Okay, so here are my thoughts. Probably somewhat incoherent. My apologies in advance.
Is Anthony Cooper really John's father? We learn that his father is nearly twice his mother's age. And that she loved him. Maybe I'm reading into things too much, but did Emily get all biblical on us when she said, "His name is John"? (See Luke 1:63.) I mean, sure, that's his name. But the wording was so precise.
How did Michael give Keamy's name to Ben?
Close-up on Locke's eye. Very Jack-like (see pilot and last episode). Is this the rising of a new leader? Of Jack's replacement (since he'll be leaving soon....)?
The dream. Horace. "I've been dead for 12 years." Yes, he's a dream. But the island keeps hinting at purgatory. Even though the writers swear that it isn't. Jacob's been waiting for John.
Ben: "I used to have dreams." The death of Alex seems to have knocked the life out of Ben. He seems to almost concede that John is his successor.
John is a miracle baby. An unwanted miracle baby. So I guess the father's not in the picture. But Richard is. A Richard who is ageless. Back to the Bible, John the Baptist was a miracle baby. His parents were "well along in years" and his mother, Elizabeth, was barren. An angel named him, actually. Read Luke 1. Seriously.
More questions (and still no real answers) as to the reason for the Dharma Initiative massacre.
Richard shows up at John's adoptive family's place, claiming he runs a school "for kids who are extremely special." Creepily cool moment: the picture on the wall John drew of a spiral smoke monster attacking a stick figure. Richard lays out various items: "Which of these things belong to you already?" John picks the knife. Not the Book of Laws, compass, "Mystery Tales" comic, or bottle of sand (is that what it is?). Richard reacts. Why? Something is wrong. Did he choose incorrectly or was it a test? I have a feeling John's choice was both revealing and terrifying. He's denied entrance in the school.
Secondary protocol: Widmore knows where Linus is going. How?
Despite his protests otherwise, is Locke becoming Ben? Manipulation (of Hurley this time) is becoming so easy.
Poor John and his adolescent angst. "You can't be a superhero." I think John takes that as a challenge.
What is Keamy hooked up to?!
Sayid needs to go back to the island to save everyone. Desmond refuses to set foot on it ever again. The hope of Penny is too strong. Two men with very different motivations.
Ben is disillusioned. There are consequences to being chosen. What will John's be?
Abaddon shows up while John's in physio. Are Abaddon and Richard cohorts or competition? John is another living miracle. Abaddon plants the idea of a walkabout in John's head. Perhaps the seed of adventure. And since I'm into Luke tonight, note that the chapter ends with John in the desert. Which is sort of like the outback. Not to spoil scripture for you, but the guy prepares the way for Jesus (salvation). And ends up beheaded. Not that Lost theology is necessarily super-stellar/accurate. But those writers have read the Bible, I assure you.
Crazy moment of the night: news of the doctor's slit throat, followed by the actual slitting of this throat. So the Freighter Folk are behind a bit.
Why would Jack and friends have to follow the helicopter. And did you see the hope in Kate's eyes? Poor girl. She has no idea.
Ben won't go in the cabin. "The island wanted me to get sick. It wanted you to get well." Hmm. Did the island want Jack to get ill as well? Is that the way it chooses leadership?
CHRISTIAN again. Speaking on Jacob's behalf. And then...
CLAIRE! With her dad. Seemingly sedated. Or just off. Too calm. And completely okay with Aaron's separation from her. Christian reassures John: "The baby's where he's supposed to be."
While Sayid's preoccupied with saving the lives of people, John's intent on saving the island. And what does Jacob want him to do? "He wants us to move the island."
Whew. Know what, Losties? I think they do it. I don't really understand. And I don't know how. But in the future, Widmore doesn't know where the island is. But he currently does. A moved island would explain this.
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