Episode 3.21: Greatest Hits

[jvince]

Another excellent episode. Well-written and well-acted. IMO, it was the most emotional Lost episode so far. It showcased Lost at its best in terms of drama. Every scene was moving and perfect. And it also sets up the season finale nicely. I'm pretty sure those people that cared less about Charlie before will love him now. A+

The Moth There were plenty of symbolisms in the episode, such as Alex skinning the white rabbit. But the most symbolic were those of Charlie. His checkered shoe floating away and leaving his ring to Aaron symbolized Charlie shedding the trappings of his former life, like a moth. And towards end, when he emerged from the "moon pool" of the "Looking Glass," it was like a new Charlie was born. A courageous hero who would sacrifice his life for the sake of those he loves.

The Flashes It was revealed on this episode that the scene from "Flashes" where Desmond met Charlie while he was singing "Wonderwall" didn't really happen. So what was Des really doing then? Was he time-travelling or was it all just a hallucination? And another question - If Charlie does finally die, then will Desmond's flashes stop?

The Looking Glass As I mentioned earlier, this episode was filled with symbolisms. The "Looking Glass" is a reference to "Alice in Wonderland," just like the white rabbit (which appeared numerous times on this episode). Also, the station's "moon pool" is a reference to an Abraham Merritt novel of the same name, which also involves a remote island in the Pacific, a lost civilization, and mysterious abductions. But enough of the symbolisms, let's get down to the questions. Where did Sayid get the station's schematics? Did he get it from the Flame? And why wasn't it flooded as Juliet said? And an even better question is - Was Juliet lying and she knew all about the two women in the station?

Ben & Jacob Okay, something's definitely fishy here. Why did Jacob order the Others to take the women a day earlier all of a sudden? What's the rush? Does he care about the women that much? Or was it Ben's call? OR what if Ben doesn't really see or hear Jacob? That Jacob is Ben's captive, and he's using Jacob so that the Others will obey him.?

They're Alive!!! It's great to see Rose & Bernard back on the beach. The two also had the funny lines this time since our resident comedians, Hurley and Sawyer, seemed quite serious this time. And was it just the first time the couple appeared this season? Damn, that's too long. I wonder if they have a flashback of what they were doing next season.

Swan Song Charlie's flashback episode was a perfect "swan song." Really emotional. Loved all of the flashback scenes (Liam was great), the scene with Hurley, the "greatest hits" list he was making (#1... ) and the scene with Desmond on the boat. This episode's definitely up there as one of the show's best ever.

[Lero]

Originally Posted by jvince

The Flashes It was revealed on this episode that the scene from "Flashes" where Desmond met Charlie while he was singing "Wonderwall" didn't really happen. So what was Des really doing then? Was he time-travelling or was it all just a hallucination? And another question - If Charlie does finally die, then will Desmond's flashes stop?

As shown elsewhere, Charlie is wearing different clothes, so this is not the same day as the day Desmond appeared. Charlie apparently made a habit of singing the same song on the same corner every day that rain was forecasted.

[Bentiss]

Charlie apparently made a habit of singing the same song on the same corner every day that rain was forecasted.

Ha! They're not in Britain, are they? It never rains there...

[jodimullins]

JVince, this is the first episode to ever make me cry I never really had terrific feelings for Charlie. However, his list of his greatest memories was very touching. In one episode he went from druggie Charlie to being a hero. even though he never admitted it, he loved Claire and Aaron enough to end his life for them, for the knowledge they would be rescued. I don't think it was a big revealing episode, but very well written. (IMO)

[OFirefly]

Originally Posted by jvince

The Moth There were plenty of symbolisms in the episode, such as Alex skinning the white rabbit. But the most symbolic were those of Charlie. His checkered shoe floating away and leaving his ring to Aaron symbolized Charlie shedding the trappings of his former life, like a moth. And towards end, when he emerged from the "moon pool" of the "Looking Glass," it was like a new Charlie was born. A courageous hero who would sacrifice his life for the sake of those he loves.

Charlie has finally faced his destiny. Maybe because of this he won't have to die after all.

Originally Posted by jvince

The Flashes It was revealed on this episode that the scene from "Flashes" where Desmond met Charlie while he was singing "Wonderwall" didn't really happen. So what was Des really doing then? Was he time-travelling or was it all just a hallucination? And another question - If Charlie does finally die, then will Desmond's flashes stop?

I'm sure I'm alone on this, but I never believed Desmond actually traveled back in time. It was all in his head.

Originally Posted by jvince

The Looking Glass As I mentioned earlier, this episode was filled with symbolisms. The "Looking Glass" is a reference to "Alice in Wonderland," just like the white rabbit (which appeared numerous times on this episode). Also, the station's "moon pool" is a reference to an Abraham Merritt novel of the same name, which also involves a remote island in the Pacific, a lost civilization, and mysterious abductions. But enough of the symbolisms, let's get down to the questions. Where did Sayid get the station's schematics? Did he get it from the Flame? And why wasn't it flooded as Juliet said? And an even better question is - Was Juliet lying and she knew all about the two women in the station?

I'm pretty sure Sayid got the Looking Glass plans from the Flame.
It's possible that Ben lied to Juliet about the station being flooded, he's a lying control freak.

Originally Posted by jvince

Ben & Jacob Okay, something's definitely fishy here. Why did Jacob order the Others to take the women a day earlier all of a sudden? What's the rush? Does he care about the women that much? Or was it Ben's call? OR what if Ben doesn't really see or hear Jacob? That Jacob is Ben's captive, and he's using Jacob so that the Others will obey him.?

Again, I think I'm alone on this but Jacob is Ben's imaginary friend.
"One pill makes you larger, One pill makes you small" and one makes you see Jacob.

Originally Posted by jvince

They're Alive!!! It's great to see Rose & Bernard back on the beach. The two also had the funny lines this time since our resident comedians, Hurley and Sawyer, seemed quite serious this time. And was it just the first time the couple appeared this season? Damn, that's too long. I wonder if they have a flashback of what they were doing next season.

My thoughts on Rose:
http://forums.buddytv.com/lost-gener...bout-rose.html

Originally Posted by jvince

Swan Song Charlie's flashback episode was a perfect "swan song." Really emotional. Loved all of the flashback scenes (Liam was great), the scene with Hurley, the "greatest hits" list he was making (#1... ) and the scene with Desmond on the boat. This episode's definitely up there as one of the show's best ever.

'Nuff said.

(Remember what the dormouse said...Feed your head)

Sorry about the 'White Rabbit' references.

[rcdynasty]

Yes, I'm pretty sure Desmond did travel back in time actually and if I'm not mistaken, the producers said as much in a podcast. As stated earlier, Charlie singing on the street corner in this episode was obviously on a different day than when he ran into Desmond. It was also during his junkie days after the band's success had come and gone so I'm sure he was out there on a daily basis.

As far as Juliet is concerned, I still think that Ben planted her there knowing full well that she would turn on the others. He's got something up his sleeve.

I really enjoyed this episode. When you place yourself in Charlie's shoes, knowing that by diving into that ocean you were going to do something heroic but yet die as well, could you do it? I'd like to think I could but in reality who knows. The fact that he dived in and sacrificed himself like that says alot about his character on the show. I was very impressed with the episode.

[lost_grrl]

I agree that Desmond's flash was probably a different day. I am sure that he went through his repitoir many, many times on lots of street corners and he probably got good results from that song (would have been popular at the time) on that particular corner. Here in Portland, every time I am on the light rail in fareless square during Christmas, there is a guy who comes on with his guitar and sings and plays. He takes requests (christmas songs) but if he doesn't have a request, he always returns to the same tune, "Feliz Navidad".

I admit that I am befuddled by Juliette! I don't know if she was lied to by Ben or if she is continuing to decive our gang. If it is possible to escape the island from the Lookingglass Station, then it makes sense for Ben to have lied to everyone about it being flooded. But what about the women who were there? Are they part of Naomi's crew that somehow found safety? Or are they more Others? What lies does Ben tell them to keep them from escaping?

OFirefly: What about the fact that we got a glimpse of Jacob during the incident at the cabin? Who did John hear? Ben shoots John because he heard Jacob and he would have no reason to do so if he was actually the source of the "Help me". I think we will find out (hopefully next week but probably not) that Jacob is real--whether or not he is human is another ball of wax entirely.

[mugatu22]

Agreed, this past episode was one of the best.

On one hand, we didn't many new "answers", but on the other hand we got plenty of character development, emotion, and care poured into the story line. Very very cool episode.

RE: Ben & Jacob, I think Ben hurried up the "capture" by a day because he's freaking out at what Locke told him. His patience and calm have been shaken up by Locke, and now he's in panic mode because he feels that he's losing control. Instead of the calm confident decision maker, he's now the hurried, "let's get this going RIGHT NOW" type that is starting to panic. Just my 0.02.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by jodimullins

JVince, this is the first episode to ever make me cry I never really had terrific feelings for Charlie. However, his list of his greatest memories was very touching. In one episode he went from druggie Charlie to being a hero. even though he never admitted it, he loved Claire and Aaron enough to end his life for them, for the knowledge they would be rescued. I don't think it was a big revealing episode, but very well written. (IMO)

I agree, Jodi. It was a very touching episode. Among the parts I liked was when Liam gave the DS ring, when he saved Nadia from the mugger and the Charlie/Hurley scene. But the most moving part imo, was when he wrote his #1 greatest moment on the boat, and we found out that the list was for Claire. (Aww...) The excellent writing made up for the lack of answers on this one. Dom's acting was really good there btw. Oh, and what about the ring? Think Claire will find it/get it back?

Originally Posted by OFirefly

Charlie has finally faced his destiny. Maybe because of this he won't have to die after all.

I think it would be better if Charlie will die. It's not that I want him to die. I really like his character, but I think it's better if he died as a hero rather than dying due to something else (eg. lightning, arrow to the throat, etc.) And, we might find out how Charlie's death will affect Desmond's flashes. Will they stop or will he see another person's death. He might even have flashes of his own demise. Now that would be interesting...