Recon in more ways than one
Hey friends...I'm travelling again this week, but thought I knock out a quick column with some musings from what I think may have been my favorite episode so far.

WHAT HAPPENED
2004 con-man cop Sawyer continues his empty search for Anthony Cooper and himself. 2007 Sawyer remembers why all those cons never fulfilled him. As Doc Jensen reminded "The episode was called ''Recon,'' which itself was a con. We were clearly supposed to assume it was short for ''reconnaissance mission. But ''Recon'' was also a pun for ''Re-con'' as in ''a previously executed con, done again.''
BURNING QUESTIONS
1. Who/What is in the locked room on Widmore's sub?
2. Sawyer has deals in place with both Man In Black/Locke and Widmore to get he and his friends off the island. Who will Sawyer choose for his escape boat? Remember that time travel moment from Season 5 that's never been explained, when Sawyer and co. were fired upon by another raft in the distance? They returned some shots, but flashed away before they could figure out who was shooting at them. Might this scene be coming where we see Sawyer with his selected sub friends? (Doc Jensen)
THEORIES TO DISCUSS
1. Last week we speculated that, during his reign, Ben had been talking in the Man In Black instead of Jacob. Did anyone catch the advice MIB gave to Sawyer on the beach? "You are the best liar I ever met, tell them what ever you have to to gain their trust, find out every thing you can about them, report back." Sounds a lot like what Ben was doing/was advised to do during his time as leader, yes? Discuss.
2. Remember also that when Ben was talking to Jacob (apparently) it was in the Cabin. We thought for a long time that the ash around Cabin was keeping MIB (Smoke Monster) out of Jacob's domain, but it seems more likely now that it was actually the Man In Black in the cabin and it was the ash that was holding him in. Discuss.
3. Smokey sent Sawyer to Hydra Island to get Kate's protector (Sawyer) out of his way so he could isolate her for a Claire attack, then save her from it, so he could get a chance to convince her that he is the way. (Doc Jensen)
FAVORITE SCENES
1. Claire attacks Kate, catatonic Sayid does nothing.
2. Locke keeping things in order with a stammering, yet polite violence. "This is completely inappropriate." Terry O'Quinn needs recognition, this guy is doing a masterful job.
3. 2004 Liam Pace looking for his brother Charlie at Sawyer's (Jim Ford's) police station.
4. Bodies from the Ajira crash. Nasty.
5. Sawyer watching Little House on the Prairie... ''You can spend your whole life worrying about what's going to happen. People aren't really gone when they die, because they live in memories. Memories that sustain us until we see them again.''
6. Yours?
Next week...Richard Alpert revealed. Highly anticipated. Post Away!
2 comments
Your point in last week’s LOST post about the Man in Black being Ben’s “Jacob” seems dead-on and I do think the first cabin sequence backs this up. “Jacob’s” behavior in the cabin seems incongruous with his general character in the final episode of season 5. As for the ring of ash though, I’m a little uncertain about how he may have escaped or how he could have played such a major role earlier in the series (perhaps everyone the smoke monster attacked crossed the ash into his domain? Dubious, but possible). I’m a little unsure about this.
I also liked Sayid’s stoicism during the Claire-Kate brawl. I’m beginning to wonder if, given the Man in Black as Jacob theory, the Jacob that sent Hurley on his mission to rescue Sayid was, in fact, the Man in Black. (excuse me if this has been addressed already, I’m new to this)
Who/what is locked behind the door on the submarine? Desmond, perhaps? Seems as good of a guess as any.
Desmond. I would love that. Yeah…I’ll have to think more about the ring of ash…here’s a thought…We’ve seen that Ben had to go into a special chamber (from within a closet in his Otherville home) to summon Smokey, maybe that process somehow gave the Smoke Monster temporary permission to leave…or maybe the Man In Black wasn’t always the Smoke Monster, maybe he’s only recently been able to commandeer/infect it, like it appears he has with Claire, Sayid, etc?
Most Recent Arts Comments
Local, I forgot to offer you a piece of sage advice. Don’t bag on 39 south because they represent your potential collector pool. Even though I haven’t lived in Champaign since 1997, 39 south is still the only arts entity that has promoted my work as an…
Lest 39 South feels picked on: Check this from the Urbana City Public Arts Program: “Calling all Champaign County Artists! We’re pleased to announce a Call for Entries for a new initiative called Murals on Glass, which will feature artwork reproduced in adhesive vinyl displayed on the…
You forgot Jonathon Fineberg was also personal pals with the Christo’s. I’ll agree that Dr. Fineberg has done a tremendous job communicating to undergrads why this stuff is important, but I won’t kiss the ring because he also contributed to the dismantling of crafts at the U…
I think the best and most exciting arts programming in Champaign-Urbana is at the Krannert Art Museum. The depth and quality of the museum’s permanent collection speaks highly to the intelligence of the art history faculty at the University. I have to say taking Art History with…
Another mystifying thing is 39 South touts the fact that when you consider all things that are considered “art”, i.e. music, exhibits, movies, performances, craft fairs, circuses, ect; art in Champaign County apparently generates $60 million dollars of “economic activity” every year, so says 39 South. And…
I have to agree, I’m a bit confused as to the purpose of 40 North, although I am aware that the organization is in a period of restructuring and re-examination. And yes, the “staff of 1” does work tirelessly to keep the operations afloat, but the fact…
“Making art accessible to everyone and cultivating the art and artists in Champaign County is 40 North’s main mission.” FACT: When the Urbana City Council proposed to form a new public arts council of its own in 2008, 39 South actually sent letters from board members Cody…
On behalf of the New Art Film Festival, I’d like to thank you for highlighting our event in this article. It is our pleasure to put together this showcase for the community and the recognition is highly appreciated by all of us involved in the NAFF. Also,…
Most Popular Arts Articles (60 days)
- New film showcases the wonders of the Linotype machine
- The intricate jest of Rob Delaney

- Spotlight: Drag shows in Champaign-Urbana, Part IV

- Behind the Scenes of Cirque du Soleil: Quidam at Assembly Hall

- No foolin’, April is gonna be good

- An interview with Maya Bruck of Pixo

- Crispin Hellion Glover does it all

- Weiskamp makes poster printing a community experience
- Mark Neely returns to C-U for S&B

- Amelia Gray to close out the Carr series

Most Recent Comments
Possible Honorary Categories: Most Bizarre Restaurant Decor: Mas Amigos on Springfield Av. With painstaking attention to shelving, the owner proudly displays his NFL football helmet collection. WTF? Best Pancakes: Courier Cafe. Huge, fluffy, served with hot syrup. If you can stuff 3 of these down, you don’t…
@Jason: You’re right about that. I get groceries at Schnucks (they carry what I buy, which I can’t say of any other single grocery store in town), and if they have a beer I’m in the market for it’s usually a quarter or two cheaper per 6-…
Best Neighborhood Bar (& Grill) : Urbana - My ‘hood- the ‘Boom! http://www.boomerangbarandgrill.com Go on a Wing Wednesday or Fish Friday, or see a band play some night. Local blue-collar Urbana terroir galore. My only beer snobbish gripe is lack of a pale hopped ale, but you…
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
The one thing that’s bothered me for a while about the Friar is that, for most commonly purchased adult beverages, you can actually walk down the strip mall to Schnucks and get them cheaper. It makes no sense, but there it is. I suspect it’s because Schnucks…
Thanks for the sage advice Mary Anna, but I’m long done with the sucking up and being thankful for the scraps. The most important thing an artist can do to live with yourself is tell the emperor he’s got no clothes, and spray paint something on his…
Local, I forgot to offer you a piece of sage advice. Don’t bag on 39 south because they represent your potential collector pool. Even though I haven’t lived in Champaign since 1997, 39 south is still the only arts entity that has promoted my work as an…
Maybe I complained enough in person. One time I even explained to the (wholly uninterested) clerk how to navigate the Illinois Statutes web page, and Savoy’s Municipal Code database I wouldn’t know because I only go there when I want to pay 30% more for anything, which is never.
@Rob: You seem to have the weirdest experiences. I’m in Friar Tuck every other week (don’t tell my mom that I’m a lush). They never fail to ask for my birth date but never my age, they never card afterwards, and they often allow me to use…
This column affords me a long-awaited opportunity. I’ve wanted to write my own column called Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors. but I always thought it’d be too pithy. Here, I can say Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors and not feel bothered to stretch it out to 750…
Lest 39 South feels picked on: Check this from the Urbana City Public Arts Program: “Calling all Champaign County Artists! We’re pleased to announce a Call for Entries for a new initiative called Murals on Glass, which will feature artwork reproduced in adhesive vinyl displayed on the…
You forgot Jonathon Fineberg was also personal pals with the Christo’s. I’ll agree that Dr. Fineberg has done a tremendous job communicating to undergrads why this stuff is important, but I won’t kiss the ring because he also contributed to the dismantling of crafts at the U…
I think the best and most exciting arts programming in Champaign-Urbana is at the Krannert Art Museum. The depth and quality of the museum’s permanent collection speaks highly to the intelligence of the art history faculty at the University. I have to say taking Art History with…
Another mystifying thing is 39 South touts the fact that when you consider all things that are considered “art”, i.e. music, exhibits, movies, performances, craft fairs, circuses, ect; art in Champaign County apparently generates $60 million dollars of “economic activity” every year, so says 39 South. And…
Most Popular Articles (14 days)
- 2012 Pygmalion Music Festival initial lineup

- “Opposite” marriage includes fun, love, and drinking in the day

- Cafe Zojo steals the show

- Triptych bypasses another hurdle, waits for results
- Groce loses first staffer
- Paradises Lost; paradigms shifted

- Weekender: May 4–6
- The Market Watch returns!
- Ashes to Ashes | Rust to Rust

- BEST Arts


Facebook
Twitter
Full Site
Thanks for the sage advice Mary Anna, but I’m long done with the sucking up and being thankful for the scraps. The most important thing an artist can do to live with yourself is tell the emperor he’s got no clothes, and spray paint something on his…