Season 4, Episode 7: "Ji Yeon"

Ok, so I kind of cringed when I learned that this was going to be Sun/Jin episode (I think a Rose/Bernard story is the only thing potentially worse), but the writers did a good job jazzing up the story with yet ANOTHER narrative twist. Bravo. And we learned a few other tidbits in this episode that were worth noting as well. So since I'm already very late with this post, let's get to it...

So I suppose we should just start right off with the Flash Back / Forward craziness. Did anyone else catch on to what was happening here? I must say, I started thinking that something was up when Jin was screwing around with that brick of a phone that he had when he was trying to catch a cab. Phones have been used as clues before - like when I ruined the ending for all my friends in last year's finale by noting that Jack's phone looked like a CRZR, which led me to shout out, "hey, I think this is a flash forward!" Woops. But regardless, the phone wasn't the only clue to show us that Jin's story was a flashback. For one, the toy store owner suggested that he buy a Dragon as a gift since it was the year of the Dragon on the Chinese Zodiac Calendar. Since each specific animal only pops up on the calendar once every 12 years, and since the last year of the Dragon was in 2000...that left two options: Jin's story was happening in either 2000 or 2012. Well, we know what it ended up being.


Secondly, we could have deduced that Jin's story was a flashback simply from his behavior. Anyone catch that he threatened to find and kill the dude that took his cab? While being a hilarious scene, his rage was a clue telling us that this wasn't the new and improved "lovey dovy English as a second language Jin." This was "I come home with blood on my hands and yell at my wife" Jin. Wonder if he ever tracked down the dude in the cab....

I'll move to Sun's flash forward for a sec, but other than showing us that she is one of the Oceanic 6, not too much happened in her story (well, she had a baby, but whatever). Two things occurred that were interesting however. First, our old buried alive struggling actress friend Nikki showed up in the first scene of the show in a repeat of "Expose" that Sun was absent-mindedly watching.


Second, and more important, Hugo shows up towards the end of the show to escort Sun and her newborn to see Jin's grave. When Hugo asks if anyone else was coming and here's that he's the only one, he replies in relief, "Goooooood." Assuming that Hugo and Sun don't have a hot and heavy affair going on (let that mental picture settle for a second......ok), we have to think that Hurley is not too thrilled with his survivor friends. I don't have too much to add to the meaning behind his comment, but I'm sure its relevance will become clear in future episodes. But just as a point of clarification, they all must be relatively fresh off the Island, since Sun just had the baby (and since she was 2 months preggy on the Island, it's can only be around 7 months later). I guess we can assume that Kate's trial is going on, that Jack is still somewhat sane, and who knows about Sayid. Remember, the scene between Jack and Kate where Jack exclaims that they "have to go back" occurs in 2007. In this episode, it's probably mid 2005. Again, not sure about why Hurley is so relieved, but I'm sure we'll find out.

Finally, let's talk about the touching graveyard scene. Since you're all Lost vets at this point, you knew that when they focused in on the tombstone about three times that something of significance was there. Well, you were right.


The date of Jin's date states September 22, 2004, the same day as Flight 815's crash. This, quite frankly, opens up the possibility that Jin is not dead. As we already know, the Oceanic 6 have struck some sort of deal with someone to lie about what really happened during and after the crash. There are survivors still living on the Island, and we still do not know HOW these 6 came to be shuttled off. Couple that with the fact that Jin's grave was probably created after the crash itself, and before the 6 were "rescued," we can't be sure that he's actually dead. Everyone just thought he was dead...so his family "buried" him. Sun's visiting of the grave may just be symbolic of the fact that she still figures that she'll never see him again, dead OR alive.

As for me, I think he's dunzo. But the above rationale is acceptable in our world of Lost, and therefore should be recognized. After all, Jin stated to Sun, "I'll do anything to protect you." And while this sounds as if he'd die in order to be sure of Sun's rescue, it could mean that he would give up his chance of being rescued for Sun and stay on the Island...alive. Feel free to sound off your thoughts below.

One final note...this now concludes our Oceanic 6: Jack, Kate, Aaron, Sun, Hurley, and Sayid. Right? Don't agree? Well join the club. Aaron is a highly debated figure of the group, but without further info, I can't say whether or not he's officially one of the 6 or not. But also don't discount the fact that there might be other Island folk living in the real world underground style...and that means Oceanic survivors and/or Others....(we already know Ben is).


So moving on to the other "big" revelation last week: the return of Michael...er...or Kevin Johnson. I won't even gloat that I called this one, since it seemed pretty obvious, but we finally know for sure who Ben's man on the boat is. What will happen to Michael - or more importantly where the hell Walt - will hopefully come to light in tonight's episode (but who are we kidding, it probably won't). Oh and just a quick note, remember that while Sayid is obviously hiding his knowledge of Michael's true identity, Desmond has no idea who he is. Just a little Lost timeline help.


And we do learn a little more about the boat and hear that the Captain corroborates Ben's story about Whidmore, but I'm not ready to believe him just yet (cause you know...Michael did say to not trust the Captain and all). Regina was a short lived character, and I guess we have to assume that she is suffering the same affliction as Desmond, Minkowski, and our blood spattered friend in Sayid's new digs...but then again, who knows. She would had to have been exposed to massive amounts of radiation and electromagnetism in order to time travel Des style, and that seems unlikely. But who freaking knows at this point.

So I think that's all I got for this week. Sorry for the lateness of the post, but I didn't even end up seeing the episode this week until Tuesday, as I was out of town. And now you're all primed for tonight's episode, so it all worked out. Remember, tonight is the last ep for about 5 weeks, so enjoy! Some Easter Eggs below:


BOOK CLUB TIME!: The novel that poor Regina was reading upside down was entitled The Survivior's of the Chancellor by Jules Verne, and is about a ship that runs aground and some of its crew go nuts. Hmmm.

See ya next week!