Lost: That 70's Show

“LaFleur” is exactly the type of episode of “Lost” that represents why I love this show so much.

I get that there are people who only watch the show because they’re big sci-fi fans. I also get that there are even more obsessive fans who watch the show to try to spot and break down the dozens of literary, pop culture and scientific references each hour.

However, I love the show because it really does feature some of the strongest characters (played by some of the best actors) on TV today — with a sci-fi twist to throw everything off-kilter.

And just like Locke turning the wheel put a stop to our Time Travelers’ nose bleeds and headaches, last night’s episode slowed everything down and put the focus on developing two of my favorite characters following a season of time-jumping craziness.

Where they landed for good was during the Island’s Dharma Initiative era in the 1970’s, a time of free love where people neglected their polar-bear monitoring duties to hook up in a surveillance station.

Things were considerably less harmonious when Sawyer and Co. first settled into their destination. Faraday was mumbling to himself and distraught over the fact that he had lost Charlotte forever since her body didn’t make the time leap. Jeremy Davies didn’t have much to do in this episode, but he did it brilliantly. I loved his “I’m so over this” body language and attitude (“It doesn’t matter what we do. Whatever happened, happened”) He was even better when he recognized a redheaded girl in the Dharma camp. Earlier he’d mumbled to himself “I’m not going to do it”, but we all know one way or another he’s going to try to prevent her death. (And given how creepy he looked, I can see why the young girl thought he was a boogeyman.)

As good as Davies was, Josh Holloway (For Your Consideration, Emmy voters) and Elizabeth Mitchell (the best actress on the show) were the stars of the hour. Sawyer has been evolving from a selfish jerk criminal into a selfless leader/hero for more than one season already and Holloway really brought that transformation home in this episode with tons of heart and charisma. (How adorable was it that he instantly jumped into that well as soon as he could to try to save Locke?) Of course, the character hasn’t COMPLETELY changed. The nicknames (“Plato” and the classic “Eyeliner”) were definitely back in full force last night. Meanwhile, Mitchell was given the best material she’s gotten since her character was introduced in season 3 and she absolutely delivered the goods.

Can you tell that I’m loving these two as a couple? (Sorry, Desmond/Penny, but Sawyer/Juliet is my new favorite couple. Then again, it’s entirely possible I’m weaning myself off of Desmond and Penny as a couple because there’s a decent chance Penny might be dead.)

It could’ve been very easy to say that Juliet is merely going after Kate’s sloppy seconds, or that the romance was a little too convenient (“He’s hot. She’s hot.”) But in just a couple of scenes last night, the writers established why this couple makes perfect sense. Kate and Sawyer may be kindred spirits, but Juliet compliments him in a way Kate never could because she’s always running away and is WAY too stubborn and proud. Whether it’s PRIVATELY telling Sawyer that his plan to go to the beach sucks (this would’ve led to a big argument with Kate), “getting his back” in a firefight (she’s a hell of a shot) or cooking him dinner after a tough day of being a leader, it looks like Juliet is kinda perfect for him.

Sawyer, now known as James LaFleur, is the head of security for the Dharma Initiative. Last night we saw how he met up with the vaguely hippie-ish folks and earned their trust in the midst of the Dharma people’s war against the indigenous hostiles. He did so by saving the life of a Dharma wife Amy (Reiko Aylesworth of “24.” Yes!) from two Others who’d killed her husband.

Despite their heroism, Dharma leader Horace Goodspeed (the guy who recruited Ben’s dad to the Island and built Jacob’s cabin) needed some more convincing. Further proof that Sawyer hasn’t completely changed was how easily he slipped into a con about how he and his people were searching for a ship called “The Black Rock” and were looking for the rest of their crew. (Note the fact that, like the Oceanic 6, the [Former] Time Travelers had to concoct and agree on a lie.)

Unfortunately, Sawyer and Juliet killing those Others meant Richard Alpert showed up looking for blood. Sawyer saw a clever way of dealing with him AND ingratiating himself with his Dharma people — he told him the (time travelling) truth. Alpert looked slightly freaked out when Sawyer dropped the (Jughead) bomb, but Richard still wanted a dead body in return (presumably to persuade his people that things were even.) Squashing the war with the Others bought Sawyer two more weeks on the Island, where he wanted to remain until Locke and his friends came back.

Still, Sawyer’s best con job may have been when he convinced Juliet (who’s been trying to leave the Island ever since we met her) to stay for “two weeks.” (Brilliant use of the “Three Years Later” title card right after that. Talk about a REALLY “long con.”) Sawyer did this with charm and by utilizing the method all con men use — he convinced her it was something she wanted to do.

Instead of resenting being trapped on the Island for three more years, it appeared to be the best decision Juliet had made in a long time. The Dharma compound looked lovely (flowers!), Miles/Ennis seemed less jerky and more compliant, and a woman (Amy) was able to give birth to a baby (her and Horace’s). Sawyer’s gentle support and Juliet’s expression after the successful delivery were both priceless. (Her facial expression was only the second best of the night, it turned out.) Do we think Sawyer’s right about whatever keeps women from having babies on the Island hadn’t happened yet? (I’m inclined to say “no” given that someone mentioned babies were usually delivered on the mainland — this delivery seemed special.)

However, all’s not well in Dharma-ville. The Others could still strike at any time, and there’s also the little matter of a genocidal purge perpetrated by Ben that’s yet to come.

Until then, life is good on the Island isn’t it? It’s certainly better than life off the Island has been for Jack and Co. I also think the writers made a brilliant decision to have Sawyer and Co. settle into their Island lives for three years — the exact same amount of time the Oceanic 6 have been away — setting up an interesting dilemma. When you think about it, Sawyer only knew Kate for a little over three months, while he’s been with Juliet for three years.

So is three years long enough to get over someone? James LaFleur may have said “yes” to Horace, but judging by Sawyer’s expression at the end of the episode (a thrilling mix of “oh my god!” and “holy crap”) when Kate stepped out of that Dharma van, and the two locked yes, the answer is no.

So what’d you think of this episode? How far back in time do you think the (Former) Time Travelers were when they briefly glimpsed the completed four-toed statue? (Assuming it was the same one) Do you like your Sawyer scruffy or clean(er) shaven? Why did those two Others kill Amy’s husband? (I’m not totally trusting Amy) What’s really bugging with Horace? (I get that he said he was upset about his wife’s apparent fickleness, but upset enough to start blowing up trees?) How cruel is the Island to bring Kate back to Sawyer, but not Sun back to Jin? Finally, why the hell do we have to wait two weeks for a new episode?!