The Tail Section

The Beach

Sun and Claire are wringing out clothes near the shoreline. Sun notes that “it’s been four days,” since the raft departure of Jin, Sawyer, Michael, and Walt. Claire assures her that it’s really not that long, it can take up to two weeks to find a current. As Claire speaks, Sun looks down at her hand, specifically her ring finger, and then begins frantically searching on the ground. “My wedding ring,” she says in panic and disbelief. “It’s gone.”

Flashback: Sun’s Bedroom, Korea

Sun is dressing for a date, set up by a matchmaker. Helping her dress (and by “helping” I mean “telling her what to wear”), Sun’s mother is admonishing her for still being single, and for not finding a husband. Sun tells her mother that she went to college to get a degree, not find a husband. She’ll find a husband when she’s ready. Her mother tells her, that according to Sun’s father, the time is now.

Flashback: Jin’s Apartment (?)

Jin is also dressing, putting on a shirt and tie. Jin’s roommate Tai Soo is reading through a “destiny book” that his grandmother used, and tells Jin that according to the book, “this year, love will find you.” Jin wonders about the appearance of his love, and after consulting the book, Tai Soo tells him that love will look “orange.” Jin wonders aloud how he can take care of a woman, he can barely take care of himself, and stresses how important this job interview is, especially to the son of a fisherman. He leaves for the interview with the tag still on his tie because it cost a fortune and he’ll likely return it after the interview.

Arrow Hatch

Still being held almost as prisoners at the Tailies’ Arrow Hatch Michael assures Jin he will see Sun again, and soon, despite their current situation. As the Tailies (Bernard, Ana Lucia, Mr. Ecko, Cindy and Libby) huddle in the corner whispering, Michael tells Sawyer that he thinks they are discussing what to do with the three of them. “I think they’re gonna eat us.” predicts Sawyer.

Ana Lucia orders them to get up and instructs them that they are moving out. She says that Michael, Sawyer and Jin are going to help them get food and water. When Sawyer questions their helping out their captors, Ana Lucia tells him that they will help, “Because it’s a long walk back to where you came from.”

The Jungle

Ana Lucia is giving orders to the small group in a clearing in the jungle. They are to collect food and water as fast as possible, go in pairs, and not make a sound. Michael asks for an explanation as to why they are so on edge, Ana Lucia sarcastically tells him, great idea, they can swap stories on the road. They split up and get to work.

The Beach

Sun is in her tent on the beach frantically searching through belongings for her missing wedding ring. Jack notices Sun’s behavior, and upon learning that her ring is missing, relays to her a story about the time he lost his wedding ring, and the crazy places you look. But Jack never found the ring. He tells Sun that he had a replica made and his wife never knew. Catching her glancing at his ringless hand, he tells her that it’s just rattling around in a sock drawer back home. He offers to help her look, but she thanks him and refuses, saying she’s sure it will turn up.

Beach on the Other Side of the Island

Bernard and Ana Lucia are trying unsuccessfully to fish with a net, while Jin sits on a rock and contemplates the sea. Ana Lucia, frustrated, speaks in snotty and halting English to Jin, making exaggerated hand motions to attempt to get his assistance. With an exasperated sigh, Jin gets up, throws the net in the ocean and immediately hauls it back in filled with fish. Ana Lucia looks bemused. “Fish,” says Jin.

Flashback: Jin at Job Interview

Jin is being interviewed by Kim Kwan-Hak, General Manager of Seoul Gateway Hotel. Impressed that Jin moved from bus boy to waiter at the Asiana Hotel, when they don’t usually promote from within, he asks Jin what village he is from. Mr. Kwan-Hak says Jin is obviously not from the city, and Jin reluctantly tells that he is from Namhae, on the South Coast. “No wonder,” says Mr. Kwan-Hak, “I thought I smelled fish on you.” He then pulls the price tag off of Jin’s tie, rendering it non-returnable. Jin thanks him. Mr.Kwan-Hak calls downstairs, informs them that Mr. Kwon will be joining them, and instructs Jin that he will work rain or shine, he will start immediately, and warns him not to ask for a raise. Another employee brings up a uniform. As Jin is getting up to leave, looking grateful for the opportunity, Mr. Kwan-Hak says that the Seoul Gateway Hotel is one of the finest in the world, and warns Jin “Do not open the door for people like you.”

The Jungle

Libby and Michael are walking through the jungle. She is carrying a makeshift weapon that resembles a scythe to use in collecting fruit. When Libby mentions Michael’s “friends” he finds it strange that he would consider his fellow castaways to be “friends.” He never thought about them in that way and admits that maybe one of them is his “friend”. “I’m guessing not the redneck.” says Libby. “Not the redneck.” agrees Michael.

Further on the topic of Sawyer, Libby goes on to say that she’s never seen someone so scared in her life, and she knows about scared. Michaels asks Libby if that’s why she threw them in the pit. She admits to Michael that yes, they were thrown in the pit because they were scared… and they have trust issues. Michael considers this, and changes the topic to fruit. The trees around them are picked fairly clean. Why, he asks Libby, don’t they move inland to find more fruit—that’s what they do on the other side of the island. Libby tells Michael that they don’t go that way, because that’s where “They” come from.

Regrouped after their foraging, Mr. Ecko startles Sawyer by plunging a huge knife into the tree trunk at his side. “For your protection,” says Ecko.

Libby runs into the clearing and bends down to Ana Lucia. She whispers something about Michael—he just left. Ana Lucia announces they are leaving right now, since Michael ran off into the jungle. Startled and scared, everyone stares at one another. Jin speaks quickly in Korean to Sawyer, who can’t understand a word. To emphasize his point, Jin says “Walt. Walt!”

On Ana Lucia’s command, they are ready to move out. Sawyer discovers that they have a radio. Jin wants to go look for Michael. Ana Lucia tells Jin that they are all leaving before Michael can tell Them where they are. But Jin still wants to go look for Michael. Sawyer says that Michael isn’t coming back without Walt and that it’s now every man for himself. Jin tries to run off after Michael, but Mr. Ecko head-butts him to the ground first. Getting to his feet, Jin stares down Mr. Ecko, silently daring him to do it again or attempt to hold him back, and stalks off in search of Michael. Ecko stops him verbally this time, and tells him he’s going the wrong way. He indicates that Michael went the other way, “Toward Them.”

Ecko gives Jin the scythe weapon that Libby had earlier. And when Ana Lucia asks what Ecko is doing, he says he is going to help Jin find his friend. Extremely peeved, Ana Lucia tells Ecko that they won’t wait for him to come back. Ecko hadn’t expected them to, and sets off after Jin.

The Beach

Sun and Hurley are searching for Sun’s lost wedding ring. Hurley is encouraging Sun to retrace her steps. While recounting her recent activities, Sun mentions that she went for a walk with Shannon, and fed Vincent. Hurley thinks the answer lies with Vincent. Or rather, within Vincent.

Staked out on a log in the jungle, Sun and Hurley are watching Vincent and waiting for nature to call. Hurley tells Sun about a dog he once had who ate just about everything, and asks Sun if she’d ever had a dog. She tells Hurley that Jin had given her a puppy, “Bpo-Bpo” which means “a kiss” in Korean.

Flashback: Seoul Gateway Hotel

Sun and her mother arrive at the Seoul Gateway hotel for the matchmaking lunch. The date is with Jae Lee, son of the hotel’s owner. They enter the hotel past doorman Jin.

Left alone to get to know each other, Sun and her date make small talk about their university studies, and who in their families are pressuring them to get married. They seem to hit it off.

The Jungle

Mr. Ecko and Jin are searching for Michael. Jin hears something rustling in the brush and runs towards it, thinking it’s Michael. But it’s a wild boar that charges and knocks Jin flat. Getting to his feet, Jin is startled to find Goodwin’s body with a spear through it. Jin asks Ecko, “Others?” and Ecko nods.

They continue searching for Michael. Ecko gives Jin a piece from an aloe plant for his cuts and noting his ring, asks if he has a wife. Jin replies that he does have a wife, and Ecko asks her name and if she were on the plane.

Sun’s Garden

Sun is searching her garden for her missing ring. Still unable to find it, she tears out the plants in a fit of rage and despair and begins to sob into her hands. Locke appears, startles her, and asks, “Bad day?” before offering her a clean handkerchief.

Locke sits down with Sun and admits he saw her ripping apart her garden. He says that sometimes he wishes he had a garden to rip up. Sun seems surprised by this, she has never seen him angry. Locke assures her he used to get angry all the time, and frustrated too, but he’s not anymore. Sun questions why he’s not frustrated anymore, and Locke replies “I’m not lost anymore.” When Sun questions that, Locke tells her he achieved this in the same way that anything lost gets found—he stopped looking.

Flashback: Seoul Gateway Hotel

Sun is sitting a table in the hotel restaurant, checking her appearance in a compact.

Jin is outside, working as doorman, and ushers Jae Lee from his car into the hotel as he arrives for his date with Sun. Jae Lee removes the rose from Jin’s lapel telling him he has a date, and thanks him, asking his name.

Sun and Jae Lee are talking and laughing at a table, enjoying their time together. Jae Lee tells Sun that he would really like to keep seeing her—their parents would be thrilled, and there would be no more matchmaking. They would be free. But Jae Lee asks to confide a secret, and tells Sun that he met an American woman when he was at Harvard. He hasn’t told his father yet, but he plans to move there in six months and marry her. Sun seems shocked and upset by the news, and tries to recover quickly. Maintaining her composure, she says she has an appointment, thanks Jae Lee for lunch, and leaves.

The Jungle

Ecko and Jin are still searching for Michael. Ecko finds a fresh footprint. He tells Jin he knows its Michael because They don’t leave tracks.

Following the Michael’s trail, Ecko stops in a clearing. A twig cracks. Ecko freezes and appears to be listening intently all around him. The camera swings in 360. Jin speaks and Ecko slaps his hand over Jin’s mouth shushing him, eyes wide.

Peering out from underneath a thick covering of ferns, Ecko and Jin watch as several pairs of legs walk by. They are all barefoot, covered in mud, with tattered clothes. They are walking very quietly, deliberately, and there is something strange and unsettling about their motion. As the last person walks by, you can see he or she is carrying a ratty, soiled teddy bear, hanging from a rope.

When the coast is clear Ecko and Jin exit their hiding place, and Ecko tells Jin that They don’t have Michael. They arrived from different directions. Michael was lucky because he crossed ahead of them. Very lucky, according to Ecko. Jin tries to get Ecko to go back, but Ecko insists they go together.

Flashback: Seoul Gateway Hotel

Doorman Jin is carrying out his job duties, and Sun exits the hotel, looking upset. A somewhat shabby-looking man and a little boy approach Jin, and ask if they can use the bathroom in the hotel. It’s an emergency. Jin tells them the hotel is for guests only. But the boy can not hold it, and feeling guilty, and against his better judgment, he lets the pair enter. Mr. Kwan-Hak is there instantly, reminding Jin about who is permitted inside the hotel. Jin apologizes, looking down. Mr. Kwan-Hak tells Jin that this is his first warning. When Jin tries to protest, and explain about the little boy, Mr. Kwan-Hak says that the little boy can go in the gutter for all he cares, “You people are used to that.” he says. Finally, he tells Jin that if he wants to keep his job, he will go into the hotel and find them immediately. Jin takes off his gloves and hat, and quits on the spot.

The Beach

Sun is sitting under a tree staring out at the water. Kate joins her and says that Hurley told her that Sun lost her ring. Sun says that it’s really silly for her to be upset about her ring, it’s just a thing, an object. Kate begins to tell Sun that it’s only been a few days since the men left on the raft, and Sun is angered. She doesn’t understand how everyone can keep telling her that Jin and the others are alright. They are not alright. She tells Kate that Claire found the bottle with the messages inside that was on the raft. When Kate asks where the bottle is, Sun tells her she buried it.

The Jungle

Ana Lucia, Bernard, Libby, Cindy and Sawyer are walking. Sawyer half-collapses into a sitting a position. Ana Lucia gives him the canteen and tells him that they will leave him behind if he keeps slowing them down. Sawyer doesn’t care. See ya! But before Ana Lucia can walk away and leave him, Sawyer wants to know how they are going to find his camp with their tracker (Ecko) gone, and also without him. Ana Lucia basically tells him they’ll just walk across the island until they find it, and that Ecko is coming back. In a bit of inappropriate flirtatiousness, Sawyer asks Ana Lucia if she’s married, because she’s suited for it. Ana Lucia asks Sawyer if he’s gay. He gets back to his feet and continues on.

Jin and Ecko are drinking water from a stream. Ecko has lost the trail, and tells Jin to wait, he’ll find it and be right back. As soon as Ecko leaves, Michael shows up, asks Jin what he’s doing, and tells him to go back. He yells at Jin to go back, and runs away. Jin gives chase.

Michael is running through the jungle yelling “Walt!” with Jin following him. Ecko finds them, and tries to convince him to come with them. Ecko tells Michael that he knows they have his son, but he has no idea what these people are capable of. They will not be found if they don’t want to be. Michael says they took Walt right out of his hands, and he’s not going back without him. In halting English, Jin tells Michael, “You find Walt, Michael.” The sad music swells.

The Beach

Sun and Kate are digging up the bottle with the messages. Kate opens the bottle and begins to read, despite Sun telling her that the notes are private. Kate opens one after another until Sun angrily shouts at her to stop. Kate, looking upset, stammers that she didn’t say goodbye. To Sawyer. As Sun lets this sink in, Kate is staring at the ground. She calls Sun’s name, and motions with her head to the sand and pebbles they just dug the bottle from. A diamond ring is there. Sun puts the ring on, crying and laughing at the same time.

The Jungle

Ecko, Jin, and Michael are trudging through the jungle together. Presumably searching for Walt.

Flashback: Seoul

Jin walks down to the canal, looking thoughtful and sad. An attractive woman walks by him wearing a bright orange dress. As he turns his head after the woman, he walks right into Sun. They both bend down to pick up the spilled contents of her purse, apologizing. Asking if she’s ok, they both look at each other for the first time. And they both smile.

The Beach

Kate and Sun are still sitting on the beach together, where the bottle was buried. In Sun’s face you can see the relief and joy now that found her ring. The sky turns pink and orange as the sun goes down.