Lost, Episode 2.14: One Of Them
Great episode, though one of those ones that makes you cringe... much like the episode where Sayid tortured Sawyer. I love these kind of episodes way more than ones like last week. Last week was sloooooow, but had a nice finish. This one had a nice pace throughout, and a couple different story lines at once. Sayid continues to be one of the most consistently believable characters -- he's likeable, yet does stuff like this every now and then to remind you he has a very dark side as well. Who else was creeped out seeing Sayid empty that toolbox to interrogate the Iraqi officer? Or putting the pliers on Henry's finger.
The obvious "wow" moments for me while I was watching the episode were:
* the clock hitting zero and all those red pictures flashing while we hear load mechanical noises (blast doors lowering? engine starting?) The general consensus on the boards (see comments) is that they are Egyptian hieroglyphics meaning something to the effect of "die" or "small death". What does that imply? The Swan Station is self destructing? The "sickness" Danielle talked about last season?
* the end where we see that picture and put two-and-two together that the army dude was Kate's stepdad. You'll recall that Sayid showed on the TV in the episode where Kate visited her dad in the recruiter office.
Lingering questions/comments:
What is significance of the frog? First thing I thought of was it is poisonous, especially with Sawyer squishing it and handing it to Hurley -- who had large amounts of food out (7-yr ranch dressing... barf). But, maybe it was just another way to make Sawyer look like a jerk.
Is Henry Gale an Other or not?
Will his alleged balloon be found? Even if it is found, is it really his or just something on the island?
Will there be more stuff with Danielle? After that long a hiatus that surely can't be all we get from her?
Will we see the bearded CIA dude again (prison guard from Shawshank Redemption)? To me he looks like someone you'd see on the island with "Zeke".
Nice preview for the next episode -- Libby giving Claire some hypnotherapy to help her regain her , then obviously them searching for where the attack happened and where they took her... and finding a 3rd hatch. Weren't there 6 or 7 total stations according to that Dharma video?
Here are a few key moments pictures (most taken from here). Click for larger versions:
Video Sayid is Shown. Numbers 23108-42
The Frog
The hieroglyphs when the clock hit 0
Here's what someone posted as translation:
"The Look" Henry Gale gives Sayid.
Kate's Dad (step-dad?)
Young Kate Pic
More later...
The obvious "wow" moments for me while I was watching the episode were:
* the clock hitting zero and all those red pictures flashing while we hear load mechanical noises (blast doors lowering? engine starting?) The general consensus on the boards (see comments) is that they are Egyptian hieroglyphics meaning something to the effect of "die" or "small death". What does that imply? The Swan Station is self destructing? The "sickness" Danielle talked about last season?
* the end where we see that picture and put two-and-two together that the army dude was Kate's stepdad. You'll recall that Sayid showed on the TV in the episode where Kate visited her dad in the recruiter office.
Lingering questions/comments:
What is significance of the frog? First thing I thought of was it is poisonous, especially with Sawyer squishing it and handing it to Hurley -- who had large amounts of food out (7-yr ranch dressing... barf). But, maybe it was just another way to make Sawyer look like a jerk.
Is Henry Gale an Other or not?
Will his alleged balloon be found? Even if it is found, is it really his or just something on the island?
Will there be more stuff with Danielle? After that long a hiatus that surely can't be all we get from her?
Will we see the bearded CIA dude again (prison guard from Shawshank Redemption)? To me he looks like someone you'd see on the island with "Zeke".
Nice preview for the next episode -- Libby giving Claire some hypnotherapy to help her regain her , then obviously them searching for where the attack happened and where they took her... and finding a 3rd hatch. Weren't there 6 or 7 total stations according to that Dharma video?
Here are a few key moments pictures (most taken from here). Click for larger versions:
Video Sayid is Shown. Numbers 23108-42
The Frog
The hieroglyphs when the clock hit 0
Here's what someone posted as translation:
"The Look" Henry Gale gives Sayid.
Kate's Dad (step-dad?)
Young Kate Pic
More later...
posted by Slacker at 8:45 PM
5 Comments:
Here are a couple cut-and-paste posts from the message boards on the hieroglyphs:
---------------
I knew 2 years of studying Middle Egyptian hieroglyphs would be useful for something (even if it is just for a TV show).
The word is read left to right, and it's an ancient Egyptian word:
swd 3
(the "3" is pronounced "a")
It means "die," and it's a causative, which means that it's basically a command to die.
-----------
First, there is a concept in hieroglyphics called Gardiner codes. Each individual symbol is assigned a code. Here are the Gardiner codes I found for the hieroglyphs...
Slot 1: S29
Slot 2: Who Knows
Slot 3: U28
Slot 4: G1
Slot 5: Z6
Using this information and a translation program that attempts to find vocab matches that I found ( http://www.geocities.com/cgbusch/egyptology/ ), When you run this program with those codes and a wildcard "?" for the missing letter, it substitutes an egyptian "w" (G43) to find the closest vocabulary match, which is:
"Arrive, let go, death, die"
-----------
Hi all,
I work in the Egyptology department at the University of Canbridge.
There's three things that I think people are missing.
Firstly, the ancient Egyptians did not speak modern English. Those of you who are expecting the glyphs to spell out a word (like "Sayid") in Western letters are going to be disappointed!
Secondly. The last two symbols are determinative glyphs. That is they convey meaning to the other glyphs.
Finally, The fouth glyph is not the vulture nor the owl as some people on this forum have mistaken it as.
The symbols in the clock are as follows (in Gardiner format):
[S29] [Z7] [T34] -- [G37] [Z6]
The first three are phonetics (s,w,nm). When said aloud together, they make a sound that is not unlike the English word "swan".
The last two (determinatives) are "small" and "death"
So we have (Swan)--(Small Death)
Read that as you want. It's clearly ambiguous and I expect the writers intended for it to be ambiguous.
My first instinct is that it pretty much means, "The Swan Station is about to self destruct". However, small and death could also equally mean disease which also would obviously fit in.
Wizard of Oz connections:
1. Henry Gale is the name of Dorothy's uncle.
2. A hot air balloon was how they sent Dorothy home from Oz.
3. Zeke (head OTHER) is also the name of the farm hand who tells Dorothy to "have courage" as she tighwalks along the fence. The same actor also played the Cowardly Lion.
From the Boards:
The world-famous balloonist Dr. Jean Piccard taught courses in stratospheric flight problems as a professor at the Univ. of Minnesota. His wife, Jeanette, made balloon flights w/him & was a noted scientist in her own right. His brother was a famed scientist in the field of deep-sea submersibles. In fact, the whole Piccard family made major contributions to high-altitude ballooning & bathospheres (or whatever they're called). the most famous was called Trieste. check it out -- http://www.aem.umn.edu/info/history/piccard.shtml Jean-Luc Piccard of Star Trek Next Generation was named in homage to him.
Lost S2E14 – “One of Them” – Sayid-centric
Flashback thoughts:
1. Using the timeline that Sayid gave us stating that 6 years ago, the Americans came into Iraq (and assuming that the plane crashed in 2004), then that would place the flashback in 1998.
2. As Kevin has noted, the first main Army soldier was Kate’s step-dad (that was Kate in the picture) and the second main Army soldier (with the beard) was the actor Clancy Brown (who played the main Prison Guard in The Shawshank Redemption).
3. While watching the video, the Army soldier mentions that Turek (sp?) was involved in chemical warfare and unleashed Cirin Gas in this marketplace. Cirin Gas was also the chemical that Sayid’s friend was going to release in his other flashback (I think). I have heard them mention Cirin Gas before and I think that is when it was.
4. Sayid removes from the toolbox a hammer, a switchblade, a screwdriver (?), an unseen tool and finally the wrench/pliers thing. He then removes a plastic bag.
5. At the beginning of the flashback, black smoke is coming from one building. At the end of the flashback, black smoke can be seen coming from two buildings.
Island Story thoughts:
1. I have been looking forward to seeing a confrontation between Sayid and Ana-Lucia since Shannon’s shooting, but nothing happened. Sayid mentioned to Henry that the shooting was an accident, so maybe Sayid has forgiven A-L.
2. Great to see Danielle again. Hope to see Desmond sometime this year again, too.
3. Side story with Sawyer and Hurley was a little weak. Maybe it was to show that Sawyer is still pushing people away and Hurley finally stood up to Sawyer. May show more of this dynamic later.
4. I immediately thought of “The Wizard of Oz” when I heard Henry’s last name – Gale. But I didn’t remember that Dorothy’s uncle’s name was Henry until I saw it on another website today. Dorothy also traveled by balloon (well, tried to travel by balloon) – but to return home, not to sail around the world. Maybe Henry is in another “race around the world” like Desmond was.
5. Henry said the balloon landed on the island (they did not jump) and that his wife, Jennifer, and he had been living in the caves on the North side. Ws that that same side of the island where the Tailies were from?
6. Besides the Ranch Dressing and Peanut Butter, did anyone else notice that Jack used Dharma Hydrogen Peroxide to clean Henry’s wound?
7. Did anyone notice the three (or four) books on the bookshelf next to the Gun closet? They were red, yellow and green. They stood out from the other books, but I could not see their titles.
8. Henry also said that they had an Emergency Transmitter and an A.D.F. beacon (whatever that is). He also said that the balloon had a yellow smiley face on the top,
9. Henry was rich because he sold his mining company which mined “non-metallic metal.” Uh, what exactly is that? Is that like a soy-burger – meatless meat?
10. It was cool to see the clock go down to zero. Man, was I panicking when the numbers flipped over to red and black characters. I bet Locke was freaking out too. Much speculation on the message boards about their meaning but most of the posters seem to agree that the symbols represented Death or Disease. Not good.
Numbers (4,8,15,16,23,42):
1. Sayid was 23 in the flashback. He is 29 now.
2. American pilot was buried 4 kilometers away.
3. Numbers on bottom right of video was 23108-42.
4. Sayid received $800 from the soldier at the end (unverified).
5. Balloon was 140 feet high, 60 feet wide. In flight it contained 550,000 units (?) of Helium and 100,000 of hot air.
6. Henry and Jennifer crashed 4 months ago. 3 weeks ago, she got sick with a fever. She was delirious for 2 days and then died.
7. First number is new combination is Right-15.
8. Dharma Ranch Dressing can last in room temperature for 7 years.
9. When he was 10 years old, Hurley had a turtle named Stuart. I think that that is what he said.
Quotes:
1. “Loyalty is a virtue” – Army soldier to Sayid
2. “Trust me.” – Danielle to Sayid
3. “What do you got there, Rerun?” – Sawyer to Hurley
4. “He’s one of them.” – Danielle to Sayid
5. “In the beginning, he will lie.” – Danielle to Sayid
6. “Do NOT untie him.” – Sayid to Jack
7. “If this was a scary movie, I’d be with a hot chick.” – Sawyer to Hurley
8. “Your Ranch Dressing is gonna be the lead story on the coconut internet.” – Sawyer to Hurley
9. “At least people like me.” – Hurley to Sawyer
10. “Shut up.” – Jack to Locke
11. “Tell me about this balloon.” – Sayid to Henry
12. “You would remember how far into the jungle you buried her, how deep you dug the grave, how many shovelfuls of dirt it took, how long it took. You would remember if you buried the woman that you loved!” – Sayid to Henry
13. “My name is Sayid Jarrah and I am a torturer.” – Sayid to Henry
14. “He is one of them.” – Sayid to Jack
15. “So, tell me, Charlie. Have you forgotten?” – Sayid to Charlie
Random Notes about the previews for the next episode (the picture on the door of the new Hatch). All notes taken from The Fuselage message board:
The funky symbol on the door of the next hatch is called a Caduceus.
It's a well-known symbol of medicine, but was also the iconographical symbol for Hermes, who in Greek and then Roman mythology was a messenger to the gods while being one himself, but was also a powerful healer, astrologer, magician, conductor of the dead to Hades's underworld, protector of merchants and thieves, and, apparently, a protector of boundaries. He was a prankster and notoriously helped in the theft of the golden apple from Hera (which led to the war in the ...Iliad? [what the movie Troy was based on]) by telling a tale with no end to Argus, the 1,000-eyed manservant, until Argus fell asleep and then Hermes permanently sealed the eyes, causing Argus to die. The eyes are said to have been placed on the peacock's tail. But I got away from my point, somewhat.
Could this be the hatch that controls what the Others see? Could it be the source of the security system, just like Argus was the security for Hera in the myths? Could it be a larger medical complex, perhaps where they do Dharma experiments? Is it where they formulated the stuff Desmond self-injected? Is it just as abandoned as the arrow hatch?
In general theory, I also believe as I stated last night, the previous episode title Exodus from last year, the Moses and Aaron references this season along with the * frog nod and Egyptian hieroglyphics from last night are symbolic of the 10 plagues of Egypt (Dharma style) that are now coming because the numbers were not input in time. 10 not necessarily being the number of plagues carried out and none necessarily having anything to do with frogs as was in the book of Exodus, just basically a HUGE clue of Dharma's wrath (Dharma has been playing God) that is about to come down as their judgment upon the people. Also I couldn't help but catch Sayid's emphasis on the words "I AM" a torurer. "I AM" being what God revealed his name as to Moses, also in the book of Exodus.*** All speculation of course on my part. This is so much fun.
Oh yeah, in regards to next week's what we know as the medicine symbol also comes from a Moses/plague like situation in the book of Numbers in which the people were plagued with fiery serpents because of their sin. In this case will the sin be not inputting the numbers? In order to heal them or correct the situation, God instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole and all who looked upon it was healed (symbolic of Christ nailing death on the cross later). So will this be another nod of plague-like retaliation that is coming by Dharma in the form of the sickness? Will the hatch that Claire, Kate and Rousseau find be a way to REVERSE the judgment that is issued, hence the serpent on the pole symbol on the outside of the hatch? Also, were Rousseau and her team the "incident" and thus they were plagued in judgment?
Excellent stuff Kim and Jim. This much discussion obviously means it was a great episode!
One more Wizard of Oz connection (ironically enough this is one of Keller's favorite movies right now, so since I've been watching it over and over, more things have come to me)....
Right after Dorothy's house falls out of the sky (just like the airplane) Dorothy wanders around Oz hearing voices, but not knowing where they are coming from (just like the voices in the jungle). After Glenda comes down, the people who live in Oz (OTHERS alrady on the island) come out from their hiding places in the plants (jungle) where they've been observing Dorothy (the survivors) from a distance.
It just gets weirder and weirder from there......
Post a Comment
<< Home