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Episode Recap:"Meet Kevin Johnson"
Hi all! New guy Mickey O'Connor here (or Doc O'C, as Ausiello has taken to calling me – sigh), filling in for the lovely Trish Wethman, who has once again allowed me to let loose with my lunatic ravings in this space.
Speaking of, let's all meet Kevin Johnson.
After watching the "previously on Lost" segment this week ("We're going to have to take the boy." "WAAAALTTT!" Ms. Klugh! Bang! Bang! Ana Lucia and Libby! "Follow this compass bearing to find rescue."), I realized how raptly I had followed the stories of Michael and Walt, and how I always had high hopes that the resolution of their stories would eventually yield some serious payoff. While I'm not quite ready to say that the flashback-heavy "Meet Kevin Johnson" delivered in that department, it has certainly piqued my interest, in the process giving some screen time to some heretofore mostly unexamined (and sorely missed) players in the Lost repertory.
Michael Dawson (aka Kevin Johnson): One of the great things about Lost is that I'm now agonizing about the events that occurred between the time Michael and Walt left The Island and the time when Michael's post-Island flashback began in Manhattan, approximately two months after the crash of Flight 815, according to Michael's no-nonsense mother. And although the December 2004-edition New York City cab should have tipped me off -- I mean, I live here -- I still tip my hat to Team Darlton for faking me out with the cheery Mama Cass ("Better! Every! Day!") on the junky radio of the standard 1970s-issue pimpmobile that Michael piloted straight into a maritime cargo container. Visions of time travel were dancing in my head, and for some reason, I was hoping that Michael's travels had brought him, Quantum Leap-style, to another time and place entirely.
But modern hospital equipment – and a signature eyeball close-up -- quickly dashed my hopes of a Scott Bakula cameo. Instead, we found out that our old friend Mr. Friendly (see below) had a job for Michael, in lieu of his planned suicide, which The Island will not allow. (Note to Dr. Shephard: Dude, apparently you were never going to jump off that bridge.) Michael is told that he will be placed on the freighter to not only sabotage their mission, as previously thought, but to kill everyone on board, in order to save the lives of the friends that he betrayed back on The Island. I wish that we had seen more of freaky Walt than just a window silhouette. Hints about his chronic bad dreams made me curious about his post-Island existence.
Libby: The much-teased return of the talented Cynthia Watros was fulfilled tonight... sort of (although I still crave more backstory on her interactions with Hurley and Desmond). As much as I wanted Libby to return, Mikhail Bakunin-like, from the grave to blow my mind, it was nonetheless satisfying to see a lithe, spectral Libby show up twice in Michael's dream life: first as a nurse offering extra blankets (a smart echo of her blanket-clutching death scene) and then as she warned Michael not to detonate the Others-provided explosives, which, upon "detonation," produced nothing more than a flaccid paper flag that said "NOT YET."
Indeed. Now that Sayid has rocked the boat with the news that Kevin Johnson is a traitor, it seems we have a few more developments in store aboard the freighter. But will Libby resurface to save the day? Perhaps only in my dream life.
Mr. Friendly: How amusing is it that the second that Mr. Friendly gets off The Island, Otherton's resident bon vivant orders up the penthouse at the Hotel Earle, a King Henry VIII-style banquet, and the company of a pretty young thing named, hilariously, Arturo? But once his hedonistic tableau is established, he gives Michael hard evidence that Charles Widmore has faked the crash of Oceanic 815, including the exhuming of 324 bodies from a Thai cemetery to place in a suitable jet facsimile on the ocean floor. But why?
Alex, Danielle, and Karl: While we don't technically know if Karl and Danielle are both indeed dead, I'm guessing they are. Just watching the bloated cast listing at the beginning of each episode indicates that, with an end date now in sight, Team Darlton is going to have to start pruning the narrative bonsai, and some stories are going to be left on the greenhouse floor. While I can't say that I'll miss Karl, I appreciate his contribution to the Lost mythology (remember the Clockwork Orange-like Room 23 scene?). Danielle, on the other hand, has always intrigued me, and the anti-climactic reunion with her daughter, Alex, left me somewhat cold. I wanted to know more about her arrival on The Island, and how she became separated from her paternity-questioned newborn daughter. Also: How did she bring a baby to term on The Island? Nevertheless, it seems that with Alex's final declaration that she is Ben's daughter, her role will increase in importance in the coming episodes.
Ben: All I have to say is that if I had my way, Michael Emerson would have nothing left to do this summer than ready his Emmy acceptance speech, if for nothing else than for the following eight words: "Then consider yourself one of the good guys." The way he skates the line between confusing nobility and underhanded omniscience is just fine, fine acting that is constantly keeping me guessing. I honestly don't know who the good guys are at this point, but I know that whichever side Ben ends up on, I will be watching.
Quotable Quotes:
"We kind of, like, knew that forever ago." – Hurley, responding to Miles' confirmation that the freighter folk are there to get Ben
"…Considering a week ago you had a gun to his head and tonight he's eating pound cake, I'd say he's a guy who gets what he wants." – Miles, about Ben's newfound acceptance by Locke
"Are you going Nicholson on us?" – Minkowski, on Michael's obsessive tennis ball-bouncing inside the freighter
Asides:
I don't remember if we knew this before, but Naomi's last name sounded like Dorrit, which Wikipedia tells me might be a reference to the Charles Dickens novel, Little Dorrit, a satire about, among other things, debtor's prisons, in which people were incarcerated if they owed money. Interpreting it loosely, you might say it was about people repenting for their past sins, about finding redemption.
Just as Michael is about to kill himself (the second time, with the gun, in his apartment), the game show on the TV in the background announces the answer to a question about Slaughterhouse-Five is Kurt Vonnegut. Slaughterhouse is about WWII-era American soldier Billy Pilgrim, who, amidst the carnage of the war, becomes "unstuck in time."
Mr. Friendly is staying at the Hotel Earle. You know who else stayed at a Hotel Earle? Barton Fink. In the Coen Brothers film, the hotel symbolized hell.
Also:
ABC's incessant promos for new episodes of Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives made me realize how much I've missed TV – and how long the next four weeks are going to seem. But stick with us and we'll get you through it.
So what did you think? Did you welcome Michael's return? Any predictions for the next five episodes? How exactly will the Oceanic Six make it off The Island?
Watch full episodes of Lost in our Online Video Guide.
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Mar 21, 2008 2:32 AM
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Why is Aaron one of the six? *is confused*
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Mar 21, 2008 2:39 AM
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Hello everyone.
Great episode. Sure we figured that Michael was probably Ben’s man but it was nice (for me at least) to see why and to find out why Walt isn’t with him. We also got insight in why Jack couldn’t jump off of the bridge last year, other than just the accident stopping him. I don’t think that Danielle is dead since there is still likely to be a flashback for her one day as opposed to just a flashback with her in it.
I wonder how Michael will get out of the mess that Sayid put him in and I wonder why he’d willingly put his friends back on the island in even more danger knowing that Michael told him that they had bad intentions. Maybe Sayid has a plan. I’m also thinking that the Others are possibly the ones who shot at the three, possibly to get Alex and then come for Ben. If not then it's what Ben predicted. Maybe Frank's "errand" involved bringing those who did the firing, Keamy included of course.
Here's a random question that deals with the show overall and this episode. I posted it in the last blog but everyone was pretty much done with that when I posted it now so I’m posting it again. A couple of posters here had some good thoughts in response....
Anyway “Once the six are off of the island what do you suppose will happen with them as far as being involved in storylines? Here is what I mean. Right now they’re on the island and then get forwards but when they’re off then how will that work? Will the present day action shift between the island and the real world? That's probably the case but that would be early 2005 so at some point 2007 would be the present. (Based on Jack's forward being at that time and therefore they don't go back til at least then)
So what happens to the island time? Will we suddenly see a gap in storylines so that island time matches up to the time of everyone's return? Right now each season is about a month but to get to 2007 that will presumably change.”
*******PREVIEW ALERT********
Commercials aren’t always accurate but they did show Aaron as one of the six so chances are that the producers will confirm is soon too since they said that we’d know by last week. I know that people have presented valid and well thought out reasons why it’s not him and why they don’t want it to be him and why if he’s one the Ji Yeon should be but if they’re going by who was born by the time they left the island then that works for Aaron. Maybe we'll get an actual explanation or maybe we'll just have to forever assume. There is plenty of time to find out.
Also I wonder if the scene it showed of people shooting at the barracks is what gets Hurley to take off to the other camp, possibly with Aaron for whatever reason.
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Mar 21, 2008 2:51 AM
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Ok, first off, I just have to say... Hey ABC! Cool it with the promos, i mean, "someone will die" usually is used for more major character deaths. Im sorry, but the death of Karl, while somewhat sad, is not major enough to warrant a major promo like that by ABC. Also, as you may notice, i do not thing Rousseau is dead, mostly because Darlton have been repeatedly saying last year and this one that her flashback is forthcoming and that there is much more to her story that we will see soon. I mean, i know the same thing somewhat happened with Libby, but they still have seemed pretty insistent this year on podcasts and such that we will see a flashback for her next year.
Now as for the episode, it was good, but not one of the best this season. I dont know, maybe its because I wanted just a little more details about Michaels rescue, as well as some sort of reveal about how Walt could be grown up now and appearing to Locke in his older state. Im fine with it being postponed, i just wish I had some date to look forward to in which this will finally be revealed. I thought that this would be it, but I was wrong.
One thing I did like a lot was the whole inability to commit suicide. Although once Tom asked Michael if the bullet bounced off his skull or if the gun just jammed, i kinda hoped to have seen the former instead of the latter. Would have been cool, lol. I also liked the scenes with Michael once he was aboard the freighter, but I was expecting to see Regina. I mean, once Zoe Bell showed up for two scenes and then died, i assumed we would still see her in a flashback to justify such a semi high profile guest star, but this week we got nothing, so I guess we have to chalk that up as the shortest guest stint for an actress of that caliber.
Well knowing that this isnt the end of the season helps me overlook some of my unanswered questions, i mean, it is Lost, but hopefully the last five episodes find a way to address some of the Walt stuff. I really want some explanation before the end of the season.
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Mar 21, 2008 2:57 AM
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Thank you, Dysturbed. I can go to bed now.
(you mock me now, but someday, you'll have a moral dilemma like mine!)
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Mar 21, 2008 3:04 AM
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you mock me now, but someday, you'll have a moral dilemma like mine!
When I get married one day and my wife wants me to hold off on watching a show I'll probably watch it and play dumb when watching it with her for "the first time."
Ok, first off, I just have to say... Hey ABC! Cool it with the promos, i mean, "someone will die" usually is used for more major character deaths.
Over the last few years, when deaths became more common on dramas, I noticed that it's often not reserved for major characters. Like I mentioned last week, when commercials show specific people and mention a death, it's usually not the people shown. Sometimes it even is more specific and says "one of these people" instead of "someone" and even then it's often false.
I guess we have to chalk that up as the shortest guest stint for an actress of that caliber
Flashbacks concerning any of the four freighter folks may feature her. Granted those people's stories probably will take place prior to the freighter as opposed to on it, but maybe not.
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Mar 21, 2008 3:05 AM
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I'm wondering about the sniper(s)- Are they The Others on the lookout for threats, and if so, were they somehow "ordered" by Ben to take out Karl and Rousseau? Or, is it Lapidus and whoever else went on that "errand" the freighter cap. ordered? Could they be Charlotte and Daniel? I don't think the snipers are Charlotte and Daniel. It did seem there were silencers on the guns. I thought that 1st. shot sounded like a blow dart or arrow. Blowing my mind how Michael & possibly Future Jack can't die! LOVE this roller coaster ride!
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Mar 21, 2008 3:07 AM
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When I get married one day and my wife wants me to hold off on watching a show I'll probably watch it and play dumb when watching it with her for "the first time."
You say that, but try it!! It's a lot harder than it seems. Plus, you won't want to hurt her feelings.
I assume.
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Mar 21, 2008 3:07 AM
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I guess I'll risk the wrath of the bloggers {would that be blogger wrath? Sounds like an affliction} and of my blog sisters....forgive me, Just, Rose, Wheezy, CQ & Daesey, but I just found this episode to be one of the worst in the history of the show.
Maybe I missed something, but is there some reason it HAD to be Michael on board that ship...other than to further the storyline, of course??? I mean Mr. Friendly could have hired any sociopath who'd have gladly done the deed. Why Michael? Seemed contrived. Didn't provide any interesting sidelines for me. I felt when Hurley said that about knowing all that weeks ago, he was talking about this whole episode. Walt was still little, yet we know that just a couple of weeks ago (on the island) he was grown, so that could be an interesting twist. And I'll give you that the last 5 minutes were exciting, but as for the rest of it....I could barely stay awake! Truly, I AM a huge fan.
Sorry......I hope my armor is thick enough to take the slings and arrows!!!
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Mar 21, 2008 3:10 AM
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You say that, but try it!! It's a lot harder than it seems. Plus, you won't want to hurt her feelings.
I assume.
You're right. You got me haha
Maybe I missed something, but is there some reason it HAD to be Michael on board that ship...other than to further the storyline, of course??? I mean Mr. Friendly could have hired any sociopath who'd have gladly done the deed. Why Michael?
Since Michael was stuck in the real world feeling miserable and having no way out this was his way for redemption. He was the perfect person to recruit. Actually he was probably the only valid one to recruit seeing as that any random sociopath has no connection to the island while Michael is well aware of it. They needed someone who knew who they were and they could manipulate. Any random person wouldn't fit that description.
Plus in a twisted way they think that they're doing Michael a favor and helping him prove that he can be "one of the good guys" instead of the bad guy that he feels that he's become.
That's what I got out of it. I was kind of hoping that there would be a twist and Eloise would be Ben's spy.
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Mar 21, 2008 3:16 AM
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Well I knew there could be that interpretation, but it just didn't ring my chimes tonight. Maybe I'm disappointed in the show, maybe in myself....but I am disappointed. Darn it.
And it's depressing enough to have to wait 5 weeks for another episode!
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Mar 21, 2008 3:22 AM
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P.S. Good recap, Mickey.
Intelligence and humor....good combination for a reviewer/recapper.
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Mar 21, 2008 3:23 AM
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Michael's story is one that has been anticipated for almost two years so I can understand expecting more out of the episode. There's nothing wrong with disappointment. I would have liked to have seen his initial arrival back in the real world but I guess that having him converse with Walt at this point wouldn't be the best idea since he's aged. So with that in mind I feel that they started at a nice point and imo offered a reasonable explanation for his return.
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Mar 21, 2008 3:30 AM
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I thought this episode was good, not mind blowing but good. I also wanted more on how Michael and Walt got
rescued.
I just want to throw this out.... at the end of S1 finale, Mike was on the phone in the Sydney airport. He was apparently talking to his mom and he told her "this wasn't supposed to happen like this" well something like that. Does anyone remember this? Locke rolled by in his wheelchair during that scene, when Michael's back was turned. I don't have a clue to what this means....but I found it interesting.
Tom....Well, well, well. How did Tom get to New York, was he time traveling? But this was a couple of weeks before Naomi arrived to the island.
I wonder how Michael will get out of the mess that Sayid put him in and I wonder why he’d willingly put his friends back on the island in even more danger knowing that Michael told him that they had bad intentions. Maybe Sayid has a plan. I’am also thinking that the Others are possibly the ones who shot at the three, possibly to get Alex and then come for Ben. If not then it's what Ben predicted. Maybe Frank's "errand" involved bringing those who did the firing, Keamy included of course. Both good points Dystrubed. I hope Sayid has a plan to why he outed Mike/Kev like that with what Mike told Sayid is going to happen. And I think ur right about Frank's errand with Keamy. The last time we saw Frank, Keamy asked him are u ready to go. And don't forget that we saw Keamy doing some skeet shooting. After Karl was shot, and Danielle, and Alex ran to cover behind the tree.....why didn't they crawl on their arms instead of standing up to run away? Standing up to run away like that was a stupid move. But I also hope that Danielle isn't dead. I want to know more about her stay on the island, and how Ben was able to take Alex away from her.
Michael Emerson would have nothing left to do this summer than ready his Emmy acceptance speech, I agree about that.
The next few weeks are going to be tough without Lost. *SIGHT* But as I see it....it gives my mind a rest from over thinking with this show. I think I will read one of the books that they keep referencing on this show.
Looking forward to reading everyone's comments...including BrandonL.
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Mar 21, 2008 4:25 AM
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That's what I got out of it. I was kind of hoping that there would be a twist and Eloise would be Ben's spy. Thats funny Dystrubed Dan's rat Eloise as the spy.
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Mar 21, 2008 4:32 AM
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