Lost: The Man Behind the Curtain
That was silly. Just when I start feeling good about Lost again, it steps out from behind the dumpster and flings a fist full of lame at me. Warm, sticky lame that’s stinky like the bodies in the Dharma ditch. I’ll bet that got fragrant in the summertime on Craphole Island.
I remember reading a theory way back in the first season that everything on the island was controlled by one guy and his super brain, which is probably this Jacob guy, who clearly has some issues with flashlights. I thought it was hinkey then, and I think it’s hinkey now. That whole interaction with Ben and Jacob and Locke was weak and would have been better if Ben really did have an imaginary friend. It would bring something new to his character.
What did surprise me was Ben shooting Locke, but even that was pretty lame. At that range, surely Ben could have nabbed him in the head. Don’t just shoot the guy in the gut and leave him in a death pit! That situation is ripe for the Losties to stumble on Locke and foil Ben’s plans!
I like references and allegory, and I like The Wizard of Oz. Logic says that I would like references and allegory that allude to the Wizard of Oz. So, why am I just annoyed? The Wizard of Oz references on Lost haven’t exactly been subtle, but this episode beat me over the head with it. The title is “The Man Behind the Curtain.” Ben’s wooden doll had a blue jumper like the one Dorothy Gale wore. Locke came right out and said to Ben, “You’re the Wizard of Oz,” and just in case you didn’t get it, he threw in, “You’re a liar.”
I don’t think Ben is the Wizard. Clearly, this Jacob guy is the Man Behind the Curtain. If anything, Ben is that guy at the Emerald City Gates hollering “Who rang that bell?. Juliet is Dorothy, the girl who just wants to go home. Hurley is totally the Cowardly Lion. Everyone else is either a Flying Monkey or a Munchkin. Except Jack, who will always just be a jerk.
I’d like to add that bunnies, like Baby Ben’s bunny, freak me out. They have red eyes, which obviously reflect their natural state of evil.
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Seriously, what the heck happened on Lost last night?!? I mean, I saw the episode, but really… what happened? I was a little more freaked out by the Ben/Jacob/Locke scene than you were (Exorcism, anyone?), but the Bunny sacred me, too (thank you, Anya), so who’s keeping track? But Uncle Rico as Ben’s daddy? Priceless.
Are you kidding?! I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with just about everything you wrote! This episode both made me love Ben more than I already did – his character has always been fascinating, now more than ever – and Locke, who can’t seem to get any more badass.
As for: If anything, Ben is that guy at the Emerald City Gates hollering “Who rang that bell?., let’s not forget that that WAS the Wizard, as was the guy who drove the wagon pulled by the Horse of a Different Color. All the same guy. Jacob (whoever or whatever he is) obviously has a very close tie to Ben…and there’s a strong possibility that he’s a manifestation of Ben’s creation in some way.
Though, a theory going around at the moment is that Jacob is the “Spirit of the Island”, which wouldn’t be unlikely either…Ben, obviously feeling threatened by Locke’s being able to hear him after years of being the defacto leader himself, tries to kill Locke to preserve his own position. And I say “tries” to kill Locke, because I refuse to believe that they would kill Locke this soon. There’s still so much more for him to do.
As for Ben “beaning him in the head” – let’s not forget that he’s still walking with a cane and is not in the best of health. After Locke just kicked Mikhail’s ass and carried his father’s dead carcass through the jungle to catch up with him, do you really think the smart thing for Ben to do would be to take him on with a rock? Uh, no.
I’m sorry, but I think the writing on this show has gotten consistently stronger since that stupid episode where we learn what Jack’s tattoo means, and I can’t wait for the showdown next week.
Teresa – I’m with you on the whole Locke thing… he CAN’T be dead. The smoke monster wants him alive and Jacob, apparently, needs his help. I’m sure the two are tied together and will help fix/save/heal/whatever Locke. At least they better, or I’ll be angry.
I also thought it was interesting how much Ben and Locke are similar… both had crappy lives, both killed their dads, both “joined” up with the Others.
And what about Richard (the guy who told young Ben to be patient)? Do the Others not age on the island, or was he playing his own dad? Aarg! My brain hurts.
Heh, Rachel. It’s true. Mine hurts as well – but I LUUUURVE it!
One of these days, I’m writing an essay about the “Daddy Issues” on this show. Fer serious.
Kate’s dad was an abusive fucktard
Jack’s dad was an alcoholic fucktard (and was also Claire’s abandoning fucktard real dad)
Hurley’s dad was a flat-leaving, flaky fucktard
Sawyer’s dad was a cowardly fucktard
Locke’s dad was a conning fucktard
Sun’s dad is a criminal fucktard
Ben’s dad is an alcoholic, verbally abusive fucktard
The only one who had nice dad that we know of is Jin, but he allowed himself to be pulled in by the likes of Sun’s fucktard dad…
We don’t know anything about Charlie’s, Sayid’s, or Desmond’s parents – I wonder if we’ll ever get a glimpse of them? Also, I wonder what the tie-in is between crappy fathers, infertile mothers, and this Island???
Let me just say how much I love you. The two episodes previous to this were all good, and better than they have been.
This one?
LAME.
You said it sister!
That’s what I get for getting my hopes up. . .
i have to agree somewhat, this episode should have been much better. when i heard the “oz” reference in the dialogue of the episode i was like gee, we get it already. and it’s still not funny.
o
the imaginary buddy thing was pretty gay. to be extremely pc and mature about it – GAY. so lame, i slumped a bit on the couch. and i can’t blame the losties for being suspicious of jack now after all this crap. first, he doesn’t want to be leader then he gets angry when he’s not, total douchebaggery there.
i’ll still keep watching but the show is spiraling out of the fun-zone into boring and hokey territory that we always feared it would wind up floating in. i can only suspect that the true ’secret’ of the island has changed a few times in the minds of the creators so that is what’s to blame for all of the backpeddling and paradoxes.