Lost Episode 4: The Substitute

There are certain people that carry this show, and I think, as we all know, Terry O’Quinn is certainly one of them.  While last week’s episode was criticized mainly because of its focus on Kate, I think this one will be praised mainly because of its focus on Locke.  I think it’s fascinating that Terry O’Quinn has had to play three different Locke characters throughout this series—the original Locke, Smoke Monster Locke and sideways timeline Locke—and  each one retains qualities of the others but also has its own differences.  I love it.  And I love this alternate timeline.  I don’t know where it’s going or what the purpose is, but I love that these characters finally have a better life. 

Locke, who has always been searching for a purpose, who retained his faith only to see it back fire over and over again until he is ultimately, pitifully murdered, finally has that purpose right in front of him.  I think it was such a brilliant moment when he fell out onto the lawn and the sprinklers went off.  We would have felt sadness and pity for the old Locke, and we almost did, but then this Locke laughs and Helen walks out, and we know that in this timeline things are different and better. By the end of this episode, we see a Locke who is finally coming to focus on what he can do rather than what he can’t. 

Then there are all the other brief character appearances in this episode that made it fun to see.  I always love seeing Rose, there’s the newly confident, but always generous Hurley, and then, and this was definitely the best moment, Benjamin Linus as the sarcastic European History Teacher. I love you Michael Emerson.  (Side note, what’s going on with Island Ben?  He gives this actually honest and heartfelt eulogy for Locke.  Has his conscience all of a sudden woken up?  If he dies at some point during this series, I hope it’s some kind of dramatic redemptive death.)  I am so happy that these characters have normal lives, not insane Island connected lives.  And I hope this timeline is the one that somehow takes over and lasts.  I still feel very “lost” as to what’s going on, probably more than I ever have with this show, but despite that I was very happy watching that episode.  Unlike the last episode, it felt like in this episode, everything came together and worked.

We still haven’t gotten much in the way of answers to our questions, but my theory about who Jacob and MIB has changed a little. For a while I have been thinking that Smoke Monster/MIB isn’t necessarily evil, but last night’s episode almost fully pushed me to the side that this guy is like a replica of the devil.  However he’s not just anyone’s representation of the devil; he is John Milton’s Satan from Paradise Lost.  (I knew that my Senior Seminar on John Milton wouldn’t be a complete waste of time.)  I actually cracked open Paradise Lost last night, but realized very quickly, that there was no way I could find any line reference in a reasonable amount of time, so if you want some Paradise Lost connections, read your own copy. 

Here’s what I do remember from the poem though—Satan is one of the main characters, but not your typical evil, glowing eyes kind of devil.  He is this very persuasive, charismatic almost sympathetic character (very much like Mr. Smoke Monster).  The reader very often can become seduced by his arguments against God just as Adam and Eve are. One of his primary arguments is that God takes away your choice and your free will, and that’s what fake John Locke tells Sawyer that Jacob did/ is doing.  Now Jacob has insisted over and over again that these characters have a choice in everything they do.  I think MIB is trying to tempt the characters (as Satan does) to follow him, but by doing so will be throwing off the balance of this whole island.  Sawyer, you are crucial here!  Don’t go with him! 

Milton's Satan also seduces people when they are alone—just like when MIB got Richard alone or got Sawyer alone and tried to convince them to follow him.  And finally Milton’s Satan wants to convince Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge.  He alleges that God is trying to keep the truth from them and that they have a right to know the truth…but this in itself is only half truths.  That’s exactly what’s going on here!  This guy claims to have all the answers, but I think he’s only telling Sawyer part of what’s really going on.  For example he tells Sawyer that someone needs to be chosen to protect the Island.  I think that’s true.  Then he said the Island’s not worth protecting.  We know that’s false.  All the numbers on the ceiling, still no clue what they mean.  Why didn’t he say anything about that?

We’ll see where this ends up.  I didn’t think they were going to go for a complete dichotomy of good and evil, but now it seems like the case.  Something else I’d like to know—where did Ilana come from?  How come she knows so much about the Island and Jacob?

And last note, that little boy that fake Locke sees.  Who do you think it is?  I’m thinking a younger Jacob or maybe…an older Aaron?