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Hero of the episode: Claire Zero of the episode: Mikhail
Quote(s) of the episode: “Well, I guess we never turn out like our mothers want.”—Claire | “No, I’m on my own, and at least I know that now.”—Claire to Charlie | “Claire, do not keep your mother alive for the wrong reasons. Now there is hope and there is guilt. And believe me, I know the difference.”--Christian
Music vibes: increasing drumbeats when the camp perimeter is discovered; imposing as Kate goes over the pylons
Little things: Charlie takes Claire on a breakfast picnic; Mikhail delights in Sayid and Locke arguing with each other; Sawyer almost utters a nickname but has to catch himself
Episode notebook:
Claire was in a car accident with her mom, Carol.
Desmond is still trying to save Charlie.
Claire has an idea for how to get off the island, attaching a message to a bird.
Kate is curious why Danielle doesn’t ask about Alex. Danielle doesn’t want to know. Alex doesn’t know or remember her mother, that alone is painful enough for Danielle.
Mikhail says their communications signal was cut two weeks ago—the same time as the hatch implosion. If they leave, they can never come back without that signal.
Claire feels guilty about the car accident. A mystery benefactor is paying the medical bills.
Sayid, Locke, Danielle, and Kate find the perimeter of the camp, but it’s surrounded by a security system.
Locke lied about what he did in the Flame station. Did he cause it to explode?
Christian reveals to Claire that he’s her father but doesn’t tell her his name. Claire doesn’t want to know.
Desmond tells Claire the truth.
Our survivors find a way around the security but are surprised by what they find.
Episode recap: Time to delve deeper into Claire’s past off the island. We open with a closeup of her face following a car accident. She’s in the car bloody, alone, and scared. Where’s her mom? The impact of the crash sent Claire’s mother, Carol, flying through the windshield. As Claire crawls through the opening of the windshield, the sight of her mother’s bloody body is almost too much. Claire’s ensuing screams fade as she opens her eyes, only to find herself back on the island.
Charlie brightens Claire’s morning with a breakfast picnic, but his romantic gesture is thwarted by Desmond. It’s time to hunt a boar instead of eating cereal and fruit. Desmond stepping in again to save Charlie’s life? Claire senses the tension between the two men but is quickly captivated by the sight of a flock of birds flying in the distance. What’s so interesting about the birds? Claire is convinced they’re tagged for research, and if they can capture one, they could attach a message. Maybe it will get read and they will be rescued. The idea sounds as farfetched as Bernard’s plan in the S.O.S. episode, but Claire is putting her faith in this plan. If only Charlie would believe in it, too.
On the other side of the island, Sayid, Kate, Locke, and Danielle continue their pursuit of Jack—with their captive Mikhail in tow. Mikhail speaks only when he wants to, revealing he knows what kind of people our survivors are. How could he know anything? Why would he want to know anything? He keeps alluding to a list, some of the survivors are on the list and some are not. Is it a naughty list? Good vs. evil? Mikhail seems to be saying some people, like Kate, are not worthy of respect and some people, like Locke, are worthy of reverence. Locke may have briefly lost his way, but Mikhail’s words suggest he still sees Locke as the one with the deepest connection to the island. Mikhail’s interest in Locke is put on hold as they reach the perimeter of the Others’ camp. Just one problem, a security system of pylons surrounding the camp in every direction.
While Sayid and Co. plot their way around the security system, Claire, Sun, and Jin plot to trap a bird. The taste of victory is in sight when a bird enters their trap but slips away when the sound of gunshots scares it away. Desmond strikes again. All Claire can feel is anger toward Desmond and Charlie, convinced they’re both trying to sabotage her plan. She shuts both of them out, much like she did her mother in the past.
After the accident, Claire denies causing the crash but deep down feels guilty. If she hadn’t been arguing with her mom, Claire wouldn’t have gotten distracted while driving. Machines are keeping her mom alive, but doctors doubt she will ever wake up. Is it right to keep her alive but not really living life? Is guilt keeping Claire from letting her mother go? It’s a question Christian Shepherd asks his estranged daughter. Christian has been secretly footing the medical bills and only reveals his identity when Claire presses him to. He’s never been in Claire’s life and now he shows up to offer advice. Advice Claire ignores, but she does let go of some of the guilt. At her mother’s bedside, a pregnant Claire expresses her awe at her mother managing to be a single parent. Claire wishes she had that same strength and tearfully apologizes for the accident and for being such a difficult child.
On the island, Claire does find the strength to be like her mom, protecting Aaron at all costs and having faith they can get off the island. No longer content to be kept in the dark, Claire follows Desmond to the exact spot where a bird lands on the rocky shore. How did he know where to go? It’s where Desmond saw Charlie die trying to get a bird for Claire. When Claire demands answers, Desmond can no longer withhold the truth, telling her about his visions. Charlie’s avoidance of her plan makes sense to Claire, but she refuses to let him dwell on what might happen. The bird Desmond caught is sent off with a message of hope and survival. Claire wants Charlie and the other survivors to hang onto that hope; endure a little longer and someone will rescue them.
Hope of rescuing Jack dims as his friends struggle with a way around the security system. Walking right between the pylons won’t work as Locke already tried that with Mikhail, who “appeared” to die after being pushed between them by John. I say “appears” because if you’ve seen season three you know that dude isn’t dead. But his battered body provides proof that walking between the pylons won’t work. The only way through is up and over. With the help of some really long tree logs, they make it to the other side. But the payoff isn’t as sweet as Claire’s plan with the birds. The sight of Jack casually playing football with Tom is met with shock. Has Jack gone to the dark side or is he just waiting for a moment to strike? Please come back in two weeks for recaps of episodes thirteen and fourteen.
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