Daryl Tay.net

Going to have to bang this out quick before I head out today. Overall I thought Happily Ever After, while not revolutionary was a solid LOST episode. One that no doubt lays the groundwork for what is going to happen with the Flash Sideways and sets Desmond up to be the hero of the series. Is everything explained? No. Does it show promise? Yes.

There’s not much else to talk about except Desmond, so let’s get to it in chronological order.

Desmond, On-Island (part 1)

Desmond’s eye appears and we’re finally treated to our favourite “brotha” and we see a whole lot of lab stuff going on, including rabbits and I for one was wondering “what the eff is going on?”. At this point I need to mention that Michael Giacchino’s music really is awesome and adds that extra layer to the show that not many other shows benefit from. Weird scienc-y stuff takes a break for us to meet… Desmond X

Desmond X  (Flash Sideways)

First we get the confirmation that Desmond X is real and was on the plane, and it wasn’t just Jack imagining him. We then need George Minkowski (nice touch) and they go see Charles Widmore. In this universe, Widmore actually gets along with Desmond and lets him have some of that 60 year old whiskey, which in the actual universe, he wouldn’t waste of Desmond. At this point I’m thinking I still want something more from the Flash Sideways other than these cute reversals and chance meetings.

Desmond is sent to pick up Charlie and Charlie tells him about “spectacular, consciousness-altering love” (kinda like the type Desmond experienced in The Constant). Charlie causes Desmond to drive into the sea and for a second Desmond remembers the “not Penny’s boat” scene from The Looking Glass station and we know that Desmond knows what’s going on. Or at least suspects.

After the crash in the hospital, we see Desmond’s shirt the way it is on the Island. Unbuttoned down by two buttons. That’s the beginning of him getting back to his “old” self. Charlie tells Desmond “This doesn’t matter, none of this matters” which simultaneously feels like the writer’s telling us to be patient, and also rubbing it in that the Flash Sideways ultimately won’t mean anything. I don’t know what to think.

Widmore sends Desmond to talk to Eloise Hawking and it’s immediately apparent that she recognises him. Perhaps she has to maintain order no matter which universe or timeline she’s in. She says to stop chasing after whatever he is chasing after because he finally has what he wants most – Widmore’s approval.

Daniel Faraday (or Widmore) appears and is now a musician instead of a physicist but is definitely channelling his “real” self with his diagrams and quantum mechanics. And he’s still the wearer of the skinny ties. He repeats Charlie’s exposition of lost love (Charlotte for him, Claire for Charlie) and knows Desmond feels that lost love too (for Penny). Now this is interesting because could it be that when our Losties get to the Flash Sideways… they lose love? Sayid no longer is with Nadia, Sawyer hasn’t met Juliet, Jack and Kate aren’t getting it on, Sun and Jin aren’t married (but involved) but what about Hurley? Unlike our other Losties, Desmond doesn’t look in a mirror this episode (I think), but he does see his reflection in a glass door. Significant? Maybe.

We finally see the lovely Sonya Walger (aww Penny) and wonder if this is the final time they meet. All I can say is Sonya Walger is waster on Flash Forward. So in the Sideways Universe, Desmond meets Penny at the stadium instead of Jack and then…

Desmond, On-Island (part 2)

Desmond flashes back to the Island and suddenly knows his “purpose” and doesn’t fight Widmore anymore. Sayid appears and takes Desmond away and Desmond gives a funny little smile almost as if he knows what’s going to happen, or what he’s meant to do.

Finally we see Desmond X again asking for the flight manifest and wanting to “show” the other passengers something. Will he show them lost love the way Charlie showed him? Or something else? Whatever it is, it’s clear that while one of the Losties is going to be the Candidate, none of this is going to be possible without Desmond as the linchpin and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Next Episode

Titled “Everybody Loves Hugo”, the promo already shows us Michael so we know he’s going to appear. I pray hard this isn’t going to be another setup episode because after a strong start, Season Six is beginning to lose some steam.

How the season ranks so far:

1. The Substitute
2. Sundown
3. Dr. Linus
4. LA X
5. Ab Aeterno
6. Happily Ever After
7. The Lighthouse
8. The Package
9. Recon
10. What Kate Does

Happily Ever After goes hand in hand with Ab Aeterno as a solid episode on its own but one that doesn’t necessarily move the story forward. They may look good in the eventual tapestry that is Season Six (or LOST as a whole) but at this point, I’m not feeling it and we’re going to have to wait and see.