Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost'

Posted on: May 9, 2008 12:35 pm

Edited on: May 9, 2008 12:39 pm

Score: 94

Last night's episode, "Cabin Fever," took us on two parallel journeys. We see the genesis of John Locke and we see our "we're the craziest" triumvirate of Locke, Hurley and Ben seek out Jacob's cabin, and the next Island-inspired mission.

First Locke. Like Ben, his mother went MIA after childbirth. (Ben's died during, while Locke's gave him up for adoption). Locke also entered the world three months early, and hence, became Preemy Locke. Ben popped out a bit unexpectedly too, in the woods off a highway. And from day 1, Preemy Locke was on the never-aging Richard Alpert's radar. From day 1, nobody wanted John Locke except ... the Island.

Who is Richard Alpert? He's the hostile from Ben's Dharma days. He's the recruiter of Juliet to Mittelos LLC. And he's now the persistent Island recruiter of John Locke.

So why doesn't Richard Albert age? After all, we’ve seen him look the same in three to four different time periods in the 20th century? A couple theories:

The Island's powers, when harnessed properly (The Dharma Initiative’s initiative, maybe?) serve as a fountain of youth.
The Island's powers allow special residents like Ben and Alpert to hop around the world and violate the rules of space and time.
He's already dead.
He's already dead, and he was on the Black Rock, which stumbled on the Island, which harbors the dead, but in TV-watchable-lifelike fashion.

I'm guessing it has something to do with a secret of the Island. And maybe he's dead. I don't know, maybe you do?

Anyway, Alpert, in of the season's most important scenes, shows up at 5-year-old Locke's foster home and whips out a bevy of items backgammon-playing Locke is supposed to claim are "already" his. What does the word "already" signify? Does Locke have some sort of connection to the Island? Could Locke be the heir to something on the Island? Regardless, Alpert is recruiting Locke for a school meant for "extremely special" children.

The items are:

A baseball mitt
A vial of some white-ish substance (sand? Gunpowder? Part of the Black Rock?)
A book, the Book of Laws
A compass
A comic book, Mystery Tales
A knife

Locke picks the vial and the compass, which made Alpert happy. Then Locke picked up his knife, and Alpert was a mixture of disappointment and anger.

Locke instantly became not "ready for our school." I'm guessing there is a connection here between Alpert and why all the kids were snagged up from the plane crash by the Others.

It's likely Alpert, who stealthily recruited Ben and his father to the Island (through Horace Goodspeed). It's Alpert who was recruiting Juliet to come work in their fertility department. And I'm guessing it's Alpert who wanted all those fresh, young children from the plane crash. Why? He could be the director of hostiles’ development for the Island, aA sort of talent scout. Or he could be the last vesicle of goodness on an Island that's corrupted by Ben's/Jacob's manipulative ideology and the war with Widmore. Or maybe, as we get derailed here, he was once a hand on the Black Rock, maybe one who stood up to Black Rock captain Widmore, and it's really a battle between these two ex-sailors for control of the Island.

Let's get back to the story.

Richard Alpert checks in on Preemy Locke. After waking up (but really still dreaming) in Jack Sheppard fashion (close up of his eye), Locke meets Horace Goodspeed, the man who helped baby Ben enter the world and brought Ben and workman dad of Ben to the Island. He's felling trees in some sort Sisyphean purgatory -- he's been dead for 12 years -- while tending to frequent bloody noses and getting his tale stuck on a shoddy loop (he had to restart his message at one point). Horace tells Locke to find the Goodspeed corpse, which will lead you to Jacob's cabin. Of course, Horace was really working on Jacob's cabin.

Confused yet? Me too.

Locke finds the corpse, which has a blueprint/map of the cabin and off Hurley, Locke and Ben go to find the cabin. Why? Because as Hurley says, "we're the craziest." Damn right, you all are.

Quick tangent. This was all inspired by another Locke dream. We've had a few of these (sees Eko's plane crash, e.g.) and we learn that Ben "used to have dreams." You know who doesn't have dreams anymore? Dead people.

And remember when Ben, talking of shooting Locke, says "I should have realized at the time it was pointless, but I wasn't really thinking clearly." Why is shooting Locke pointless? Because we're on some mystical Island? You know when shooting becomes pointless? When the person you’re shooting is already dead.

Also, on the path to the Cabin, we see Locke perfect Ben's reverse psychology tricks with Hurley. Ben's impressed, but Locke reminds the uber-Other that "I'm not you." But Ben, being the king of last words, retorts, "you certainly aren't."

This exchange reeks of import. Could these two be bros? Both their mom's name were Emily. Both were sort of orphaned. Both were recruited to come to the Island. Both have a connection to the Island. And both seem to supplement one another. Ben was supposed to die from his tumor; Locke was supposed to get better from being paralyzed. Also, Ben helped with a mass execution, Locke picks off his peeps one at a time -- Boone, unwittingly arming Michael -- which may be a precursor to Locke pulling off some sort of mass murder. Could that be what Jacob/Christian/Claire told him? Could it be his destiny?

Ben has two cents on destiny: "Those things (killing the D.I.) had to happen to me, they were my destiny. But there are consequences to being chosen. Because destiny, John, is a fickle bitch." Consequences, eh? Like seeing your adopted daughter murdered?

As we continue to flashback to the evolution of Locke we find out he was picked on in school, and despite being a science whiz (like Jack), he always wanted to be the jock/superhero. And his unwillingness to embrace his path meant Mittelos (Alpert's LLC) wouldn't be recruiting 16-year-old Locke to Portland's best science camp. If he had gone, he probably would have met 11-ish-year-old Ben, who was probably landing on the Island any day back then.

We also catch Locke rehabbing, where he runs into an "orderly" who looks awfully familiar. Why it's Matthew Abaddon, who once paid Hurley a visit, and put together the team of Naomi and freighter friends.

Back on the Island, Ben says he's passing the torch to Locke, which seems to mean: I'll let you enter the mystical cabin since the Island likes you better. But really, do you think Ben is not in control of the situation? Sounds like some of that reverse psychology Locke tried out on Hurley earlier on.

In the cabin we meet Jacob. Wait, that's not Jacob, it's Jack's dad, Christian Sheppard -- and Claire. Me thinks Claire dead. And I bet it took dozens of takes to get her to perfect that smirk. Christian tells Locke to keep Claire's presence (death?) a secret and to move the Island, whatever the heck that means.

Question: Why would another Losties' pop tell Locke to do this, instead of say, tell his son? Christian used to belittle Jack, saying he wasn't a leader and various other sayings straight out of the bad-dad playbook. All that did was turn Jack into a ... leader. Locke, conversely, has never been a leader until crashing on the Island. And even as a leader, he has to rely on dreams to guide him. Where am I going with this? Don't know, but we're going to have a Jack-Locke clash pretty soon, as the man of science and action (Jack) clashes with the man of faith, but really science, Locke thanks to Christian Sheppard.

I think I’m out of steam, but if you watched last night's episode, I'm eager to hear your thoughts? If you didn't, you must think you just read the worst thing on our site.

On to the best blogs ... around!

While Kobe takes home the hardware, and Pau gets credited with sparking the turnaround, Cloak & Dugout says Derek Fisher deserves his props as the Lakers continue their run to the title.

With an intrastate clash going on in the NHL Eastern finals, it's good to see the Rocky statue in the middle of it. Stupidity in Sports gives props to the Philly faithful who staked out all night to break up any Balboa bandits.

Is it ever too late to review the NFL Draft? Apparently not for Colts from a Distance. Guess which team the blog breaks down?

If you're into Red Sox recaps, check out Red Sox Recap. The blog recaps the Tigers-Red Sox game last night and theorizes that if the Youk were to ever leave, Detroit would be a nice destination.

Klick of the Day

Per usual on Friday, for more on last night's Lost, check in on Doc Jensen. (EW.com)

Category: SPiN

Comments

Add a Comment

J. Darin Darst Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 14, 2006	Posted on: May 9, 2008 1:09 pm Score: 90 Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost' The reason the show is called "Lost" is because after watching it you are completely lost. Maybe its just me and maybe I shouldn't try to joing a series in the middle of its third season. Yes, I know, I'm an idiot. [ Reply to Comment ]
Badger_colorado Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2007	Posted on: May 9, 2008 2:00 pm Score: 92 Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost' Anyway, Alpert, in of the season's most important scenes, shows up at 5-year-old Locke's foster home and whips out a bevy of items backgammon-playing Locke is supposed to claim are "already" his. What does the word "already" signify? Locke is like the Dali Lama? He is reincarnated and then the way they choose their "savior" is by showing him the items to see if he can pick them properly? Picking the knife either meant that Locke was implying he's more than Alpert expected or less. If Alpert thought Locke was simply meant to be a head honcho but Locke picked, for example, Jacob's knife (it's not impossible to think that Jacob is the manifestation of Locke's subconscious and therefore Alpert mistakenly thought that Locke couldn't possibly be Jacob, the be all and end all of the island itself), then Alpert would be mad because he doesn't think Locke is THE guy as opposed to A guy. Or, alternatively, by picking the knife, it just showed Locke was another island regular, but not an important island regular. Or, the knife wasn't associated with anyone and Locke just failed the test. "I should have realized at the time it was pointless, but I wasn't really thinking clearly." Why is shooting Locke pointless? Because we're on some mystical Island? You know when shooting becomes pointless? When the person you’re shooting is already dead.Or, if the island doesn't want you dead, you can't be killed. Same goes for Michael, who couldn't kill himself and couldn't be killed by the crazy special forces dude. This would also explain why Ben couldn't kill the other old dude (when he said something like "we both know I can't kill you"). Because the island won't allow it. Or they're dead. But, then, is Michael's mother dead, too (or can she speak with the dead)? She talked to him, after all. Because destiny, John, is a fickle beatch." Consequences, eh? Like seeing your adopted daughter murdered? But it doesn't have to be. Maybe the island isn't keen on people becoming self-absorbed jerks who want things their own way for their own purposes. Maybe when that happens, the island decides you need to be replaced or taken down a peg. Of course, since Ben is still alive years later, maybe he's serving a bigger purpose for the island (and doesn't realize it while he's getting jealous of Locke) and perhaps he's even being tested by the island so he can find his way back. Of course, the fact that he wants revenge on the other dude's daughter makes me think he's just selfish, but that the island still needs him to play some role. We also catch Locke rehabbing, where he runs into an "orderly" who looks awfully familiar. Why it's Matthew Abaddon, who once paid Hurley a visit, and put together the team of Naomi and freighter friends. The thing that sticks in my mind about this fella is that he said something to the effect of "You'll decide to go on that outback trip, it'll be important for you, and next time you see me, you'll owe me". I feel like this guy might be a bigger player than we know. Could he be Jacob? Could he be higher than Jacob (i.e., the Island itself)? Could he realize that Locke is the most important figure of all and wants him to owe him one? He is the most emotionless of all the people in the show and he always has sort of a spooky, inhuman way about him. I keep getting the impression that Locke is THE savior. But, sometimes saviors have to go through a testing period so that they can be sufficiently morally tested to earn that position. They have to have lots of bad things happen to them, they have to have their faith tested, and they have to overcome many hardships before they can finally assume their position as a savior. Maybe Ben thought he was THE savior, but he was never meant to do more than be local leader and now that the savior has arrived, he's mad and jealous. But, maybe he's still meant to be a leader, just not THE leader that Locke is meant to be. Nobody has been tested as much as Locke and maybe the end result of all the testing is that he has more faith in the island than anyone else. But, mostly, I have no friggin' clue. But this is easily the greatest T.V. show ever created. I just hope they don't muck it up when the finally tie it all together. Supposedly the show has an end planned already. I just hope it doesn't suck. [ Reply to Comment ]
Badger_colorado Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2007	Posted on: May 9, 2008 2:12 pm Score: 93 Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost' If Matthew Abaddon is the Island, why would he hire the freighter crew to go and create conflict on the Island and put the Island at risk? Well, if you want for your chosen one to prove his faith, what better way than to put him in a situation where you have to move the Island? The bible says something to the effect of "You can move mountains if you just have faith". Similarly, maybe you can move Islands if only you have faith. In fact, maybe the ONLY way you can move an Island is if you have true faith, thus, what a great way to get someone to prove themselves. Put them in a perilous situation and then see if they have the faith to perform a miracle. [ Reply to Comment ]
Badger_colorado Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2007	Posted on: May 9, 2008 2:16 pm Score: 92 Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost' From Wikipedia (This makes things REALLY interesting, and plays into some of the theories you discussed last week): Abaddon (Hebrew אבדון Avaddon, meaning "destruction"). In Biblical references (Job 26:6; Proverbs 15:11), it comes to mean "place of destruction", or the realm of the dead, and is associated with Sheol. Abaddon is also one of the compartments of Gehenna.[1] By extension, it can mean an underworld abode of lost souls, or hell. In some legends, it is identified as a realm where the damned lie in fire and snow, one of the places in Hell that Moses visited. [2] In Revelation 9:11, it is personified as Abaddon, "Angel of the Abyss",[1] rendered in Greek as Apollyon; and he is described as king of the locusts which rose at the sounding of the fifth trumpet. In like manner, in Rev. vi. 8, Hades is personified following after death to conquer the fourth part of the earth. Abaddon is one of the infernal names used in LaVeyan Satanism, and is first in the list—only as it comes first alphabetically—and means "the destroyer." Many Biblical scholars believe Abaddon to be Satan or the antichrist[3][4][5][6]. Others have stated that he may be one of the lesser demons of hell, or even a dark angel.[7]One source, The Greater Key of Solomon by Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, stated that Abaddon was powerful enough to be used by Moses as a way of invoking the terrible rains of the Plagues of Egypt.[7]. in many places, Abaddon is pictured as a human sized locust, and is known as the lord of pestilence. Jehovah's Witnesses originally also considered Abaddon a demon, but now identify him with Jesus.[8] According to them, there are several proofs in favor of their concepts, including Revelation 20:1, which reads that "the angel with the key of the abyss and a large prison in his hand seized the dragon (Satan the Devil) and threw him down into the abyss, and closed it on him (Satan)", meaning that the 'angel of the key' had power and authority superior to that of the Devil himself. Therefore, from their standpoint, Abaddon, "the angel with the key of the abyss" (see Revelation 9:1,11) and "the ancient serpent", "the dragon", Satan the Devil, must not be both the same person. [ Reply to Comment ]
Badger_colorado Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2007	Posted on: May 9, 2008 2:24 pm Score: 93 Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost' That Abaddon reference makes me think that Locke is the true Savior, and that Abaddon is the Satanic figure who wants to have the Savior owe him one. If Abaddon is the Island or the leader of the realm of the dead, then maybe Ben is his right hand man. Ben being such a great manipulator, and the fact that he still may be manipulating Locke (by getting him to go into the cabin as if he doesn't want to), makes me think that he's still completely in control and he's trying to corrupt Locke. The whole thing seems to be a good vs. evil deal. Perhaps Ben is on the side of evil and the other old dude is on the side of good. That's why they are locked in an eternal struggle for the Island (and all the souls who are stuck there). [ Reply to Comment ]
g8trfan_1 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 8, 2007	Posted on: May 9, 2008 3:13 pm Score: 95 Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost' Good analysis again Mr. Kay. What does the word "already" signify? Does Locke have some sort of connection to the Island? Could Locke be the heir to something on the Island? I think the fact that Locke was a preemy is huge. We know Ben was too, so maybe there is something special about being born premature. Maybe it messes up a timeline somehow? I think this might have something to do with why Walt is special too. Was he a preemy? I can't remember. Locke picks the vial and the compass, which made Alpert happy. Then Locke picked up his knife, and Alpert was a mixture of disappointment and anger. I think this might relate to what happens later on when Locke says he doesn't want to be a man of science. It seems he wants to be a leader or a hunter. This is why I think he picks the knife, and Richard sees this and decides Locke isn't ready to be what he is meant to be (though he was a kid, so who the heck would). Or maybe, as we get derailed here, he was once a hand on the Black Rock, maybe one who stood up to Black Rock captain Widmore Really interesting ideas. I think he might be from Black Rock, but just a side point. The captain of the Black Rock was named Hanso. He's a very mysterious guy, especially since the guy who created the D.I. was named Alvin (or Alver or something) Hanso and created Hanso Corporation. Maybe him and Richard were on the Black Rock and they worked together or were rivals? Quick tangent. This was all inspired by another Locke dream. We've had a few of these (sees Eko's plane crash, e.g.) and we learn that Ben "used to have dreams." You know who doesn't have dreams anymore? Dead people. I hope you're not right. I believe Claire is dead and Jacks dad. This better not turn into a George Romero movie. It was cool when there were sigthings of dead people and you weren't sure if they were real or not, but if they can just bring back anyone from the dead (as opposed to the monster pretending it is someone) and they don't even know they're dead, then I fear LOST is going to jump the shark. They've done an amazing job so far though, so I think it we'll get a good resolution. Both their mom's name were Emily. Lockes mom isn't dead though. She scams him into giving up his kidney. Bens mom died. I think you're right about them having a connection though. The premature thing will be huge. Locke picks off his peeps one at a time Locke only intentionally killed one person though (Naomi) and it seems to have been the right call. He tried to save Boones life and he couldn't even kill his dad who deserved it. I hope Locke doesn't become a mass murderer although I can see him doing some very questionable things in the name of the island. We also catch Locke rehabbing, where he runs into an "orderly" who looks awfully familiar. Why it's Matthew Abaddon, who once paid Hurley a visit, and put together the team of Naomi and freighter friends. All I said to that was WTF. That threw me for a loop. How the heck does he fit in? At one time I thought he was just the smoke monster. I have no clue now. Maybe someone who experienced the island and got off, but wants to go back? Very weird. Back on the Island, Ben says he's passing the torch to Locke, which seems to mean: I'll let you enter the mystical cabin since the Island likes you better. But really, do you think Ben is not in control of the situation? Sounds like some of that reverse psychology Locke tried out on Hurley earlier on. Completely agree! Question: Why would another Losties' pop tell Locke to do this, instead of say, tell his son? First of all, I'm not 100% sure if it is Christian yet or maybe someone pretending to be him. Secondly, I think maybe Christian did want Jack to do something (he has appeared to him several times), but he wasn't ready. He's the man of science and doesn't believe in the mystical aspects of the island. Can't wait until next week. This show keeps getting better. [ Reply to Comment ]
Eric Kay Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 9, 2007	Posted on: May 9, 2008 3:16 pm Score: 92 Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost' If Alpert thought Locke was simply meant to be a head honcho but Locke picked, for example, Jacob's knife (it's not impossible to think that Jacob is the manifestation of Locke's subconscious and therefore Alpert mistakenly thought that Locke couldn't possibly be Jacob, the be all and end all of the island itself), then Alpert would be mad because he doesn't think Locke is THE guy as opposed to A guy. Or, alternatively, by picking the knife, it just showed Locke was another island regular, but not an important island regular. Or, the knife wasn't associated with anyone and Locke just failed the test I want to be convinced Alpert works in the name of goodness (and maybe Abaddon is badness?) so let's say Locke picking the vial and the compass represented a new generation of Island leader. Compass symbolzing a sense of direction, vial (let's call it beach sand) meaning innate connection to the Island. So when Locke picked up the knife it was a sign to Alpert that Locke as future leader of the Island would have violent tendencies -- like Jacob? Now, we get Abaddon at one of Locke's most vulnerable moments -- immediately after his 8-story plunge -- a time when Locke is on the verge of giving up what little faith in humanity he has left. And what does Abaddon offer him: a deal. Go on a doomed walkabout and something will change. What if Abaddon (because of the time/space issues in Island world) knew the plane was going down and that Locke would be on it. Locke could then take over his destiny as Island leader -- albeit prematurely. If there's one thing we can gleam from Alpert it's that Locke's Island fate has to come when Locke is ready. So Abaddon luring Locke to the Island via the doomed walkabout could be a way of undermining Alpert if these two characters are, in fact, enemies. [ Reply to Comment ]
g8trfan_1 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 8, 2007	Posted on: May 9, 2008 3:22 pm Score: 96 Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost' Awesome stuff Badger. I like the stuff you posted about Abbadon. I knew some of it, but had some parts mixed up. I knew he was keeper of the abyss. Wonder if that is important, or if it is just a cool name to give him and throw off fans? Anyone ever think that maybe the island is evil? I kind of get that feeling sometimes. That maybe because it has all these powers that it is a good place. Maybe it's not. It could be evil or possibly ambivalent, like the force in Star Wars where its how you use it that matters. It seems to have killed some good people though and done some questionable things (killed Eco, made Jack and Ben sick, let Boone die, etc.). So I wonder if the island is either an actual entity or a tool to be used. [ Reply to Comment ]
Eric Kay Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 9, 2007	Posted on: May 9, 2008 3:22 pm Score: 92 Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost' Really interesting ideas. I think he might be from Black Rock, but just a side point. The captain of the Black Rock was named Hanso. He's a very mysterious guy, especially since the guy who created the D.I. was named Alvin (or Alver or something) Hanso and created Hanso Corporation. Maybe him and Richard were on the Black Rock and they worked together or were rivals? I haven't done my homework on Alvero Hanso (sp?), but I have a feeling we'll get to know more about this Dharma creator. Continuing down the Black Rock connection, what if Alvero and Widmore are connected. Widmore's never-aging clan being the Hostiles, Hanso being D.I. Sort of an old-school pirating vs. new-school corporation duel that ended in The Purge. Really stretching things out there, but I find this Black Rock angle one of the more fun theories. Also, I meant to bring up the picture 5-year-old Locke drew. Sure looked like Black Smoke killing somebody (maybe a Merc?) to me. [ Reply to Comment ]
g8trfan_1 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 8, 2007	Posted on: May 9, 2008 3:28 pm Score: 94 Alpha Blog: Off to see the Cabin of 'Lost' If there's one thing we can gleam from Alpert it's that Locke's Island fate has to come when Locke is ready. So Abaddon luring Locke to the Island via the doomed walkabout could be a way of undermining Alpert if these two characters are, in fact, enemies. Wouldn't this mean that Alpert doesn't want Locke being the leader then? If that was the case why did he help Locke out when it came to killing his father? Crazy theory: Maybe the island is holding dead people (we're 99% sure this is the case) and this pisses off Abbadon because he is supposed to rule over the dead in the abyss and he can't get to them. Maybe that's why he asks Hurley if they are still alive or not. [ Reply to Comment ]