The Ashcan

The LOST Interrobang: They’re baaaack (S6E12)

Posted on 15. Apr, 2010 by theashcan in Television, The Lost Interrobang

You can always count on Sun to know what we’re thinking

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?

Considering three semi-mega characters from past seasons showed up (although one of those cameos was predictable enough) in “Everybody Loves Hugo,” we’re venturing into surprises-guised-as-answers territory. We started out loving this episode and all of its Hurley-ness, but as our conversation commenced we realized—once again–that we’d been duped into thinking progress was being made when it really wasn’t. But, we did find out about the whispers so at least there’s that. Spoilers, boobs and Erykah Badu references, post-jump.

Jef: Help me out! I missed the beginning of Hugo’s slideshow retrospective.

What’d I miss?

Like, he just won the lottery? Or what?

Anupa: No, I don’t think it said…

Jef: So it was just Myles’ dad talking bout how Hugo’s all amazing and shit?

Anupa: Yup

Jef: Ah ok

Anupa: Why are you spelling Myles like Alannah Myles?

Jef: LOL

Best. Random. Reference. Ever.

But yes, episode was nuts

Anupa: “Black Velvet” was my shit.

Jef: I can karaoke the fuck out of it, yeah

Anupa: Let’s do it: LOST inspired karaoke

I wanna do Petula Clark

“When you’re alone and life is making you lonely you can always gooo… DOWN TOWN”

Jef: Anything but “You All Everybody”

Anupa: I like how you make a “You All Everybody” reference in every Interrobang

It’s your ringtone isn’t it?

Jef: I should get a tattoo

Anupa: Sorry, ringtune.

Jef: Then all the time I’ll be like “I HATE THIS TATTOO”

Aha OK.

Should we start with Libby or Michael?

Anupa: UMM

Jef: Or Brunette Kid?

Or Ilana?

GAH

Anupa: What about Marvin Candle, a.k.a. Daddy Miles?

Do you think that was a random “they are all connected” moment? Or something else?

Jef: It didn’t feel weight at all so I’m inclined to just say random connection. BUT given how tied in to the science of everything he was, AND given the fact Miles is still alive for no apparent reason—yeah, maybe something more.

That was a long-ass “I don’t know.”

Anupa: Don’t hold back!

But that’s why it was interesting, given how central he was to that whole Dharma thing and the fact that he was connected to a character who continues to live on the island-present…

But anyway, that was OH SNAP moment number one

Michael was definitely number two…

Quick: who were you expecting?

Jef: I was just expecting Libby from jump

I’m glad Michael made an appearance, but I’m disconcerted that he didn’t mention Walt ONCE

Anupa: I think that would’ve detracted from the storyline

Hopefully that will come.

I liked that it was Michael, given his connection to Libby

Jef: Yeah hopefully it comes, but it felt like that was Michael’s swan song

Then again…so did when he died.

Do you forgive Michael for killing Libby? Was he sympathetic?

Anupa: I think he knows what killing her means in the grand scheme of the Island

That’s likely what he meant by “we’re stuck here because of what we did”

Jef: I wonder how much these ghosts will actually play in the final actions. Are you content with the whispers=ghosts answer, and are you concluding Jack’s dad is really kicking around in ghost form somewhere?

Anupa: Um, well I was happy Michael said that because that seems like the show’s first attempt at providing a straightforward answer…BUT I think that was a conclusion we all could’ve come to.

And as for Christian, sure. But, why would he be there if he didn’t die there?

Jef: Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. Which either means sloppy explanation, or, whispers=ghosts, but all the visions we’ve seen might have been something else altogether.

But that’s too mind-fucky for me…

Anupa: I’m leaning toward sloppy explanation at this point

Thinking that one was a freebie for the masses

Jef: One thing that Michael did for me was remind me of a time when there were black people on this show

Anupa: Yes, the days of lore.

Before they were plot devices who got speared by CLHHHAIRE.

Jef: Honestly! There really isn’t anyone left is there?

I guess Rose is technically still out there somewhere, living the life with Bernard.

Anupa: She doesn’t count because she’s a race traitor.

KIDDING

Jef: Ahaha no one will see the brilliance of the sideward-turning Gchat smiley

Anupa: Michael also reminded me of Walt.

I mean, if they don’t explain Walt now, I’ll be extra salty because they didn’t have to bring Michael back just to remind us they’re not explaining it.

Jef: Yeah man, that’s why I’m concerned Michael didn’t mention him at all, because if ever you’re going to set up a Walt thing this was the time

Not even a “say hi to my son” or ANYTHING

The other big return of the episode: LIBBY

Shall we?

Anupa: Oh man.

Her eyes are as big as Juliet’s boobs.

Jef: I’m saying, people stay getting hotter in reality two.

Anupa: At first I thought they changed her name to Rosalita

Jef: And GREEN, her eyes are so GREEEEEEEN

Anupa: Cus she eats a lot of vegetables

Jef: * rimshot *

Anupa: Hey diggy diggy

I get infinity points for two Erykah Badu references IN A ROW

Jef: (I just sang “you betta call Tyyyyrone” in my head and LOLed)

Ok well I know Libby has been an issue with fans

Having her show in reality two but not really revealing much about who she was in reality-prime—was this satisfying?

Anupa: They didn’t reveal too much about her in the first place

I’d venture to say the most intriguing thing about her is WHY she was in the institution with Hurley in those flashbacks…

So even though we didn’t necessarily get those answers, seeing her in that setting was oddly satisfying.

Jef: Her appearance here didn’t really qualify that big reveal that she was also in the madhouse

I guess it just shows that reveal was something they pulled out of their asses and couldn’t follow up on

I can let it go. I dug her here. But still, it’s like she’s just there to provide this MOMENT for Hurley. Which is something that, more and more, all the women on this show are here for.

Am I reaching?

Anupa: Yikes, don’t say that. I mean, we’ve yet to see how Sun and Kate’s storylines play out…I mean, maybe it’s by virtue of there being more male protagonists.

But, I do feel more and more that this episode was more about placating with guest appearances than providing real answers

Am I reaching too? LOL

Jef: No no, you’re on point with that.

And I would have said the same about Kate and Sun if not for the fact that we’ve already seen their flash-sideways stories, and neither of them did much of anything in them. Even worse, Sun got shot.

I was kind of hoping Ilana would prove to be a last-act badass, but, uhm, yeah.

Anupa: I just figured the Kate and Sun stories aren’t necessarily resolved yet…

Okay wait, I’m confused about a couple things

They already went to the Black Rock and that’s how Ilana got dunned off Arzt-style?

And, what did she say to them before she blew up? Ben said that she told them who they are?

Jef: “Told them who they are” as in, they’re candidate, I think.

But yeah, they didn’t show it to us, but I had to just assume they picked up dynamite already.

Which makes Ilana EXTREMELY STUPID for throwing her backpack down.

You’re right. That scene was sloppy, joe.

Anupa: AGH! You are making me hate this ep!!

Jef: HAHAH

Anupa: And I started out loving it

Jef: Me too though!

OK let’s talk about some good stuff?

Er. Let’s see. Libby’s eyes, check.

I have to say, that scene in the fried chicken joint with Hurley and Desmond was well done.

I’m not sure if it was the acting or whatever but that played really well for me.

Anupa: Dez is on some weird, Jacob-esque stalker shit

Or like the bad guy from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Slugworth

Jef: Oh snap

Anupa: DEZ IS THE NEW JAKE

Jef: Is that all Jacob is? Some guy from a THIRD REALITY crosssing over and touching all his old friends?

That was a joke.

But eerily could be backed up as a theory.

So this is what Dez was planning to do?

Visit everyone on the manifest and if they say something weird, tell them they’re not weird?

Or…run them over?

Anupa: Well that was interesting too, because I was wondering how he was going to go about this whole getting the manifest and “showing people” thing…

And his methods have proved interesting: from stalking to ordering fried chicken (STRANGE FOR A MAN WHO RUNS STADIUM STEPS, NO?) to running over Locke

Jef: Yeah it’s not much of a plan at all—but your comparison with Jacob is one that I like: I never thought of the parallel before.

It’s hard to say what kind of weight it carries. With all the mirroring going on in this show, which ones actually MEAN something and which ones are just playful?

One good thing I can say; it makes Jacob seem more like just a regular dude, which is something I liked from the Richard episode.

The less these dudes are gods, the more I feel safe about the finale.

Anupa: Right.

It’s just these dudes who have been changed by an experience.

I think it reinforces the “Dez is special” theme too

Which was interesting….given his whole interaction with Locke. When he was talking with Locke, before he got Timmy O’Toole’d, he said there is nothing special about him… but we’ve been told he is special.

Jef: Yes, big co-sign on alla dat. Also, if Dez does somehow end up actually inheriting the Jacob position, it’s a good way to keep the mythology in tact while also proving that the characters were in charge of their Destinies the whole time. Jacob would still be “special” but he wouldn’t be a prophet. He’d just be some dude with a list of draft picks.

A list that could be proven wrong.

Anupa: EXACTLY.

Jef: But also interesting about Dez’s talk with Locke was when he said “You’re John Locke.”

Anupa: YES.

YES.

Jef: And we got that awesome reaction shot.

Anupa: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!?

Jef: IS he John Locke??

Anupa: I THINK HE IS.

Jef: When Dez runs down Locke pt 2 at the end, assuming it was a revenge killing, it’s either 1) he didn’t know Locke wasn’t Locke, or 2) he knew EXACTLY who he was and that’s why he tried to murk his ass

Anupa: Well, I mean, my immediate thought was that he did it to enable Locke meeting Jack….

Given his whole ENABLER thing… though everyone so far has been fucked with via a romantic partner..

Jef: Yeah, I was assuming that too. But damn he GUNNED for him, and considering other Locke just threw him down a well, I dunno.

Dude, what if Smokey IS Locke like you’re thinking?

I can’t decide if that would be awesome or really not awesome!

Is this something you’d want to happen?

Anupa: YES

Because it would tie into the original Crazy Locke

Jef: And realize the Jack vs. Locke battle that we initially started with

Anupa: I like the idea of him being obsessed with this shit and playing into this game the whole time

Jef: If it happens like that though, I hope at least one of the Lockes is a good guy

How you figure all these random ass kids figures in to the picture?

The raggedy-ass kids walking around in the forest

Anupa: Well I was curious about that because remember when Sawyer saw that kid and Flocke freaked out?

Jef: Yeah dude and that was also the first time we saw the Locke/Smokey comparison.

I think that’s where your theory was:

When he screamed “Don’t tell me what I can’t do!” to the kid

Anupa: YES!

We’re seeing shades of real Locke

Jef: Hmm

I wonder—if this is actually happening or not—whether it was Real Locke all along, or are the two merging somehow or if Locke is asserting himself somehow?

This episode seems to have asked more questions than provided answers I feel

Anupa: AHHH… in true #LOST fashion

OMG, I actually put the hashtag in not on purpose

CRINGE

Jef: LOL it’s become part of you

Anupa: A couple of holes: where did Jin go again?

Jef: He’s with Widmore

Anupa: Oh yeah

Jef: He’s getting Widdy with it

Anupa: You rule. I am being genuine.

Also: what was Hurley looking at in that little velvet bag, just before Richard spazzed the fuck out on the beach?

Jef: Yes yes. I’m assuming it was Ilana’s, but yeah what was it?

It kind of sucks that that’s all Ilana was good for—she left a pouch for Hurley.

Aside from Ben’s redemption (which could have been provided by anyone, really), she didn’t really accomplish much else.

Whatever it was, it gave Hurley some balls.

…maybe it was balls in there?

Anupa: Was it Jacob’s ashes?

Dude, you are bursting my bubble

Jef: Maybe but I don’t see why that would be such a big deal like that.

Anupa: This show is not going to end well.

THERE, I SAID IT.

Jef: Hurley already talks to the dude, you know?

Hahaha I’m giving you that impression?

I’m like the only person on the Internet it seems who STILL has faith in this show

Anupa: No. You are not alone (c) MJ

Miss Info loves it too.

Jef: And I love Miss Info!

Anupa: More than Mary Choi?

I’M TELLING.

Jef: So you liked this episode at first glance?

Tell me some good shit about it.

Anupa: Libby’s boobs were out of control when she was on the beach cheese date with Hugo.

So, there’s that.

Jef: I’M SAYING.

REALITY TWO.

It’s frisky over there.

Yo

On some HD tip

Anupa: Uh huh?

Jef: There was a shot on the beach where she had this huge thing in her teeth

Then the next shot it was gone.

Totally distracted me from the cleavage.

Anupa: Can you screencap that somehow?

PREASE!

Jef: Haha I’m not that cool though

…you’ve seen my photoshop skills.

Anupa: You know what else I loved about this episode? The whole walking through the jungle shit… took me back to the old LOST.

All of these camps of people just traipsing around

Jef: Oh yes that reminds me!

What did you think of Jack’s leader speech?

A.K.A. his “maybe I should fall back” speech?

Anupa: LOVED IT!

Jef: Haha, did you love it because you want Jack to fall back?

Anupa:  He’s repenting.

(And that)

Jef: Yeah, that was a huge-ass moment for that character

And the episode wasn’t even about him!

Jef: So yeah, I liked that. Especially because the show’s been so NOT Jack-centric lately, which is weird given how it started off in S1, so this makes that shift more of a character development rather than, you know, just scattershot screenwriting

Anupa: Verdict?

Jef: It had some ? moments, and also ! moments, but never at the same time really.

I like to be tag-teamed by that shit (paws).

So yeah. A ! and a ?, but no interrobang.

Anupa: Eeeenteresting

Because the hat trick of cameos in the beginning (Candle, Michael and Libby) totally raised this to an Interrobang level for me

?!

Jef: Sigh, yeah, I think that we had a Michael and Libby recall at ALL elevates the episode

But I feel like Hurley on the beach overall. “Uhm….hey.” Speechless. Sort of. Yeah.

Anupa: How do you break the ice with a Smoke Monsta?

Jef: Haha is this one of those bad-jokes?

HOW?

Anupa: “Hey… good thing the batteries are dead in my smoke detector”

Tags: back from the dead, boobs, Desmond, Erykah Badu, fried chicken, Hurley, Libby, Locke, Lost, Michael, the crazy, Waaaalt