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Hero of the episode: Juliet (for the beginning and middle) Zero of the episode: Juliet and Ben (for the ending)
Quote(s) of the episode: “But the first thing I’d like to know is who are you?”—Sayid to Juliet | “The fact that I trust her should be enough.”—Jack “It’s not!”—Sayid in response | “The last thing either of you need right now is more blood on your hands.”—Juliet when Sayid and Sawyer try to question her
Music vibes: curious beats, joyous strings when Rachel and Juliet part; euphoria/happy beats when Jack, Kate, and Sayid return to the beach
Little things: Sawyer making an effort to be nice
Episode notebook:
Kate asks Jack about his week living with the Others.
Flashbacks to Juliet beginning her new job. Rachel and Juliet say goodbye.
Another appearance by Richard Alpert. He questions why Juliet is so willing to believe.
Sayid wants Juliet to reveal everything. She’s not ready.
Ben claimed no one has ever had cancer on the island.
Pregnant women on the island were dying. Juliet was brought to research why and come up with a cure.
Kate, Jack, and Sayid return to the beach. It’s all smiles until Sawyer spots Juliet.
Claire is sick. Juliet knows why and claims to know a cure.
Juliet tells Kate and Jack the truth about her research and Ethan’s role.
Juliet was frustrated by the lack of progress with her research. Pregnant women are continuing to die. She wanted to leave, and Ben refused to let her go.
Juliet discovered Ben’s tumor and accused him of lying.
The larger group isn’t as receptive to Juliet’s presence as Jack.
Sawyer and Sayid try to question Juliet, but she reminds them of their faults.
The ending montage reveals where Juliet’s loyalty truly lies.
Episode recap: The journey back to the beach is about to be the most uncomfortable road trip for Kate, Sayid, Jack, and Juliet. Kate wants to know about Jack’s week with the Others. Why did he look so comfortable in their camp? Why didn’t he try to run? Why did he agree to help Ben? So, what if they promised to let him go, how could he trust them? Sayid, on the other hand, is focused on Juliet. Why were her people terrorizing his people? Why were they kidnapping children? Why were they on the island? And most importantly, who is Juliet? While Jack is open with Kate, Juliet remains tight-lipped with Sayid. What could she possibly say to make him trust her? She’s convinced that if she told him the full truth, Sayid would kill her. With Jack as her protector, Juliet is safe from scrutiny—for now! But how will she fit in with a new group?
Off the island, Juliet struggled to fit in with a new group. Arriving at the corporate headquarters of her new job, she had to say a reluctant goodbye to Rachel, promising to return before her sister gave birth. A promise that’s still unfulfilled. It still boggles the mind how Juliet was convinced to work for a scientific research firm that no one knows about. She was forced to sign multiple non-disclosure agreements, and before Juliet can begin work, she had to submit to being drugged for the trip to the island. That’s an incredible leap of faith. She can’t see the journey to the island but trusts she will get there safely. It’s TV, so don’t ask too many questions.
Once on the island, Juliet is tasked with a grim responsibility—finding out why pregnant women are dying on the island. What’s causing so much death? What’s the trigger? Juliet believed her research would make her an asset, but her confidence starts to crumble when she realizes she can’t stop the deaths. She wants to go back to Rachel and witness the birth of her niece or nephew, but there’s one constant obstacle—Ben. The group leader has no interest in letting her go, convincing Juliet she should stay if she wants to save Rachel’s life. Allegedly, her sister’s cancer is back, and if Juliet leaves the island, Jacob won’t be able to help. Who is Jacob? He’s been alluded to in previous episodes. Is Jacob the real leader? Does Jacob have healing powers? The man seems more like a myth than reality, but it’s enough to get Juliet to stay. To continue working under Ben’s thumb for three years until his lies are exposed. Until the plane crash offers her a way out. Freedom from Ben was snatched away when Locke blew up the sub. What will Juliet’s life be like once the beach survivors see her?
The return of Sayid, Kate, and Jack is met with euphoria. Smiles all around as the beach leader returns to his friends. Smiles that dissipate when Sawyer spots Juliet. Jack makes the case for Juliet to stay, but it’s not enough for his comrades. Sayid still wants answers and has an unlikely ally in Sawyer. Yet, their push for answers is interrupted when Claire suddenly falls ill, bleeding from her nose. Juliet knows Claire’s sudden sickness is her fault. Ethan was covertly conducting blood tests on Claire and giving her a serum, which Juliet developed, to keep her alive, but when his actions were under suspicion (Raised by Another episode), he kidnapped Claire. Without the serum, Claire’s immune system will shut down. Juliet pleads her case to Kate and Jack; she knows where Ethan stashed the serum. She can help if they will let her and they agree.
Off Juliet goes into the jungle, quickly finding the extra stash of serum and medical supplies. But she has some company in Sawyer and Sayid. Without Jack to provide cover, Sawyer and Sayid press Juliet to reveal who she is and why her people are on the island. But Juliet is in no mood to answer questions, especially to these two. Juliet puts their sins out in the open, Sayid’s history of torture in the army, and Sawyer killing a man before he boarded Oceanic Flight 815. Who are they to question her? Does everyone on the beach know about their past histories? She shamed them into silence, taking the medicine back to Claire. Juliet saves the day. Should go a long way toward building rapport? I was so ready to be in her corner, but then I remembered this episode takes a little twist at the end. SHE’S STILL LYING!! It was all a ruse, another long con. Juliet wasn’t left behind; she was sent by Ben to spy—but out in the open. “Save” a sick young mother, and it suddenly becomes easier to like and trust Juliet. But as always, what’s the endgame? Please come back next week for episodes seventeen and eighteen.
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