'Lost': And the dead guy is ... Jeremy Bentham?!?
Chat about "Lost" here at noon PST. on Friday, May 30.
"Lost's" fourth season ended in a flurry of action, a few major revelations and whole lot of familiar beats. As a season-ender, it ranks below last year's game-changing flash-forward shocker and Season 2's four-toed statue and listening station surprise. (Speaking of the statue, I demand that be addressed next year.) But it's well above the disappointing hatch-opening at the end of season 1.
The biggest shock, of course, was the identity of the person in the coffin at the end of last season. As we learn at the beginning of the episode, the bearded Jack exists three years ahead of the just-rescued Jack. Which puts the flash-forwards somewhere around 2008. And according to Kate in 2008, the man in the coffin is Jeremy Bentham. Don't feel slow if you had to rack your brains the first time you heard the name; I thought I had missed something as well. It wasn't until a few scenes later, when Hurley alluded to Sayid that Bentham was a pseudonym, that I began to feel a little relief. There's a lot of loose ends on this show to keep track of, and I think we all live with a little fear that we've completely forgotten some important clue. (But we haven't forgotten about that statue.) Bentham, it turns out, is just a pseudonym for none other than John Locke.
The Locke twist was reserved for the very last scene in the episode, but anyone multitasking while watching could have easily figured this out through a Google search. Bentham was a noted 19th century philosopher whose main claim to fame was his advocacy of utilitarianism -- a belief that the morality of any action is dictated by its utility to the overall happiness of the group. In other words, the ends justify the means. Bentham's rejection of the traditional view of individual rights was a reversal from the beliefs of such 17th century philosophers as John Locke. In the three years between his ascendancy as the leader of the Others and his death, it seems Locke underwent a pretty major change in his value system. Just what happened on that island after he moved it?
But enough about dead philosophers. What about the action?
For starters, we got an intense shootout in the jungle between Sayid, Kate, the Others and the Keamy Squad -- a fight the Keamy Squad ultimately lost. Then we got a bumpy helicopter ride, a thrilling dive from said helicopter by Sawyer, an exploding freighter, Ben going feral on Keamy and more assassination action from the very suave "Sayid Bond" in 2008.
All very exciting, but I have to be honest -- a lot of the beats seemed to have been lifted from previous season finales. Once again, we found the Oceanic 815 survivors adrift at sea in a little raft, only to be spotted by a boat's searchlight far in the distance. Season one may have ended with Walt being dragged away by the Others and this one may have had a reunion between Desmond and Penny, but it felt a little familiar. The same thing with the revelations of the Orchid Station. Just like last year, we found ourselves in a previously unseen Dharma Station, with the survivors confronting an enemy they thought they had previously killed. Last year it was Mikhail in the Looking Glass; this year it was Keamy in the Orchid. Then we had the moving of the island -- a process involving Ben turning a wheel hidden in a room below the station that results in the sky over the island getting whited out. Remember Desmond crawling below the Pearl Station at the end of season two to turn the failsafe key?
I choose to think these recalls were done purposely. Like great epic poetry, the themes and imagery return over and over in subtly changed ways. The alternative is that the writers are starting to run out of ideas. With two seasons left to go, that's a ghastly prospect. Let's just assume the familiarity was intentional.
Once again, the episode belonged to Michael Emerson, whose portrayal of Benjamin Linus gets deeper and richer with each passing week. One moment he was simmering with animal rage at Keamy's taunting, hiding in dark like Rambo, until he sprang out and stabbed Keamy up really good. Then he was back into coldblooded and remorseless mode, channeling his inner Dick Cheney when Locke confronted him with the idea that he was responsible for the deaths of everyone aboard the freighter. His response: "So?" (Come to think of it, maybe Dick Cheney has just been channeling his inner Benjamin Linus.) Then he was in full-on tragic hero mode as he slowly turned the wheel that would at once save the island from destruction and ensure his permanent exile from it. The growing anguish on his face as the wheel moved was truly moving.
New questions arose. The most intriguing was probably raised by Miles, when he confronted Charlotte about her previous connection to the island. According to Miles, she's been trying to get back to the island. And if Charlotte's response is to be believed, it's apparently the place she was born. This development must have been a relief to Rebecca Mader, the actress who plays Charlotte. Up until now, she's had a whole lot of nothing to do. And on "Lost," that usually means death is around the corner.
We also have to wonder about the fate of Jin and Michael. Though I'm not too worried about Jin. Remember that Daniel Faraday was on his way back to the freighter in the boat when it exploded. Jin was surely rescued by Faraday. More troubling is Michael's fate. In his final moments, he saw Jack's father, who told him he could go. It's similar to Jack's father appearing to Claire before her disappearance and I think we can begin to assume that Christian Shepherd is now functioning a little like the Angel of Death. Perhaps the Walt of 2008 (who paid a visit to Hurley) has begun seeing visions of his father. Kate has certainly been seeing Claire, who warned her in a very intense scene not to take Aaron back to the island. (Too bad Claire couldn't have been that frightening for the rest of her time on "Lost.")
Which brings us to the final scene -- Ben confronting bearded Jack over Locke's body. It seems the Oceanic Six will indeed have to return to the island. But the trick, according to Ben, is that they all must go back, including Locke. Sayid and Hurley shouldn't be a problem -- Sayid busted Hurley out of the mental ward. Kate is angry with Jack, but she's sane enough to be bargained with. Even Locke won't be too much trouble -- we've all seen the wonders you can do with a corpse in the "Weekend at Bernie's" movies. But in one of the most surprising twists, it seems Sun may have flipped to the dark side. After wresting control of her father's company, we see her meeting up with the evil, evil Charles Widmore in London. It seems Jin's apparent death was too much for her. She's out to get Ben. And what that means for Jack and company remains to be seen.
It was definitely the most hurried "Lost" finale we've seen in a while, with lots of information thrown at us almost every second. But for the first time, it really felt like the story was winding down instead of building up. Fewer grand mysteries were thrown at us. Instead we got smaller ones, little things for us to nibble on for the next eight months, instead of major questions to choke on. Desmond finally got reunited with Penny. For one couple, it seems life will move on. For the rest of us, it's stasis until 2009.
-- Patrick Kevin Day
(Photo courtesy ABC)
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My first guess back in the original flash-forward was right!! I *knew* it was Locke in the coffin! There are only two people left with no family to mourn them. Jack wouldn't have cried for Sawyer and Kate would've been there, ditto if it was Sayid. But I digress.
Can someone please hand Michael Emerson an Emmy or Golden Globe already? Thanks.
Oh and score one for all of the time traveling bunnies! I don't know why, that conversation between Locke and Ben was hilarious to me.
Posted by: oakmonster | May 30, 2008 at 08:48 AM
I think the word you actually need to be using here is 'revelation', not 'reveal'. I understand you are using it colloquially and it is used in the trades a lot these days, but it just makes you sound ignorant.
Posted by: Matthew | May 30, 2008 at 08:57 AM
So are we to to believe Desmond needs to go back too? As for the statue, thats a homage, It's the Fred Flinstone version of The Colossus of Rhodes.
Yes Virginia, we need more numbered, time-traveling bunnies!
Posted by: Webb | May 30, 2008 at 09:20 AM
One other thing about the real-life Jeremy Bentham: He is the inventor of the Panopticon, a type of prison building that allows an observer to watch prisoners without the prisoners being able to tell whether they are being watched, thereby conveying what one architect has called the "sentiment of an invisible omniscience," according to WikiPedia.
Posted by: Scott | May 30, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Well my DVR managed to record Lost, but lost (you'll excuse the expression) the last bit as the show ran over and my recording didn't. So can someone please explain the last 2 scenes a bit better? At 11 PM, the Oceanic 6 were in the life raft watching the island disappear and then -- no more recording. How did Desmond hook up with Penny? When did Ben confront Jack? How did they reveal that Locke is Bentham?
Thanks!
Posted by: John Donne | May 30, 2008 at 10:23 AM
I thought the finale was brilliant. Not as shocking as last year's, but it was well done. I agree with everything said about Michael Emerson. The man can do no wrong. He is just golden.
John Donne:
ABC.com has the episode online, you can watch whatever you missed there.
Posted by: Me | May 30, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Nobody commenting on the insights on the actual nature of the Island? How about the chamber of "strange matter". Perhaps next season we'll see a connection between the strange matter, the "smoke monster", as well as the antique hardware in the strange matter chamber.
Posted by: HeckSpawn | May 30, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Was Sayid vs Keamy not the best hand-to-hand combat on TV in recent memory? I have never found my self so enthralled in TV fight. I was as into this fight as a Ali vs. Frazier fight in which I had money riding on the protagonist. And mostly, it was the context around the fight which made it such a gripping, emotional ride. The enmity for Keamy. Finally, having an equally skilled opponent for Sayid. I couldn't tear myself away from that scene. Dramatic action, like 87's Lakers vs Celtics.
Posted by: Adam | May 30, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I also had the huntch at first that the dead man was Locke - but then I was thrown off by him not being one of the six.
Anyway - I disagree that Desmond and Penny are happily ever after - after all, Ben promised to avenge his dead daughter by taking Penny's life!!!!!
Posted by: Claudia | May 30, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Well if I were to write an absolutely engaging TV show like “Lost” I would not want a reviewer as you dictating what episodes should and should not contain.
Perhaps it’s the intention of the writers to keep you guessing? You use your political views as a reflection of a characters motives and actions! Shame on you as a writer, it is people like you that the writers and producers should shun.
The show “Lost” with all your so called faults and questions is for the individual to figure out; this is what makes it a great show. Comparing this seasons ending to others seasons is like comparing apples and oranges. Perhaps you flunked high school physics and cannot comprehend how mass, energy, and time play an integral role in everyone’s life.
Posted by: Eric | May 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM
See the real Jeremy Bentham: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid;=3365
Posted by: Dr. Sick | May 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I wanted Sayid to rip Keamy's head off haha. Amazing how much hatred I could have for a character that was only in 3-4 episodes! He was one Grade AAA a-hole!
Wondering if the island really moved, or was just made "invisible" because they shifted it in time, like the bunny. Halliwax said that although the bunny was still, there, to the observer it would appear that it was gone because it shifted in time while we did not. Then the orientation tape started to rewind before he could explain any further...
Posted by: Mike C. | May 30, 2008 at 11:25 AM
That's great recall Claudia! I thought maybe we'd seen the last of Desmond, but that declaration by Ben to kill Penny will definitely play it's part...
Posted by: Locke's Hair | May 30, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Thanks--it's nice to know I'm not the only viewer who thought Ben was channeling Dick Cheney (or, as you point out, that Cheney may have been channeling Ben). Yes, someone please give Emerson an Emmy. Must admit, though, that I gasped aloud upon discovering that the Coffined One was Locke. When the coffin first appeared last season, I thought it was Sawyer. Then as this episode progressed, I wondered if it might be Desmond. But I never suspected Locke. (And interestingly, this a.m. Good Morning America ran alternate endings, one with Sawyer in the coffin, the other with Desmond.) Another mystery to pique the imagination: What did Sawyer whisper to Kate just before his jump? Obviously it was the favor she later performed that so irritated Jack. The most satisfying moment: the Desmond/Penny reunion. I hope they found their happily ever after.
Posted by: Sundance | May 30, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Recalling a character's claim that "nobody dies on the island", I was left feeling that the island represents immortality. Immortality with all its problems and lack of solutions. The reason the Oceanic Six must return to the island, is that is where they are alive, where their souls reside. If the passengers of 815 all perished in the crash, but only survive on the island, then being back home is an abomination. There was a brief scene that seemed to show "others" huddled in a small space in the forest. I thought that they may have been past characters that had died on the island, but we were being shown that they were simply out of the way. I also feel that the baby is going to play a key part in the plot motivations. He'll be deified, with the island and its immortal inhabitants awaiting his coming.
Posted by: Big Mike | May 30, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I GOT LOST ON lOST IN SEASON 3.
tHE THING ABOUT jEREMY bENYHAM:: He had his body preserved and still sits in his chair----mabe a clue!
Posted by: jack florida | May 30, 2008 at 11:59 AM
I'm curious as to why Ben thought he had to go through with moving the island. All of Keamy's team was already dead, and the boat had exploded as a result. Was it that he thought Widmore would be able to send someone else? Or was it that he felt he had to carry out Jacob's wishes even if the original motivation had been removed?
Posted by: Mark | May 30, 2008 at 12:55 PM
The writer/Exec. Producer Damon Lindelof was an associate of mine in 1995 - it was the first day we worked together that I thought the kid was very bright - now I think he is a genius -
trying keeping up? this dude and his colleagues are the Hemmingway's of our era - I can't even 'conceive' of writing one scene in this series. And I agree - Emmy's should be plentiful -
I think Mr. Day's comments were good, and accurate - however, don't be fooled by these writers - trust me - they have "magic" up their sleeves.
Jerold Franks, CSA
Casting Director - Hawaii "LOST" pilot
Posted by: Jerold Franks | May 30, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I luv lost and all of u guys!!
Posted by: baggis | May 30, 2008 at 01:25 PM
I luv lost and all your comments guys and girls ;p
Posted by: baggis | May 30, 2008 at 01:28 PM
What makes anyone believe that Sun is going to help WIdmore? Maybe she is going to try and get to Ben through him, but as well take him down as well. She knows there is a link and that she is in danger by making it off the island - and that he is probably someone she should fear as well.
John Donne: The raft was floating and a light shined in the distance. The O6+ yelled and a boat approached them. Penny was on it and Desmond jumped on - they kissed - he told her he loved her. Then everyong else boarded her yacht and Jack said, "we have to talk". A few days later they were all put back in the raft close to an inhabited island and the natives pulled them ashore. Desmond stayed on the yacht with Penny as did Frank. No mention of what happened to any of them after the raft left.
They showed the part again with Jack at the airport with Kate from last year. He tells her they have to go back - she gets mad, speeds away, then backs up and starts yelling that they can't return. She also berates him about leaving her and Aaron and tells him he cannot utter Aaron's name because she has to explain why Jack has disappeared from his life. Then Jack goes back to the funeral home and uses a brick to break the doorknob to get inside. He goes in to the prep room of the funeral pallor and opens the casket to find John Locke inside. Ben is also there and tells him it's sad that he keeps flying around hoping for a plane crash to get him back to the island. He tells Jack they all have to return to the island, including John.
The Jeremy Benthank/John Locke reveal was through Hurley talking to Sayid telling him not to mutter his name; when he showed the newspaper clipping to Kate at the airport; and throughout the entire show when people were asked if "he" visited them - a few said Bentham.
What I want to know is - who were the THREE deaths reported by various websites? We assume Michael because he was visited by Christian and we know John. But #3?
It cannot be Claire because she was seen by Locke with Christian last week. Did I miss something?
Posted by: Gabrielle | May 30, 2008 at 01:54 PM
I am thoroughly enjoying LOST, but kindly keep your political opinions out of recaps. For me, nothing taints a good recap than the author vainly attempting to be witty by injecting his or her personal politics into their commentary.
Posted by: EyeRoll | May 30, 2008 at 02:43 PM
You guys all seem to be forgetting about poor Faraday. When last we saw him, he was on his boat with a small group of nameless redshirts from the island, on their way to the freighter. The island disappeared, and then... ?? When Jack and company are on the helicopter, Jack tells Frank (the pilot) that there's another island, and Frank replies that all he can see is water in every direction. This would seem to imply that Faraday and his redshirts all disappeared along with the island. The only problem with this is that Faraday suffers from the same time-shift madness that afflicted Desmond earlier this season. The only way he can stay sane is to come into contact with his "constant" (Desmond), who is currently having his happily-ever-after with Penny. It will be interesting to see where the writers go with this one.
Posted by: b.j. murphy | May 30, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Jin is #3 I assume.
Posted by: HH | May 30, 2008 at 03:11 PM
The third "death" would be Jin as fake-out, Kearny as on-screen corpse.
Posted by: dorothy | May 30, 2008 at 03:39 PM
How did Locke manage to get off the island?
Posted by: Crossway83 | May 30, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Gabrielle --
The third death may have been Locke.
And I think that we know that Sun plans on helping Widmore because she blames Ben for Jin's death (or his assumed death). Its the same reason that Jack says that Sun is mad at him -- because she blames him for the death as well.
Posted by: Bryan | May 30, 2008 at 03:45 PM
I would have enjoyed that episode a lot more than I already did if it wasn't so depressing. I'm not going to lie, it was a great finale. But would it hurt to add a little more humor to the show? A little more light-heartedness? Just a thought. I was ECSTATIC that Desmond and Penny reunited though!! If Desmond died....Well, I definitely agree with you, oakmonster- Michael Emerson had better get an Emmy this year!!!!
Posted by: LoveDez | May 30, 2008 at 03:50 PM
I've read a few reviews of last night's show, and I think some of these critics need to cut the writers some major slack. They had to edit what had to already be a very complex and interwoven story line in losing the 4 or so episodes they lost due to their "self-inflicted" writers' strike.
What never ceases to amaze me about Lost is how it manages to hit me on an emotional level - Charlie's death, Sawyer's sacrifice, and the loss of Jin and Michael (though I don't think they're really gone). All that along with a complicated story line and story tenses - you have to admit - there's nothing else like it on TV, nor has there ever been.
Posted by: Eva | May 30, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Those of you counting the dead might be interested in a TV Guide story today in which the producers and Harold P. who plays Michael acknowledge that Michael is very dead. Good piece.
Liked your piece too Patrick.
http://www.tvguide.com/news/
Posted by: Sarah | May 30, 2008 at 04:33 PM
I got the impression that Widmore may have been a former resident of the island; perhaps a leader like Ben, And he has been banished like Ben and spends all his money and time trying to find the island and destroy it.
Posted by: Lynda | May 30, 2008 at 04:53 PM
a SHOW REQUIRES THE VIEWER TO THINK A LITTLE BIT, HOW REFRESHING. tO SAY THAT THE CREATORS OF LOST ARE TALANTED IS A GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT. tHESE INDIVIDUALS ARE FANTASTIC WRITERS, THAT MANAGE TO KEEP THE VIEWER INGROSSED EVERY MINUTE OF THE PROGRAM. tHE ACTORS, ARE ALSO GIFTED PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB WITH THE SCRIPT, AND DESERVE AWARD CONSIDERATION. sHOWS LIKE LOST COME AROUND ONLY RARELY, WE SHOULD ENJOY AND APPRECIATE THE QUALITY OF THE ART. tHANK YOU CAST AND CREW, JOB WELL DONE
Posted by: ROB ROWEN | May 30, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Someone should compile a list of all the unanswered questions. Anyone remember that when the Others kidnapped Walt Tom told someone (Jack, I think) that Walt was a very special boy. Don't think we ever found out why. And now Walt is back visiting Hurley. So what's the deal with Walt?
Posted by: John Donne | May 30, 2008 at 06:29 PM
i think charlotte is annie. bens childhood friend? as she stated she has to go back to where she was born which to me is an area of the island. and they're both red haired and her age would make sense is line with bens. i think she is annie
Posted by: john smith | May 30, 2008 at 08:00 PM