Posted on May 17, 2007 @ 8:18 am
Welcome to Week Twenty-One of Lost-vivor — all the mystery and adventure of Lost with an added dash of Survivor-style competition! Note that the section ahead contains spoilers for last night’s episode of Lost. Proceed at your own risk.
I don’t know about you guys, but I thought “Greatest Hits” was an outstanding episode. If nothing else, it reminded me why I liked Charlie so much in the first place (all hobbit joking aside). In fact, I’m fairly certain it’s the first time an episode of Lost has actually made me cry. By the time Charlie was saying goodbye to Hurley and wrapping up his “greatest hits” list, I’m not ashamed to admit that I was a mess. As far as I’m concerned, a character couldn’t ask for a more touching send-off (assuming Desmond’s visions are accurate, and I’m finally starting to think they are).
Meanwhile, it’s about time Jack decided to get proactive and take the fight to the Others. I was almost giddy watching him and Sayid craft their plan to simultaneously blow up the Others and communicate with the outside world. The writers have done an excellent job in recent episodes in terms of building momentum toward the season finale, and I can’t wait to see how things shake out next week.
Anyway, that’s it for “thoughtful” commentary for now. Let’s take a look at the scores!
Charlie:
Achieved measure of posthumous fame back in the real world following his pseudo-death : +2
Uh-oh! Time for your weekly “You’re gonna die, brotha!” meeting with Desmond: -3
Fell for the old “jump into the pool and I’ll catch you” trick: -1
Volunteered for suicide mission to the Looking Glass. Normally, I’d deduct major points for foolhardiness, but I’m hepped up on Benadryl at the moment and feeling generous: +5
Can hold his breath for four minutes. That’s only six minutes less than Guybrush Threepwood (most obscure Lost-vivor reference ever!): +1
Got in some last minute babysitting with Aaron before swimming off to his death: +2
Kissed by Claire: +5
Saved woman (who I totally didn’t recognize as Sayid’s long lost love, Nadia) from mugger: +5
Dissed Hurley, claiming he was too big for the boat. Way to think on your feet, hobbit boy: -2
Made up for it by telling Hurley that he loved him (and making me cry in the process): +3
Whacked Desmond with an oar, accepted his destiny (still crying at this point): +5
Made it to the Looking Glass. Even more impressive when you consider Charlie claimed he didn’t swim way back when Joanna drowned in Season One. Maybe he just needed that pool flashback to remind him how: +10
Oh…there’s air in the underwater station. And a couple of chicks holding Charlie at gunpoint. I guess that blows my theory of the Looking Glass being staffed by merfolk and/or the DHARMA shark all to hell: -3
Charlie’s still alive…for now: +5
Net gain/loss: +34
Current score: 138 |
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Claire:
Desmond claims she and Aaron are going to be rescued. I guess her crazy bird plan wasn’t so crazy after all: +3
Once she’s off the island and Charlie is dead, that Driveshaft ring in Aaron’s cradle should bring a pretty penny on eBay: +1
Net gain/loss: +4
Current score: 107 |
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Sayid:
Deduced that Rousseau’s distress message was blocking the satellite phone’s signal: +3
Made the connection between the mysterious beach cable and the Looking Glass station: +2
Apparently, that operations manual he stole from the Flame included detailed schematics of the Looking Glass. How convenient: +4
Executed a textbook-perfect open-field tackle on Karl: +2
Devised “shoot the dynamite from a distance” plan: +3
Took command of Operation Beach Blanket Blow-Up from Jack: +5
Net gain/loss: +19
Current score: 156 |
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Juliet:
Revealed the existence and purpose of the Looking Glass station: +2
Net gain/loss: +2
Current score: 91 |
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Jin:
Always nice to see him acting like a loving husband toward Sun: +2
Chosen as the third member of Cap’n Sayid’s Straight-Shootin’, Rootin’-Tootin’ All-Stars: +3
Net gain/loss: +5
Current score: 141 |
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Desmond:
“When I’m not busy predicting the future, I like to skulk around camp looking all creepy and ominous, brotha”: -2
Foresaw Claire and Aaron’s rescue: +3
And Charlie’s death, but what else is new?: +1
Offered to take Charlie’s place on the suicide mission: +4
Fell for the old “the weight belt is right behind you” trick: -3
Net gain/loss: +3
Current score: 164 |
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Bernard:
Demonstrated expert marksman skills: +4
Anyone else get the feeling that he’s about to take the celestial dirt nap in the finale?: -2
Net gain/loss: +2
Current score: NA |
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Hurley:
Took the time to rustle up Vincent before evacuating the beach: +2
Net gain/loss: +2
Current score: 141 |
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| Vincent:
Yay! Vincent cameo: +3
Net gain/loss: +3
Current score: 112 |
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Jack:
Revealed his master plan — blowing shit up. It’s about damn time: +18
Seriously, I’ve been waiting for the Losties to start blowing up Others ever since they found the dynamite two seasons ago: +2
That being said, was it really necessary to detonate the tree as a demonstration? Why not ask Hurley to shoot off a few more flares while you’re at it?: -2
Good to see Jack back to his old self, taking charge of the situation (not to mention taking time to distribute bottled water to his fellow Losties): +6
Net gain/loss: +24
Current score: 92 |
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Rose:
Demonstrated expert knot-tying skills: +2
You know, maybe Bernard wouldn’t be so eager to stay behind and fight the Others if you’d just stop henpecking him for a moment: -1
Net gain/loss: +1
Current score: NA |
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In what may be a Lost-vivor first (I’m too lazy to actually go back and check), not a single competitor lost points this week. Charlie’s heroism earned the rock hobbit major points, moving him into the “big leagues” for the first time this season. Sayid and Jack also posted huge gains, with Sayid moving into striking distance for the number one spot. Speaking of first place, Desmond inched ahead of Sawyer once again to reclaim the Lost-vivor lead.
So, after twenty-one weeks of butt-numbing Lost-vivor action, here are the latest standings:
- Desmond (164) (+3)
- Sawyer (163)
- Sayid (156) (+19)
- Jin (141) (+5)
- Hurley (141) (+2)
- Charlie (138) (+34)
- Kate (130)
- Sun (113)
- Naomi (112)
- Vincent (112) (+3)
- Claire (107) (+4)
- Jack (92) (+24)
- Juliet (91) (+2)
- Locke (90)
As always, thanks for reading Lost-vivor! Next week is the season finale, which means we’re only a week away from crowning our Lost-vivor Season Three Champion. What I haven’t mentioned until now, however, is that there’s a second title up for grabs: the Lost-vivor Viewer’s Choice Award. That’s right — this is your chance to vote on the Lost-vivor you believe deserves to win thanks to his or her intelligence, charm, wit, or miscellaneous feats of derring-do. In other words, it’s an opportunity for all those people out there who think I’ve screwed Jack over this season to make your voices heard.
Use the survey below to make your pick. Voting will remain open until the finale airs next Wednesday night.
{democracy:4}
Thanks for voting, and I’ll see you next week for “Through the Looking Glass.”
166 hours… that’s how long I have to wait!
Yeah, I thought this was a fantastic episode and really, kind of touching. Just what the writers were going for, I know.
And that last scene: I went through the whole range of emotions that they wanted me to: Hope that Desmond would dive for Charlie, disappointment that Charlie wasn’t as noble as I thought he was, elation that he refused to let Desmond sacrifice himself, panic when he couldn’t see the opening to the station, relief when there was air in the station and then shock when two hot chicks jumped him with guns…
I liked seeing Rose & Bernard again. Though when I learned he would be one of the shooters, it suddenly dawned on me that he might be one of the deaths that would happen at season finale. I hope not…
Here’s one prediction: Desmond is going to dive and rescue Charlie, at least long enough for him to flip the switch.
By the way, if the cable is powering the under-water station that’s preventing outside communication, here’s an idea: Cut the cable! Sometimes the writers disappoint me…
I hope to see some more points for Vincet’s cameo. I know he was just walking along on a leash, but he LET himself get leashed, dangit.
Lately I’ve been disappointed with Charlie episodes, but this one was excellent. The writers really redeemed his character for me–he kind of disappointed me in Season 2. I loved the “Greatest Hits” of his life and (call me a wimp) I started crying when he got to #1. I hope Charlie doesn’t die for so many reasons, but I think the Charlie/Claire storyline is a big one because it’s so damn cute.
Also–didn’t Charlie say that he couldn’t swim in Season 1 when Joanna drowned? If I remember correctly, that was the reason why he didn’t go after her. (I have a life outside of LOST, I promise–I just watched Season 1 recently).
This is a great blog, by the way. I haven’t been reading long and I’ve never commented, but it is quite entertaining and well written. Kudos to you for that and for creating Lost-vivor. Have you thought about doing Seasons 1 & 2 over the summer?
Yes, it’s 7 am. No, I haven’t gone to bed. Partly because of my research paper, but mostly because I want to know how many points Carl is going to get for Olympic Kayak Training and how many Bernard is going to lose for his inferior knot skillz.
Let’s hustle buns, buddy, the unwashed masses demand satisfaction.
This episode was awesome! Charlie did a fantastic job! I actually thought this was one of the best episodes of the season. I will be disappointed if Charlie dies! Is anyone besides me wondering if Desmond will assume Charlie is dead and return to camp, therefore, everyone else will assume he is dead and no one will try to help him?
The girl that Charlie saved in the alley…wasn’t that Sayid’s Iraqi girlfriend? Did anyone else notice that?
Sayid deserves major points! He definitely stepped up to the leadership role last night!
You know, I didn’t like the episode all too much. Besides the info on the “Looking Glass” station I thought the releavations were weak compared to previous weeks. However, I understand that this episode was primarily the first act in the finale so I’ll give it a pass.
Point wise:
Sayid should get buku points for putting Jack in his place and whipping out the Looking Glass blueprints. What I don’t understand though is if he had the blueprints why didn’t Sayid figure that out before. He knew where the cable was and the blueprints http://losteastereggs.blogspot.com/ show it was underwater. USE YOUR HEAD SAYID!!!
Do we have to vote now? Seems like the Season Finale might change people’s opinions, so personally I’d like to wait
As usual Jesse, you had me crackin’ up with this. “Operation Beach Blanket Blow-Up”, “Cap’n Sayid’s Straight-Shootin’, Rootin’-Tootin’ All-Stars”
Wait a minute… Jack gets 18 points for blowing stuff up, which is what Locke has been losing points for all season? That just strikes me as a bit generous. I actually preferred the “when in doubt, take some points from Jack” strategy.
This was a fun episode, and it looks like the finale is going to be a whiz banger.
For starters, I think you outdid yourself. Honestly, that was some of the funniest Lost-vivor yet.
I did enjoy the episode, even though I hate Charlie. I think he should have lost points for screaming “I’m alive!” enough times to alert anyone on the station - how long has he been on that island? Has he learned nothing?
I really liked the tension between Jack and Sayid now that Jack has FINALLY decided he’s the leader and is doing one weird job of it. What the hell did that tree do to anyone? Just tell them we’re going to use dynamite, I think people get the whole BOOM! part of it.
Charlie has always been one of my favorites and I was glad to see him get his due, both on the show and on Lost-vivor. I’d hate to see him go, but if he does, at least we’ll have had a chance to say good-bye…unlike with some others (Eko, Libby, Anna-lucia, etc.)
Where was Sawyer this episode? Was he taking a nap to rest up for the big fight? Maybe he’ll make a comeback next week, but I have a feeling Desmond is going to play a huge role in the finale. I guess we’ll have to see who will come out on top.
@Jeff: I went through the same emotional roller coaster during the boat scene. Very well-written. As for the cable, has it technically been confirmed that the cable is powering the Looking Glass? I guess Sayid is the man to ask since he has the schematics.
@Greg: Oh, I’d never forget Vincent. I like the idea the Vincent chose to let himself be leashed. Maybe we should start a line of “Vincent facts” in the vein of the popular “Chuck Norris facts.” For instance, Vincent only wearing a leash when he chooses to. And when he’s wearing the leash, Vincent is walking you — not the other way around.
@martha: Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for taking the time to comment.
Yep, Charlie claimed he didn’t swim way back in Season One (I think the episode was titled “White Rabbit”). I actually hadn’t thought about going back and scoring seasons one and two. Maybe I’ll give it a go if I can find the DVDs on sale at some point in the next month or two.
@Daniel: Man, I wish I had read your Karl idea before I wrote Lost-vivor this week. I would have totally stolen it.
@Jeannie: I totally didn’t realize that was Sayid’s Nadia in the flashback. In fact, I had to read the recap on Lostpedia to find out about it.
@Adam: I guess he’s been too busy not trusting Juliet to sit down and pour over the documents.
@Jeff (again): I thought I’d open the voting this week so I could crown the “Jess’ Choice” and Viewer’s Choice winners at the same time. I was afraid it might be a little anti-climactic or after-the-fact otherwise.
@Ruko: Well, Locke has been blowing up useful things like communications stations and submarines. Jack just wants to blow up Ben and Tom.
@Thom: Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Personally, I am SO excited the black cord mystery has been solved. But yes, this was the first week I actually cried during a LOST episode. I love that little hobbit and DO NOT want him to go. But, Desmond is amazing…so hopefully they’ll both live and Juliet will just be killed by Ben or something.
It’s great that JJ is answering questions, now all the stupid “I hate LOST fans” will shut up.
I’m wondering though, the flashback Charlie had of him and Claire’s first meeting (after the plane crash)– was it filmed way back in season 1 pilot, or did they film it recently?
I swear the woman who crashed on the island is Walt’s mother. Does anyone else think they look exactly alike?
What I wanna know is if they knew about the looking glass station back when they stuck that cable on the beach. Is it all planned out or not, brotha?
Rock hobbit won big honors this week. I’m gonna miss him if he dies, I guess. I predict he will fail in some way, since we can’t be contacting the outside world just yet at this point in the series.
This website gets better every week!
Wonder how Jack convinced Danielle to assist with the bombing…even obtaining the dynamite. Perhaps Juliet shared the fact that Alex is her daughter????? Any thoughts.
I only half watch Lost as I’ve already admitted so maybe I’m just confusing blondes here but didn’t the women who had guns pointed at Charlie look like the women he was in bed with during one of the flashbacks? Then again, all blonde hot women look alike to me. *ahem* But if I’m right, wouldn’t that be a kick in the pants?
Also, I don’t think I’v ever used that expression. I feel about 84 years old now.
How about deducting some points from Charlie for putting a seriously dangerous choking hazard into the baby’s crib.
Boooo!
Guybrush!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta love random Monkey Island references.
Go Vincent! Whooo!
Finally, someone decides to put the old “Abyss” movie set to good use.
Also one question about looking glass. Why didn’t they just cut the cord on the beach? I guess my logic does make good drama.
And I cant fathom that people voted for Ben.
whoops, I meant “I guess my logic DOESN’T make good drama.”
Another stellar Lost-vivor. I’m glad you pointed out that jack alerted everyone on the whole island when he blew up that tree. I think the cable runs FROM the looking glass station, as opposed to TO. It’s not powering the station, the station is powering whatever the cable’s connected too.
I’m guessing it provides the crazy french lady’s HBO.
I really didn’t realize that I’d become attached to Charlie until he knocked Desmond out. I looked at my husband all teary-eyed and said, “But, I don’t want Charlie to be dead!”
I’ll come back to this after I watch the 3rd season of LOST on DVD.
A friend of mine got me a Charlie action figure for my birthday. It comes with a DS ring. How cool is that? Let me find a link… here.
Hurley totally needs to get a bonus point for going, “Whoa!” when Karl whipped out the handgun and pointed it at Jack (because apparently gun safety isn’t Ben’s thing).
And I predict Locke isn’t dead.
The cable isn’t an electrical cable, it’s an anchor.. from the schematics of the looking glass on the episode.
I seem to be one of the two people who actually caught the Monkey Island reference. Yay!
Anyway, I think Charlie was lying about being able to hold his breath for 4 minutes and wasn’t lying about not being able to swim. If he could swim, why would Desmond have visions of Charlie ddying every time he swims?
Normally I just “watch and learn” on your page…but when I saw the Guybrush reference…I HAD to comment. Well done, sir! Keep the LOST-vivor coming! And may you never be assaulted by monkeys…