Lost: Season 2, Episode 1: Man of Science, Man of Faith Review

Man of Science, Man of Faith
Original Airdate: September 21, 2005
Writers: Damon Lindelof
Director: Jack Bender

The X-Files has ruined the way people look at serialized shows. As that show progressed, it became clear that the writers hadn’t fully thought out the long term storyline and were making it up as the series progressed. By the end of the series, the mythology and long running storylines were destroyed, leaving fans betrayed (assuming they had stuck around to the end.) Lost shares many of the stylistic and narrative structures X-Files had. Because of that many viewers, some of whom have been swayed by the urge to be the first to declare a show dead, were quick to claim that Lost had no ultimate direction; that the twists, allusions and mysteries were all a bunch of garbage and that the writers didn’t know the answers they claimed to be withholding.

Those who fell into this mindset felt that “Exodus”, the season finale, vindicated those suspicions because many of the questions lingering throughout the season were not answered. While I understand such frustration, the fact that because Lost was such a major hit gave the writers leeway to tell this story over a longer period, as opposed to providing a lot of closure out of cancellation fears. Also, mystery is a major element of the series. If they gave away all the answers in the first season, there wouldn’t be much point in a second season.

The ending didn’t feel like a tease for me. I had felt that “Exodus” was merely a jump off point for a much bigger saga. Could this episode convince the skeptics that this was the case? Judging by the reaction I've found, it has for now. A major reason for that is that we finally get a glimpse of contents of the mysterious hatch, which has been an element of the show since midway the first season. If they can continue to reveal little bits of the mystery like this, it may be able to satisfy these fickle fans.

Man, what a fantastically misleading prologue. Not showing Desmond’s face until the end of the episode added mystery to the scene. Like many other viewers, I assumed this was a flashback. The fact that most of the equipment in this bunker had to be thirty to forty years old added to that. Knowing the episode was about Jack, I assumed that it was him, but my friend thought it was Sawyer because of the scruffy hair, even though it was black. It could’ve been a young Locke too considering the age of the electronics. Then the scene takes shape when Desmond injects himself with an unknown substance, with a label containing Hurley’s numbers. Immediately afterward, we hear a boom. He puts on a uniform, snatches a weapon, and peers into a telescope, which through a series of mirrors leads us directly to Jack and Locke, staring down into the hatch as we saw them last season.

Above ground, the four deal with the ramifications of the hatch being blown open. Hurley, having just seen the numbers on the hatch, is genuinely scared, as his awkward jokes show. Locke is obviously eager to explore the hatch, but Jack isn’t. Since the ladder is broken eight rungs down, there’s little chance for them to get all forty castaways down there to protect them from the others.

Throughout season one, there has been a lot made of the difference between Jack and Locke. Obviously, Jack’s the man of science and Locke’s the man of faith, but through the episode, Jack transitioning towards accepting that logic and reasoning can’t explain everything. Of course, the story of how he met his wife would detail this transition, as she somehow can do what Jack’s science can’t explain.

Therefore, we go back a few years (and at least one hairstyle) to see it. Some people I've talked to about this episode didn’t recognize Sarah until the last act. Following an early morning collision, Sarah, along with a man in his fifties are both wheeled into the ER. The man, Alan Rutherford, could be related to Shannon, and the fact that her brother ran a wedding business would add further weight to this connection. Jack works on Sarah first and Mr. Rutherford dies at 8:15, two of the numbers.

Back at the camp, Charlie tries to assuage the worries of the other castaways, who still have less to go by than the principal characters as to what’s going on on the island. During the commotion, Shannon searches for Vincent, who has run off. Sayid is concerned for her well being since she hasn’t eaten or slept recently. But Shannon, who has matured a lot since the first episode, wants to make good on her promise to protect Vincent until Walt returns. You couldn’t imagine the same girl who was painting her toenails while everyone else was working would turn out this way.

Easily the creepiest scene is the meeting between Shannon and Walt. It’s up for debate whether that was really Walt, Walt’s ghost or Walt having an out of body experience, but the warning is eerie, made so by playing it backwards. Those who re-reversed it found that he was warning them about a button, like he warned about the hatch. Some believe this button is the execute button on Desmond’s computer, which he used to punch in the numbers in the opening. This would be a logical next step since the computer is in the hatch.

Although it would probably have been better to confide in Locke about the numbers, Jack was the one who heard him screaming it when Locke lit the fuse. Hurley details the events from his episode “Numbers” (along with the new addition about the chicken shop) to Jack, who doesn’t believe them. Now it seems that most of the characters believe to some degree that there is something about this island that can’t be reasoned away. Another thing about scene is that we find out that Hurley was at the psyche ward as a patient. It should be interesting to learn how he got there.

In the flashbacks, we see Jack’s bedside manner is with Sarah, and his father disapproves. Jack knows that Sarah is unlikely to walk again and during his meetings, he reinforces that. However, Jack’s dad believes that any hope, even if it is a one percent chance, deserves the emphasis for her sake. Jack takes the advice, but his rational side hits his conscience later. While taking out his confusion on a run, he runs into Desmond, who is preparing to race around the world. Desmond serves to plant seeds of belief in a troubled Jack.

When the four return to the camp, Jack tries to assure them that they will wait until the morning to formulate another plan. This doesn’t seem to go so well, as Shannon begins telling everyone about her experience in the woods and Jack tells them Arzt has died, but doesn’t give any specifics. Arzt’s demise could be a big part of the second season. Locke doesn’t want to wait. The two butt heads and Locke heads out with a cable to the hatch again. Kate comes with him. She’s sent down and initially things are fine, but once her flashlight drops, she realizes that there is something down there, but she’s snatched up before she can be pulled out. Of the four people, Kate’s motivations were the least clear, but they do serve as motivation to get Jack back to the hatch for his epiphany.

After his run, Jack returns to let Sarah know the truth that she will never walk again. However, the science doesn’t work with the truth, that Sarah has been healed. This miraculous return of ability is reminiscent of Locke’s backstory. This will obviously be a big part in Jack’s spiritual journey, as Locke’s regained legs did for him. This isn’t quite enough for him yet, as Jack explores the bunker, he only finds a mural, some old pipes and computers. Then Locke, at gunpoint, advises Jack to comply. When Jack realizes who has a gun pointed at him, it pushes him further.

Watching this episode made me think that this episode would’ve been much better if it was presented as the first part of a two hour event. While many of the revelations were great, we didn’t hear anything about the raft. Considering last time we saw it it was blown up and its passengers were scattered, it is a bit loose of a loose end to leave out of the premiere. Otherwise, this episode was a great opener. The misleading prologue was great and the story of Jack’s transition to being a man of faith is a major part of this series.

Some may find it hard to believe that this guy who Jack happened to run into one time years ago would find himself on this island. However, this is Lost, where coincidences abound. How a jovial guy on a trip around the world became (or hid) this intense shut in with extensive training for some mission. Also, why is the quarantine label on the inside of the door? How did all of this happen? I can’t wait to find out.

Score: 9/10