Claire's Insane (You're So Vain, Carly Simon)

"Sayid's a zombie and Claire's nuts. She gave up her ticket when she tried to kill Kate. And I ain't gonna let that happen again."
- Sawyer, The Last Recruit

The Claire of season six is quite a bit different from the Claire the castaways came to know and love.  Here, Sawyer tries to convince Hurley that she's not worth bringing along in their great escape, to the tune of Carly Simon's You're So Vain.  (The above quote is from a conversation with Jack, but I figure his conversation with Hurley would have been similar...)

Claire’s Insane

She showed up with her rifle
And stitched up Jin in her creepy hut.
But then he flinched as she axed that Other guy. 
She got ‘im right in the gut.
Well, it’s only smart to fear her now
‘Cause she’s a gnarly nut.
Lounged here with Locke for too long, and she lost it.
Clearly, she lost it.

Yeah,
Claire’s insane
And horribly in need of a hairbrush.
She’s insane, (She’s insane),
And bringin’ her along would just scare us,
Scare us, scare us...

Well, we knew her several years ago.
Back then, she was so naive.
Oh, but now we are stuck with a crazy Claire
With homicide up her sleeve.
Now, I know you’re really big on love.
You’re eager to believe
People can change, but I’m not gonna chance it.
Not gonna chance it.

No,
Claire’s insane.
She hangs around with skeletal babies.
She’s insane.  (She’s insane!)
I wonder if that thing gave her rabies,
Rabies, rabies, rabies!

Think she can change?  Well, I’m not gonna chance it.
Not gonna chance it.

No,
Claire’s insane.
Apparently she’s also Jack’s sister.
She’s insane. (She’s insane!)
I guess it’s lucky he never kissed her,
Kissed her, kissed her!

Did you hear she went after Kate with a knife?
Sayid, he didn’t step in.
He could not be bothered with a threatened friend’s life.
I’d say the Dark Side is fixin’ to win.
Well, I know we’re runnin’ out of time,
And Hugo, we don’t need
A chick who’s unhinged or a kid-killin’ zombie,
Kid-killin’ zombie.

No,
Claire’s insane.
Yeah, those two gave their tickets up early.
She’s insane.  (Insane!)
We can’t succeed with someone so squirrelly,
Squirrelly, squirrelly, squirrelly!

Claire’s insane
And horribly in need of a hairbrush.
Claire’s insane
And horribly in need of a hairbrush.
Claire’s insane...

You're So Vain

We Wonder Who His Ex Is (Deep in the Heart of Texas, June Hershey / Don Swander)

After Lighthouse revealed that Jack had a son, there was a lot of speculation as to who David's mother might be.  Here's a little ditty about that to the tune of the cowboy song Deep in the Heart of Texas.

We Wonder Who His Ex Is

Although we’re glad that Jack’s a dad,
We wonder who his ex is.
She left the kid with Jack and hid.
We wonder who his ex is.

So let’s debate.  Could it be Kate?
We wonder who his ex is.
Or Ana Lu’s an option too.
We wonder who his ex is.

Will Sarah be the mom we see?
We wonder who his ex is.
Or better yet is Juliet.
We wonder who his ex is.

We have the names of lots of dames.
We wonder who his ex is.
Why won’t the show just let us know?
We wonder who his ex is.

Who-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo?


Deep in the Heart of Texas

When It Ends (A Face That Shone, Michael Card)

"My ashes are right there in that fire... When it burns out, you’ll never see me again."- Jacob, What They Died For

LOST is so filled with wonderful characters, and I love nearly all of them, but there will always be an extra special place in my heart for Jacob and Hurley. In the great epics, this always tends to be my favorite pair: the wise mentor and the loving, humble apostle. Gandalf and Sam. Dumbledore and Hagrid. Aslan and Lucy. Granted, Aslan is something More than those others, Jacob included. But Jacob reflects the light in a powerful way, and Hurley feels a deep sense of connection to him. I was very saddened by Jacob's words to Hurley in What They Died For. I thought of Lucy leaving Narnia in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and I anticipate this parting being equally difficult for Hurley. But even as he dreads the loss, his chief concern is harmony, and something tells me this Star Wars geek holds the key to a satisfying resolution. Here's Hurley to the tune of Michael Card's A Face That Shone.

When It Ends

Though Richard raved and ranted to Jack on the Black Rock,
I was sure that we should follow, for we’re Jacob’s chosen flock.
I knew it from the moment he blessed me with his touch.
When he gave me that guitar case, his assurance meant so much.

He met me at the Temple, and he helped me find the stone
That hid a secret passage to a lighthouse long unknown.
Jacob never acted like he thought that I would fail.
I began to think that maybe the light of kindness could prevail.

So when it ends, I will feel I’ve lost a father,
A faithful friend who believed that I had worth.
But when it ends, I will know that I would rather
Have been blessed to briefly know him.
I’ve been searching for him since my birth.

He brought us to the Island. We became his flustered flock,
And he’s charged us now with stopping his old friend who looks like Locke.
Oh, I know that he’s a monster and he really isn’t John,
But he used to be his brother. That part of him’s not gone.

Jacob said he’d try to kill us and we would need to guard the light,
But reconciliation’s the best end to this fight.
We’ll somehow find the balance so the conflict can be done.
Like Anakin and Luke, the fractured family will be one.

And when it ends, I will feel I’ve lost a father,
A faithful friend who believed that I had worth.
But when it ends, I still will know that I would rather
Have been blessed to briefly know him.
I’ve been seeking him since birth.

He said to me, “You’ll never see me once it’s ended.
I’ll have to go, but you will know you have my love.
You’ll bear the light, and everyone who you’ve befriended
Will snatch a spark, and they’ll be mended both from within and from above.”

And when it ends, I will feel I’ve lost a father,
A faithful friend who believed that I had worth.
But when it ends, I still will know that I would rather
Have been blessed to briefly know him.
I’ve been seeking him since birth.

A Face That Shone

Whoever You Are (Wherever You Are, Michael Abbott / Sarah Weeks)

"I'm so glad to know you were lying because...if what you said was the truth, if Kate was raising Aaron...I'd kill her."
- Claire, Lighthouse


Claire has had an incredibly difficult time since her friends left the Island, and the loss of Aaron remains her biggest preoccupation. By the time she meets Jin, Aaron is a boy almost old enough for preschool, and Claire must be painfully aware of the fact that she doesn't know a thing about her own child. Here are some musings from her during Lighthouse, to the tune of Wherever You Are, from Pooh's Grand Adventure.

Whoever You Are

Hear me, son.
Hear me from afar.
Remember me,
Whoever you are.

Since you were snatched away,
I don’t know who you’ve become,
But I love you.
When sleeping or at play,
Hope you recollect your mum,
For I love you.

I need you to know that I love you,
And I mourn for the years that we’ve lost.
I’m singing Catch a Falling Star
And wishing Charlie’s old guitar
Played this lullaby for you,
Whoever you are.

What makes you laugh?
What makes you smile?
What do you do here on this isle?

Or was I fed a lie?
If you left this place with Kate,
I would kill her.
I’d want to find out why.
Once she set the record straight,
I would kill her.

I’d hate her for making you love her
If the story that Jin tells is true.

I’m singing Catch a Falling Star
And wishing Charlie’s old guitar,
Sweetest sound I ever knew
Except the music of your coo,
Accompanied my song for you,
Whoever you are.
Whoever you are.

Let's Start Over (Teach Your Children, Graham Nash)

"I will always love you, no matter what you do. In my eyes you can never fail. I just wanna be a part of your life."
- Jack, Lighthouse

Jack's always had major issues with his father, so it's little surprise that he and his son would have a similar dynamic. But it looks like Sideways Jack and David are headed for a healthier relationship. Here's a song to the tune of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's Teach Your Children.

Let’s Start Over

Jack: Hey, you were great tonight.
You got it right with no correction.
You claim some notes were wrong;
To me, that song was pure perfection.

You can play so well. If you can’t tell,
I am impressed, son,
And don’t you ever think my love could shrink.
You did your best, son.

I was scared of failure too,
But no matter what you do,
David, I will still love you.
So let’s start over.

David: I‘m shocked but glad you’re here.
(Jack: I have made big mistakes,)
David: Are you sincere when you give applause, Dad?
(Jack: Put you under too much pressure.)
David: You say I play like I’m a pro.
(Jack: Don’t you see the love in my face?)
David: Thanks for not noticing the flaws, Dad.
(Jack: Have some pizza back at my place.)

David: Whether I excel or don’t do well,
Will you clap loudly?
And when I share my dreams,
Will you support me and smile proudly?

I have kept my distance too,
And I thought that we were through,
But I love you, Dad. I do.
So let’s start over.

My Beacon on the Water (Candle on the Water, Al Kasha / Joel Hirschhorn)

"I'm here because I need you." - Jacob, Lighthouse

As soon as I heard that the name of this week's LOST episode was Lighthouse, I immediately thought of Pete's Dragon's Candle on the Water, one of my all-time favorite Disney songs. Once I saw it, I found the song every bit as applicable as I'd suspected. Here's a little reflection from the perspective of Jacob, talking to Hurley.

My Beacon on the Water

Come to my beacon on the water.
Tell Jack that he has what it takes.
I know that he will learn because of this small journey.
What a difference some perspective makes!

Come to my beacon on the water.
Travel together like old days.
Say you’re a Candidate. When you cross paths with Katie,
Leave her to the trail that she must blaze.

My ways are always enigmatic,
But you are wiser than you’ve ever guessed,
And once you’ve seen my secret attic
High above the sand,
You will understand.

Come to my beacon on the water.
Sometimes a taxi talk for two
Is all the drive that’s needed; my advice is heeded.
Sometimes it takes an ocean view
To work out what to do.
I’m counting on you, Hugo.
Glad I can count on you.
Glad I can count on you…

“Sometimes You Can Just Hop in the Back of Someone’s Cab and Tell ‘Em What They’re Supposed to Do..."

“Other times, you have to let them look out at the ocean for a while.”

“I’ll be your candle on the water. My love for you will always burn. I know you’re lost and drifting, but the clouds are lifting. Don’t give up; you have somewhere to turn. I’ll be your candle on the water ‘til every wave is warm and bright. My heart is here beside you. Let my candle guide you. Soon you’ll see a golden stream of light. A cold and friendless tide has found you. Don’t let the stormy darkness pull you down. I’ll paint a ray of hope around you, circling in the air, lighted by a prayer, a prayer… I’ll be your candle on the water. This flame inside of me will grow. Keep holding on; you’ll make it. Here’s my hand so take it. Look for me, reaching out to show as sure as rivers flow, I’ll never let you go…”

Yes, that’s right. I just quoted the entirety of Candle on the Water, from Pete’s Dragon. From memory, because I could sing that song in my sleep. Hearing that this episode was called Lighthouse, I immediately thought of the song, and I think now that whenever I hear it, I will imagine that Jacob is the singer, the one who puts out his beacon to summon his wayfaring chosen ones, who gently encourages them in their darkest moments although they are often unaware of it. And “Here’s my hand, so take it?” I mean, come on… Oh, and I love “A lighthouse? I don’t understand, how is it we didn’t see it before?” Hurley’s answer: “I guess we weren’t looking for it.” Seek and ye shall find, my friends. And Jack’s little speech about how his son can do no wrong in his eyes, how he will always love him, how he just wants to be a part of his life… That felt very Jacobean to me.

Who did Jacob want to summon? Well, as I’ve always associated this particular song with Desmond, thinking of Penny as the speaker, and as Eloise claimed that the Island wasn’t done with him yet - and this Scot-loving gal says it darned well better not be - my vote is with Mr. Hume, though I had to laugh because when Nathan and I compared notes, he immediately said Widmore. Maybe they’ll both come! Oh, wouldn’t that be a happy reunion?? Poor Charles. I strongly suspect that before this is all over he and Penny will reconcile, and we’ll find out that he actually has deep respect for Desmond, and only pushed all his buttons to get him to fulfill his Island destiny.

I loved Lighthouse. I loved how much we got to see of Jacob, first and foremost. Might he actually be a pretty regular character this season? That prospect excites me so much. I love that Hurley went ahead and compared him to Obi-Wan Kenobi, because I’ve been thinking that for a long time, since there was such an “If you strike me down now, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine” vibe to his last scene in The Incident, and since he now is appearing to Hurley much as Obi-Wan appeared to Luke. I love it because Hurley speaks for us. And because he loves Star Wars so much that he wrote his own version of The Empire Strikes Back. And because I think the first explicit reference to Star Wars on the show was when he congratulated Jack on his “Jedi moment” with Shannon when she lost her inhalers in Confidence Man.

Her inhalers. I am so glad that I watched that video of the LOST panel at Comic-Con, because I’m certain that was an inside joke just for the fans devoted enough to have attended that or watched the coverage. It was funny enough at the panel when Jorge, unleashing a barrage of questions on Darlton, asked, as an example of mysteries still left unresolved, “When Sayid tortured Sawyer to get Shannon’s inhalers, only he didn’t have them… Well, what happened to the inhalers?” We all had a good belly laugh over the idea of resolving such an inconsequential mystery. And then, lying there on the jungle floor just feet away from where Shannon probably had been… were the inhalers. I just about died laughing, unabashed by the funny looks Mom and Dad gave me. Priceless.

Of course, I was on the lookout for White Rabbit parallels, and I found them in spades. Both are about Jack dealing with his father issues. In this episode, he himself is a father, which is totally weird. And who is the mother? If it’s Sarah, they met in a very different way than in the original timeline. The fact that we didn’t see her rather makes me suspect it’s someone different.

His son’s name is David, which feels significant, especially since he kept repeating it, like they really wanted it to sink in. For now, all I can come up with is how utterly appropriate Hallelujah is to that fractured relationship: “I heard there was a secret chord that David played, and it pleased the Lord, but you don’t really care for music, do ya?” And there’s David clandestinely playing his music, not knowing his dad is there, and thinking he doesn’t care, or not wanting him to anyway, because he fears failure too much. Interesting that he attends a Catholic school, though since he mostly lives with his mother, that’s not necessarily indicative of a more faith-embracing Jack. Note, though, that David and Daniel, who seems a beautiful combination of Faith and Science, both played Chopin on the piano…

Coming upon the cave was, of course, another iconic White Rabbit moment. And the best? Jack staring out at the ocean, in unknowing communion with Jacob, just as he sat in silent communion with Rose at the end of White Rabbit. In that episode, Hurley wanted Jack to boss him around; he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t giving them instructions. Here, Hurley was calling the shots, while Jack meekly followed. (How perfect is it, by the way, that Shephard’s number is 23? And, for that matter, that bad-luck Hurley gets the magic 8...) And there’s Jack smashing his father’s empty coffin to pieces and the glass in his Island father’s empty lighthouse to pieces. Oh, and there was a rabbit with a white front, and Alice in Wonderland.

Beyond episode parallels, after waxing alchemical with my friend Beth, I was on the lookout for albedo images. Yet another person looking in the mirror in the bathroom, and with the water running. (And for sheer hilarity, can we include Old Spice dude and pretend LOST saw to it that he was there on purpose?) There was Jack and Dogen meeting by a reflective pool, and in a gentle rain no less, and Jacob sitting by the spring. More images of the ocean, out by the lighthouse. Kate by the creek. The waterfalls by the cave. For the second week in a row, one character offering another an alcoholic beverage, which the recipient does not drink. Of course, there was the aforementioned Alice in Wonderland, an essential LOST text involving a looking-glass. And you wanna talk about mirror imagery? Good golly, how about that shattered-into-a-million-pieces mirror in the lighthouse?

I like Dogen more with each passing episode, and I love the rapport he and Jack are developing. Two worthy leaders, from what I can see. So sweet to see them exchanging pleasantries in Sideways World, especially after their respectful conversation at the Temple. No Lennon this time, but while I really like him too, I can’t say I missed him much. Too much other great stuff going on. I was ecstatic to see Justin alive and semi-well… but oh, the synchronized scream from Mom and me when he got an axe to the abdomen! I imagine that Jin now changed his story because he wants to get back to the safety of the Temple, having realized that Claire is more than a little unhinged. But with Smokey showing up, I’m sure he’ll be trying to win Jin over with promises of a reunion with Sun.

Sideways Claire is a menace who strongly resembles the Rousseau we met in Solitary. Crazy hair, alarming traps, major trust issues, complete obsession with the abduction of her baby. Yes, she’s dark. But there’s also still a naivety about her, a sweet vulnerability, especially when she talks of her conspicuously nameless “friend” and asks Jin if they are still friends. She speaks as someone who’s been burned, who believes, as Ben does, that “It’s no use having friends you can’t trust.” She feels that she was abandoned. And she probably didn’t flash through time. She’s been living out in the wild, sometimes accompanied by Christian and Smokey, for three years. Question: Has she seen Smokey like John before, or are they now so connected that she can look right through his current skin to see the entity underneath? Oh, and her line “If there’s one thing around here that will kill you, it’s infection”? That ain’t the half of it…

We saw little of Sayid or Miles this week. Very interesting that Jack would just go ahead and tell Sayid about the poison pill. Good idea, bad idea? People seem surprisingly forthright in general this season. Everybody’s finally getting some answers. I loved the little tic tac toe game Miles and Hurley had going. What a hoot! But can we please see a little more of Miles? He’s being totally underused right now.

Given that I was sure I’d heard Jacob’s voice in the preview saying, “Someone is coming to the Island,” I figured we’d be seeing him again, but I still squealed with delight when he turned up at the magic spring. And I cracked up over Hurley writing notes all over his arm, especially after all the kerfuffle with Sarah Palin, especially knowing that this episode was in the can months before that happened. Synchronicity! And I love Hurley’s newfound sense of purpose, which gives him such conviction, though he’s not afraid to question and get a little agitated. But only a little. Hurley is the little child one must be to enter the kingdom of Heaven. So he follows, and he leads, and occasionally he asks Jacob the sorts of things we all want to know (and I especially loved his musings that Adam and Eve could be two of them after having traveled far back in time), but if he doesn’t get any very solid answers, he shrugs it off. It’s his way.

How fantastic was the score tonight? I was hyper-aware of it. All of the strains of Jacob’s theme from the opening scene of The Incident. The adventurish music that accompanied Hurley’s breakout plan, and later trekking through the jungle. And the way the score fused with David’s piano playing was soul-stirringly gorgeous, a perfect musical representation of what was happening between father and son. Also, I absolutely loved “You have what it takes.” Fist pump! Don’t listen to your dad, Jack; you’re good enough, you’re smart enough, and doggone it, people like you!

After the absolute mind-altering brilliance that was The Substitute, I wasn’t so sure how this episode would measure up, but it felt every bit as fantastic to me as last week’s, and I’m all aquiver with anticipation for Sundown. (And can we get some Gordon Lightfoot on the ol’ Dharma record player, please?) Aside from that happy thought, and the obvious pun on Sun’s name, the title feels ominous. Could this be the move into rubedo? I associate sundown with a blood-red sky. And we know a war is coming. Perhaps it starts next week. Shudder. And I’m guessing Hurley and Jack will go back; I don’t think they can leave their friends in the lurch, nor do I think Jacob honestly expects them to. So dangerous times ahead. And there’s also Hurley’s troubling red shirt, which I really wish he’d permanently retire. And yet… you know what else is red? Ketchup. Really good ketchup worthy of the song Anticipation. Oh yes, I am anticipating something amazing…