Lost Episode Guide: 3.21 - “Greatest Hits”
Writers: Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz
Director: Stephen Williams
FlashBack: Charlie
Someone is running through the jungle, gets to a beach, uncovers a canoe and makes his way to the ocean
Clearing:
Jack leads the the losties into a clearing where they can can have a moment. While walking, Desmond looks at Charlie causing him to think that Desmond has had another Flash. Desmond denies it. Jack tells them the plan. This time they will not run, they will fight those who are coming for them. Danielle emerges from the jungle and touches two wires to touch causing an explosion beneath a tree that causes it to fall. Jack says that this time they are going to, "blow them all to hell."
FlashBack:
It is raining hard. The band’s van has flat on a back road. Liam is overlooking Charlie as Charlie tries to take the lug nuts off of the rear tire. Charlie begins to question why they are continuing this grind to nowhere. But Liam reminds him that they are headlining at their next gig. But the gig is in in Clitheroe, Lancashire, not necessary a large enough market to impress Charlie. As Charlie begins to quit, they hear "You, all, everybody" is playing on the radio.
(Island Time) Beach Camp:
Charlie is writing down: "#5 First Time I Heard Myself on the Radio" as he finishes the memory. Naomi walks up asking about they are about to go to war with. Charlie jokes it off by saying that it is a long story. She asks if he is having a laugh, but he reassures her that he would never disrespect a fellow Mancurian. After making the connection, Naomi finds out that Charlie was in Drive Shaft, and they released a greatest hits album after he died. As Charlie takes in that his efforts were finally appreciated, he catches Desmond looking at him.
Juliet and Jack carefully place dynamite. Sayid follows trying to get Jack to help with Naomi’s phone. All he has to do is switch off the Radio tower to allow the signal to go through. Since the boat is only 80 miles off shore, they should be able to communicate. Juliet then tells them about the Looking Glass Station. It is used to jam any signal coming from the island.
Claire is worried that they are coming for Aaron. Charlie warmly reassures them that he would take care of him. Desmond interrupts needing Charlie’s help.
Charlie asks Desmond about the flashes. Desmond tells him that he sees Claire and Aaron getting onto a Helicopter and leaving this island. Charlie is elated because Desmond didn’t mention him dying, but Desmond tells him, "You are, Charlie." This time, Charlie has to die for them to get rescued.
FlashBack:
Charlie and his Dad are swimming in a pool. Charlie is scared to jump in, but his Dad promises to catch him. He jumps in and his Dad shows him how to swim.
(Island Time) Beach Camp:
Charlie writes: #4 Dad teaching me to swim at Butlins.
Charlie wants to know about his death. Desmond tells him the flashes as he remembers: Inside a hatch, room of equipment, bliking light, flip a switch, light goes off, then you drown. [charlie theme]
Other Part of Beach:
Sayid looks at schematics of The Looking Glass station. To her knowledge, the station was flooded. Sayid point out that it is connected to the island by a cable. Sayid is the first to volunteer for the mission admitting that it is a one way mission if flooded. Charlie walks up telling them he will do it. His qualifications are: he was junior swim champion and he can hold his breath for 4 minutes. But for 90 days Jack has been asked to make decisions and he decides not to do it.
Rose and Bernard are tying knots in the wire. Bernard thinks he is ting strong knots, but to his surprise, Rose is better with knots than he is.
Sun stripping cable and Jin approaches asking about the tape. Sun tells him about the sonogram and that the baby is healthy. She doesn’t mention the death sentence that she received for conceiving on the island.
Hurley sees someone in an outrigger canoe come on shore. Sayid runs and tackles him, but Ford intervenes because Karl can be trusted. Karl tells him that they are coming tonight
In the Jungle, 6 hours ago:
Alex cleaning a rabbit. When Ben walks up without Locke. When she inquires about Locke, Ben gives her the gun back. Richard confronts Ben, but Ben dismisses him saying that Jacob wants it to happen now. He has Ryan Pryce take 10 other people and leaves for the Beach camp. Final instructions are to kill them if they get in the way. Alex runs and tells Karl to warn the losties, She gives Karl a gun, a kiss and tells him to go.
Beach Camp:
Karl finishes his recounting of the events. Realizing that they have to do something now, the plan changes to three people shooting at the dynamite near the tents. Daniel volunteers to stay, but Jack wants her to lead everyone to the radio tower. He then asks if Charlie is still up for a swim. Desmond volunteers to go with him.
FlashBack:
Charlie is in Bed with two women, it is Christmas. Liam wakes him for a Christmas morning toast. They are in Helsinki, Finland. Liam gives Charlie the DS ring. Their mother gave Liam the ring to pass on to his children. It was given to her by her father who received it from his father, Dexter Stratton. Since Charlie is sober and probably the only one to have a family and live past into his 30’s, Liam gives it to him.
(Island Time) Beach:
Charlie writes: #3 The Christmas Liam Gave me the Ring.
Claire is upset that Charlie didn’t tell her about the mission of swimming to the station. He lies and tells her that he will be fine. When he is gone, he says, " Don’t worry about me." Charlie takes Aaron and places him in the crib with his ring, saying, "I love you." He turns back to Claire ands tells her, "See you soon." And, they exchange what he knows is their final kiss.
FlashBack:
Charlie strumming chords on his guitar, singing "Wonderwall." It begins to rain, some who were enjoying it drop some money in his guitar case as he puts his guitar in and closes the case. As he walks by an alley, he witnesses a woman, Nadia, getting mugged. He considers walking off, but instead turns and fights off the mugger. As he catches his breath from the experience, he humbly shrugs off the compliment she gives him. But not everyone would intervene as 3 other peoplewalked by and did nothing. Nadia calls him a hero.
(Island Time) Beach:
Charlie writes: #2 Woman outside Covent Garden calls me a hero.
Desmond tying up a weight belt to help Charlie descend faster. He asks Charlie, "So, how long can you really hold your breath for?" Charlie responds, "Does it really matter?"
Bernard practices shooting for Sayid proving that he can help in this mission. Rose and Bernard argue about who goes and who stays. Jack then intervenes and argues with Rose. She tells him, "I like you better since you got back, you’re almost an optimist." Sayid and Jack then argue about who is staying and who is going. Sayid finally convinces Jack that it is time for him to act like a leader and lead the losties to the Radio Tower.
Hurley wants to go with Charlie, he is feeling useless and out of place. Charlie refuses to let him go by insulting his size to get him to go with the group. As Hurley turns, feelings hurt, Charlie runs up to him and hugs him, saying, "I love you man." Awkwardly, Hugo says it back.
Losties make their final preparations. Juliet finishes marking the tents. In the background, Jin tells Sun that he is staying to shoot the dynamite. Hurley tries to help Claire, who picks up Aaron without noticing the ring.
Charlie and Desmond launch Karl’s outrigger with the cable above the pontoon.
Flashback:
Their first night on the beach after the crash. Charlie takes off his hoody to and introduces himself to Claire. He gives her his blanket, and reassures her that they will be okay. "Before you know it, the helicopters will come and take us away."
(Island Time) On the boat:
Charlie writes: #1 The night I met you.
The final list is shown:
#5 First time I heard myself on the Radio.
#4 Dad teaching me to swim at Butlins.
#3 The Christmas Liam Gave me the Ring.
#2 Woman outside Covent Garden calls me a hero.
#1 The night I met you.
Desmond and Charlie reach their destination. The station is meters below. Charlie hands Desmond the list to give to Claire and he asks what it is for. He says, "it is my best moments in my sorry excuse for a life, my greatest hits." Desmond then proposes that maybe he is having the flashes because he is supposed to take Charlies place. "But," Charlie asks, "what about your girl." Desmond repeats the question back to Charlie. Beside, Desmond might be luckier than Charlie. Desmond tells Charlie, "Keep your memories to yourself, I’ll take it from here." As Desmond reaches for the belt, Charlie knocks him out with the paddle. He leans over Desmond and tells him, "We both know, you are not supposed to take my place, brother." He puts the hits in Desmond’s pocket, takes the belt, a deep breath, a brief moment to let the fear in, and dives in.
Charlie makes under the station and lets the belt go. He struggles to hold breath as he finally finds the moon pool. He begins to swallow water as he breaks through the moon pool. The station is not flooded as he thought. He yells, "I’m alive!" Then two women enter through a hatch with guns aimed at Charlie.
