RJ's Blogtastic Universe

All right, I was wrong about Juliet. I can’t tell you how pleased it made me to think she might have survived, but she was an intelligent female character, so she had to go. Though it was hard seeing Sawyer’s heart break again, it was also emotionally satisfying to see him beat the daylights out of Jack. Why do I hate Jack so much? A) he’s a martyr. I can’t stand this type of behavior, even on TV. Get off the cross, Jack – we need the wood. B) He’s the guy that everyone keeps following, even though he makes horrible decisions. Sawyer does have some defects, but he was a much better leader. He never gave people guns when they were in a rage. He actually thought about things before he made decisions. At any rate, no matter how much Jack screws it all up, people are still willing to put aside their better judgment and trust him. Which brings me to C) white male all-American studboys are always the hero. It’s the formula that even LOST could not break from. Eventually, our society may break from that, but that day is not today.

Originally, Jack was supposed to die in the pilot, and Kate was to be the leader. I still think that it would have been much more interesting. However, would the writers have been able to go that far afield of the normal TV plot? Maybe we’ll never know the answer to that one.

So. There were many interesting elements of last week’s episode, and this list will be far from exhaustive. However, I will make my best attempt. Obviously, this flight 815 is not the former flight 815. Shannon isn’t even on it. Our characters are also different – it is as if they have led different lives up to this point. Hurley is likely the best example, with his statement about always having good luck. We didn’t focus on Sawyer too much, but I have a hunch that he is not a con artist in this timeline. My evidence here is that con artists generally do not draw attention to themselves, and Sawyer was constantly bothering people (Cindy the stewardess, the police in the elevator, etc). It just seemed very odd for him. Another oddity – Jack seems older. His face had more wrinkles, and his hair was much longer than it had been on the first flight. It only stood out to me because no one else seemed older.

I can’t say enough about the actor who plays John Locke. I’ve witnessed a lot of bad acting in my lifetime (and so have you) where it seems that from movie to movie, the actor is playing the same character over and over again. (Think Tom Cruise.) However, Terry O’Quinn has earned his mantelpiece display with this show, and this episode in particular. When he talks about wanting to “go home”, the look on his face is striking. I’ve been watching this character for five years, and I’ve never seen that look before. Most impressive.

Seeing our LOSTies relate to each other as if they were all meeting for the first time was very “Twilight Zone” (my favorite show when I was a kid). The theft of Jack’s pen was classic, as was the implied reference to the pen Boone was trying to find for Jack in the pilot episode. This episode mirrored the pilot in many ways. I almost did a direct comparison this week, but I actually do have other responsibilities.

Predictions? I’m not sure. Who was Juliet talking to right before she died? Many are saying Sawyer, which I find plausible. Will Sawyer and Kate get together again? God, I hope not. Cliche relationships suck rocks, and there is so much more to women than whatever dude they happen to be sleeping with. The romantic relationships are seriously the most boring part of the show. I know that I would like to see Richard’s (aka Manscara’s) back story. I know that I would also like a moratorium on new characters. I know that I flat don’t believe the text on the screen at the end of the episode – “the time for questions is over”. Right. It might be over by the series is over, but I’m not counting on it.

One more thing, and then I’m done for the night – Sayid’s accent when he wakes up at the end of the episode sounds a lot more like his natural English accent. Has anyone else noticed this? Am I making this up? True, I have had the DVR on repeat since Tuesday… you’ll have to forgive me. It’s LOST – I’m going to miss it so much. Until next week…

Top five things going on in my life this week!

1) I made a luggage purchase this week – something that will be quite useful in my future career of getting on planes, trains, and automobiles. (The virgin voyage, of course, will be my rather exciting trip to Arizona. 17 days and counting, kids…) The piece of luggage is a Swiss Army 20″ pilot’s case – it matches my backpack, which I find necessary to take everywhere. {PS – If the Swiss are neutral, then why would they need an army? Points to ponder.}

2) I have decided that at my wedding, there will be no break between the wedding and the food. I attended a really lovely outdoor wedding this weekend (I have the sunburn to prove it). I had a pretty good time, but there was a two hour gap between the end of the wedding and the food. Wow, darlings. This is too much for a hungry RJ. I had some wonderful entertainment, of course – provided by my two nephews and my newest niece. I have long been an honorary member of the Upah family, and since Tom always works Saturday nights, I get to be Cindy’s date at all official functions. The fam was quite entertaining, and I hadn’t seen them in a while, so special bonus. Now if I can just find a bride….

3) To PhD or not to PhD? Dammit, why do I always have more questions than answers? I am still trying to make this decision. It’s a helluva commitment, and also a high risk-high reward situation. I do want to do it, but I need time to sit down and do some productive research. {PS – Facebook apparently doesn’t count as productive research.}

4) Physical therapy is good. It hurts, but it’s good. Apparently, the arthritis that I have in my knees is a result of problems I have in my feet (not age, as my surgeon said). So, after thirty-five years, I am learning how to take care of myself. Better late than never, I have to say.

5) Tomorrow, as a result of my weight loss, I get to go shopping. My pants just don’t fit me any more, so I’m taking action tomorrow night. My personal shoppers have been alerted, and we set off for wherever they suggest when I get off work. I must look my best for Arizona, after all.

All right, that is the update. Feel free to post commentary, suggestions, and requests – complaints will be deleted immediately.