LOST: Season 6 Episode 13 - The Last Recruit

Hello LOSTIES!!!  Well that was one crazy episode wasn't it?!  There was so much movement on the Island and Sideways it was almost tough to keep track of it all.  I think we spent time with just about every character (except the Island squad of Ben, Richard and Miles) everyone is in a different location than they were an episode ago.  AND Finally, we get a HUGE answer that we have been wondering about since season 1 episode 5 and a HUGE reunion that we have been waiting for since season 4!  For that alone, this episode gets a major WOW rating from me.  Hurley comedy and Sawyer nicknames get the next WOW!   And just me being on eggshells the whole episode waiting for something awful to happen....WOW!!   We have 2 weeks to ponder where things are going as we head for a quick break next week.  So allow me to get the ball rolling here!

The Last Recruit - Was there any doubt who this was referring to?  Maybe, and I'm sure people will try to argue this but it was most certainly Jack Shephard.  (Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse who confirmed it on their podcast this past week).  All of our LOSTIES were back in one place again  at least for a few minutes.  We finally got the scenes we have been waiting to see for a long time.  Jack and Flocke, Jack and Claire.  Eventually, the conflict with Widmore's crew escalates sending the Flocke and the LOSTIES into action.   In Sideways Land, there is no centric character as we revisit each of our SIDEWAYS stories as they start to merge into one another!  Let's dive in and see where the story takes us!

Flash Sideways

When we last left our SLOSTIES (new word, FUN!) things were starting to set into motion.  Sayid shot some people, freed Jin, Jin killed some people, and pregnant Sun got shot.  Jack overcame his daddy issues to bond with his son David.  Kate was running from the law and ran right into the hands of Officer James Ford.  Claire was supposedly contemplating on keeping her unborn child Aaron.  Oh right, and Desmond ran over Locke with his car.   Granted, Desmond got Libby and Hurley together to jog some memories too but we're not focusing any time there this week.   We continue the rest of these stories now. 

Heading to the Hospital

• Ben is in the ambulance with Locke giving the paramedics as much information as he can.   It turns out that wheelchair may have saved John's life. 

• Ben said he would like to report the information he received on the hit and run driver, but he'll have to wait to get to the hospital to talk to authorities.  
• The paramedic guy asked Ben if there is anyone they can contact for John. Ben didn't know.  At this point Lock blurts out "Helen Norwood.  I was gonna marry her."  To which Ben responds that he still will because he's going to be okay. 

• Of course, for a split second, I pondered the idea that maybe when Locke got hit he switched places and the ISLAND John Locke (not Flocke...actually John Locke) took his place.  Because as we know, John Locke was planning to propose to Helen.  He "WAS" going to marry her.  But Daddy Cooper ruined his plan yet again.  Just a thought I had going around.  We don't really hear Sideways Locke say anything else this episode, but I thought I'd throw it out there.   
• Well, he also says his name is John because Ben keeps calling him Mr. Locke.  
• When the ambulance shows up at the hospital, the camera pans to another vehicle carrying one Sun Paik who was also being brought in on a stretcher. 

• Oh right, except Sun sees Locke and starts panicking.  She says to Jin, "OH NO, IT'S HIM!!!  NO NO NO!!!" 

• Okay, now what on earth does that mean?  Sun and Locke are both in life threatening situations, so are they crossing over with their Island selves?  And could it be true that maybe this sideways locke IS the Man in Black?  Many of us have speculated it at one time or another.  Maybe Sun's blow to the belly is making her see John for what he actually is.  Or, MAYBE she's remembering something from the Island.  Remembering FLOCKE.  Remembering something we have yet to see.  I dunno, it's all pretty vague, but seems very significant.   
• As many of us have been saying, it is no coincidence that our Sideways Losties are meeting up at the hospital and various other locales.  With so few hours left, I would think they'll start becoming more and more aware.  I actually thought we would see more of it this episode, but alas, they're making us wait a little longer! 

Meanwhile, at the Police Station

• Sawyer is getting the ultimate satisfaction of grilling Miss Kate Austen.   He reads her file - wanted for arson, assault on a federal officer and murder in the 1st degree. 

• Sawyer doesn't really buy it that she's a murderer.  Again, Kate claims that she is innocent as she did to Claire.  Of course Sawyer doesn't really plan on doing anything about it, saying she can talk to the feds.
• What he really wanted to do was bring up how they were both on Oceanic 815 together and how they were on the same elevator.  And he called it FATE.  And of course, just when you're about to think he's gone all LOCKE on us, we totally know he's trying to flirt with Kate.  Ahh good times! 
• Anyway, just like Kate called out Sawyer on the Island in season 1 on him writing his letter to "Mr. Sawyer" she calls him out again in sideways land.  She figured out that he didn't want anyone to know that he was in Australia which is why he didn't arrest her there.  (I think there were questions about why Sawyer didn't arrest Kate on the blog, and I think this was one of the thoughts we threw out there as a possible reason.  Well, now we know it is why!)   Anyway they're firing shot for shot back and forth and Sawyer is really digging this girl.  
• Miles interrupts the fun by bringing up a Multiple Homicide at a restaurant including Keamy and 3 people on his payroll.  NOTE: This is confirmation that ol' Keamy did die at the scene.  You never know with him and Mikhail if they're just going to pop back up again! 

• Miles mentions a Korean woman (Sun) being there and her boyfriend (Jin) witnessing it all but not speaking English.  They got a shot of Sayid leaving the place and figure that's their guy.   Gotta love Miles calling hin a jabroni!  Sawyer acknowledges him as "THE BAD GUY". 

 At the Nadia Household

• Sayid returns back to the house and tells Nadia that they will be taken care of now.  But he has to flee.  Nadia asks what he did.  He doesn't say but when the police show up she may have a bit of an idea.   Miles shows up at the door and shows his badge.  Sayid tries to slip out the back. 

• You gotta love that Sawyer caught Sayid by tripping him with a fire hose!  Ahhh good times.  Anyway, they arrest him and that's all we see for now.  

• So now we have Kate, Sayid, Sawyer and Miles at the police station.  Possibly a visit from Ana Lucia before the show is over.   And of course we have Locke, Sun, Jin and eventually Jack at the Hospital.  Everyone is meeting up!   Of course, there was one hanging thread that I certainly forgot about.

Claire

• It looks like Claire was still looking into giving up her baby for adoption as she had an appointment with an agency.  Even though Kate had told Claire that she should keep the child, Claire must not be convinced yet.  
• And of course, who just happens to show up to nudge her in the right direction?  DESMOND!  He is persistent, he is creepy, and he follows her into the elevator.  He said that Claire should have a lawyer present with her when she is signing papers and everything for the adoption.   Naturally, we must report that they took the elevator to floor 15.  Do I even need to tell you why that number is significant?  I'll give you a hint, what number is missing? 4 - 8 - 16 - 23 - 42.   YEP!

• Somehow, Claire is easily convinced by these folks that she just met.  She gets in a car with Kate who just had a gun to her head merely a couple hours before.   Now she's going with Desmond literally across the hall to get all LAWYERED UP.  Granted, Desmond wasn't going to give up until he got his way.  

• Anyway, guess who this crazy lawyer is that Desmond was recommending who "owed him a favor"?  It's Ilana!!  And not just any Ilana, but a non-accent Ilana.  She's American!  And she seems to be acquainted with Desmond.  What??  Not even sure if it's worth asking questions at this point in the show.  She is just there, she lives in America and is American and she's a lawyer.  Okay, I'll buy it!   Maybe we'll get more information, maybe we won't.

• By the way we find out Ilana's last name is Verdansky.  No way of knowing if that was her name in the Island timeline as well.  

• But the crazy thing is, Ilana recognizes the name Claire Littleton immediately upon hearing it and they have been looking for her.  How I totally forgot about Christian's will is beyond me, but it looks like Desmond did some more digging and found out that Claire and Jack are related.  Did he happen to know the reading of the will would be this day?  And why on earth wouldn't Jack's mother be there for that? 

Jack

• Jack and his son David show up to the same building that Claire is in.  COINCIDENCE?  On this show?  Of course not.  He's on the phone with his ex-wife/David's mother.  We do not find out again who the mother is, but I'm still banking on Sarah.  

• Anyway Jack was telling her on the phone that he could probably get David home by like 5pm.  At this, David was shaking his head "no".  Awwww, he wants to spend time with Dad!  Jack then extends their day a couple hours so they can plan on going to dinner.  
• So as I mentioned, Jack and David were going up for the reading of the will.  Jack was telling David how it's okay to be sad with the whole process.  David told Jack that he was said for HIM.  Awwww again! 
• So they get upstairs and Ilana introduces herself and then announces the surprise.  They found Claire Littleton!   Then she asks if they believe in Fate.  That's the 2nd time we heard that line tonight.  
• After the pleasantries were out of the way Jack asks Claire how she knew Christian.  She said that he was her father too.  Jack didn't really know how to process the information and he just started pacing.  Fortunately for him, the phone rang and it was FATE intervening again.  They needed him for an emergency surgery.   Jack tells Claire and crew that they're going to need to reschedule.

• So, still no memories or connections being made to the Island life.  They're really making us wait on this.  I know I know...we need more near death experiences or LOVE connections!   But at least they're all meeting each other.  This certainly is going to get interesting. 

Back at the Hospital

• Sun wakes up and Jin is there sleeping. She wakes him up.   Jin catches Sun up on everything.  She's fine and the baby is fine.  It's all over and everything is going to be okay.   Sweet moment, but they get a sweeter moment later! 
• So anyway, Jack is back at the hospital walking by Jin and Sun's room and has a chat with David who came with him.   More father/son bonding.  "You're grandfather kept a lot of things to himself."  David - "is that where you get it from?"   And then David finishes operation Kiss-Up by wishing his father good luck in the surgery.   WE GET IT!  Jack and David are getting along!   Who am I kidding?  It's still sweet.  Jack's life is all put together and stuff.  Little does he know the whirlwind that he's about to go through.  
• As he's getting prepped for surgery, Jack receives the information on his patient.  The patient has a pre-existing spinal condition and the dural sac is obliterated (ahh memories of seasons 1, 3 and 5 with the infamous story of Jack ripping the dural sack)
• He takes a look at the scans and knows exactly what he needs to do. "I got this!" 
• So Jack gets ready to cut and then happens to look down in a mirror (yes, another mirror!) and sees John Locke is the patient.   Jack seems to recognize him and gets thrown for a loop.  "I think I know this guy."  

And that's it for sideways.  So yeah, every story moved forward but we got absolutely NO resolution.  Does that suggest we'll be revisiting them all again in 2 weeks?  Eh, who knows with this show?  But what we do know is that Jack has run into several people from flight 815 now.  He thought it was bizarre to find Desmond and Charlie at the hospital with him.  Now he's working on John Locke.   I'm sure he will find out that Claire was on that flight too.   Perhaps he will start putting it all together?  And of course, what will happen if he comes into contact with Kate?   Time will tell.   But needless to say, things are definitely going SOMEWHERE in SIDEWAYS!   And of course, they are on the Island too.  So that's up next! 

The Island

Jack and Flocke Finally Meet
We aways love our Jack and Locke scenes, right?  Well the one that kicked off this episode was no different, except that it was totally different!   Because while it was still Matthew Fox talking to Terry O'Quinn, this time it was Jack taking on the Smoke Monster.  And they had plenty of interesting things to discuss!

• Flocke didn't waste any time when Hurley brought the crew to the camp.  He eyed down Jack and then started walking motioning Jack to come with.  "I was hoping you'd come.  I think we have some catching up to do."   Flocke loves having his one on one conversations.  
• I love how Jack checks with Hurley to see if it's okay with him talking to Flocke alone.  "It's all you dude. "  

• Jack and Flocke go into the jungle and find a place to sit on and the discussion begins.  

• Jack discusses how he looks just like Locke.  Flocke asks if it bothers him.  Jack is more concerned with knowing what this thing is.  Flocke insists that Jack DOES know who he is.  
• Jack's question #1 "Why John Locke" - And then Flocke starts his tirade again making Locke sound like the most pathetic person ever to exist.  "Because he was stupid enough to believe he had been brought here for a reason. Because he pursued that belief until it got him killed.  And because you were kind enough to bring him back here in a wooden box." 
• So Jack confirms with Locke that he had to be dead before he could look like him.  Okay so that's all well and good.  We know Smokey takes the form of dead people.  But what it doesn't explain is Isabella (Richard's wife).   Her body wasn't there and Flocke took that form.   Yes, she certainly was dead and he could have known that by scanning Richard.  But couldn't smokey have scanned someone with memories of dead Locke and taken his form?   I guess with Jack being in 1977 and him already appearing to Ben prior to his Smokey scan, maybe it wouldn't have been possible any other way.   But does this make anyone question the intentions of Eloise Hawking?  I know we have discussed that she may have been working with the Man in Black, and in a couple bullets we'll probably need to emphasize a little more how this certainly could be the case. 
• Jack asks Flocke who else he has taken the form of.  Flocke asks what Jack is really trying to ask. Jack talked about seeing the ghost of his dead father when they first crashed on the Island (And I am thinking "OMG, finally, the answer is coming!  Flocke is going to say it wasn't him, he's gonna do it!")   NOPE, ol' Smokey totally admits that he portrayed Christian Shephard on the Island and in that case he says that he was trying to help Jack find water.  
• WOW, Well that seems to answer so many of our open questions.  We had been assuming that Christian had appeared as both a Ghost AND as Smokey on the Island.  Now we find out it seemingly was Smokey the whole time.  So then it would assume that it definitely WAS Smokey in the cabin with Locke and Claire.  And it WAS Smokey in the ancient past when Locke was at the donkey wheel.  He had been pushing Locke towards his dream of having purpose and his final act was telling him to find Eloise Hawking.  A woman that would convince Ben and Jack that Locke's body needs to be brought back to the Island.  Now, maybe she was simply trying to help them and Flocke knew she would.   She knew that they needed to recreate the events of the original flight to get back to the Island.  And Jack still needed something of his father's since his body was on the original flight.  I dunno.  But it still makes me think. 
• Here's the kicker though:  We still have the whole season 4 "off island" scene in "Something Nice Back Home" where Jack is visited by the Ghost of his father at the hospital.  Yes, the smoke alarm goes off so I always thought this was smokey related.  That is, until this year when it seems Smokey is TRAPPED on that Island.   Oh yeah, and how about Christian appearing on the Freighter to tell Michael that he can die now?  That surely wasn't Smokey, right?   How did he get there?    And why on earth/how did Christian change his clothes on the Island?    I'm still convinced there is a Ghost of Christian SOMEWHERE and I totally think Jack and Christian need to have their final scene.   Oh yeah, and where on earth is the body of Christian in sideways land!? 
• Anyway back to this episode.  Notice Jack mentioned "on the 3rd day" he chased his father.  Before anyone else brings up the religious ties to me, I may as well!  Whew, there have been a lot of them this season! 
• I wonder if there is any significance to the Man in Black/Smokey leading Jack to the cave where the Adam and Eve skeletons are.  Several of us had speculated that maybe one of these bodies could be that of the Man in Black prior to him turning into what he is now.  "I used to be a man just like you" he said to Sawyer.   He also told Sawyer how he had experienced LOSS before, and I thought that could have something to do with the Eve skeleton.   And that it might all tie back to some Jacob conflict.   Hey, it's still a thought.  Rose and Bernard are still valid options until we see them pop up again! 
• Anyway, Flocke tells Jack that all he has been ever interested in doing is help Jack LEAVE the Island.  But because Jacob chose him he was trapped on this Island before he even got here.  Now, Jacob is dead and they don't have to be trapped here.  They can get on a plane anytime they want to.   Jack questions Flocke asking why he hasn't left yet.  "Because it has to be all of us."   I gotta say, that man does make a compelling case.  But he also told Jacob he intended to kill all of Jacob's potential successors.  Oh boy. 
• Jack starts getting all sentimental suggesting that John Locke was the only person that ever believed in this place.  He did everything he could from keeping them from leaving the island.  Flocke says that John Locke wasn't a believer, he was a sucker. 
• Okay, so they're laying it on real thick now right?   Yeah, we have all come to accept that John Locke was a major pawn in the Man in Black's loophole in attempting to kill Jacob and leave the Island.  But HAVE WE REALLY accepted that Locke is this huge SUCKER?  That everything he ever tried to do led to THIS?  That he was just a pathetic fool who fell for one large manipulative trick?  Do we really believe that this is how the legacy of John Locke, a beloved LOST Character, will be remembered?   I'm starting to have my doubts, ESPECIALLY with Flocke laying on that last comment "He was a sucker."   Maybe the Island still has a plan for John Locke.  And while I yearn for a scene between Jack and Christian, I think I'm still hoping for a big scene between Jack and John Locke.  The John Locke that has experienced everything not the sideways Locke.  Of course, maybe that conversation WILL happen in the Sideways world.   Maybe it will never happen and it is wishful thinking.   But, I just down think Locke is going to go down and out without some purpose! 

Jack and Claire Reunion
As Jack and Flocke were making their way back to the camp, they find out creepy Claire had been following them.  This was another scene we had been waiting for ever since we confirmed that Jack and Claire were related.  Whew, that was way back in season 3.  But it took until the end of season 4 for Jack, in a Flash Forward, to discover that Claire was his sister.  And we never really knew if Claire knew that Jack was her brother.  And now it has taken all the way until season 6 before these 2 were in one place again.  Flocke asks why they she has been following them.   Claire says "because he's my brother."  (there you go, she knows.  I guess Flocke told her)   Then Flocke leaves them so they can chat. 

• Jack tries to start off by apologizing for abandoning her there.  But she asks if Smokey told him that he was pretending to be their father.  Jack acknowledges.  
• Claire says she pretty much gave up hoping that he'd actually come back.  But now that he's here, she was glad to see him.   She never had much in the way of family and was happy he was coming with them. 

• Jack said he hadn't decided he was going with them.  Claire insists that he actually did by letting Flocke talk to him.  (oh boy, here we go again).   Whether he likes it or not, he's "with him now."  That won't be the last time we'll hear that phrase in this episode.  So, it will make us speculate of Jack really IS with Flocke.  But, by the end of the episode I was getting another impression of Jack than him being seduced by "the dark side."  (If we can call Flocke's side the dark side)
• So, not exactly how we had envisioned this reunion scene going down years ago, but it certainly is interesting.  

The War is ON!
So day breaks and things are about to escalate to the next level.  Before this happens, Sawyer is slyly working his way through the newcomers letting them know the plan to ditch Flocke.   

• Sawyer goes right to Hurley and tells him the plan to take the sub.  He explains who is eligible to come and we see Kate telling Sun the plan as well.   Jack, Frank, Sun, Sawyer, Kate and Hugo.  That's it.  

• Hurley asks about Sayid.  Sawyer said that Sayid isn't invited because he has gone over to the dark side.  I love how Hurley challenges Sawyer to a battle of Star Wars knowledge.  "yeah but you can always bring people back from the dark side.  I mean, Anakin?!"   Loved Sawyer's "WHO THE HELL IS ANAKIN?!"  Clearly not a prequel watcher.  Of course, Anakin's name was mentioned in Return of the Jedi too.  But Hurley already mentioned that "the Ewoks sucked dude"    But the plain and simple fact was that (spoiler alert, but if you haven't seen the Star Wars saga now, shame on you!) Luke was able to bring his father back from the dark side after their final battle and when the emperor was about to deal his final blow to Mr. Skywalker.  I think we all have been hoping that they might be able to do something similar with Sayid.  But, I just don't know.  That dude DIED and was dead for 2 hours.  Didn't someone tell us on this show that Dead is Dead before?  Haven't the producers always tell us that?   I'm still so confused by Sayid's status! 
• Anyway, Sawyer tells Hurley to keep his mouth shut and then Claire rolls up.   I think my favorite line of the night was when Hurley told Claire how great she looked.   GOOD TIMES!!   I believe my exact words were "I am so glad that dude is still alive!"  He really does lighten the dark mood on the show that is always there.  I still have hopes that if anyone can survive to the very end, it will be Hurley! 

• Jack and Flocke return to camp.  Flocke gives his "It's so nice to have everyone back together again" with his crazy smile.  So true, if it was actually John Locke and not Smokey saying it!  

• Kate and Jack have their small moment sitting on a log prior to things heating up.  Kate discusses how Sayid is different now.  Jack says "I guess we're all different now."  Well, that was exciting! 

• Jack catches Kate up on his discussion with Flocke.  Kate asks if he believes him and Jack just wasn't sure yet.   Neither are we Jack, neither are we. 
• And then, Tina Fey/Sarah Palin/Liz Lemon/Zoe Whoever rolls into town with a walkie talkie. Ooh it's about to get interesting!   Sawyer, as an aside, informs Hurley that that is Widmore's #2.  Did anyone else get a flashback to the first Austin Powers movie? (WHO---DOES---NUMBER 2---- WORK FOR!?!?!?!  Btw, I heard they're making a 4th.  Not sure if I'm excited or dreading it!) 

• So Zoe tells Flocke that he took something from them and they want it back.  Naturally, she never comes out and says Desmond so it doesn't make the LOSTIES concerned and try to go rescue him.  Convenient storytelling I guess!   Anyway, Flocke denies knowing what she is talking about. 
• So then Zoe needs to demonstrate what the Widmore cronies are capable of.  They have a fix on Zoe's position and drop some kind of bomb very close by to Camp Flocke!   Where does Widmore get such wonderful toys!?! 

• Zoe tells Flocke he has until nightfall to return what he took or next time they won't miss.  So does Widmore know something we don't?  Will bombing Flocke kill him?  OR, does Widmore possibly know that Flocke needs these candidates alive to get off of the Island.  Which means Widmore plans to kill them?  I don't think that's it because even the Man in Black said he planned to kill the candidates! Oh well, like I said last week, Explosions are fun! 
• Zoey gives Flocke the walkie and tells him to call her when they're ready to make the exchange.  After she leaves, we find out what Flocke's stick's purpose became!  Smash that walkie Smokey! 

• It's time to get our WAR on folks!  Flocke starts rallying the troops.  He definitely is lying to them and Sayid even looks at him starting to speculate that he's lying.  Flocke goes on about how this is happening sooner than expected and that they're claiming that they have stolen something of theirs.   They have forced their hand into confrontation.   So they're going to go to the other Island now and get on that plane.  
• Flocke has a sidebar with Sawyer.  He has a "fancy" map drawn detailing where Sawyer can pick up a sailboat not far from there and he wants Flocke to pick them up at this docked.   And all of us start wondering - woa, we actually ARE going to see Desmond's sailboat again!?  It is really nice how this show is bringing back a lot of stuff from prior seasons into the fold for the final stretch.  

• Sawyer wonders why they're all not going together and Flocke says that would slow things down.  Sawyer is able to recruit Kate to go with him.  
• Flocke takes Sayid aside and while that is happening, Sawyer takes the opportunity to talk to Jack.

  

• Sawyer says that he has a deal with Widmore and they're not meeting up with Flocke.  He says first chance that Jack gets to double back and take Hurley, Frank and Sun with him.  He says Sayid is a Zombie and Claire is nuts and they're not invited.  She gave up her ticket when she tried to kill Kate.  Jack asks how he's supposed to get them away from Flocke, Sawyer tells him to figure it out.  Loved when Kate asked what they talked about and Sawyer just said "Guy Talk."  Ahhh good times.   Sawyer and Kate head out. 

Sayid and Desmond

• So Flocke gives Sayid marching orders to go kill Desmond. WHAAAT!?  Sayid actually doesn't appear as monstrous as he has and gives a questioning look towards Flocke.  Flocke tries to reel him back in by asking if Sayid still wants what he asked him for.  (He wants "the woman he loved" it IS awfully suspicious that once again they didn't bring up HER name, almost that it was written to possibly apply to Shannon.  Of course it goes right into a flash sideways with Sayid talking to Nadia at one point, so I dunno)  Anyway, Sayid says YES that he still does want what he asked for.  "Then go do what I said."  WOA

• Next we see Sayid has made it to the well.   He looks down with his gun pointed.  Desmond still acting "all knowing" about what is going on asks Sayid what "Locke" promised him.  He said he has a right to know if he's going to be shot in cold blood.  Sayid says that he was promised the woman he loves which he had lost.  

• Desmond asks where she is now.  Sayid says that she is dead.  Desmond asks how he could get her back and Sayid says because Flocke brought HIM back from the dead, so he knows that he can do it.  
• Desmond asks what he would tell her when she asks how Sayid brought her back.  Oh I dunno, does it matter at this point?  Sayid has already killed many people in the name of getting her back. And he killed many people for Ben after Nadia was killed.  But this does seem to get to Sayid.  

• And that's all we see.  We never see if Sayid "took care of Desmond" or not.  We do find out what  he tells Flocke though.  Sayid seemed to be taking longer than normal and Flocke went to check on him.   He said he did what Flocke asked.  He said he just shot an unarmed man and he needed a moment.   Flocke isn't convinced but Sayid says that he most certainly killed Desmond and that he should go and check if he likes.  Oldest bluff in the book, right?  And Flocke fell for it?  REALLY!?   But he definitely just disregards it and goes for the boat with Sayid (who lingers back temporarily).  Hmm, was Desmond able to "bring Sayid back" from the dark side?   I guess time will tell. 

Sawyer and the Sailboat
Sawyer and Kate arrive at the sailboat, and it most certainly is The Elizabeth (Libby's boat that she gave to Desmond for the solo race around the world).   Looks like the boat is a little further out than to their liking.   And Sawyer is ready to swim out there.  Kate has her doubts that this whole thing is a good idea.

• Sawyer hadn't told Kate yet that they weren't going back to get Locke.  He then tells her the plan that he told Jack.  Frank, Sun, Hurley and Jack were meeting up with them.  Of course he couldn't let it go without getting in a nickname for Frank.  Less of a nickname and more of a comparison "That pilot who looks like he stepped off the set of a Burt Reynolds movie."   FANTASTIC!  Don't worry, nicknames are coming! 
• Kate is concerned that Sawyer didn't say Claire.  Sawyer refused to bring her along.  The Claire that Kate came back for is gone.  Kate said that she promised she would get her back.  "That's before she started drinking Locke's Kool-aid."  Another classic line.  Sawyer thinks it's a bad idea to have that dangerous girl around Aaron.   I guess that was enough to sell her for now.  They swim out to the sailboat and literally like 5 minutes or less of showtime later, the boat is parked and waiting for Jack and crew.  (I checked, it's literally 3 minutes later.  Things that would take a couple episodes in the past now takes 3 minutes!?  Yep, we're at the end folks.)  

Jack Takes Action
So while Sayid is working on Desmond and Sawyer and Kate were going to get the boat, Flocke was leading the people to the rendezvous point.  Jack, meanwhile is planning to assess Claire's craziness.

• Jack asked Claire how long she's been with Locke. She says ever since they left.  She trusts him because he's the only one that didn't abandon him.   I guess that was enough of a sell to him that she was nuts!  Or he just didn't have time to process it right now. 

• Meanwhile, Flocke holds up to talk to Sun for a second.  And she is not doing much talking these days (can't speak English, remember?).  Flocke asks Sun where Sayid is and she doesn't talk.  Flocke then asks if he's getting the silent treatment to which Sun gets frustrated and pulls out her notepad claiming that HE did this to her.  We had speculated that Smokey may have somehow taken her voice.  He denies it.  But Sun may have meant more of the fact that she hit her head when running from him.  But in either case, it doesn't matter because she'll be speaking again soon enough.

• Anyway, Flocke gets concerned and goes to check on Sayid.   This is Jack's call to action as he rounds up the troops.  Frank, Sun and Hugo.  Not Claire.  And she most certainly notices!  Jack informs them that this is Sawyer's plan and they move on.  Claire sense that feeling of abandonment yet again. 

Rendezvous at Sailboat
Jack and crew arrive at the sailboat where Sawyer and Kate are waiting.  But someone tailed them the whole way there.  Yep, CRAZY CLAIRE!

• Kate takes matters into her own hands and decides to try to reason with Claire.   She tells Claire that they are leaving the Island that SHE is promising to get her off of the Island and to Aaron.   It's a very emotional speech from Kate as she begins to tear up telling Claire how it's the only reason she came back to the island.  Sawyer gets all huffy and puffy but Kate says that she won't leave without her.

• Claire lets her guard down and comes towards Kate.  Kate grabs Claire's rifle but not before Claire mentions that Flocke is going to be "angry" if he finds out they're gone.  Yep, just when we think creepy Claire is saved, there's still a hint of crazy there! 
• And then the boat is off to Hydra Island.  Frank walks over to Sawyer and asks him what the game plan is.  And then the nickname comes.  CHESTY!!!  Gotta love it.  Thank God mopey Sawyer is gone.  He says they're going to get nice and cuddly with Widmore on Hydra Island then he's going to put a gun to someone's head and help them take the sub off of the Island.  Frank decides that he likes the plan.  And we finally know how Sawyer is going to drive the sub!  He isn't! 

• Sawyer sees Jack contemplating things at the front of the boat and asks Kate to take the wheel.  She tells him to be nice.  Yeah, that didn't work out too well! 

• Sawyer makes a comment about Jack taking orders and was impressed that he actually showed up.  Jack brings up the fact that leaving the Island doesn't feel right.  We know that when Ben told Jack that he would never be leaving the Island again, Jack was pretty content with that idea.  Jack says that the last time he left, he felt like a piece of him was missing. 
• He goes on to say that they were brought here because they're supposed to do something.   He says if that thing wants them to leave, maybe he's afraid of what happens if they stay.   Sounds pretty logical Jack!  I would hate for them to have gone to all of this trouble to get BACK to the Island if they're just going to try and leave.  Granted, some of them I can totally see leaving like Claire, Jin and Sun.  And of course, we still need to find out how the Sideways plays into things.
• Anyway, Sawyer isn't seeing the logic in Jack's thinking.  And he "kindly" requests Jack to get off of his boat.  Yikes.  Looks like the reunion was short-lived!    

• Sawyer says that Jack is either with them or against them.   Jack tells Sawyer this is a mistake and he knows a part of him feels that way too.  "The Island is not done with us yet."  If he is feeling doubt, Sawyer ain't showing it right now.  He is totally done with the Island.  But Jack is planting the seed for now.  I'm still all about my LIVE TOGETHER DIE ALONE ending.  They'll all be working together for whatever cause is right for them all.   
• But for now, Jack has to say goodbye.  He takes one look at Kate, and then he apologizes one more time for getting Juliet killed.  And then, he took his "leap of faith" right into the ocean. 

• Naturally, Kate flips out.  And she wants to go back for him.  I think she even utters the words "We have to go back!"  just like Jack did at the end of season 3.  Sawyer simply says "We're done going back."  

Hydra Island Arrival
So once again, they anchor the boat off shore and swim to the beaches of Hydra island.

• Naturally, the Widmore crew comes out with their guns pointed and Sawyer tries to wave them off. 

• Zoe yells out for them all to drop their weapons.  They all do.  Sawyer tells them no one else is with them and Locke is still on the main land.  Zoe orders the Pylons to be turned down.
• And then....it happens...just when I was about to forget that these 2 haven't seen each other in 3 years and had been pining to find each other all season.  Jin comes towards the beach, and Sun sees that her husband truly is still alive.  And, boy I'm getting all teared up just trying to write about it!  Nothing says LOST more than a Sun/Jin reunion!  Season 2 had a great one and now Season 6 tries to match its greatness.  The Michael Giacchino theme music for Jin and Sun is playing in all of its glory.  And Sun finds her voice again!!  And for anyone who was gambling on what language their reunion would be in.   It's most certainly English.  awwwwwwww YAY!!  I think Hurley's face says it all.  And speaks for volumes of fans who finally got what they've been waiting for. 

• Sun tells Jin that she never stopped looking for him.  Jin promises that they will never be apart again.  Whew, the waterworks need to stop.  I have a blog to finish! 
• And of course, the reunion was short-lived as Zoe gets the word from Widmore and the guns are back up on the LOSTIES.  WHAAAT?  

• Sawyer says that they had a deal.  Zoe says the deal's off.  Well, did we really think Widmore wasn't going to end up being an adversary in the end?  Even Sawyer didn't trust them.  But he thought he had gotten the best of Widmore. But before we find out what their intentions are with the LOSTIES, they are ready to try and take down Locke.  They have him in their sites and are going to start firing.  Oh boy! 

 Jack Returns to the Island

• After a rough swim, Jack finally reaches shore.  And who is waiting there but Flocke and his Temple Cronies. Flocke asked if Sawyer took his boat, Jack confirms. 

• And then the rockets, missles or whatever Widmore's crew fired are coming right towards Locke and Jack!  Jack yells for everyone to get down.  The first shot totally misses Locke but sends Jack flying.  Oh no!!! 

• Jack is totally out of it and Flocke comes and grabs him and takes him into the Jungle.  

• Flocke gets him up against a tree and checks to see if he's okay.  Jack, although awake, is unresponsive.  Flocke says not to worry, that it's going to be okay.  And alluding to what Claire said to Jack earlier, "You're With Me Now"   

BOOM LOST!!!!!!!!

WOW!!!  What on earth is going on on this show?  Did anyone think Jack was a goner?  Deep down I knew he wouldn't be, but this close to the end I certainly got nervous!  And is Jack "CLAIMED" now by Mr. Flocke?  I seriously doubt it.  And if he is, it won't be long before that changes.  Maybe Sayid is a changed man again and will get Jack back.  Maybe Desmond is loose and will get to him.  Or maybe Jack is right where he wants to be.  Behind enemy lines and he is not afraid of Flocke because he's destined to defeat him.  They could go a lot of ways with this story.  And what's going on with our Hydra crew?  Why is the deal off?   What is Widmore's plan with the LOSTIES?    And what is going on in Sideways land?  Everyone is coming together, but they do not all recognize each other, YET.  Where is it all headed?  Well, there are only 3 episodes left before the 2 hour finale.  And they all start May 4th leading to the epic showdown and finale to end all finales on Sunday May 23rd!  I cannot wait to see how it all ends! 

But for now, I am kind of relieved that I can relax and stretch my fingers before the final run of episodes.  Hitting these deadlines every Wednesday has been taking its toll.  Be sure to tune into the re-airing of Ab Aeterno next week which will no doubt be the Enhanced version.  I did say that I might look into writing another post during the hiatus checking off the questions on our 23 Mysteries Post from January.  I'm not going to guarantee it because I don't know how much time I'll have.   If I don't do one, I'll definitely do one this summer to see what answers we got and which ones we need to answer for ourselves.  So stay tuned.  Hope you enjoyed my ramblings as always and I'll definitely see you in 2 weeks! 

Ending Credits

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