Lost 1.14: "Special"
Written by David Fury
Directed by Greg Yaitanes
In which Michael confronts Locke about who should be raising Walt, and things take an unexpected turn when there’s another attack by a polar bear…
Status Report
After a couple of transitional episodes that did little to advance the story since “All the Best Cowboys…”, the writers finally deliver something intended to generate fresh momentum. On the one hand, it is essentially a verification of what many fans have suspected since very early in the series. In other ways, it follows the same logic that was in play for Kate’s flashbacks in “Whatever the Case May Be”. The writers explain what it is that is “special” about Walt, but they don’t go any further or explain why it’s important.
This episode has a much higher flashback content than the past few episodes. This is entirely appropriate, since the flashbacks provide context for Michael’s psychology and the necessary background regarding Walt and his previous displays of enormous power. Like the psychic revelations of “Raised by Another”, this episode firmly establishes that paranormal abilities exist within the “Lost” universe. And like that previous episode, it’s apparent that the world at large is completely unaware of what’s happening beneath the veneer of “normal society”.
Michael’s story is entirely sympathetic, especially since one can see every little mistake he made from the onset. He allowed himself to fall into the situation that led to Walt’s absence, and the emotional trauma that followed was at least partly self-inflicted. Sure, Susan was incredibly self-centered, and cared nothing for Michael in the long run, but there were plenty of clues that her intentions with Michael were temporary. He simply chose not to acknowledge it.
The tragedy doesn’t stop with Michael’s long struggle to deal with the loss of his son. It’s clear that Michael had to tell himself that Walt was forever out of reach, simply to cope, and so it was a shock to the system when Brian came around with the news about Susan. It’s almost as if Michael had just come to terms with the situation, only to find that his acceptance was no longer necessary or even welcome. Even worse, it wasn’t that his paternity was being acknowledged, but rather, that Brian couldn’t handle the fact that something was very wrong about Walt.
In earlier episodes, Walt seemed to have the power to manifest wishes, whether through outright fantasy or implicit desire. As mentioned in the review for “Raised by Another”, this raises some interesting questions about the intentions of the island. Michael was brought to the island, one would presume, to learn how to connect with his son and to have the chance to be the father he always wanted to be. Walt, on the other hand, could be there because whatever brought the survivors to the island wants someone that young with that kind of power, perhaps as a fallback position in case something happens to Claire’s baby.
Had the series maintained a universe where nothing paranormal took place, then the theory of a higher power with designs on each of the survivors would be hard to justify. It would seem a lot more likely that the survivors were only beginning to believe that to be happening, because of some substance or condition on the island that affects perception. But this is now a universe where psychic power is in play, and that changes everything. If a human can have the power to make wishes real, then why couldn’t there be a sentience without form dwelling on the island, playing God?
Beyond the simple desire to be a real father and concerns over edged weapons, Michael may have a more pressing concern. He’s well aware of whatever Brian already told him, in terms of Walt’s power, and it’s all too easy to suspect that Walt unknowingly or unintentionally caused the death of his own mother. Michael has to believe Walt needs to be raised in the right environment, or things could go horribly wrong. Michael is also not blind, and he’s seen some of the cult of personality developing around Locke. Does Michael realize that Locke is hiding something, something that could be very sinister? If so, then that must be why Michael is so adamant about getting Walt off the damn island and away from the crazy people.
Jack doesn’t have a prominent role in this episode, but what does happen is very important in terms of the developing dynamic among the survivors. Ever since “All the Best Cowboys…”, Jack has been giving Locke some room to breathe, perhaps a little too worried that he’ll fall back into the habits that gained Kate’s ire. As a result, Jack seems to dismiss concerns that he really ought to be taking into consideration. If the island is trying to place Locke in the more powerful position of “high priest”, then it makes sense that Jack should be the subordinate leader, rather than a threat to Locke’s overall leadership. Jack’s personal lesson plays into that, but if Jack begins to push back at the wrong moment, that could lead to serious conflict.
Kate also has very little to do in this episode, beyond helping Charlie find Claire’s diary. It’s not clear where Kate and Sawyer stand with one another in the wake of “Whatever the Case May Be”, but it certainly seems as though Sawyer is losing ground with everyone again. Kate’s happy with Jack for the moment, but she’s still not solidly in either camp. It’s very likely that the next few episodes will shake things up enough to shift the dynamic once again.
Sayid’s subplot, dealing with Danielle’s maps and the possible interpretations of the information contained in her notes, is beginning to take shape. Sayid’s encounter with Danielle left many questions unanswered, and now it seems that the stage has been set for some of those mysteries to be explored. Sayid’s map is one critical piece of the puzzle, and the fact that the information was in French makes sense when one considers that Shannon’s part of the story was probably intended to intersect with this plot thread from the very beginning.
Charlie’s decision to look into Claire’s diary is somewhat troubling. On the one hand, he’s been haunted by the fact that he couldn’t save her from Ethan, and he’s more than a little smitten. Naturally, he wants to know, based on everything she told him in “Raised by Another”, what else she might have known. He’s also probably very curious about her in general, and diaries are very hard to resist in such circumstances. Whatever the case, it’s a little too easy for Charlie to find something that connects with Sayid’s map in Claire’s journal. If it hadn’t been carefully laid out over several episodes, it would feel like too much of a coincidence.
Claire only shows up for a few seconds, but her presence is felt throughout the episode. Charlie discovers in her diary that she has powerful, even psychic dreams, which confirms what was seen in “Raised by Another” and adds to the list of psychic phenomenon in the “Lost “ universe. The connection to Black Rock makes it clear that Sayid’s encounter with Danielle will have long-term consequences. More than that, it’s hard to tell, but Claire may not be pregnant anymore. If not, then Ethan and the others really were after the baby, which seems to support the idea that the “others” have some sinister design.
Hurley is another character with very little to do in this episode. Most of his scenes were used to demonstrate how serious Michael was about finding and protecting Walt. Jin was completely absent in this episode, and Sun was there to show Michael some relatively minor support. Sun’s part in the episode could have been more extensive, especially since the writers haven’t advanced her apparent attraction to Walt in quite some time.
Shannon is mostly involved with Sayid’s attempt to decipher Danielle’s map of the island, but she is also important in terms of demonstrating how much Boone has changed. Danielle mentioned how her own people were changed after exposure to Black Rock, and one can’t help but wonder if Boone’s almost fanatical devotion to Locke and his newfound “faith” is related. Boone looks like he would kill for Locke, and that’s one step beyond simply learning something about himself.
Locke doesn’t seem to understand Walt’s full potential, but he might have guessed some measure of it earlier in the season. Locke’s instructions for throwing the knife seem rather applicable to Walt’s powers in general, and Locke could have been trying to test the bounds of Walt’s ability. When Michael stepped in, Locke tried to find a way to continue working with Walt. When that didn’t work, one could argue that Locke saw the opportunity to gain Michael’s trust, once Walt went missing. It’s quite possible that Locke was being sincere, but it’s hard not to consider some ulterior motive.
What’s interesting about Walt’s use of power, however unintentional it might have been, is the limited scope of that power. A polar bear manifests itself because Walt wanted it to happen, and since he did that in other parts of the world, it seems unlikely that the island was merely responding to his wishes. So the question is: was the unseen creature at the beginning of the series merely a manifestation of Walt’s power, or was it something else? Locke’s experience would seem to suggest the latter, but as things have played out, the question remains unanswered.
It’s now clear that the writers knew what they were doing by placing these transitional episodes in the schedule. Sayid’s work on Danielle’s map comes to fruition, and Shannon’s work with him provided a strong trigger for Boone’s development, which in turn gave the writers a chance to depict Locke’s growing hold over the survivors. Some elements could have been mentioned with more urgency: Claire’s abduction, the hatch, the food situation, and so on. But the fact remains that the writers were carefully moving the pieces into position for the next round of revelations.
So far, the writers are following a rather time-honored format. The first 7-8 episodes provided a strong introduction. The second 7-8 episodes added several complications to the plot, beginning with Sayid’s encounter with Danielle and Claire’s subsequent abduction. If the writers continue on their present course, the story should take another massive turn within the next few episodes. It just so happens that the timing would place those episodes right in the middle of February sweeps. Convenient, hmm?
If the writers are half as careful with the rest of the season as they have been with the first 14 episodes, then all of the recent plot elements should began to intersect as the season draws to a close. While it wouldn’t make sense for the writers to give the audience the answer to everything in the first season, there does seem to be the hint of massive conflict in the wind. Will the survivors be forced to take action against Ethan and his “others”, or will the survivors in each camp begin fresh hostilities? Only time will tell, and unlike a lot of shows out there, that’s exactly how it should be.
Final Analysis
Overall, this episode is the third transitional installment in a row, but many of the open plot threads begin to converge by the end. Michael’s flashbacks are a highlight, and though the revelation about Walt is hardly a revelation, putting it on the table in plain sight is a major advancement of the story. Things seem to be coming to a head, and while it took some time to get there, the writers have managed to regain the momentum going into sweeps.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
Season Average (as of 1.14): 7.7
Directed by Greg Yaitanes
In which Michael confronts Locke about who should be raising Walt, and things take an unexpected turn when there’s another attack by a polar bear…
Status Report
After a couple of transitional episodes that did little to advance the story since “All the Best Cowboys…”, the writers finally deliver something intended to generate fresh momentum. On the one hand, it is essentially a verification of what many fans have suspected since very early in the series. In other ways, it follows the same logic that was in play for Kate’s flashbacks in “Whatever the Case May Be”. The writers explain what it is that is “special” about Walt, but they don’t go any further or explain why it’s important.
This episode has a much higher flashback content than the past few episodes. This is entirely appropriate, since the flashbacks provide context for Michael’s psychology and the necessary background regarding Walt and his previous displays of enormous power. Like the psychic revelations of “Raised by Another”, this episode firmly establishes that paranormal abilities exist within the “Lost” universe. And like that previous episode, it’s apparent that the world at large is completely unaware of what’s happening beneath the veneer of “normal society”.
Michael’s story is entirely sympathetic, especially since one can see every little mistake he made from the onset. He allowed himself to fall into the situation that led to Walt’s absence, and the emotional trauma that followed was at least partly self-inflicted. Sure, Susan was incredibly self-centered, and cared nothing for Michael in the long run, but there were plenty of clues that her intentions with Michael were temporary. He simply chose not to acknowledge it.
The tragedy doesn’t stop with Michael’s long struggle to deal with the loss of his son. It’s clear that Michael had to tell himself that Walt was forever out of reach, simply to cope, and so it was a shock to the system when Brian came around with the news about Susan. It’s almost as if Michael had just come to terms with the situation, only to find that his acceptance was no longer necessary or even welcome. Even worse, it wasn’t that his paternity was being acknowledged, but rather, that Brian couldn’t handle the fact that something was very wrong about Walt.
In earlier episodes, Walt seemed to have the power to manifest wishes, whether through outright fantasy or implicit desire. As mentioned in the review for “Raised by Another”, this raises some interesting questions about the intentions of the island. Michael was brought to the island, one would presume, to learn how to connect with his son and to have the chance to be the father he always wanted to be. Walt, on the other hand, could be there because whatever brought the survivors to the island wants someone that young with that kind of power, perhaps as a fallback position in case something happens to Claire’s baby.
Had the series maintained a universe where nothing paranormal took place, then the theory of a higher power with designs on each of the survivors would be hard to justify. It would seem a lot more likely that the survivors were only beginning to believe that to be happening, because of some substance or condition on the island that affects perception. But this is now a universe where psychic power is in play, and that changes everything. If a human can have the power to make wishes real, then why couldn’t there be a sentience without form dwelling on the island, playing God?
Beyond the simple desire to be a real father and concerns over edged weapons, Michael may have a more pressing concern. He’s well aware of whatever Brian already told him, in terms of Walt’s power, and it’s all too easy to suspect that Walt unknowingly or unintentionally caused the death of his own mother. Michael has to believe Walt needs to be raised in the right environment, or things could go horribly wrong. Michael is also not blind, and he’s seen some of the cult of personality developing around Locke. Does Michael realize that Locke is hiding something, something that could be very sinister? If so, then that must be why Michael is so adamant about getting Walt off the damn island and away from the crazy people.
Jack doesn’t have a prominent role in this episode, but what does happen is very important in terms of the developing dynamic among the survivors. Ever since “All the Best Cowboys…”, Jack has been giving Locke some room to breathe, perhaps a little too worried that he’ll fall back into the habits that gained Kate’s ire. As a result, Jack seems to dismiss concerns that he really ought to be taking into consideration. If the island is trying to place Locke in the more powerful position of “high priest”, then it makes sense that Jack should be the subordinate leader, rather than a threat to Locke’s overall leadership. Jack’s personal lesson plays into that, but if Jack begins to push back at the wrong moment, that could lead to serious conflict.
Kate also has very little to do in this episode, beyond helping Charlie find Claire’s diary. It’s not clear where Kate and Sawyer stand with one another in the wake of “Whatever the Case May Be”, but it certainly seems as though Sawyer is losing ground with everyone again. Kate’s happy with Jack for the moment, but she’s still not solidly in either camp. It’s very likely that the next few episodes will shake things up enough to shift the dynamic once again.
Sayid’s subplot, dealing with Danielle’s maps and the possible interpretations of the information contained in her notes, is beginning to take shape. Sayid’s encounter with Danielle left many questions unanswered, and now it seems that the stage has been set for some of those mysteries to be explored. Sayid’s map is one critical piece of the puzzle, and the fact that the information was in French makes sense when one considers that Shannon’s part of the story was probably intended to intersect with this plot thread from the very beginning.
Charlie’s decision to look into Claire’s diary is somewhat troubling. On the one hand, he’s been haunted by the fact that he couldn’t save her from Ethan, and he’s more than a little smitten. Naturally, he wants to know, based on everything she told him in “Raised by Another”, what else she might have known. He’s also probably very curious about her in general, and diaries are very hard to resist in such circumstances. Whatever the case, it’s a little too easy for Charlie to find something that connects with Sayid’s map in Claire’s journal. If it hadn’t been carefully laid out over several episodes, it would feel like too much of a coincidence.
Claire only shows up for a few seconds, but her presence is felt throughout the episode. Charlie discovers in her diary that she has powerful, even psychic dreams, which confirms what was seen in “Raised by Another” and adds to the list of psychic phenomenon in the “Lost “ universe. The connection to Black Rock makes it clear that Sayid’s encounter with Danielle will have long-term consequences. More than that, it’s hard to tell, but Claire may not be pregnant anymore. If not, then Ethan and the others really were after the baby, which seems to support the idea that the “others” have some sinister design.
Hurley is another character with very little to do in this episode. Most of his scenes were used to demonstrate how serious Michael was about finding and protecting Walt. Jin was completely absent in this episode, and Sun was there to show Michael some relatively minor support. Sun’s part in the episode could have been more extensive, especially since the writers haven’t advanced her apparent attraction to Walt in quite some time.
Shannon is mostly involved with Sayid’s attempt to decipher Danielle’s map of the island, but she is also important in terms of demonstrating how much Boone has changed. Danielle mentioned how her own people were changed after exposure to Black Rock, and one can’t help but wonder if Boone’s almost fanatical devotion to Locke and his newfound “faith” is related. Boone looks like he would kill for Locke, and that’s one step beyond simply learning something about himself.
Locke doesn’t seem to understand Walt’s full potential, but he might have guessed some measure of it earlier in the season. Locke’s instructions for throwing the knife seem rather applicable to Walt’s powers in general, and Locke could have been trying to test the bounds of Walt’s ability. When Michael stepped in, Locke tried to find a way to continue working with Walt. When that didn’t work, one could argue that Locke saw the opportunity to gain Michael’s trust, once Walt went missing. It’s quite possible that Locke was being sincere, but it’s hard not to consider some ulterior motive.
What’s interesting about Walt’s use of power, however unintentional it might have been, is the limited scope of that power. A polar bear manifests itself because Walt wanted it to happen, and since he did that in other parts of the world, it seems unlikely that the island was merely responding to his wishes. So the question is: was the unseen creature at the beginning of the series merely a manifestation of Walt’s power, or was it something else? Locke’s experience would seem to suggest the latter, but as things have played out, the question remains unanswered.
It’s now clear that the writers knew what they were doing by placing these transitional episodes in the schedule. Sayid’s work on Danielle’s map comes to fruition, and Shannon’s work with him provided a strong trigger for Boone’s development, which in turn gave the writers a chance to depict Locke’s growing hold over the survivors. Some elements could have been mentioned with more urgency: Claire’s abduction, the hatch, the food situation, and so on. But the fact remains that the writers were carefully moving the pieces into position for the next round of revelations.
So far, the writers are following a rather time-honored format. The first 7-8 episodes provided a strong introduction. The second 7-8 episodes added several complications to the plot, beginning with Sayid’s encounter with Danielle and Claire’s subsequent abduction. If the writers continue on their present course, the story should take another massive turn within the next few episodes. It just so happens that the timing would place those episodes right in the middle of February sweeps. Convenient, hmm?
If the writers are half as careful with the rest of the season as they have been with the first 14 episodes, then all of the recent plot elements should began to intersect as the season draws to a close. While it wouldn’t make sense for the writers to give the audience the answer to everything in the first season, there does seem to be the hint of massive conflict in the wind. Will the survivors be forced to take action against Ethan and his “others”, or will the survivors in each camp begin fresh hostilities? Only time will tell, and unlike a lot of shows out there, that’s exactly how it should be.
Final Analysis
Overall, this episode is the third transitional installment in a row, but many of the open plot threads begin to converge by the end. Michael’s flashbacks are a highlight, and though the revelation about Walt is hardly a revelation, putting it on the table in plain sight is a major advancement of the story. Things seem to be coming to a head, and while it took some time to get there, the writers have managed to regain the momentum going into sweeps.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 2/4
Final Rating: 8/10
Season Average (as of 1.14): 7.7
posted by John Keegan | 15:56
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