Looking Back at Lost: 316
The Show and Its Characters Return to Their Roots
It seems like ages ago that Jack first screamed, "We have to go back!" and blew the minds of Lost viewers everywhere. And now, finally, the Oceanic Six have gone back to the island. Although they seemed to be expecting another plane crash, it appears that they returned via time travel instead, a theory supported by the appearance of Jin in a shiny new Dharma bus at the end of the episode.
Jack, Sun and Ben boarded Ajira Airways Flight 316 after visiting Mrs. Hawking, who seems to be competing with Ben Linus for the title of least trustworthy character on the show. While her exposition and explanations in the Lampost were both intriguing and informative, Desmond made a strong case against her before storming out. But, if Hawking can be believed, "the island isn't done with (him) yet."
Flight 815 Revisited
The Oceanic Six all seemed to follow her instructions to recreate the circumstances of the original crash as closely as possible - whether they knew it or not. Hurley brought along a guitar, representing his old buddy Charlie, and Ben arrived for the flight just in time, like Hurley on did Flight 815. Although Kate didn't wear handcuffs on this flight, Sayid appeared to be in the custody of an air marshal.
John Locke filled the coffin in place of Christian, and the younger Dr. Shephard became a combination of himself and Locke. Jack wore a suit and escorted a body just like he did on Flight 815, but he seems to have abandoned his rational, scientific viewpoint to turn into a "man of faith" like Locke. Although Jack repeatedly called Hawking's plan crazy, he ultimately took "a leap of faith" like she told him too.
Going Back
The opening shot of Jack's eye in the jungle reminded viewers of Lost's first season, and the show seems poised to return to its roots as it hurtles toward its conclusion. Nearly all of the characters are together on the island again, which means the show can resume its flashback and flash-forward structure rather than juggling parallel storylines.
Flashbacks would certainly help to answer the tantalizing questions this episode presented. What happened to Aaron, and why won't Kate talk about him? How did Hurley find out about Flight 316? How did Sayid get on the flight, and why was he with that woman?
What happened to that woman, newly shaven pilot Frank Lapidus and the rest of the passengers on Flight 316? What "promise to an old friend" was Ben keeping, and why was he covered in blood? Was he trying to kill Penny to fulfill his pledge to Charles Widmore, and, if so, was he successful? And will that be what brings Desmond back to the island?
One can only hope that the those mysteries will be unraveled as the show progresses, but the next episode looks like it will answer a question that has been smoldering since last season: How did Locke end up in that coffin? Whether or not he comes back to life on the island, the audience will finally have a chance to meet "Jeremy Bentham."
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