Season 4 - Episode 1
"The Beginning of the End"
After what seems like ages ABC's one mega hit not just super hit television show returned to the airwaves with a vengenance last week, and I'm not just talking about the increased ratings. After leaving fans around the world, yours truly included, in the 100% dark after last season's "Snake in the Mailbox" we finally got another glimpse at the future, another Jack Vs Locke conflict, and a boatload of questions without a boatload answers.
Immediately you could tell this episode was going to be something special as it broke several LOST traditions in the very first scene. Firstly, it was Hurley flashforward, making it the first non-Jack centric premiere episode, and secondly the series opened with a pile of mangos instead of an eye gazing into the camera, though later on we got a very mysterious one staring at us. As Ben recollected in last seasons finale making that call was the beginning of the end and this episode only further to ceased to drive that point home. From here on out the breakdown won't be in the chronological order of the show but in relevance to my thoughts, theories, and little things most people skipped over.
The first thing we have to look at is how Hurley is special in more ways then one. His ability to make things re-appear and disappear is unlike anyone elses, is this because unlike everyone else on the island he has no dirty deeds or dark secrets in his past? He seemingly forced Charlie, Matthew, and the Jacob's cabin to disappear upon his command. Interesting how Charlie told him twice (his palm in the interrogation room) that "they" needed him while Matthew questioned whether "they" were still alive. The even later Hurley told Jack that "it" not "they" might bring them back to the Island. It seems too obvious that "they" refers to the remaining members of the survivors not in the Oceanic Six (Assuming Jack, Hurley, Kate are three I'll take Sayid, Sin and Jun as my other three) is too obvious, I think they are the members of the freighter coming to the island and the Dharma initiative and our creepy friend Matthew knows about Hanso and wants answers to what happened. The it that might bring them back to the Island is the smoke monster whom it seems very possible took the shape of Charlie and Matthew in the episode.
One other thing that struck me as truly odd was seeing Ana Lucia's former Cop partner in the room. Not that him being there was odd, this LOST and everyone is connected to everyone, but the way he asked about Ana Lucia. Only asking if Hurley had met her before the flight. This implies that he doesn't know she survived the crash and that it's believed only six people ever survived Oceanic Flight 815 with everyone else being killed prior to the crash or as the crash happened. Additionally this ties into the cover-up story that Jack ensured Hurley wasn't to going to tell and that jack was "sick of lying" about in the finale. I'm going with my gut and saying Charlies Widmore is behind the cover-up in an effort to keep Penny from Desmond and to keep the Island hidden from regular view. Of course, this leads to the question, what happens to Penny since she knows the Island exists and knows that Charlie was alive on it with Desmond. Thus she would know from his statement that multiple people survived the crash and with that much money and presumably some fame wouldn't she go public with her knowledge and question the Oceanic six. A second theory is that she is going about it quietly and Matthew actually works for her, but I heavily doubt this I think he is with the people on the freighter.
Of course this wouldn't really be complete at all without discussing the obvious Jacob's cabin moment, where the cabin does move when Hurley runs away I've re-watched the scene multiple times to be sure. When he looks in the cabin window he does see Christian Shepherd and the same eye we witnessed in "The Man Behind The Curtain", which is not John Lockes. Yet according to Ben Jacob can only be heard and seen when he wants to be and he contacts you not the other way around, so why is it that Jacob wanted to see and speak to Hurley, why did he move his cabin and open his door to invite Hurley in, and why how did he fix his lantern? Also we heard the whispers as Hurley got near the cabin is it possible that the whispers are merely the sounds Jacob makes when he is having a conversation and does not want to be heard, in this case discussing something with Christian that Hugo couldn't hear?
I also thought the last bit of the flashforward where Hurley tells jack that he's sorry he went with Locke was interesting. What does Locke do that makes Hurley think taking his side was the wrong one, when we could clearly see that it was Jack not Locke who was angrier, scared and more uncertain then ever. The way he looks into the nose section, how he could have shot Locke if their bullets, and how didn't look happy or seem to care when people went with Locke. Jack has happened democracy and has become a man solely obsessed with fixing things and getting himself of the Island with other people his friends, as the secondary thought. Yet in his flash forward last season we saw that something changed Jack's opinion he went from "Were never going back" to "We Have to go back" and if he wants to go back why didn't he go see Hurley who thought "it" would want them back? Does Jack come to his senses and realize that leaving the Island fixed nothing and in order to make things right for himself and everyone on that plane he has to return to the Island save the surivivors, reveal the conspiracy, and show the Island for what it is to the pubic eye? Maybe he doesn't have to go that far, but something in the future bothers Jack enough to make to a 180 on his opinion from this episode.
So with that I'll wrap this thing up and I will try to done of these recaps theory things every new episode. Heres a couple things ***minor spoilters*** to look for next week, this is based on the season 4 trailer and the ABC press release and my opinion:
1. We will see Michael. He's on the casting list (was for Episode 1 to) and I think we'll be seeing him in a flashback though, not on the Island yet
2. We will meet the friehgt crew for the most part
3. Matthew Abaddon is due for a return
4. The flashback is based on the characters on the Freighter
5. Title is "Confirmed Dead" presumeably referring to Naomi
6. Jack will realize Ben was not to far off about the people on the boat
7. We will see the Smoke Monster in one form or another
The lack of a column last week was due to GameSpot's HTML errors. I did type up a column and it can be viewed on my Honestgamer blog at the following link:
NOW ONWARD WEEK 15!
Stats of the Week:
1. Prior to yesterday Matt Stover had never missed a field goal in overtime
2. For the first time in 18 games Tony Romo did not pass for a TD
3. Ironically, Tom Brady did not pass for a TD either
4. In the past two weeks Terell Owens has 5 receptions for 57 yds and 0 TDs
5. Brett Favre has the most career yards in the history of the NFL
6. The week that former offensive co-ordinator of San Diego Cam Cameron won the former defensive co-ordinator lost
7. New England is the second ever team to go 19-0
8. Eugene Wilson was the 21st different Patriot to score a TD this year. Another record for the Patriots.
9. Drew Brees completed 87% of his passes in the victory over Arizona.
10. Eli Manning threw for 34 incompletions and completed 35% of his passes. Ouch.
Thoughts, Questions, and what were they thinking moments:
1. Brian Westbrook. Good thing I had already won the week for the most part in fantasy. Smart play, hope you don't start yourself in any Fantasy league.
2. No, Brain Billick did the right thing kicking the field goal. Matt Stover and injuries to Chris McCallister, Samari Rolle, and Ray Lewis cost the Ravens the win.
3. Donovan McNabb. If your going to mock a TD celebration then man up to T.O. and say to the press you took a shot at him. How's he going to defend himself he had two total receptions and fell on the game clinching INT.
4. Gotta think Green Bay matches up with New England the best. Better pass rush and better CBs then Indianapolis or Dallas and some nasty looking 5 WR spreads. Be a heck of a shootout in the superbowl.
5. Hats off to Phil Dawson for booting it 48 yards in the snow, remeber a few years ago when Vanderjagt missed a kick the same distance in a dome for the Colts?
6. Just wondering, but what really happened to Marvin Harrison knee, I don't care how old you are it doesn't take 2 months to recover from a bruise.
7. Tough year for Brady Quinn, drops like a rock in the draft and now is on clipboard duty for the foreseeable future with the way Derek Anderson is playing.
8. Was that really Jamal Lewis getting 164 yds rushing. He must feel like its 2004 all over again.
9. Gotta love Mike Tomlin's honesty. I cant think of that many categories off the top of my head, nevermidn that many categories to improve on.
10. Just for the record that was a Bill Belichick smile at Foxoboro, I think that makes 4 for his career in New England. I believe he smiled whene they won the Superbowl. I think.
The Un-watch, top 5 - Bottom 5, and MVPs of the week:
This week was a bad one in the un-watch as the Dolphins overcame the fact they are as a good as LSU and beat the Ravens in OT. Greg Camirillo and a missed Matt Stover field goal ended all hopes of an 0-16 season the same year as a potential 16-0 season. Next up for the Ravens a team still on the "un-watch" the...
New England Patriots who fought through the rain and snow to overcome the New York Jets 20-10. Tom Brady looked human and Laurence maroney stepped it up in his game with 26 carries for 104yds and the lone offensive touchdown in the contest. Next Up for the patriots as mentioned is Miami in cold Foxoboro and then facing the seemingly terrible New York Giants who probably flinch at the words "broken Fibula".
Bottom 5:
32 - Miami - Yes they won and my hats off to them for it. But 1-13 is a dismal record.
31 - Atlanta Falcons - Self explanatory. Another Miami win int he final two weeks and this team will drop to the bottom
30 - New York Jets - Back to Chad. Half to take a re-do on this season.
29 - St. louis Rams - There's the Steven Jackson of last year. If they stay healthy next year this could be a very potent offence.
28 - San Francisco 49ers - Hey look there's Frank Gore, but Ic ant be sold on Shaun Hill.
Top 5:
5 - Jacksonville Jaguars - They just beat Pittsburgh playing Pittsburgh football
4 - Dallas Cowboys - Two bad games in a row. Beaten at home by rival Philadelphia. Costly.
3 - Indianapolis Colts - Can't put them at two with a close call against Oakland and without more knowledge on Marvin Harrison
2 - Green Bay Packers - They get better every weak and this is a lethal group of recievers
1 - New England Patriots - No they won't rest their starters. Belichick wants to win with a perfect season.
MVP's of the week:
Greg Camirillo WR, Miami Dolphins - Saved the season of futility
Phil Dawson K, Cleveland Browns - 48 yards in the snow But which is the better or cooler kick - Off the back bar against Baltimore or this one?
Brian Westbrook RB, Philadelphia Eagles - Smart guy, Smarter linemen. Game clinching play.
Week 15 Picks: 8-8
Overall:137 -86
Ill throw this weeks picks up in the top CD's of 2007 column I have in the works.
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