Lost 4.1 - THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Directed by: Lead director Jack Bender

Written by: Executive show-runners Carlton Cuse & Damon Lindelof

Flashback and central focus: Hurley (Jorge Garcia)

Original U.S. air date: 31st, Jan 2008

Review by Chris Daniel

Wow! Season 4 is here and it started with a bang. The usual formula of Jack-centric flashbacks were replaced with the surprising twist of Hurley flashforwards. While the on island stuff picked up exactly where we left off, the off island story was really a kick to the head.

Here’s what we know.

• Six get off the island.(Hence, the meaning of the flashing of the number 6 in the promos.)

• This story takes place before the Jack flashforward from Season 3. It foreshadows Jack’s alcoholism and grizzly beard.

• Hurley refers to the island as an entity all its own, when he says, “I think it wants us to go back.” “It’s going to do everything it can.”

• Jack, Hurley, and Kate as well as the three other unnamed people are keeping a secret.

• Charlie is haunting Hurley. Is he alive or dead? My guess is dead.

The following is a guess on my part but if I happen to be correct, (don’t count on it), it may turn out to be an unwanted spoiler so read at your own risk.

So in trying to piece this together I think it is safe to say that who ever has shown up to rescue the castaways, is working for someone that is not Penny Widmore, however that is not to say that the person orchestrating it is not a Widmore.

I believe that it is Penny’s father Charles, who we know from The Lost Experience was in business with Alvar Hanso and the Dharma Initiative. As the magnetic anomaly was discovered in the Season 2 finale, Penny’s snow crew may not have been the only ones to detect it. And now the survivors are being bribed and threatened to secure Widmore’s secrecy. Secrets about what has gone on on the island in the past and since the crash of Oceanic 815. This could explain why Ben does not want the rescuers to arrive. He knows that there will repercussions for the Purge.

End of Spoiler Possibilities.

So here are a few questions to ponder until we get the answers in Season 6.

• What makes Hurley leave Locke’s camp and go with Jack and get rescued?

• Why was Christian Shepard in Jacob’s rocking chair in the cabin?

• Why does the cabin disappear and then reappear?

• Why does burn when I pee?

What did you all think of the episode? I really liked it and the change of format. I think the new style of flashforwards really lends itself to furthering the show and making these characters more interesting. They are now no longer limited by there past.

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