"Lost 410 - Something Nice Back Home"
First the Breakdown, then the analysis, shall we?
TEASER
A - The show kicks off with Jack being awakened (Jack, I need you to wake up) and going outside his tent to make the peace between his people and the freighties before reiterating his promise to get everyone off the island and then collapsing.
Act Out - In the future we discover that after her trial, Kate, Jack, and Aaron are living together [note: Jack wakes up and finds Kate in the shower)
ACT ONE
A - Still in the future, Jack reads "Alice in Wonderland" to Aaron and appears very fatherly.
B - While crossing the island back to the beach, Sawyer and Claire learn that Danielle and Karl are dead when Miles reveals their bodies.
Act Out - On the island, Juliet confirms Jack's need for an appendectomy.
ACT TWO
C - Juliet sends Sun and Jin to the staff for medical supplies to perform the surgery . Dan and Charlotte join them.
B - Sawyer takes a "Big Brother" (not the show or Orwellian) role toward Claire and imposes a "restraining order" against Miles.
D - There's a D story? Yes, it's very brief but it's the conversation between Bernard and Rose where they discuss the implications of Jack's need for surgery.
A - On the island Jack wants Kate to hold the mirror for him while he directs his own surgery.
Act Out - Jack visits Hurley and learns that he has been seeing Charlie and that Charlie has a message for Jack: You're not supposed to raise him. Then he also learns that someone will be visiting him very soon.
ACT THREE
C - Sun, Jin, Dan, and Charlotte arrive at the Staff and Jin suspects that Charlotte knows Korean. [Note: Daniel goes into the Staff first]
B - Sawyer, Claire and Miles come across Lapidus, who warns them to hide from Mr. Keamy.
A - Jack and Juliet convince Kate to help with the surgery.
Act Out - Jack wakes Kate up to propose to her.
ACT FOUR
C - Jin confirms his suspicion about Charlotte and makes her promise to get Sun off the island regardless of what happens to him or his friends.
A - (Bernard: Wouldn't you rather be dreaming about something nice back home?) Juliet begins the surgery Jack's way, but they have to toss Kate out of the tent and chloroform his butt.
Act Out - Claire wakes up in the middle of the night to find her dead dad holding Aaron.
TAG
(This tag is long enough that it is nearly an Act Five)
A - Juliet lets Kate know that Jack loves her while he pretends to be sleeping. In the future Jack and Kate start to fall apart when he learns that Kate is doing a favor for Sawyer.
Act Out - We end on the B-story when Sawyer wakes up to find Claire missing, learns that she left with her dad, and finds Aaron a few yards away. Claire! Claire!
Now, deciphering the intent of this week's episode isn't as easy as last week's when we could just follow the act outs...or is it? Let's see.
First up, notice the number of times people are being woken up: Jack wakes up to make the peace between his people, then wakes up to find Kate in his shower, Kate wakes up to a proposal, and Claire wakes up to dead daddy holding her baby.
Bernard asks Jack about the chloroform: Wouldn't you rather be dreaming about something nice back home? Think back to the Alice in Wonderland reference. The line that we're clearly meant to hear is "I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is, who in the world am I?"
One of the themes of this episode is what is real and what is a dream? Jack thinks Hurley is crazy because he tells him he sees Charlie, but when Jack starts seeing his father his happy world with Kate begins to unravel. We know where this will eventually lead, but what it truly reveals is Jack's inability to deal with reality and more importantly his inability to place faith in others based on the reality that surrounds him. Remember, Jack has been seeing his dead father since Season One, but for Hurley to see Charlie is crazy. Not only that, but the guy can't even let a trained fertility doctor do a simple appendectomy because he doesn't trust anyone.
That leads us to the second part of this episode - trust. This is played out in the all stories as the need to protect someone. Notice, that in the future we first see Kate in the shower. If that isn't a vulnerable place then watch Psycho. Jack wants to protect everyone, but he needs Kate to protect him by holding the mirror. Juliet tries to protect Jack from himself. Bernard wants to protect Rose, Jin - Sun, Sawyer - Claire, and Dan -Charlotte. What's the one thing none of these people are trying to protect? The island! And I believe that is because none of them has learned to trust it like Locke seems to have. The big key to this episode isn't who is dead and who isn't, it's that small D-story, when Rose points out that it can't be mere coincidence that Jack is ill the day before they are set to leave an island that heals people.
The story fits into the big picture by revealing that until these people unite (for example, Jin needs to care for more than just Sun and his baby), care for one another, and protect the island, then any hope of happiness is just a dream.
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Merlboro Man says "The story fits into the big picture by revealing that until these people unite (for example, Jin needs to care for more than just Sun and his baby), care for one another, and protect the island, then any hope of happiness is just a dream."
That about sums the whole story up. It seems to be an excellent analysis of what is going on and what needs to happen. So do you think Locke is aware that the others need to come to the conclusion as well or does he think it's just him? I'm thinking he must think the others have to "wake up" and smell the coffee otherwise he wouldn't sabotage every attempt to leave the island. And why Locke? Why was he chosen to be the fIrst one "awakened" to the islands intent ,desire and power? Why hasn't every one else opened their eyes!!!! Wait!!!! That could be the whole reason why every episode begins with an eye opening!!!!
Interesting perspective. Don't agree with you, but interesting.
msdee - Locke was a man already searching for something ("Walkabout") to believe in and the island gave him that. I believe that is the main reason he's ahead of the curve. I believe Locke is becoming more aware of the need to unite but that is already his natural tendency. Remember "Further Instructions"...bring the family back together...also the way Locke leads compared to Jack. He's tried to unite them, but they're all so wrapped up in their own agendas.
Yes you are right. He was on a search already. So was he predestined to search. Did everything horrid happen in his life for the sole purpose of arriving on the island? Some might say yes it was fate but is fate the same as predestination?
did I just digress LOL
Excellent post!
msdee - I'm pretty sure this week's episode is going to answer your questions.
Merlboro mans says: Jack has been seeing his dead father since Season One, but for Hurley to see Charlie is crazy.
I think this brings us back to the whole concept of man of science man of faith concept. I think Jack is terrified of anything that science can't explain. I think he must fear that Hurley might very well have seen Charlie the way he saw his father.
Hmmmmmm, MM...
My first thought when Jack woke up and had Kate in the shower... was .. THIS HAS TO BE A DREAM. I mean come on, if you saw Kate in the shower, wouldn't you be thinking.... dream sequence?!
But yeah... I don't know if Hurley pointing out that (paraphrased) this all seems too perfect was a huge kick in the head or not. Because it does. Seem too perfect, I mean.
more importantly his inability to place faith in others based on the reality that surrounds him.
Right. I'm with you there. His arrogance/tragic flaw is one of the reasons that he is one of my least favorite characters.
I've just finished reading your "Lost: The Journey to Redemption" and both "Breaking Lost" posts. I must say these are some of the most eloquent well-thought out things I have ever read regarding Lost. You should be proud and everyone who reads them should feel smarter afterward. Thank you for thoughtful intelligent analysis of this fantastic show.
That said, any chance that you'll backtrack and write "Breaking Lost" articles for previous episodes? I know that would be a mountain of work, but worthwhile to any true fan. (Maybe between the Season 4 finale and Season 5 premiere when all true fans go back and watch reruns on DVD? I can only hope!)
Again excellent work. You should be commended.
Hanto - I've given it some thought, and it's a strong possiblity for the hiatus. Thank you for the kind remarks.