Lost ReWatch: Fire + Water
Season 2, Episode 12
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Hero of the episode: Locke Zero of the episode: Charlie, Liam
Quote(s) of the episode: “There is no before, Charlie.” –Claire | “You’ve given up the right to be believed, Charlie.” --Locke
Music vibes: piano, staccato when Charlie tries to talk to Claire; solemn when Charlie is by himself
Little things: Jack helping Ana-Lucia with a tarp | Charlie makes diapers for Aaron | Sawyer encouraging Hurley to talk to Libby |
Episode notebook:
Opens with a religious image, the Virgin Mary. This is a dream of Charlie’s childhood. Then turns to a nightmare on the island.
Mom gave Charlie a piano as a child.
Charlie is jealous of Locke bonding with Claire and Aaron.
Charlie’s brother, Liam, missed the birth of his daughter, Megan. Charlie covers for his brother.
Hurley trying to get info on Libby from Sawyer. Everyone can see Hurley has a crush on Libby.
Charlie ignores Claire’s pleas for space. His behavior becomes increasingly erratic, insisting Aaron is in danger. Locke suspects Charlie of using drugs again.
Libby reminds Hurley that he stepped on her foot when he boarded the plane.
Charlie confides in Mr. Eko about his dreams. Charlie thinks Aaron needs to be baptized to protect him from impending danger.
Liam betrays Charlie by selling his beloved piano. Liam takes the money to save his budding family, leaving Charlie behind.
Charlie is really searching for a sense of family with Claire and Aaron.
Mr. Eko baptizes Claire and Aaron.
Episode recap: A happy, young boy and his brother are opening presents on Christmas morning. One ecstatic over his toys, the other thrilled to receive a piano as a gift. Sounds idyllic, but quickly turns into a nightmare. A baby is crying and locked up somewhere, he’s in danger and must be saved. Thankfully, the nightmare ends but Charlie is mystified as to what it all means. Is Aaron in danger? From what or whom? Claire still sees Charlie as an enemy, not a friend, will she see his dreams as nothing more than the ravings of an addict?
Charlie sees himself as a surrogate father to Aaron, a role he embraces willingly, even though it was never explicitly asked of him. But a role he relished. In the past, Charlie was always yearning for a sense of family which was hard to find with a brother like Liam. Charlie was often put into the role of protecting Liam from himself. When Liam misses the birth of his daughter, Megan, due to his addiction Charlie sacrifices truth to maintain Liam's fragile family ties with Karen and their daughter. Getting Liam help would make more sense, but Charlie is also an addict and doesn’t have the moral high ground. Liam is also starting to cost the band business opportunities, when does denying the truth end? It ends when Liam puts his own needs above Charlie’s. Liam sells his brother’s beloved piano to fund a move to Australia—a fresh start for his family with Karen. What about Charlie? Isn’t he family?
Charlie thinks he has a family on the island with Claire and Aaron. But his increasingly erratic behavior is destroying any chance he has at a family. Haunted by recurring dreams of Aaron's safety, coupled with surreal visions of his mother and Claire in religious attire, Charlie becomes convinced that baptizing Aaron is the key to averting danger. But the message gets lost when Locke follows Charlie to his stash. If he’s really changed why does Charlie need to hide a stash of drugs? Why does he keep hurting her if he wants a family with Claire? Why did he take Aaron from Claire and try to baptize him on his own? The questions can only be answered when Charlie is ready to confront his addiction. He has to save himself before he can form a family with anyone. He needs to regain everyone’s trust, not just Claire’s. Please come back next Thursday for recaps of episodes thirteen and fourteen.
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Monday: Pages of Potential: The Start of my Notebook Business
Thursday: Lost ReWatch for episodes thirteen and fourteen