Ab Aererno

I was so excited after seeing last night’s episode that I stayed up to get the pulse of the fans about it. I was surprised that it was as mixed as it was with some thinking it was good and others very boring. I personally thought it was great. I think we are getting more and more answers each week, but still focusing on the characters and the story. I think everyone needs to accept the answers that are given and stop trying to make more than it is. Yes, this is an epic show that will go down in television history…but I’m not sure if the anxiety about it ending is getting to people. An example is that one person on the podcast was upset the Sayid’s cat wasn’t explained. WTF?!?! That is so random. I think the big answers will get answered; the smaller ones are just simple going to have to be let go. Is it really their responsibility to satisfy our needs to this show? Some people actually watch the show, enjoy the entertainment, never to analyze or read about it after viewing it. So it’s a fine line the writers have to walk between satisfying our need to understand the show and those that watch to just follow the story. Okay…on with the show.

Summary

We finally got Richard’s back story. We knew he was on the Black Rock and possibly a slave of some sort, and now we more he was more of a prisoner/indentured servant. I loved that the Man in Black (MIB) said, “It’s good to see you out of those chains”, when he saw Richard in the past and again as SM Locke. It was SM Locke’s way of letting Richard know he was the MIB reincarnated. No wonder Richard was so scared. I noticed the butterfly coming into the Black Rock as Richard was chained. I wasn’t sure what the symbolism of that was. Maybe changing, turning, a shift between Jacob and MIB just existing and the MIB trying to kill him? The butterfly was big and prominent so it meant something. I think it’s interesting that this was the first episode that didn’t have a Flash Sideways. Is that because Richard doesn’t exist outside the island because he is immortal? Does his connection to the island, now that it is underwater mean that he doesn’t survive? Is it because of the ultimate change that will happen he is not immortal and died years ago? Would be cool if we met a descendant. Something there…just don’t know what it is.

Connections

Ab Aeterno is Latin for “From eternity”. An example of its use, “A long time ago (from eternity), in a galaxy for away” (for you Star Wars fans). The episodes title is in reference to the Vulgate Bible, Catholic, in Proverbs 8:23, “Ab Aeterno ordita sum et ex antiquis antequam terra fieret.” That translates to “I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.” Richard is looking at Luke Chapter 4 verse 24 in the bible, a connection to the numbers. Also that chapter in the bible references Jesus return from the desert where he resisted temptation from the Devil. Jacob dunks Richard 4 times in the water, which is similar to a baptism. Richard gives the MIB a white stone. It seems that Jacob and the MIB pass these stones back and forth as indications of people they claim onto their side. Jacob is wearing gloves when he visits Ilana and touches her. He does touch Richard with a bare hand and gives him immortality. The MIB tells Richard that he must stab Jacob in the chest before Jacob speaks a word. This is the same thing that Dogen said to Sayid when trying to kill the Man in Black, and with the same dagger. Magnus Hanso now owns Richard and the ship the Black Rock. We know that Alvar Hanso, great grandson of Magnus, founded the Hanso Foundation is responsible for the Dharma Initiative that once was prominent on the island. The Black Rock destroys the statue of Taweret, and now we know why there was only one foot left when the Losties discovered it.

Questions

MIB vs. Jacob – I think we better understand the relationship the MIB and Jacob. I thought last week that MIB is a prisoner on the island, Jacob is trying to keep him contained and Widmore wants to exploit him. I think that might be close to accurate and I’m calling my shot.

The people on the island are part of this big experiment. Jacob brings people to the island to prove to the MIB that they are inherently good. MIB interferes to show that man is bad by nature. As people come to the island, they create their own chaos. Ben used his power as the leader of the Others for his own gain. Most of the bad things that have happened to the Losties was of their own free will based on the circumstances.

But why would Jacob tell Richard to tell Ben to kill the Dharma Initiative and live with the Others? Was the Dharma Initiative so far off track the Jacob decided to start over? Hate to throw in a bible reference, but isn’t that what God did in the bible? And does this make Jacob good or bad?

I think typical definitions of good and bad don’t apply to Jacob and the MIB. I think neither are purely good or evil. I think it’s your perception based on how they have influenced your life. Is Jacob good by giving Richard purpose and immortality? Is Jacob good by manipulating people to the island to test their will? What has Jacob done truly that’s good? The MIB has killed, but he is trying to get free. Is that just the natural will of man to kill to be free? Think of the parallel to why we go to war now? Some do view it as evil, while others think it’s a part of our existence. I think that this is Jacob’s struggle with humanity. The Losties are the most recent pawns.

MIB – Was he once a man with mommy issues? I was puzzled by his claim to Richard that Jacob, “took my body, my humanity.” Why was he chosen to be part of this? I think that answer won’t be given until the finale. Also, SM Locke needed to kill Jacob to get off the island. He also needs to leave before a candidate ascends or he will be stopped once again. But he doesn’t kill the remaining 6 candidates. I am not sure if it’s because they can’t be killed or if he needs them is some way. Can he simply get on the sub and float away? Again, I think this will be answered in the finale. The ultimate question, as they answer the reason and purpose for the island is what do the Flash Sideways mean? I know I am just repeating the questions we have had this season, but we have gotten so many answers. We know what the numbers stand for, what the island is, why the Losties are there, who brought them, in general everyone’s role on the island, and that they can get off.

Jacob – He seemed truly pissed that the MIB was trying to kill him. We can assume up until that point they both were playing the game. But the MIB changed the rules and wanted to be free. What will happen if he is set free? Jacob described the island as a container to evil, malevolence, death and darkness. So the island is like Pandora’s box, or jar as Jacob used to illustrate. There is already evil in the world so what will the SM release really do? I am glad that they answered the old question as to whether the island was hell or purgatory. No…but it could be perceived to be based on your perspective. To some, the island is hell. To others, it’s paradise. If your definition is that it’s a place for the devil and the SM is considered evil, then yes. I’m just glad that it wasn’t hell in a traditional sense.

Going home – People have left the island. But it really has been their free will to come or go. Juliet had a choice. Ben had a choice. The Oceanic Six once off, had a choice. Michael had a choice. It has been made to seem that you can’t leave or your prevented from leaving. But it really is their own doing. From trusting Ben as the leader of the island, to returning once those who got off were free. SM Locke is trying to convince them that they have free will and can go. But they are so afraid of the unknown that some stay. Only Rose and Bernard seemed to stay because they chose to live their life differently. Everyone else are like victims.

Conclusion

So next week we are finally going to get the Sun/Jin storyline. I am so ready for them to be reunited. I am also curious about how their flash sideways with Sayid is resolved. I think it will get back to the formula of flash forward and island. Again, stay away from spoilers. Only 8 weeks left. I am going to be sooooo bummed. I know they hoped Flash Forward would fill the void but I am just not into it. I still watch..ugh…waiting…hoping. Have a great week. Until next week, c-ya!