So rather than trudge through a usual episode recap, I'm just going to hit all the major points with a good old Q&A session. The questions I asked myself during the episode, and the answers I best came up with after some deep contemplation. Here we go!
Q: What drove this "Mother" figure into murdering Jacob and Man in Black's real mother so hastily?
A: She lays out Jacob in his swaddling clothes. But then comes this other, nameless child. "Mother" lays out "Nameless", and suddenly something hits her. Either she saw something in this "Nameless" child that was special, or it began to dawn on her that she needed these two children to carry out her lineage. The gears turn in her head, and she realizes that their real mother can't be a part of the equation, so she kills her.
Q: Why does Man in Black's real mother appear to him, but not to Jacob?
A: Man in Black's real mother explains this away with a simple, "Because, you are special." But I'm not so sure that's the entire story. Something tells me that Man in Black is being tempted by who he is about to become: the Smoke Monster manifesting itself as his dead mother, leading him down a path to where he would be turned against his "Mother" and eventually his brother until his brother disowns him and forces him "off the island".
My theory is this: When Man in Black is tossed into this golden light, his body dies - but his spirit is transformed. A "fate worse than death"; he becomes the epitome of evil. This is what the Smoke Monster wanted all along: a host. His goal is the same as Man in Black's goal because he convinced Man in Black that he wanted to leave the island. Then, perhaps the real goal of "Mother" was not to protect the "light", but to contain it and shield mankind from it. Jacob asks the question, "What's down there?" and his "Mother" replies "Life, death, rebirth, (etc., I'm paraphrasing)". So, basically I think that since Man in Black entered on hostile terms (Jacob threw his brother down the well, his brother didn't want to serve the island, etc. etc.), his soul came out corrupt and evil. And, like I said before, a host to the Smoke Monster. Or maybe I'm totally off-base. Either way, Man in Black wasn't always Smoke Monster, and now he is thanks to Jacob.
Q: How in the hell did "Mother" kill all those people and burn their village with no weapons, and in such a frail state? Moreover, why did she feel the need to kill them?
A: As near as I can tell, she was harboring some super powers. Obviously she made it to where Jacob and Man in Black would live forever and not be able to hurt each other, so I wouldn't put it past her to blow some fools up Scanner-style. I also wouldn't put it past this show to dabble with the supernatural. So let's just assume that she popped all her cool-downs and wasted the suckers.
But why? Why if after Man in Black was so adamant about leaving the island? Surely she knew that he could do it with or without people to help him. So why waste human life? My guess is just to send a message to Man in Black. Maybe because she wanted him to kill her so that she would be free from the burden of Island Protector. This would certainly explain why "Mother" passed the chalice of protection down to Jacob, even though she clearly didn't want to.
Q: Who is this woman who bore Jacob and Man in Black? Where does she come from? And what time frame does all this take place?
A: I've already read theories as to her origin, and some have said that she is probably of Roman origin, possibly of Jewish decent as well (would explain naming her son Jacob). This would also explain the ability for a group of people to travel by water. Some have also postulated that the Island's local was somewhere in the Mediterranean at the time this story took place. It would explain a lot - her dark skin, the spoken Latin, and the almost Anglican-Barbarian-esque nature of her fellow shipmates. And her being named Claudia as well. Of course, I'm no expert on this subject, but this is the theory I've heard that I agree most with. The implications of this origin are beyond me, aside from the obvious assertion of Jacob and Man in Black's possible conception location that has relation to the divine. If they are Roman Empire in origin, that means they could come from the "Promised Land" area. But, again, this is just a theory.
Also, these boys do not have an established father. I'm not saying they were of immaculate conception, but this seems to be a running theme in this show - boys without a father.
Q: What the hell is Man in Black's actual name?
A: I don't think he has one. His real mother didn't have a name for him. She may not have even knew he was in there to begin with. Technology back then wasn't exactly able to tell something like that to an expectant mother. Jacob refers to him throughout the episode as "Brother". But, again, I think this is just because he doesn't have an actual name. I think up until now I was convinced that the show's creators were just hiding the name until the end for a big reveal. And they may still have a name for him. But for now, I don't think they really have any reason to keep something like that from us for so long. I mean, yeah, it'd be exciting if they did have a name for him, but after it's said, what else is left? People at home going, "OH MAN, his name is ESAU, I freakin' knew it!!"? I just can't see that happening at the end of the series.
This episode was a fun watch, and it was just as revealing as it was frustrating. Just when you felt like answers were coming, more questions start rapid firing. It's the kind of fun Lost loves to have, and I think that it will be happening even up until the finale. It's classic Lost. That being said, I cannot wait for the finale. I know that questions left unanswered kill some people, but honestly I think they're always the most fun. Besides, you can't end a show like this without leaving questions for people to postulate. What would the fun in that be? I hope I can find a party to share this finale with other Losties. I suggest that all my readers do the same.
See you all next week...the end is nigh.
No comments:
Post a Comment