I thought it was a pretty good episode, but felt there were a few inconsistencies with things that have gone before.

The most glaring was Kate's Carte Blanche, which she had extracted from Sawyer in the first season. When she said, "I need a gun and you don't get to ask why," and Sawyer says, "Yes I do" and Kate says, "No, you don't" why didn't the writers have her finish that with "I have carte blanche, remember?"

And was anyone else troubled by the sudden reversal of Jack and Locke's attitude towards their prisoner at the beginning of the episode? Didn't Jack just two Island days ago ask Locke, "What if he's telling the truth"? And now he's arguing for a Guantanamo Base sentence for Henry?

I understand that Locke would have to seem to take Henry's side in this, in order for the end to work, but it felt too disjointed from their previous attitudes towards their prisoner.

I was disappointed by the carte blanche thing too. When she said "I need a gun, and you don't get to ask why," I yelled out "CARTE BLANCHE, BABY!" When it didn't go that way, my family just gave me a weird look, as apparently they too had forgotten about their deal. Way to go, Lost. You made me look like an idiot. Again.

I think her comment was referring to the Carte Blanche agreement ("you don't get to ask why") but Sawyer being Sawyer just wanted to needle her a bit. ;)

I did think it was oddly sweet that he was ready to jump up when she said the baby was sick and he said, "well, hell, I've GOT medicine!"

Not to do with the carte blanch, but did anyone else notice that Sawyer's hair seems to be a darker, warmer brown this week? Not as much dirty blonde anymore? Is there hair dye on the island too? :p

I think maybe Sawyer doesn't consider the guns to be consistent with the rest of his stash and neither does Kate. After all, he didn't use to have the guns. Plus they're already on shaky ground as it is after The Long Con, Kate probably didn't want to upset it anymore by reminding him of the carte blanche.

I would think that Carte Blanch was a one-time deal and she used it already.

I would think that Carte Blanch was a one-time deal and she used it already. I'm paraphrasing but Kate said, if I help you (track the boar), I get anything from your stash, anytime, with no questions asked.

Did she honestly think Sawyer would honor the carte blanch after 'the Long Con'? She's more street smart than that!

Did she honestly think Sawyer would honor the carte blanch after 'the Long Con'? She's more street smart than that! For some reason she still expects him to honor the deal they made. Well, in the end I guess he did, didn't he? He gave her a gun - even gave her her choice of guns. The "WHY?" was just Sawyer being Sawyer ......

Why wouldn't Sawyer be expected to go back on his word? He has the upper hand and he's used Kate to get what he wants before. Why would he honor that agreement? He's proven he's in it for himself and no one else really.

I have to preface this by saying I actually DID enjoy this episode. It was entertaining and answered some questions. But I still noticed several inconsistencies, so thanks for letting me vent!

I had a hard time believing that Sayid would allow Jack to be alone with HIS prisoner. So maybe we can assume that there was this off-camera moment between the two of them where Sayid was able to make Jack realize that Henry could be dangerous? (Note: If the writers want Jack to become a sympathetic character again, it would help if they gave us those "moments" ON camera. Or maybe we're not supposed to be liking Jack right now? Hmm... )

And previously on Lost: Jack was Henry's defender -- and doctor. So now Henry's trying to pit Locke against Jack? Either Henry's very smart/devious, or he's very stupid.

So why didn't Hurley (telegraph...telephone...teleHurley...) run off and tell Jack that Kate and Claire were venturing off into the jungle? He tells Jack everything else. He's hanging out with Libby, so he had to have known what was going on. And come on, it's Hurley!

And Jack partook of the water bin for drinking water, and we last saw Sayid washing off in a bin just like it. Do the Lostaways know which is which? I didn't see a sign on the bin. The whole water bin subject still haunts me! But I'll get over it.

I AM frustrated that we're supposed to "fill in the blanks" so often to make things "work" on this show. The writers are telling an awesome story -- but it's THEIR story and it's difficult for me to buy it if they don't keep me in the loop ON SCREEN, keep the story flowing, and keep the characters in-character, their reactions consistent. Or does all of this ambiguity boil down to the sickness? {So we know that Aaron didn't have it -- fever and redness. Maybe it's Jack and Locke that we need to be worried about? Maybe the sickness results in more of a psychological/behavioral change rather than a physical one? Danielle was never specific about the symptoms.}

Carte blanche was regarding Sawyer's personal stash and not the guns. But once Kate told him why she needed a gun he was more than willing to give her a choise of weapon and willing to go along on their jouney.

I think the point of the Carte Blanche was missed last season....she already used it. Sawyer did not return the gun to Jack after they went after Ethan in "Homecoming" and Kate says she will get it back for him. She does this by telling Sawyer she will help him track the boar and in return she gets Carte Blanche. Kate already knows what she wants....the gun that Sawyer is supposed to give back to Jack. At the end of the episode Sawyer gives Jack the gun back, and I was always under the assumption that was what Kate asked for.

I have to preface this by saying I actually DID enjoy this episode. It was entertaining and answered some questions. But I still noticed several inconsistencies, so thanks for letting me vent!

Vent away! It's great to hear all opinions.


I had a hard time believing that Sayid would allow Jack to be alone with HIS prisoner. So maybe we can assume that there was this off-camera moment between the two of them where Sayid was able to make Jack realize that Henry could be dangerous? (Note: If the writers want Jack to become a sympathetic character again, it would help if they gave us those "moments" ON camera. Or maybe we're not supposed to be liking Jack right now? Hmm... )

I don't think Jack was ever for letting Henry go and trying to integrate him into the group. Being a doctor, he just didn't want him mistreated. As for Sayid, I don't think who gets to see the prisoner is up to him.


And previously on Lost: Jack was Henry's defender -- and doctor. So now Henry's trying to pit Locke against Jack? Either Henry's very smart/devious, or he's very stupid.

The former, I think. He wants at least his freedom, and very possibly something more. He's got 'good ears' and can obviously tell how unstable Locke is. He's certainly pushing all the right buttons. Great characterization of Locke, by the way. He's exactly the person who would be vulnerable to that type of manipulation.


So why didn't Hurley (telegraph...telephone...teleHurley...) run off and tell Jack that Kate and Claire were venturing off into the jungle? He tells Jack everything else. He's hanging out with Libby, so he had to have known what was going on. And come on, it's Hurley!

Interesting point. My suspicion is that Jack and Hurley actually don't talk that much anymore. Think about it - every time Hurley goes to see him about something, Jack has been short with him, he has this impatient, "What is it this time, Hurley?" tone every time they talk. If I were Hurley, I know I would take a hint.


The writers are telling an awesome story -- but it's THEIR story and it's difficult for me to buy it if they don't keep me in the loop ON SCREEN, keep the story flowing, and keep the characters in-character, their reactions consistent. Or does all of this ambiguity boil down to the sickness?
Fair enough, there have been a few of those moments.

Good comments ccrider.

I also liked this episode for the most part.

Another thing that I didn't quite get (aside from the glaringly weird Eko scene and the conspicuous absence of Sayid) is how Henry could have even gathered enough information to realize that Jack and Locke are currently involved in a power struggle, of which Locke is losing. I mean for the first part of his stay in the armory, Henry had to be very disorientated from being terrified (maybe) and being pummeled by Sayid. I can't imagine what could have been said for him to pick up (through a "thin" door apparently) that Jack and Locke are battling each other. To me, the tension between Jack and Locke is often unspoken or with little snippy comments here and there. I know, if I were in the armory, I would probably be oblivious to the Jack/Locke thing, at least for the first 2 days or so.

Ultimately, I think it's too unbelievable that Henry could have come up with this manipulation process under such circumstances. I mean, maybe it wouldn't be as difficult to see that Jack was obviously a decision maker, but how could he possibly know the extent of Locke's resentment of Jack or the fact that they are contending at all?

I think Cart Blanche is nothing after the Long Con. Sawyer only plays by the rules he sets, which also happen to be constantly changing. Don't think it's an inconsistency.

Oh dear lord, here we go again, with this discussion.

The Carte Blanche was used in the very same episode so Kate could get the gun back that Sawyer had not returned after the whole "trying to capture Ethan" thing.

They never showed Kate asking for the gun, but that was the only reason she helped him hunt, to get the gun.

As for the reversals of roles for Locke and Jack. I did notice that being a little inconsistant. But Jack never said anything last eppy about wantng to release Gale just to not torture him.

And Jack partook of the water bin for drinking water, and we last saw Sayid washing off in a bin just like it. Do the Lostaways know which is which? I didn't see a sign on the bin. The whole water bin subject still haunts me! But I'll get over it.

If you want to vent on this topic (as I have) you can do so over here:

http://www.thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?t=37476&highlight=bathing+water+v.+drinking

Not to do with the carte blanch, but did anyone else notice that Sawyer's hair seems to be a darker, warmer brown this week? Not as much dirty blonde anymore? Is there hair dye on the island too? :p

I was wondering about Sawyer's hair, too. He had kind of a skunk thing going on toward the end of last season with the darker roots and I think maybe the difference in color is just the result of his haircut. It's been a little darker since then. He might have been bleached before the crash.

I'd forgotten about the carte blanche business, but I think superfuld is right. She used it already.

I thought "the long con" answered this also. The carte blanch happened a long time ago... it is a LONG con, so basically anything Sawyer has done on the island can be considered part of the con.

I AM frustrated that we're supposed to "fill in the blanks" so often to make things "work" on this show. The writers are telling an awesome story -- but it's THEIR story and it's difficult for me to buy it if they don't keep me in the loop ON SCREEN, keep the story flowing, and keep the characters in-character, their reactions consistent. Or does all of this ambiguity boil down to the sickness?

There's something worse than fill-in-the-blanks- and that's spoon-feeding lines from previous episodes so the casual viewer who misses an episode here and there might better understand. There's no need for a character to say "Remember when this and that happened" or "Remember you said this..." since these are very recent events island time, and would slow the storytelling.

I'm perfectly ok with fill-in the blanks (just don't miss an episode :) ).

I thought it was a pretty good episode, but felt there were a few inconsistencies with things that have gone before.

The most glaring was Kate's Carte Blanche, which she had extracted from Sawyer in the first season. When she said, "I need a gun and you don't get to ask why," and Sawyer says, "Yes I do" and Kate says, "No, you don't" why didn't the writers have her finish that with "I have carte blanche, remember?"

And was anyone else troubled by the sudden reversal of Jack and Locke's attitude towards their prisoner at the beginning of the episode? Didn't Jack just two Island days ago ask Locke, "What if he's telling the truth"? And now he's arguing for a Guantanamo Base sentence for Henry?

I understand that Locke would have to seem to take Henry's side in this, in order for the end to work, but it felt too disjointed from their previous attitudes towards their prisoner.

The inconsistencies in the main characters have been a big problem with this season. Jack and Locke suddenly switched roles. Why ? So Henry Gale could use his little ' always in the Doc's shadow ' routine to make Locke mad.
And Sayid nowhere in sight.

Thery're going to have to evacuate the island soon...what with all these plot holes people could fall into.

I'm paraphrasing but Kate said, if I help you (track the boar), I get anything from your stash, anytime, with no questions asked.

You're right, she did say that. And the gun was part of his stash. She asked him to return it to Jack and he did. Carte blanche used up.

There's something worse than fill-in-the-blanks- and that's spoon-feeding lines from previous episodes so the casual viewer who misses an episode here and there might better understand. There's no need for a character to say "Remember when this and that happened" or "Remember you said this..." since these are very recent events island time, and would slow the storytelling.

I'm perfectly ok with fill-in the blanks (just don't miss an episode :) ).

"Remember when you just insulted me?":drowsy:

I've watched every episode of this show -- more than once. Spoon-feeding lines is not only ridiculous and unnecessary, it has nothing to do with my point about the gaps in the story or the characters' inconsistent behavior. Yes, they're recent events -- all the more reason for the characters to still be reacting to them.

And Jack partook of the water bin for drinking water, and we last saw Sayid washing off in a bin just like it. Do the Lostaways know which is which? I didn't see a sign on the bin. The whole water bin subject still haunts me! ;) Oh my gosh, I thought I was the only neatnik who freaked out at the sight of Jack filling drinking water bottles from a bin that looked like Sayid had previously washed in it!!! :D

Thery're going to have to evacuate the island soon...what with all these plot holes people could fall into. :24:

Sorry, I know you were being serious but this struck me as one of the funniest lines I've read on the Fuselage!

:lol:

I don't think Jack was ever for letting Henry go and trying to integrate him into the group. Being a doctor, he just didn't want him mistreated. As for Sayid, I don't think who gets to see the prisoner is up to him.


The former, I think. He wants at least his freedom, and very possibly something more. He's got 'good ears' and can obviously tell how unstable Locke is. He's certainly pushing all the right buttons. Great characterization of Locke, by the way. He's exactly the person who would be vulnerable to that type of manipulation.




agree on both those points. Jack wouldnt unleash a possible harm to the group, and now he's just looking at the practicle ways of managing a prisoner humanely as possible.

and Gale manipulated the situation perfectly. i thought Locke might call his bluff, but as you said, he would be vulnerable to it, he probably heard the stand off between him and Jack last episode. devide and conquer.