Nadia and Sayid from ABC's LOST. Source: ABC
This was one of those LOST episodes that was choked full … hard to write about in 150 words or less because just about every scene, every piece of dialog, and every facial expression, eyebrow lift, or innuendo had significance. There were no throw away moments in the intensity of ‘Sundown,’ so I’ll touch on the highlights. I was expecting more of a double entendre sort of thing: Sun down, or even son down. But the event lead quite literally to Sundown, and boy was it a doozie. (For a six page in-depth review of this episode, check out ‘The Measure of the Man’ from EW’s Doc Jensen.)
Nadia’s back, so this episode is of course very Sayid-centric. But in the sideways timeline, she’s married – to Sayid’s brother Omer. Who thinks those kids are somehow Sayid’s? Everyone’s favorite badass has worked hard to be a better man, but he still feels he doesn’t deserve Nadia. So he pushes her toward his brother so he can keep tabs on her while still keeping her at arm’s length. But dear Omer is not the safe haven Sayid had hoped. He apparently borrowed money to keep his dry cleaning biz afloat – and either couldn’t pay it back, was being extorted to pay more, or a little bit of both. Sayid offers to make the payment, but Omer feeds into Sayid’s self-doubt and tells him he needs something more. “I know what you did in the war,” Omer chides. “I know what kind of man you are. If you care about [Nadia], you will do this.” Who’s the extortionist now? Sayid counters with, “I’m sorry, I’m not that man anymore.”
Cave scale with black & white stones from 'The Substitute.'
Back on the island, Dogen tells Sayid, “For every man there is a scale. On one side of the scale there is good – on the other, evil.” Hmmm. White stone keeps black stone balanced and in check. Throw white stone in ocean, black stone wins. (Or drown white stone in temple water, black stone crosses perimeter and wins. But more on that later.)
Reader Susan B. says, “I think people can go back and forth - we are not good OR evil, we are good AND evil.” I hope Susan’s right, because I would like to see redemption for both Sayid and Claire. Bring back Charlie and his peanut butter to snatch Claire from the brink. But redemption may not be the issue if we start going by episode titles. ‘Dead Is Dead.’ ‘Whatever Happened, Happened.’ Yikes! Characters are supposed to be dropping like flies this season, so I’ve been watching for blood. “Wha?” you may ask. Quite simply, Smokey did not bleed when stabbed by Sayid. He is soul-less, as the true John Locke was buried on the beach. But Sayid continues to have blood stains on his face. And unless somebody finds an extra Claire or Sayid lying around, I’m still hoping for their return. As Jack said to the wheelchair-bound Locke at LAX, “Nothing is irreversible.”
I must precursor what comes next by saying that I’m not a fan of the Temple storyline. What is being worshipped there: Jacob? Safety? I could totally do without the whole Dogen nonsense and yet another group of Others. And I was amazed to see even that thread show up in Jack’s sideways timeline last week. But it was helpful to see Dogen as a man with a life and a family, and know that he too was brought to the island for a purpose.
Now indulge me for a moment. What if we take Dogen’s quote literally – word for word. For every man there is a scale … for every MAN … singular. And if we are all both good AND evil, then perhaps Jacob and the Man-in-Black are one in the same. That’s why MIB doesn’t have a name, and why the rules say he couldn’t kill Jacob himself. The good balances the evil; they are two halves to a whole. Take away all goodness, and – another Star Wars reference on LOST -- the dark side wins. That’s just a theory.
Anyway, back at the Temple, Sayid finds out that the Others not only wanted Jack to poison him but that they did not save his life after all, and he’s understandably pissed. He and Dogen have it out, and Dogen almost wins – until he sees that baseball fall off the table and drop to the floor. The ball reminds him of his son and his life off the island … and possibly the rules … as he stops short of killing Sayid and tells him to leave the Temple and never come back.
Just outside, Claire’s conscience is still intact as she asks Smokey if he’s going to hurt anyone. Smokey says, “Only the ones who won’t listen,” and Claire’s okay with that. She crosses the line of ash and heads to the Temple gate.
When Miles tells a packing Sayid, “Whatever brought you back – it wasn’t them,” it cues Claire’s entrance. Dogen is not happy to see her and she has no patience for his theatrics either as she snaps, “Speak English!” (since she knows he can). But Mama Littleton is only the messenger – since Smokey can’t come in, he wants Dogen to come out – or to send someone in his place. So Dogen sets Sayid up to do his dirty work. It seems that Sayid must prove that there’s good in his soul – ironically by killing someone. Surprisingly, Sayid accepts the challenge. After taking a stab at Smokey (sorry, you know it had to be said), the MIB does not retaliate. In fact, he expresses his sympathy for Sayid being fooled and talked into making this move. Then Sayid says one of my favorite lines of the night, “And what is it you are trying to talk me into?” Yeah, baby, don’t let him talk you down Sayid! But it’s too late. The pain of Nadia dying in Sayid’s arms broke him, and the MIB is there to sweep up the pieces.
I think the “darkness creeping into Sayid’s heart” is not the infection, but his own inability to forgive his sins. He tells Nadia, “I can’t be with you because I don’t deserve you.” Nadia is the only one who believes in him, but will it be enough?
Charlie's hand from Season 1. Source: ABC
In the sideways timeline, Sayid has been recruited to fill the shoes of his now hospitalized brother. After a quick cameo from Jack, the business debt continues, and the loan shark is Martin Keamy! (Is it fate for all these characters to cross paths no matter what timeline they’re in?) A “negotiation” is held in a restaurant of all places. Wouldn’t it be a cool coincidence if that restaurant was a Mr. Cluck’s? When Sayid takes charge, Keamy recoils and says, “Your brother doesn’t owe me anything. The debt’s forgiven. Let’s relax and forget about it.” Sayid considers it -- for about two seconds -- and replies, “I can’t.” That is both a figurative and literal reply, for at this point Sayid has resolved himself to the fact that he will always be a trained killer. He cannot forgive himself for the horrible things he’s done in the past – nor can he allow Keamy’s men to threaten the safety of Nadia and her children in the present. And so he reverts back to what he does best and kills Keamy in cold blood.
But before the scene can end, there’s a commotion in the freezer. Who on Earth could that be? JIN??
And things are falling apart for Sayid on the island as well. He delivers the MIB’s message (when did Sayid become an errand boy for both Dogen and Smokey?) and tells the Others that Jacob is dead and they have until sundown to leave the Temple. Then Sayid evens the score with Dogen (another baseball metaphor?) and Lennon. I don't think we've seen the last of them -- remember, Jacob was pouring something into the spring water last week. And I can't believe they'd just write Dogen off that quickly (not that he didn't deserve a Sayid smackdown). I'm completely baffled as to the significance of Lennon and why they cast him in the first place.
“You just let it in!” -Lennon
“I know.” -Sayid
Kate’s back and goes to retrieve Claire, while Miles meets up with Ilana, Lapidus, Sun and Ben. Ben makes an attempt to coax Sayid from the spring, but that ain’t happenin’.
“There’s still time.” -Ben
“Not for me.” -Sayid
Omega image on Temple wall. Source: ABC
Smokey’s a comin’ and Ilana & company find the omega symbol (which probably leads outside rather than into a secret room as that is the route Hurley & Jack took to leave the Temple and find the Lighthouse) just in time to escape as Smokey plows throw the Temple. Kate, too, barely escapes being barreled over by Smokey when she jumps into the hole with a clearly imbalanced and agitated Claire.
In the end, many souls are lost – including Sayid & Claire? An uber-creepy version of Claire’s “Catch A Falling Star” plays in the background as the MIB realizes he’s gotten an unexpected bonus in Kate as well ... although she has no idea what she’s in for. What Kate wants most at this point is Claire, so who knows what kind of trade Smokey will offer. Lots of readers wonder why Claire didn’t try to kill Kate as she said she would if Kate truly had Aaron. I believe that’s part of her deal with the MIB as he and Claire gave each other a knowing nod as they exited the Temple.
The next episode, “Dr. Linus,” airs March 9.
---
Your opinion counts: Will Jack realize what Jacob wants him to do in time to save Kate? What are the MIB’s plans for Sawyer and the rest of his new followers?
Examining all things LOST ... email your LOST questions or news to LOSTExaminer@earthlink.net.
Enjoy this article? Receive email alerts when new LOST articles are posted. Just click on the "Subscribe" button above. You can also follow the LOST Examiner on Facebook and Twitter. Namaste.
Comments