"Destiny...Is A Fickle Bitch"

Writing a Lost recap is a bit like writing a college thesis; lots of research, plenty of frustration and as the hours tick by the dawning horror that you chose to do this.

I haven't had a chance to do my online scavenging for theories and wild speculation supported by fringe theories about time travel and wormholes but I'll do my best to do a summary and chime in with some theories of my own.

So we start the episode in what looks to be the 50s. That right there lets us know this is going to be a flashback episode. Whose flashback? John Locke!

Locke is one of the most fascinating characters on the island because he seems to have been the most changed by his arrival there. While all the other characters have continued to act more or less as they did pre-crash Locke seems to have gained some sort of insight into the island and abilities he didn't possess prior. Have we ever learned where Locke learned his tracking/hunting skills? Not that I remember.

Once again Locke and Ben are off searching for Jacob only this time they have Hurley along and Ben can't lead the way. It seems that the island no longer has any use for him at the moment. As Ben says to Locke, "Destiny, John, is a fickle bitch."

On the other side of the island Jack is still being his usual obnoxious self and walking around against Juliet's orders. Nothing very interesting happens to the beach-dwellers so I'm not gonna mention them beyond here. Also I don't like Jack.

On the Miles and Sawyer front we don't get anything new this week...well not right away. But a piece of their puzzle is revealed at the end so I'll get to it.

Freighter Losties: Sayid makes a deal with the captain to get off the freighter using a small boat to ferry people back and save them from the crazy soldier-men while Desmond elects to stay behind.

Des: "I've been on that island for 3 years brother. I'm never setting foot again, not with Penny coming for me."

Good call man. We also learn Michael is the one who told Ben Mr. Keamy's name. Well, duh!

The captain tries to stop the army men and gets shot for his trouble. Oh and now we know how the Doctor washed up on the beach. I'm thinking the bulk of the freighter storyline will get resolved in the next episode. Lapidus, to stop Keamy from killing anymore non-fatigue-wearing folks, agrees to fly his army to the island to exterminate the Losties. But as he does he drops off a special delivery on the beach: a Sat phone. We'll learn how that plays out next week as well I guess.

Let's focus on the Locke flashbacks for now.

It seems the island is kind of a pedophile. Not only did it start recruiting Ben at a young age (his mother's ghost and running into the 'hostiles') it also seemed to bond with Walt and now we learn none other than Richard himself (the guy who recruited Juliet) was paying Locke visits when he looked no older than 6 years old.

There's a theory out there that the castaways are stuck in purgatory and are reliving their miserable lives over and over again. There are also far more intricate and difficult to explain theories regarding time travel, worm holes and alternate dimensions. All of those theories got a huge boost tonight. What does Richard want from Locke? He pulls a bunch of stuff out of a bag; a book (Book of Law), a vial filled with what looks like sand, a comic book, a baseball glove, a compass and a knife (there may have been other stuff but I don't remember it now). He then asks Locke "Which of these belong to you?" A perplexed young Locke thinks he's inviting him to take something for himself. Richard clarifies, "Now, which of these belong to you already?"

Apparently the stuff Locke picks is wrong although personally I think he picked all the right stuff. It seems that Richard doesn't think the knife was his and leaves deeming Locke "not ready yet." Sound familiar? Those were his exact words to Ben.

Flash forward to Locke in high school where he seems to be familiar with the inside of his locker and we learn Locke is pretty good at science. So good that Mittelos Corp. wants him to go to their science camp, courtesy of a Mr. Alpert. As in Richard Alpert. Locke though is more interested in being an athlete and fishing than pursuing his natural talent for science.

Interesting throwaway that may mean nothing: Locke may like physical activity but apparently he sucks at it; his teacher tells him he'll never be the quarterback, he's a scientist. Sounds like the Locke we know now may be engaging in some deep wish fulfillment. Is the island behind his new abilities along with regaining the use of his legs?

Flash forward again to Locke after his 8 story fall. He's struggling through physical therapy and as the orderly taking him back to his room tells him he will walk again Locke reveals there's a 98% chance he'll never even regain feeling. The orderly responds. "You fell 8 stories and lived. That is a miracle." After this telling statement the orderly is revealed: it's our old friend Abbadon! The same one who visited Hurley in the hospital after his breakdown and asked, "They're still alive aren't they?" The same one who recruited Naomi. Oh and guess who told Locke he should try going on a walkabout? Apparently though it's gonna cost him. While he scoffs at the idea Abbadon tells him he'll change his mind and the experience will change him, when that happens Locke "owes" him one.

And so the flashbacks go. Locke's connection to the island is far deeper and stretches back further than we thought. No wonder Ben tried to kill him.

As far as present day Locke goes it seems he's now starting to make some connections himself. It starts when he runs into Horace Goodspeed chopping down a tree. This Dharma-dressed mathematician was the same one who found newborn Ben and his dad after Mrs Linus passed away giving birth. He's also the one who recruited Ben's dad to work for Dharma. He's also been dead for 12 years. Horace also seems to have built Jacob's cabin.

I'm not even gonna try to speculate at this point. My friend and I are convinced Locke is Jacob but at this point you could tell me Aaron is Jacob and I'd buy it.

Horace tells Locke to find him and he'll find the cabin. Horace is also apparently stuck reliving the same moment over and over again. Or is he? Turns out Locke was dreaming. Apparently Ben used to have dreams too. Does this mean this is how Jacob or the island communicates with its favorites? Or is this statement more related to Ben's previous conversation with Richard last season, "You do remember birthdays don't you?"

So many possibilities! Locke leads Ben and Hurley back to the mass Dharma grave from the Purge. We learn Ben wasn't actually behind the Purge, the Others' leader was.

Hurley: "I thought you were their leader."
Ben: "Not always."

An allusion to Widmore? (I'm convinced he used to be the island's favorite at some time in the past, perhaps when the Black Rock landed there) Or to Jacob? Someone else?

Anyway Locke finds Horace and goes digging through his corpse to find the blueprints to Jacob's cabin. Now that they have a way to find it Locke tells Hurley he can head back to the beach. Hurley, scared of impending nightfall and striking out on his own, decides to stay with Ben and Locke. Interesting exchange between Ben and Locke:

Ben: "He actually thinks staying is a good idea. Not bad John."
Locke: "I'm not like you."
Ben: "No, you're not."

Did Locke manipulate Hurley? Possibly. Locke may think he's not like Ben but I beg to differ. He's already been willing to sacrifice himself and the rest of the survivors for the island and he's manipulated people into helping him in his cause before. I'd say he may not yet be just like Ben but he seems to be heading down that path.

So now we get to meet Jacob, right? Well no. Locke makes his way in the cabin alone (can't blame Hurley and Ben for sitting tight) and guess who Jacob's new PR guru is? The seemingly omnipresent Christian Shepherd. Oh and Claire.

I knew Claire was dead, not many people can survive a head-on collision with a freaking rocket even if there is a shack between you. Especially not waify, short, Aussie blondes who until now have contributed nothing to the show except for the occasional pout or kidnapping. Finally Claire is interesting!

Apparently though Locke can't tell anyone he saw her there. The essence of Locke and Christian's conversation can be summed up as such:

Christian: "Why don't you ask the one question that does matter?"
Locke: "How do I save the island?"

Not how do I save my friends or myself. The island. Yeah, Ben and Locke are two totally different people and if you believe that I've got a treasure map I'd love to sell you for a steal.

Locke comes out and when Ben and Hurley ask him what Jacob said to do Locke's response is classic Lost: "We have to move the island."

Sure! OK then now that we know let's push, all at once now!

And just like that this season of Lost officially becomes the best yet. Have we gotten a lot of answers? No. Some, but not a lot. But they've moved the story forward in an unprecedented speed and focus. The show ends in 2 seasons and the writers really seem to be inspired by this deadline. In the wake of so many revelations and theories that make me wish I'd earned a PhD in Physics, Philosophy, Theology and Literature (as well as read every comic book and sci-fi novel ever published) this year is shaping up to be the best for Lost, blowing out even the stellar first season.

I'll be back next week with some more Lost awesomeness and then take a one week break for the season finale airing May 29!

PS - Yes, that's Claire (Emilie De Ravin). Enjoy!