(S03E13) Well, the mystery surrounding Locke's former disability was finally solved, and it was worth the wait. Leave it to super-evil Kevin Tighe to add extra creepiness to the show. It looks like a popular theory about the island was confirmed, but as usual the truth was only hinted at. As Locke episodes go, this one ranks up there with "Walkabout," when we first learned of Locke's paralysis.
The Flashback
We finally learned how Locke got in the wheelchair, and we learned the fate of the man who put him there. Even before his near-fatal injury, Locke had been collecting disability checks. Perhaps there were complications with his kidney surgery--he certainly looked like hell. Locke was approached by Peter Talbot, the son of a wealthy woman. This woman was engaged to a man named Adam Seward, of whom Talbot was very suspicious.
Talbot certainly had reason to be suspicious, since Seward was none other than Anthony Cooper. I cannot figure out why Locke kept Cooper's secret, but it didn't win him any points with the old man. Locke's threats to expose Cooper only got Peter Talbot killed. Cooper did not stop there, either. The man is a fixer, so when Locke confronted him about Talbot's death, Cooper pushed Locke through an eighth-story window. I know! Locke miraculously survived, and would be paralyzed for the next four years. I still cannot get over that scene, even after multiple viewings.
The Barracks
Sayid and Kate were finally ready to rescue Jack, but of course Danielle and Locke were up to their respective tricks. Danielle instantly disappeared and turned up only to spy on Alex through the bushes. Locke, on the other hand, suddenly became very involved in storming the Barracks. He was acting on his own selfish motives, unfortunately, as a lot of viewers had suspected. Locke's first stop was Ben's bedroom, where he held Alex hostage in exchange for the explosives in Sayid's pack.
Kate went straight to Jack, who was less than pleased to see her. Apparently, Jack and Juliet were set to leave the island on the submarine in a few hours, and Kate's rescue mission was not part of the deal. Kate's reaction was pretty heartbreaking, as was Jack's promise to come back for her (that would not have been possible, right?). Sayid made good use of his time at the swing set, planting serious doubt in Alex's head. I love Sayid; he can do anything with a few minutes of screen time.
As much as I loved the Locke near-death scene, the scenes between Ben and Locke were my favorites. Locke's face looked incredibly evil as he challenged Ben's right to live on the island. Each man held his knowledge of the island over the other, but Ben easily had the upper hand. Alex hinted at Ben's ability to manipulate people, making them think something was their idea. Sounds like a few con men we know, doesn't it? Locke initially believed he was forcing Ben to help him blow up the sub, but Ben had his own motives for going along with Locke's plan.
Mikhail was obviously telling the truth about communications being cut off, and about the Others' inability to return to the island if they left. Leaving will no longer be a possibility, now that more of Locke's sabotage has been carried out. What will happen to Jack and Juliet, now that their only ride off the island is gone? Ben surely has a plan for them as well. He definitely has a plan for Locke.
Earlier in the episode, Ben had asked Richard (Dr. Alpert, of "Not in Portland" fame) to bring him the man from Tallahassee. The man in question turned out to be a bound, gagged, and bloody Anthony Cooper. I was floored by this revelation. What are we supposed to think about this? Ben gave a fascinating speech about the island's ability to show people what they want to see. Did Locke's presence on the island bring Cooper to the island also? Is it really Cooper? Are all of the previous island visions real, or were they conjured up by each character's thoughts? I cannot wait to learn more about the "magic box." I do hope that the writers give it a better name, though.
Some final thoughts/questions:
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The parade of former Deadwood cast members continues. Cleo King, Deadwood's Aunt Lou, was the government worker who suspended Locke's disability benefits.
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Did anyone recognize the song that Jack was playing on the piano?
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It looked like Cooper was drinking MacCutcheon whiskey before he shoved Locke through the window. This brand was first seen in "Flashes Before Your Eyes."
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If Locke was afraid to face his father, as Ben suggested, why would his subconscious bring him to the island? This question is only relevant if the "magic box" effect is real.
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Ben's wit was in top form during his scenes with Locke: "You don't just press submerge." I also liked the hamster bit.
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Is Ontario the default fake homeland for liars? Adam Seward claimed to be from Ontario, just as Ethan did.
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I'm not sure this episode's character names have any major significance. Adam Seward is a pro football player, and Peter Talbot was a Canadian politician and an Archbishop of Dublin.
See you next week for "Exposé"!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
3-22-2007 @ 12:26AM
Bill said...
It sounded like Locke was collecting disability for depression.
And was Ben's need for a spinal surgeon plus the magic box the true cause of the plane crash? Did it somehow cause Desmond not to press the button?
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3-22-2007 @ 12:30AM
Kat said...
Really good episode! I loved the Ben/Locke interactions.
I really hope Sayid and Kate (in particular) don't suddenly forget that Jack was about to leave them as hostages. Yeah, his plan got screwed up and he has to stay, but he would have left them there. And after all his speeched about not trusting the others (and after we've been told repeatedly that he's supposed to be this great leader) he tells Kate that he only trusted them because she told him to. Huh? So it's her fault? Claim responsibility for your own selfish actions Jack.
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3-22-2007 @ 12:30AM
Erin Martell said...
You can collect disability for depression? Why didn't someone tell me about this before? Kidding--I guess I blanked on the whole "therapy" bit.
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3-22-2007 @ 12:32AM
Samuel McConnell said...
For thoes of you who seem to constantly demmand endless answers, well here you are: one self contained episonde which brought huge plot elements toghether and started up the next wave of the show.
Locke was amazingly strange back in season 1, and his obsessions and talents came back full throttle inw what can only be described as the most dramatic episonde since, well. . . hmmmm, well since Ben was Henry Gale.
Remmember just two weeks ago when you folks thought Locke had lost his sparkle?
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3-22-2007 @ 3:34PM
Smiley said...
Is Locke the guy who fell past the window in Hurley's flashback? I haven't gone back and checked yet.
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3-22-2007 @ 12:58AM
David said...
This is the episode the writers need to do more. We know the others have great power around the world and proved it again at the end of the episode.
We know that Locke believes and Ben doesn't. I think it would be great if Locke takes over for Ben.
Great episode, no love crap.
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3-22-2007 @ 1:16AM
Will said...
Now this is the show that I became a fan of 2 years ago. Let's hope they keep it up.
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3-22-2007 @ 1:19AM
Allison said...
Did anyone notice Anthony Cooper (Locke's dad) didn't have arms?
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3-22-2007 @ 8:50AM
DMD said...
Allison, I thought Locke's dad's arms were missing as well. But on second viewing they appear to be tied behind his back... Terrifc episode, I love this show.
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3-22-2007 @ 1:37AM
TVblogger said...
I'm betting that Locke's Dad is some figment of the Smoke Monster.
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3-22-2007 @ 2:16AM
Robert said...
No arms? I thought they were just tied behind his back.
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3-22-2007 @ 1:43AM
superbagman said...
Great episode, but I seriously have to disagree on being surprised that Cooper was "the man from Tallahasse." As soon as Ben told the guy to bring "the man" my finace and I looked at each other and said "It's Locke's dad."
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3-22-2007 @ 1:58AM
Ryan said...
I also hope that Jack (and the others) will turn on Locke who sabotaged their only hope of getting rescued/going home. Yes, Ben said it wouldn't have worked anyways (Jack coming back, etc.) but if you were one of the survivors stuck on that island for 80 days, would you see it that way? Nuh-uh, I'd be MAD AS ALL HELL at Locke.
I want some Locke retribution. Then again I'm assuming Locke will stay with The Others. Good episode.
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3-22-2007 @ 2:04AM
Kristie said...
I'm pretty sure that when Ontario was referred to this time, it was Ontario, California since Locke is from that area.
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3-22-2007 @ 2:36AM
rsqdoc said...
great episode and great acting by Terry O'Quinn!
I have to say I wasn't surprised that John's dad caused his injury (after the scene in the florist) and even as John walked toward the window, I thought he he goes over a balcony. Never expected an 8 story fall thru a glass window (broke pretty easily,didn't it?)
John's weak character and blind allegiance to his father really bothered me. It was still like he had this pathetic idea that there could still be SOME kind of relationship between them. He had ample opportunity to exact a just revenge and didn't take it.
I don't get why John feels that no one should leave the island just bec HE wants to stay. He could have asked whoever was able to return home to keep his secret. In fact,when you think about it, how is Kate going to return and remain free from the long arm of the law,esp when the returnees' faces would be plastered all over.
Too bad Desmond didn't convince Locke that there was no getting off the island. He only seems to want to help Charlie.
"Magic Box" is a lame name,but I think it may have to do with seeing what you want to see...but how is the obvious question,of course.
Also, I can't remember if Jack's tattoos should have been visible but I couldn't see them. It doesn't make sense that he would lie to Kate if he knew he wasn't coming back..or that he would leave and leave the rest behind. (tired of being a leader,helper? Fell in love with Juliet..that fast? or some other secret that will be revealed.Is that really Jack or the Jack Juliet found in the box???
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3-22-2007 @ 2:30AM
steve said...
As soon as I heard the episode title "The Man from Tallahassee," I thought, Hello! Where have we heard Tallahassee before? That's right, Sawyer mentioned once before that he had spent some time there (it was where he contracted an STD). When Ben summoned the Man from Tallahassee and we were shown Locke's dad in flashback, I immediately smelled some kind of con-man connection going on here. Thus it was no surprise to me when they opened the door at the end of the episode to reveal Anthony Cooper.
Is it possible then, that Anthony Cooper is somehow related to Sawyer?
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3-22-2007 @ 2:29AM
tv junkie said...
The minute i saw Locke's father's condo was a high-rise building, i knew he was gonna push Locke out of the window.
The reveal at the end of the episode wasn't a surprise either, although i'm eager to see why Locke's father was on the island.
Really great episode. love the camera work done when Locke was looking at the wheelchair.
Why was Ben so open with that Suddenly Susan dude? Ben was very candid about his secrets and things he doesn't want his people to know about with Locke with that creepy dude listening in.
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3-22-2007 @ 2:37AM
BigTed said...
This was the best episode in a year. We got great acting, great dialogue between Locke and Ben, a few revelations, and even a flashback that advanced the plot.
I still don't think they're making sense of the Others, though. If most of them were recruited to the island, how come the organization brought in people (apart from a few in leadership positions) who seem to be thuggish dopes? And they really had no idea they weren't allowed to leave? At least now that the sub has been blown up, they might be starting to get a clue.
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3-22-2007 @ 2:39AM
rolando said...
this means we might see Sawyer's sawyer...with this new magic box
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3-22-2007 @ 12:15PM
davis said...
Lost has gotten increasingly better since the show returned from its hiatus. This episode was outstanding -- maybe one of the best ever (top 5 at least). Two quick comments:
1. I can't wait to see how pissed Jack is going to be at Locke for blowing up the sub. The Jack versus Locke dynamic was the driving force of the show for the first two seasons, so I am hoping that this episode will rekindle the rivalry.
2. Has anyone else noticed the uncanny resemblance between the balding John Locke in the flashbacks and the "grown-up" Stewie from Family Guy. You know what I'm talking about -- there have been a couple of FG episodes where they show Stewie as an adult, and he just a tall, balding version of baby Stewie with a sweater vest?
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