Lost 2.11: The Others Show Up for a Party

Jack and some friends finally meet up for a party with the leader of the Others. It turns out to be a short lived celebration.

After this episode, we can now say we are enlightened compared to before we had watched this show. But as enlightened as we are, we still know jack shit about the Others. The show was the perfect setup to introduce the Others to our cast of characters. Michael pulls a schizophrenic move, knocks out Locke, threatens Jack with what looks like an AK and then goes commando on his trek to find Walk, “alone” as he puts it. This raises as many questions as it answers from last episode.


From his actions, and the fact that Locke reveals that Michael is walking in a straight path north, we can surmise that in the transmissions through the computer “Walt” told Michael where to go. I use quotations for Walt’s name for obvious reasons. When the Others trap Jack & Friends for a nice little chat, it becomes PAINFULLY obvious that the Others were the ones who were in fact talking to Michael through the computer. They knew where exactly he’d be and either a) surprised him and captured him or b) surprised him and killed him. We cannot be sure. But one thing we know is that, damn. Those Others are awesome and adept at hiding and tracking. When the leader yelled, “LIGHT ‘EM UP!”, wow. Nice dramatic effect. But the only thing I have to gripe about was… how the hell did they light their torches instantaneously like that? And then almost as expertly wiped out the flames? What their skill does show, though, is that they have been on this island for a long, long time now. It is possibly the reason why they know it so well.


The most intriguing aspect of their chat was the fact that they knew all facts about Jack & Friends. If you remember back to the episode, The Other 48 Days, there was an outsider who had infiltrated their ranks and had compiled a list of all of them. This kind of ties his actions in with those of these Others. I don’t know if it debunks the theory of two groups of Others, but it seriously undermines it. But one aspect that seems to solidify it is the interaction Jack has with Bearded Man. Jack mentions Ethan and how he had to infiltrate their ranks to get close to them. Bearded Man’s reaction appears to be telling. It seems that he doesn’t know what Jack is talking about. He doesn’t address the question specifically either, which again supports the theory of two groups of Others. Interesting.

The last few minutes really showcase Jack’s character flaws. He can’t lose. He can’t be the one responsible for losing. He HAS to be perfect. He even waits until the LAST possible moment to save Kate’s life! It’s accentuated by the fact that he goes to the most hated survivor, SNARL, and asks her the ultimate question which changes the tone of the whole show: how long do you think would it take to train an army? With that one line we’ve gone from weak, lonely, sympathetic survivors to the aggressors. They are now the ones who are trying to start shit. The Others are fine with leaving them be in their own side of the island. But Jack can’t have that. HE has to win. HE has to be right. HE has changed the show with that one line. I cannot wait for next week’s episode for when the Others flex their muscle and just own Jack’s face.