Previously on Lost…

Season 4

Time after Time – Episode 4.5 The Constant

What elevates a show like Lost is the character development. Sure, what draws me in is the mystery, but over time we have truly grown to love and loathe these characters. They’re indelible. Love ‘em or leave ‘em, we’ll never forget ‘em.

And that’s the beauty of the show – as crazy as things get, we are always grounded by our ragged group of Everymen (and women) who are confronted with the surreal and supernatural. It’s the same core tenet that Stephen King has found such sweeping success with – take normal people and throw them against the abnormal. As long as the characters are written and performed well, the viewer can accept anything.

Through all the mysteries that have been woven into the fabric, Lost is a tale of Love that truly resonates. While many characters have comingled and consummated their passions, it’s Desmond and his Greek Tragedy of a quest to find his fair Penelope, that drives that beating heart. And in this episode, where not only do we get some major concrete clues regarding the effect of time travel on and from the island, it also offers up a grand, sweeping romantic gesture when Desmond is able to take advantage of the temporal fluctuations to place a call from the off shore mercenary ship to London-based Penelope, across time and space, professing his undying love for her and sowing the seeds that would eventually grow to enable his future rescue from Hell.

When Smoke Monsters Attack – Episode 4.9 The Shape of Things to Come

Old Smokey has been a presence ever since we first spied him throwing a hissy fit and ripping down trees in the pilot episode. Way back then, I’m sure we all thought it was a dinosaur or piece of harvester equipment. Hell, maybe just a really pissed off polar bear. Since then, we’ve seen the changing size and shape of the island’s security system and received enough cryptic clues to start to piece together some intel as to what makes it tick.

For starters, I’m pretty sure it’s the embodiment of the ‘evil’ force that balances Jacob’s benevolent power on the island. The repeating references to black and white, yin and yang, good and evil are a constant on this show. And we’ve seen Smokey show up in the wake of ghostly visitations of warning from character’s dead loved ones (i.e. Yemi to Mr. Ecko before the latter had the smackdown laid on him).

But, we’ve never seen Smokey summoned in the manner that Ben called upon when Keamy and his merry band of mercs attacked Othersville and executed Alex in front of him. Suddenly, a sham Daddy’s rage called upon the powers of Hell to rip Keamy a new one – as Smokey barreled forth like a freight train and specifically targeted Ben’s enemies.

It’s a moment that’s memorable on two fronts. For starters, the actual attack scene was one of the more thrilling moments on Lost – with Smokey’s power on ample display. And secondly, if we were beginning to doubt that the trickster Ben had any real connection to the island, those questions were answered when Smokey heeded his call. He may not be the Chosen One but he’s got enough island mojo to make things happen.