4 stars from me. Almost went with 5 stars since it made me cry a few tears!
Ho-ly shit. One of the most memorable Lost moments ever in this episode. The internet blew up and me and my friends and co-workers couldn't stop talking about that shocking ending. Ana Lucia. Libby. Michael. Are they all dead? Michael looked like he shot himself in the shoulder so maybe not but Ana Lucia and Libby were shot in the torso. It was agony to wait for the next episode.
Since I knew what was coming, I was already teary-eyed at the scene where Hurley is telling Libby he wanted to surprise her with a picnic... a picnic that isn't going to happen. Oh my God, poor Hurley.
Michael's acting at the end was amazing. The way his teeth chattered as he prepared to shoot himself. Why did he do it? He didn't seem insane or brainwashed. He even apologized to Ana Lucia before shooting her. It was a rare opportunity where there was only one other person in the hatch. Libby was in the wrong place at the wrong time. So was it something the Others made him do? What other explanation could there be? He's all about saving his son so it just has to be connected.
These Others seem to be far more dangerous than Michael described. First of all, he went to great lengths to free not-Henry. At least, that seems to be what his goal was. So that means that he knew not-Henry was there and was only acting surprised when Ana Lucia said they had one locked up. Maybe they are as simple as he says. He did say there's 22 of them and if it's only him going against them, it doesn't matter if they have weapons or not. It only takes one of the Others holding the life of Walter in their hands to make Michael go to drastic measures. However, they should all know that it's not true the Others only have two guns. Remember when Kate, Jack, Sawyer, and Locke went out into the jungle to find Michael and Mr. Friendly made them surrender all their weapons as Mr. Friendly held Kate hostage? Bullets for only two guns, maybe, but only two guns, nope! Jack, Sawyer, and Locke piled a lot of guns on that blanket that was laid out for them.
We got to learn more about Ana Lucia and lo and behold, another huge character connection! If Ana Lucia is dead, Jack will most likely never find out about the coincidence that Ana Lucia served as Christian's bodyguard in Australia. It's funny how Ana Lucia met both Christian and Jack while drinking at an airport bar. I also loved that we saw Christian hit Sawyer with his door when he opened it. That car scene between Ana Lucia and Christian took place right before Christian went into that bar and met Sawyer! I really love all these connections.
Did you notice that when they picked names for each other, Christian chose Sarah for Ana Lucia? Sarah was Jack's ex-wife's name. Kinda weird that he went with that. Maybe he was just fond of Sarah. But remember how Sarah told Jack she was leaving him and that she's been seeing someone? Could it be that Christian is the guy that she was secretly seeing? I hope not. That's just all kinds of wrong.
There was another interesting revelation in the flashback. After three days, Christian finally goes out to do what he supposedly needed Ana Lucia to serve as bodyguard for. He goes to some woman's house and you can hear him shouting about his right to see his daughter. Geez, what a scumbag. Not only did he cheat on Jack's mom, but he also has an illegitimate daughter through it. But how did Christian happen to hook up with a woman who lives in Australia? Had he been in Australia for some kind of medical convention or had that woman been visiting America and they met there? Whatever it was, it seems the relationship had been serious or important enough for her to have told him that she got knocked up. If it had been a one-night stand thing, I'm thinking she wouldn't have bothered or might not have even had his contact info. So who is this woman and how serious was it? How long ago was it? Where did they meet? Is it even important or are we just learning that he was more of a scum than we'd originally thought?
It was so great to see Sayid again. I was thinking while watching the previous episode that I hadn't seen Sayid in forever. It was also bittersweet to hear him talk about Shannon.
Wow, and how about that Ana Lucia/Sawyer tumble? The things a girl will do to get her hands on a gun. And look what it led to. I wonder how Sawyer is going to take the news? It was funny when Ana Lucia told Jack to give Sawyer her best before they took off to get the guns from Sawyer, lol! I believe Ana Lucia already "gave him her best".
Another funny moment was Jin giving Hurley a thumbs up after Hurley had done that to Jin several episodes back when Jin and Sun had come out of the tent looking quite content.
Finally, we see that Bad Twin manuscript! Sawyer was reading it. It was written by Gary Troup. Remember way back in the pilot episode discussion when I said that the guy who got sucked into the jet engine was named Gary Troup and I knew stuff about him? Lol, this is it, so many episodes later. The writers will always weave in fun details throughout the show, even as far back as the pilot episode. It's really amazing to know the care and details that go into it.
In the case of Bad Twin, this is an example of the first show to become interactive. It was one of the first things that they did that involved other ways to connect with the show. Between season 2 and 3, they kept us busy the entire time with a really fun online Lost Experience interactive experience. They created fake websites for the companies and such mentioned in the show with hidden clues that gave us insight to so very many things that they wouldn't have time to flesh out in the show. Stuff that's not important to know to understand the show but definitely enhanced it for us hardcore viewers! I'll have to create a whole separate thread for that.
Speaking of fun things for us harcore viewers, did you spot the scene that had all six numbers? In Ana Lucia's flashback with the high shot of the parking lot and all the police cars, you can see the numbers of the different cars on the roof of each and yup, that includes 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42!
04 on the car to the middle left, then in the middle from top to bottom, 08, 15, 16, 23, then over to the middle right, you see 42.
One last thing on my notes from this ep. What was with what not-Henry said to Locke, that he was on his way to find Locke? I think that's total b.s. and an obvious play at what not-Henry thinks Locke wants to hear. It would have been interesting to hear not-Henry weave his story on why the Others supposedly thought Locke was so special that they sent one of his people to fetch him.
I can't wait for the next episode to see how this tragic event is taken by everyone.
Favorite quotes/moments:not-Henry: If you've come to apologize, I forgive for hitting me with your crutch. I'm so glad my head didn't break it.
(after Ana Lucia and Sawyer have a tumble in the jungle)
Sawyer: Don't you want my phone number?
Ana: You tell anyone about this and I'll kill you.
Sawyer: I guess that takes cuddling off the table.
Can't imagine how would it like to have to wait a week after that! Or even WEEKS? I know directors are often mad enough to make such an episode ending to a mid-season final or even a final. Well, but this time it wasn't anyway, as soon there is the season 2 final, isn't it?
