We've struck episode twenty of
Lost. It's the first of three episodes this week, which will include "The Greater Good" and "Born to Run" in addition to this episode. In this episode, as
Boone's condition worsens,
Jack struggles to try to save his life. Elsewhere,
Claire enters labor, but without Jack,
Charlie and
Kate are forced into a role they had not prepared themselves for. Flashbacks in this episode take place around the events of
Jack's wedding with the soon to be
Sarah Shephard. The majority of this episode revolves around Jack trying to keep Boone from dying, and thus story content isn't as rich as it could be, especially in relation to later episodes.
- Jack's friend Marc shops for tuxedos with Jack. We've seen Marc before, being beaten up by Meathead in "White Rabbit."
- It's interesting to note that as they are looking for Shannon, the scene switches to the wedding reception where Sarah gets up to speak. Sarah tells of her car accident, which actually killed Shannon's father, Adam Rutherford.
- Jack and the other survivors develop a plan to chop off Boone's leg using the door of a cargo container, which would have made Boone yet another one of the many amputees we've seen on the show. Perhaps Boone's refusal of the amputation means that he remained whole, perhaps spiritually. It's all metaphorical, of course.
- Boone tells Jack that he's "letting him off the hook," a line that Rose told Jack earlier. Ironically enough, Rose and Boone made their first appearances on the show together.
- Aaron is born as Boone dies, a perfect juxtaposition of life and death. As one character fades out, another comes alive. I have a feeling that Aaron will become more important as the show moves on, even though at present he's living with his grandmother, Carole Littleton.
- The moment of Aaron's birth was actually witnessed by Sawyer during the time flashes. It's great to watch that episode and realize that Sawyer is standing just off camera, watching the birth happen.
- We then see the seeds of hatred toward Locke really start to sew in Jack. Jack thinks that Locke murdered Boone, though he will later forget about this and focus on the more important aspects of their personalities, their beliefs in science and their beliefs in faith. However, Jack will eventually come to see it Locke's way, but by the time he does this fully, Locke will have already been killed.
And that does it for the episode. It's not the most content-rich episode, but it certainly is a milestone, providing us with the first death of a main character. Look for the blog for the next episode, "The Greater Good," soon. You can discuss this episode in this
forum thread, read others' posts about it at the
rewatch hub, and
edit the episode's article.
"Jack and the other survivors develop a plan to chop off Ben's leg using the door of a cargo"
ReplyDeleteI think you meant to put Boone's leg here.
Anyway, good post. I particularly like the observation about Sarah telling of the car accident where Shannon's father is killed. I totally forgot about that, and I love how the show constantly juxtaposes the flashbacks with the present.
Again I agree that this wasn't a great episode, but we are using hindsight again which is always 20/20. I confess that I didn't watch each episode the first two seasons of Lost because at times it just wasn't going anywhere for me.
ReplyDeleteTo me the most significant part was Aaron's birth. In all the horror of our Losties being plane wrecked on this weird Island we have the birth of this sweet innocent baby. I too believe that Aaron is more important than we can imagine now.
Boone dying and then Shannon didn't bother me a bit. Boone reminds me of Kate with those soulfull looks and scenes of him looking indecisive and angry. He just didn't strike me as that good an actor..kinda of just a pretty face, the same of the Shannon actress. They were just filler and not important to the overall story. Heck Vincent was more interesting and continues to be for me.
I was indifferent to Boone dying but definately happy when Shannon died. She wasn't cut out to survive on the island. What a tosser.
ReplyDeleteJack annoyed me when trying to save Boone; the whole 'by any means necessary' to save someone annoys me.
This sort of paralels with Locke who seems more interested in the greater good shown by his sacrifices. Just another comparison that pops up where you least expect.
This is actually one of my favorite episodes of the first season. It's harrowing watching Jack (and his nurse Sun) struggling in vain to save Boone's life. The frustration and powerlessness is palpable in Jack, and we see clearly how utterly vulnerable the Losties are to sickness or injury on the island. It's doubly sad when you consider that there are medical facilities within reach, if they'd only known. Even getting Boone into the Swan hatch could've made a difference in what Jack could've done.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the sense of the vulnerability of the survivors presented in this episode resonates throughout the next 3 seasons.
John is NOT about "the greater good," John is all about "how can I prove that I am special." Most of his actions have been self-serving. Boone's injuries are a clear example of this.
ReplyDeleteI hated that boone died because he tried so hard even though he often remained ineffectual, but I hated that locke messed him up. Locke corrupted him and steered him in the wrong direction, which is why i feel like there may have been some smokey involved in this whole thing. When Boone had his vision of Shannon dying (his worst fear) and then abruptly renewed his faith in john's leadership, it was similar to how in fifth season ben sees alex tell him that it is his fault that she died (which is probably his worst fear) and then from that encounter decides to help locke (or whoever exactly it is that looks like locke).
ReplyDeletebut i think it was important that boone die because this episode really showed how jack took every death personally because he felt so responsible for everyone. which is critical to understanding his behavior in fourth/fifth season when he is so overcome with his failure that he is willing to completely change his viewpoint so that he can place responsibility on fate instead of feeling he failed.
In the Season 2 premiere, "Man of Science, Man of Faith", the line "I'm letting you off the hook" is again uttered, this time by Sarah (soon to be Shepherd). Chronologically, this is actually the first time Jack heard this phrase. Another great tidbit of detailed writing by the powers that be.
ReplyDeleteI think Susan's right, and I reckon Locke's mindset (although interesting and entertaining) has always been counterproductive. At least Jack tries.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that Aaron was born just as Boone died. I think there's more to that than just a juxtaposition of life and death. Reincarnation perhaps? Although, that wouldn't do anything for the story at this point.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the end of this show is when I start to dislike Jack. Up to this point, he was always thinking of others, putting them first. But once Boone died, he changed to revenge, to proving he is better than Locke, that he is right and the better leader. Much to be seen in the episodes to come. He doesn't let up until Locke will show Jack how they are alike--how they both kept things secret "at their discretion", how they both were trying to be the leader and help others in their own differing ways.
ReplyDeleteNow is the start of Locke opening up to others, letting people into his mind. He will be admitting that he makes mistakes. Up to this point, he was quite arrogant. Now he will become more human. Boone's death changes both of these characters. And brings them closer in a way.
Seems like I've been very buys...I missed a post!
ReplyDeleteIs this not the episode where Jack gets pointed out for "trying to fix everything"? I find that jack trying to fix everything is still a running theme in the series. Ignoring Jack's motivations, at the end of season 5 he is still doing the same shit, by fixing the timeline.
Rose's line "I'm gonna let you off the hook" get repeated from time to time, but I think the most important one is when "the past" group run across rose and brenard after 3 years in the past. I don't believe the line is said, but is definitally implied when Rose and Brenard refuse to help with the bomb. Jack and the rest of his grp have the choise to stop what they are doing (get off the hook) or continue fixing things. (I believe the line of Rose to the group goes something like "you guys always running from one problem to the next.)
As for the Jack/Locke Comparision.
I've always viewed Locke's actions for most of season 1 and 2 to be that of a Beta personality breaking out hardcore! In laymens terms, think of a person who is always watching from the sideline and excellent 20/20 hindsight about whatever he see's. When he gets to the island he gets his chance to break out and be an alpha male. I view alot of Locke's mistakes and wierdness (as Susan stated "is all about 'how can I prove that I am special.'") as having NO experience as a leader. Confindent about his knowledge (hunting boars) yet lacking in the on the ball experience about what ACTUALLY happens (Hunting boars with Michael getting hurt).
It creates a nice binary with Jack cause he is a born leader with the experience and knowledge to back them up(shepard...kinda obvious). Jack doesn't want the leadership, where Locke does. Thats really the end of my thoughts there, just an instresting binary.
....although...This could have relevance to one of my favorite lines in the show. Mr.X say "do you know how hard I had to work to pull this off" and there I went and botched the line.I know it's wrong but the meaning is there.
The point being, that we might have come full circle with Rose letting Jack off the hook.
Sadly enough I never caught Boone died and Aaron was born in the same episode. I'd be pissed if Boone got reincarnated. Although Locke does show an unusual amount of intrest in taking care of the baby after clair gets back.
and now that I'm riffing on the idea, Locke taking care of Aaron when Clair get back creates an intresting parrallel to leadership. When Clair gets back Charlie and Locke both try to to take fatherly rolls in taking care. Charlie acts alot like Locke when he first starts taking on a leadership position. Charlie is very inexperienced in taking care of the baby, and unltimatly makes rash decisions leading the baby to potential harm. Similar to Locke leading Boone to his harm. When is come to Locke helping Clair with the baby, it seams that Locke know everything about babies. The main point that come to mind is that he make the Baby Crib. Locke is also alot more patcient and understanding when dealing with baby/crazy clair issues.
Not sure if this is a role reversal for Lockes character or if it's to show the growth of Locke since being on the island.
All for now, keep on rewatching!
Sam I love the format that you seemed to have settleed into. Good material for those of us who can't rewatch the episodes.
Ace "Drama free for 2 post" Willco
I noticed that when Sun was trying to convince him not to amputate Boone's leg, she said that he can't save him, to which Jack replied, "Don't tell me what I can't do!" in perfect echo of Locke's saying those same words in earlier episodes. To me, this signals a general comparison/affiliation/competition between Jack and Locke that continues through the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteace willico- so i was wondering, reading your post it seemed like you thought that it was better if they didn't try to fix things. and i can see your point regarding that thesis because it doesn't always work and there is that scene with rose and bernard. but i always thought that it was a good thing about jack that he would take on responsibility for everyone and that he really and truly tried and how do you reconcile that if when jack takes the opposite position in season 5 he does things like not saving ben because apparently he didn't want to fix anything anymore believing that if he isn't supposed to die he wouldn't die. it just seems like passiveness isn't exactly a virtue. but i could see how you could see it the other way too. idk what do you think?
ReplyDeleteoo i just had an aha moment! not to answer my own question and i mean there is more than one answer so i hope you will still give your own opinion, but i just had theory answering the "to fix or not to fix" question. ok so mostly the argument for not trying to fix things is that it is futile. the same stuff happens even if they try to avoid it. and probably that hydrogen bomb will create the incident that brings them to the island just like miles said, but maybe that doesn't matter. like maybe its sort of like oedipus where they try everything to prevent the problem even though they are fated to fail, but maybe the point isn't that they fail the point is that they tried and that is what makes them heroic because in trying they do their best deeds.
ReplyDeleteHey, Anon
ReplyDeleteYeah your catching on to exactly what I'm thinking. With the idea of hurley starting his own number hell, being presented to me this week, along with Miles questioning weather or not they're the ones who cause the incident.
Your pretty much on the ball with why trying to fix something that is feutal. But also with a hint of is it truely the right thing to always try to fix everything.
My gut instinct also says to always follow the wisdom of Rose.
Ace
that is true. if i had to trust one person's advice on the island i would trust rose's. but what exactly is wrong with trying to fix things besides that it is exhausting?
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late in leaving my comment, because I've been busy. I've been rewatching the episodes and actually taking notes while I do. I hope my Lost obsession can go when the series ends.
ReplyDeleteAaron being born right after Boone dies could be a juxtaposition of life and death. Or it could be reincarnation, which I doubt in this case. The Red Sox have had about three mentions on this show, and we all know that Aaron Boone hit a home run in extra innings of Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in 2003 to give the Yankees a victory over the Red Sox and send them to the World Series. Aaron Boone's name isn't infamous the way Bucky Dent's is, but it's significant.
Did no one notice that Scut Farkus appeared in this episode? That is, the actor who played the bully in the beloved movie, "A Christmas Story," is Jack's best man.
My real observation is that the writers seem to be presenting Jack and Locke as leaders/saviors. Jack said he was going to save Boone and fails to do so, which undermines his position as the one to save the survivors.
Sam, I've been thinking about your comment regarding amputees. How many are there in the show? There was Sam Toomey's widow, Ray Mullen, Pierre Chang, Locke (if we count kidneys), Mikhail (eye)... anyone else?
Can we count a kidney lost as an amputation? I thought it related specifically to limbs...
ReplyDeleteif we're counting internal organs in the amputee list, jack had his appendix taken out
ReplyDeleteand this one is even more of a stretch, but ben had a tumor removed and probably some internal tissue as collateral damage...