Season 3, Episode 11: "Enter 77"

Alright, now we're back on track. Great episode last night. We learned some new things, the story progressed, and we got some action. But first and foremost, let's get to the big question that's on every one's mind:

Could I beat Hurley in ping pong? My answer: most likely.

Let's take a look at the facts: both Hugo and I had a table growing up. Hugo honed his skills in the nuthouse while I'm able to play every so often (read: pretty much everyday) at work. (Once again, not so great that my bosses read this, but hey, they put it there, so what I am I to do - also, they're building a bar 10 feet from my desk, so it looks like we have our priorities straight here at CP). Additionally, while I'm not the picture of athleticism, I've got to think that I've got to think that I edge out IHOP in terms of agility. I'll give the home court to Hugo, but all things considered I think I take him down. It would certainly be worth it if Sawyer's stuff was on the line...

But that pressing issue aside, let's get on to the show. Sayid proves once again that he's pretty much the only survivor on the island that knows how to properly handle a dangerous situation. He makes Mikael Bakunin within minutes, finds the hatch door with ease, and snags the all important map right from under the Others' nose - all after the dude was SHOT. Pretty impressive. Locke was busy blowing up ANOTHER hatch (what's his deal lately?) and Kate was Kate - for better or worse. All I'm saying is that Sayid should probably be consulted a little more often (it was nearly a year since his last prominent role in the show).

So what do we make of this Mikhail Bakunin? First off it should be noted that in real life, Mikhail Bakunin was a nineteenth century Russian revolutionary, also known as one of the fathers of modern anarchy. Interesting, but we should be used to historically relevant names by now (John Locke, Rousseau, Henry Gale, etc). More importantly, we learn quite a bit through Sayid's direct questioning. Assuming everything but his Dharma ruse is true, the Others - or Hostiles - residence on the island precedes that of the Dharma scientists. There was a pretty strong theory that the Others were a splinter cell of the original Dharma group, but as for now that doesn't seem to be the case. We also learn of a civil war of sorts, or purge, unsuccessfully taken on by Dharma. Dr. Marvin Candle's recorded appearance all but confirms a schism between the two groups, as he prompts Locke to "enter 77" if the Hostiles attempt to overtake the station.

This revelation also sheds some light on Kelvin's purpose in the Swan hatch. Was he an Other as well or a remaining Dharma scientist? Seeing that Mikhail and Ms. Klugh had a specific responsibility to watch over the Flame hatch as Others, it would seem appropriate that Kelvin assumed the same duty for the Swan station. Also, how else would this Swan Dharma Merlot get into the Flame hatch?

Same deal with Radzinski (guy before Kelvin) and his map. After all, why would a non-Dharma employee need to make a map of his own territory? A Hostile, on the other hand, would be more apt to want to chart out his enemy's territory in case there were more Dharma scientists on the loose.

But honestly, I don't know what to take away from this revelation. Does this mean that the Dharma Initiative is really not at the core of the island's mystery? Does the mystery lie within what the Others are trying to accomplish and not what Dharma was doing? Did Dharma know about the Others before setting up camp on the Island? Or could the Hostiles just be former Dharma test subjects that grew frustrated to the whole Initiative and revolted? Please help me through my confusion.

Some miscellaneous stuff:

The cat = black smoke in my opinion. It's a stretch - even for Lost - to imply that the Iraqi women's cat made it to the Island. Although at the same time I'm implying that a cloud of black smoke read Sayid's mind and took the form of a cat to spy on him. (At the same time though, the smoke did seem to take the form of Eko's brother before his death, and it could be argued that Hurley's imaginary friend Dave, and Kate's phantom Black Horse could have been smokey as well). And Mikhail calls the cat Nadia - who is Sayid's lost love. Coincidence?

And Locke...maybe he didn't blow up the hatch after all. It is very possible that Ms. Klugh set off a timer for the bomb or whatever before she was captured. Still doesn't excuse Locke for leaving Mikhail alone for so long.

Some easter eggs:

RUSSIAN TRANSLATION:

Woman: Mikhail! You know what to do.

Mikhail: We still have another way.

Woman: We cannot risk.

Woman: You know what to do.

Mikhail: We still have another way.

Woman: We cannot risk. You know the conditions.

Mikhail: We have another way.

Woman: They know us. We will not let them [unintelligible]. You know what to do. It is an order. Mikhail: But we still have another way! (pause) I'm sorry! (shoots)

Map

Sawyer-isms

-"Zorro" - Pablo

-"Avalanche" - Hurley (personal favorite)

-"Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon" - Jin and Sun

-"Grimace" - Hurley

Here's to hoping that lost bet doesn't hold. The writers also included a little shout out to the fans with the "who the hell are you anyways?" comment from Sawyer to the new chick. Spot on.

See you next week!