LOST - S03E02 The Glass Ballernia Recap
What is the Glass Ballerina? The glass ballerina is Sun’s introduction to deception. A glass figure which she broke, by accident, as a child. When her father asked her about it, knowing full well she broke it, Sun lied and said it was the Maid. Despite the fact that he knew otherwise, he gave her a choice: admit she did it, or insist it was the Maid and the Maid would be fired. Sun maintained that it was the Maid. In the broader context of the episode, The Glass Ballerina represents Sun’s capacity for deception - a character trait that will play out in the episode on many layers.
For me, with this beautifully nuanced piece of symbolic writing, this episode was an epiphany. LOST is back, with a vengeance. One of my chief complaints last season was that the flashbacks did not seem to connect as well, or as genuinely with the present day plots. Often times, they seemed forced and disingenuous. So far, season three has pulled off two flashbacks that share a lot of connective tissue with the present island story in a way which seems natural and relevant.
The present day piece begins with Sayid, Sun, and Jin on the sailboat. Jack has not responded to the signal fire. Jin wants to return to the beach, but Sayid wants to sail clear of the mountains and start another fire.
At the Hydra station, Juliet drops Jack off some soup. When she returns to Ben he chides her about having never made soup for him; more fodder for those who believe there is/was a love connection between the two. Worse yet, a new character enters, Colleen, and immediately shows a little jealously towards Juliet and Ben. As far as establishing romantic tension, the scene is a little stiff.
Colleen tells Ben about the sailboat, Juliet’s initial reaction is interesting and something to the effect of they’ll just be sailing in circles. Ben tells Colleen to get a team together to go after the boat.
In flashback land we learn straight up that Sun was indeed sleeping with Jae, the hotel guy, which creates major implications for the paternity issue surrounding Sun’s baby. Jae is trying to make plans to send Sun to America so they can be together. He offers her a pearl neck-less, but she won’t wear it. More shocking, Sun’s father knew about the affair, bursting in while they were in the act.
Kate and sawyer are brought to what at first seems to be an aimless dig. Further examination though, shows this is an archeological dig. The area is separated into quadrants. Kate is told she will break rocks, Sawyer will cart them away. Seems like they would want Kate and Sawyer for something a little more than manual labor. Maybe they want the two to be involved in discovering something.
In flashback land we see that Jin is ordered to kill Jae. At first he refuses, but Sun’s dad does the “we’re family” routine and he agrees; without ever knowing the reason why. In present time, Sayid spies the dock and convinces them to park the sailboat there.
Back at the dig site, Alex makes an appearance and asks Kate about Carl. She is sneaking around. She reveals that Kate’s dress is actually hers.
Back at the dock, Sun confronts Sayid. She thinks he is lying. He reveals that he is, he suspects Jack and the others were captured and is laying a trap for the others. He asks her to lie to Jin. As it turns out though, Jin knows what is going on. Turns out he understands English a little better than he lets on, just how well we don’t know.
They prepare for battle and Sayid tells sun to hide on the boat while they hide and wait for the others to approach the dock.
Back at the dig site, Juliet gives Sawyer some water and he defiantly dumps it out in front of her. In the romance done right category, Sawyer comes upon a struggling Kate radiating exhaustion. You can see the heartfelt sympathy in his eyes. It’s a rare moment for Sawyer. True emotion comes through vividly, which is a testament to Josh Holloway’s acting. It’s not enough to just give the sad look, but to make it look so uncommon to Sawyer’s guise, as if he is surrendering to it, was magic. He says to hell with it, walks over, and lays a kiss on her. This naturally draws the ire of the others who descend in force. Sawyer actually kicks some major ass in this scene.
Taking out several others by himself, getting his hands on a shocker and an Ak-47! Ultimately, Juliet, who calls him James, puts a gun to Kate’s head and he gives up, accepting a shock for his troubles.
Back at the dock the others appear on the boat. When I say appear, I mean appear. It’s as if they just teleported there. We don’t see this happen but it is obvious they got by Sayid and Jin.
In flashback, we see that Jin never killed Jae, he beat the crap out of him, but ultimately told him to disappear. When he got into his car, however, Jae’s body did a splashdown on his hood clutching the pearls he bought for Sun in his hand..
Back at the boat, Sun corners Colleen in the galley. Colleen says “We’re not the bad guys.”, which is kind of interesting. Are there bad guys? Colleen knows a lot about Sun, full name etc. Typical other creepiness. She doesn’t think Sun is going to shoot her but, ultimately she does. Jin and Sayid hear the shots and head for the dock, but by that time the others have hooked on an outboard and the boat is heading out to sea. Sun gets away unscathed.
Back at the cages, Sawyer reveals that his scuffle was a feeling out process. Turns out the expert conman was trying to get a sense of what the opposition was like, who was weak, who was strong, and what the equipment was like. He tells Kate she tastes like
strawberries, she says he tastes like fish crackers. As he and Kate begin to plot an escape, we move inside the Hydra station to Ben who is watching them talk on closed circuit tv, in a room very reminiscent of the pearl station. He has been watching all along.
Ben goes in to visit Jack. This is definitely the most revealing scene of the episode. He reminisces about his time in the Swan station armory, where their roles were reversed. He properly introduces himself. His name is Benjamin Linus and he has lived on the island all his life! He wants Jack to change his perspective, he says. He has Mr. Friendly bring in a television. He tells Jack that if he cooperates he will send him home, but won’t say just yet what he wants him to cooperate with. Jack doesn’t believe him, he believes the others are trapped there just like they are.
Ben goes on an amazing spiel, updating Jack on what has happened back in the world. However, when he tells Jack the Red Sox won the world series, Jack laughs it off as a joke. But Ben has video to prove it, and the fact that the others do have contact with the outside world.
Now the ending may seem mundane to the hard-core amongst us, but make no question about it: this was one of the most important scenes in the series so far.
It established that the others can probably leave the island if they want, and it established that they are connected to the outside world. This makes for a lot of side questions of course – does somebody provide info to them, do they have “others” in the outside world, why don’t they leave, what is their purpose? What will be amazing, and renewing for the series, is if the information continues to flow in a coherent way.
nice recap, but:
“He reminisces about his time in the Pearl station armory, where their roles were reversed.”
you mean the Swan station.
Comment by batter — October 12, 2006 @ 5:07 pm
So… I have a question about last nights episode….
(wont be answered now, or maybe ever, could have jsut been a setting, but the Producers of Lost never leave things in like this without it coming back sometime. Anyway its a thought for everyone to ponder)
Wheres does the ferry go?
As Sun is walking along the dock to the beach, just before they we find out Jin understands english somewhat. Theres a sign on the dock (right side of screen if I rememebr right), that says ferry on it. Its a named ferry, but I only caught it after the fact and with no tivo i couldnt rewind to see what the name was.
Like I said above though,the prodicers wouldnt have put it there unless it meant something. They very well could have left the sign off the dock and it would have made sense. or just put a sign that named the dock, but they chose to name it as a ferry. Could it be a ferry off the island, or maybe a ferry to another part of the island. It would make sense if it were a ferry off the island, since thats where michael left with the small boat to leave the island from.
Comment by methodzer0 — October 12, 2006 @ 5:17 pm
The sign on the ferry said “Pali Ferry” and is the one referenced by Marvin Candle, or whatever name he was using in the Pearl Station video.
You’re doing a great job with these write up Doc, however at the end of each for this season you have slipped from describing the events of the episode to making assumptions and connections not yet proven factual.
For example, Ben does tell Jack everything you described as well as show Jack a video, but I there is not proof that Ben’s claims are facts yet.
Facts: He told Jack that they can leave. Not that they can actually leave.
I know it is a nit-picky little point, but your recaps go a long way towards driving some of the discussion on the forums here and elsewhere.
Keep up the good work and thanks.
RaZ
Comment by RaZrEsHaT — October 12, 2006 @ 6:01 pm
I have a question for anyone who wants to offer their opinion. There are many popular theories out there that say that time on the island moves differently than time in the real world does. Does the information we found out in last night’s episode disprove that theory? From what Ben said to Jack, he made it sound like the losties had been there for 69 days and now it’s Nov, 29th 2004. If the others have contact with the real world, they would know if time moves at a different rate. But then again they could know and just not have told Jack I guess. I would like to know what some people think about this.
Comment by Shiloh — October 12, 2006 @ 6:02 pm
Desmonds timeline is also in sync with the losties lives, if time moved differently he would have known it.
Comment by DocArzt — October 12, 2006 @ 6:15 pm
They “Pala Ferry” takes you to the barricks. I presume that they homes that Ben, Ethan, Juliet, etc, etc are lving in. Until some new evidence arises I will stick with that theory. At least we are making some headway with info on the others.
Comment by Brinson — October 12, 2006 @ 6:19 pm
Hey DocArtz, after reading that great recap/review of yours I though I’d go over and offer to do a similar thing for BSGSite, but I can’t seem to find any contact info.
I don’t know if it’s something you guys (I’m not sure how involved you are with it tbh) want, but I thought I’d ask.
Could you let me know either way?
Comment by Ross — October 12, 2006 @ 6:27 pm
A beautifully written episode recap. It is gratifying that the writers have gotten back to symbolic characterization. We probably could devote several more pages to the ?Glass? ballerina. This is a clue not just about Sun deceiving Jin, but her capability to continue deceiving. Nevertheless she bears incredible guilt over lying that the maid broke it. I wrote about this in my Clues Blog that I post over a LostExposed.com. I think it also likely is a clue to guilt about something else of which we presently are unaware. Glass has other symbolism, it is breakable and vulnerable too. Remember, someone always dies on Lost. Maybe I?m reading too much into it, maybe not. We?ll see by the end of the season. One other thought on Sun, she realizes she has a background to regret. Jack doesn?t. Maybe that?s why he must be taken, because he refuses to realize how he needs to grow. And what about the Colleen/Julliet/Ben triangle?
Comment by Contender — October 12, 2006 @ 6:42 pm
Contender — Glass is also transparent.
Sun’s father saw through her lie about breaking the glass ballerina. Jin knew she was lying to him on the beach.
What if Jin KNOWS of her deception (re: Jae) and still remains by her side?
Comment by Erin Kelly — October 12, 2006 @ 7:31 pm
Jin knows that he’s been deceived repeatedly. He has a real sense of loyalty. Remember how he stood by Michael, when it seemed that Michael had gone off the deep end? He stands by his wife because it’s the right thing to do. Jin has become my favorite character as far as who I’m ‘rooting for’. Partly because I’m going through something similar at the moment, and can relate to him very well, but also because we’re seeing all of the old good guys’ moral armor break (Locke, Jack, Sayid in particular).
I loved this episode! I’m glad that the characters are all developing in a logical way and that we’re still able to learn little things about characters we thought we knew. Overall, season 3 is off to a GREAT start!!!
Comment by fishhead202 — October 12, 2006 @ 8:05 pm
Archaeological digs don’t use tampers to flatten the earth (which is actually shown in use in your screencap above). It’s a ground-clearing site, but not archaeological in nature, methinks. What Kate and Sawyer are meant to “discover” is bonding as a couple through hardship, IMHO.
Also, Juliet never held the gun to Kate’s head. Nitpicky, but she held it aimed at Kate’s torso.
Comment by Ed — October 12, 2006 @ 8:14 pm
So this is probably one of my favorite things about last nights episode… When collen said they arent the enemy and that if sun shots they will be… It seems to me that they probably arent the bad guys but are doing something theyre suppsoed to do (atleast it wouldnt surprise me to learn that at the end)… its just that they really arent proving that theyre benevolent either.
not really an insight, jsut something I see as interesting… That the Others could be pissed at one of their own getting killed… when theyve killed some people from the crash… just doesnt make much sense to me in a philosophical way lol
Comment by methodzer0 — October 12, 2006 @ 9:22 pm
BASEBALL!!!…ummm, im sorry…but that annoys me….one of the many reasons I, an so many non american viewers like lost is its internationalism…the fact it has no national restrictions…alot of people from lots of different countries, cultures and beliefs all stuck on a strange island….so for the confirmation that they DO have contact with the outside world ( a pretty major event ) to done through Baseball, a sport ONLY played in america and only significant to americans (despite the ludicras fact its called the ‘World’ Series)..is annoying…i know it has specific connections to jack’s past, which was partly comforting, and im sure loads of you found it really great that you could relate to it but really….to me, that was the jump the shark moment…no mention of the Tsunami in thailand…George Bush/Christover Reeve/Baseball…Great…it may seem petty, but thats partly ruined my enjoyment of a show i absolutley loved
Comment by Carlos — October 12, 2006 @ 9:45 pm
Carlos,
You are completely wrong. Baseball is played in Cuba, Mexico, Japan, China, Canada, Dominican Republic, etc. Many of the greatest players today are not American born players. Besides all that, it tied back into the first season when Jack and his dad both used the line, “That’s why the Red Sox will never win the World Series” towards Sawyer which led to him connecting the dots that they were related. You even acknowledge that fact. This was Lost writers tipping their hat to dedicated viewers
Comment by Brian — October 12, 2006 @ 10:26 pm
In response methodzer0’s comments about the show mentioning only “american things” and not thing like the Tsunami, well, he has to mention things that are more common to jack, like the president of the country were jack comes from, the World Series, and by the way, baseball has been ganing a lot of ground at the international level, especially in Latin America and Asia. A couple of months ago the WORLD baseball classic was held with Japan winning over Cuba in a trully wonderfull event that showed just how much baseball has spread throu out the world. Im mexican by the way, and yeah, baseball is the second most popular sport, and becoming more and more popular like in the rest of Latin America.
Also, based on the time the plane (series began) crashed on the island in 2004 and the time they have been on the island, the Indian Ocean Tsunami hasn’t occured yet in the shows timeline.
Comment by Jose Luis — October 12, 2006 @ 10:28 pm
I posed this on a previous post: anyone catch Ben’s statement that he’s been on the island his whole life? He looks like he’s at least in his 40s which predates Dharma. Possible he’s related to the Adam&Eve that Jack found in the cave? A decedent of the Black Rock, one of the original inhabitants?
Comment by james — October 12, 2006 @ 10:29 pm
Carlos…
It seems to me that the reason that all these specifically American references are used (and, of course, baseball is played in Japan, nearly all of South America, and the Caribbean, to mention a few regions…)is because Jack is American and therefore he’s got a very direct personal connection to these events. It’s specific to his character and the way his character has been developed. Sure, mentioning events like the tsunami would be startling and powerful for Jack, but Ben seems to know that if he really wants Jack to believe him, he needs to use what Jack knows best, something he can literally connect to his past, especially given the fact that Ben has already proven himself a liar to Jack. In the grand scheme, those connections would be big American things like Bush and Superman, but Jack feels very close to what you anme as the source of your irritation; baseball, and specifically the Red Sox, were the subject of the one, main civil conversation he and his father shared before their falling out and his death. Even as an American myself, I think I can understand that the international aspects of Lost are very appealing to non-American viewers (it’s very appealing to me, as well), but why is it surprising or annoying that this primary character is American given the fact that the show’s creators are American? Yes, I understand irritation with most things American at the moment; it’s understandable if that’s the source of your annoyance. But the show does have inherent national restrictions; it always has. How could it not? It’s an American show. The flight, after all, was on its way to LAX. It seems to me that the stronger “Americanist” thread is a fundamental aspect of the show, and I have trouble understanding why you now let that ruin your enjoyment, as you put it? That thread’s been there from the beginning. It’s just narrative and character development.
Comment by Brady — October 12, 2006 @ 10:42 pm
I caught that james, another thing I found interesting he said to Juliet, ‘you never brought me soup’. Does this imply that he was captured and turned like they are attempting with Jack? That’s the impression I got from it, but I could be talking rubbish.
Comment by Ross — October 12, 2006 @ 10:44 pm
I agree it had conotations with jacks previous story and i agknowledge that….i just felt that it was a shame that baseball, a very american thing (despite what u say it is still predominantly american..the countries you mentions are either directly next to america or desperate to apeal to ameican culture. its not a GLOBAL game in the way soccer/tennis or even basketball is), was used in this way…it seemed more a tilt of the hat to ‘American fans’ and a slap in the face to the rest of us…plus..even if they’d showed charlie a manchester united game i would still have been annoyed..i felt it ruined the mysticism of the island surrounding…only my oppinion tho
Comment by Carlos — October 12, 2006 @ 10:47 pm
Carlos - The Tsunami was the day after Christmas in 2004 if I remember correctly, and Ben was saying that it was November, so technically the tsunami didn’t happen yet.
I wonder if they’ll tie in the Tsunami. I know the island isnt in the Indian Ocean, but maybe it would still be affected by it?
Comment by Jessie — October 12, 2006 @ 10:49 pm
Brady…do not misunderstand me…it was not the AMERICANISM of things that annoyed me so…the vast majority of characters are american, and i love the show…
let me put this in a way that seems less offensive…
it was that i felt so far removed from that character…in a show like lost you like to relate to the characters an their traits…with baseball i felt numb…a game i dont like or am familiar enough with was used to portray an emotional response in this character that i and im sure alot of non americans didnt get (sorry but Latin america and Canada IS still very much included in that…they understand and are influenced by US culture far more than those in europe an the east)
but you are right to a degree….a life of watching programs where americans have completely neglected a huge wide world outside its borders has made me more irratable to it than normal….but its certainly not anti-americanism
trust
Comment by Carlos — October 12, 2006 @ 10:56 pm
Tsunami dates are agknowledged…it was more to do with the point i was tryna make rather than the tsunami itself
Comment by Carlos — October 12, 2006 @ 10:59 pm
I like this one. There is a short list of just the items revealed at This Link but I do like your style.
Comment by Boz — October 12, 2006 @ 11:48 pm
How do you guys feel about how, in the first two episodes of season three, they have only showed Jack, Kate, and Sawyer; and Sayid, Jin, and Sun. Over the summer one of the main questions (aside from the whole “who are the others” deal) I had was about the hatch, what happened in there, and what happened to Locke and co. I was dissapointed to not have that story addressed immediately, but I still enjoyed having the J,K,S, story (which I guess the writers thought was more important to fans) looked into. Also, they may have only showed Sayid, Jin, and Sun in the second episode because it was convenient for filming, screen time, etc. etc.
I’m from MA and an avid LOST fan so I loved the Sox stuff…! (even though I totally see what Carlos is saying)
Comment by Ben — October 12, 2006 @ 11:53 pm
Erin, Nice point about that other aspect of glass, i.e. being transparent. Sun’s lies turns out to be transparent to her father and Jin.
Comment by Contender — October 13, 2006 @ 12:27 am
Carlos, if you hate American things so much why bother watching TV shows produced primarily by and for American audience.
Comment by Mo — October 13, 2006 @ 12:51 am
What a stupid thing to say Mo, for one thing it’s complete rubbish, and for another, he never said he hated American things.
I have agree with feeling a bit cheated at that moment, I could tell it was meant to have alot of weight to it, but not knowing anything about baseball or the red sox, aside from the mention in the first season, it just felt kinda cold to me.
Comment by Ross — October 13, 2006 @ 1:34 am
You people are ridiculous. Jack is American, right? What is so shocking that Ben would tell him American headlines to try to convince him they have connections to the outside world? It just so happens the primary character and captive of the Others is Jack. We really don’t much about Jack’s personal interests or hobbies or like/dislikes. For Jack for all we know could be a Redsox fan and the others found that out in the information they collected. It just so happens in that time period the Redsox FINALLY won a World Series championship. It was meant primarily for the viewers, again this show was created in the U.S and is intended for U.S audiences, it just so happens to be somewhat cultural in that it has international characters. Would you rather have Ben say to Jack that some soccer team in Europe won a championship?? They wanted to connect to Jack, and at the same time connect with the viewer. If this was Sayid and Ben showed him something in reference to Iraqi culture that had some relevance I wouldn’t be angry. By the way, you people who talk of being cultured and what not, and get disgruntled by them mentioning an American culture event. You learned something cultural last night, that being that baseball is a major sport in America. So those of you watching Lost for the international aspect, enjoy it. SO if you don’t live in the U.S. you learned something. Stop whining.
Comment by Ridiculous — October 13, 2006 @ 4:10 am
It’s like me(American) getting angry at a French produced television show that is watched by a majority of French people and small percentage watched worldwide for relating to French culture.
Comment by Ridiculous — October 13, 2006 @ 4:17 am
Personally, I am not bothered by not seeing the other characters yet. Everything on Lost comes in due time. The suspense and curiosity is what keeps me coming back for more.
I love the new element of the show–the new hatch, cages, characters. If we were still just sitting on the beach, I’d probably be bored by now. But I do miss the smoke monster. Bring back the smoke monster!
Comment by Blondie — October 13, 2006 @ 4:28 am
PS: I put a picture of the opening scene of Season 1 Pilot Part 1 on my blog with a question about Jack. The post is called Lostie Losterson from Lostville. I’d love to know what others think about my theory if you feel like checking it out.
Comment by Blondie — October 13, 2006 @ 4:53 am
I Have a question from the uk, how coe the others seem to know nothing about the swan hatch considering this is a dharma experiment and the fact that they seem to know nothing about a button which stops the ending of the world, what could be more important then that.
Comment by nick — October 13, 2006 @ 12:24 pm
‘you people who talk about being cultured’…. ha..i never said i was cultured but thanks for assuming that…
I completely understand all your points and realise why alot of you are very defensive about this but your attitude that this is an american show for americans only and us ‘others’ should be thankfull we’ve been allowed to participate init, is completely wide of the mark…yes it may have started off at abc by american writers but it was always intended for a global audience aswell as the american one..hence the inclusion of a very multinational cast. its become a huge becon of internationalism whether you like it or not..Countries like France/Italy/Germany & Australia are mad about lost..and in England where i live its the same..its very much wormed its way into the ‘culture’ over here too…in fact the producers agknowledged this as much by starting the Lost Experience IN England if you remember…
But yes…it is Primarily an american show, and i would be extreamly petty to begrugde american pop culture its references…as a brit i am proud that we make up the second largest cast list (charlie/sayid/eko/desmond) and love little words and phrases that carlie an desmond sneak in that others wouldnt get….jack and sawyer have both quite rightly and realistically mention tons of american cultural references over the series and i find nothing wrong with that what so ever…i would simply be a bigot if i thought that
…its not that jack likes baseball…thats a given, ..But its that it was such a HUGE plot point…that a very big part in the show was portrayed through a very american thing…something that I was alien too…i thought that they could have done something more general…still american but less specifically american…AND the fact BENRY likes baseball…when jack laughs he goes all serious like…”no honestly they where 3 down to the yankies then won 8 straight” like they all sat round an watched it an it was quite important to him… the mysterious others where baseball fans….they’ve lived on an island near the south pacific all their lives yet they love baseball…it annoyed me…donno why it did..but it did…im sorry its annoyed americans who feel its their show…and maybe your right it is………..seem like it now
Comment by Carlos — October 13, 2006 @ 12:46 pm
anyone else think it odd that desmond crashed on that island 3 years ago and kelvin rebuilt the boat and the others never knew about it? apparently they don’t travel the island very much. they seem to know everything else, how did this escape their notice?
Comment by mati — October 13, 2006 @ 1:21 pm
The concern raised here over the baseball scene escapes me but it misses a larger point. I haven’t read all the posts hear so I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this or not but the scene does relate to Jack’s life - his father said a couple of times something to the effect of “that’ll happen when the Red Sox win the World Series.”
In regard to the “others” not knowing about the button in the Swan hatch, I attribute that to the possibility that the others were never part of the Dharma Initiative - they were there before (Ben has been there his whole life). And the Swan hatch was totally sealed off - it took dynamite to blast it open. So there are some things that the others don’t know about - even though they have an incredible database from the outside world about the Losties’ previous lives.
Comment by james — October 13, 2006 @ 1:54 pm
Valid point even, so you would have thought that dharma would have employed more then two people to push a button of such valid importance and all, I think the strangest thing now is what has happened to the dharma initiative considering they seemed to have forgotten about a button of such importance.
Comment by nick — October 13, 2006 @ 2:16 pm
All the button was good for was keeping the island cloaked. It hasn’t shown us anything else that would indicate that it was important. When Kelvin & Desmond said “saving the world” they are referring to the beginning of D.H.A.R.M.A., whose main goal was to save the world (”Saving the World” was probably passed down from Swan attendants to other attendants). The island was most likely hidden by the Magnetics in the Swan so that the study would not be interrupted by outside forces. Since the “study” went south (so to speak) they left the Sawn active to keep their Utopia hidden from the outside world. D.H.A.R.M.A might have failed but their goals still live on.
Comment by Brinson — October 13, 2006 @ 3:31 pm
Carlos, while I do think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill, you bring up something I might have overlooked.
I’d assumed that the World Series was used because it was such a large event (I hate baseball, but heard about it for weeks), or that it was because they knew that Jack was a baseball fan. Thought this was obvious, however, remembering Benry’s reaction, it’s almost like they expected Jack to take this like the rest of the news. (of course they had it taped, so maybe not) Benry’s reaction wasn’t what I would expect if he knew that Jack wouldn’t believe him….
just another point on this baseball thing - I don’t care if the writers/viewers/producres/NBC…. are American. Jack is. Benry & company sure seem to be. Hanso is an American corp.
Benry needed an unlikely event. Bush gets re-elected? yeah, could make that up. Cristopher Reeve dying? yeah, I’d believe that. The Yankees winning, I’d believe that too. They needed something unbelievable.
Comment by fishhead202 — October 13, 2006 @ 4:15 pm
Perhaps this article from Boston Globe will help the “woe is us” international crowd. The writers are American. The Red Sox winning the world series and the way they did it was a big part of the American culture, even if you hate sports. You should feel enlightened instead of insulted.
Giving themselves an out
Comment by Mo — October 13, 2006 @ 4:36 pm
Jack didn’t believe Ben because his father always said the Red Sox will never win the world series due to the curse. That is why Jack reacted like that and the others had everything taped most likely brought one tape it and it happend to be the Red Sox. Maybe they heard the conversation between Jack and Sawyer in Exodus (Season 1)and thats how they found out about Jack and the Red Sox. Maybe there is something in one of his back stories. Who the Hell knows!
Bens knowledge about Red Sox probably doesn’t go any further than he researched it when they got the tape. It really is quite remarkable and it probably impressed him. I seriously doubt that he sat around and watched it all the games. He said he has lived here all his life, so the games probably don’t get broadcasted to secret island in the Pacifc. Also it is a plot point like fishhead saidand it was used to prove that they really have outside contact. You can fake an election there is plenty of footage from the 2000 one and Jack would probably not believe a broadcast of Chris Reeves death but a sports game is something you really can’t fake and the Red sox was a good story.
Comment by Brinson — October 13, 2006 @ 6:16 pm
your right…im makin a mountin out of a molehill, but once i started i wanted to get my point across properly…im less annoyed with it now…so there
Comment by Carlos — October 13, 2006 @ 7:01 pm
Has anyone noticed that Desmond and Danielle both crashed on the island after experiencing a very bad storm? I just noticed this.
Comment by Brinson — October 13, 2006 @ 7:48 pm
BABIES!!!All the time Babies!…ummm, im sorry…but that annoys me….one of the many reasons I, an so many non-parent viewers like lost is its diversity…the fact it has no lifestyle restrictions…a lot of people from lots of different countries, cultures and beliefs all stuck on a strange island….so why is it so baby/kid-centric? Why do so many of the major events focus on having kids and babies? I know having babies is the “normal” thing to do, but how are us non-parents supposed to relate? When Sun was puking on the boat because ofher morning sickness….to me, that was the jump the shark moment…no mention of anyone who hasn’t had kids…George Bush/Christover Reeve…they both had children!…Great…it may seem petty, but thats partly ruined my enjoyment of a show i absolutley loved
Comment by Balls — October 14, 2006 @ 4:27 am
To the above commentor: Guess what? EVERYONE on that island used to be a baby! OH MY GOD!! I guess that makes the show horrible, huh?
Comment by Woofie — October 14, 2006 @ 10:46 pm
Woofie, that is EXACTLY my sarcastic point. The diatribe and subsequent analysis of Lost’s use of BASEBALL in “The Glass Ballerina” was nothing short of ponderous.
Forgive the newbie. She wants to read theories about why Ben has been on the island for his whole life and what he really wants from Jack. Not page upon page of people trying to defend why a show produced in the United States would DARE to presume to use American references to make a point. When I watch BBC America, I don’t get all bent out of shape because everyone drinks tea instead of coffee and makes fun of the Queen instead of Satan…er…I mean Bush.
But hey. What do I know?
Comment by Balls — October 15, 2006 @ 2:23 am
Carlos, when done for saying you’ve made a mountain out of a molehill. I think that needed to be said and will hopefully calm a few people down!
The Red Sox reference is a connection to Jack’s past and his father. As Jack is American it makes sense that they show him something culturally relevant as well as personally relevant - imagine him seeing footage of a State election in Australia?! Or even the Tsunami (date issues aside) - he may not feel that connected to it. Not because he’s callous, but because he’s skeptical. They’ve shown him something he can identify with.
Imagine if Charlie or Sayid or Claire were in the custody of Ben? Charlie could be shown the London bombings or footage of the latest Brit Music awards! Sayid could see Saddam on trial. Claire could see that Prime Minister John Howard was elected again (if the dates are right - not sure on that one).
I’m an Aussie living in the UK. So to my American friends, don’t feel that there is anti-US sentiment in any comments on this site. I think most viewers are just impatient and it’s a shame that some don’t get the nuance of the Red Sox reference. I personally thought it was a powerful scene and the realisation on Jack’s face was priceless.
As cool as it may have been, it’s better that the writers went down this route, rather than have Ben show Jack a montage of the world-to-date. I’m sure we’ll get another taste of information from “the world” in future episodes.
Well, I’m impatient for the next episode!
Comment by Johnny Ru — October 16, 2006 @ 12:54 am
I know this question doesn’t pertain to season three..but I was so confused at the last scene of the alst episode on season two. Who were the guys in the little trailer thing in the snow..and why did they call Desmonds wife Penny?
Comment by Missbb25 — October 17, 2006 @ 4:37 am
I read somewhere that after the first six episodes do their run, that they will then be re-aired with extended footage. If that’s true, then it explains why these first two episodes have seemed a little lacking. They weren’t bad in any respect, but they both left me wanting more. Maybe they’ll show how Kate’s wrists got bruised up, or maybe a little more interaction between Sawyer and Carl. In fact, I saw a preview of the scene where the ‘Silverware’ button in Sawyer’s cage shot him into the metal bars, and just before he pressed the button he said Carl’s name, even though in the episode that aired he hadn’t learned his name yet; he says, “If I want your advice, I’ll ask for it… Carl.” So, perhaps, in extended scenes, Carl introduced himself just before Sawyer pressed the button.
Comment by Nat — October 17, 2006 @ 6:11 am
Wow, Carlos. From now on, do yourself a favor and don’t watch American TV. Too American for you. Watch the Office and whatever else you want, but not American TV. You are ridiculous. In America, (ABC stands for American Broadcasting Company, BTW) baseball is one of the sports many of us watch. You may prefer Cricket or hunting foxes for game with dogs. You need to get your head out of your ass and watch shows more suited to your Anglocentric viewpoint. Your the one putting off viewers with your ethnocentric viewpoint. Anti-Americanism is just as bad as Anti-Semitism or any other type of prejudice against a people or their culture. Go ask the BBC to make a kick ass show, or go write one yourself. In the meantime, stop watching our american shows.
Comment by CarlosHater — October 17, 2006 @ 5:53 pm
Here are some of my observations:
1. If they are able to “leave”, why then does Ben need the boat? Hmmm, maybe they are in contact with the outsode, but are provided no means to actually make it back to civilization.
2. If the “dig” is so important, why not have Jack working too? Why have Kate in a flimsy dress? Hmmm, maybe there are some more psychological manipulations going on and the atual work has no purpose.
3. Ben could just be in his 30s, but he has demonstrated a total lack of knowledge of baseball (or the writers have - something I doubt). Why? He stated that the Red Sox won “eight straight.” Well, the World Series is a best of seven. The Red Sox won the first four in a row to beat the Cardinals.
4. Ben used American news because the Others (maybe not Ben) are American and Jack is an American - they wanted to hit him with news that he would be intimately familiar with. If Ben had used european news or Aussie news, Jack would not have given one flip. In this case the Red Sox news was a major psychological blow - you saw Juliett hit him with some in the previous episode and now you have more - they are in the process of breaking or indoctinrating Jack, possible ala the Stockholm Sydrome. Will it work? I hope not, but it certainly won’t work with Sawyer.
Comment by QuantumSam — October 17, 2006 @ 6:56 pm
You are damn right the Sox winning was a major psych moment! I LIVE in Boston and it’s still hard to belive they pulled it off, being down and out like that. The underdogs came back and swept the remaining games with the evil empire… Kiss that curse goodbye!
I guess you could say that it was another MIRACLE for Jackers to behold!
Now, I’m a bit confused, did Christian say “WHEN” or “IF” the Sox win the world series to Jack and Sawyer?
Off-topic but I couldn’t resist posting. I love the Sox, even tho they are out this season… I have a goldfish named Varitek, alas, my Manny-fish died yesterday… We got them in September of ‘04…
Comment by Erin — October 17, 2006 @ 7:13 pm
Pretty sure it was “WHEN” sort of like saying “When hell freezes over.”
Comment by TrillianM — October 17, 2006 @ 8:31 pm
ha ha …your great mate - the type of person im actualy glad i offended
Comment by Carlos — October 18, 2006 @ 2:41 am
So does anyone know the answer to my question??? About why the men in the snow trailer called Desmonds wife Penny?
Comment by Missbb25 — October 18, 2006 @ 3:22 am
I may be wrong, but if my memory serves me correctly… the Red Sox came from way behind in the AL Championship Series against the Yankees to win four games in a row. Add those games to the four in a row against the Cardinals and you’ve got your total of 8. I can’t believe I just posted a comment about the Red Sox…what is this world coming to?
Comment by Dann — October 18, 2006 @ 2:26 pm
Missbb25….they called her Ms Widmore, not penny…but if they had called here penny…i’d be because thats her name…Penny’s short for Penelope …and we where meant to assume that they where in some kind of electromagetic obsevation post..trying to find the island, which they did due to the hatch fail safe releasing the magnets pulse… hope that answers your question
Comment by Carlos — October 18, 2006 @ 5:11 pm
Dann — HA!
And you are correct sir. They did indeed come back with 4 wins in a row to beat the Yankees and proceeded to sweep the Cards in 4 games. That’s 8 games in a row..
So I suppose Christian’s comment was like a “When pig’s fly!” kind of sentiment? lol. I suppose the losties world has indeed now gone topsy-turvy…
Comment by Erin — October 18, 2006 @ 6:10 pm