Cabin Fever

I think I enjoyed tonight's episode of Lost. I say "think," because I'm still sort of trying to take it all in.

You could argue that tonight's episode was actually the weakest of the season in terms of character. There wasn't really a heart-touching story at the center of the "present" story or the Locke flashbacks. Instead, the whole episode was about tweaking things you thought you knew, and connecting threads you may or may not have known were connected before.

This was the kind of episode that might make you want to go back and watch whole chunks of the series again, really. Because it drew on bits and pieces from more episodes than I think I'll be able to accurately tally here.

We had the return of the mysterious ageless Richard Alpert. Just as in Ben's flashback from season three, he appeared to be a sort of "Panchen Lama" for The Island, seeking out the next leader to control its powers. Now we learn that he appears to have wanted Locke all along in the first place, but that Locke wasn't "ready" to assume the role until he lost the use of his legs. It appears Ben was actually the "backup choice" for the role of "Leader of the Others."

We learn that the same associate of Widmore's that harassed Hurley in his flash-forward also went after Locke in his past, sending Locke on the walkabout that would never happen, causing him to be on Oceanic 815. How much does Widmore know of Locke's importance? And is there any chance that he knew the plane crash would follow, sending him to The Island? Claire's psychic from season one knew, after all.

And speaking of Claire... what the hell? She's "with Christian" now. Meaning what, that she's dead? Or simply walking with the spirits?

When did Christian become a servant/spokesman/tool of Jacob's? In any case, it kind of now seems as though way back in season one, when Jack saw his father on the Island, ultimately leading him to find "the cave" they used for shelter, it may well have been because Jacob sent Christian there to help.

The death of the freighter doctor, foretold in an early episode on the beach, now came to pass, in a major illustration of how time is passing differently on The Island than it is in the outside world.

Michael gets beaten (yay!), but not nearly enough.

Sayid and Desmond have now separated, putting another major piece into place insofar as bringing about the future we've now glimpsed. (Sayid's escapes the Island. Desmond, not necessarily.)

And the concluding moment... we're going to move the Island??!!

So, like I said, not a lot of tender moments to tug at your emotions, but plenty of stuff to send your head spinning.

Oh, and some truly funny scenes involving the unlikely trio of Locke, Ben, and Hurley.