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"What They Died For" returned Lost to where it ought to be. The hour zoomed by and I wanted more. Maybe it didn't have the highs of the greatest Lost episodes, but it avoided the lows--it moved forward clearly and quickly in both worlds, and got all the characters poised for the finale. The fans in general are giving it a thumbs up, especially after last week's break when we left the present-day action behind. The title suggested we're going to get answers, and that we did--maybe more than in "Across The Sea."

The show starts with Jack's eye, fluttering a bit more than usual. This season has been a reflection of season one, and a lot of things are coming full circle, so this only makes sense.

Jack wakes up in altaworld. He goes to the mirror and sees a cut on his neck. The Island keeps getting closer, but Jack isn't yet awake. He has breakfast with his son, and they talk about the concert. Mom's coming! I still think it's Juliet, but maybe they'll shock us and make it Shannon. (If not, does she work with Boone on parties, like the concet, or is she high class enough to be invited?) Claire's also living with them now. The circle is getting tighter.

Jack get's a call. His dad's corpse has been found. But it's not the airport, it's Desmond putting on an American accent. What Jacob is to the other world, Desmond seems to be here. And he's more hand's on.

Speaking of the Island, the gang is still on the shore, thinking about their lost friends. Jack sews up Kate. This is a callback to the pilot where she sews him up. (Also, it's the second time this week, after House, where some sort of surgery is done without anaesthesia.)

Kate states, and Jack agrees, they have to kill Flocke (okay, she calls him Locke). It's the endgame.


The final four watch as lifejackets wash ashore. I guess they knew it all along--that the only regulars to make it all the way to the finale would be Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Hurley and Locke.

Thank goodness Sayid told Jack where to go or they'd just stand there till Flocke found them. They'll go to Desmond's well.

In altaworld, Locke is better and back at school. Des is ready to run him over again, but Ben stops him. Des says he doesn't want to hurt him, he wants to help him let go. Then he beats the tar out of Ben, just like he did at the docks. Which gives Ben a quick sense of enlightenment. (I guess when this world is fake, anything goes.)

Back on the island, we finally see team Ben/Richard/Miles! It was as if they'd dropped off the face of the Island. They're still walking back to the barracks. The plan is to pick up Ben's C4. Miles stops--he hears dead people. In particular, they're in the spot where Richard buried Alex. I expected Miles to tell Ben what she was thinking at this point (that she hopes daddy will save her?), but he didn't. Either he's saving it for later, or the producers figure Ben's been through enough.

In Ben's secret room, they spot a bit of his "secreter" room--the cosmic toilet that allow Ben to summon the Monster. But, as Ben explains, he discovered the Monster was summoning him. I have to wonder who was it that first explained how to call Smokey? I suppose it was MIB's plan all along, but how did he get the info to the Others?

There's plenty of C4 left (isn't there money there too--Miles should pick some up, or does he figure those diamonds are enough?). There are also some people around. Zoe. Then Widmore. When you think about it, this reunion is as big as Sun and Jin. And since we don't necessarily see it coming, it's more satisfying. They've been fighting over the island all their lives, and it's far from clear who--if either--has the upper hand.

Widmore tried to enlist Ben. He sends Zoe to the outrigger to sink it. (Oh boy, more outrigger.) He explains the plane is already rigged (so it was him, in case there was any question). Then he claims he's come to the Island at the express order of Jacob. He says he's changed his way. I'll take him his word, though you never know with any of these guys. Wouldn't this represent the first time either he or Ben actually met Jacob (aside from, you know Jacob's murder).

Turns out Flocke is coming--he's at the shore (it's never been clear how close the docks are--Zoe got there fast). So Widdy doesn't have time to explain his plan. He barey has time to hide.

AltaBen is being patched up. He meets with Locke, and Ben is turning into a believer. Locke seems ready to believe as well.

Meanwhile, at the LAPD (which Locke almost called), Des turns himself over to Sawyer. BTW, James and Miles are going to a big concert--the museum benefit. Couldn't be the same concert Jack is going to? The one hosted by Eloise?

Des admits to his crimes and Sawyer tosses him in lockup--where he meets Sayid and, next door, Kate. It's not clear how much Des knows, but he seems to be aware of where all the chess pieces are. (The music in this scene is somewhat reminiscent of the main theme in Catch Me If You Can.)

On the island, the core four are walking to the well. The talk about MIB's rules--why and how he kills. They're as unclear as the fans.

Sawyer blames himself for the sub disaster, but Jack says it's not you, it's Him. A short scene, but interesting. The central conflict of the show has been Jack and Locke, but one almost as important has been Jack and Sawyer. The talented good guy who needs to save everyone, and the conniving bad boy who's only looking out for himself. THE woman, Kate, has bounced back and forth between them. But they've also gone through major changes, and both have blamed themselves for screwing up. Both have certainly been humbled, and Jack became confused about his place, while Sawyer became the good guy who couldn't save everyone any better than Jack could. In the early episodes, Kate could lecture Sawyer on what a great man Jack was, and how Sawyer wasn't worthy to compare himself (and it hurt). Last season they finally had it out in one of Lost's longest fist fights, but now they talk to each other as simple equals, and even friends.

Behind them is Hurley and Kate. Kate moves on while Hurley sees something. It's boy Jacob's ghost. He wants his own ashes, which Hurley took from Ilana. The boy takes them and runs away. So Jacob's ghost is corporeal enough to grab and carry a bag. I guess if anyone had a tough ghost, it'd be Jacob. Hurley follows (not quite as fast) and runs into adult Jacob, whom he's been waiting to see. He asks "where you been?" and Jacob replies "it doesn't matter, I'm here now." That's your classic Lost answer--don't give out any information, just state the obvious.

Jacob's burning his ashes in the fire (can you burn ashes?), and apparently when they go he's gone. We don't quite know the magical property of ashes--especially Jacob's--on this show, but they mean something. I wonder if Ilana knew. (Probably not. Jacob liked leaving his helpers in the dark.)

Jacob says "we're very close to the end, Hugo," and all Lost fans nod.

(We got to see the winner of the fan promo contest. Not bad.)

Flocke is on the dock. Zoe returns and Widdy says let's hide in the secret room. Ben doesn't want to hide, he wants to confront MIB. He takes Widmore's walkie and gives it to Miles, who's gonna run for it. Charles thinks Flocke will just kill them, but Ben says why put it off, and Richard says he just wants to recruit him. (That's an old offer, Richard--is it still good?)

They go outside. It's a calm day. Too calm. Richard goes out to greet the only guy in the world who scares him. But it's not much of a meeting. A column of black smoke carries him away and kills him like Lapidus (i.e., may still be alive).

Ben sits in the chair outside his home and MIB again in human form sits down next to him. They have a nice little talk. Flocke says he needs Ben to kill some people for him. Ben's sort of been through this before last season.

Ben's acting a little tougher this episode, which is nice to see, but we honestly don't know what side he's on. His own? Widmore's? Flocke's? Jacob's?

Flocke repeats his offer to give Ben the island when it's all over. Ben agrees. Then he drops a dime on Widmore.

Does Ben have a plan? He always has a plan. But we just don't know what it is.

In altaworld, "nicest guy ever" Ben Linus, arm in sling, gets a ride home from Alex and her mom, Danielle! She's cleaned up and looking pretty good. (She's supposed has a French accent, but it sounds like it's from somewhere else.)

They have dinner at Alex's place. Her dad is dead, turns out, and it looks like there may be some action in altaworld. Who knows, maybe Dr. Linus will have a stepdaughter. Anyway, Ben is really moved.

But Island Ben leads Flocke into the secret room. I don't feel sorry for Widdy--he's willing to make sacrifices. But what did he tell this poor geophysicist Zoe?

They're at Flocke's mercy, and when Widdy tells her not to talk, Flocke slashes her neck. Bye, Zoe, we hardly got to know you. I think you lasted longer than Caesar, though.

Flocke concentrates on Widmore. He says once he's off the Island, the first thing he'll do is kill Penny. This is quite a threat, but doesn't Widmore already believe everything is over if he gets off the Island?

Flocke promises he won't kill Penny if Widdy cooperated. (Great, so everything in the world is over except Penny.) Widmore actually starts talking, explaining why he's there and why he brought Des. He explains Des is a measure of last resort, but, oddly, while he doesn't mind talking to MIB, won't talk in front of Ben. Who cares? He starts whispering to Flocke and Ben shoots him dead. "He doesn't get to save his daughter."

1) The old Ben is back! (Though is this part of a bigger plan?)

2) Isn't this breaking "the rules"? (Hey, if the island didn't want him dead, he'll survive. Or are those rules out the window too, now?)

3) I thought Ben got over the daughter-killing thing last time he met Penny (and Charlie). Perhaps being reminded of Alex recently changed that.

4) MIB believes men are corrupt, but even he keeps getting shocked by Ben.

Anyway, it didn't matter. Widmore told Flocke what he needed to know. Ben reminds him there are some others left to kill.

Over at Jacob's campfire, Hurley's rounded up Kate, Sawyer and Jack. They can see him. I assume this is some effect of burning his ashes--these are his last hours, when he burns most brightly, and can be seen by all. Or maybe he could always selectively appear (which is not as good since he liked Hurley's talent of seeing dead people, and used it). Or maybe they always had the ability to see but had to go through some rough times first. (Didn't Sawyer see one of the ghost kids?)

Kate wants to know about the names on the wall. The Kwons, Sayid. She wants to know if that's why they died, and Jacob says he's sorry. Kate starts lipping off and Hurley tries to stop her. (It could be worse. To Ben he said "what about you?" and got stabbed.) But Kate won't be stopped. I like her being feisty here. We've waited six years for answers. She says she wants to know if Sun and Jin and Sayid died for nothing.

Jacob's reply: Come and sit down and I'll tell you what they died for. I'll tell you why I chose them, and why I chose you. And then I'll tell you everything you need to know about protecting this island because by the time that fire burns out, one of you is gonna have to start doing it.

Commercial.

Hot damn, we're finally getting some big answers, and we'll even get to watch the characters react.

But we won't find out right away. We go back to altaworld first. Mr. Locke wheels into Dr. Shephard's office. Locke's been through a lot lately, but he's also been noticing all the odd coincidences. This Locke is starting to be like the old Locke--he has a destiny. Yeah! If we can get back season one Locke, all is forgiven. Jack, like season one Jack, is skeptical. But Locke is ready to get better, and Jack will certainly oblige.

Now we cut back to Jacob. I half-expected to hear "...and I hope that clears up all your questions" and have them say "yep, thanks, that's what we needed to know." But even Lost wouldn't dare pull that on us.

So Jacob starts explaining. And while it's almost pure exposition, it goes down better than "Across The Sea." Why? Because there, you had a new characters telling things to other new characters. And the things she said weren't even straight answers.

He says he doesn't know where to start. Damn straight. But start somewhere, you'll be gone soon. He explains he made a mistake--creating Smokey. (Now we see why we needed "Across The Sea" to understand what's going on here.) He explains how he and the Monster have been fighting, and now he's been killed, and needs a replacement. That's why he brought them. Sawyer bridles--why should we be punished for how you screwed up?

Jacob has a tough but honest response. None of them were doing fine. They were flawed. They were alone. They needed to find something. They needed the Island.

Kate wants to know why her name was crossed off. I always figured, considering how the Others were so into lists of who's "good" and not, that maybe she was no longer morally fit. She's not Mr. Friendly's type, but she's not Jacob's type either. But no, it's because she became a mother, and didn't need the Island any more.

Let's stop for a second. I understand what he's getting at. He wanted people who had holes inside them that the Island could fill up. So when Aaron filed that hole, Kate was off the list. But she sure gave up Aaron for a return flight. And the Kwons have a kid (so does Sawyer). A lot of them might arguably find fulfillment. So the show goes a step further and has an explanation for this--Jaocb is imperfect. He's not a god, or even a demigod. He's got powers, but he's still a man. He tells Kate it's just a line of chalk in a cave--the job is still yours if you want it. I guess he didn't even cross it off for her, but for himself--if she won't take the job, why offer it? (I guess he won't refer to the Lighthouse any more now that Jack wrecked it. BTW, did he have to put the chalk list so far away from the Lighthouse? Seems like they could have been in the same place. Though Jacob has his odd rules, just like MIB.)

So she can still have the job. But what is the job?

It's protecting the light at the center of the island, making sure it never goes out. Sawyer speaks up and says Flocke told him there's nothing to protect it from. Jacob says they have to protect it from Flocke. What's interesting is we still can't be sure who's right--and we're not even sure if Jacob knows.

He wants them to do something he can't--kill MIB. He knows MIB will try to kill them (they already know that, too). But Jacob, of course, won't pick. He never had a choice, but he believes others should. Kate asks what happens if no one chooses, and Jacob says this will end very badly.

I was worried at this point we'd spend the finale wondering who'd be the choice, which isn't that exciting. Instead, Jack steps right up. This just about completes his arc. He always needed to save others, he just wasn't sure how. He came to the Island the man of science, but for all his bravery just managed to get about everyone killed. Then he became the man of faith, searching for his purpose. He also spent three seasons with nothing in mind except escaping. So now he's spent three seasons figuring how to come back and what to do once he's there. The man who once thought of nothing but getting off the island will commit to being its permanent caretaker.

Good thing. Jacob was running out of candidates. It's time for the Latin ceremony. Jacob leads him to the water where he says some mumbo-jumbo, just like his mom did, and gives him something to drink. (Jacob's ghost, once again, very corporeal, filling Jack's cup with water and giving it to him.) First he explains where the light is (which no one can find). It's near the bamboo field where he first woke up on the island--Jack remembers nothing there, but after the ceremony, he'll be able to find it.

Since Jack drinks water from a stream, it must be the ceremony that transfers power. (Or it could still be Wizard of Oz stuff that he's always had the power, but had to recognize it). Jack drinks, and Jacob says "now you're like me." (Just like his mom said--bet her name was Jacqueline.)

AltaSawyer ships Des, Kate and Sayid off to county. He won't cut Kate a break, even though they have a connection. During the drive in the police van, Des says it's time to leave, and asks the two if they'll work with him if he gets them out. They jokingly agree. Just then, the van stops and the cop lets them out. It's Ana Lucia (fresh from Avatar). Good to see her, actually. She's being paid off. (The old Ana Lucia was a good cop, aside from the occasional murder.) The money guy isn't there yet. At first I figured altaDes is Widmore's fixer, so he has access to any amount. But I forgot, even better, is Hurley, who's got money, and now seems to be fully awake.

Hurley drives up and hands over the cash. He recognizes Ana Lucia, but she's still sleeping, and doesn't know him. Pretty cool. Des takes Kate, Sayid goes with Hurley. Des tells Kate they're going to a concert. Sure, why not, everyone will be there.

Ben and Flocke walk through the jungle. Smokey explains he likes walking, rather than flying--reminds him of the days he was human. I didn't need an explanation, but fine--now what about the outrigger?

They got to the well, and Des is gone. Sayid failed him. But Flocke takes it well. Widmore told him that Des was a fail-safe--Jacob's last resort if all the candidates die. But that's good. Now Flocke figures he'll find Desmond who will do the one thing he can't do himself--destroy the Island.

LOST

The ending isn't quite as shocking as, say, unknown Flocke in season five announcing he'll kill Jacob, but it's a nice capper to an event-filled hour. And it's hard not to believe Smokey can't make good on the threat, since we saw the capsized island back in the first episode this season.

The best thing is everyone's plans and motivations are clear. We may not know everything, or how smart the plans are, but unlike much of this season, where people seems to be marching around waiting for something to happen, now everyone has a clear course of action.

Really this sort of episode should have been somewhere around the middle of the season. Maybe the producers didn't figure they had enough plot afterwards, but it would have been nice to see all the characters moving forward like this soon after the destruction of the Temple.

Same with altaworld, where we're no longer being introduced to the characters, but seeing them take action.

A word about dispatching characters. Originally, it would be a big deal to kill anyone, and they'd lead up to it, and then even feature the character for the hour to give him a decent send-off. Now they're killing them right and left, so quickly there's hardly time to say goodbye. I don't mind this, necessarily. It's a nice jolt when someone just up and dies (like Ilana). And I get that they need to prune the show as it comes to and end. (And because it's coming to an end, I'm more likely to believe dead is dead.) But is it right that major players like Richard (assuming he's gone) and Widmore go out like Frogurt?

We're still not sure what the altaworld is, and who'll end up where--not to mention dead or alive. (Though it now looks like Sawyer may get Kate, the way Han got Leia.) But the show is starting to point toward certain endings. Still, I hope they go in a direction no one expects. There are certain potential outcomes that are almost stock. An end with Jack as the new Jacob, possibly protecting the island against a new monster--eternal recurrence. That's a common ending, and while thematically satisfying, a bit boring.

Even worse would be leaving things too open-ended. The season one finale, where we ended with Jack and Locke looking down an unknown hatch, was frustrating, but we knew we'd eventually get answers. If they do the equivalent on the Finale Ultimo, it'll be a lot harder to forgive.