Another week, another disappointing episode. I’m sick of complaining about the ups-and-downs of each season, though (since I know the writers will surely make up for it in the end), so I’ll get right to the commentary. Tonight’s flashback was for Jin and Sun, and aside from the usual behind-the-back secrecies, nothing new was disclosed. Oh, except for the fact that Sun was sleeping with that bald Asian dude (Jae) from last season. And seeing as how they’ve only been on the island for three months, it’s still possible that it could be his baby. Not that it matters. After Jin was sent to kill him by Sun’s father, he decided just to scare him into leaving the country. Of course, Jae didn’t take too kindly to the threat, and instead chose to leap from the building to his death. Nice.
Back in present day, Sun and Jin are still hanging out with Sayid on the sailboat, awaiting their rendezvous with Jack and Co. When Sayid notices track marks on a nearby island, however, he plans an ambush on the Others. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exactly go according to plan, and while Sun is temporarily kidnapped (along with the boat), she manages to get out alive. On a side note, it’s good to see Jin finally taking a more aggressive approach to life on the island. He’s obviously capable of being a physical threat, and Daniel Dae Kim has proven himself a capable actor. Just let the guy learn some damn English so he can go places without needing Sun around to translate.
Meanwhile, the Others have put Kate and Sawyer to work breaking up large rocks. There doesn’t seem to be any discernible reason as to why they’re doing this, but some annoying guy says that he’ll shoot them if they don’t. Okay… But seriously, don’t any of these people realize that the Others have built their “empire” based on empty threats? They’re not going to kill you. If they wanted you dead, they would’ve done it months ago when you began poking your nose in places that weren’t yours. Either Sawyer knows this, or he just doesn’t care anymore, because he managed to make a pretty successful play for control by beating up a couple of the goons and stealing a rifle. He must’ve forgot that Kate was with him, though, because she always manages to botch up a good coup d’etat by getting in the way. Oh well, at least he knows all of their strengths and weaknesses now; except the fact they’re watching them via surveillance cameras.
And while I wasn’t at all upset that Kate and Sawyer were given more to do this week, I absolutely hated seeing Jack again. I understand that he’s the main character and all, but the next time you pick a main protagonist, could you please (please) make him a little smarter? I mean, really, how many times are you gonna call Henry Gale’s bluff (I just can’t get use to calling him Ben) before you finally just give in? He knows everything about you. Everything. And no, we don’t know why just yet, but I’m sure the writers will be ready to tell us as soon as they’ve figured it out themselves. Any more questions?
And finally, a new character alert: Paula Malcomson (Trixie of “Deadwood” fame) made her first appearance on the show tonight as Colleen, a tough-girl Other who was shot by Sun on the boat. It was just a gut shot, though, so I’m confident that she’ll be back. Then again, we’ve seen plenty of other characters die the same way…
