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Episode Recap: "The Other Woman"
First of all, thanks to Mickey for covering last week’s very trippy episode while I did a little traveling of my own. I have to admit that after watching the episode several days later, I was somewhat relieved about not having to sort through Desmond’s “stickiness” issues. However, I do wish I could have shared with all of you how truly touched I was by the phone reunion between Desmond and Penny. I read through most of your comments and I am very firmly in the camp of those who feel that Desmond and Penny’s love story is really the heart of the show. (And Jack and Kate are the soul... and Sawyer and Kate are the libido.)
But enough about last week; let’s focus on the now.
“It’s very stressful being an Other, Jack.” Though at the time she was being sarcastic, it seems like Juliet really hit the nail on the head. Just ask Ethan and Goodwin and Tom and…well, let’s just say that the Others have faced their share of adversity (and gunfire and wood spikes through the chest).
Tonight we made a welcome return to flashbacks. We learned that after arriving on the island, Juliet was dealing with enough pressure and isolation to need a shrink. (Was I the only one that thought for a moment that we were meeting another Oceanic Sixer?) Andrea Roth has been absolutely superb as Tommy Gavin's masochistic ex-wife Janet over on Rescue Me, so I was excited to see her pop up as Harper Stanhope, Juliet’s therapist and the estranged wife of Goodwin (Brett Cullen). One of the things I love about this show is that there is a constant reinforcement of and reference to things that have already occurred. Having seen Goodwin tangle with Ana-Lucia back when we were tracking the tailies, it was so cool to see the story played out from a completely different perspective.
We also learned tonight that our little Ben harbored a big-time crush on Juliet, apparently even before her arrival on the island. How strange to see Mr. Malevolent bopping around his kitchen like a giddy schoolgirl, offering gifts of flowers, cozy dinners and two-bedroom/two-bathroom houses. I almost felt bad for him, right up until he dragged Juliet to view Goodwin’s rotting body and came clean about his motives for sending him to gather intelligence on the tailies in the first place. His notion of Juliet being his ("You're mine!") was very creepy, perhaps made more so by Harper’s assessment that Juliet looks “just like her.” Who was Harper referring to? And also, when Harper appeared to Juliet on the beach, what did she mean when she said, “Ben is exactly where he wants to be”? Is that a reference to the possibility of teleportation?
Back at New Otherton, Ben convinced Locke to set him loose from his underground prison by promising critical information. On a grainy videotape, a familiar face (to us) is spotted. “This is Charles Widmore. This is the man whose boat is parked offshore. This is the man that’s been trying to find the island.... Charles Widmore wants to exploit this island and he’ll do everything in his power to possess it.” I think that was the most exposition we’ve ever been offered in a single scene of this show. It is becoming clear that the link between Desmond, Penny and her dad is going to be a huge piece of the puzzle as we move forward.
It was nice to see Jack and Kate again tonight, albeit briefly. I did smile a little to myself when Kate’s penchant for finding trouble got her whacked on the head by Charlotte. The two freighter folks did manage to make their way to the Tempest to disable the poison gas threatening the island, but only after a nice smackdown between Juliet and Charlotte. While I am still not sure what I think about Charlotte, I am definitely warming to Daniel. Jeremy Davies' twitchy but endearing performance is offering unexpected layers of vulnerability and openness. It seems that Faraday’s unique skills and areas of expertise will be a big help as the electromagnetic forces at play become obvious.
Some other highlights tonight:
— Juliet’s casual mention of the children and Ben assuring her that they will "stop asking questions" about their mother.
— The fantastic pairing of Sawyer and Hurley and their reaction to watching Ben trot by them saying, “See you guys at dinner!”
— Jack and Juliet's kiss at the end of the episode. Though I am a big Jater, I do like these two together and I am curious as to what's in store, since, at this point anyway, we haven't seen a future Juliet off the island.
— The "man on the boat" thing is driving me insane. While many people have asserted that it has to be Walt, it seems to me that there has got to be a bigger twist in the offing. My thoughts: either a grown-up Walt or someone who was thought dead. Libby? Boone? They did bury those people who died, but is it possible that the island's restorative powers brought someone back? I wouldn't put a little grave-digging past Mr. Linus.
—For all you geeky, TV-obsessed freaks (like me), I noticed that tonight's episode was directed by Eric Laneuville, former St. Elsewhere cast member and esteemed TV director. He has directed other episodes, including "The Other 48 Days," about the survivors from the tail section.
The hot streak for the show definitely continues and I am ridiculously excited that we will be getting five additional episodes to round out the season. How do you guys think things are progressing so far? While we ponder the twists and turns to come, make sure to check out the full version of this week's scoop-filled cover story. Also, check out the Online Video Guide for clips and previews. And, as always, comment away!
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Mar 6, 2008 11:59 PM
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This season has been GREAT! It was good to see more of the back story of Juliet's life. My theory about "you look like her" is Ben's Mom.
Who else thinks that Ben and Penny's Dad are in cohots? At the end of the tape that Ben showed Locke; Penny's Dad looked right at the camera. And if thay are not together then how did Ben get the video footage?
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Mar 7, 2008 12:10 AM
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I thought that tonight's episode was enjoyable. It was a "breather" episode but did it's job moving the plot forward enough, giving us some more insight on things that we wondered, etc. I look forward to next week as always.
My theory about "you look like her" is Ben's Mom.
I know that what I'm about to say has been mentioned many times before but I think that Annie didn't get gassed, (we never learned either way) ended up pregnant with Ben's child at some point years after the purge, died as pregnant women do, and that is a big reason why Ben wanted Juliet to come and figure out the problem (in addition to it being a concern for other obvious reasons.) Therefore I think that Juliet reminds Ben of Annie and that's who she "looks like."
if thay are not together then how did Ben get the video footage?
Possibly the same way that he gets some of his other information from the real world. He's got his ways of getting all sorts of things done as we've learned.
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Mar 7, 2008 12:53 AM
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Some observations:
I would agree that Juliet looks like Ben's mom from what we have seen of Mrs. Linus.
That Harper, what a you-know-what! Yikes!
Jack was so funny when he said "Yeah, you read it all in my file" when Juliet was talking about things in life you don't want to talk about. He was perturbed about it still after all this time--actually how long has it been since Jack met Juliet for the first time?
I think Daniel has a major crush on Charlotte and possibly a little one on Kate. 
Claire was so great--I wish more people would listen to what she has to say. (BTW, why does everyone think she is wearing a wig? I think her hair looks just fine.)
Ben is so creepy and funny at the same time. "This rabbit didn't have a number on it, did it?" Good one!
I think that Michael is on the boat but I'm not sure he is the spy or "man on the boat." I don't know why but I just think that all things are pointing to Michael being on the boat and that they are really foreshadowing that a lot . . . and the way LOST is, you just know that something else is going to happen instead of what you think is going to happen.
I can't wait to find out what was in that book (ship journal or log, whatever) that Mr. Widmore bought in 1996 from the Black Rock. I hope they will tell us someday.
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Mar 7, 2008 12:55 AM
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Well, for once, I can safely say that I had no problems whatsoever with the episode. (except that I have a headache from recalling all the past episodes!)
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Mar 7, 2008 1:02 AM
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I think it is definitely Annie who Juliet looks like. It was a romantic interest not a motherly reminder. He wouldn't be obsessed with Juliet because she looks like his mother who he has never met, it would be because she looks like the girl (possibly woman) Ben was in love with.
I wonder what the gas situation is. Is there a natural gas that exists somewhere on the island that they bottled up and can release in a deadly vapor or was it brought to the island by the Dharma Initiative to power the island in some way? (Since it is at the station that powers the island)
I feel like it is Michael that is Ben's spy but it feels too obvious and I will be disappointed if we find out that is the case. I feel certain Michael is on the boat but don't necessarily think he is the spy. I don't know. I can't really think of who else it could be.
JWTROUT, I actually don't think Daniel has a crush on anyone. He kind of seems purely scientifically motivated but also appears to be a good guy. Charlotte's motivations seem deeper and darker and she is clearly a more dangerous character. Additionally, she seems like more than just an anthropologist. especially strange for an anthropologist.
Part of me feels conflicted that Ben is a really bad guy and Widmore is a really bad guy. So between the two of them who do you root for? I guess neither?
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Mar 7, 2008 1:05 AM
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jwtrout- it's a wig. trust me.
the look on Ben's face as he trots by Sawyer and Hurley, then his chipper "see you guys at dinner!" literally had me laughing out loud with tears rolling down my cheeks!
and though this was Juliet's episode and I love her and she was superb, this was Michael Emerson's shining moment. he was so intense, so versatile, just a masterful performance.
I need to think some more about this. I am so happy!
btw- did they get that freaky "Cat Woman" plastic surgery addict to play Harper? she was a freak!
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Mar 7, 2008 1:13 AM
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Wow, Charlotte has to be the most kick-butt anthropologist since Indiana Jones. And was that a Luger that Juliette was carrying?
Hurley and Sawyer playing horseshoes at the end was a perfect way to show how "normal" things had become - then the expressions on their faces (excellent work by Jorge and Josh) told you right away that something was seriously not normal.
There goes our man John Locke once again believing whatever he's told. Ben shows him a tape with a well-dressed man beating someone up and tells him that him what he wants to hear and Mohinder - oops, I mean John - believes every word. There may be some truth to it, but this is Ben we're dealing with, so that can't be the whole story.
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Mar 7, 2008 1:20 AM
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yeah I have to say I knew Charles was the guy behind the new people landing on the island. It makes sense now...the guy who works for Widmore visiting Hurley in the hospital. Maybe Penny has found her way to the island somehow?Im more convinced than ever...Michael is on that boat. Who else could it be?
Ive always wondered why no one seemed to ever ask what happened to Michael. I can't remember did they ever tell the other survivors where Michael went? Or what happened to him?
Ben was his creepy best. Goodwin was a goner. And Harper...well she should be with Ben. She seems to be a believer..
When Locke and Ben were speaking and he said that thing about, "If my people wanted me they'd come and get me?" Who does he really have left? I know there were alot more....but how many more? And where have they gone?
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Mar 7, 2008 1:25 AM
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egreene, men have mother issues all the time (Oedipus complex) especially motherless boys. I am just going on the ghostly image of Ben's mother from last season--you can see a picture here. Her name was Emily. http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:3x20_emily_is_creepy.jpg
We don't know what grown up Annie looked like or even if she did grow up. She very well could have looked like Ben's mom, too. But Annie had brown hair when she was young and Juliet has blond hair, like Emily.
But you may be right and that's why it's fun to share opinions.
I, too, think Daniel is a good guy and scientifically motivated but he sure was giving the puppy dog eyes to Charlotte at the beginning of the episode, just like Ben was giving to Juliet. Just my opinion, of course.
****
Not to belabor the point, but have they said it's a wig? I mean, do you have proof of it? I really would like to know, in all seriousness.
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Mar 7, 2008 1:29 AM
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where have they gone?
They were sent to "the temple" in last year's finale. We don't know anything beyond that.
Annie had brown hair when she was young and Juliet has blond hair, like Emily.
My nephew had brown hair for a few years and then it turned blonde . My niece was the opposite. Granted that happened when they were very young compared to Annie having it happen from whatever age she was to possible adulthood. Still hair alone probably doesn't disprove anything but like you said it doesn't prove anything either which is the cool thing about a show like this.
It's possible that she is a reminder of his mother since young Ben probably looked at some pics of her that his dad had.
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Mar 7, 2008 1:37 AM
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So...Faraday is disabling the gas (on Widmore's orders??) and Ben wants to stop that. Why wouldn't Ben be afraid he and all his others would be killed by this gas if Juliette had succeeded in killing Faraday?
And I have to disagree with Jeremy Davies' acting abilities. I've seen him in a couple of movies and he's always got that twitchy manner. I think it's distracting. I realize that he's now making it seem like that's how he is because he's got a brain thing or he's just an eccentric, but he's the same in other acting venues also.
In my opinion, the best actor, bar none, on this entire show..and there are lots of good ones..is Michael Emerson (Ben).
Great show tonight. I was glad to get away from the flash forwards and time traveling for one show anyway. I was glad to get back to the island.
I realize NBC likes to throw us off with their often misleading promos, but the announcer says Ben's man on the boat is someone we won't see coming. Makes me think....if you believe promos...that it isn't Michael or Walt. Because there's no one here who doesn't see that coming. I'm hoping for someone totally out of the blue.....like maybe Ana Lucia???
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Mar 7, 2008 1:55 AM
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So this is completely random. But one of my friends has a theory relating to Michael being the man on the boat. Everything seems to be pointing to him? What if the producers are just trying to throw the audience off and are paying him to be a series regular and are not actually bringing him back, but just telling the audience they are?
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Mar 7, 2008 2:08 AM
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wheezy ~ You go, girl!!
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Mar 7, 2008 2:18 AM
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