The Ashcan

The LOST Interrobang: DY-NO-MITE! (S6E7)

Posted on 11. Mar, 2010 by theashcan in Television, The Lost Interrobang

Knowing that the ingredients for a good LOST episode is a healthy mix of “!!” and “??” Jef and Anupa will be interrobanging the show’s final season every week. As LOST winds down to its conclusion, can its creators dish out all the needed explanations without resorting to exposition? Can they keep up the mystery without succumbing to just more mindfuckery?

This week I noticed we were numbering our episodes incorrectly because we didn’t count the premiere as two episodes, which it technically was. Nothing that a lil’ time travel through the archives didn’t fix! And so here we are magically at episode seven, “Dr. Linus”, where Richard tries to go out with a bang and Miles finds something to do and god we hope we’re just imagining this sexual tension between Ben and Alex! Sorry, I guess this SPOILER ALERT came too late? More after the jump:

Jef: So yesterday you were all like ‘I need to let it marinate!’

Why so?

Besides the fatigue, of course.

Anupa: Because, I felt like sooo much happened and it was such an intense episode. And that + running on not much sleep = difficult to verbalize.

The worst part is though, that I still don’t feel ready to talk about the episode LOL

I mean, I know what I loved: the terrific acting, the great story, the return of ALEX, the references to Nikki and Paulo who seem like some kind of LOST-related inside joke/meme more than real cast members….

Sigh, so much to love.

Jef: I fucking adored the Nikki and Paulo reference, because that is one of my favourite episodes.

Back when LOST had time to slow down and have fun.

I feel like the show is always two steps ahead of us.

Last week we were talking about Ben and Miles having nothing to do

and this week? Ben and Miles.

I guess that’s more like one step ahead of us. But still. AHEAD.

Anupa: Yes, even when we don’t think it is (because we’re stupid), it totally is.

Where do we start?

I loved talking about redemption and stuff last week because this week it was so obviously imbued in Ben’s storyline.

I mean, the writers are now starting to beat you over the head with the themes, but they do it in a fantastic way. Well it’s either that, or the actors. That scene between Dr. Linus and his dad (so totally endearing) could have been the depths of ironic and bad: “IMAGINE, SON! WHAT IF WE STAYYYYED ON THE ISLAND!”

But it didn’t. I mean, it did in a didn’t way.

Ya smell me?

(not literally)

Jef: You’re definitely right about the actors, especially with Emerson. He sold the dad scene, but also the blackmail scene and the FORGIVENESS scene which were hard fucking scenes to sell.

(look at all those scene words!)

Anupa: Seen guy

Jef: On the topic of redemption — Ben got it in both realities, didn’t he? That’s something new, and not something I would have expected for him.

Anupa: Yes. I loved it. And he wore it so well.

Like, we’ve been trained to see Ben act a certain way—always one step ahead, always manipulative, always in control (even when he’s not)

But seeing him trailing behind the principal (“Walk with me”) or confessing to Ilana…

It was so unexpected, but still not out of character.

Jef: “Because he’s the only one who’ll have me!”

Anupa: AHHH!

I loved that line.

Jef: That’s right up there with John’s “But I don’t understand.”

MONEY LINES.

Anupa: For real.

Speaking of John, I loved that scene in the lunchroom with Arzt (!!!) when he encouraged Ben to take the principal’s job.

There was so much awesome between-the-lines-iness there

I mean, the fact that Ben usually comes up with the schemes, the way Ben usually influences people to do things, how Locke willingly said “I’ll follow you.” They mirrored the way we know them, but in a completely seemingly unrelated arc.

Jef: Yeah and also different enough for us to chew on. Here we have Locke egging on Ben instead of the other way around.

Anupa: It was Locke influencing Ben to follow power, instead of vice versa.

Exactly.

Jef: I also like that we see Artz in the same episode that we re-visit the pile of shit (pirate ship)

Anupa: Yes!

I hated how blasé they were about handling the dynamite.

I mean I know they “can’t” die or whatever—and I know we got a great, memorable death scene outta Artz—but that was annoying.

Jef: They’re both mad self-destructive though.

Anupa: I don’t think Richard was self-destructive until then. And, I mean, it was kind of justified given what happened… he had nothing to go off of anymore.

I’d wanna off myself too. In a fucking jungle with a smoke monster and my dude is dead.

Jef: Well yeah that’s what I mean though. In that moment, he wanted to die. And Jack’s always been reckless with his body body.

Anupa: His body body? As opposed to his body?

LOL

Jef: Yeah, I sing-songed it in my head.

Anupa: Hurley was hilarious “I’ll be like, a mile away.”

Jef: LOL

I am really happy about how these teams are turning out

with Richard and Ben on Team Jacob.

Do you think Sun and Jin will ultimately be on opposing sides?

Anupa: Yes. And I think it’s going to figure into exposing some kind of weakness in either side…

Like, they’re not going to turn on each other per se… but either they’re going to have to choose for “the greater good” or they’re going to break rank causing shit to hit the fan.

Jef: Honestly I’m thinking Jin fucks up. Last week we saw Sayid NOT get reality-2 redemption and we also saw Jin caught up in the same mess. I don’t think he’s gonna get “saved”. I’m saying, Jin stays getting fucked around man.

Anupa: Well, we didn’t actually see what happened with Jin.

Jef: What are your feelings on Jack? He’s kind of shifted to Locke’s old role, which I find really interesting since they were always on opposite ends.

Anupa: Well, I mean I understand the rationale behind him all of a sudden shifting to this “Man of Faith” but it still feels very out of character. That doesn’t feel like Jack, it doesn’t feel natural—maybe the progression wasn’t done well.

I mean, this very well may be his new purview but, I’m saying, I don’t fully believe it.

Not that that matters… LOL

Jef: No you’re right — Locke reached his believer role out of pure faith. Jack’s just tired and beaten and this is where he’s ended up. He doesn’t know what to think anymore and Jacob’s kinda had to push him around a bit, but here he is nonetheless.

Anupa: I mean, they spent sooo much time making Jack a resister. Now he just buys it, you’re right, he’s just tired. This is easier?

Jef: I buy it. People find faith at the end of their rope, which Jack’s been at for a couple of episodes now. And now that the spyglass showed him that yeah, something special is up with him he’s willing to admit at least that there’s something going on.

Anupa: But that’s not genuine, you could see it in how he laughed post-almost-dying: he’s maniacal and frantic.

Jef: Lol he’s existential like that. Fate is a tragic comedy.

Anupa: On a side note, I laughed real hard when Richard showed up and Jack was like “So tell us what’s going on?” and Richard was like “Not yet”—it felt like the writers were joshing us.

Richard: “Not yet!”

Jack: “Mmmkay!”

Jef: Haha yeah that’s how I felt in the other ep where Smokey was like “Time to talk, Richard.” And then Richard pretty much runs away into the forest.

Anupa: He’s like a crazy, emotional woman.

I mean that in the least un-feminist way possible.

Jef: Richard? Haha yeah, with his impeccable mascara.

Anupa: I am jealous of his well-defined eyes.

Jef: I like that he always kills it with the hairstyle.

Anupa: So this means that Richard has a purpose still.

Jef: I hope his purpose is EXPLAINING STUFF.

Anupa: LOL

Not yet.

Jef: Lol so back to reality 2 for a second

Were you scared that Ben was gonna hook up with Alex??

Anupa: AHAHHAHAHA TOTALLY

Jef: I was like WHY IS SHE THERE AT NIGHT

GROSSSSSS

Anupa: TRUST ME!

The library scene: ARE THEY FLIRTING?

Jef: Yeah dude she pulled up next to him and everything.

The writers are messed up. You KNOW they did that on purpose just for kicks.

Anupa: Orrrrr our pedo-meter is always on high alert.

I was also really really hoping we’d get to see Rousseau again.

Like, a lot.

Mostly because I want to know what that actress looks like all clean and shit.

Jef: I’m thinking she looks like Richard.

Anupa: Alex?

Jef: Haha no nvm

Anupa: OH

LOL

So basically Ben’s storyline made us feel all warm and gushy and happy and shit.

Jef: Haha yeah. It drove home that he’s kind of a sweet guy.

Man this episode is hard to talk about, because there is all the serious PLOT stuff going on

But also so many nice small moments I want to touch on.

Anupa: Like when we find out that Ben sacrifices the position for Alex?

Like when he’s heating up organic food for his once-an-asshole dad?

UGH! BEN <3

Jef: Yeah and the scene with the dad with the veggies

Yeah!

Anupa: LOL

Jef: Fuck let’s just list them all

GO!

Anupa: When he offered Artz his parking spot at the end.

Jef: Miles reading Jacob’s mind and sarcastically being like “Uh-oh!” to Ben.

Anupa: Digging his own grave.

Jef: Hurley waking up with “CHEESE CURDS!”

Anupa: LOL!

Jef: Dude Ben’s grave was perfectly rectangle! That guy has skills.

Anupa: AHAHAH I noticed that too.

If I had to dig my own grave, I’d make it into a heart shape.

Or a dollar sign.

They’d have to lay me in it all squiggly.

Jef: Yeah we’ll snake you into it.

(I like how I picture myself there at the funeral.)

My favourite moment of course was the slow-motion beach reunion.

Which gets me EVERYTIME.

Anupa: YES! LOST has the slow mo, sappy music, everyone hugging, with one bad seed lurking in the background-scene down pat.

Jef: I want that scene in my life.

Anupa: Next time I see you, let’s run to each other slow mo.

Jef: It HAS to be the beach. With the music.

And Walt’s dog.

Anupa: I was trying to make this do-able but now you’re just being extra.

I liked Jack’s line about going back to the beach to start the beginning. It sets up the search for answers really nicely.

Jef: You’re right, being back at the beach sets everything up.

We have them back home, and Smokey over on the other island just like the Others.

It’s war time

or Widmore time, at least.

Anupa: What the hell was up with that?!

I don’t remember anything about Widmore, so I forgot what role he plays in all of this.

Except for the fact that he’s Penny and Farraday’s dad.

And that he used to be on the Island but got kicked off.

Jef: He’s Ben’s nemesis, they were always fighting for control of the island.

Anupa: Right. Also, I hate submarines.

They’re mad sinister.

If I saw a periscope on the beach I’d lose my shit.

Jef: Periscopes are scary!

I don’t think a submarine can beat Smokey though

We should do rock paper scissors with submarine, smoke monster, and Kate’s guns.

And yes, I mean her biceps.

?

Anupa: Kate’s guns would lose every time.

Jef: That’s why the game is fun!

Anupa: Submarine, smoke monster and that fucking weirdo fence.

Jef: Ooooh

Submarine, smoke monster, hydrogen bomb?

Anupa: Yes!

Jef: Lol. Anything else you’d like to touch on?

Besides Richard being “touched” by Jacob

Anupa: Yes! This might be obvious, but did Ilana bring Jacob’s ash because she knew Miles would be able to tell her what happened?

Or was that all purely fluke.

Jef: I’m thinking she knew.

She knew that Miles had nothing do to.

Ilana was good in the forgiveness scene too. I wasn’t expecting to ever like anything she did.

Anupa: Me neither. I’ve been holding a grudge against her because I have no idea who she is or where she came from.

f

oops that was an unintentional f

Jef: Haha I was like damn, Anupa is frustrated about Ilana.

Anupa: It was subliminal.

Jef: She deserves it.

Anupa: Alright, verdict? Since I gotta get the hell out of here?

Jef: Very much an Interrobang.

Anupa: Mine is more of an !

Excitement! Happiness! Not ending on a fucking irritating note!

Ben!

Jef: Awesome.

Should we be like this episode and end with a surprise guest appearance?

Anupa: Whatchu mean?

Simon has joined

Jef: Hey Simon.

Simon: Sup?

Jef: L O S T

Simon: What?

Jef: (I know I’m the only one laughing, but I’m laughing hard)

Anupa: Jef, you’re relying on gags now to sell our Interrobang.

STOP CHEAPENING IT.

Simon: Just post it!

Tags: Ben Linus, cheese curds, Dr. Linus, Lost, Lost recap, Michael Emerson rocks, Nikki and Paulo 4eva, Richard Alpert, slow motion reunions, submarines, The Lost Interrobang