Wow. This is one of them freaky mess-with-your-head Lost episodes, and I think it's one of the most riveting episodes I've ever seen. They're again playing with the space-time stuff, nearly to the point of causing vertigo. And I like it.
Anyone else cry a little at the end? Um, maybe more than a little? Please — tell me I'm not a total sap.
Also, we got an Iron Man trailer! That was awesome.
For a detailed recap of the happenings in this week's Lost, check out SweetPeasMom's post. For my thoughts and to share your own — spoilers ahead! — read more.
- Oooh, Juliet is all sarcastic with the archaeologist lady. "Maybe if you speak real slow, we'll understand what you're saying." Sassy.
- I am loving this Desmond-and-Sayid duo. I'd like Desmond to see more of that in my future.
- They do really well to disorient us along with Desmond. These quick cuts between Desmond's experiences — apparently called flashtimes, rather than flashbacks or flash-forwards — are totally dizzying.
- The guy in the bed, Minkowski, is so creepy. "It's happening to you, too, isn't it?!" "I was just on a Ferris wheel." Gah! This episode struck me as being similar to older spooky shows, like The Twilight Zone. It's not just mysterious at this point — it's really scary.
- However, sometimes this time travel stuff squishes my brains.
- I'm starting to like the eccentric Daniel Faraday. His 1996 self had a pretty hairdo. And now we know that his faltering memory might be due due to prolonged exposure to radiation.
- Minkowski says they regularly got calls from Penny that they were under strict orders not to take. Why?
- So, Mr. Widmore had the highest bid on the log from the ship on the island, the Black Rock (which, among other things stored dynamite, and was also the place where all the Sawyer-Locke-Locke's dad stuff went down). The ship's log was kept secret by, apparently, the Hanso family, and now (er, in 1996 anyway) it's in Mr. Widmore's possession.
- Desmond and Mr. Widmore in the bathroom together is kind of funny, but that dude is harsh: "It's not me who hates you." Ouch.
- There are a lot of cool theories and questions posited on Lostpedia regarding this episode, with my favorite being all the connections drawn between the episode and Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five.
- Sayid is so totally desensitized: When that Minkowski guy drops Sayid barely raises an eyebrow.
- Aww . . . Penny is Desmond's constant! "I love you, Penny. I've always loved you."Aaaaand crying. Turning to sobs. Okay, end the episode already!
- I sort of wish they'd had this "constant" term back around Valentine's Day when I was sending around those Lost-themed e-cards. "You're my constant!"
- Dan's notebook: "If anything happens, Desmond Hume will be my constant." Love it.

What did you think of this week's Lost? Who would be your constant?
Photos copyright 2008 ABC, Inc.
Just Cavalli
Armani Jeans
Alexander McQueen
I said this in the other thread, but I'll say it again: so far, season 4 has been the best season since the first. This episode was awesome!
I am really confused, though, about why Des would be Daniel's constant. If it DOES happen to Dan, how does he know that he'll end up in the same places/times as Des?
1Cried like a baby.
2I absolutely LOVE this show. And I'm so glad you read the Lostpedia stuff- I love reading all the trivia and recurring themes and everything after each episode. This season has definitely ROCKED so far. I'm loving every minute! And yes, I definitely shed some tears! I hope that Desmond makes it back to Penny in the end!
3i totally cried, too. and i will totally cry if desmond and penny don't get back together in the end.
i also love any episode where there is plenty of sayid, because well...
4I think the whole Des being Daniel's constant was because when Des visited Daniel in the past and said you're future self told me to come to you. That showed Daniel that his past and present selves both know desmond. When he was looking back at his journal I think it was something that the "past daniel" had written and was now just showing up in the journal because of how Desmond altered the past. who knows its so confusing.I wonder what else Des would have been changed because of Des "time travel"
5I posted this in the other recap, but I had to post here too!!! This was by far my favorite episode yet. I definitely shed a few tears when Des and Penny finally spoke!!!!
I have a few other questions though -
Why did Mr. Widmore leave the water on in the bathroom? It seems odd, yet significant to me.
Why didn't Sayid ask the Fisher Stevens character (I can't remember his name) who they worked for? The character said they got to the island and then took a dingy out to the island while they awaited further instructions. It seems like an obvious question to me.
It is beginning to sound more likely that Michael is on the boat and is the one who opened the door for them. Right?
6one of the best episodes ever.
7so glad des and penny got to connect! and i was totally hating on creepy, manorexic Daniel before this episode but now he's finally more than a bumbling weirdo.
8It was a really great episode. I cried. Any episode with a lot of Demond & Syed is a good episode to me!
9Great episode!
Am I really the only who's liked Daniel from the very beginning? He's quickly becoming one of my favourite characters...
10there's a "one" missing in my previous post.
11Such an amazing episode. Though any Desmond centric ones kinda' end up on my favorite list anyways : )
The whole second half I just kept saying,"Don't die Desmond, don't die Desmond..." and then crying at him and Penny being so sweet. They are just so cute.
I think Lost is officially back in it's groove...
12LOVED this episode! And Mädchen, I've liked Daniel from the beginning too!
13I love Des so this episode was awesome. I'm really curious about "STAY ON COURSE OR BAD THINGS HAPPEN" deal. Remember when Michael left the island, Ben told him if he stayed on that course, he'd be fine. So obviously Ben knows about the bad crap that can happen if you go off. I'm guessing there's some sort of electro magnetic (or some other weird thing) force field type thing around the island. There's only certain points out and if you miss that you get shocked (for lack of a better word) and have the time travel thing happen.
14Personally, I like Daniel and thing he's going to end up helping out Losties. Charlotte is super annoying and I don't like her.
OH AND So last episode Daniel was trying to be psychic and read those cards, remember? Could it be he was trying to time travel and see them and come back? Maybe not, because we watched him struggle with it and then he talked about his constant being Des. But maybe there's something there, like he's mastered it more and lost some of it when he hit the island.
And I think Mr. Widmore knows something about the island. WHy would they show us him bidding on the black Rock journal. Perhaps he was a financial backer for the original Dahrma people, and perhaps he's the one funding this current excursion that's looking for Ben. Since Ben killed all the Darma's it would make sense that Widmore lost a ton of money and would be pissed.
Just some ideas. I LOVE LOST
I was a bit freaked out and scared, but it was so awesome i could not turn myself away from watching it.
Your my constant XoXo..awww....i love how Desmond is Daniels constant..tat means he is loosing it too.
15I thought immediately of Slaughterhouse 5 when watching this episode. I was hoping somehow they would work in the Apollo bars, like Billy Pilgrim's wife with the Mars bars . . .
16Slaughterhouse 5 is one of my favorite books EVER and I'm so glad that everyone picked up the 'unstuck in time' reference too. I kind of thought the phrasing might be merely coincidental, but I'm glad it doesn't seem to be.
So, Daniel (sexy Jeremy Davies from Secretary...le sigh) said your constant must not just be something you have in the past and future, it must be something you really care about. So not only is Desmond Dan's constant b/c he's in '96 and Lost's present, I think Des is both the key to the island's time travel and Daniel's life's work.
17Des and Penny might be winning as my "fave TV couple" over Pam and Jim now. Yes, that's a big deal.
Go Desnny!
18Renees3: Daniel has trouble with his memory, he wasn't trying to guess the cards psychically.
When he mentioned no head protection from the radiation and Desmond suggested that 'perhaps you forgot' when they were in the room, I remembered that part. He keeps journals because of his bad memory. He needed to read back to that day to see that he'd seen Desmond.
Brilliant episode. Loved it, very gripping
19Ok, and also, I need to re-watch all of Season 1. And maybe Season 2, because I'm trying to remember exactly how Mr. Widmore sent Desmond off to the island. I think now he wasn't just trying to get him away from Penny, I think Widmore knew of Desmond's weird connection with the island.
Stay with me: Remember Widmore leaving the water on in this ep? What if he's aware of Daniel's research/Desmond's time travel being key, and he left it on so that it would resuscitate Desmond after a key flashtime, so that he would stay on his course and do what he was supposed to do?!
Widmore was buying the log from the Black Rock, and the fab foursome (Daniel, Miles, etc.) said they were looking for the Black Rock when they first got there. I think those 4 may be working for Mr. Widmore.
20I totally agree with you Geek! There is definitely some significance to the whole water in the bathroom thing.
21OH and I just wanted to point out that Naomi had a picture of Des and Penny when she crashed on their island, but the boat isn't Pennys and actually had strict orders NOT to answer her calls. Minkowsi knew who Des was and who Penny was. So this makes me think even More that Pennys dad is running this whole thing.
22What an AMAZING episode!! IMO, one of the best ever! I was at the edge of my seat (not to mention, squawking at the TV about how Desmond needs to live!). Next week should be interesting...I definitely DO NOT trust that redheaded British chick! nooo way, she seems shady!
23I must say, the Desmond-centric episodes always end up being one of my faves...and this one definitely didn't falter.
I agree, Buzz, this one did remind me of a Twiligt Zone-type show...very spooky-scary!!!
24Totally agree, Renee. Mr. Widmore sent Des away and Penny wants him back, so I think this is a Widmore vs. Widmore situation.
Does anyone recall how that Penny & Desmond pic is doctored? I think it has something to do with Naomi & whoever she's working for knowing Penny is Desmond's constant, or that he needs to see this pic for some reason.
25Someone also mentioned Daniel's initial reaction to seeing Desmond when he and Juliette walked from the beach. I might have to rewatch that to check for that reaction!!!
Dang-it...this show just stays with you!!!
26OK, wait. So Mr. Widmore was sponsoring that boat-race that caused Desmond to crash into the island?
PS: I would love to know if Lizzie has something to do with the Widmores...especially since she provided Desmond with the sail boat!!!
27Buzz, "You're my constant!" I.LOVE.IT!!!
Pinky, "Desnny!" LOVES.IT!!!
OK, was that not one of the best episodes EVER???!!! YAY.
What I wanna know is, Is Lost trying to get us committed because my head was spinning! Like I've said before I think WE are the true experiment here, lol.
Best scene of the night (next to Des & Penny of course) is when that Dr. injects his patient, turns to Des and says, "And how are you feeling?" Desmond FLIPS OUT yelling "What the bloody hell is going on!" I was on the floor laughing with that one Desmond's eyes were wild as hell.
If you want to know more about the Widmore family, I believe that book, that came out around the first or second season, "Bad Twin" written by Gary Troup(anagram = purgatory) is all about them. I never read it though but apparently it has a lot of clues in it.
I definitely think Michael is the one on the boat.
I also like Daniels character. This epi leads me to think even moreso that the "flashback" that we saw of him, when he was watching tv and seemed to be taken care of by that woman, I'm so thinking maybe that was a flash forward and that's why he was crying?!
The ledger book that was at the auction was found off the coast of Madagascar, is that where they found the "whole plane" also? I can't remember.
LOVE LOST!!!
28OMG I was gonna kick my tv in if Penny didn't hurry up and give Desmond her phone number! I'm like yelling at the tv HURRY UP!!!
29But yeah, I got a little teary eyed during the phonecall at the end. I was so scared that he was going to die because about this time every season, a character bites it (Shannon season 2, Eko season 3).
And how great was Daniel Faraday this episode? I think he's gonna be a great character.
30i am with everyone in thinking that michael is on the boat, but it did cross my mind that that would be too easy. or do you think the writers are giving us a freebie since everything else going on makes my head hurt? i wish doc brown from back to the future was around to explain everything.
31Ooooh, this has probably already been discussed elsewhere, but it just occurred to me: we keep hearing about similar areas near or in the Indian Ocean — Madagascar where the Black Rock log was found, and as hotstuff brought up, where they "found" the 815 plane (not really, but they thought they did) is in the Sunda Trench ("one of the deepest trenches of the northeastern Indian Ocean," located near Indonesia).
32And in this episode they make a point of stating the date several times: December 24, 2004. This is two days before the earthquake — in the Indian Ocean — that caused the devastating tsunami.
I'm not entirely sure how this is significant, but I wonder if they'll have the earthquake come into play somehow.
I just remembered, did anyone else note the calendars in the communication hub of the boat? The months of October, November, and December were displayed, with the days crossed out on them--like when you are somewhere for a long time and you cross off each day. Does that mean the boat may have been there for the whole time the Losties have been on the island?!
And: 4 days were NOT crossed off in October--sometime in the third week of the month. What does that mean?
I kind of think it means someone from the boat came to the island for 4 days and wasn't there to tick the days off the calendar.
33Ok, I must be out of it, because when the door on the boat was open, I thought it was opened by the helicopter pilot! NEVER once thought of Michael......hmmmm that's what I love these recaps!
34"And in this episode they make a point of stating the date several times: December 24, 2004. This is two days before the earthquake — in the Indian Ocean — that caused the devastating tsunami."
Nice catch Buzz!
"I just remembered, did anyone else note the calendars in the communication hub of the boat?"
I was also wondering what is the significance of some days being marked off in red?
35Ooh, and can we talk about if this was the mysterious sickness that killed Rousseau's (the crazy french woman) crew!? I guess it could make sense.
36Woah, Geek . . . you're blowing my mind, here! First off, I can't believe you caught that there were four days not marked off in the third week of October on the calendar. Now I'm poring over this timeline for October 2004 to try and figure it out.
37Lost is so bad for work productivity!
This episode was insanely good!
38Loved the Slaughterhouse 5 reference! The episode was intense, especially the Penny/Desmond scene. I felt so sad ;-;
39Buzz--what can I say, I heart my TiVo!
40Now that I'm reading that Lost timeline you posted, Buzz, I'm getting goosebumps thinking about Season 1 and the Ethan storyline. God I love this show.
41WITH EPISODES LIKE THIS...I NEED TIVO (OR EVEN FAUX-VO)!!!!
HELP, LOL
42This show has such a sinister undertone to it...that's why I love it!!!
43I think you're right Hotstuff. I'm thinking this "flashtime" might be the "sickness" that Rousseau was referring to.
44this was deff my favorite episode of the season so far
45and dont worry Buzz, i had some tears in my eyes too =]
"WITH EPISODES LIKE THIS...I NEED TIVO (OR EVEN FAUX-VO)!!!!"
Start saving up NOW! TIVO is worth EVERY penny and then some. I don't know how anyone can watch LOST without it! I rewind during the show, after the show. I'll watch clips from the previous show before the show. The next day I use TIVO to watch key points. I pause scenes during the show! The list just goes on and on. I don't know what I would do without TIVO!!!
46Haha hotstuff, I wouldn't be surprised if Lost made people want to upgrade and get TiVo--you know what it also makes me not want, but feel like I NEED? HDTV. A giant one.
47You guys are so right! I have a DCR (same thing as Tivo basically) and we have a 52" Hi Def TV. Makes TV worth watching! I will not watch lost on anything less!I feel like i'm missing things haha
48Renee3,
Please don't tell me things like that, see now I'm feeling inadequate watching on my 13-in LCD...time to UPGRADE, LOL.
49ok this episode was AWESOME! I loved the desmond/penny story and heart that one so much more than the whole jack/kate/sawyer thing! desmond has to make it off the island to get to his 'constant'!
So I think that the person who opened the door was Michael...
A friend and I were talking and we think that the reason that the Oceanic 6 were able to make it off of the island is because they are each other's constant...what do you guys think?
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