Lost: Season 1, Episode 3: Tabula Rasa Review
Tabula Rasa
Original Airdate: October 6, 2004
Writer: Damon Lindelof
Director: Jack Bender
After the pilot, the show now settles into its standard format: telling the story of what’s happening on the island while backtracking to reveal more about one character’s history each episode. This element helps the show’s storytelling because the stories aren’t restricted to the island. Evangeline Lilly was one of the breakout stars of the 2004-2005 season. Considering this is her first speaking role makes her performance all the more remarkable. With her character’s mysterious history, it is fitting that she go first. Though Jack would be a logical first choice, the situations on the island make Kate a better choice. When we found out what her identity was, we suddenly wanted to know what she did. This episode doesn’t provide an answer. Rather, they focus on the final chapter of Kate’s life of crime, her capture, leading to her (off screen) extradition to the US via the fateful flight.
As the window of immediate rescue dwindles, the survivors now have to face the possibility of long term life on this island. We know that the show would end when they’re rescued (assuming that’s how it will end), but the castaways don’t know that they will be there for a long time. So how will these people adapt to island life? As we see, some things, like Jack not wanting to kill the Marshal, don’t work on the island as well as it would off.
Jack and Kate were getting on well, so they had to throw a wrench into that system. As the break out leader of the castaways, Jack had to discover Kate’s criminal past soon. Although Jack doesn’t want to know what Kate did, it won’t be quite as easy to let something like that slide between them. There is an uncertainty which must’ve caught his imagination. Locke would be more willing to leave it to mystery. Jack is a man who wants to know: he is a man of science, an element which is integral to his character.
It also introduces the new dynamic of Sawyer turning this twosome into a full blown love triangle. There are several differences between these two men shown in this episode. Where Jack scans the fuselage for medicine, Sawyer looks for personal perks and comfort items. While Jack follows his Hippocratic Oath by not euthanizing the Marshal (certainly a morally questionable action, even if he wanted it), Sawyer helps Kate by shooting the Marshal. Jack isn’t willing to go “into the wild” by keeping the Marshal from experiencing days of agonizing pain ending in death until Sawyer puts him in that position.
Sawyer’s reasoing about Jack’s use of the medicine makes sense. Unfortunately, there is only a finite amount of medicine to use on the island and no way to get more unless some plane dropped a deus ex machina sized box of medical supplies on the beach. This also ties into how the castaways believe when or if rescue will come. Many are starting to realize that they will be there for a while, and they need to be prepared for the next medical emergency, like the eight months pregnant Claire.
Although it would’ve been interesting to have the Marshal stay on the show longer, his death is fitting with the theme of starting over. To wipe the slate clean Kate shouldn’t have that constant reminder of her past. The Marshal isn’t just some cop sent to get her; he is someone who has a history with her. Also, his function in the overall story appears to be of the cat in the cat and mouse game with Kate in her flashbacks. With the death of the Marshal, it becomes clearer that this will be a long term stay.
Kate has done some bad things. However, judging by her attitude, it would be hard to believe that she is drop kick puppies into traffic evil. If she was, she would’ve left Ray to die with his truck instead of lugging him out, giving the Marshall enough time to catch up to her. Despite ratting her out, she is still sympathetic to the farmer’s problems with his mortgage. She wanted her freedom, but didn’t hate him for his decision. This also explains why she didn’t just suffocate the Marshal at some point, or go through with the Marshal’s wish. It would be interesting if there was someone who was a genuinely dangerous criminal on the flight, but that doesn’t seem likely.
Although Kate and Jack get the bulk of the action, our supporting characters still have something to do. Boone’s actions are consistent with someone eager to take on a large role of leadership, but not ready or able to handle it. He’s very much like Jack might’ve been ten years earlier. Boone is out of luck as other characters have taken the leadership roles. Sayid is one of them, as he convinces wisely to keep the news of the transmission secret.
There is more to Walt than we originally thought. There were hints of it as the comic book he read contained a polar bear, who later showed up on the island. As he argued with his dad about Locke and when to look for Vincent, the rain stopped shortly after Michael said he would look when the weather cleared. Perhaps there was more to the wipe of Walt turning the pages of the comic to Walt’s face in “Pilot, Part 2”.
Michael has another moment that appears to be the setting up the romantic angle between him and Sun. However, in the long run, both characters are better off with the storylines directly related to their family. Jin still isn’t winning over fans, but the way he tells Sun to bathe could be taken at least two different ways. There’s little mention of the monster aside from this scene, but the sounds Michael heard didn’t resemble the massive noises we’ve heard before.
Michael, attempting to connect with his son, is jealous about the connection Walt has made with Locke. With his fresh start, Michael hopes to make up for the years he wasn’t in his son’s life and Locke’s involvement is too soon for Michael’s comfort. The fact that they’re already sharing secrets isn’t making it easier. However, Locke isn’t interesting in swooping up Walt for himself, as he gives Michael the opportunity to give Walt his dog.
It is odd how Locke would take such an interest in Walt, to the point of crafting a dog whistle to bring Vincent out. The eerie final shot of Locke watching over the sweet reunion between Walt and Vincent undercuts the montage that preceded it, leaving the audience to ask what this guy’s story is. Some have suspected that Locke is a pedophile, but I disagree. If they were going to go that way, I think the character would’ve been handled differently.
As rescue grows less likely, the castaways now have to face long term life on the island. That means that the castaways have a second chance, a clean slate to make a new identity. Although Jack’s quote fueled the purgatory theory (which has been debunked more times than they’ll ever know), it does work as a metaphor. They have been reborn, but what will they do with that second chance? And considering the human reluctance to forgive in some situations, will it be that easy?
Score: 8/10
Original Airdate: October 6, 2004
Writer: Damon Lindelof
Director: Jack Bender
After the pilot, the show now settles into its standard format: telling the story of what’s happening on the island while backtracking to reveal more about one character’s history each episode. This element helps the show’s storytelling because the stories aren’t restricted to the island. Evangeline Lilly was one of the breakout stars of the 2004-2005 season. Considering this is her first speaking role makes her performance all the more remarkable. With her character’s mysterious history, it is fitting that she go first. Though Jack would be a logical first choice, the situations on the island make Kate a better choice. When we found out what her identity was, we suddenly wanted to know what she did. This episode doesn’t provide an answer. Rather, they focus on the final chapter of Kate’s life of crime, her capture, leading to her (off screen) extradition to the US via the fateful flight.
As the window of immediate rescue dwindles, the survivors now have to face the possibility of long term life on this island. We know that the show would end when they’re rescued (assuming that’s how it will end), but the castaways don’t know that they will be there for a long time. So how will these people adapt to island life? As we see, some things, like Jack not wanting to kill the Marshal, don’t work on the island as well as it would off.
Jack and Kate were getting on well, so they had to throw a wrench into that system. As the break out leader of the castaways, Jack had to discover Kate’s criminal past soon. Although Jack doesn’t want to know what Kate did, it won’t be quite as easy to let something like that slide between them. There is an uncertainty which must’ve caught his imagination. Locke would be more willing to leave it to mystery. Jack is a man who wants to know: he is a man of science, an element which is integral to his character.
It also introduces the new dynamic of Sawyer turning this twosome into a full blown love triangle. There are several differences between these two men shown in this episode. Where Jack scans the fuselage for medicine, Sawyer looks for personal perks and comfort items. While Jack follows his Hippocratic Oath by not euthanizing the Marshal (certainly a morally questionable action, even if he wanted it), Sawyer helps Kate by shooting the Marshal. Jack isn’t willing to go “into the wild” by keeping the Marshal from experiencing days of agonizing pain ending in death until Sawyer puts him in that position.
Sawyer’s reasoing about Jack’s use of the medicine makes sense. Unfortunately, there is only a finite amount of medicine to use on the island and no way to get more unless some plane dropped a deus ex machina sized box of medical supplies on the beach. This also ties into how the castaways believe when or if rescue will come. Many are starting to realize that they will be there for a while, and they need to be prepared for the next medical emergency, like the eight months pregnant Claire.
Although it would’ve been interesting to have the Marshal stay on the show longer, his death is fitting with the theme of starting over. To wipe the slate clean Kate shouldn’t have that constant reminder of her past. The Marshal isn’t just some cop sent to get her; he is someone who has a history with her. Also, his function in the overall story appears to be of the cat in the cat and mouse game with Kate in her flashbacks. With the death of the Marshal, it becomes clearer that this will be a long term stay.
Kate has done some bad things. However, judging by her attitude, it would be hard to believe that she is drop kick puppies into traffic evil. If she was, she would’ve left Ray to die with his truck instead of lugging him out, giving the Marshall enough time to catch up to her. Despite ratting her out, she is still sympathetic to the farmer’s problems with his mortgage. She wanted her freedom, but didn’t hate him for his decision. This also explains why she didn’t just suffocate the Marshal at some point, or go through with the Marshal’s wish. It would be interesting if there was someone who was a genuinely dangerous criminal on the flight, but that doesn’t seem likely.
Although Kate and Jack get the bulk of the action, our supporting characters still have something to do. Boone’s actions are consistent with someone eager to take on a large role of leadership, but not ready or able to handle it. He’s very much like Jack might’ve been ten years earlier. Boone is out of luck as other characters have taken the leadership roles. Sayid is one of them, as he convinces wisely to keep the news of the transmission secret.
There is more to Walt than we originally thought. There were hints of it as the comic book he read contained a polar bear, who later showed up on the island. As he argued with his dad about Locke and when to look for Vincent, the rain stopped shortly after Michael said he would look when the weather cleared. Perhaps there was more to the wipe of Walt turning the pages of the comic to Walt’s face in “Pilot, Part 2”.
Michael has another moment that appears to be the setting up the romantic angle between him and Sun. However, in the long run, both characters are better off with the storylines directly related to their family. Jin still isn’t winning over fans, but the way he tells Sun to bathe could be taken at least two different ways. There’s little mention of the monster aside from this scene, but the sounds Michael heard didn’t resemble the massive noises we’ve heard before.
Michael, attempting to connect with his son, is jealous about the connection Walt has made with Locke. With his fresh start, Michael hopes to make up for the years he wasn’t in his son’s life and Locke’s involvement is too soon for Michael’s comfort. The fact that they’re already sharing secrets isn’t making it easier. However, Locke isn’t interesting in swooping up Walt for himself, as he gives Michael the opportunity to give Walt his dog.
It is odd how Locke would take such an interest in Walt, to the point of crafting a dog whistle to bring Vincent out. The eerie final shot of Locke watching over the sweet reunion between Walt and Vincent undercuts the montage that preceded it, leaving the audience to ask what this guy’s story is. Some have suspected that Locke is a pedophile, but I disagree. If they were going to go that way, I think the character would’ve been handled differently.
As rescue grows less likely, the castaways now have to face long term life on the island. That means that the castaways have a second chance, a clean slate to make a new identity. Although Jack’s quote fueled the purgatory theory (which has been debunked more times than they’ll ever know), it does work as a metaphor. They have been reborn, but what will they do with that second chance? And considering the human reluctance to forgive in some situations, will it be that easy?
Score: 8/10
posted by Matt @ 8:39 PM
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