THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JEREMY BENTHAM
Episode 5.07
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With a title like this episode boasts, I expect it to be epic.
We open within the darkness of an office burglary…an old Dharma station, actually. Maps are being examined and “Cesar” finds a sawed-off shotgun under a desk. There is a plane parked in the jungle and John Locke is alive and kicking and doing his best Obi-Wan impersonation, including cool robe—head covered.
The next morning, on the beach, John contemplates the ocean. He meets “Alana.”
These are the other people on the most recent plane crash. Locke wants a passenger list and Alana wants to know why John wasn’t seen on the plane. John explains his mysterious appearance with an “I remember dying” response that seems to work.
I’m suddenly hungry for a mango.
Next, we find Locke lying on his back in the desert (Tunisia) after turning the donkey wheel. Later that night, he’s still in the desert when some Arabic dudes show up and throw him in the back of a truck. Tunisian hospitals don’t seem like very pleasant places. We glimpse Abaddon for the first time this season.
When Locke wakes up, Widmore is at his bedside talking about old times. Our friend, Charles was once the leader of The Others. He knows them “as my people.” Widmore claims he was tricked into leaving the island by Ben. Apparently, Locke was tricked into leaving, too. Widmore and Locke discover a three-year time difference and we’re told “there’s a war coming.” Great scene.
Widmore sends Jeremy Bentham off on his “find the Losty” mission. Charles claims that the whole misunderstanding with the freighter and Keamy and everything was just to get rid of Ben Linus so Locke can take his rightful place. Like a hungry fish, John takes the bait—hook and all. Locke is formally introduced to the long-mysterious Abaddon.
Locke and Abaddon make the trip to Santo Domingo. Sayid is there building custom shacks. Locke is trying to sell the idea of a return trip to Sayid. Locke can’t sway him.
Now, in New York, Locke and Abaddon are watching Walt leave school. There is a reunion. Walt has been having dreams about Locke…premonition-type dreams. Ben is lurking close by and is dressed to kill and sporting a hate-filled sneer while watching the scene play-out before him.
Next, we’re in Santa Rosa, California. Locke rolls up to Hurley while the big-guy is drawing pictures for the mental institution’s Spring Art Show. Hurley thinks Locke is among “the dead,” at first. Locke tries selling Hurley on the island return trip when Hurley spots Abaddon. Once again, Locke strikes out and Hurley goes into a frenzy. In the car, Abaddon spills the beans about their shared histories.
In Los Angeles, Locke is approaching Kate. Shockingly, she won’t go back, either. Kate tries to get into Locke’s head and John tells his sad tale about Helen.
Abaddon takes Locke to Santa Monica. Bad news, there, too. Helen is dead. Abaddon spouts of destiny and pre-determined fate. In the end, Abaddon declares “I’m just a driver.” Suddenly, bullets start to fly and Abaddon dies in what might be the most violent scene in the history of the show. Locke panics and takes off in the car and is involved in a multi-car collision that leaves him badly injured. Locke’s quest has gone totally to hell.
Locke wakes up in a hospital. Jack is at his bedside with a beard and a lab coat. The doctor is a bit pissed about seeing Locke. Immediately, Locke starts his sales pitch. Jack is less than kind in telling Locke “no.” Locke passes on Christian’s “hello” to Jack. Of course, tears are falling down a classic “Jack-Face.” Locke fails to convince, once again.
Locke writes his note to Jack.
Locke makes a noose out of an extension cord.
Ben Linus bursts in just in time to interrupt Locke’s ultimate leap of faith. Ben was Abaddon’s killer. Ben wants to help. Locke is confused and Ben is pleading and the two share a touching moment. Locke is near breakdown and gives Ben some important info on the fate of the Losties still on the island. They prepare to leave together—to complete John’s search for willing returnees.
Upon the mention of Eloise Hawking, Ben decides to strangle Locke with the very extension cord he had just talked Locke out of. Locke dies wide-eyed and struggling--mood swings aren’t fun for anyone.
The next scene shows us Locke’s body, hung in place from the ceiling. Ben is cleaning the room of evidence and finds Jin’s ring. He tells John’s rigid form goodbye and even sniffles as he mumbles an “I’m gonna miss you.”
Next, we’re back on the island with “new-Locke” explaining the Dharma initiative to Cesar. Cesar claims to have seen the Oceanic 6 passengers simply disappear from their seats during the flight. The two go off into another part of the station to view some of the injured from the crash. Ben is among them and John remembers being murdered.
In review, this episode was indeed epic. Incredible. Wonderful. There wasn’t simply “one” great moment tonight, but at least a handful…maybe a six-fingered handful. Now that he has one reincarnation under his belt, Locke should be even goofier and more self-righteous than ever. I can smell some great stuff coming.
I rate this episode 10 out of 10 Namastes.
Posted by Will on 26 Feb 2009 at 07:43 | LOST RECAPS
