“there’s something I’ve lost that must be found again”

Today’s Topic:  Here come your Atlanta Braves!!!

Mood Music:  Good Times Around the Bend by String Cheese Incident

Braves BG (or as y’all know him, Brien) has written a great synopsis of what we can all look forward to this season as Braves fans.  We’ll try and keep you informed as to what’s going on as the Season nears and throughout.  Thanks Brien!!!

Opening Day 2009

As we gear up for the long, arduous baseball season, I wanted to give the Braves fans and readers out there a little of what to expect at the beginning of the season.  I am going to look fairly short term because, as we saw last year, the injury bug can creep up and demolish lineups.  Last year, however, I think calling it a “bug” wouldn’t do justice because the Braves experienced a flat out injury epidemic.  As it stands, there have not been any major setbacks to the roster.  Chipper Jones is still nursing a strained oblique muscle he hurt in the World Baseball Classic, but is scheduled to appear in Spring Training Games this week. 

Newly acquired Garrett Anderson is still hampered by the hamstring pull he suffered while warming up for his first Spring Training game.  Peter Moylan and Rafael Soriano are progressing nicely from the off-season arm surgeries and both should be available for opening day.  As you know, Tim Hudson will miss most of the year while recovering from Tommy John surgery.  There is a slight chance that he will be available in late August, but it is unclear at this time.  I believe that sums up the health of the Braves at this current time.

Who and What to Look For

I’ll start off by giving you my projected starting rotation this year, some bullpen names, and maybe a few faces to look for in the pitching staff.  As it stands now, the starting five (in order) would be:

1) Derek Lowe

Full Name: Derek Christopher Lowe Born: 06/01/1973 Birthplace: Dearborn, MI Height: 6′ 6″     Weight: 230 Bats: Right Throws: Right College: N/A MLB Debut: 04/26/1997

2) Javier Vazquez

Full Name: Javier Carlos Vazquez Born: 07/25/1976 Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico Height: 6′ 2″     Weight: 210 Bats: Right Throws: Right College: N/A MLB Debut: 04/03/1998

3) Jair Jurrjens

Full Name: Jair Francoise Jurrjens Born: 01/29/1986 Birthplace: Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles Height: 6′ 1″     Weight: 200 Bats: Right Throws: Right College: N/A MLB Debut: 08/15/2007

4) Kenshin “Kamikaze” Kawakami

Full Name: Kenshin Kawakami Born: 06/22/1975 Birthplace: Tokushima, Japan Height: 5′ 10″     Weight: 200 Bats: Right Throws: Right College: N/A MLB Debut: N/A

5) Tom Glavine

Full Name: Thomas Michael Glavine Born: 03/25/1966 Birthplace: Concord, MA Height: 6′ 0″     Weight: 205 Bats: Left Throws: Left College: N/A MLB Debut: 08/17/1987

 

Here are a few notes about the starting five:  I could maybe see Jair and Kawakami switching places in the lineup.  So they may flop between 3 and 4.  Tom Glavine, who is expected to be the fifth starter, may not be ready for opening day and may not pitch until May.  In the bullpen, you will hear the following names:  Blaine Boyer, Buddy Carlyle, Jorge Campillo, Jeff Bennett, Manny Acosta, Peter Moylan, Rafael Soriano, and Mike Gonzalez.  Buddy Carlyle and Campillo will be the middle relief and long inning pitchers.  You will see Moylan and Soriano as the 8^th inning set-up men, and Mike Gonzalez will be the closer.

In the in-field the starting lineup should look like this: 

Brian McCann at Catcher, Casey Kotchman at 1^st, Chipper Jones at 3^rd, Yunel Escobar at SS and Kelly Johnson at 2^nd.  “Oh My God-o” Martin Prado and Omar Infante return to serve as the utility infield men.

The outfield does not appear to be as concrete as the infield at this point. 

Jeff Francouer will man the Right Field spot as always, but the other two positions remain up for grabs.  Matt Diaz and Garrett Anderson look to battle it out for the Left Field spot.  I see this being a platoon type situation.  Anderson is a seasoned vet, who, despite being the more talented hitter and fielder, probably can’t physically play the whole season.  The Center Field position is even more of a mystery.  The Braves return Gregor Blanco, but are looking to use Josh Anderson and possibly Jordan Schafer out there. 

 Jordan Schafer has proven in Spring Training to be the better talent, hitter, and fielder, but due to Anderson being out of options, Schafer may start in the minors.  At this point, it looks as if Josh Anderson will get the starting nod with Blanco in reserves.  Also, don’t forget about Greg Norton, who saw some action in Left Field last season and has proven to be a clutch pinch hitter.

Everyone wants to know the big time names that are lurking in the minors and waiting for the chance to shine in the bigs.  The main pitching prospect that may see some action this year if injuries occur to the starting staff is Tommy Hanson. 

Full Name: Thomas J. Hanson Born: 08/28/1986 Birthplace: Tulsa, OK Height: 6′ 6″     Weight: 210 Bats: Right Throws: Right College: Riverside CC, CA MLB Debut: N/A

He is big kid at 6’6” and has a mid 90s fastball and a dirty slider that some say is akin to that of Smoltz’s slider.  Another familiar name that will, also, be seen this year in the starting rotation is Jo-Jo Reyes.  Supposedly he has looked pretty strong this spring, but by his record from last season’s stint in the bigs says another thing.  As alluded to, the one name who could potentially make an immediate impact in the outfield is Jordan Schafer.  He is a lead-off hitter with good speed and a strong arm in Center Field.  Some may recall Brandon Jones, who played parts of last season in Left Field and in Right Field when ol’ Frenchy got sent down to Double A (Hi-Yo!).  He would be on the short list of call ups if injuries occurred in the outfield again.  That about concludes the names you will hear and see to start the season.

Expectations

We may get a good taste of what to expect from the Braves when they open the season at Philadelphia.  Trying to look at things objectively, I still believe that the Mets and Phillies have more talented squads than the Braves at this point.  The Braves made some good moves to improve the pitching, which was clearly the problem last year, but I still don’t know if they did enough to put themselves ahead of the rest of the NL East.  My main concern with the Braves is the lack of power.  I believe there is some stat, where the Braves outfield combined for fewer home runs than several individual outfielders alone.  I know Chipper will not play all 162 games, but if he can play 150 or so, and Jeff Francouer can return from his hitting absence in 2008, then I think the Braves may surprise some people.  McCann has been solid in his big league career and I look for that to continue.  As far as the pitching staff goes, I am not really sure what to expect.  The main point the Braves have been noting is that Lowe and Vazquez have pitched over 200 innings for the last 8 seasons.  I think that is important for the health of the bullpen, but it, also, needs to translate into more wins by the starters.  Overall, I have tempered expectations for the Braves this year, but am still holding out hope that I may be pleasantly surprised. 

Thanks again Brien!!!

I’ll talk at you all again later.

“the rollercoaster’s gotta roll to the bottom if you wanna climb to the top again”

“on your way to a world that others might have missed”

Today’s Topic:  Namaste

Mood Music:  Ride Captain Ride by the Blues Image

How bout’ them DAWGS!!!!  Hurley’s (Sawyer’s actually) sweatshirt was a  nice addition to the greatest show in the history of television. 

Another point, have I mentioned how much I love the music on Lost?  Not just the “needle drops” but the original score by Michael Giacchino is just so freaking incredible.  Hats off to that guy for really adding such a cinematic element to the show.  and now…..Season 5, Episode 9…….Namaste:

ON-ISLAND (which again covers everything this week)

1977 (great choice of year for them to end up in by the way)

Jack, Kate, and Hurley greet Sawyer with excitement and hugs. When Hurley asks why they’re wearing DHARMA jumpsuits, Sawyer tells them that they are in 1977. Miles calls Jin on the walkie, asking where he is. Jin warns Sawyer that if he doesn’t report in soon a search party will be sent out and asks what they should do with the new arrivals. When Jack reveals that more of their fellow survivors, including Sun were on the same plane, Jin immediately heads to the Flame saying Radzinsky would know if a plane had landed.

Back at the Barracks, Juliet asks Miles where Sawyer is. Looking on monitors in the security station, Miles sees Sawyer returning to his home. There, as Sawyer is gathering clothing to disguise the new arrivals, Juliet enters and asks him what is going on. He informs her that Jack, Kate, and Hurley have returned, and he is trying to figure a way to sneak them into the Barracks. Juliet then tells him that a submarine is scheduled to arrive that day.

At the Flame, Radzinsky is building a model of the Swan’s geodesic dome. Jin bursts in and begins checking instruments. Radzinsky warns Jin away, saying that only he is allowed to use these instruments. When Jin asks about a possible plane crash, Radzinsky expresses skepticism and refuses to help. However, when Jin physically threatens him, Radzinsky puts out a call to the other DHARMA stations to report in any sightings of a plane.

Juliet then retrieves the submarine manifest from Amy who is relaxing with her new baby. Amy mentions that two of the new recruits had dropped out at the last minute. Juliet inquires about the name of the baby, and Amy reveals that she and Horace plan to name their new baby Ethan. Afterwards Amy asks when Juliet and Jim are going to have a child; Juliet replies “I don’t know. Timing’s gotta be right.”

***by the way, (great call on Ethan being the baby, Todd) did anyone else notice how uncomfortable Juliet became once she found out the baby was Ethan?  She looked like she was possibly considering just dropping the damn thing rather than holding that jackass

At the Flame, Radzinsky informs Jin that he heard from the Looking Glass, the last station to report in, with no sighting of a plane. He tells Jin to go home, but before they can do anything an alarm sounds, indicating that a motion sensor has detected a Hostile within their perimeter. Jin races outside and into the tall grass surrounding the Flame. He sees someone moving and calls to them to stop. Getting closer he sees that it is Sayid. They greet each other happily and Jin asks about Sun’s whereabouts. All Sayid has time to do is tell Jin that he doesn’t know where Sun is before Radzinsky shows up. Jin is forced to pretend that Sayid is a Hostile and forces him to kneel at gunpoint, warning him that he will be killed if he says another word.

Sawyer drives Jack, Kate, and Hurley to the Processing Center. Along the way, Sawyer mentions that Daniel Faraday has told him certain theories on what actions are possible (or impossible) after having traveled through time; but also notes that Faraday is not there anymore.

***what’s up with that?  Has Faraday (ok dumb question)…obviously Faraday is off the island, but how, why, when?  Maybe he’s starting his research already with Widmore and Hawking….we know he’s with Chang in the video from Comic-Con (for those that haven’t seen it…just google the Lost Comic-Con video) and Chang’s still on the island (see below)

Upon arrival at the Processing Center, Sawyer prepares the group for their induction into the DHARMA Initiative. Miles arrives and reports to Sawyer that Jin has a problem at the Flame. Calling Jin on the walkie, Sawyer discovers that Sayid has been captured and that Radzinsky is “taking care of it.”

At the Processing Center, Jack is being inducted by Pierre Chang. After asking him a few questions he gives Jack his new assignment, as a workman performing janitorial duties. Kate is questioned by Phil, who becomes suspicious when her name does not appear on the recruits list. Before he grows any more suspicious, Juliet appears with a new list which she claims to have gotten from Amy and which contains Kate’s information.

***a couple things here:  1) How great was it that Sawyer had Jack set up to be a Workman/janitor?  Great shot at the “Doc” by James.  2) SEE PICTURE RIGHT BELOW … the creepy dude that helped make the scene with Kate so damn edgy…the actor’s name is Patrick Fischler….and all I have to say is, if you think he’s a little creepy in Lost…check out the diner scene in Mulholland Drive….honestly, it’s one of the most intense effin’ scenes I’ve ever watched in my life….just edge of your seat scary and it’s not even a horror flick 

Meanwhile, at the Flame, Sawyer arrives to collect Sayid but discovers that Radzinsky is very suspicious of Sayid, who he believes might have seen the plans for the Swan. Sawyer collects Sayid, and takes him to the Barracks.

As the new recruits pose for a group photograph, Sawyer interrupts the ceremony, bringing a captive Sayid to the Barracks. Sawyer and Radzinsky usher Sayid into an underground holding cell.

That night, Jack goes to see Sawyer and is surprised to find Juliet at his house. After a heartfelt greeting, she shows him inside where Sawyer is sitting and reading a book. Jack asks him about Sayid, and Sawyer informs him that he’s thinking of a way to save him. After Jack complains that Sawyer had merely been reading, Sawyer responds that Jack “just reacted” as leader, instead of thinking things through and blames Jack for the deaths which had occurred under his leadership. Sawyer asserts that he is now the leader and sees Jack out. As Jack walks away, Sawyer exchanges a glance with Kate, who is standing on the porch of a nearby house.

At the holding cell, a polite young boy delivers a sandwich to Sayid. The boy asks Sayid if he is a Hostile to which Sayid replies, “Do you think I am?” The two exchange names and the young boy introduces himself as Ben.

***I thought it was really cool that we had this scene where Ben was first meeting Sayid as he’s in a jail cell….it mirrors the first time Sayid met Ben, as he was being held captive in the Swan during Season 2…also of note during that scene…Sayid claims to be a hostile when he’s really not….Ben claimed “not” to be a hostile during S2 when he really was

2008

Just before the crash of Ajira Airways Flight 316, the Oceanic Six contemplate their fate. In the cabin, the co-pilot tells Frank Lapidus that he recognized Hurley as one of the Oceanic Six, and marvels at Hurley’s willingness to fly over the South Pacific again. Shortly afterward, the plane encounters heavy turbulence. Frank takes manual control and attempts to correct the course of the plane. There’s a flash of light and suddenly they find themselves flying above clouds in daylight.

The plane begins giving them a stall warning. Frank tries to get the plane under control, but as they emerge from the clouds the mountains of the Hydra Island loom in front of them. Fighting for control of the plane, Frank manages to miss hitting a hill. When the radio is turned on, a broadcast of the numbers is heard. As Frank flies over the Island, the copilot sees what looks like a runway. Frank flies toward it and lands, but cannot stop the plane before the end of the runway. He blacks out, and upon awakening discovers his co-pilot has been killed, impaled by a tree branch.

In the plane’s cabin, Caesar checks on Ilana, who has passed out. He wakes her and apprises her of the crash. After noting that Sayid is gone, she gets up with Caesar’s help. Frank then emerges from the cockpit to check on the passengers. Sun calls to him and he goes to help her, asking where the other Oceanic Six members are. Ben suddenly appears and states that “they are gone.”

As Sun is staring out to sea, Ilana approaches and inquires if she lost someone in the plane crash. Sun replies that she was traveling alone. Frank then calls everyone together and informs them that his radio is not working, but that their best plan is to simply wait for rescue. At this point, Caesar asks where they are and expresses skepticism at Frank’s claim that the Island is not on the maps. Caesar notes that there are buildings nearby and another Island visible across the water. On hearing this, Ben, who had been sitting near by, takes off into the jungle. Sun follows him, and when she catches him, Ben explains that he’s heading back to the main Island and invites Sun to come with him.

Ben then admits to Sun that he doesn’t know where Jin is, but that the main Island is the logical place to start looking. He convinces Sun to come with him. At this point Frank emerges from the Jungle and warns Sun not to trust Ben. She argues that she has to, and the two of them follow Ben to where a trio of outriggers have been hidden. As Ben talks to Frank, Sun sneaks up behind him and knocks him out with a boat oar.

Frank and Sun arrive at the dock at night. Walking along the dock, they see debris scattered about and hear the monster rustling through the jungle near the end of the dock. Arriving at the Processing Center, they find the place disheveled and apparently deserted. The two hear the whispers, then a light goes on inside a building next to the Processing Center. A door opens and a silhouetted figure greets them. He identifies himself as Christian, and when Sun asks about her husband, he tells them to follow him. Heading into the center, Christian locates a picture from 1977 on the wall. When he shows it to Frank and Sun, they see their friends in a recruiting photo from the DHARMA Initiative. Christian says “I’m sorry, but you have a bit of a journey ahead of you.”

Tidbits and Questions

Overall, I thought this was a solid episode.  We got a little backstory that’s beginning to fill in some of the Ajira group pieces….we know now that Sun, Lapidus, Ben, and Locke aren’t at the same time as the others…..we also found out that Sawyer’s a DAWG fan (Josh Holloway actually attended UGA briefly)!!!

- where in the eff is Faraday?  where in the eff are Rose and Bernard?

- do you think Sawyer will crawl back to Kate?  Looks like Juliet’s taking the gloves off tonight…nice…am I the only one (other than Todd and Stan I guess…she is looking good these days) that wants Sawyer and Juliet to end up together?

- what’s up with the food drops? 

- The Radzinsky model of the Swan was pretty sweet

- anyone notice the woman behind Sun in the Canteen?

Quotes

“well you do realize those dudes get wiped out, right?” – Hurley to Sawyer

“it’s not a damn Game Show Hugo” – Sawyer to Hurley

“what the hell are they doing here” – Miles to Sawyer

“our new inductees…I’ll explain everything later” – Sawyer to Miles

“how’d that work out for everyone” – Ben to Lapidus

“Nama-what” – Hurley

I’ll talk at you all again later.

“we’re callin’ everyone to ride along to another shore”

“the grass ain’t greener, the wine ain’t sweeter, either side of the hill”

Today’s Topic: LaFleur

Mood Music:  Ramble On Rose by the Grateful Dead

Well, folks…..after a week off, it’s gonna feel like a while since you watched this episode, but I think it’s best to recap on the day of a new episode to get your blood a pumpin’ again.  I’ve been a little under the weather, so I’m gonna keep this one short and sweet…..and now…..Season 5, Episode 8……LaFleur:

ON-ISLAND (which covers everything this week)

UNKNOWN TIME PERIOD

Previously on Lost morphs into the episode as Sawyer is seen still holding the rope that disappears into the ground where Locke fell.  Juliet stops Sawyer from digging and points out that they are now in a time before the well was built.  Miles adds to that saying that it must be a good amount of time before it was built and draws everyone’s attention to a massive statue in the distance.  and….

FLASH

***I guess they decided to let us know that the four-toed statue need not be forgotten….I like it!!!  Now, it’s not just me, but I think it’s definitely some kind of Egyptian God.

1974

After the flash, they notice that it feels different and that maybe the flashes are over.  The nosebleeds have stopped and the headaches are better.  Sawyer notices that the well has returned and jumps feet first into it while grabbing the rope.  He only descends about a foot and they notice that the well is filled in.  He tells them that he is going to wait for Locke to return…and when Juliet asks him how long….he tells her “as long as it takes”.

***I have to say that Sawyer’s character is quickly becoming my favorite on the show….his compassion for Locke, knowing that he was successful in saving them from the time-flashes is palpable

They search for Daniel who is staring at the ground, stunned.  He explains that she died and then vanished during the last flash.  Sawyer decides that they should go back to the beach camp, after some ribbing by Miles.  Juliet agrees with Sawyer’s plan, but later tells him that it wasn’t much of a plan, but they had to do something).  On the way back to the beach, they hear gunshots and look to see what’s up.  In a clearing they see 2 ”others” standing over a woman and a dead man.  Sawyer and Juliet advance on them with guns out and Sawyer tells them to put their guns down.  One of the “others” fires at Sawyer and Juliet immediately shoots him.  Sawyer shoots the other one.  The woman introduces herself as Amy and convinces them to bury the 2 bodies and carry her husband, Paul’s, body back.  

As Daniel approaches the sonic fence, Juliet yells for him to stop. Amy pretends to disable the fence, removes or manipulates an object hidden behind a keypad (subsequently revealed to be earplugs), and walks through. Sawyer, Jin, Juliet, Daniel and Miles follow and are knocked out by a high-pitched noise. Amy removes the earplugs from her ears, revealing how she passed through unaffected.

***cool to see that earplugs can help get through the “sonic” fence….it can also be set on differing levels since we’ve seen it kill Mikhail before

Sawyer wakes up in the Barracks recreation room and is questioned by Horace Goodspeed. Sawyer introduces himself as “Jim LaFleur” and invents the cover story that his group was on a salvage boat that wrecked while searching for the Black Rock. Horace tells Sawyer that the group will have to leave the next morning on the submarine. He explains that only members of the DHARMA Initiative are allowed inside the compound, and that Sawyer and the rest of his group are “not DHARMA material.” The rest of the group is assembled somewhere outside at late evening, where they are talking about their situation. Miles is concerned, but Juliet is confident that Sawyer can deal with Horace. She then points to the house she used to lived for more than 3 years. Miles questions her, if she was a member of the DHARMA-Initiative, which she denies. She mentions the Purge, which was also before her arrival on the Island. Daniel still seems to be confused, but then he sees a little girl whom he guesses to be young Charlotte. Afterwards, Sawyer and Horace meet them with Sawyer explaining to the group what he has achieved.

Suddenly, the alarm sounds and everybody takes cover in their houses. The group is brought inside one of the houses where an armed woman is to look after them. As Sawyer and Juliet start to look out of a window, a man with a burning torch, revealed to be Richard Alpert, strolls into the middle of the compound. Horace goes to speak to him then returns and anxiously asks Sawyer and crew how well they buried the bodies. Sawyer goes outside, ignoring Horace’s objections, and tells Richard that he is responsible for killing the two men, then asks him if they buried the bomb. He mentions Richard’s meeting with Locke twenty years earlier and tells him that he and his people aren’t with the Initiative, meaning that DHARMA’s truce with with The Others hasn’t been violated. After getting the story of what happened to his people, Richard tells Sawyer that they still require justice.

Sawyer returns and tells Horace the Others want Paul’s body. Horace and Sawyer go to talk to Amy, telling her that they’ll face whatever they need to if she doesn’t want to give up the body. She agrees to give it up but takes an ankh necklace from around her husband’s neck first. As Sawyer leaves the room, Horace tells him that they can stay for two weeks, when the submarine is scheduled to return to the island.

At the dock by the submarine, Juliet tells Sawyer that Locke has already saved them, noting that the flashes have stopped and they are no longer sick, so there is no need to wait for him. She explains that she has been trying to get off the island for over three years, and that she intends to be on the submarine in the morning despite Sawyer convincing Horace otherwise. Sawyer, however, talks her into staying, initially for just two weeks until the next submarine trip.

***I thought this was an unbelievable exchange between Sawyer and Juliet….from this point it really made me believe that they could be together….like the last 2 people from a surviving tribe (cause Miles and Daniel don’t really count do they?  and, Jin, well, he’s pining away for Sun still, right?)

1977

In a security center at the Barracks, Jerry puts on some music (Tony Orlando and Dawn’s “Candida”) and begins dancing with Rosie. Suddenly, Phil bursts in, angry that the two are neglecting the monitors and worried about what their boss, LaFleur, will say. Jerry attempts to calm Phil but then the two see someone on the monitors by the sonic fence. They identify the person as Horace who appears to be drunk and throwing lit dynamite into the forest. Despite their initial reluctance the pair run to one of the houses and wake LaFleur, the Head of Security, who turns out to be Sawyer. Sawyer collects Miles asking “did you bring your Zapper”, also a security officer, and the two drive out to the sonic fence where they retrieve a passed out Horace. Sawyer takes the man back to his home, where Sawyer is greeted by Horace’s wife Amy. As Sawyer explains what happened, Amy goes into labor.

***so is Horace firing off dynamite from the Black Rock….makes it interesting as to why he lied before or maybe they found it within the 3 year time frame

In the infirmary, the doctor informs Sawyer that the baby is in a breech position and a Caesarean section is needed. The doctor explains that pregnant women normally travel to the mainland when they are due to deliver and he is inexperienced with such an operation. Sawyer heads to the DHARMA motor pool, where Juliet, who is still on the island well beyond her initial two week promise to Sawyer, is working as a mechanic. Juliet initially objects, saying that she and Sawyer had “a deal,” but ultimately agrees to do the procedure, even though the doctor is uncomfortable with the arrangement.

Outside the infirmary, Sawyer waits for news of the baby. Jin, who now speaks fluent English, shows up and reports that their grid searches continue, even though they still haven’t found any of their people. Juliet emerges and joyously says that Amy gave birth to a boy.

***easily the best scene of this episode (which was filled with so many great character moments)…to see the joy on Juliet’s face (and it’s reception by Sawyer) upon knowing that she successfully delivered a child on the island…let’s just say it was hard not to tear up at that one

Later, a smiling Sawyer strolls through the Barracks and picks a flower. He returns to the house he now shares with Juliet, as she prepares dinner. He gives her the flower and tells her she was “amazing today.” They declare their love for each other and share a kiss.

Horace wakes to find a bespectacled Sawyer watching over him. In a reversal of roles, Sawyer asks Horace how his head feels leaving Horace to respond “It hurts.” Sawyer informs him that he missed the birth of his son and inquires about the fight between Horace and Amy that led Horace to pass out in a drunken stupor. Horace had found the ankh which had belonged to Paul among Amy’s things, leading Horace to question Amy’s love for him. Horace is unsure whether three years is enough time for Amy to get over Paul. Sawyer tells of his love for a girl with whom he had a shot but reluctantly lost his chance. She has been gone for three years and though he had difficulty forgetting her in the beginning, he finds now that he barely remembers her face. Sawyer states that three years is “absolutely” enough time to get over someone.

***if Juliet’s scene was the best, this scene was a close second…to see Sawyer (the bad guy, loner, con-man) giving relationship advice to Horace…and knowing where the depth of his feelings originate is effin’ priceless.  to think, he’s actually over Kate….and we all could see what was comin’ next

In the morning, Sawyer and Juliet are asleep in bed when they are awakened by a phone call. Jin is calling with urgent news, and as Sawyer gets dressed, he doesn’t tell Juliet the nature of the emergency. He drives his blue DHARMA Jeep out to the North Valley alone and waits for Jin to arrive in a DHARMA van. They park their vehicles opposite one another and the van’s passengers emerge: first Hurley, then Jack, and finally Kate. Sawyer is shocked to see his friends as he takes off his glasses in disbelief.

***Thanks to Lostpedia for most of this recap as I’ve been a little too sick to finish it all myself

Tidbits and Questions

- Is Richard Alpert an Egyptian Pharaoh (explains the guyliner)?

- Do you think the statue is of an Egyptian God?  If so, which one?

- The “Ankh” (which is the symbol on the necklace of Paul and also being held by the statue) is the Egyptian symbol for eternal life and fertility….interesting that Amy was wearing it and became the first woman we’ve seen that successfully gave birth on the island (and conceived)

- for all of you Grateful Dead fans, the 2 Dharma dudes at the security center are named Phil and Jerry…..the woman….Rosie (could be a reference to the symbol of the Rose that the Dead used or possibly it’s symbolic of the song “Ramble on Rose”)

- another interesting Dead tidbit….a quote from the Egyptian Book of the Dead: “We now return our souls to the creator, as we stand on the edge of eternal darkness. Let our chant fill the void in order that others may know. In the land of the night the ship of the sun is drawn by the grateful dead.”

Quotes

“I think it’s over.  I think John did it.” – Juliet

“Your buddy out there with the eyeliner, let me talk to him.” – Sawyer

“Record’s spinning again, we’re just on the wrong song.” – Faraday

***by the way, there was a quote from Miles (something about going to the beach or the Orchid being the only 2 plans they know) that was hilarious….if anyone can find it, make sure to post it below…sorry I didn’t have time to rewatch this week

I’ll talk at you all again later.

“i’m gonna march you up and down along the county line, take you to the leader of a band”

“…until you burst into song and unwind”

Today’s Topic:  The Return of Phish

Mood Music:  Anything by Phish (Reader’s Choice on this one…my choice would probably be…well…Divided Sky…what else?)

Folks….it’s 6:30 on Saturday morning and it’s hard to explain the emotions as I sit and listen to the 1st Set of Phish’s show at Hampton from last night.  To be honest, I was always a HUGE Phish fan and loved the music, but I wasn’t quite a “follow the whole tour” level player…if you know what I mean…but trust me….the music….ahhh the music….some of the best ever made (and most of the best live moments that I’ve ever scene/heard). 

After Phish took a “hiatus” I kind of fell off the post 2000 era bandwagon.  I preferred to listen to older shows, reminisce about the “Glory Days” of a band that seemed to have really lost touch with what they used to encompass; just a bunch of sickly talented musicians with a flare for the dramatic, hammering out ridiculous song after ridiculous song and varying the setlists every night just to keep you off-balance.  As their original catalog grew, so did my discontent with the direction of the live stuff that I was hearing….it was sloppy and not well thought out….Phish had in fact burned out….and no better example was given than the final shows at Coventry, in Vermont.  They, in their words….had “hit a wall” and man was it sad to see such a HUGE part of my life (musically) go out with such a whimper (not knowing..or really even hoping that they would get back together).

And then….last night….

The crowd absolutely roared…….and I mean roared.  As the opening notes of Fluffhead (which I called as the opener…the first time I’ve ever gotten that right in 15+ years…signs of great things to come?  well…) played out over the coliseum. 

Like I said at the top…..I don’t know that I can explain the emotions that I felt…..just sheer joy to hear the notes of that song, from those guys, coming out of my computer speakers….well, let’s just say I welled up a little.  I’ll admit…I’m a sentimental guy….and this shit hits a proverbial “sentimental funny bone” in me that makes me wax nostalgic and revel in some of the great moments I had in my “not especially great from the school standpoint” College Years.  As Fluffhead drew to a close….with the crowd, and Trey yelling the title into the rafters of “the Mothership” (which is the nickname of the Hampton Coliseum for those that don’t know…..and more interesting than that, the name of a beer that I tried for the first time tonight….without even making the connection until now…hi-yo…***it’s made by the brewers of Fat Tire and it’s delicious…another sign of great things to come?…..well….)

I found myself quietly (only because my wife…y’all know her as Ellen….was sleeping) singing along and getting chills.  They are back and I believe we are not going to be disappointed this time. 

So for all of you Phish fans out there that might be reading this blog….as the notes of Divided Sky begin to pour out of my speakers (my all-time FAVORITE Phish song…and sign #3 of great things to come?  well….)….I say….

Welcome Back…..it’s been awhile…..really like 10 years for me and I’m excited to see what the band has in store for us in the year(s?) to come. 

I’ve posted the setlists for y’all from the 3 night run below…..incredible.

3/6/09

Set 1 – Fluffhead, Divided Sky, Chalkdust Torture, Sample in a Jar, Stash, I Didn’t Know, Oh Kee Paugh Ceremony > Suzy Greenberg, Farmhouse, NICU, Horn, Rift, Train Song, Water in the Sky, Squirming Coil, David Bowie

Set 2 – Backwards Down the Number Line, Tweezer, Taste, Possum, Theme from the Bottom, First Tube, Harry Hood, Waste, You Enjoy Myself

Encore – Grind, Bouncing Around the Room, Loving Cup

3/7/09

Set 1 – Back on the Train, Runaway Jim, Brian and Robert, Split Open and Melt, Heavy Things, PYITE, Gumbo, Reba, Mexican Cousin, It’s Ice, Halley’s Comet, Beauty of a Broken Heart, Guelah Papyrus, Lawnboy, Run Like an Antelope

Set 2 – Rock & Roll, Limb by Limb, Ghost, Piper, Birds of a Feather, Wolfman’s Brother, Prince Caspian, Mike’s Song > Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove, Character Zero

Encore – A Day in the Life

3/8/09

Set 1 – Sanity, Wilson, Foam, Bathtub Gin, Undermind, AC/DC Bag, My Friend, My Friend, Scent of a Mule, All of these Dreams, Maze, She Thinks I Still Care, Army of One, Tube, Cars Trucks Buses, Free, Frankenstein

Set 2 – Down with Disease, Seven Below, The Horse > Silent in the Morning, Twist, 2001, Moma Dance, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Wading in the Velvet Sea, Slave to the Traffic Light,

Encore – Contact, Bug, Tweezer Reprise

“truth be told I miss you, and truth be told I’m lying”

Today’s Topic:  The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham

Mood Music:  Hope It Gives You Hell by All-American Rejects

Well…..let me just start off this week by saying….maybe every episode won’t be better than the last this season, but I’ve got a feeling they’re gonna all be pretty solid either way.  This episode is no exception….although, as far as all-time Locke centric episodes (and for those of you that don’t know…centric means “centered around that character” — i.e. the flashback is about Jeremy Bentham aka Locke) this one is not the best Locke episode ever, but it was ok.  I’m thinking we’ll call this episode, “is there ever gonna be anyone on this effin’ show that we can trust?”  Why don’t we just dive right in….Season 5, Episode 7………The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham:

ON-ISLAND

Unknown Time Period

Opens with Caesar going through an office in the Hydra Station.

*for those of you that have no clue about 1) Caesar and 2) the Hydra Station…..here’s a brief refresher:

1) Caesar was on the Ajira Flight 316.  He was the man that spoke to Jack while he was in line at the airport and offered him condolences.  He is a new character.

2) the Hydra Station was a Dharma Station that was “stationed” on the small island beside the larger island that we are familiar with…..it’s where Kate and Sawyer were kept in cages and Jack operated on Ben….it’s also where the Others were building a runway….Hi-Yo!!!

In the Hydra Station, Caesar sees a 1954 Time magazine with a cover story on the Hydrogen bomb.  Then he opens a folder and thumbs through the papers inside. 

*by the way….these aren’t just any old papers….they are:

1) one of Rousseau’s island maps (see a picture of the original on my LOST DISCUSSION tab)

2) a COPY of a page from Daniel Faraday’s journal (see a picture of the original on my LOST DISCUSSION tab)

and…

3) the Island map to the Tempest that Daniel was carrying last season (see a picture of the original on my LOST DISCUSSION tab)…with a few new hieroglyphs tossed in

*so somehow those maps/pages got into the hands of some Dharma folks and are just rotting away in a folder in the Hydra Station….seems like such a waste

Caesar grabs a sawed-off shotgun from under the desk and Ilana walks in as he’s putting it in his bag. 

*Ilana is also a new character and she’s the Marshal that was escorting Sayid on Flight 316

She asks him if he’s found anything and he says no.  After she presses him about what he put in the bag, he pulls out a flashlite and tosses it to her.  She tells him that there’s a man on the beach in a suit that was not on the plane.

*was it just me, or were you all thinking that the man was Christian Shephard…not sure why I wasn’t thinking about Locke?

They walk on a gravel path by the plane…which is angled off from the path/runway, but intact…

*ha.  I knew ole’ Lapidus would come through….think he remembered the bearing?  Think Ben told him about the runway?

and when they reach the beach there’s a man wrapped in an Ajira Airways blanket.  The man stands up and removes the blanket….he says that his name is John Locke.

A following day, Locke stands on the beach staring out at the main island.  Christian Shephard’s shoes are lying with his coat and tie on the sand beside him.  Ilana introduces herself and gives him a mango.  As he peels it, he asks about the outriggers.  She tells him that they were already there.  She says there were 3 of them but the pilot and “some” woman took one of them in the middle of the night. 

*who’s the “woman”?  Sun…maybe.  A flight attendant…maybe.  Claire…now wouldn’t that be interesting.

Locke asks for a passenger list and she tells him that he will have to talk to Caesar.  Locke takes a massive bite of the mango and says it’s the best mango he’s ever eaten.

*kinda reminds you of the creepy scene in the first season where John’s eating the orange and then smiles at Claire with the rind over his teeth

Ilana says that no one remembers him on the plane.  He says that he doesn’t remember being on it either.  She asks him why he’s dressed up so nice and he says that it was the suit he was to be buried in.  He then tells her that he remembers dying.  She looks at him strangely and walks away.

Later, Locke visits Caesar in the Hydra Station.  He tells Caesar about the Dharma Initiative and that he was on the island before for over 100 days.  Caesar is confused but asks Locke about what he saw on the plane.  A heavyset man with curly hair disappeared.  He said that other passengers saw people disappear too.  Locke realizes from the description that he’s talking about Hurley and says he has a better idea of what happened to him.  Locke asks if all of the people besides those that disappeared are accounted for.  Caesar says that everyone is except for those that were injured.  He takes Locke to the makeshift infirmary, and there, lying down asleep…last but not least…is Benjamin Linus….yowsa.

FLASHBACK

The Wheel Chamber

The scene is replayed where Locke realigns the wheel in the cave.  Again, Christian Shephard tells him to say hello to his son…and as Locke is asking who his son is….

FLASH

and…

OFF-ISLAND

Tunisia

Locke wakes up similar to the way Ben woke up in last season’s episode, “The Shape of Things to Come”.  He’s in the desert and pukes.  It’s 3 years after the Oceanic 6 left the island and he’s facing a security camera.  He calls for help to no avail.  At night, a truck pulls up…

*ok, pulls is waaaaaay too light a description of the way that thing pulled up….I felt like Bentham’s story was going to be cut substantially shorter with the way they stopped that piece of crap. 

He is taken by the men to a field hospital where Matthew Abbadon watches as they roughly set his fractured leg.  He is asked to bite down on a stick as we see the “doc” smash that thing back together.  Locke passes out from the pain.  Ouch. 

He is awakened by Charles Widmore who tells him that he flew in a specialist to help fix his leg.  He tells Locke how he was 17 when he saw Locke on the island last.  He asks Locke how long it’s been since he walked into the camp and asked to speak to Richard and Locke says “4 days”.  Widmore is blown away as it’s been roughly 50 years for him.  Locke asks about the camera in the desert and Widmore tells him that he put it there because that’s “the exit”.  He explains to Locke that he was the leader of the Others before being exiled by Ben, just like him.  Locke straightens him out by telling him that he chose to leave the island on his own to try and bring his friends back.  Ben had already left.  Widmore tells him that he wants to help them get back to the island and Locke isn’t sure why he would do that.  Widmore tells him that a war’s coming and if Locke isn’t back, the wrong side is going to win.

Later in the day, they sit outside and Widmore tells him that he’ll help him find the O6.  He provides John dossiers on all of his friends, a Canadian passport (under the name, Jeremy Bentham), some money, a phone (with which he can get in touch with Widmore by dialing 23), a wheelchair, and a driver (the always creepy…but great…..Matthew Abbadon).  Locke is skeptical but heads out for Santo Domingo…

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Sayid is helping to build a school for a charity called, “Build Our World”.  Locke approaches and asks him to return but Sayid declines.  He says that he was manipulated by Ben for 2 years to protect the rest of the O6.  He tells him that by leaving the island he was able to marry Nadia and live with her for 9 months, before she died.  He wonders if Locke’s only returning because he has nowhere else to go.  Locke tells him that if he changes his mind, he’ll be staying at the Westerfield Hotel in LA.  Sayid tells him to come back if he wants to do some real good.

New York, NY   

 In New York, it’s Walt.  In the car, John asks Abbadon to find Helen Norwood for him.  As the school bell rings, Locke is helped out of the car and sees Walt crossing the street.  Walt comes over and Locke wonders why he’s not surprised to see him.  Walt tells him that he’s been having dreams about Locke, in a suit, being surrounded by people that want to hurt him.  Locke tells him that it’s a good thing it’s just a dream.  Walt asks about his father, Michael, and Locke tells him that the last he heard he was on a freighter off the island.  After Walt leaves, Abbadon asks why he didn’t try to convince Walt to return and Locke says that he has been through enough and that he only has to convince one person for them all to come back.  As they go to leave, it is revealed that Ben is watching the exchange.

Santa Rosa Mental Health Institute

Hurley is outside Santa Rosa painting a picture of a Sphinx.  He doesn’t seemed shocked at all as Locke approaches and he asks him why he’s in a wheelchair.  Locke replies that he fell.  Hurley wants to know if that’s how he died.  Locke isn’t dead and Hurley asks the nurse if there’s a man in a wheelchair there and when she says yes, he freaks out.  He asks him how he got off the island and Locke tries to persuade him to come back.  Hurley sees Abbadon standing at the car and  insists that he is evil after remembering that he visited him before posing as an Oceanic employee. 

After this failed attempt to convince an O6 member to return (attempt #2) he asks Abbadon what he does for Widmore.  Abbadon tells him that he helps people get to where they need to get to.  Locke admits to remembering him as an orderly that convinced him to go on the Walkabout.

Los Angeles, CA

Locke is at Kate’s house.  Despite his attempts to persuade her to go back to the island, based on her feelings for “some” people still on it, Kate refuses to return (failed attempt #3).  She dumps on Locke after that…saying that he only wants to go back because he’s never loved anyone before.  He disagrees and mentions his relationship with Helen.  He tells Kate that she loved him but that it didn’t work out because he was angry and obsessed.  She replies, “look how far you’ve come”.  Whoa. 

*by the way….I’m thinking that the timing of this might be somewhere right around the time of her falling out with Jack because, is it just me, or is she acting like a ridonkulous beeotch in this scene?  Not to mention…Jack was a little “angry and obsessed” eh?

Locke leaves and asks Abaddon about Helen.  He hasn’t found her and Locke presses even harder. 

Santa Monica, CA

Locke and Abaddon are in a cemetary before a stone memorializing Helen.

Abaddon tells him that she died of a brain aneurysm.  John laments that if he had stayed, they would’ve been together.  Abaddon tells him that it wouldn’t change anything…she’d still be dead.  Locke questions whether or not everything is predetermined or if he might have a choice.  Abaddon asks if Alpert’s prediction that Locke must die is predetermined or a choice.  Locke wonders why anyone would choose to die.  Abaddon is loading Locke’s wheelchair into the car and is shot 3 times.  Locke jumps into the car and escapes.  He seems to have gotten away when he eventually crashes into 2 oncoming cars and is knocked unconcious. 

He wakes up in a hospital bed and Jack is sitting in the room looking well on his way to grizzly bearded psycho druggy Jack.  He tells Locke that he was in a car accident and brought to his hospital.  He refuses to see it as anything more than a coincidence.  

*not a coincidence Jack?  Remember Locke’s Mom was hit by a car before giving birth; Claire and her Mom were in a car crash that brought about the first meeting between Claire and Christian; Micheal was hit by a car and later crashed his car trying to kill himself; Juliet’s ex-husband was killed by a bus; Jack’s wife Sarah was saved by Jack after a horrible car crash; Jack also saved the people from the crash on the bridge as he was about to jump off and Locke’s father mentions a car crash as the last thing he remembered before showing up on the island….interesting (if I’ve left any out, please post them below)

Jack refuses to accept that it’s their destiny to return and thinks that Locke should question whether or not he’s truly as “special” as he believes.  He goes to leave and Locke (in a desperate ploy) tells him that his father says “hi”.  By process of elimination, he figured out that Christian was talking about Jack.  Jack tells him that his father died 3 years ago in Australia.  Locke implores him to come back because he’s the only one the others will follow.  Jack tells him to leave him and the other survivors alone and that they were never important.  Wow.

Later, (a month according to Jack in the Season 3 Episode, There’s No Place Like Home Part 2) Locke sits in his room at the Westerfield Hotel writing his suicide note.  Addressed to Jack, he places it in his pocket.  He is about to hang himself with an extension cord when there’s a knock at the door.  He tries to ignore it, but after a few more knocks and yells, Ben breaks into the room.  He begs John to stop and admits to killing Abaddon.  He tells him that he was a dangerous employee of Widmore and that he would’ve killed Locke if he hadn’t killed him first.  Ben tells him that Widmore was using him to get back to the island and that he was the reason that they moved the island in the first place.  Ben drops to his knees.

*Judas….anyone?

He unties the cord and tells Locke he’s important.  Locke is convinced that he’s a failure.  He’s incapable of being a leader.  Ben then lets him know that Jack booked a return flight from LA to Sydney….proving that Locke changed Jack’s attitude.

*a brief shot of Locke’s foot shows him 1) wearing sandals…..Jesus reference….and 2) with only 4 visible toes….hmmmmmm….

As he helps him down, Ben tells Locke he has much work to do…including contacting Sun.  Locke tells him that he promised Jin he wouldn’t contact her and shows Ben the ring.  Ben is surprised that Jin’s alive. 

*this announcement seemed to really shake Ben up and I’m thinking that what followed might have been because he needed to use the ring to convince Sun to go back

Locke then tells him that he must contact Eloise Hawking, a woman that lives in LA.  Ben is seemingly shocked at this name.  Locke asks if he knows her and Ben quietly confirms their acquintance.  Suddenly, Ben strangles Locke with the cord, eventually killing him.

*Wow.  I don’t really know that I saw that coming….what an effin’ MEAN SOB….I feel pretty certain now that they won’t try and push the “good” guy thing on Ben anymore….but…..

He hangs Locke to stage a suicide and cleans up his fingerprints, placing one of Locke’s crutches to help set the scene.  He picks up Jin’s ring and as he leaves he tells Locke that he’ll miss him, he really will (liar)….apparently, he’s unaware of the suicide note in John’s pocket……

Tidbits and Questions

- Locke’s Dad was strangled to death by Sawyer

- Helen’s birthday…June 30th, 1957…was roughly 3 years after the H-bomb stuff……it’s exactly 1 year and 2 months after Locke’s birthday as well.  Also, she died on April 8, 2006….that’s 4/8/2006….which makes her……48……just a few more numbers 

- do you think we’ll get any more of Walt’s story?  or any more of Walt in the show?  sure seemed like they were trying to send a message that this was closure on the “Walt” chapter of Lost

- Locke got the power cord from “Angel’s Hardware”

- The added heiroglyphs at the bottom left on Daniel’s map read, “northward travel, and time of kings/ancients”

- the word Sphinx derives from Greek and translates as “strangler”…hmmmm

- so, how does Hawking get the suicide note?

- is it Abbadon or Abaddon?

- finally, not exactly related to this episode…but kinda….here’s a little religious nugget from Lostpedia related to ”the wheel” that will have your mind racin’….by the way….look up the word Dharmacakra and see what you find….

Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma – Whenever the Dharma (i.e., a Buddha’s teaching or a code of ethics) is lost or forgotten, a new Buddha comes to “turn the wheel”. Depending on the exact Buddhist tradition, some believe the wheel to have turned up to three times. Whenever the wheel is turned, it signifies a milestone in Buddhist history, such as the first teachings of the Four Noble Truths. On Lost, Locke has assumed status as the Others new leader and the Island has moved.

Quotes

“you asked what I remembered…..I remember dying” – John to Ilana

That’s all for today folks.  Can’t wait for tonight’s episode.  We’ll get a 1 week break next week and then on to the final 9 or so shows.  Should be kickace!!!

I’ll talk at you all again later.

“when you see my face hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell!”

***that quote’s pertaining to Locke waiting for Ben to wake up…or does it refer to the stache’?  Like whether Widmore’s good or bad…..I’ll let you decide for yourself.