Analysis: 4.8 Meet Kevin Johnson
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By AngeloComet
- Analysis: 4.8 Meet Kevin Johnson
- Created: Mar 24, 2008
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 4.8: Meet Kevin Johnson
- Status: Current
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The beauty of Lost is you can believe on a level you are happy to invest in.
— AngeloComet
Black and white. Always been a subtle element within Lost right back from the time Locke held up two backgammon pieces to Walt and told him: “Two sides. One is light. One is dark.” And with the episode Meet Kevin Johnson that distinction between opposites was presented for our consideration, with Ben and Michael. Yes, there is the crass black and white parallel (Ben’s white, Mike’s black!) but the real parallel concerns the lengths a father will go to for their child. To state the matter plainly: Either Ben and Michael have both proven they will murder other people to protect their child, or Ben really is a “good guy”, and as such is the other side, the white to Michael’s black.
Ben – “I don’t blame you, Michael. We did have your boy. What wouldn’t a man do for his son?”
The episode was, I think, pushing the possibility that Ben was responsible for the ambush on Alex, Danielle and Karl. Contrasting what Michael did for Walt against what Ben might have done for Alex. We know Ben is protective of Alex, that he apparently had Karl locked in a cage and then brainwashed in Room 23 purely because of his relationship with her. Ben later said his actions were an over-reaction. If that was an over-reaction, then what do you call murder? He saw Alex and Karl, with their arms around one another, gazing at baby Aaron and, knowing pregnancy is a death sentence on the Island perhaps he decided to remove the possibility completely? (He’s already made sly mention to Karl about “sleeping with my daughter” during the episode Confirmed Dead.) He has pure motive.
But let’s hold on here. Because I believe Ben really is the white to Michael’s black in this instance. Whilst the episode did suggest that Ben sent Alex, Danielle and Karl on their way to an ambush he had somehow set up, I don’t think that was the way of it. The matter of how he would set up the ambush in the first place is hard to imagine. The fact that it would have been an Other shooting Karl dead is tough to comprehend (they’d just shoot one of their own like that? not sticking to their ‘eye for an eye’ justice code?). And Danielle had been wandering the Island for 16 years, untouched and unbothered by The Others, then at the drop of a hat they put a bullet in her? Doesn’t make sense. I always liked to believe Danielle had purpose, that there was a reason for her being left alone and alive, so I hope she isn’t actually dead.
“I’m Ben’s daughter!” Alex yelled in surrender. She wouldn’t need to announce who she was if she thought it was The Others. She believes it’s The Freighter people, and she announces herself to ensure her value to them is understood. And I think Alex is right. I think the shooter(s) is/are from The Freighter, possibly dropped onto the Island by Frank (remember how he nipped away in his helicopter in the previous episode?). This being true, it means Alex will be delivered into enemy hands and, suddenly, Ben will be the father forced to question how far he is willing to go to protect his child. Oh the irony.
Tellingly, if this is the case, it means Ben has made his first major mistake. The all-knowing mastermind’s first mis-step. Perhaps this is how he will eventually wind up off-Island, using Sayid as his assassinating puppet. Maybe Ben will surrender the Island for the sake of his daughter. Maybe those are the lengths he, as a father, will go to. Alongside this, I think we witnessed part of the reason Sayid will be humbled enough to come to work for Ben in the future; he instantly gave Michael up as a traitor upon learning he was working for Ben. Oh, the irony! Perhaps he should have thought less with his heart?
Frustratingly we were never shown how Michael and Walt got themselves back to New York after leaving the Island on that tiny boat, but we know they managed to do it very discreetly and that somewhere along the way Michael told Walt about shooting Ana Lucia and Libby. A very disappointed Walt therefore turned his back on Michael, and Michael was driven, literally, to suicide. Bad news for suicidal Island-elopers is that there’s an Island force that stops you from killing yourself.
That the Island has some kind of a will does, at first, seem kind of silly. It’s certainly hard to comprehend scientifically. However, it can be reconciled with the idea of a grand design – of purpose on a large scale. The passengers of Oceanic 815, with their criss-crossing lives and chequered destiny’s all slot into this large, Lost puzzle. Only at the end will the design make sense. Only at the end will a force that can stop a gun from firing be seen as cosmically viable in the Lost universe. The same way, when Jack was about to leap off a bridge during Through The Looking Glass, a car crash occurred to appeal to his innate urge to save people and stop his suicidal act.
Or maybe, for the men of science amongst us, the reason there was a car crash on a bridge was because the driver lost concentration due to staring at Jack about to jump off the side. And the reason Michael’s gun didn’t fire was because Tom took it off him and disabled the firing pin without Michael noticing. The beauty of Lost is you can believe on a level you are happy to invest in; whatever works for you.
Ben must surely have reasons for selecting Michael for The Freighter task. Since his own people can come and go from the Island with ease, and have the wherewithal to generate fake passports and get a place on The Freighter, any Other could have done it. Instead, Tom was sent over at great lengths to ensure Michael was the one. Again, this makes sense. Ben’s repeated insistence has been to never let people leave the Island. I’m willing to bet that in flashforwards, Ben, whilst working to thwart Widmore, will also be angling to get the Oceanic 6 back to the Island also.
Widmore was further presented as the ultimate nemesis of Ben’s. Another black to his white, if you like. Frank Lapidus remarked to Kevin Johnson/Michael Dawson that Widmore, the owner of The Freighter, believes that the wreck of Oceanic 815 was a fake, unaware of the fact that Widmore believed as much because he put it there! (Once again: oh the irony!)
Using the corpses of Thais to populate as passengers, this should hopefully, once and for all, silence the lunatic fringe that believe Oceanic 815 was cloned, or sent into a different time dimension. The real plane crashed. The other plane was faked so that people would stop looking for the real one and, in doing so, potentially discover the Island that Widmore wants all to himself. It’s that simple. The existence of the Oceanic 6 doesn’t contradict the faked wreckage; all 324 passengers were assumed dead and no bodies were actually recovered. No one actually went down and counted all the bodies; all 324 were assumed dead. It’s that simple.
All of this information was relayed by Tom. Since his “You’re not my type” comment to Kate in the locker room during A Tale Of Two Cities we’ve all known he was probably gay. Arturo was living confirmation. Poor Arturo wasn’t to know that, mere weeks later, big Tom would be on his knees on a beach where a con man known as Sawyer shoots him dead. But Tom wasn’t the only person back from the dead in this episode.
Was Libby a pure manifestation of Michael’s guilt haunting him, conjured from his sub-conscious? Or evidence of this Island force existing around Michael, reminding him of the debt he owes and his need to save his fellow Oceanic passengers? Believe whatever you want, on whatever level you’re prepared to invest in. Either way, Michael’s purpose is not yet complete. “I’m here to die,” he remarked to Sayid. ‘NOT YET’ flagged up the little note in unmistakable black letters on white paper when he attempted to do just that.
It’s a message that could have come straight from the Island itself. Not yet, Kevin Johnson. Not yet, Michael Dawson. The Island needs you. It would seem, given the inherent misery and guilt the Oceanic 6 have been shown to be riddled with, once you’re a part of the Island you’re never quite complete without it, and it’s never quite complete without you.
Hurley – “I don’t think we did the right thing, Jack. I think it wants us to come back… And it’s going to do everything it can…” (Hurley to Jack, Season 4, Episode 1: The Beginning Of The End)
The thing I think was very clever about the episode last night was that once again, it highlighted the apparent “fate” of an individual, and for once it wasn’t Desmond, it was Michael this time. Tom inferred that the island wouldn’t let him kill himself. A great idea in itself, with the island being this omnipotent being that controls everyone’s lives who comes into contact with it. Yeah - get real(!) As you can probably guess by now, I’m not a believer in fate, more that people make their own destiny. And I think this argument between fate or not was clearly highlighted for me in this latest Lost outing.
Previously I was in the camp of - faith v science, in the end Lost will not show you which is right, its up to you. Its all about perspective. Now I’m in a completely different and slightly more controversial camp.
Now I believe its all about using science to manipulate a person’s faith. People that are “amenable for coercion” if you will. Take the three main people who have been shown the “true” nature of the island and have been subjected to the “fate” which it supplies. Locke. Desmond. Michael. Locke has blindly followed the island’s “will” because of the fact he can walk - something which I believe will be explained scientifically in the end. Desmond has been manipulated through his love for Penny and his desire to prove he’s not a coward, and Michael well simply “Waaaaaaaaaaaaaalt” (god I shuddered when they showed the “Previously on Lost” bit last night! :-))
Taking the recent example of Michael - ask yourself this. If the gun was never going to kill Michael in the alley, why did Tom stop him from pulling the trigger there and then. The island surely would protect Michael right? Wrong. As you allude to AC, the gun was either tampered with in the struggle, or Tom just handed him a different gun, that was broken. Either way now when Michael pulls the trigger, he isn’t going to get shot. Interestingly (and lucky for Tom) we don’t see Michael try other ways to kill himself, because that might scupper the grand scheme eh? Lucky then I suppose that the discovery of Oceanic Flight 815 was showing on most TV channels at the right time.
Part 2 to follow…
Part 2:
Right - step back - apologies for the micro-theory, but I just thought I’d put it out there for your perusal. With regards the ambush, I just don’t see it being the Others, unless Ben gave orders to kill anyone that came to the Temple that wasn’t Alex. Who knows. I agree with you though, the more likely explanation is thats its some of our freightor people again.
Annoyed about the Rousseau death, because her back story NEEDS explaining, and unless someone within her backstory is still alive (say Alpert) then I imagine its going to be hard to detail what happened to her 16 years ago.
I also agree about Sayid, I took this as a reference of “thinking with your heart” but I don’t believe this was entirely what Ben was alluding to in The Economist. We have more Sayid mistakes to come methinks.
(exhale) Oh and +1!
Excellent recap. You keep me on my toes, AC… I love hearing your contemplating thoughts. Very astute, as always. +1
staypuft “Interestingly (and lucky for Tom) we don’t see Michael try other ways to kill himself, because that might scupper the grand scheme eh?”
What the hell do you mean? He drove into a metal crate at the end of that pier over 100 miles an hour without a seatbelt. If that’s not fate, or what-have-you call it, then I don’t know what is.
By the way, excellent observations AC +1
So, now were left with a mini cliffhanger in the tradition of Dallas… “Who shot K & R?”.
My first thought was that it was the others protecting the Temple, but now I am leaning toward it being a Widmore team, and not necessarily the group of goons on the freighter.
I think the timeline dealing with Lapidus’s “errand” merits more scrutiny.
lol sham….who shot K R
Nice Analysis, I also believe Tom may have jammed the gun. I was wondering if post Michaels failed suicide, team Tom step in to take advantage of the situation, twist his mind and use his confusion.
+1
+1 Angelo, ever the brilliant analyst. :) You just keep getting better and better. IMHO
Sham, too funny! Do you rememer Dallas?
Great recap AC +1 Good comment / theory , staypuft +1 to you also :)
This guy scares me to death, I think he shot K R
It is a valid observation fivestades however driving that car as quickly as Michael did and no whiplash (yes there was a neck brace but this was just in the hospital), broken ribs or even cuts and scratches from the broken glass does not seem possible.
I have read the other theories on the timeline for Michael’s off island activities and it appears pretty tight cutting down the possibility for healing time. The only way he is walking around looking that well is if the island healing properties are in play or the island simply will not let him die.
Otherwise given how fast he was driving that car he should be looking more like beat up pinata at a 10 year’s birthday rather than a man who looks like he went for a GP check up.
Good to have one of the series better actors back as well!
AC, I will admit that I didn’t even read this theory. I haven’t been on since the beginning of this season because I am attempting to be as spoiler free as possible… however, there is a break and I came back hoping to see a rundown on The Tempest. Where is it?! WHERE IS IT?! Haha… you better get on that because I will be disapointed if you don’t do it. You are my go-to source for everything Dharma Stations.
I think you have a few holes this week.
The fact that it would have been an Other shooting Karl dead is tough to comprehend (they’d just shoot one of their own like that? not sticking to their ‘eye for an eye’ justice code?).
Umm… Karl betrayed the others in a manner that led to the death of six — including Mr. Friendly. From their vantage point, Karl is a traitor and death is an appropriate punishment.
it means Ben has made his first major mistake.
Ben is always scheming, but this would not be his first major mistake… Once again, we can look to his sending his troops into an ambush. On a personal level, we can also look to his botched attempt at a date with Juliet. I also believe that his getting caught in Danielle’s trap (as Henry Gale) was not purposeful. On one level or another, these are all major mistakes.
unaware of the fact that Widmore believed as much because he put it there! (Once again: oh the irony!)
Fact? Is that a fact?
And these are without considering the black and white issues. You certainly can’t make Michael the white (as in good), but to make Ben the white is an equal travesty. Ben is, at best, gray — do we not also believe that he sent Juliet’s lover to his death out of a warped sense of ownership/jealousy? Is Ben not responsible for the purge? Ben may be doing everything for a greater good, but that does not make him white.
“We’re the good guys, Michael.” — not from my seat.
Yes, I do annie… Is my age showing again?
Where is that it is finally at rest that Aaron is part of the Oceanic 6. Are people still holding on to the false belief that it is not him but someone else.
I have been looking forward to your analysis of Meet KJ & it was worth the wait. +1 & THANKS!!!!
The O6 weren’t featured in this episode, abc — why should there identities be part of Angelo’s summary of it? Your comment/criticism is in the wrong thread.
abc…you are really beginning to borderline-obsess about the 0_6 & Aaron….chill….let’s avoid starting crap on the “better posts” like AC’s.
+1 AC. A few holes as been mentioned but good all the same.
I believe that it is the freighter people who shot K R, I just can’t see what purpose Ben would have in killing Rousseau. Though as I type that the thought occurs that he could be jealous of the relationship that is developing between them. If it is the Ben’s doing though he will have surely LOST Alex as how could she ever forgive this act.
Love it, AC. I think it was the freighties that killed Rousseau and Karl as well.
Ben must surely have reasons for selecting Michael for The Freighter task. Since his own people can come and go from the Island with ease, and have the wherewithal to generate fake passports and get a place on The Freighter, any Other could have done it.
You are right, any Other could do it. However, I think it is pretty clear that this is a suicide mission so why would they? They chose Michael because he is searching for redemption and suicide and they are giving it to him. That is why an Other isnt infiltrating the freighter.
Oh I hope he dies soon, I dont like his character. Hehe.
Great analysis, as usual. I always look forward to reading your posts. +1
+1 Excellent analysis. Very insightful. There will always be some holes - this is Lost we are talking about, and that’s what makes talking about it so much fun.
I liked the comment about Ben bieng grey…perhaps the point is, while it or they (Ben and Michael) appear to Black/White they are really just scrambling somewhere in all those grey areas.
Really good recap of MKJ…but I think mainly you just like to hear yourself talk. You tore me a new one for “suggesting” that we take a fresh look at Widmore (in my latest theory “What did Charles EVER do to us?”). Only to put Ben in your “good guy section” in your first paragraph. I guess you WOULD trash mine since it contradicts your latest posting. So im returning the favor.
And AC…”What wouldnt a man do for his daughter?” As in relation to Widmore-Penny!
And one more thing…..on the whole Michael trying to kill himself. I admit its hard to believe that he wouldnt end up crashing through his windshield when he smashed into that Metal crate. And the whole gun thing. But here is my explanation: First, think back to Des going into the jewelery store….the lady in there was a plant…..SO maybe the pawn shop guy was too…and he gave Michael a LOST-gun that wasnt going to work. And If the island people know what and where and how people are going to “off” themselves, then maybe they re-inforced Michaels car so that it could take a head-on collision. Ooooh, am I going to far “out there” for you Angelo?
Peace out.
Fine Work AC +1 From me….
Must confess though i’m also mighty curious as to how Michael & Walt escaped the island in that little tinny boat they set off in.
Hopefully this will be revealed in future episodes as they cannot have gone straight to land - unless of course the land is alot closer than we think following the 325 bearing.
Anyone concerned over the possible Death of Rousseau should probably relax a little, i’d like to beleive that the writers have bigger plans for her and would not kill her off so tamely. I’d like to think that a flashback episode perhaps looms, unveiling a few more secrets for us all ;-)
Sham, it wasn’t until you just admitted remembering it. lol
Hey JW, nice to ‘see’ you again!
Thanks for the comments everyone. I appreciate the time you’ve taken. The debates and counterarguments make it worthwhile posting here. Allow me to respond!
StayPuft - I agree with you on every point you make. I think your first thought about fate is the most preferable; if the Island is to be touted as having a power of control over people I’d prefer it to be handled as it was in this episode; with room for doubt.
I hope Rousseau ain’t dead - but a character’s death doesn’t mean their story can’t be told; though admittedly a full-on flashback story would be too much to hope for!
Sealost A fair point, not easily argued around. However, maybe Michael did just happen to survive, and perhaps the fact he survived allowed Ben/Tom aware that he would be “amenable to coercion”. What I mean is: Michael was not intended to be used at all, but then he survived a usually-fatal car wreck and was an easy target to convince into a belief that the Island wouldn’t allow him to die.
(This is not a theory I fully support, by the way - but I do like to tackle all notions from all angles and test how robust they are.)
Sham - You’re right about Lapidus’ errand. It’s obvious he was ‘up to something’, but I do worry about his direct involvement with a sniper assassination. He seems too nice to be getting involved with that business!
If there’s any research regarding timelines to be done, you’re the man for it.
Fivestades - We’re on the same wavelength (something I didn’t realise when I made my above comment!) Pantlessjoe - my only response against your fine observation is that stranger things have happened!
Annie - Thanks. I found this week’s episode a lot easier to write. Ji Yeon for example, was torturous!
JW - Not a chance am I getting involved in more Dharma Station essays (I did inwardly groan when The Tempest was revealed) whilst Season 4 is in play. After S4 is done, in the hiatus, probably then I’ll have a run at whatever new stations have come about. I noted, with another inward groan, that The Temple was denoted with a Dharma logo on the map. . .!
Chuck - Fair point about Karl’s betrayal. I still stand by it being The Freighties as snipers, but you’re right; from The Others’ view Karl is as viable a target as anyone else non-Other.
Ben’s mistakes, in the case of sending Others to their deaths, are debatable about whether he intended them or not. I called it a “major” mistake because, if it is an error, it’s at the cost of his daughter’s life and perhaps his rule over the Island. (Like you, I believe he stumbled into Rousseau’s trap - an argument I’ve had long and hard with Lojozz for a couple of years now!)
I should clarify the black/white Michael/Ben comment. The definitions stemmed only from their behaviour regarding their own children. In that instance, Michael willingly murdered. My point was that Ben didn’t (if he didn’t set up the ambush). I would never go so far as to characterise either of them as definitely ‘good’ or ‘bad’ in any respect. All the Lost are shaded in grey as far as I can tell. Except Bernard and Rose and maybe Hurley!
Did Widmore plant the fake plane? I think so. Is that a fact fact? No. But it’s more viable than any other explanation. So, until I hear otherwise, it’s the stance I’m defending.
Good comments, Chuck!
LJ - I sense you’re climbing down from your argument regarding Rousseau and aligning with my point that I made all those years ago! (Heh heh!) I’m not counting my chickens yet, but I think one of them has laid an egg destined for your face.
Appolobar - I’m not so sure it is a suicide mission. I think Michael was swayed into the belief that it was (ostensibly he was a suicide bomber) but the ‘Not Yet’ message changed the parameters of it. What the endgame is now I can’t imagine.
Razor - I addressed your qualms on the post you made. A counter-argument does not equal me “tearing you a new one”. (See Chuck’s comments on this same thread; someone who has argued against most of the points in the post reasonably and, in my opinion, acceptably.)
And no, your idea about the reinforced car is not too “out there”. I don’t believe it, mind! :o)
Chilost I’ve got the feeling they avoided the whole journey of Michael and Walt because Walt’s too big and grown-up now so they couldn’t show it. I think we’ll only ever get shown, or informed, of how journeying from the Island to the real world is done without ever actually seeing the journey Michael and Walt made - purely because of the logistics of Walt’s size.
Everyone else - Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. I need a lie down. Laters.
AC, oh come on now. You love the Dharma stations. Seriously, you provided a lot of insight regarding them. Even die hard fans learned something from you regarding those damned stations. Every time I see a new station I get all excited because I think they maybe my favorite part of the show… to a point. I think I am more interested in what Dharma was up to on that island, why they love it so, what led them there, how they found it, etc. Those questions from first two seasons are burning holes in my brain.
Hey Ang, I apologize if my tone came off as confrontational, maybe it was a bit….but upon further thought, i think im a little sensitive, maybe too sensitive about criticism, and I REALLY shouldnt be. In a sense, Im making peace here. Your work on this site is commendable. Consider me your devils advocate, If I argue with you…its just for the sake of arguement….But I consider us all part of the same team here. So happy LOST hunting….to us all. And thanks dude.
Cheers AC! So tempted to create a topic about Ben getting caught in Rousseau’s net on purpose now!
See you around mate! :-)
Razor, Feel free to join me as AC’s “devils advocate”. I rarely give AC a break, and consider myself to be his “arch-nemesis”, muuaaahaaa!
I commend you for speaking your truth, even if it was harsh. And for making your apologies. Bravo! AC has a tough skin and can take the criticism I feel, if delivered well.
That being said, AC, as always well written, even though you may not have hit all the marks. Where I feel you do miss the mark, is with the unwillingness to embrace “the paranormal aspects”, which are certainly part of the story line. It is not all about science.
I agree that we have gone too far to the extremes in terms of science or mysticism being used to explain the show. I think both will have to be utilized, and utilized well to satisfy the viewers.
Hey Dabi, LOL!!! I WILL join you in that arch nemesis stuff!! But I will def try to be less sensitive! Consider me a rock! A debating never-quiting ROCK. Muah-hahaha. (lol) . Hey AC, you’re gonna have your hands full with the 2 of us. (is it redundant to say Muah-hahaha again?, lol)
Why am I the only one who reads everything and thinks to self “brilliant…yes…of course”? I will be doing mind exercises over the break to build up some lost-confidence. lol? XXXOOO
Hi Razor, Glad to hear you have joined me, although I haven’t seen any sign of AC today.
I believe the knowledge of you and I joining forces, likely has him propped up on several pillows, tepid compresses to the forehead, while sipping hot tea! LOL
No worries, AC. Razor and I look forward to your next post and will both be here to give honest critique! muaahaaha
Razor, I must say, you are a bad influence on me! I need very little encouragement, you know. lol
blondegop - please do not think you are the only one! I am such a sucker! I read most posts and say to myself “That’s IT!!!!” Only to go read one that totally contradicts that one and say “No, THAT is it!!” Seems I am either gullible or just cant make my mind up. I like to think of it as open minded, but I am sure there are some on this site that would totally disagree. sigh
Appolobar…thanks….I feel a little better :) I was on the verge of going on a lost theories-hiatus….due to lack of theories, intelligent input, & reoccurring headaches…I think I may have more to offer at cosmopolitan.com, but LOST just pulls me in..lol:)
AC, good rundown. One point I have to disagree with, though. It’s true that the 815 that was found was a fake, but that does not eliminate the possibility that the real 815 went through some sort of time dimension, and not having to have been cloned.
Regarding Alex, I think Ben might have intended for her to be captured by his enemies, if he suspects she might be pregnant. It would be a sure way of getting her off the island.
I have difficulty considering the island as having a will, unless it would be the collective will of all who have died there.
Appolobar and Blondegop, I do the same thing, many times over, for well over a year now. Sorry, but it’s only the beginning for you, resign yourselves to it because once you start you never stop.
BTW, Hi Annie! I missed your comment above when I was reading through them. I hope you are great and enjoying season 4! I sure know I am regardless of all those other people who are saying it sucks and nothing is happening. I think they are just spoiled idiots who don’t love the show as much as we do. Later!
Ozzig - Since you pointed me towards your comment here I must assume your remark about Oceanic 815 still being viable for cloning/time dimension travelling was a tongue-in-cheek joke designed to try and wind me up.
I ain’t biting!
(Of course, if you were being sincere then that’s very nice for you. You’re wrong, mind. But I’m sure you’re happy!)
You already bit. And no, I didn’t say still viable for cloning, but for possible alternate reality. Actually, all I said was that a fake Oceanic 815 in itself doesn’t DISprove the other possibility. Now that , I stick to !