Flying/stomping/hovering through the jungle and New Otherton with Smokey! I love the contrast between very earthbound Locke trying to get into his own house by himself and Smokey’s freedom and speedy movement, its hovering image reflected in the windows of Sawyer’s house before a fluid transition into fLocke. Great camera work! And what an uplifting way to start a “Locke” episode.
This free-floating scene also foreshadows fLocke’s visit to Sawyer. Apparently Sawyer is a recruit (later revealed as yet another candidate). He finds Locke’s promise of an answer to Lost’s greatest mystery more promising than sitting around blasting music and drinking. The key question, not just for Season 6 but for the whole series: Why are you on the island? Let’s hope that Darlton answers this one, if no other, before the end of May. We get a big tease about that answer by the end of this episode.
Locke episodes are often my favorites out of an entire season, going back to the now-classic “Walkabout.” I guess I really can’t call it a “Locke” episode when John is dead, but I love the fact that fLocke is still running around the island and giving Terry O’Quinn new opportunities for an Emmy.
Is the devil you know always better than the one you only shared conspiracy theories about? When we didn’t know Smokey/fLocke, we could fear the “monster” because of its mysterious ways. Now we see how he tries to seduce new recruits with his words, well, if hanging them in a body bag in a tree doesn’t convince them. fLocke also tries the “I know what you’re going through” bit to keep Sawyer following along. Now that the monster is out in the open, he’s as frightening for what he says as what he does.
As with previous Season 6 episodes, there are plenty of resonances with previous seasons. Sawyer and fLocke re-enact the plot of Mice and Men, just as Ben and Sawyer did in Season 3. Locke’s catchphrase—“Don’t tell me what I can’t do!”—is still yelled out of frustration in his rebellion against authority. (Interesting question—Who is the child, one that Sawyer and fLocke can see but Richard can’t? He also apparently has some authority over fLocke. More about him later.) Locke saves Jack from falling down a cliff face in Season 1; fLocke saves Sawyer from falling down a cliff face with a much more scenic view.
Best line of the night: The camera closes in on a balanced scale, each side carefully balanced with a rock—one white, one black. fLocke tosses the white rock out to sea. “Inside joke,” he replies to a curious Sawyer.
Knowing characters’ pre-island backstories (see—there was a quiz!) helps in understanding the character cameos in California. Rose helps Locke get a job after Randy fires him. Hugo/Hurley owns the box company where Locke used to work and guides him to job counselor Rose. After all, Hugo knows what kind of boss Randy is—he used to work for him, too, at a different company. And Ben as the European history teacher!
But the best is saved for last: “Jacob has a thing for numbers.” And lists. fLocke shows Sawyer the numbers, each assigned to a “candidate” to be the next Jacob. Locke’s number is up, so his name is scratched off the ceiling. (He was 4, by the way.) And here I figured Jack would be 42, the meaning of life. That honor is reserved for Kwon, but whether Sun or Jin isn’t known. Jack's number matches his original seat assignment on Oceanic 815. Interestingly enough, Kate doesn’t have a number.
fLocke posed his question of the week. Here’s mine: Is Aaron the blond boy apparently with some type of control over fLocke? I always suspected he would play a more important role in the story. What do you think?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Daniel Dae Kim as Chin Ho
If you grew up in the '60s, you probably remember the "Hawaii Five-O" theme. My elementary school band even learned to play it. It conjures visions of hula dancers, war memorials, high rises, and Jack Lord.
Years later, the imagery in the series' opening remains vivid. Long before my parents ever brought me back a sarong from their vacation, Jack Lord and crew showed me what Hawaii was all about. Even a couple of years ago, on one of my first Lost jaunts to Oahu, my tour guide pointed out that famous balcony where Jack Lord whipped around to stare at the camera during opening credits.
I remember "Kam Fong as Chin Ho."
Maybe next year I'll be revising that line: "Daniel Dae Kim as Chin Ho."
Ed Kos, whose Lost tours are a whole lot of knowledgeable fun, sent me a link to news from the local ABC affiliate. Daniel Dae Kim has been cast in a pilot of Hawaii Five-O scheduled for filming next month.
I'm glad that the island will be home (at least potentially) to another series. In the intervening years since the original H50, Lost has become the iconic island series. It'll be interesting to see how a 2010 version of the '60s' classic will portray Honolulu.
The link is KITV news: Daniel Dae Kim in H50.
Years later, the imagery in the series' opening remains vivid. Long before my parents ever brought me back a sarong from their vacation, Jack Lord and crew showed me what Hawaii was all about. Even a couple of years ago, on one of my first Lost jaunts to Oahu, my tour guide pointed out that famous balcony where Jack Lord whipped around to stare at the camera during opening credits.
I remember "Kam Fong as Chin Ho."
Maybe next year I'll be revising that line: "Daniel Dae Kim as Chin Ho."
Ed Kos, whose Lost tours are a whole lot of knowledgeable fun, sent me a link to news from the local ABC affiliate. Daniel Dae Kim has been cast in a pilot of Hawaii Five-O scheduled for filming next month.
I'm glad that the island will be home (at least potentially) to another series. In the intervening years since the original H50, Lost has become the iconic island series. It'll be interesting to see how a 2010 version of the '60s' classic will portray Honolulu.
The link is KITV news: Daniel Dae Kim in H50.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
LOST: What Kate Does--Spoiler Alert for 6.3
Lost certainly has heart, although not all of its characters may have for long. In a side story, heartache visits New Otherton, and Kate has a Hart to heart with Claire. Awwww, kind of a Valentine’s Day theme.
Joan Hart is the alias Kate chooses at the hospital where Claire is finding Aaron becoming labor intensive. When Claire clutches Kate’s hand as they watch the ultrasound, the fugitive realizes that she’s inadvertently chosen the right name.
By the way, “What Kate Does” reflects “What Kate Did” in Season One. Perhaps Kate truly is destined to do some things more than once. She might not deliver Claire’s baby, but she ensures that she will have the child safely. LA Kate also may be fulfilling Island Kate’s wish to keep mother and baby together. In “What Kate Did,” we learn she’s a murderer; she takes a life. In “What Kate Does,” she helps save a life, or at least makes sure Claire and the baby are safe.
Unfortunately, on the island, Dogan claims that Claire has lost herself. Darkness claims her heart. Hmmm. Heart of Darkness. Catchy title.
It also seems like Claire has been taking fashion tips from Rousseau, who (no surprise to those who heard Mira Furlan wouldn’t be returning) died a long time ago, according to “loose lips” Justin. Never mind. He won’t be talking to anyone but Miles, or maybe Hurley, from now on. Thus ensues another parallel scene from an earlier season. Instead of Sayid becoming entrapped by rifle-toting Rousseau, Jin runs afoul of Claire’s trap and first sees her when she shoots the Others from whom he is trying to escape.
Back at the temple, Dogan warns Jack that Sayid could also have a change of heart, and not for the better, if he doesn’t take the poison pill. That seems like a drastic diagnosis and treatment to me. I’m not sure I’d let either of them treat me, based on their bedside manners so far this season.
Who would’ve thought at Dr. Goodspeed (aka Ethan Rom) would turn out to be the good doctor? In a lovely twist, he tries to convince Claire not to take drugs to stop the labor, a reversal of his actions on the island, when he liked to stick Claire with needles to “protect” her unborn child. Dr. Goodspeed seems content to let Claire keep her (unborn) baby a little longer, unlike his island counterpart who wanted to take the child any way he could.
The other theme, if a little heavy handed, running as rampantly through the episode as Kate on Sawyer’s trail, is Redemption. “This is your chance to redeem yourself,” Dogan announces to Jack, who may not be looking for redemption but seems in need of it. Of course, Dogan’s methods may be a bit dodgy, and I don’t know about his “pass/fail” testing methods to determine who lives or dies. Let’s see. So far I wouldn’t trust this guy to be my doctor, pharmacist, or judge.
Nevertheless, who should be given a second chance is questionable, especially to Sawyer. He finds it unjust that Juliet stays dead whereas “an Iraqi torturer who shoots kids” is resurrected. Perhaps Dogan overheard him or was having second thoughts about Sayid’s second coming. How ironic that the torturer is tortured yet again on the island. How ironic that seemingly heartless Dogan worries about the darkening of Sayid’s soul/heart.
Broken hearts are yet another aspect of “What Kate Does.” Sawyer tosses Juliet’s would-have-been wedding band into the lagoon, and Kate either feels sad that Sawyer loved and lost, or she’s unhappy that now she’ll have to traipse all the way back to the temple to see if Jack is still interested.
More touching to me than either Sawyer’s or Kate’s tears was a brief scene in which Hurley is curious about the afterlife. He wonders if there are angels or white light, but Sayid doesn’t remember anything but being shot. In last week’s episode, Hurley reminded dead Sayid that he’d be around for a chat anytime the spirit was willing. Hurley now accepts that he can talk with the dead (without questioning whether he is crazy) and believes in an afterlife. It seems he just wants to get a few more details. I keep remembering Hurley dressed as a Biblical prophet in Charlie’s vision from “Fire + Water” a few seasons back. I wonder if any further connection between his talent for talking with the dead and spirituality will be made. Oh, well, I’m probably just trying to find more ways for Charlie to return during Season Six.
The pace of this episode slowed from last week’s rapid-fire introduction to two timelines and a big family reunion. I like the parallels between scenes new and old. I like the cameos by the ghosts of seasons past. I think I was just spoiled last week with so many revelations and reunions that this week’s character development lagged a bit. However, this hour still goes more quickly than any other. I should ask Dan Faraday about that.
Joan Hart is the alias Kate chooses at the hospital where Claire is finding Aaron becoming labor intensive. When Claire clutches Kate’s hand as they watch the ultrasound, the fugitive realizes that she’s inadvertently chosen the right name.
By the way, “What Kate Does” reflects “What Kate Did” in Season One. Perhaps Kate truly is destined to do some things more than once. She might not deliver Claire’s baby, but she ensures that she will have the child safely. LA Kate also may be fulfilling Island Kate’s wish to keep mother and baby together. In “What Kate Did,” we learn she’s a murderer; she takes a life. In “What Kate Does,” she helps save a life, or at least makes sure Claire and the baby are safe.
Unfortunately, on the island, Dogan claims that Claire has lost herself. Darkness claims her heart. Hmmm. Heart of Darkness. Catchy title.
It also seems like Claire has been taking fashion tips from Rousseau, who (no surprise to those who heard Mira Furlan wouldn’t be returning) died a long time ago, according to “loose lips” Justin. Never mind. He won’t be talking to anyone but Miles, or maybe Hurley, from now on. Thus ensues another parallel scene from an earlier season. Instead of Sayid becoming entrapped by rifle-toting Rousseau, Jin runs afoul of Claire’s trap and first sees her when she shoots the Others from whom he is trying to escape.
Back at the temple, Dogan warns Jack that Sayid could also have a change of heart, and not for the better, if he doesn’t take the poison pill. That seems like a drastic diagnosis and treatment to me. I’m not sure I’d let either of them treat me, based on their bedside manners so far this season.
Who would’ve thought at Dr. Goodspeed (aka Ethan Rom) would turn out to be the good doctor? In a lovely twist, he tries to convince Claire not to take drugs to stop the labor, a reversal of his actions on the island, when he liked to stick Claire with needles to “protect” her unborn child. Dr. Goodspeed seems content to let Claire keep her (unborn) baby a little longer, unlike his island counterpart who wanted to take the child any way he could.
The other theme, if a little heavy handed, running as rampantly through the episode as Kate on Sawyer’s trail, is Redemption. “This is your chance to redeem yourself,” Dogan announces to Jack, who may not be looking for redemption but seems in need of it. Of course, Dogan’s methods may be a bit dodgy, and I don’t know about his “pass/fail” testing methods to determine who lives or dies. Let’s see. So far I wouldn’t trust this guy to be my doctor, pharmacist, or judge.
Nevertheless, who should be given a second chance is questionable, especially to Sawyer. He finds it unjust that Juliet stays dead whereas “an Iraqi torturer who shoots kids” is resurrected. Perhaps Dogan overheard him or was having second thoughts about Sayid’s second coming. How ironic that the torturer is tortured yet again on the island. How ironic that seemingly heartless Dogan worries about the darkening of Sayid’s soul/heart.
Broken hearts are yet another aspect of “What Kate Does.” Sawyer tosses Juliet’s would-have-been wedding band into the lagoon, and Kate either feels sad that Sawyer loved and lost, or she’s unhappy that now she’ll have to traipse all the way back to the temple to see if Jack is still interested.
More touching to me than either Sawyer’s or Kate’s tears was a brief scene in which Hurley is curious about the afterlife. He wonders if there are angels or white light, but Sayid doesn’t remember anything but being shot. In last week’s episode, Hurley reminded dead Sayid that he’d be around for a chat anytime the spirit was willing. Hurley now accepts that he can talk with the dead (without questioning whether he is crazy) and believes in an afterlife. It seems he just wants to get a few more details. I keep remembering Hurley dressed as a Biblical prophet in Charlie’s vision from “Fire + Water” a few seasons back. I wonder if any further connection between his talent for talking with the dead and spirituality will be made. Oh, well, I’m probably just trying to find more ways for Charlie to return during Season Six.
The pace of this episode slowed from last week’s rapid-fire introduction to two timelines and a big family reunion. I like the parallels between scenes new and old. I like the cameos by the ghosts of seasons past. I think I was just spoiled last week with so many revelations and reunions that this week’s character development lagged a bit. However, this hour still goes more quickly than any other. I should ask Dan Faraday about that.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Loving LOST: LA X
SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't seen both hours of the Season Six premiere, 1) you won't understand my cryptic references, and 2) you'll be spoiled.
Five reasons why I’m already loving the sixth season of Lost:
1. Everything old is new again.
Think that dialogue sounds so 2004? Probably it is. Jack and Rose once again discuss turbulence, word for word as they did in our 2004 world, which is their present. This time, however, Bernard really does return from the bathroom. Cue Bernard’s and Rose’s love theme one more time.
Even when the dialogue isn’t the same, the scene looks eerily familiar. Jack vainly attempts CPR on a castaway too long oxygen deprived to be brought back. Kate begs him to stop, knowing it’s too late. The corpse this time is Sayid, not Charlie, but the results, like the dialogue, turn out the same.
The Marshal is destined to suffer a headache during Kate’s escape; Sun has to button her sweater, as well as her English-speaking lips; Charlie can’t escape that fugly striped shirt. It’s déjà vu all over again.
2. Jack is not a physicist, or even a very good time traveler.
As I suspected, Jack’s Plan A for setting the future to rights by meddling with the past didn’t exactly account for all the variables. So what’s his Plan B?
Should I worry that island-bound Jack seems far too OK with letting other people lead? Or is he quietly agreeing with Fate that he really should let go of his avocation as a “fixer”?
3. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
With one line, Shannon’s story is forever changed in Lostlore. Boone at least gets a handshake and a smile before we send him on his way. I only wish Charlie fared as well. I realize that in the original timeline, or an alternate version of the timeline that might’ve been, he hasn’t overcome his problems with heroin. Still, I ached to make it better when he growled at Jack, “I should’ve died.” Maybe the writers should’ve left well enough alone, at least for some of the gone but more fondly remembered castaways than the sorry lot departing Oceanic 815. At least Rose and Bernard seem happy, but I worry for her health.
4. I’m making a list and checking it (off) twice.
What’s/Who’s Smoky? Check. Whatever happened to Zach and Emma? Check. Might Richard have arrived on the island as a slave? Check.
5. The island is under new management.
And I wouldn’t tick off the boss. He seems to hold a grudge.
That’s just my Top Five from the first two hours. I haven’t even mentioned how much I love the resonances in music between Seasons One and Six, the symbolism of light and shadow (especially in fLocke’s scenes), the liberal use of irony, or the many symbols old and new. I expected an intriguing, somewhat nostalgic premiere, and I wasn’t disappointed. Suddenly May 23 seems too near, in any timeline, but I’m re-making some great memories to take with me.
Now excuse me. I have to reinforce the magic black circle around my house. Just in case. I’m not sure what may arrive with next week’s episode.
Five reasons why I’m already loving the sixth season of Lost:
1. Everything old is new again.
Think that dialogue sounds so 2004? Probably it is. Jack and Rose once again discuss turbulence, word for word as they did in our 2004 world, which is their present. This time, however, Bernard really does return from the bathroom. Cue Bernard’s and Rose’s love theme one more time.
Even when the dialogue isn’t the same, the scene looks eerily familiar. Jack vainly attempts CPR on a castaway too long oxygen deprived to be brought back. Kate begs him to stop, knowing it’s too late. The corpse this time is Sayid, not Charlie, but the results, like the dialogue, turn out the same.
The Marshal is destined to suffer a headache during Kate’s escape; Sun has to button her sweater, as well as her English-speaking lips; Charlie can’t escape that fugly striped shirt. It’s déjà vu all over again.
2. Jack is not a physicist, or even a very good time traveler.
As I suspected, Jack’s Plan A for setting the future to rights by meddling with the past didn’t exactly account for all the variables. So what’s his Plan B?
Should I worry that island-bound Jack seems far too OK with letting other people lead? Or is he quietly agreeing with Fate that he really should let go of his avocation as a “fixer”?
3. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
With one line, Shannon’s story is forever changed in Lostlore. Boone at least gets a handshake and a smile before we send him on his way. I only wish Charlie fared as well. I realize that in the original timeline, or an alternate version of the timeline that might’ve been, he hasn’t overcome his problems with heroin. Still, I ached to make it better when he growled at Jack, “I should’ve died.” Maybe the writers should’ve left well enough alone, at least for some of the gone but more fondly remembered castaways than the sorry lot departing Oceanic 815. At least Rose and Bernard seem happy, but I worry for her health.
4. I’m making a list and checking it (off) twice.
What’s/Who’s Smoky? Check. Whatever happened to Zach and Emma? Check. Might Richard have arrived on the island as a slave? Check.
5. The island is under new management.
And I wouldn’t tick off the boss. He seems to hold a grudge.
That’s just my Top Five from the first two hours. I haven’t even mentioned how much I love the resonances in music between Seasons One and Six, the symbolism of light and shadow (especially in fLocke’s scenes), the liberal use of irony, or the many symbols old and new. I expected an intriguing, somewhat nostalgic premiere, and I wasn’t disappointed. Suddenly May 23 seems too near, in any timeline, but I’m re-making some great memories to take with me.
Now excuse me. I have to reinforce the magic black circle around my house. Just in case. I’m not sure what may arrive with next week’s episode.
Monday, February 1, 2010
LOST Radio Interviews on Tuesday
If you live in listening range of the following radio stations, I hope you'll tune in tomorrow. I'll be talking about LOST on these stations:
North Central Illinois 99.3 WAJK: talking with Jon Shap
Columbus, Chillicothe, Ohio 1090 WBEX: talking with Dan Ramey
Fargo, North Dakota WDAY-AM: talking with the Morning Buzz with Ben and Tracy
Phoenix, Arizona KMLE Country: talking with Tim and Willy in the Morning
If you're in driving distance of Cricketer's Arms in Orlando, watch LOST on a big screen with your friends. Check out the Geeks Night Out site or the Facebook page for more information. Talk with me about LOST and what you hope happens during Season Six. This event is a fantastic way to start the new season! Hope to see you there.
Geeks Night Out
Here's the link to the long version of my LOST discussion with Jon Shap. Thanks for posting the link, Jon! I enjoyed our chat.
WAJK interview with Jon Shap
North Central Illinois 99.3 WAJK: talking with Jon Shap
Columbus, Chillicothe, Ohio 1090 WBEX: talking with Dan Ramey
Fargo, North Dakota WDAY-AM: talking with the Morning Buzz with Ben and Tracy
Phoenix, Arizona KMLE Country: talking with Tim and Willy in the Morning
If you're in driving distance of Cricketer's Arms in Orlando, watch LOST on a big screen with your friends. Check out the Geeks Night Out site or the Facebook page for more information. Talk with me about LOST and what you hope happens during Season Six. This event is a fantastic way to start the new season! Hope to see you there.
Geeks Night Out
Here's the link to the long version of my LOST discussion with Jon Shap. Thanks for posting the link, Jon! I enjoyed our chat.
WAJK interview with Jon Shap
Sunday, January 31, 2010
LOST Journeys--The Countdown Continues
What do Lost and The Odyssey have in common?
If you watched last Tuesday's rerun of "The Incident," you probably read those informative but annoying blurbs on the bottom of the screen. Now I pride myself on analyzing just about everything on screen on Lost, but I admit that I missed the lines from The Odyssey Jacob wove into a tapestry. Loved the Eye of Horus motif and the allusion to weaving the fates of future castaways, but didn't translate Greek fast enough. So, for once, I'm really glad that I read the episode.
The Odyssey has always fascinated me. I read it as a student. I make my students read it. It's an ancestor text (one of hundreds) for Lost. Desmond's and Penny's story in many ways parallels the life journey of Odysseus and his Penelope. Odysseus struggled with tests, challenges, and frustrations from being stuck on an island for years, just like our Lostaways. All these characters return home only to discover it's not the way they remembered it.
Of all the aspects of "The Incident" to include in those Lost for Dummies blurbs, why were certain lines from The Odyssey highlighted? Why was the emphasis placed on both Romans and Greeks? Do they somehow refer to conflicts between Jacob and the Man in Black? Between Greeks and Romans? Among other ancient warring peoples? We know that some islanders converse in Latin. Did they learn it because it's their leader's first language? Or are these lines just linguistic red herrings to distract us from the many Egyptian hieroglyphs scattered across the island? Are these hints leading us to better understand Season Six? Or are we reading too much into the (sub)text again? A shout out to The Odyssey in one scene can prompt a season's worth of questions about what it might really mean or why The Odyssey has come up yet again in a Lost episode.
Lost's Season Six undoubtedly won't answer all my--or anyone's, everyone's--questions. I'm relieved that Darlton promise character development instead of 16 hours of Q&A. I'd much rather find out what happens to my favorite characters instead of knowing definitively what Smoky is. So if a decade from now I'm still wondering why Jacob wove those particular lines from The Odyssey into a neat little wall hanging, that's OK.
Lost continues to be a journey of discovery and self-discovery for me. In some ways the series has been better than grad school. It not only prodded me to read and re-read literary classics as well as obscurities, but it embroiled me in countless discussions about fate, destiny, and redemption. Lost continues to be an Odyssey, and I am impatient to take one final voyage with the Lostaways. It's time to set sail.
If you watched last Tuesday's rerun of "The Incident," you probably read those informative but annoying blurbs on the bottom of the screen. Now I pride myself on analyzing just about everything on screen on Lost, but I admit that I missed the lines from The Odyssey Jacob wove into a tapestry. Loved the Eye of Horus motif and the allusion to weaving the fates of future castaways, but didn't translate Greek fast enough. So, for once, I'm really glad that I read the episode.
The Odyssey has always fascinated me. I read it as a student. I make my students read it. It's an ancestor text (one of hundreds) for Lost. Desmond's and Penny's story in many ways parallels the life journey of Odysseus and his Penelope. Odysseus struggled with tests, challenges, and frustrations from being stuck on an island for years, just like our Lostaways. All these characters return home only to discover it's not the way they remembered it.
Of all the aspects of "The Incident" to include in those Lost for Dummies blurbs, why were certain lines from The Odyssey highlighted? Why was the emphasis placed on both Romans and Greeks? Do they somehow refer to conflicts between Jacob and the Man in Black? Between Greeks and Romans? Among other ancient warring peoples? We know that some islanders converse in Latin. Did they learn it because it's their leader's first language? Or are these lines just linguistic red herrings to distract us from the many Egyptian hieroglyphs scattered across the island? Are these hints leading us to better understand Season Six? Or are we reading too much into the (sub)text again? A shout out to The Odyssey in one scene can prompt a season's worth of questions about what it might really mean or why The Odyssey has come up yet again in a Lost episode.
Lost's Season Six undoubtedly won't answer all my--or anyone's, everyone's--questions. I'm relieved that Darlton promise character development instead of 16 hours of Q&A. I'd much rather find out what happens to my favorite characters instead of knowing definitively what Smoky is. So if a decade from now I'm still wondering why Jacob wove those particular lines from The Odyssey into a neat little wall hanging, that's OK.
Lost continues to be a journey of discovery and self-discovery for me. In some ways the series has been better than grad school. It not only prodded me to read and re-read literary classics as well as obscurities, but it embroiled me in countless discussions about fate, destiny, and redemption. Lost continues to be an Odyssey, and I am impatient to take one final voyage with the Lostaways. It's time to set sail.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Countdown to LOST (with a few potential spoilers)
Unlike Jack, I don't have to spend my weekends criss-crossing the Pacific or consult a pendulum to return to the island, but I'm just as eager to get back. Every January for the past three years I've made this pilgrimage, but this year is special. This is the last time I'll be on the island while LOST is still being filmed. The countdown clock ticks loudly.
This year I stay at Turtle Bay on the North Shore. The spirit of LOST sightings past haunts the resort: It was the site of the first DVD launch party, attended by the cast. An enormous banyan tree is a former LOST filming location. It's a good base for my return to the island, but it's not my primary destination.
A short drive away, just past the tree where Kate and Tom dig up a time capsule, is one of my favorite beaches anywhere (and I like a lot of beaches). Whether I'm lucky to see activity at the Papa'iloa Beach site or not, that's where I need to be.
Even without the quite obvious set only yards past the orange fence dividing public from private land, the view is spectacular. The beach is less traveled by tourists, but it's far from quiet. The surf explodes on the rocks. Recent storms have left the beach several feet lower than when I last saw it. Black rocks (but not THE Black Rock) guard the coast between glassy blue-green waves and the castaways' camp. In mid-January, record swells make the waves especially impressive--and crank the volume to max. When I think of crashing on this beach, I'm not picturing a plane.
Dutiful LOST fan that I am, I take pictures of the camp site each year. One of my students provided me with photos from the original crash site, taken during her holiday in 2004. Since then, my photos track the castaways' ups and downs on a remote crescent of beach. Last year's photos are kind of depressing. The camp circa January 2009 looks abandoned, and not just because the cast was on hiatus when I visited. This year, however, my photos show lots of changes.
The camp looks lived in! That makes me wonder about all the reset rumors--which seem to have some validity. Although people who've seen a scene or two being filmed for Season 6 can't provide a lot of detail--you know how misleading a single scene can be, taken out of LOST's convoluted context--it does sound like old scenes are being revisited. We've all read the online confirmations that actors playing long-dead characters have gone native one more time. So it's very interesting that the easily-viewed beach camp looks fresh.
Luggage around the fire pit makes the perfect sit-upons, and several huts have been creatively constructed from the fuselage. It's plane to see that the camp looks very different from the last time I--or even Season 5 Sun--dropped by.
Boone Hill shows evidence of more activity, too (although overzealous fans may have been digging up clues rather than castaways planting more corpses). Maybe Season 6 really is the Zombie Season, and the dead are quite literally coming back to life. Ick. I really don't want to trip over Nikki or Paolo while I wander down the beach.
Surprisingly, Mr. Eko's church still stands. I like to sit in front of it and watch the waves--it's a sentimental spot for me. I've always been a fan of Charlie and Locke, and both spend some memorable Season 3 time there.
Unfortunately, I don't run into the crew this day, although I later learn that filming on Papa'iloa takes place soon after. The beach is apparently still important more than halfway through filming of the final season.
Next year when I visit, I'll know the complete story and what all my photos mean in relation to LOST lore. I'm saddened by that thought, but I have more than five years of real and virtual memories of this island. Pick your fandoms wisely. I found my LOST love on the island.
One week until the premiere. I've been home a week, and I can't wait to go back to the island.
This year I stay at Turtle Bay on the North Shore. The spirit of LOST sightings past haunts the resort: It was the site of the first DVD launch party, attended by the cast. An enormous banyan tree is a former LOST filming location. It's a good base for my return to the island, but it's not my primary destination.
A short drive away, just past the tree where Kate and Tom dig up a time capsule, is one of my favorite beaches anywhere (and I like a lot of beaches). Whether I'm lucky to see activity at the Papa'iloa Beach site or not, that's where I need to be.
Even without the quite obvious set only yards past the orange fence dividing public from private land, the view is spectacular. The beach is less traveled by tourists, but it's far from quiet. The surf explodes on the rocks. Recent storms have left the beach several feet lower than when I last saw it. Black rocks (but not THE Black Rock) guard the coast between glassy blue-green waves and the castaways' camp. In mid-January, record swells make the waves especially impressive--and crank the volume to max. When I think of crashing on this beach, I'm not picturing a plane.
Dutiful LOST fan that I am, I take pictures of the camp site each year. One of my students provided me with photos from the original crash site, taken during her holiday in 2004. Since then, my photos track the castaways' ups and downs on a remote crescent of beach. Last year's photos are kind of depressing. The camp circa January 2009 looks abandoned, and not just because the cast was on hiatus when I visited. This year, however, my photos show lots of changes.
The camp looks lived in! That makes me wonder about all the reset rumors--which seem to have some validity. Although people who've seen a scene or two being filmed for Season 6 can't provide a lot of detail--you know how misleading a single scene can be, taken out of LOST's convoluted context--it does sound like old scenes are being revisited. We've all read the online confirmations that actors playing long-dead characters have gone native one more time. So it's very interesting that the easily-viewed beach camp looks fresh.
Luggage around the fire pit makes the perfect sit-upons, and several huts have been creatively constructed from the fuselage. It's plane to see that the camp looks very different from the last time I--or even Season 5 Sun--dropped by.
Boone Hill shows evidence of more activity, too (although overzealous fans may have been digging up clues rather than castaways planting more corpses). Maybe Season 6 really is the Zombie Season, and the dead are quite literally coming back to life. Ick. I really don't want to trip over Nikki or Paolo while I wander down the beach.
Surprisingly, Mr. Eko's church still stands. I like to sit in front of it and watch the waves--it's a sentimental spot for me. I've always been a fan of Charlie and Locke, and both spend some memorable Season 3 time there.
Unfortunately, I don't run into the crew this day, although I later learn that filming on Papa'iloa takes place soon after. The beach is apparently still important more than halfway through filming of the final season.
Next year when I visit, I'll know the complete story and what all my photos mean in relation to LOST lore. I'm saddened by that thought, but I have more than five years of real and virtual memories of this island. Pick your fandoms wisely. I found my LOST love on the island.
One week until the premiere. I've been home a week, and I can't wait to go back to the island.
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