LOST: Season 6 Episode 12 - Everybody Loves Hugo

Hello LOSTIES!!!  Right now, I'm still a little speechless from this episode.  Still picking my jaw up off the floor.  Don't worry, I think we all can be assured I'll eventually find some words to fill out the always lengthy recap!  But WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!!  LOVED -------- THIS ---------- EPISODE!   Am I an easily pleased LOST fan?  You betcha!  But this episode had everything a final season episode should have.  EXPLOSIONS, tying up loose ends to previous season mysteries, EXPLOSIONS, twists, turns, turns, twists, EXPLOSIONS, picnics on the beach!, Hit and Runs, fried chicken, EXPLOSIONS, reunions (still no Jin and Sun), groups splitting, great music, movement towards the end game in both timelines, and have I mentioned it yet?  EXPLOSIONS!   "Dude, you have some.....Ilana on you"   Insane!  Okay, in all seriousness, explosions are a good time and the ones we got in this episode came in some shocking ways.  But what it all boils down to is great character moments.  And we had some great ones in this one.

"Everybody Loves Hugo" (mirroring the season 2 episode entitled "Everybody Hates Hugo" was  a very solid Hugo "Hurley" Reyes outing.  With Desmond, now "in the know" on things, the Sideways story is getting more interesting by the episode.  We keep exploring the LOVE Connections of our former Island dwellers who are in this timeline that seems "Off".  Hurley has a run-in with a love interest of his in a former life and they go down the rabbit hole together to relive a little bit of their other existence.   On the Island, Hugo gets another ghostly visit and is put in direct conflict with Ilana and Richard's plans to blow up the Ajira plane.  Flocke is intrigued by Desmond's arrival with Sayid to the group and we have some interesting moments there.   Sawyer and Kate are getting impatient on when they're actually going to DO something.  And of course, the biggest shocker of the night was saved for the end with a non-Hugo sideways moment that will surely get people buzzing!   All of these events are building towards an awesome climactic conclusion where who knows what the outcome will be?  I'm getting more and more psyched with each episode.  Let's dive into the recap!

Flash Sideways - Hugo Reyes

Golden State Natural History Museum

Now, I know Hugo doesn't go by Hurley in the Sideways realm, but I'm still going to call him Hurley anyway!  This "Hugo" stuff is for the birds!  Anyway, so we open up to a black screen with a very familiar voice talking about how Everybody Loves Hugo!   I think we all knew whose voice that belonged to! 

• It's none other than Pierre Chang!  As we found out in prior episodes this season, Miles said that his father works at a museum with Charlotte.  And of course we found out last week that Daniel Faraday ran into Charlotte at this very museum.  Now we have another crossover by seeing Pierre Chang actually honor Hurley with a "Man of the Year" award and dedicate the new Paleontology wing of the museum to one of the city's greatest benefactors: Mr. Hugo Reyes.  

• Also by using a slideshow, we get a little backstory on Sideways Hurley.  Although, they don't talk about how Hurley comes up with a large sum of money.  Do we assume he won the lottery in this timeline also?  Does it not matter?  They just talk about his lifelong love for chicken allowing him to acquire the Mr. Cluck's franchise, making it a world wide competitor, and then also getting into humanitarian stuff.   He clearly has lots of money to throw around, so I'm not sure why they wouldn't bring it up.  If he was never in the institution he never would have met Leonard to get the numbers.  And of course, it looked like even Leonard wasn't in Santa Rosa either when we go there later.
  Update: Thanks to Commenter Jackson for refreshing my memory that Hurley tells Sawyer in episode LA X that he won the lottery.  Whew, can't believe I forgot that one.  Maybe he didn't play the numbers though?

• Not sure if it's worth noting that we see Hurley opening Mr. Cluck's chains all over the world including Egypt, which we know has strong ties with the Island as well as Hugo painting a picture of the Sphinx when he was at Santa Rosa.   And of course, another picture with a Volcano.  Not sure which Volcano it is or what Asian country it is (feel free to comment and let me know!) but we do know that there is a volcano on the Island as well.  So, little intentional or unintentional shout outs there.
  UPDATE:  Thanks for the many emails and comments letting me know this was Mt. Fuji.  I probably should have known that one! 

• Chang refers to Hugo as a "Beacon of Light" for everyone he comes into contact with.  This could be a subtle allusion to the Lighthouse or just add onto things we have already seen with how helpful and friendly this version of Hugo is with all of the Losties he comes into contact with.  Granted, Hugo is always friendly!
• Note in Chang's list of things that Hugo has done, it included donating to open hospitals.  Hmm, maybe the hospital where Jack works?  Since it seems everyone is heading that way anyway, maybe Hugo will be meeting up with everyone there too.  (And, yes, we cannot forget the Police Station either as there are many gathering there as well)    
• We also saw a picture of Hugo supposedly standing in front of the Box Company that he owned in both timelines (where Locke works and Randy is his boss)

• Anyway, it appears that everyone thinks Hurley is the greatest thing ever, except his concerned mother.  All she wants is for Hugo to find a nice woman.  Again, with the theme of most of these sideways LOSTIES being unable to find love (exceptions: Locke, maybe Sun/Jin).  And leave it to Mrs. Reyes to set her son up with some chica named Rosalita!  
• We must also note that Hurley's Mom mentions that Rosalita is Grandpa Tito's neighbor's daughter.  If you recall way back in season 1's "NUMBERS" episode, Grandpa Tito died of a heart attack right after Hurley was interviewed for winning the lottery with those dreaded numbers!  Looks like he is alive and well in this timeline. 

Hurley's Date at Spanish Johnny's
We join Hurley at what looks to be a Mexican restaurant with an interesting name.  He is waiting for Rosalita who appears to be a no show.

• That is totally okay because guess who DOES show up?  Yep, LIBBY!  And this isn't just your ordinary sideways Libby.  This is a Libby who has seen the light.  She has drank from the Charlie Pace/Daniel Faraday-Widmore Kool-Aid and believes in true love.   She also believes that she has seen Hurley in another life. 

• Poor Hugo, his first reaction was thinking it was Rosalita and saying he didn't expect that he could be set up with someone so pretty.  He claims later to not be great with the ladies.
• Libby thinks Hurley will think she's crazy if she told him why she was there.  She asks Hurley if he believes 2 people can be connected, like soul mates.   Hurley just nods saying "I guess" at the pretty lady saying she that he is her soul mate and goes with the flow.
• Libby is upset that Hurley doesn't "remember him".  Here's a question for you, do we think it's strange that the characters that are deceased in the Island timeline are identifying with the Island timeline quicker than everyone else?  (Charlie, Daniel and now Libby)  Granted, I don't know what that says for Eloise, but there's still tons to speculate about with her! 
• Before Libby can explain any further, guess who shows up? Dr. Brooks from Santa Rosa Mental Institution!  If you recall in the season 2 episode "DAVE" Dr. Brooks was Hurley's psychiatrist.  She has come to take Libby away say that she just wandered off. 

• Before Libby is taken away she tells Hurley that she meant everything she said and looks very serious.  Hurley follows them out and sees the Santa Rosa van.

• Now, we're going to get into future scenes where we can try and see if we got an answer to why Libby was in the institution on the Island timeline.  I'm not sure we will be able to 100% deduce the reasoning just yet though. 

Mr. Cluck's

Depressed/Confused Hurley goes to one of his franchise restaurants and orders a Family Size bucket of chicken.  He will have a "chance" meeting with a fellow Sideways Flight 815er.  But before then we must meet the Mr. Cluck's employee operating the register!

• Why it's Samm Levine of course!   I know he has been in tons of stuff, but his "street cred" started when he was on Freaks and Geeks (which shamefully, I have never seen).  I guess he is probably a big LOST fan and was able to sneak into a little cameo!

• We hear the order numbers being called off starting at 38 and going up to 41.  And what do you know Desmond just happens to be in the Mr. Cluck's as well!   He asks Hugo if he knows him from somewhere and then says they were both on Flight 815 (if you recall last week, Hurley told Desmond at which baggage claim their luggage was going to be).   Hurley is not really in the mood to talk but Desmond asks just to sit with him until his number is called. 

• Hurley says that he eats when he is depressed.  And Desmond asks "what's her name" immediately diving right into why he is there.   Hurley goes on a rant about how he met a great girl who was crazy.  Once Desmond mentions that all women are a little crazy (Hey he said it, not me!), Hurley had to specify that he meant she was full on nuts and in a looney bin.  And then what made it even stranger is that she claimed that they already knew each other.  And HE would certainly remember. 
• This triggers Desmond and what happened to him recently with his Charlie and Penny encounters.   He asked Hurley if he believed her when she said that she knew him.  Hurley said that he kinda did.  Des tells Hurley to go with his gut on this one.  And that he should try to find out where she thinks she knew him from. 
• And of course with that bit of knowledge dropped on Hurley, Desmond's number 42 was called. (so saw that coming a mile away and loved every minute of it!)   Desmond leaves after he says it was "Nice bumping into you".   Ironic that he chose those words especially with what happens later on in the episode.  But clearly this was not a chance meeting.  Desmond is on a mission to "SHOW" all of the Oceanic 815ers their other existence.  To what end?  Well, that we're not sure yet. 

Santa Rosa Mental Institution

We open up at Santa Rosa on a very familiar, if not the same, picture of an Island in Dr. Brooks' Office.  Hugo came to talk to Libby. 

• Dr. Brooks doesn't really think this is a good idea.  He made a mistake in bringing Libby out for a "Fajita Field Trip" (nice one Hurley!) thinking she would be okay.  But he says that Libby has issues with Reality.  Hmmm, we'll discuss in a bit.
• Hurley ends up paying off Brooks with a $100,000 donation for the Rec Room so that he can go talk to Libby.  Good times!
• We head into the said Rec Room and see a different man playing Connect 4.  In other words, like I said before, not Leonard!  So we still have numbers being thrown all over the place in this Sideways realm, but we don't have Leonard spouting off the numbers at Santa Rosa?  That's what makes me think Hurley didn't win the lottery.  At least he didn't win it the same way if he did win. But whatever, if we find out we find out!   We also see Hurley scanning around the room.  There is a chalkboard with another picture of an Island on it. 

• The only thing I have seen close to a "reflection" in this episode is a quick glimpse past the TV in the Rec Room.  Not sure if this counts or not! 

• Then Libby arrives, and is very happy to see Hurley.  She thinks he remembered their past life.  But he hasn't, he just wants more information on where she thinks she knows him. 

• Libby then goes into it.  She saw Hugo on one of his Mr. Cluck's commercials and then it hit her.  It was like all of these memories of her life came washing back.  Only, it was of ANOTHER life.   She remembers a plane crash (hmm was she on Flight 815 this time around?  We never found out).  She remembers being on an island and she thinks Hurley was there too.   She said that they knew each other and they liked each other.   She said that when she got to Santa Rosa that she felt like she had been THERE before too and that Hurley was there with her as well.  
• Hurley says he has never been in a mental hospital before which she knows.  But she had to go and talk to him because if he remembered her, then ....who knows!?!    
• Okay, let's pause for a second.  So we don't get an official answer to why Libby was at Santa Rosa in the Island timeline.   But we do know she looked a little more crazy then.  We know that she had a husband named David (hmmmm imaginary DAVE?  will we ever know?) that died.  And that Libby gave David's sailboat to Desmond.   But why was she in that institution?   Was she obsessed over Hurley in BOTH timelines?  Was she having REALITY issues in the Island timeline too?  Having memories of the sideways timeline?  That doesn't make sense if Jughead truly caused this sideways timeline.  Will we ever get this answer?  This episode seemed to be the best possible chance of getting it and we skirted around the issue once again.  Maybe Libby will return for a future episode, but I'm not sure the Cynthia Watros signed on for more than one spot!  It would be nice if she did.  
• Hurley still doesn't remember and Libby acknowledges that she's crazy.  Hurley is nice to her though saying that it takes a lot of guts to go up to a stranger and say that she knows him from some Bizarro/Alternate Universe (nice, I happened to use all 3 of those words in the Season premiere blog until I read that Darlton informed us that they do not like the worlds "ALTERNATE" or "Bizarro" because that suggests it is not real.)  
• Hurley mentions his fear of even talking to women.  Libby smiles and tells him he's doing just fine.  And then Hurley finds the courage to ask Libby on a date.  And well, the water was starting to fill in my eyes because if you add in all of the Island talk about Hurley never getting to take Libby on that first date, and then we see that he's going to in Sideways land?  Well, if you don't get a little choked up, you have no soul like Sayid!  (I know, harsh, but true!)  
• It turns out that Libby is voluntarily in the mental institution so she can leave whenever she wants!  Interesting, was she voluntarily there in Island time when she was absolutely psycho looking and obsessively staring at Hurley?  Probably not, but I still want to know!

The DATE

Could the date have been any more perfect?  A beach picnic just like Hurley had planned for him and libby before Michael had to go and shoot her?   Awesome! 

• While Hurley is ranting about cheese, Libby just senses that everything is "OFF".  Being there feels so familiar, like a date they never had.  Crazy, which is exactly what Libby says Hurley must think of her.  She asks why he even wants to be with her and Hurley asks the same question to her.   And poor Hurley goes into the whole "Come on, look at me" thing.  Libby says that she likes him.  (awww so PG!)  Hurley then says that she likes him because she's delusional (ahh good times).

• Before he can say anything else though, Libby plants a big kiss on the rotund guy!  And that is when the fireworks happen!  Hurley starts to remember things from the Island!   Libby realizes she's not crazy and they all live happily ever after!  Well, that may be going a little too far, right? 

• And, we also get a shot of Desmond watching from afar as Hurley and Libby make their connection.   Who is next on the list?   We'll see shortly.  I don't even know if we got anything more to speculate on here.  All we know is that our Sideways Losties are slowly realizing their former lives.  Will they get FULL knowledge at some point?  Do 2 timelines merge into one in the end?  Will the Island LOSTies become aware of their sideways selves?  One would think so, right?  And if we see Charlie, Hurley, Daniel and other couples divided by death having a happily ever after ending in sideways land, are we really going to root for the Island timeline to win out?  Definitely, an interesting question.   And it's all of the same questions we have had since the beginning of the season, but at least we're seeing this play out now.   Everything is coming together!

• One more note on reflections in the episode, the only other thing I could possibly consider a reflection would be Hurley's "Man of the Year" trophy which was see through and lots of light reflected off of it.  But we never saw Hurley's face in it.  Also, Desmond was wearing those sunglasses the whole episode and they were showing reflections but never clearly anyone's face.  Did they just abandon the theme for this episode? 

Team Flocke

Sawyer/Kate/Flocke
As mentioned before, Sawyer and Kate ate getting antsy in Camp Flocke.  They're also not thrilled that Jin is over with Widmore and they're doing nothing about it.  Some interesting moments here to bring up including another classic Sawyer line. 

• We see Flocke whittling a big stick and Sawyer comes up asking if it's going to be a spear.  Flocke says he doesn't know what it's going to be yet but when the time is right it will tell him.  Sawyer says "You talk to wood now?"   Love it!  

• So Sawyer goes on his rant about Jin and hating sitting around.  Flocke says that they're waiting for something.  Kate asks what for.  Flocke explains that they were all only able to come back to the island because they did it together.   If they want to get on a plane and leave, it has to happen the same way.  So they're waiting for Hugo, Sun and Jack to show up.  As crazy as this dude is, that actually makes a lot of sense!   Now, if he's telling the truth, that's another matter all together.  After all, we did see him tell Jacob that if he kills Jacob then he would kill any potential replacement of his too.  

• Anyway, Kate doesn't see it happening that Hurley, Jack and Sun will just roll up into their camp. Flocke says "let's just hope you're wrong" and that's a WRAP on this scene!  I didn't really see it happening either, but you know, things happen and crazy ghosts appear to Hugo and seem to convince him to move in that direction.   Oh by the way, Flocke gives his evil face again and it's as creepy as always. 

Sayid and Flocke go to see "The Package"
Dead-inside Sayid rolls back into the camp and asks to speak to Flocke in private.  They head out into the jungle and Flocke asks him for a situation report.

• Sayid explains (coldly we must add) that Widmore never saw him but some of his people did.  He said he didn't kill them because he had what he was there for.  Well he did kill a couple people and just left Zoe alive.  Interesting that they worded it this way.  But he confirms that he did find out what Widmore had locked in the sub.  And we roll up on Desmond tied to a tree!

• Flocke apologizes for Sayid tying him up but they were afraid he would run before the 2 of them had a chance to talk.  Desmond, fearless, said he had nowhere to run to.  This leads Flocke to cut him loose.  
• Then Flocke goes into Question & Answer mode again.
  
  Why did Widmore bring you back to the Island?  Des's answer:  I was kidnapped, you need to ask him.  Sayid confirms he was under "armed guard"  Desmond said that they threw him into a shack and got blasted with  massive amount of electromagnetism.   Flocke asks how he would know specifically that it was that.  And Des just answers with "Experience".
  
  Flocke then asks Desmond if he knows who he's talking to.  Desmond acknowledges that it is John Locke.  Now, I don't think we ever saw a scene where anyone confirmed to Desmond that John Locke was dead.  So, the question is if Desmond really thinks it's Locke or he is just playing along with the game. 
• Flocke sends Sayid back to camp while he takes Desmond for a walk.   Flocke says there is something he wants to show Desmond and does extend his hand.  Desmond actually DOES take it too.  Not sure if there is significance to this or not. 

Flocke and Desmond go for a Walk

• Flocke asks Desmond to remind him how long he was in the hatch pushing that button.  We recall that it was 3 years of Desmond's life.  Flocke says if he didn't know any better that the Island has it in for him.  Desmond retorts with the fact that the Island has it in for all of them to which Flocke agrees.  
• Then Desmond sees another mysterious boy (similar to Sawyer seeing one).  Flocke can see him as well.   Desmond asks who it is and Flocke angrily suggests ignoring him!  This kid smiles at Desmond and then runs away.  Just because I already got a couple questions on if this is the same kid that we saw before, I'm putting that picture right below this new one.  Seems like 2 different kids.  One with blonde hair and one with brownish hair. 

• Working theory?  This might be Jacob and MIB as kids.  And possibly we will see a backstory with these kids in more detail.  Other working theory?  We have really been watching Peter Pan for 6 seasons and these are some of the Lost Boys in Never Never Land!   (okay, that one was obviously a joke! )   But clearly, we know that the Man in Black is not thrilled to see these ghostly kid images that only certain other people can see.  Desmond can see them now too?  Significant?  It would certainly seem so.   We also know that the Man in Black talked about being a "man" before and that he had a Crazy Mother.  It would seem like we will get these details filled in at some point before the season's end.  So why not drop in images of MIB and Jacob as kids throughout the season?  Like I said, just a theory!  It could be something totally different.  
• Night falls, and Desmond and Flocke reach their destination.  And it appears to be a well similar to the one that led Locke to the Donkey Wheel (prior to DHARMA building the Orchid Station around it).   We find out from Flocke that there are many wells around the Island. 

• Flocke asks Desmond if he's wondering how deep it is.  Desmond says that he read his mind.  When Flocke drops the torch down the hole it's very reminiscent of the season 2 premiere "Man of Science, Man of Faith" when Locke and Kate drop something down into the Hatch to hear how deep it is.  Based on how long this torch fell, it certainly seems not as deep as the Swan Site or the Orchid Site which we know Ben says is "Deeeeeep".   But we certainly draw comparisons to these other holes on the Island. 

• Flocke tells him that the well is VERY OLD.  Of course, he wouldn't pinpoint a date or anything. Why would he?  Obviously, we'll be guessing forever how old this crazy Island is! 
• Although he did say that the well is so old that people dug the well by hand.  (So just for kicks I googled when the shovel was invented.  I got a kick out of the Wiki-Anwer for that one.  "No one Knows")
• Flocke says these people digging the well were not looking for water but for answers.  A long time ago places like they are standing in made compass needles spin.  Yep, you guessed it: Magnetism.  This must be one of the pockets of electromagnetism on the Island.  And if you recall from season 1, once Locke was done with the compass he gave it to Sayid saying that he didn't need it anymore.  Sayid was concerned about the compass not pointing directly north and shared this information with Jack.  We can assume that the proximity to the swan hatch or just electromagnetic activity on the Island in general was throwing the compass off.  But we never saw a compass spin!   Anyway, the people holding the compasses needed to know why they were spinning.   Flocke says that they did not find what they were looking for.   Hmmm, here's a random thought, was MIB and/or Jacob part of this well digging crew?  I guess we'll find out! 
• Flocke says the reason he is showing Desmond the well is to prove that Charles Widmore is not interested in answers, only power.  (Kind of reminds us of Widmore telling Ben off island "That Island is mine Benjamin.  It will be again.")  Flocke suggests hat Widmore brought Desmond back to the Island so that he could help him find what he's looking for.  Like I mentioned earlier, Flocke says that this is not the only well.  Something isn't adding up.  Does Flocke mean that Charles wants to bring Desmond to a bunch of wells and holes in the island and expose him to electro-magnetism to find something?   Do we think that MIB was exposed to some of this electromagnetism  a long time ago and somehow it caused him to take the form of Smokey!?   I know, I'm just throwing out bizarre ideas.  But come on, how do we explain a SMOKE MONSTER without bizarre ideas!? 
• Desmond isn't buying that this is why Flocke brought him out here.  It would seem he is correct.  Flocke asks Desmond why he isn't afraid.  He is out in the middle of the jungle with HIM and o one knows where they are yet he isn't afraid.  Is Flocke suggesting that Desmond knows this isn't John Locke?  Anyway, newly enlightened Desmond sees no point in being afraid.  Flocke smiles at Desmond and then just throws him into the well head first.  WHAAAAT!?!?!?! 

• Well, that would be an awful way for Desmond to meet his end right?  Especially with the BIG PLANS that his return to the Island have promised.  I'm not going to get into previews for next week's episode so I cannot comment any further on speculation to if he's alive or dead.  Crazy ABC and their promos!   
• I will say this though, clearly Flocke sees/saw Desmond as a threat!  

Team Jacob

Hurley at Boone Hill
So we join Hurley on the Island replacing an old flower with a new flower by Libby's grave and giving her an update on what has been going on.  He seems kind of surprised that she hasn't come to visit him.

• Ilana interrupts Hurley and asks if he's ready to go.  She is going to the Black Rock to get some dynamite and then says they're leaving when she returns.   Okay, really?  Remember how long it took them to walk to the Black Rock in season 1?  Did Ilana really have to rush Hurley's conversation with dead Libby because she's going to be gone for half of a day?  Anyway, it was all for the sake of the story, but I still love how traveling on the Island happens so much more quickly now in these later seasons!  

• Hurley suggests that dynamite may not be the best move to blow up the Ajira plane.   Ilana suggests that it's the only plan she has.  And then he defers to the expert. 
• When Ilana asks about the grave, Hurley gives a sweet little recap of his love life with Libby.   Tail section girl, they were gonna have their first date.  It was going to be like a picnic but then she was murdered.  (ugh Michael!)  Oh well, they still got to have their date in sideways land!  Ilana apologizes and then heads to the Black Rock.
• But we're not done yet because we hear some of the infamous Island whispers and then  someone else shows up. (and thank you again ABC for ruining this one in last week's previews!)   It's the ghost of Michael! 

• Michael says he is there to stop Hurley from getting everyone killed.  Hurley doesn't want to trust Michael after what he did to Ana Lucia and Libby.  Michael insists that it doesn't matter right now.  If they blow up that plane, people are going to die.  A LOT of people and it's all going to be Hurley's fault.  He says that people are listening to Hurley now.  So who are the people that would die?  Anyone trying to blow up the plane?  
• And please, I hope no one is going to suggest that this vision of Michael is Smokey!  He clearly was busy the whole episode and judging by us getting an answer on the whispers in this episode I'm going to guess this clearly was a ghostly vision!  The bigger question is, what side are the Ghosts on?  We have Isabella telling Richard through Hurley to stop the Man in Black.  Now we have Michael telling Hurley to not blow up the plane.  Are they suggesting they need to prevent MIB from leaving the Island in a different way?   Oh well, stay tuned! 
• Jack comes and interrupts Hurley's ghostly conversation.  He asks who Hurley is talking to and Hurley denies talking to anyone.  Jack lets Hurley know that they're leaving. 

Debate on blowing up Plane
Ilana rolls back into the beach camp with the dynamite and says that they have to get on the outriggers and across to Hydra Island by nightfall.

• Okay, it's coming more and more together now!  There are outriggers at the beach camp. So maybe when it's finally time to go to Hydra Island they're going to have to go back for the boats to cross the Island (Flocke has one, but they might need more).  And when they get there someone is taking one of the boats into the ocean to get to the Orchid station.  (yes, those someones would be the Time Traveling LOSTIES from season 5)   Whoever needs the outriggers mistaken these people for one of their adversaires and open fire!  Or it's team Widmore shooting at what seems to be the smoke monster disguised as Locke when it actually is Locke.   I'm more convinced than ever that we will get the other side of this scene!   It just turns out that we were witnessing events that were part of the end game of LOST last season.  Good times! 
• Anyway, Ilana and Richard discuss how much dynamite she got.  Ilana explains that she got 4 sticks and that it's enough to blow the cockpit and all of the components. The plane will never fly.   And I'm just wondering after Jack and Rousseau blew up the others in season 3, where they're getting the rest of this dynamite!?!  

• Hurley chimes in suggesting that using the dynamite is not a good idea.  It's highly unstable.  Ilana told Hurley that she has been training for this her whole life and that he needs to trust her.  (Love how Hurley asks if she's been training her whole life to blow things up).  
• Hurley doesn't understand how blowing up the plane will protect them.  Ilana says that "that thing" won't be able to leave the Island.  Hurley brings up a good point "Neither will we and then it will be angry at us."   good times!   
• Ilana then says that Jacob said that Richard would know what to do and this is what Richard told them what to do.  Hurley mentions that Jacob never told HIM anything about this so maybe Richard is wrong.  Ilana says she is looking out for their best interests.  And that "THAT THING"  is evil.   And then she delivers a common line we have heard the past couple of seasons.  "God help us if it ever leaves this island because...."

• Woa........very similar to Arzt blowing up in mid-conversation we get a shout out to the past by blowing up Ilana in the same manner.  But this explosion was 4 sticks of dynamite instead of one leading to a very explosive mess!  WOW.   I spared you the pictures of raining bits of Ilana.  RIP Ilana, you served your purpose well.  Sorry you trained your whole life just to deliver a message!
• Next we see what seems to be Hurley looking through Ilana's stuff.  He sees a book which I have absolutely no idea how to translate!  No fear, I turned to Lostpedia on this one.  It appears to be a Russian Version of Notes From the Underground by Dostoevsky.  That's as far as I'm going with this one.  Read on if you like in the links!  Hurley also looks into a pouch.  I almost forgot what it was, but I just remembered.  It's Jacob's ashes!  Hurley gets a brainstorm. 

• Richard is telling everyone they need to go back to the Black Rock for more dynamite.  Jack argues that maybe Ilana died to show us to stay away from Dynamite.  Richard is willing to take the risk.  Jack brings up that he promised Sun he'd get her off the Island.  Richard says to blame it on him!

• Hurley puts his plan into action and says that he thinks Richard is right and he tells Jack to trust him.  So, just like Michael said, everyone is listening to Hugo and they all go with Richard to the Black Rock. 

Black Rock

• On the way to the Black Rock, thankfully someone starts talking about Island intervention again.  I was beginning to think this whole show is going to boil down to Jacob vs. MIB.  It's good to know that the Island is still an entity and a character on its own in this show.   Ben discusses with Jack about Ilana dying so suddenly after informing them all that they're Candidates.  She was hand-picked by Jacob, trained to come and protect the candidates, no sooner does she tell them who they are then she blows up.  "The Island was done with her."  It's making Ben think about what the Island will do when its done with them.  Very interesting point!  I don't think this line of dialogue was just placed in there for Ben to have something to say.  This seems pretty important!  And it reminds me of stuff that we have been seeing...well from season 1 but more specifically season 4 when Michael kept trying to kill himself but Tom Friendly told him "The Island is not done with you."   And then, on the freighter Christian Shephard appears to Michael and tells him he can go now or whatever.  (I still believe that this was NOT Smokey...I don't know how he would have gotten there!)   This all seems to be part of this whole "The Island is not done with you" thing.  Yeah, maybe this stuff is linked to Jacob's touch in some way but it would seem that the Island is playing a part in this stuff too, in particular, deciding when life ends for certain people.   Should be interesting how this all plays out! 

• Everyone shows up at the Black Rock and then they notice Hurley is not with them.  Next thing we see is Hurley running out from the Black Rock and yelling for people to RUN!  Oh no, he didn't.   Yep, he did!  

• Looks like Hurley pulled a fast one on all of us!  Did anyone else get flashbacks to Locke blowing stuff up in season 3?  i.e.  The Flame station and the Sub.  Of course Locke was trying to prevent people from leaving the Island.  Hurley is trying to keep their method of transportation OFF of the Island viable!   In any case, RIP Black Rock.  We certainly know we are nearing the end of an awesome series if they're blowing up historical landmarks! 
• Richard is beyond peeved and Hurley just says that he is protecting them.  Jack tries to calm down Richard.   Meanwhile, I love how Miles said to Hurley that "A warning would have been nice" and Hurley respons with "I did yell RUN"   Ahhh good times.    
• Hurley explains to Miles that Michael told him to blow up the Black Rock (well, not specifically told him to do that but we get the point "No more dynamite, no more blowing up").   He said it's one of the people that comes back after they die and yells at him.   He tells him that dead people yelling at him "happens enough."  And then he explains that he listens to them because Dead people are more reliable than alive people.   Now, I don't recall all of these ghosts ever yelling at Hurley.  Only Michael!  I guess maybe Ana Lucia raised her voice a bit and Charlie too.  They all have been helping guide his way though.  
• Meanwhile, Richard is not giving up.  He is now planning to go to the DHARMA Barracks and pick up some explosives, to which he asks Ben if there are any left.   Jack wants to stop and talk about it.  Richard says there is no time but he'll welcome any other suggestions to keeping Smokey on the Island without blowing up the plane. 
• Hurley says that he knows what to do.  They have to go talk to Locke.  Ummmm what!?  Everyone looks at him like he's crazy, but then he brings up that Jacob told him to do it.  Recall Jacob's ashes folks.  Clearly, Hurley is lying.  And long story short.  This splits up the group. 
• Richard asks who is with him and states very clearly that if that thing leaves the Island then it's all over.  What is?  EVERYTHING.   Widmore and Richard seem to know what will happen if Smokey leaves the Island.  Naturally, they won't share.  Of course Richard may be motivated by Isabella who said "They're all going to hell" if they don't stop him.  I just love how Hurley went and convinced Richard to come back and now he won't listen to him.  I really hope we don't have argumentative GHOSTS on the Island too!  It's bad enough we can't tell who is fighting for the right cause vs. wrong cause with ALIVE people! 
• Ben and Miles elect to go with Richard.  But Jack clearly states that he's going with Hurley.  And considering the last time that the group split up between Jack and Locke (season 4) and Hurley not wanting to listen to Jack, this was a great moment!   And of course, Frank and Sun decide to go with Jack and Hurley as well.
• Miles tells Hurley that he saw that thing in action at the Temple and it doesn't want to talk.  This is his motivation to go with Richard. 
• Richard advises Jack, Hurley and crew to not get in their way.  Oh boy!  Well, at least it puts all of our original LOSTIES in one place!  And it makes Ben an adversary once again.  Of course, we don't know where talking to Flocke is going to get them all yet.  

Hurley leading the charge

• Night falls, Sun writes to Frank asking if they made a mistake.   Frank says probably. 
• Hurley asks Jack what they should say to Locke when he gets there.  "How do you break the ice with the Smoke Monster?"  Ahhh love it!   Jack assumes Flocke will do most of the talking.   Hurley is worried that he made the wrong decision and Smokey could just kill them all.  

• Hurley comes clean to not seeing Jacob to which Jack already knew.   Jack explains that he came with Hurley that ever since he got Juliet killed all he has wanted to do was fix it.  And he just can't.   Jack said it's very hard for him to sit back and let other people tell him what to do, but he thinks that is the point.   Maybe he's supposed to let go.  Hurley suggests that maybe Jack letting go gets them killed.  Jack said that Hurley asked him to trust him and that's what he's doing.  
• As Hurley explains that he doesn't know where he's going we hear the whispers again and while everyone panics with their guns up, Hurley seems to know what "these things are".    
• Hurley goes away from the group and yells out for Michael.  And he shows up! 

• We find out that Michael is stuck on the Island as a ghost because of what he did.  I guess saving his friends and sacrificing himself wasn't enough?  Interesting.   Anyway, there are others like him that are stuck on the Island.  And THAT is what the whispers are.  ANSWER!!   Okay, so I don't know if this resolves Ghosts in general but we find out Michael is stuck on the Island and "can't move on".   Yes, kind of like PURGATORY (shudder).   It doesn't really explain why we usually heard the whispers when the Others were showing up but I guess it could be the Ghostly figures discussing it and trying to warn the LOSTIES.  I dunno.  Hmm, I wonder if this means that Goodwynn's wife WAS dead when she showed up to Juliet?  There were whispers and we haven't seen her since!   But what exactly does "MOVING ON" mean?   Is Charlie not punished for killing Ethan and he can appear to Hurley as a Ghost OFF of the Island?  Is Eko not punished for all of his murders in his life?   Ana Lucia for killing that guy in cold blood that shot her?   Does killing someone make you an automatic candidate to be a Ghost?   Is that why Libby hasn't shown up to Hurley?  Why is Isabella a ghost on the Island then?  Just because she wants to be where Richard is?  Why wouldn't Libby want to be where her soul mate is?   And Christian Shephard....what's up with his Ghost?  Yeah, he may have been smokey at times but he also seems to have been a Ghost as I've mentioned countless times.  Did performing that surgery while impaired and killing that girl and her unborn child give him an eternal Island sentence?   
• Yep, so we sure got an answer and we can be thankful for Hurley actually asking the question "Is that what the whispers are?" and for Michael simply answering "yeah" but of course it's going to raise a hundred more questions!   Sorry for all the readers who I just frustrated with my over-analysis and more thought provoking questions!  We need something to talk about when this show ends! 
• You gotta love that Hurley asks Michael where Locke is and then he points to another clearly visible campfire and says "there."  Thanks Michael! 

• Hurley asks if there is anything he can do to help Michael.  He says to not get himself killed.  I wonder if that was code to say that Hurley would be saving the Island ghosts if they don't blow up that plane.   I am still confused then why Isabella is telling Richard to not let Flocke off of the Island.  Maybe we have to go with the ol' "The LOSTIES are going to disregard both MIB and Jacob in the end" theory of mine.  But in the meantime, we're going to see all of our living original cast mates together in one place! (well, minus Jin and plus Terry O'Quinn playing a different character)
• Michael also says that if Hurley ever does see Libby again to tell her he's very sorry.  Hurley said he'd be sure to pass it on.  

Reunion

• Flocke returns to camp after disposing of Desmond into the well.  He tells Sayid that he will no longer be an issue.  Sawyer shows up all annoyed again at Flocke skipping town and going for a walk.   And just as he's getting ready to let him have it Hugo walks into the camp just like Flocke had hoped.  And we get Sawyer's classic "S.O.B." response! 

•  Hurley said that he doesn't know who Flocke is or what he wants but they have to talk to him and promise not to not bring any violence if they keep the same promise.  Flocke hands over his knife and promises that the will not do anything.   Hurley signals them all in.  We see Sun looking around for Jin and sadly she still does not find him.  We see Jack and Kate smile at each other. awwwww   Woa, I just realized this is going to be the first time Jack sees Claire while knowing that they are related!  Exciting!!  Too bad she's crazy.  

• But the biggest meeting we have been looking forward to is Jack vs. Flocke.  This is the first time Jack has seen a walking and talking Locke since The Orchid station in the Season 4 finale.  "Hello Jack."  Jack, even knowing what he was going to see is still shocked at the site.
  Update: Man, I'm losing it! Obviously Jack and Locke met off Island when Locke was trying to get him back to the Island. (season 5)  Thanks anonymous commenter for correcting me!  

This probably would have been a big enough "BOOM LOST" Moment for the week, but we got more! I'm still looking forward to next week's meeting of the minds and where this will all go. 

Flash Sideways - Desmond, Ben, Locke 

Instead of ending, we flash sideways to Locke wheeling his way into the High School with Desmond watching from afar in his car.  

• 
  
  
  Ben Linus knocks on his window thinking Desmond is a child predator or something.  Desmond is quick to respond that he was checking out the school for his son.  Whom he quickly refers to has Charlie.  (We must remember Desmond has no son in this timeline, so he must be remembering his other existence.  As we did see him flash on a vision of little Charlie last week).
• 
  
  
  Ben goes into praising the school and says that Desmond's child would do well there.  Desmond can't keep his eye off of Locke though.  

• 
  
  
  Once he dismisses Ben, he sees Locke dead ahead in his path, starts the car and speeds right towards Mr. Locke!   He barrels right into him and keeps on driving! 

• WHAAAAT!!?!?!?  Ben comes running over and yelling for someone to call 911.  He says they're going to get him to a hospital right away.  We see Locke shaking and twitching and all bloody.   

BOOM LOST!!!!

Wow, totally didn't see that coming!!  Immediate questions.  Is Locke being brought to Jack's hospital?  Is he getting there the same time that Sun and Jin will show up there?   I would guess yes.  What was Desmond's intent?  Does he want Locke to have a near death experience to see his other life?  Does he remember "John Locke" throwing him into a well to his pending death?   Does Desmond know by hitting Locke that it will cause a scene where many LOSTIES will run into each other at one time causing an awakening?  Jack has already been made aware of Charlie and Desmond being on the same flight and coming to his hospital.   Desmond also knows Jack works at the hospital.   Very interesting stuff folks.   One thing we can't deny, THINGS ARE GETTING CRAZY!  And all of these storylines that everyone complained about from the first half of the season are starting to pay off.  Especially the time we spent in sideways land getting accustomed to the landscape and situations that all of our Sideways Losties are in before all hell breaks loose!   

I cannot wait for more!  And yes, sadly, there is not much more.  There are 4 more episodes before the 2 hour Series Finale!  Of course, many may have not heard we will be taking the last Tuesday of April off.  They will re-air the Richard Centric "Ab Aeterno Episode.  Hey, it's fine with me.  I could use a breather before the final onslaught!  Maybe I will plan on posting an updated list of answered questions and questions we still have that week.  We'll see how I'm feeling! 

But for now, I'm done and can't wait to start the discussion with all of the fine readers of this blog!  I hope you enjoyed my ramblings and I'll see you next week!  NAMASTE

Ending Credits

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