Previously on Lost
Okay, will jot down some thoughts on season six, up and until this Tuesdays glorious episode. Spoilers galore, obviously, so do not peek behind the cut unless you're up to speed. Or don't care about being spoiled.
Truth be told, this season has seemed to me a bit slow. Most of my disgruntlement can probably be attributed to the fact that I really didn't care for the Temple, or its inhabitants. Dogen and Lennon - I'm so very glad you're dead, 'cause you were as boring as waiting for the bus on a cloduy winter afternoon. About as annoying, too. You just want the bus to come, so you can get out of the cold, and get going. But instead you're stuck with bloody Dogen and his doopey-looking side-kick. Yeah. Not amused.
Still, they're dead now, the temple is ruined, kind of. Go Team MiB! Yes, I prefer to refer to the Nemesis as the MiB, 'cause of the Stephen King-ness of it. Unlocke is fun, too, but only refers to him in his Locke-a-likeness. Same goes for Flocke, except it's less funny than Unlocke. Esau, okay. I can do Esau. But Stephen King = more fun to read than the Bible. So MiB is still better, yes? Smokey... yeah, okay, but I think we can all agree that we need to look beyond the smokiness and see the man. We are more than our jobs, people. So, MiB it is, 'cause that's the name that manages to encompass all of MiB's various appearances, and still points back to his ultimate nature as, well, the man in black on the beach with Jacob. (How do I know this is his ultimate nature, I hear you ask? Seriously. We've been watching this show for more than five seasons, and you still haven't figured out that questions seldom get any straight answers - or any answers at all? C'mon.)
While on the subject... I was originally not convinced that MiB was quite as evil as one was led to believe. However, having watched carelessly slaughter a whole bunch of people, I’m going to put my foot down and say it: this is not a nice guy. Then again, neither is Jacob. Manipulative bastard, that one. Think he’s got us fooled with that understanding smile of his. Yeah, right. So, no Team Jacob or Team MiB for me. I’m for Team Human all the way. And, as my icon would indicated, Team Ben. I’ll get back to him and to his awesome as fuck episode, Dr. Linus, in a minute or so.
The producers have claimed that this season - and indeed the whole series - is less about the mysteries of the Island, and more about telling the redemptions stories of the characters. This pleases me. Don’t get me wrong, I want to know more about the Island, and if we don’t get at least a few answers to the many riddles the series has presented us with over the years, I’ll be pissed. But I love this show because I love these characters, and I’m generally a big fan of redemption. Happy endings all around! Not really pleased with what’s going on with Sayid and Claire, but at least it’s not going on with any of my real favorites: Ben, Sawyer, Miles, Hurley. Nothing bad must happen to these guys. Particularly not to the first two, ‘cause then I might blow all the fuses and go berserk crazy and kill someone.
Well, not really. But I’ll be upset for a week or two. Really, stomach-wrenching upset. There might be tears. That’s the trade-off. If you want to experience the exultant, pure pleasure of getting obsessed with any fictional tale, you need to be emotionally invested. And if you are that, you are bound to react badly when things go wrong for the people you’ve come to, in a way, love.
Talking about Sawyer - he’s been annoyingly absent in this season. From what I’ve heard, though, the next episode, is Sawyer centric. Hope it’s true. Don’t dare to look things up too closely; spoilers is a no-go this time around. Unfortunately, this means I’m not really able to participate in discussions or read the many theories either. See, if you find a theory you really like, you’ll be disappointed if it is disproven. Or, if you happen to stumble upon a theory that turns out to be correct, you’ll be forewarned, and the surprise doesn’t happen. And I like to be surprised.
Will Sawyer stay on Team MiB? I’m thinking no. He’s just really upset over Juliet’s death. Frankly, so am I. They were such a great couple. I used to Skate, but ever LaFleur, I’ve been a hardcore Suliet girl. Episode 6x04 only proved that they were meant to be. And considering Juliet’s dying words “we should have coffee sometime” and “it worked”, I have some hopes that they’ll hook up in the ALT universe.
As for ALT, I’m currently favoring - without any proof whatsoever to back it up - that ALT somehow takes place after the original timeline. Something happens at the end of season six to bring it about - it is not, as most assume, the detonation of Jughead that created ALT. *shrugs* As I said, no proof to back this, and besides I’m trying not to get too attached to any theories, for the reasons mentioned above.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, for the latest episode of this epic show, the brilliant 6x07, Dr. Linus. Seriously, what can I say? This is one of the best episodes of the entire series. I’ve been a die-hard Ben fan since season four (liked him before that, but he was no a favorite of mine until then), and during season five he either tied with or replaced Sawyer as the best character on the show. I love Ben. I love that he’s lying and lying and lying, and then lying to cover it up. And it works. Almost all the time, it works. I just adore people that are good at what they do… I love that he manipulates people like nobody’s business. I love that he’s a conniving, ruthless bastard. I love that he gets beaten down, and beaten up, and tied up, but still manages to worm his way out of it - again, and again. I love his understated sarcasm. I even love his eyes. (Okay, so I don’t love his out of the blue crush on Juliet. ‘Cause that made no sense, and just seemed awfully off, in my opinion.) And I love that he’s not only a villain, but a victim. I love that he loves his daughter. I love his foolish loyalty to the Island. I love that he is greedy and power-hungry, and that this probably motivates him just as much as his aforementioned loyalty.
And I love that at the end of the day, he’s lost and confused and fucked, and he knows that it’s (mostly) his own fault. He knows that he’s been manipulated by someone who is far, far better at it than even Ben himself, and that he has ruined everything that ever meant something to him. And so he is prepared to go join MiB, knowing full well that MiB is the devil, the darkness, the anathema of everything Ben ever wanted to be. Not because he is offered the power he had and lost and dreams of, but because “no one else will have me”. Except Ilana does, and I tell you - I had my doubts about this girl, but right now, she’s so on my Good List.
People say the jungle scene made them cry. I get that, but I didn’t cry. I was smiling like crazy. I was smiling like crazy when Anakin died in ROTJ, too. Nothing turns me on like redemption. I guess I’m weird that way.
And in a different world, or a world to come, Ben is a teacher. Quiet, disappointed (and yeah, I don’t like to see my favorites disappointed or sad, so I’m already writing fanfic in my mind where he is offered a great position at Yale, following his ‘daughter’ Alex there) but ultimately caring and decent, prepared to give up is own dreams of power for the happiness of others.
You know, a lot of posters have pointed out that the ALT timeline is separate from the original one, and thus that the characters there are not the same ones as on the Island. Since most of the ALT versions seems pretty decent, they have no need for redemption, and since they are separate from the original versions, their decency does not equal redemption for the ones on the Island. I understand the argument, but I disagree. Isn’t redemption at least partly about realizing that we need not be what we are, that we can be different and better, and that change is always possible? Does not the notion of redemption deny the innateness of evil, and instead tell us that evil is found in our choices, and that different choices are possible? Knowing that our favorite Losties could have turned out differently and lived different lives, does this not allow us accept that, flawed as they all are, they are not the spawn of the devil - not Ben, not Sayid, not anyone - but just… people. This is not to negate their moral responsibility for their choices, but merely to confirm their humanity; and that, ultimately, they are not all that different from us.
Oh, I don’t know what I’m on about. Or actually, I do, but I have no way of communicating it comprehensibly. Sorry about that.
Anyway, I am now totally crushing on Ben. I was earlier, too - it’s been going on ever since re-watching season five earlier this year in anticipation of the premiere of the current season. It’s wonderful. It’s like being in love; the giddiness, the euphoria. It happens to me once in a while, when I get really enthusiastic about a particular character in a work of fiction. Endorphins coursing through my veins - it’s the best feeling in the world, and the reason while I am, and will always be, a fangirl. Fandom is my drug of choice. Alcohol could never make me feel this good.
Wow. That turned out to be longer than I meant it to. And I haven’t even covered all the interesting topics yet. But I have important stuff to do - you know, relating to the real world with real people in it - so, this will be it for now.
In closing, allow me to paraphrase the Norweigan comic strip character Nemi, regarding my love for Ben:
Guy: Now that you at long last fall in love, wouldn’t it be nice if it was with someone who is a little easier to hang out with than Benjamin Linus?
Nemi: We hang out all the time. I’ve re-watched his episode like a million times already.
Funny thing about loving bad guys though… Are you supposed to be sad or relieved they’re not real?
Truth be told, this season has seemed to me a bit slow. Most of my disgruntlement can probably be attributed to the fact that I really didn't care for the Temple, or its inhabitants. Dogen and Lennon - I'm so very glad you're dead, 'cause you were as boring as waiting for the bus on a cloduy winter afternoon. About as annoying, too. You just want the bus to come, so you can get out of the cold, and get going. But instead you're stuck with bloody Dogen and his doopey-looking side-kick. Yeah. Not amused.
Still, they're dead now, the temple is ruined, kind of. Go Team MiB! Yes, I prefer to refer to the Nemesis as the MiB, 'cause of the Stephen King-ness of it. Unlocke is fun, too, but only refers to him in his Locke-a-likeness. Same goes for Flocke, except it's less funny than Unlocke. Esau, okay. I can do Esau. But Stephen King = more fun to read than the Bible. So MiB is still better, yes? Smokey... yeah, okay, but I think we can all agree that we need to look beyond the smokiness and see the man. We are more than our jobs, people. So, MiB it is, 'cause that's the name that manages to encompass all of MiB's various appearances, and still points back to his ultimate nature as, well, the man in black on the beach with Jacob. (How do I know this is his ultimate nature, I hear you ask? Seriously. We've been watching this show for more than five seasons, and you still haven't figured out that questions seldom get any straight answers - or any answers at all? C'mon.)
While on the subject... I was originally not convinced that MiB was quite as evil as one was led to believe. However, having watched carelessly slaughter a whole bunch of people, I’m going to put my foot down and say it: this is not a nice guy. Then again, neither is Jacob. Manipulative bastard, that one. Think he’s got us fooled with that understanding smile of his. Yeah, right. So, no Team Jacob or Team MiB for me. I’m for Team Human all the way. And, as my icon would indicated, Team Ben. I’ll get back to him and to his awesome as fuck episode, Dr. Linus, in a minute or so.
The producers have claimed that this season - and indeed the whole series - is less about the mysteries of the Island, and more about telling the redemptions stories of the characters. This pleases me. Don’t get me wrong, I want to know more about the Island, and if we don’t get at least a few answers to the many riddles the series has presented us with over the years, I’ll be pissed. But I love this show because I love these characters, and I’m generally a big fan of redemption. Happy endings all around! Not really pleased with what’s going on with Sayid and Claire, but at least it’s not going on with any of my real favorites: Ben, Sawyer, Miles, Hurley. Nothing bad must happen to these guys. Particularly not to the first two, ‘cause then I might blow all the fuses and go berserk crazy and kill someone.
Well, not really. But I’ll be upset for a week or two. Really, stomach-wrenching upset. There might be tears. That’s the trade-off. If you want to experience the exultant, pure pleasure of getting obsessed with any fictional tale, you need to be emotionally invested. And if you are that, you are bound to react badly when things go wrong for the people you’ve come to, in a way, love.
Talking about Sawyer - he’s been annoyingly absent in this season. From what I’ve heard, though, the next episode, is Sawyer centric. Hope it’s true. Don’t dare to look things up too closely; spoilers is a no-go this time around. Unfortunately, this means I’m not really able to participate in discussions or read the many theories either. See, if you find a theory you really like, you’ll be disappointed if it is disproven. Or, if you happen to stumble upon a theory that turns out to be correct, you’ll be forewarned, and the surprise doesn’t happen. And I like to be surprised.
Will Sawyer stay on Team MiB? I’m thinking no. He’s just really upset over Juliet’s death. Frankly, so am I. They were such a great couple. I used to Skate, but ever LaFleur, I’ve been a hardcore Suliet girl. Episode 6x04 only proved that they were meant to be. And considering Juliet’s dying words “we should have coffee sometime” and “it worked”, I have some hopes that they’ll hook up in the ALT universe.
As for ALT, I’m currently favoring - without any proof whatsoever to back it up - that ALT somehow takes place after the original timeline. Something happens at the end of season six to bring it about - it is not, as most assume, the detonation of Jughead that created ALT. *shrugs* As I said, no proof to back this, and besides I’m trying not to get too attached to any theories, for the reasons mentioned above.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, for the latest episode of this epic show, the brilliant 6x07, Dr. Linus. Seriously, what can I say? This is one of the best episodes of the entire series. I’ve been a die-hard Ben fan since season four (liked him before that, but he was no a favorite of mine until then), and during season five he either tied with or replaced Sawyer as the best character on the show. I love Ben. I love that he’s lying and lying and lying, and then lying to cover it up. And it works. Almost all the time, it works. I just adore people that are good at what they do… I love that he manipulates people like nobody’s business. I love that he’s a conniving, ruthless bastard. I love that he gets beaten down, and beaten up, and tied up, but still manages to worm his way out of it - again, and again. I love his understated sarcasm. I even love his eyes. (Okay, so I don’t love his out of the blue crush on Juliet. ‘Cause that made no sense, and just seemed awfully off, in my opinion.) And I love that he’s not only a villain, but a victim. I love that he loves his daughter. I love his foolish loyalty to the Island. I love that he is greedy and power-hungry, and that this probably motivates him just as much as his aforementioned loyalty.
And I love that at the end of the day, he’s lost and confused and fucked, and he knows that it’s (mostly) his own fault. He knows that he’s been manipulated by someone who is far, far better at it than even Ben himself, and that he has ruined everything that ever meant something to him. And so he is prepared to go join MiB, knowing full well that MiB is the devil, the darkness, the anathema of everything Ben ever wanted to be. Not because he is offered the power he had and lost and dreams of, but because “no one else will have me”. Except Ilana does, and I tell you - I had my doubts about this girl, but right now, she’s so on my Good List.
People say the jungle scene made them cry. I get that, but I didn’t cry. I was smiling like crazy. I was smiling like crazy when Anakin died in ROTJ, too. Nothing turns me on like redemption. I guess I’m weird that way.
And in a different world, or a world to come, Ben is a teacher. Quiet, disappointed (and yeah, I don’t like to see my favorites disappointed or sad, so I’m already writing fanfic in my mind where he is offered a great position at Yale, following his ‘daughter’ Alex there) but ultimately caring and decent, prepared to give up is own dreams of power for the happiness of others.
You know, a lot of posters have pointed out that the ALT timeline is separate from the original one, and thus that the characters there are not the same ones as on the Island. Since most of the ALT versions seems pretty decent, they have no need for redemption, and since they are separate from the original versions, their decency does not equal redemption for the ones on the Island. I understand the argument, but I disagree. Isn’t redemption at least partly about realizing that we need not be what we are, that we can be different and better, and that change is always possible? Does not the notion of redemption deny the innateness of evil, and instead tell us that evil is found in our choices, and that different choices are possible? Knowing that our favorite Losties could have turned out differently and lived different lives, does this not allow us accept that, flawed as they all are, they are not the spawn of the devil - not Ben, not Sayid, not anyone - but just… people. This is not to negate their moral responsibility for their choices, but merely to confirm their humanity; and that, ultimately, they are not all that different from us.
Oh, I don’t know what I’m on about. Or actually, I do, but I have no way of communicating it comprehensibly. Sorry about that.
Anyway, I am now totally crushing on Ben. I was earlier, too - it’s been going on ever since re-watching season five earlier this year in anticipation of the premiere of the current season. It’s wonderful. It’s like being in love; the giddiness, the euphoria. It happens to me once in a while, when I get really enthusiastic about a particular character in a work of fiction. Endorphins coursing through my veins - it’s the best feeling in the world, and the reason while I am, and will always be, a fangirl. Fandom is my drug of choice. Alcohol could never make me feel this good.
Wow. That turned out to be longer than I meant it to. And I haven’t even covered all the interesting topics yet. But I have important stuff to do - you know, relating to the real world with real people in it - so, this will be it for now.
In closing, allow me to paraphrase the Norweigan comic strip character Nemi, regarding my love for Ben:
Guy: Now that you at long last fall in love, wouldn’t it be nice if it was with someone who is a little easier to hang out with than Benjamin Linus?
Nemi: We hang out all the time. I’ve re-watched his episode like a million times already.
Funny thing about loving bad guys though… Are you supposed to be sad or relieved they’re not real?