Episode 312Par AvionI’m still waiting for my jaw to hit the floor. There were some pretty great moments in this episode, but jaw-dropping is hardly what I would describe anyone of them. Extremely entertaining and slightly shocking, yes, but I am afraid I didn’t get that “wtf” feeling at the end of this episode.
Let’s deal with the most obvious one, the one we ought to have figured out in season 2 already…. Yes, it’s true… Jack and Claire are indeed half-sister and brother. Let’s hope they never find out …mostly because the other brother-sister team isn’t around anymore. Jesting aside, I think most of us suspected that this was the case.
Daddy's GirlIt’s just a pity that Claire didn’t even ask Christian his name; as it’s highly unlikely that she or Jack will ever discover that they share the same father. Of course, the way to handle this one is to let her or/and Jack find Christian’s missing and by now, badly decomposing body.
Charlie’s and Claire’s relationship seems to be blossoming… but Claire seems to have a flair for the melodramatic. She was really quick to jump to the conclusion that Charlie is a liar… but she can’t really be blamed for that. Charlie has proved himself to be quite a capable liar in the past. I think that her anger stemmed from the fact that of all the people she expected not to back her up with her birdmail idea, Charlie wasn’t the one she would have chosen.
In any case, she eventually learns the bad news (and yes, dammit, it’s
bad news) about Charlie’s impending doom. She seems to be taking it quite well, but I’m not sure she really believes Des. She certainly believes that both Charlie and Des believe it. Sigh. At least she doesn’t abandon him. I can look at her with much kindlier eyes now.
I must admit to tears welling up in my eyes as Charlie read out that note. In all seriousness, I don’t believe that the birdmail will actually reach anyone. There are far too many logical reasons for it to fail and the chances of anyone finding the note are slim. But it offered a sliver of hope to Claire. And perhaps to Charlie too. It was quite sad, emotional and it made me really feel for them.
I must say, however, that I find it odd that Desmond’s precognitive capabilities seem centered around Charlie. Apart from him “seeing” Locke’s speech, every other “vision” is Charlie related. Why? Is it possible that it’s because he encountered Charlie previously in his life?? Furthermore, all Charlie’s deaths have stemmed from him helping Claire, or his wanting to do something for her. My advice to him – stay away from her! Maybe his luck will change then!
I think I have accepted that at some stage during this season, or the next, Charlie
is going to die. Its being set up so well, that you
have to take it seriously, and that it absolutely
has to happen. Him not dieing, well, it just wouldn’t be in true Lost fashion, would it?? It would undermine the entire process. I can’t exactly explain it, but yes, my beloved hobbit has to die. (Please, powers that be,
don’t kill my Hobbit!!!!)
One of the other really great moments was Mikhail’s death. It was so unexpected, and more importantly, made me wonder about Locke’s frame of mind. Just what is he up to??? Also, the fact that he knew that the hut had been rigged with C4 before he pushed that failsafe button counts against him. I would have thought that he would have learnt his lesson from them pushing that last failsafe button. He definitely has other motives, and Sayid knows it as well. But Locke’s “Whoops. Did I do that?” face is just as priceless as ever.
Ooops. Again.Something else that bothers me is Mikhail mentioning that Locke was on the list. He starts saying something to Locke about him (Locke) being worthy of being on that list, and then he thanks Locke when Locke pushes him through the security system. I have to wonder at Locke’s motives. I trust that man less and less with each passing episode.
Mikhail also makes mention of the fact that Benry is NOT the man in charge, or the “magnificent man”. This must be the elusive Jacob.
The other moment in the episode was the revelation that not only is Jack alive and well, he is also enjoying some freedoms at Otherville. Heh. Kate’s expression was really priceless….
Kate's "WTF" faceI can’t say that I am surprised at this development. I think that Jack has accepted his position on the island (not Island doctor, but Other captive) when he bartered Kate’s and Sawyer’s release. The fact that he has an ally (for now) in Juliet and is responsible for saving Benry’s life affords him a few comforts. What surprised me, however, was who he was playing the football with – Tom! I don’t think he will let an escape attempt get by; he’ll grab it with both hands.
Oh, before I forget, I really, really felt terrible for Danielle. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have your child taken from you, and then have her in your grasp; but not knowing whether she will accept you or not. I hope she gets a happy ending with Alex.
I’m enjoying this show more and more with each passing episode. I see that next week is a Locke episode and that it’s mind-blowing! All Locke’s episodes have been excellent thus far, and I am practically salivating at the thought of seeing whatever it is that has gotten everyone so worked up!
What we learnt this week• Jackass and Claire have the same daddy – Christian Shepard (who, by the way, is really a good looking man.)
• Claire knows about Charlie’s death dilemma but is unwilling to give up on him as yet
• Sawyer can, if he tries, actually remember everyone’s names
• Paulikki (hee hee. I stole that name from some site I visited) are absent for yet another episode.
• Benry is not the “magnificent man” that Mikhail has been referring to.
• Otherville is surrounded by a security system. Aha. Danielle has often referred to Smokey as the security system on the island!
• The list! That damn list still exists and it seems that the Others haven’t given up on trying to get new recruits.
Interesting Trivia• The bird used to send a message and a plane, as hinted by the title "Par Avion" which translates into "by plane," have more than just airmail in common. In the season 2 episode titled "Fire + Water," Charlie has a hallucination in which he sees a plane immediately followed by a bird flying by.
• Claire's only mention of her mother prior to this episode came in her flashbacks in "Raised by Another"; when she and Thomas discovered she was pregnant, Claire told him that her mom would disown her.
• "Par Avion" is literally translated from French as "by plane". The words "Par Avion" can often be seen on stickers on postage envelopes which translates to "air mail". "Par Avion" also mean "by bird" in Latin, which is very apropos for this episode.
Interesting Screencaps
Mikhail's death
The security system
The ladies bonding over a drink
I like!
Charlie and Des
Jack having a game of football