Season 4, Episode 8 - Meet Kevin Johnson

So last night saw the last episode of “Block One” of Season 4, and also heralded the return of Michael, who we haven’t seen in almost two full years. I really enjoyed the structure of this episode…rather than hopping back and forth off the island, we had a solid block of flashforward, bookended by our island time. Last year’s Desmond-centric “Flashes Before Your Eyes” did the same thing, and I think it’s a nice breath of fresh air to mix it up.

The semi-major revelation was the fact that, somehow, the island has some kind of far-reaching abilities. There have been several events that have happened off the island that have seemed a bit contrived, but now we see that the island somehow can control events extra-island events. For example, if a person as more work to do, the island will not let that person commit suicide. That explains why Jack couldn’t jump off the bridge in last season’s finale. I think I like it…I’m not sure. The idea that, once you’re caught up in this island’s net, you can’t get out…it has some serious consequences for our castaways.

We can finally be assured of what the freighter’s true objective is…they are there to wipe out everyone on the island. Apparently Mr. Widmore has his sights set on the island for some reason, and is determined to kill everyone who knows anything about it. I wonder…has he been intrigued about the island for a while, and his daughter’s lover, Desmond, just happened to stumble upon it…after crashing while competing in a race that Widmore himself arranged? He sure did go to a lot of effort to throw off the chase, knowing that 815 crashed there…what with digging up bodies, buying a 777 airliner and dressing it up Oceanic-style, and sinking it where no one could ever hope to resurrect it.

Anyway, it would appear that not everyone on the boat shares this evil intent. Frank, who seems to be the resident expert on Flight 815 (though he didn’t recognize Michael…curious), is interested in saving the survivors. I hate that we didn’t get to see any of Faraday…and Miles, assuming he sticks around, could become my favorite character on the show.

One thing that I really appreciated was that we know that Ben is telling the truth while the islanders don’t. He’s sitting there telling them that the people on the boat are only there for one purpose…to kill every person on the island. For once, the audience is saying, “Listen to Ben!” How did he become the protagonist all of a sudden…

…or is he? Saying that he wanted to protect Alex, he sent her away to “the Temple”, presumably another DHARMA station, and Danielle and Karl followed her. Once they get there, they come under sniper fire, and Alex’s mother and boyfriend are both, possibly, killed. First of all, surely Danielle isn’t dead. I mean, come on, it’s the French Chick…she’s been a pretty huge player so far…and the only send off she gets is an episode with a handful of lines and getting shot down? I don’t think so. Karl’s a loser, though, so who really cares? Next, who is/are the shooter/s? Surely Ben wouldn’t have sent his daughter on a death march. Could it be the freighter team? They haven’t struck me as a shoot first, ask questions later group.

Can you imagine if this episode was the last bit of Lost that we would get in 2008? Talk about unfulfilling…man, I am so glad we’ve got more new episodes coming our way. I really enjoyed it…no real gripes to speak of. Only a month left until it returns in its new post-Grey’s slot.

Episode grade: A-