Locke has always believed he was meant to be on the island, and has repeatedly sabotaged his chances to escape. It is pretty hard to blame the guy considering that, pre-crash, he was paralyzed and had mostly horrible life experiences. But, in this illuminating episode, we learn that Locke was chosen to be on the island and that many attempts were made to get him there. We still have to wait to find out why, but first let’s start with a little background.
The Facts
Locke is born prematurely to a mother who had conceived him accidentally, it seems, and does not want him. Nurses acknowledge that he is the youngest preemie to survive at that hospital—he is a miracle baby. This is witnessed by a man standing outside Locke’s hospital room: Richard Alpert, the ageless Other.
As a child, Locke receives a visit from Richard, posing as a recruiter from a school for gifted children. Before being accepted to the school, he is told to select one of six items displayed on a table, the one that is already his. Young Locke does not quite understand and selects a knife. Richard is disappointed with Locke’s decision, tells him he is not yet ready, and leaves.
In high school, Locke’s science teacher informs him of a call from a “Dr. Alpert,” from a place called Mittelos Laboratories (where Juliet eventually works). They are interested in having him attend their summer camp. Locke, having just been rescued from a locker he was stuffed in, rejects the idea of going to science camp and being further subjected to taunts.
The final recruiting attempt comes during rehab after his eight-story fall. Locke’s orderly tells him to find himself on a “walkabout”—the tour Locke signs up for that leads him to Australia in the first place. The orderly is the same man who approached Hurley in the mental institution, claiming to be an Oceanic lawyer, and the man seen with Naomi before she left for the island. He tells Locke, “You’ll owe me one” when they meet again.
On the island, the power seems to shift from Ben to Locke, as Locke starts having dreams that Ben claims to have once had. He dreams of a dead Dharma member, Horace, who informs Locke that he will find Jacob “when you find me.” Locke leads Ben and Hurley to a mass grave of Dharma members and fingers Ben as their murderer. Locke finds Horace’s corpse, along with a map to Jacob’s cabin, which he saw him building in his dream.
The map proves helpful, and he finds the cabin and enters alone. Inside is Christian Shephard—who explains that he can speak on Jacob’s behalf—and confirms that Locke was chosen. Also in the cabin is Claire, who appears somewhat entranced. Locke seems concerned about her and Aaron, but is told the baby is where he needs to be. After a series of questions Locke asks his most important one: “How do I save the island?” and reports back to Ben and Hurley that he has to “move the island.”
The Frenzy
Locke’s story this week raises a lot of questions. Why him? What did the six items—some of which we see on the island in the future—mean? Why was he rejected by Richard when it was clear they wanted him? In what way will he have to “owe” the orderly? Why did the events in his dream begin to repeat?
It also introduces some noticeable themes, including Locke as superhero, which, ironically, his teacher tells him he will never be, even though on the island he seems to have the qualities of one. Also, it brings to light the juxtaposition of Locke and Ben, two men born to a woman named Emily three months early, who possess daddy issues, and were selected by the island. I wonder if Locke, who was healed on the island, will eventually end up like Ben, who got sick.
This week’s other plot involves the freighter. The crew acknowledges that something strange is going on, Michael avoids death once again, the doctor is murdered (which shows us the clear presence of a time lapse between the island and the outside world), Keamy—who seems to have a Dharma connection—murders the captain, the pilot, Frank, attempts to save more lives, Sayid escapes for the island while Desmond chooses not to return, and most crew members realize this is not what they had signed up for.
This is a lot to absorb for one episode. What are some of your thoughts?
Loading ...