Another very strong episode I wanted to give 5 stars to but I gave it a 4. It's just tempting to go with 5 all across the board!
I know I've said it a hundred times but I have to say it again; I'm SO glad we're doing this Lost rewatch! I feel like I'm falling in love with the show all over again. It's just getting better and better. The character development and the relationships are so great! The writing is phenomenal. Practically every episode really gets me in the feels, whether it be laughing, feeling joy, or getting teary-eyed. The writing and acting and everything about it makes me feel right along with the characters.
For this episode, I felt Jin's joy in the flashbacks of their earlier times together. His frustration at wanting to be there with Sun but constantly torn away by his father-in-law. The horror over what he'd done, beating Han to a pulp in front of his wife and little girl. The pain of seeing Sun drift away from him but also feeling he is not worthy of her. The remorse and shame in himself when confessing to his father that he'd felt ashamed of his own father. The seed of hope planted by his father at the thought that he and Sun could disappear and start over in America. The shock and hurt at Sun's betrayal of knowing English all this time. It goes on and on.
Basically what it comes down to is that in this episode, despite all the crap he's done and all the times I disliked him, I felt such sympathy for him. Any hate or loathing I may have been harboring are rightly pointed at Mr. Paik. That horrible man has destroyed the beautiful happiness that Sun and Jin once shared but hopefully, now that Mr. Paik can't get to them, they can mend.
It's funny how things can really vary in cultures. We see a good example of that at the beginning when Jin goes off on Sun for being in that bikini. He tries to cover her with the towel and tell her she's being indecent. Nobody was even looking or thinking anything of it. The only thing that drew their attention was Jin suddenly going off on her and even then, they couldn't figure out what the problem was. If Jin doesn't want Sun drawing attention to herself in such a state of dress, then he should have left her alone. Nobody is going to think anything of someone wearing a bathing suit on the beach. The episode was beautifully tied together when at the end, we see Sun back in the bikini and letting the wind carry off the towel symbolizing she's letting go and embracing freedom. Yes, her heart is breaking but at the same time, she finally feels free of her husband's strict enforcement over something as simple as how she dresses. Remember that whole "button your shirt" scene in the pilot? Lol, we've come a long way!
Did you guys notice that in the show, the only time they give Jin subtitled is when he's talking to Sun? Any time Jin or Sun has spoken to any of the other survivors, there are none. It's because the writers want us to feel like the other castaways feel to have language barriers and since there is not a language barrier between Jin and Sun, we get to see their conversations. There are translations online, of course, and in case you're wondering what Jin was saying to Michael while Michael was punching him, he was saying that he burned his hands trying to put the fire out and that the fire was already going when he got there.
I was really surprised at who had actually been the one to light the fire! Walt! The writers always give us clues but they do it in such a smart, subtle way that you have to really be scrutinizing to catch most of them. The hint that Walt had started the fire happened right after Michael turned on Sun yelling at her to tell him where Jin was. When Walt saw the intense anger and Michael's intent to get some sort of justice, Walt panicked and immediately started throwing sand on the fire. His intent had been an innocent want to settle and stop moving around but it had backfired.
HUGE easter egg on this episode, you guys!! Did you catch it? Another of the survivors in Jin's flashback? In one of the first flashbacks, the first time Jin goes to Secretary Han's house to "deliver the message," Secretary Han's daughter is watching TV. There's one point where the camera angle shows what's on the TV and it's..... HURLEY! Did you see it? I know the first time I watched it, I missed it and after going online to do my usual chatting about the show, I immediately went back to my DVR and rewound to that part. So neat!! So, why was Hurley on TV? Looks like he was getting into a car. Was it some TV show? The news? I'm guessing not a TV show because none of the other survivors recognize him as an actor and he never mentions anything along those lines. So the news, I guess? Remember several episodes back when Hurley said to Walt "Back home, I'm known as something of a warrior myself"? Did it have something to do with that? Well, next episode is a Hurley episode so maybe we'll find out!
I like that despite the fact Locke knew it was Walt that had set that fire, he turned the blame on the Others, pointing out that they all know they're not the only people on the island. Man, that reminder makes me really look forward to what's gonna be coming their way!!
I loved to see that Michael and Walt are forming a real bond. Such great character development in this show! Their smiles and laughs were so genuine and Walt is finally letting down those walls and letting his father in.
The flashback with Jin and his father was really great! I like Jin's father. He's such a good and humble man. Instead of holding a bitter grudge, he welcomed his son back with open arms and gave him advice and hope in salvaging his marriage. Without even considering that he'd never see his son again, he looks only to his son's happiness in recommending Jin disappear in America with Sun.
Locke also gives great advice to Shannon. Sometimes he's just so great with all his philosophizing and advice that you forget the crazy ass stunt he pulled with Boone.
I totally fell in love with the song at the end the first time I heard it. Delicate by Damien Rice. I think of all the sounds featured on the show, this one is my favorite. It's on my iPod under the other Lost tunes.
I also totally cracked up when Hurley's CD player finally died. I remember we were chatting about it and wondering how it could still be working and then it just cuts out. So great!
Favorite quotes/moments:
Sayid: I've been worried since I first met you taht you might end up being a spinster.
Shannon: Spending my Saturday nights alone at home, tying knots?
Sayid: Perhaps with an overweight aunt. it's a very sad image.
Shannon: Maybe we should get some rope, spend a Saturday night alone together, and see what happens.
Sayid: ...
(soon after, we seen Sayid telling Boone that he and Shannon may become more than friends, lol)
Locke: We're not the only people on this island and we all know it!
Jin: I can't tell her about her father. In a good world, she would hate him, not me.
Mr. Kwon: It is a good world.
(Shannon goes up to Sayid and kisses him.)
Sayid: What was that for?
Shannon: Everyone gets a new life on this island. I'd like to start now.