Definitely better than last week, but it's still hard for me to take the alt timeline seriously... it was also annoying that Locke was lying to Helen, so I didn't feel the chemistry from their earlier episodes. It was fun to see Rose, Hurley and Ben, but it still seems random and unlikely.
I also didn't enjoy seeing Sawyer be manipulated like that, playing right into Flocke's hands.
Having said that, there were some good moments... Rose/Locke's conversation, the Richard parts, parts of the Sawyer/Flocke dialogue, the weird cave, seeing Sun and Ben.
I know some people aren't happy with new questions, but I'm loving it. I didn't want season 6 to just be some big answer-fest. I want to enjoy the show the same why I did the last five seasons - scratching my head and wondering what the hell is going on. So I was very intrigued with the apparition of the boy, and that it seemed to scare Flocke, and that Sawyer could see it.
And the reveal of the numbers - awesome. And creepy, at the same time. I'd have been freaked if I walked in there and saw my name and the names of my friends scrawled on an ancient cave. Nice reveal, still left things to wonder about (why those numbers), and new things to think about (were all those names candidates, or just pawns in the game?).
And why wasn't Kate listed? I hope it doesn't have anything to do with killing her, but I have a feeling none of them are going to make it out of this alive.
Spoiler:
There's an episode coming up entitled The Last Recruit I believe - maybe that's when Kate gets recruited. Though I'd hope it would actually be ALT Juliet, but sadly that ain't gonna happen.
And why can't Flocke change anymore? He can still turn into a pillar of smoke, but he's tethered to that one apparition now. And why is he sounding a lot like the old John Locke with his "Don't tell me what I can't do?" Loved it.
Despite the fact MIB apparently wants to kill all our beloved Losties, I still appreciated his desire to get the hell of the Island. Unless it's one long con to prove Jacob wrong about people, MIB is tired of being the Island's vincent, and wants to exercise his free will and screw destiny. Can't blame him for that. Then again, if he had the same choice he mentioned to James, then maybe he only has himself to blame for his situation. But how long should he have to pay for a bad decision?
As for my favorite character, I really appreciated seeing savvy, intelligent Sawyer again too, though it was really sad to see him back to his hating-on-life self after having been so happy with Juliet (still holding out hope for that coffee date). Much as he'd like to project the I-don't-give-a-damn vibe, it's worth mentioning he was ready to put a bullet in Flocke after Richard warned him Flocke wanted to kill his friends.
I was happy to see Locke with Helen in the ALT, but was so sad to see he didn't call Jack. I hate to see the Man of Faith giving up.
Ben's little eulogy made me cry. Every time I think he's a cold-hearted model student, he shows there's a human being in there.
I don't love Rose as much as some, but I cheered when she came on the screen. I thought The Incident might be the last we ever saw of her. Sad to hear she still had cancer though.
Well, those were the highlights for me. No wonder I gave it a ten.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lowerstreet
I also didn't enjoy seeing Sawyer be manipulated like that, playing right into Flocke's hands.
Well, let's hope Sawyer's going to be smart enough to see right through that little story of Flocke's, especially because it was mirroring exactly what Flocke himself was doing - hitting James up at a vulnerable time, and manipulating him to do what Flocke wanted.
Last edited by TRoss; 02-17-2010 at 02:50 AM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
I gave it a ten! Between Smoky Cam, the ghost of Jacob Past, James sitting around in his underwear guzzlin' whiskey and seeing things more clearly than everyone else, terrified Richard, Locke and Helen in the Alt as well as Hurley being a cool guy and Ben being a dweeby European History teacher (shocker!), Rose working at the temp agency and the cave of names, this episode was packed with all kinds of information and mystery and a few feel good moments.
Now all I need to figure out is who's zoomin' who - Locke or James?? Fantastic episode and I'm so thrilled that Locke's alt is better than the timeline we're used to.
That was so brilliant that I'd like to give it an 11, but the dial doesn't go that high so it gets a solid 10 from me.
Terry O'Quinn is an acting god.
Playing a version of our beloved Locke (in the Alt) as a man who has some struggles but is well loved and not embittered. Delightful to see.
Then playing Faux Locke, who is strong and malevolent in his scenes with Richard, but suddenly panicked by the sight of that blond child.
Then portraying a Faux Locke who is falsely trying to "play" Sawyer - and may I say good luck with that. Heh.
Playing our actual beloved and sadly-deceased Locke, who was finally put to rest in this episode. I ache for the fact that he really did die such a sad and lonely death in that shabby hotel room, and it's some small comfort that they buried him in the cemetary near their former beach home.
All that in one episode! I can imagine TOQ must have been thrilled when he got that script. Juicy!
Also strong in this episode was Josh Holloway. Sawyer and Locke scenes are always a treat, and as they're still together at the end of the episode, I look forward to seeing more of them. So hooray for that. "The Brig" is one of the best episodes in the series, IMO, and this one is right up there with them.
So many other things to love in this episode. The child who speaks with authority about the rules; Cool-Richard being terrified (eek!) of the MIB; the awesome smokey-cam scenes; and of course, the cave walls filled with crossed out names, to name just some of them How ominous to see our castaways' names on that wall. *shudder*
Brilliant episode! It deserves an 11, that's all there is to it.
I really liked it, 9 because it wasn't perfect. I liked seeing MIB's cave with the names and numbers. Richard was soo scared all the episode. Also, I want to know who is the boy, I know a lot of people are thinking he is Jacob or Aaron but I don't want to theorize now.
Gave it a 9 because it was Locke centric and I liked the writing better than last week. I suggest that the alt timeline officially gets renamed "Pleasentville".
No wonder I gave it a ten.
Love that AU Locke gets to live with Helen... and of course I about died laughing when I saw Ben as a teacher. 
RIP KFZ 
and unblocker of doors (Al and Bob)
and
and 