If you’ve been wondering what the future held for those poor saps who got stuck in the hatch mid-explosion, tonight’s episode shed a little more light on the subject; at least for one of our survivors. If anyone was going to make it out of that season finale alive, we all knew it would be Locke. Apart from the Terrific Trio (Jack, Kate and Sawyer), Locke is perhaps the next most popular character – and one that the writers all seem to love, as well – so it wasn’t very surprising to see him alive and well. What was surprising, however, was his sudden inability to talk. Of course, that didn’t last very long.
Upon meditating in some sort of spirit tent, Locke sees a vision of a long-haired Boone (do skin cells continue to grow, even when you’re just a spirit?), who guides him to his next mission: save someone on the island. After guessing just about everyone but the right person, Locke finally figures out that it’s Eko who needs his assistance. Apparently snatched by another polar bear wandering the island, Eko is pretty beat up when Locke and Charlie arrive, but they get him back to the beach in one piece.
Meanwhile, Locke’s flashback divulged a couple interesting facts. Like how he was living off-the-grid growing weed with a couple of friends, and how a hitchhiker that he picked up one day actually turned out to be an undercover cop. He let the kid go, despite promising his fellow “botanists” that he would take care of it, and I’m starting to think that the repercussions of that decision might have something to with him being limited to getting around in a wheelchair. It’s just a thought.
In other goings on, Hurley’s finally returned (running into Locke and Charlie, and a naked Desmond along the way) to deliver the bad news about Jack, Kate and Sawyer. At one point, one of the red shirts even questioned as to who “they” (the Others”) were, as if he’s not savvy to what’s been going on for the past two months? Uh, dude, they’re the bad guys, remember?
Anyways, what was particularly interesting was a conversation that Hurley and Desmond had while returning to camp. After Desmond mentions a great speech that Locke gave about saving the Jack and Co. from the Others, Hurley corrects him by saying that Locke is out to save Eko, kill some bears, and that’s it. Confused, the two continue their journey, while Hurley speculates the effects that the hatch explosion might have had on Desmond. Several moments later, Locke gives that exact speech to the other survivors on the island. Hurley knows this isn’t coincidence, and while Desmond might not exactly turn in to the Incredible Hulk any time soon, there’s definitely something wrong with him. I think it’s the writers trying to make up for the fact that NBC’s “Heroes” has outdone them at their own game – what do you think it is?
