"Lost" Season 2 Episode 10 - The 23rd Psalm

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green [1] pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest [2] my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

There it is kids. The 23rd Psalm. So, did our favorite writers/producers (currently on TV) come up with the #23 initially to refer back to this psalm? Or did they look through the book of psalms, find psalm 23...realize it was one of the most famous psalms, and THEN write an episode based on it? Ahhh these are the things that keep me up at night. Kinda like the whole Chicken/Egg mystery (Don't even get me started.)

Okay, before I go any further, I would like to apologize for just getting my notes to you now. I've been a little preoccupied with 80 degree weather, tropical drinks, and well....all things Miami. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me!

So what is there to say about our long awaited episode that hasn't already been shared while I was out of the office? Well, I really can't say since I just watched the episode last night and listened to our buddies Preston and Steve and their Thursday Podcast to see what I missed. So I'll just share what I found very intriguing, and anyone else can feel free to chime in with whatever they may have discovered.

So, this was the EKO flashback episode. And, many have been gossiping and theorizing that he would somehow be linked to the Nigerian Drug Smugglers and the yellow plane (yes I said yellow! more on that in a bit) found crashed in the trees of the jungle on Fantasy Island... (well they were right!) The same plane that brought Boone to his ultimate end and brought a whole bunch of questions about our buddy John Locke. But it was also the same plane that Sayid and Charlie conveniently came across in their search for the black smoke (in the season 1 finale) and Claire's baby. To our knowledge Charlie snatched up "one" of the Virgin Mary statues jam packed with heroin, a favorite pastime of the has been rocker. Eko has a friendly chat with Claire...they discuss Eko's "Jesus Stick" (kudos to Charlie for that gem! more on the stick in a bit) which leads to the unveiling of the Virgin Mary statue....a fight between Claire and Charlie, and a whirlwind adventure for the unlikely duo of Eko and Charlie.

We find out in flashbacks that Eko was a good Nigerian kid who saved his brother from a task of killing a priest by doing it himself. Eko was taken away by a local gang and is corrupted into a life of crime which would eventually bring him back to his brother (now a priest) for assistance on smuggling drugs out of Nigeria. The Virigin Mary statues were being sold to raise money for a Polio vaccine by the church. Eko, in his mind, is doing a good deed by completing the fundraiser and getting drugs out of Nigeria so they can't be used by their people. Either that, or he was just trying to convince his brother to sign Eko access to the church plane and dress them up as priests. By the end of the flashback....Eko's bro calls the cops (or the military???) to stop the plane....but tries to save Eko in the process. People get shot....including Eko's bro....and GOLD TOOTH GUY comes to rescue.....he pulls Eko's bro onto the plane....and kicks Eko to the curb....the plane takes off....and Eko resumes his life as a GOOD and HOLY man, and we assume that he is inspired to repent for his sins by taking over his brother's task in life (that of a Priest).

On our favorite Island....Eko is adamant about finding the plane and forces Charlie to take him to it. Charlie lies in the process...takes him to the wrong place. Eko gets violent....and calls Charlie out on the lying. Then Charlie is asked to climb a tree. Charlie: "We're Lost!" (haha...good one writers!). Charlie does climb the tree....and then there's the noise. That clicking noise that can't be mistaken. The Black Smoke "Security System" Monster has returned for another viewing. And guess what? It's the first appearance since the season 1 finale! We've been too busy with the Others and the Tailies to even notice. Well, we got an interesting view of it this time as it crawled up beside Eko and stared him in the face (The Abyss anyone??).

I immediately drew a parallel to Locke's first experience with the "monster".....the monster came right up to Locke and he made the same face that Eko did....and he stood there and stared at it. Locke had noted that what he saw in the monster was "HOPE." Eko noted that he was unafraid. So, has anyone watched the episode a second time yet (or rewound their TiVo's?) to take a closer look at this scene? Apparently there are images in the smoke.....memories of Eko's Past....(which happened to be his flashbacks).

You can see all pictures here http://lost.cubit.net/investigations.php (031)

What does this signify? Did Charlie see something different? Feel Free to debate! We eventually track the plane down with Eko and find his dead brother and gold tooth man... And Eko gives his brother a proper ceremonial funeral and burns the plane. We can only assume Eko had never known if his brother survived when he got on the plane.

Other storyline follows Michael and his prepping for his Walt Rescue. Apparently Michael did not inform anyone he used the computer to communicate with "someone" (are we sure it's Walt? I'm not sold!) Rumors are going around that maybe Michael is imagining the whole thing, since the screen was blank when Jack came around the corner and looked. Either that or Michael was able to mask the screen or even idle time will make the messages disappear. "walt" said that he is okay.....but that "you have to co..." oh crap....Jack came in! Michael saw the rest of the message but we didn't! And I'm sure many will theorize on what the rest of the message says. But I'm going to go with the fact that it was an urgent message to come and get him! Until I'm sold otherwise, at least. Michael also did some Rifle training with Locke....and apparently has the same keen sense of aim as his son (remember the knife throwing?) Michael blew up a canister of Dharma Ranch dressing in one shot. (I guess Hurley didn't share ALL of the food??). Oh...by the way...when locke set the lock (haha) combination for the guns.....he went RIGHT 25 and LEFT 29. What does this mean? probably absolutely nothing. But I thought I'd mention since I took note of it. That was pretty much it for the Michael story. So has word of the extra film (orientation video) spread to entire lostaways?? I would think we'd be informed somehow if it did. But somehow Michael knows not to tell anyone what he's doing. So that's a bit confusing.

Oh..few more things....Sawyer got a haircut....I'm sure all of the ladies were happy about this. And we got a bit more Love Triangle fun with Jack bringing Sawyer his medicine while kate and sawyer were having a jolly ol time. We also had our musical ending once again (i keep forgetting to count and see if it's every 4th episode). Claire kicks Charlie out....(if Charlie is continuing a life of evil...he cannot help Claire raise the baby)....and we see that Charlie is a little more obsessed with the Mary's than he led on....as he has a secret stash of about a dozen of them! We do know Charlie is religious from his flashbacks....but it's most likely the candy inside that is making him feel better. But I don't think he has dipped back into using just yet. It's only a matter of time.

Ok...time to get into some questions that are bugging me as well as some hidden stuff in episode:

• Ok...why is the Plane in the flashback Orange and White and the one on the Island, yellow?? Is it the lighting? Is it decay? is it a different Plane?
• And how does one fly in such a small plane from Nigeria to the South Pacific? (since that's where we assume they are?) Does this mean they refueled somewhere and/or changed planes? Where was their destination? Could it also mean that this island isn't located anywhere on Earth's Map? (aka...another dimension...time? Ahh yes these rumors have returned!)
• Was there a 3rd person on that plane? I have to watch again but it seems that the plane took off very quickly after slamming the door on Eko. Maybe this 3rd person can reveal how they ended up on the island?
• Could we see Eko's brother again on the island....as we have seen Jack's dad on the island? Do the dead rise again? Always a fun rumor to bring back!
• Eko's "Jesus Stick" has the following inscriptions: 23rd Psalm, Revelations:3, "Hateth," Colesians T14, Titus:3, Psalm 144 A Preston/Steve(P&S) emailer mentioned a few things on possible meanings. I can respond with comments later with that information.

That's it for now. I'll try to get pictures up later. Was having problems this morning. But you can see them all from the link above. Again, I apologize for the delay....and I will try to get the next one to you sooner (at some point on thursday!)

Have a wonderful Day!