I'm not necessarily sure he was stringing Charlie along though. I think he just wanted everyone else to see what he was seeing on the Island…

It makes sense that Smokey wouldn't want to simply wipe everyone out on the beach. It's weird, though, that he doesn't even pick off any of the weaker members, or just charge through the beach like a tornado to scare everyone into submission. He saves that for the deep jungle.

Hurley is kind of made out to look stupid…

Smokey's probably lurking nearby, just waiting for these people to tear each other apart, so he can once again prove Jacob wrong. But while he's already made a believer of Locke, he failed to do the same with Jack. And now that Jack is stepping up to the plate, a real community can form…

Hey, it's OK to disagree about a 'ship. ;-)

To me, this episode starts the Island-magic roller coaster with the clear exposition of Locke's miraculous healing.

I am so sorry I didn't see these sooner. Hope you're still out there…

No, haven't yet. I was worried it would be too much like Falling Skies, which didn't suit me.

LMS is lighter and funnier than Scars, which is pretty intimate and emotionally heavy. Thanks for taking a look!

Nope.

Yup, that's him.

I didn't read any more of NDIA after the first few chapters, because I am trying to steer clear of sequel influences as I try to finish my own. Anyway, I'd be honored even at a passing glance or two. ;-)

You're welcome; it's been a pleasure. Did you decide to go to the "LOST Classic" threads for your rewatch discussion?

Are you familiar at all with symbols in Freemasonry? Masonic temples are based on the Temple in Jerusalem built by King Solomon. At the entrance to the Temple were two pillars called Boaz ("strength") and Jachin ("He will establish.") To enter the sacred space, you had to pass between these two pillars.

You've made that point before about the S3 and S6 finales showing close parallels: I'm going to have to pay attention to that on my next rewatch. Both finales are so emotionally overwhelming I just kind of turn off my brain.

Oh, heartbreak. Everything for me - six seasons of flaws, glitches, inconsistencies, whatever - all was forgiven in that tear-streaked moment when Jack said, "Hugo, it needs to be you." Everything in LOST over all those years rose and converged in that point.

I liked how Kate (cheeky as always) stood up to Jacob and confronted him.

This is one of my favorite episodes, because it ratified what had been only suggested up till now: that much of the Island's conflict resulted from the struggles and jealousies of a family of demi-gods. In short, like most of Greek and Norse mythology.

Sorry this is late; oops - already replied. Oh well!

This is late, sorry. If the Incident started the childbirth problems, did they abate when the Swan Hatch imploded? (I like to think so, because it would be dreadful for Hugo if he had to contend with that as protector.)