Watching Lost

Where the show last left off, there was tension everywhere. Locke has stabbed Naomi when the Losties were counting on her to help them get off the island; Ben is helpless under Jack, who ends up capturing him; and we lost Charlie who has made one sacrifice before drowning to his death, by relaying a message to them to not trust the people coming to rescue.

After all those times we’ve waited, it is finally here. And while they await the rescuers, everything that seemed alright, now wasn’t.

Kicking off Lost’s Season 4 with a solid episode entitled “The Beginning of The End”, was a Hurley-centric episode…which is great. I don’t think we’ve seen much of his story last season, didn’t we? It opens with a flash forward — something the show has surprised us with at the end of last season (with Kate and Jack). This time, the flash forwards are of Hurley’s, as we slowly see him driving himself with madness. Has he really gone crazy or are those hallucinations real? He is being chased by the police in a future event and was brought in for questioning. What was he running away from? And when the police ask if he would he want to go back to the nut house? One would have thought to say no, but Hurley was actually glad to be back in there.

At the mental institution Hurley is visited by a mysterious man who says he’s from Oceanic airlines and is offering Hurley a room upgrade. But something he asked made Hurley very upset. “Are they still alive?” that man asked. Who was he pertaining to? And why was Hurley so upset about it?

Back to the present timeline, in the island, everyone’s in high spirits. They had made contact with the rescuers and they could be enjoying a decent meal and bed space before the day is over. Hurley even did the cannonball by the beach. They were that hopeful. But while everyone was anticipating with hope, Ben tells Danielle to take their daughter away because he doesn’t think it will be safe with the “rescuers” arriving. Daniel does not believe him.

Desmond arrives on the beach and the first thing Hurley asks from him was Charlie’s whereabouts. Desmond delivers the news they didn’t expect to hear, and he also tells them of Charlie’s last message. Sawyer insists they walkie-talkie this same message to Jack back in the mountains, but Sayid tells them it was a bad idea, especially with the “rescuers” probably listening. Hurley insists they move out so they can reach Jack as soon as possible, as warnings like that shouldn’t have to wait.

While walking, Hurley separates himself from the group and finds what looks like Jacob’s schack. When he tries to see who or what was inside, he saw something that took me by surprise.

What was Jack’s Dad doing there? And was he not alone? Who was it that looked Hurley right in the eye? Hurley convinces himself he is seeing things and tries to keep his eyes shut. When he opens them, he finds Locke, who has long since separated from everyone. Hurley tells Locke everything he knows.

In another mind-blowing fast forward moment, who else but Charlie (presumed dead) visits Hurley at the mental institution? It was actually who he was running away from earlier. Charlie kept telling him, “They need you! They need you!” and when Hurley tried to shut his eye saying he isn’t real, Charlie actually did disappear. So, do we really assume he is dead? And who are “they”?

Naomi’s phone rings and Jack answers it. The person at the end of the line is looking for her. And they suddenly realize she isn’t where she’s supposed to be — laying down the ground, bleeding, with a knife on her back. Danielle says she may have crawled towards one part of the island but Kate says she saw trails of blood on another side. Jack insists they go Danielle’s way, and tells Kate to guide the others to the area where they were supposed to meet the “rescuers”. But it turns out, Kate was right. She catches up to Naomi, who was able to send their coordinates to the “rescuers” before finally, finally dying.

Eventually, everyone found each other again…..some not quite happy to see Locke back. And then they all learned Charlie’s fate. It was Hurley who had to break the news, especially to Claire. There are some dramatic moments here, complete with cheesy background music. While I found this moment a bit too cornball, I have to admit, I did cry a little. Charlie’s presence was one of those that I liked about this show, even if many people say he’s a useless character.

So now that they know of Charlie’s warnings, Locke tells them he’s heading back to the bunkers and asks who would be going with him. Hurley goes because he believes his best friend’s warning, Claire and Ben, too. Sawyer goes with them and Kate is disappointed and surprised of his decision. And here, the group separates.

In the final flash forward, Jack comes to visit Hurley at the institution, too. He has seen him being chased by the police on television, and tells Hurley it was just a friendly visit. But Hurley tells him, “You’re checking to see if I was nuts and if I was going to tell…”
Tell what? Tell whom? What was the biggest secret?

By the looks of it, Hurley’s flash forward comes before Jack’s and Kate’s. For here, Jack was determined to live a normal life and says he would never ever go back to the island.

Hurley mentioned Oceanic Six to the police, so now we know that there were at least six of them who got off the island, three of which are confirmed: Jack, Kate and Hurley. The remaining six remains to be seen.

The first episode wraps up with a chopper and a “rescuer” dropping down to finally comes face to face with Jack. But did I see some hesitation on Jack’s face? Was he beginning to doubt this man’s identity?

Thought bubbles…

• Danielle punches Ben, when he tells her to keep Alex safe. Kick-ass! But I feel sorry for Ben.
• “With your permission, Jack. I’d like to go with Locke” — Ben. I don’t know why I found that funny but I chuckled when I heard him say it.
• Great to see Charlie! He looked so clean and fresh-looking, dead. Is he really, really, really dead? Are we going to see more of him in the flash forwards. I would like to!
• Matthew Abaddon, Oceanic’s representative, who went to visit Hurley at the institution? He looks like what his name suggests — a destroyer. Chilling!
• I love the Rose and Bernard moments.
• How can Naomi crawl that far? How did she get up that tree, with her injury?
• If you were stranded in the island yourself, which group would you go with – Team Jack or Team Locke?

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