? i am totally guessing here- but I think that white-haired lady was with Des in the jungle, possibly trying to revive him. And that is why she was saying to him- “NO you don’t buy the ring- You come to the Island!” Maybe she was trying to bring him back to reality. And maybe his clothes were removed b/c they were contaminated…

  18. 18
    Acton Bell
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 6:55 pm

    I think Hieronymous IS a Bosch reference. His most famous painting depicts people in an Edenic setting who are, however, fated to Hell. Also, Bosch’s work is constantly analyzed (like Lost) but its coded meaning has never been cracked (ditto). The painting is populated with minor characters–too many to concentrate on–who nonetheless add to the overall story. It’s beautiful and surreal. Sounds a lot like our show to me.

    On another note, has anyone commented before that Desmond’s full name is Desmond David Hume?

    Hume is one of the most important 18th century philosophers and while I can’t begin to summarize it all here, I actually think Wikipedia does a pretty good job

    < <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hume>>.

    Two things of note: 1) Hume was extremely ifluenced by his predecessor, philsopher John Locke (!); and 2) one of his most important insights was into the problem of cause and effect. In short–we usually assume a-causes-b because that’s the way it appears, but most of the time we have no proof. And sometimes are assumptions can be wrong.

    Which is to say: maybe Des not punching in the numbers caused the plane to crash — but maybe it didn’t. And maybe Des turning the fail-safe key made the sky turn purple and his precognitive abilities to shine through — but maybe not. The 18th-century Hume showed that we can’t trust our assumptions. I think the 21st-century Hume might be showing us the same thing.

  19. 19
    Greybishop
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 7:06 pm

    Action Bell -
    I’ll definitely defer to your expertise on Bosch and Hume.
    I kept nodding off in Philosophy 101 and once I learned that there were no nude models, well art appreciation seemed less important than the pub…

  20. 20
    djaq
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 8:15 pm

    How about the name Penelope- Odysseus’s long-suffering wife who waited for years for her husband to return.

  21. 21
    Greybishop
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 8:31 pm

    djaq -
    No doubt there’s a hint of Homer threaded throughout Lost.
    When Penny was introduced last season, Odysseus talk flew around the internet all summer. I did mention Homer in relation to the Nemo reference. In my head (not much help if you’re reading the recap, I know) I just automatically made another “Lost reference from Homeric tradition” connection. Probably should have clarified that…
    ;o)

  22. 22
    Chris
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 8:57 pm

    Greybishop, you said the Hyeronimus name didn’t ring any bell. It made me think about the painter Hyeronimus Bosch (don’t know of anybody else with that name).. he had some awfully weird paintings, all full of strange symbols.

  23. 23
    Greybishop
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 9:14 pm

    Thanks Chris -
    I had several folks in the comments point out the Bosch connection. Like I said up further, it’s just not quite the “slam dunk” I’m looking for. It probably IS where the name comes from, given how odd a name it is, but the connection seems even more tenous than most Lost-isms.

  24. 24
    Ruthiblu
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 10:29 pm

    The Bosch Garden of Earthly Delights in its closed state shows a sphere with a flat surface inside it.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Garden_of_Earthly_Delights

    It reminded me of some earlier theories about a force field around the island. Like a bubble surrounding the entire island in a 360 degree kind of way.

    Mr. Friendly Tom was saying last episode “Ever since the sky turned purple …” when Jack asked why they couldnt seek medical help from the outside world.

    Maybe they used to be able to raise and lower the shield but communications are down now because the hatch computers were destroyed so they’ve lost control of it.

    This could explain why Desmond couldn’t sail away in the sailboat. And why WAAAALT and Michael are doomed to return. After all, how could the others allow them to escape knowing that they would surely report the plane crash and survivors as soon as they could?

  25. 25
    Ruthiblu
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 10:35 pm

    P.S. Last episode when Jack insisted on knowing what Ben said to Juliet, was anyone else irritated that THIS was the one thing he wanted to know? Of all the questions he could insist on getting answered the moron wants to know that. How about, why do you people live on this island? Where are the kidnapped people? Why did you make a list of “good” people? What is the scary smoke monster thingy?

    Or maybe even – Can I use your phone? internet? Do you get cell coverage out here? cause I gotta tell ya, I do business out here all the time and its a crap shoot…

  26. 26
    katybee
    Posted February 15, 2007 at 11:02 pm

    Ruthiblue-
    I think the fact that I got your “cause I gotta tell ya…” remark speaks loudly to the fact that I remember commercials far too much. Regardless, it still made me laugh.

    Greybishop–I have nothing to say but great recap. I know it’s only your second, but I have quite enjoyed them.

  27. 27
    Greybishop
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 5:51 am

    Ruthiblu -
    I gave up on waiting for Jack to ask the right questions a LONG time ago.
    Remember the firelight chat with the guy we now know as “I’m Tom, by the way”?
    Right then, instead of letting Sawyer posture and getting all territorial, shouldn’t he have said, “Look, it’s your island. Fine. We don’t WANT to be here! Why don’t you just lend us your boat, send up a flare, call us a cab, WHATEVER, and we’re off your precious little island!”
    Or something like that.
    Of course, I was saying “GIANT S.O.S. SIGN!!!” back at the second episode when they were busily sorting through dead peoples clothes and looking for brushes and combs.

  28. 28
    LostFan73
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 6:50 am

    Ruthiblu,
    I love Lost and don’t mind the ongoing drama at all excpet for one piece. Exactly what you mentioned. At least have Jack ask some questions and the Others not answer them. I can’t even believe Jack let Ben talk to Julia alone. Come on!

    Anyway, great recap. The best I have seen thus far. I rechecked the show and the painting was clearing showing over his right shoulder, he was looking straight at it, seemed to study it. Click to next scene and there is nothing over there but the bar – no mirror. Now the painting is on his left in the reverse image and he never seems to acknowledge it.

    There were other things I found strange. As soon as he woke up, the paint can next to him said FUTU… then it was covered up in red paint. I kept thinking FUTURE in my head. A subliminal message maybe?

    I didn’t even think about the analogy of the red shoes and OZ. Henry Gale, red shoes, vivid real dreams?

    I also wondered when Des was freaking out on Charlie in London, he kept saying he remembered this day and said “I lost my tie and then Pen asked where it was and then it started to rain” and at that moment it did start to rain. So…. where was Penny and how come that part really didn’t happen? Is it because it was just a dream flashback and Charlie was in it instead or was Charlie always there but Des didn’t think anything of it before? But… the next clip is Des going home and Penny in bed reading. So obviously even if Charlie wasn’t on the street, he wouldn’t have been able to talk to Penny until after the rain started. I just find this strange.

    I am still intrigued as to why on the Lost Recap show last week, they show the Sayid, Hurley radio scene. It didn’t have much importance to it at all except for Hurley’s kidding comment of “maybe it is coming from another time?” This just keeps sticking in my head that this is really important.

    Anyway, I don’t care if the ratings are down. That was one of the best shows in a long time!

    Next week it was obvious the girl Jack is talking to is the tallie that disappeared during the climb up that rock hill. I just hope Jack asks questions!!!

  29. 29
    FatLoser
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 8:18 am

    Interesting…

    Plot Summary for
    Wonderwall (1968)
    The eccentric professor Collins lives completely secluded in his chaotic apartment. When the model Penny moves in next to him, he becomes fascinated of her. He drills holes in her walls and ceiling and peeps on her day and night. He loses himself in daydreams and delusions.

  30. 30
    FatLoser
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 8:27 am

    Sorry forgot the link

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065224/plotsummary

  31. 31
    LOSTbean
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 9:30 am

    GB:

    clap clap clap clap clap-great recap!

    oh, and i think Ruthiblu is into that “island in a bottle” theory! you have a new best LOST friend! ;o)

  32. 32
    Supermodel
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 1:16 pm

    Nice recap. I’ve never actually read a Lost recap on TVgasm, I usually follow the show on other sites. But you’re good, Greybishop.

    I am one of the few people I know who didn’t enjoy this ep. I thought it was about 15 minutes worth of story stretched out to fill and hour, and it was an awful lot of work just to get to “fate vs. free will.”

    And then, the ultimate disappointment. I have no great love for Charlie, but I really wish it was Claire who was going to die.

  33. 33
    Supermodel
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 1:19 pm

    Sorry for the double post, I don’t know if I can edit?

    Anyway, just wanted to mention that Bob Heironymus was the guy wearing the Bigfoot suit in the famous hoax video. Probably unrelated, but a fun fact.

  34. 34
    EvilDave
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 1:36 pm

    Regarding Captain Nemo, as I recall, his adventures were continued in a book called ‘the mysterious island’ where a group of castaways were helped at different times by some anonymous force which turns out to be Nemo.

  35. 35
    Greybishop
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 1:38 pm

    Supermodel -
    I’m with ya! Claire could go ANYTIME. I know, I know, then there’s only a couple of girls and a ton of guys, but Claire is (now that Shannon and Boone are wherever pseudo-incestous lovers go when they die) officially THE lamest character on the show.

  36. 36
    myra30701
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 4:26 pm

    I THINK THAT THEY ARE IN A BUBBLE…KIND OF LIKE THE TRUMAN SHOW. I’VE THOUGHT THIS SINCE THE SCENE WHERE THE PLANE CRASHED. THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE, THEN EVERYONE ACTED LIKE THEY KNEW WHAT TO DO, THEN THE PLANE BROKE APART IN MID AIR. WOULD A PLANE DO THAT IF IT DIDN’T HIT SOMETHING? I’M NOT SURE. BUT THEY ALL LOOKED UP AND I REMEMBER SOMEONE SAID SOMETHING LIKE “IT HAPPENED AGAIN”
    YEP, IT’S A TIME WARP CONTAINED INSIDE A BUBBLE. A SECRET GOV’T CONSPIRACY OR SOMETHING TO CREATE ANOTHER EDEN.

  37. 37
    christy
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 4:34 pm

    I also noticed two other possible references to the Wizard of Oz besides the red shoed man under the scaffolding. I think more than one person called Desmond a “coward”, and I thought of that as a possible reference to the Cowardly Lion. I also noticed a red bike near the hole where the hatch used to be and thought of the bicycle that the mean woman rode off on with Dorothy’s dog in the beginning of the Wizard of Oz. Seems like a similar story with people ending up on this island and most of them just wanting to go home.
    Great recap!

  38. 38
    Seth
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 7:22 pm

    Crazy4Lost: Yes, Fionnula Flanagan is from The Others. I’m surprised no one else mentioned it! I think they did have a sense of humour.

  39. 39
    Greybishop
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 7:34 pm

    Seth -
    That little miss of “The Others” has since been pointed out to me. Several times!
    I saw the movie, but honestly, despite my mad crush on Nicole Kidman, it was very forgettable. I think I can be forgiven…
    I hope…

  40. 40
    layla
    Posted February 16, 2007 at 9:48 pm

    Greybishop – nice recap!

    I found the following statement re: Hieronymous Bosch and Charlie

    “In the television series Lost, the character Charlie Pace has the middle name Hieronymus. Previous episodes have shown Charlie having visions of characters on the island posed in a portraiture style similar to Bosch’s, particularly Adoration of the Child (though the actual scene is a replication of The Baptism of Christ by Verrocchio).”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieronymus_Bosch

  41. 41
    jas65
    Posted February 17, 2007 at 5:51 pm

    GB – great recap! I laughed out loud more than once. Love the geek factoids. I noticed the painting, but never notice the “turnaround”. I guess I have to watch a third time. Since the EW recaps are a total snore, this is where I’m coming for recaps.

  42. 42
    briolissima
    Posted February 17, 2007 at 8:00 pm

    GB-as always,I’m in awe of your superlative memory & dry wit! And, as always, I will now have to watch another couple times so I catch all the things I always seem to miss. Thanks to all the folks who’ve been commenting on the recap also, as I pick up stuff from all of you also!

  43. 43
    Ubiquitous
    Posted February 18, 2007 at 4:42 pm

    I think you all are putting WAY too much thought into this.

  44. 44
    qt
    Posted February 19, 2007 at 8:50 pm

    Ubiquitous-
    I respectfully disagree. That’s what these recaps, and especially this show, are all about; Provoking Thought. It’s what separates this show from so many ‘others’. ;)

  45. 45
    Ubiquitous
    Posted February 21, 2007 at 11:25 am

    I used to feel that way until I realized it was all for naught and what we made up was consistantly better than what the writers were pulling out of their collective arses. Enjoy the show!

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