Confidence Man
An IM conversation I had with my friend Josh on Wednesday morning:
Josh: I watched "John From Cincinnati" last night. Weird ending.
Me: Man, I have watched that scene at least 10 times
Josh: I rewound and watched a 2nd time
Josh: so weird
Me: yeah
Josh: so you like the show?
Me: if it leads to something yeah. if this whole thing pays off with shit I'll be pissed
Josh: funny, i say the same thing about "Lost"
00:01 -- It's when I see Sawyer dripping wet that I realize watching "Lost" isn't the same without Lauren around.
00:02 -- Now Sawyer is in bed with some blonde. Somewhere, Lauren's ears are burning. Or her something else...
Josh: I watched "John From Cincinnati" last night. Weird ending.
Me: Man, I have watched that scene at least 10 times
Josh: I rewound and watched a 2nd time
Josh: so weird
Me: yeah
Josh: so you like the show?
Me: if it leads to something yeah. if this whole thing pays off with shit I'll be pissed
Josh: funny, i say the same thing about "Lost"
00:01 -- It's when I see Sawyer dripping wet that I realize watching "Lost" isn't the same without Lauren around.
00:02 -- Now Sawyer is in bed with some blonde. Somewhere, Lauren's ears are burning. Or her something else...
00:03 -- Whoops, did I drop my suitcase full of money on the floor? My bad.
00:04 -- "What are you doing in my stuff, son?" -- Sawyer to Boone. How old do you have to be to start referring to people as son? Or is it more of a Southern thing -- like calling people "boy"?
00:05 -- "I will do what I need to do to find the man responsible." -- Sayid. That line sounds threatening enough at the time, but now that we know what Sayid is capable of ... that line is quite intimidating.
00:06 -- Ok, allow me to rant for just a moment. So the people who stay on the beach want to be there for "when they get rescued." What do they expect to happen? Do they expect the people who do stay on the beach -- because they could stay there in shifts -- to NOT go back and tell the people in the caves? Like Kate and Sawyer are going to get rescued and forget to mention Jack and the others are back in the caves? Always bothered me.
00:07 -- So now Jack goes rummaging through Sawyer's things and talking all tough. I know Sawyer is an asshole and all, but is ASKING for the inhalers sooooooo wrong?
00:08 -- I love watching a con artist do his thing.
00:10 -- "Freckles, I got so many answers to that question I don't even know where to start." -- Sawyer. Yeah, I can think of a couple too, but this is a family-friendly blog.
00:11 -- I am having the same reaction now that I can remember having the first time I watched this episode -- no one even asked if Sawyer had the inhalers. They just assumed. Always bothered me.
00:12 -- "You killed my parents, Mr. Sawyer." -- Sawyer's letter. Now, do we find out in this episode that Sawyer is the one that actually wrote the letter? I can't remember.
00:13 -- This scene between Locke and Sayid is AMAZING the second time around. Locke is, in some ways, admitting it was him. Just awesome.
00:15 -- Again, no one asks Sawyer if he even has the inhalers. Just stupid. But at least we get some punches thrown this time.
00:16 -- Man, I do love watching a con artist do his thing.
00:17 -- Ugh, is this the peanut butter episode?
00:19 -- Is Shannon just now learning that humans can breathe through their noses?
00:20 -- I love Locke, you know that. I LOVE, Henry Gale, you know that too. But when the chips are down, I want Sayid on my side.
00:21 -- Charlie points out to Hurley that he's fat and he takes it the news like, well ... like it's news.
00:22 -- "Good morning." -- Sayid.
00:24 -- "You know what, Ali? I think you've never actually tortured anybody in your life." -- Sawyer. I'm sorry, incorrect. We were looking for "Tortures people for a living."
00:27 -- "Baby, I am tied to a tree in the jungle of mystery." -- Sawyer. Come to think of it, I might let Sayid stick bamboo in my fingernails for the chance to kiss Kate.
00:28 -- Kate finally kisses Sawyer and somewhere Lauren's head just exploded.
00:29 -- "I don't have it." -- Sawyer. It was just as easy to spot the second time around.
00:30 -- After some more testosterone-based posturing, Sayid accidentally stabs Sawyer in the arm with a knife. I myself have never been stabbed, so I cannot relate to this particular ailment. If Sawyer had turned his ankle, or maybe jammed a finger, then I could weigh in.
00:32 -- Nobody ever likes getting yelled at, but getting yelled at in Korean sounds even worse.
00:33 -- "If the tables were turned, I'd watch you die." -- Sawyer. Pleasant.
00:34 -- The sight of Jess' kid gives Sawyer second thoughts about the con. With all that has gone on, watching this the first time we probably forgot all about Sawyer's letter and how his con mirrors that one. But now, with the kid, it's all painfully obvious.
00:35 -- "Take your hand off me, boy." -- Sawyer. See, what I tell you? You never want to be called "son" or "boy."
00:36 -- Detective Austen cracked the case.
00:38 -- Sun helps to cure Shannon of her asthma, the first real interaction either her or Jin has with anyone else (not counting Sun talking to Michael behind everyone's back).
00:40 -- I understand the peanut butter scene is cute -- I really, really do. And part of me does love it, except for two things: 1) I hate Charle and 2) I hate peanut butter.
00:41 -- "Someone has to walk the shore and map the island, see what else there is." -- Sayid. My #1 pet peeve with "Lost" has always been that they never really explored the island. My running joke with my mom is that there is a Hilton just around the corner, only they never see it.
So while I certainly remembered this episode as I watched it, I have to admit that I kind of forgot everything that went on. As a result, I kept having one question go through my head -- How did these people forgive each other for what went on?
I know Sawyer is a little twisted at times, and loves (in a way) to be hated -- but they tied him to a tree and tortured him for something they didn't even really know he had! I'd have a hard time getting past that.
And Sawyer was playing games with Jack, Sayid and the rest of them while Shannon's life (kind of) hung in the balance. They were focusing all their attention on him when they didn't need to be.
Then again, with all that went on afterwards, it's probably hard to dwell on the "little things."
I give this episode a B- the second time around. I am always a fan of con man movies, so watching Sawyer do his thing, while predictable, was still enjoyable. His season two flashback episode "The Long Con" is my favorite of the Sawyer bunch and in a lot of ways it's similar to this one -- just done better.
Alright, here is my question to you: Would you ever forgive Sawyer for all the things he did while on the island? Til next week...
00:04 -- "What are you doing in my stuff, son?" -- Sawyer to Boone. How old do you have to be to start referring to people as son? Or is it more of a Southern thing -- like calling people "boy"?
00:05 -- "I will do what I need to do to find the man responsible." -- Sayid. That line sounds threatening enough at the time, but now that we know what Sayid is capable of ... that line is quite intimidating.
00:06 -- Ok, allow me to rant for just a moment. So the people who stay on the beach want to be there for "when they get rescued." What do they expect to happen? Do they expect the people who do stay on the beach -- because they could stay there in shifts -- to NOT go back and tell the people in the caves? Like Kate and Sawyer are going to get rescued and forget to mention Jack and the others are back in the caves? Always bothered me.
00:07 -- So now Jack goes rummaging through Sawyer's things and talking all tough. I know Sawyer is an asshole and all, but is ASKING for the inhalers sooooooo wrong?
00:08 -- I love watching a con artist do his thing.
00:10 -- "Freckles, I got so many answers to that question I don't even know where to start." -- Sawyer. Yeah, I can think of a couple too, but this is a family-friendly blog.
00:11 -- I am having the same reaction now that I can remember having the first time I watched this episode -- no one even asked if Sawyer had the inhalers. They just assumed. Always bothered me.
00:12 -- "You killed my parents, Mr. Sawyer." -- Sawyer's letter. Now, do we find out in this episode that Sawyer is the one that actually wrote the letter? I can't remember.
00:13 -- This scene between Locke and Sayid is AMAZING the second time around. Locke is, in some ways, admitting it was him. Just awesome.
00:15 -- Again, no one asks Sawyer if he even has the inhalers. Just stupid. But at least we get some punches thrown this time.
00:16 -- Man, I do love watching a con artist do his thing.
00:17 -- Ugh, is this the peanut butter episode?
00:19 -- Is Shannon just now learning that humans can breathe through their noses?
00:20 -- I love Locke, you know that. I LOVE, Henry Gale, you know that too. But when the chips are down, I want Sayid on my side.
00:21 -- Charlie points out to Hurley that he's fat and he takes it the news like, well ... like it's news.
00:22 -- "Good morning." -- Sayid.
00:24 -- "You know what, Ali? I think you've never actually tortured anybody in your life." -- Sawyer. I'm sorry, incorrect. We were looking for "Tortures people for a living."
00:27 -- "Baby, I am tied to a tree in the jungle of mystery." -- Sawyer. Come to think of it, I might let Sayid stick bamboo in my fingernails for the chance to kiss Kate.
00:28 -- Kate finally kisses Sawyer and somewhere Lauren's head just exploded.
00:29 -- "I don't have it." -- Sawyer. It was just as easy to spot the second time around.
00:30 -- After some more testosterone-based posturing, Sayid accidentally stabs Sawyer in the arm with a knife. I myself have never been stabbed, so I cannot relate to this particular ailment. If Sawyer had turned his ankle, or maybe jammed a finger, then I could weigh in.
00:32 -- Nobody ever likes getting yelled at, but getting yelled at in Korean sounds even worse.
00:33 -- "If the tables were turned, I'd watch you die." -- Sawyer. Pleasant.
00:34 -- The sight of Jess' kid gives Sawyer second thoughts about the con. With all that has gone on, watching this the first time we probably forgot all about Sawyer's letter and how his con mirrors that one. But now, with the kid, it's all painfully obvious.
00:35 -- "Take your hand off me, boy." -- Sawyer. See, what I tell you? You never want to be called "son" or "boy."
00:36 -- Detective Austen cracked the case.
00:38 -- Sun helps to cure Shannon of her asthma, the first real interaction either her or Jin has with anyone else (not counting Sun talking to Michael behind everyone's back).
00:40 -- I understand the peanut butter scene is cute -- I really, really do. And part of me does love it, except for two things: 1) I hate Charle and 2) I hate peanut butter.
00:41 -- "Someone has to walk the shore and map the island, see what else there is." -- Sayid. My #1 pet peeve with "Lost" has always been that they never really explored the island. My running joke with my mom is that there is a Hilton just around the corner, only they never see it.
So while I certainly remembered this episode as I watched it, I have to admit that I kind of forgot everything that went on. As a result, I kept having one question go through my head -- How did these people forgive each other for what went on?
I know Sawyer is a little twisted at times, and loves (in a way) to be hated -- but they tied him to a tree and tortured him for something they didn't even really know he had! I'd have a hard time getting past that.
And Sawyer was playing games with Jack, Sayid and the rest of them while Shannon's life (kind of) hung in the balance. They were focusing all their attention on him when they didn't need to be.
Then again, with all that went on afterwards, it's probably hard to dwell on the "little things."
I give this episode a B- the second time around. I am always a fan of con man movies, so watching Sawyer do his thing, while predictable, was still enjoyable. His season two flashback episode "The Long Con" is my favorite of the Sawyer bunch and in a lot of ways it's similar to this one -- just done better.
Alright, here is my question to you: Would you ever forgive Sawyer for all the things he did while on the island? Til next week...
Comments
Hey everybody!!! Long time no talk! =)
Well, I must say that even though it was a decent episode, it wasn't one of my favorites so far......There was something that made me lose interest at times.........Lots of Sayid (good WOOT!) but not enough Locke (bad WOOT...)
To answer Daniel's ?, I must say since I am the "pendeja" (meaning "sap/sucker" in spanish) of all "pendejas" in the world, I most likely would forgive Sawyer and from what we have seen so far, it wouldn't be the worst thing to do.......
Now here's my ? to you guys-- Would it have been a better idea to have made LOST into a movie kind of like "Lord of the Rings", knowing that there were 3 parts and that everything would come together in the end? I just keep thinking about when the show first aired and how people thought it looked like a movie and well, we wouldn't have all the filler that we have now.......I keep toying with the thought and I just can't decide if it's a YAY or a NAY...........
What do you guys think???
Until next time,
me! =)
Posted by: me! =) | July 19, 2007 12:36 AM
hi, i'm ususally just a lurker but i thought i'd share my thoughts this time since i do love me some sawyer!
to answer daniels question aout being called son or boy, yep it's a southern thing! no matter the age :) and i would most defanitly forgive sawyer. just beacuse you have to remember that they are going through a scary, rough time and the people they are off the island doesnt really matter much anymore. they dont know if they will be there forever or a few more days. like sawyer said they are "in the wild" and your emotions and actions can get the best of you in an unfamiliar situation.
Posted by: beth w | July 19, 2007 05:44 AM
you must be so happy at Terry and Michael's emmy nods...who would you pick?
Posted by: HGorJL | July 19, 2007 07:01 AM
Sawyer, we all know now, is trying to make himself into the most hated man on the island. He just killed a man who he THOUGHT was the real Sawyer, just to find out he'd been used by another con man. His self-loathing in obvious, and he just "vants to be alone." Of course, he still has his own survival and self-interest at heart, and doesn't really care if he lives or dies. But, like everyone on the island, he is doing some self-discovery that will lead to redemption ... which of course means that when he finds that redemption, he's a dead man.
In very long other words ... I totally forgive him. Of course, the fact that he is the hottest thing since hot was invented doesn't hurt.
Posted by: Janelle | July 19, 2007 07:01 AM
One thing that strikes me about this episode: the extent of Sawyer's self-loathing makes much more sense once we learn (much later) what he's just done in Australia before getting on the plane. [The way he wasn't able to kill the marshall right turns out to foreshadow Sawyer's frustrating incompetence at the whole homicide thing.] Within the episode, it DOESN'T really make sense that the whole torture scene evolves--a simple "Don't have the inhalers; never did have 'em" could have prevented the whole thing. But by having others hate him--even to the point of physically torturing him--Sawyer gains external enemies who are much easier for him to face than those inside his conscience.
And we do learn he has a conscience in this ep, when he walks away from the con in the flashback.
We also learn that we want to see him in as many kissing, shirtless and/or compromising scenes as possible. Josh Holloway is the Island's Smokiest Monster!!! ;-)
Posted by: Vermonter | July 19, 2007 07:15 AM
Excellent responses today! Beth W, Janelle and Vermonter - I really enjoyed reading your comments. Very thought-provoking.
[not so much for me!=)'s comments, but they can't all be winners]
Posted by: Rich DeBerg | July 19, 2007 07:21 AM
Of course, being the ultimate con man, did he insinuate that he HAD the inhalers so that when they found out, later, that he didn't, their guilt for torturing him would be an asset for him at a later date?
Woah, I think I just hurt my head trying to wrap my brain around that concept.
Posted by: Janelle | July 19, 2007 08:04 AM
Did you guys hear that Michael Emerson and Terry O'Quinn were both nominated for Emmys? Pretty cool.
Posted by: Hannah | July 19, 2007 08:09 AM
RICH: Good to see you again, you crack me up!
LAUREN: I think Daniel nailed just about every reaction that you must have had watching the episode. That was funny to read.
Some great comments from those first few posts. Would I forgive Sawyer? Yeah, not because he's a BABE, but just like Kate sees that he's emotionally in pain and doesn't think before he speaks, there is good in him. Its easier to be selfish. Kate forgives him many many times for the stupid things that he does, and as a bonus she gets a little somethin' somethin!
Posted by: Janice (formerly Belle) | July 19, 2007 08:15 AM
Daniel!
There can only be one winner... which would you vote for Terry or Michael?
Posted by: Janice (formerly Belle) | July 19, 2007 08:22 AM
Lost also picked up a best writing and best sound editing, or something.
Its gonna be a great Emmy show: Sopranos, Deadwood AND Rome, some of my other favorite shows (NOW GONE!!!) are nominated.
[[stepping up on a soapbox]]
HBO, if you're reading this, please screw your head on right...3 great shows, Emmy nominations, yet you got rid of them!!?? [[stepping off of soapbox]]
Posted by: Janice (formerly Belle) | July 19, 2007 08:51 AM
"...their guilt for torturing him would be an asset for him at a later date." Great point, Janelle! Sawyer is very smart--and I LOVE the line about "I just got tortured by a genuine spinal surgeon and an Iraqi" as a way of getting Kate's sympathy. But I don't know if he could have really anticipated they would go THAT far, especially Jack--a doctor! And Sawyer's initial dislike for Sayid through the first several episodes really seemed to have a fairly simplistic, almost racist/redneck tinge to it (all that "Ali" and "Captain Falafel" namecalling).
Although when they did finally resort to the bamboo shoots and tying him to a tree, I do agree with you. There was a glint in his eye, with maybe 3 elements--if we want to deconstruct it. 1) I deserve this. 2) How can I use this to get my kiss from Kate? 3) I'm a con man, and I can turn ANYTHING into my longterm advantage--including making Jack and Sayid feel guilty about this.
Posted by: Vermonter | July 19, 2007 09:05 AM
So the people who stay on the beach want to be there for "when they get rescued." What do they expect to happen? Do they expect the people who do stay on the beach -- because they could stay there in shifts -- to NOT go back and tell the people in the caves?
If I were stranded on a desert island, I'd be on the beach, too. I'd be paranoid that a ship or plane would pass, and if they missed seeing us on the beach, or we missed seeing them and making a decent signal, we'd miss our chance to get rescued. So I'd stay on the beach, just in case.
Posted by: Betsy | July 19, 2007 09:20 AM
Four Emmy noms on top of Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson for best supporting actor. Three are for the episode "Through the Looking Glass": best direction (Jack Bender), writing (Cuse and Lindelof) and editing. "A Tale of Two Cities" got a sound editing nod.
I'm blanking out on which eps these were. Anyone remember?
Posted by: Vermonter | July 19, 2007 10:20 AM
Oops...what an idiot. Just Googled it. "Looking Glass" was the finale, of course, and "Two Cities" was the premiere. I never remember the episode titles for some reason...
Posted by: Vermonter | July 19, 2007 10:23 AM
Since Emmerson was nominated once before for his work on The Practice, I think the actual nod should go to O'Quinn. I was watching some old (80s) movie not too long ago, realized that one of the baddies was O'Quinn. He's been around a LONG time and deserves some credit for it.
But once again, I was mostly disappointed with the Emmy nods. They regularly ignore anything with a hint of Sci-Fi to it -- Battlestar Galactica, X-Files, Buffy (which did get one writing nod for an episode with little talking) ... and its ridiculous!
Posted by: Janelle | July 19, 2007 10:32 AM
This is when we really get to see that badass side to Sayid. Definitely want to be on his good side! But I agree that they could've at least asked Sawyer for the inhaler. I also agree that Sawyer in some way thought he deserved it and could use it to his advantage.
With all they went through together by the end of season 3, why would you worry about what Sawyer did early on? Easier to forgive and move on. Seems Hurley sort of made a joke about how Sawyer thought he was all that with the ping pong thing, and Jack did it with poker. I think they realize Sawyer's not as tough as he acts.
Posted by: cathead67 | July 19, 2007 10:50 AM
Oh, and I think the emmy nods for Terry and Michael are well deserved. Love, love, love Terry as Locke, but this season Michael was so dang good and creepy!
Posted by: cathead67 | July 19, 2007 10:55 AM
I'm a MAD Terry O'Quinn fan. And he should have won in S1--Don't tell me what I can't do! He lost to William Shatner...and Boston Legal is more comedy than drama, and Shatner is certainly a lead actor in that series, not a supporting one. And Naveen Andrews was nominated that year too, possibly splitting the Lost vote.
That said, I reluctantly have to admit, that based on the strength of this year's subtle portrayal of BRILLIANT CRAZY EVIL, Michael Emerson would get my vote. And I'm guessing that's how Daniel would vote as well. Am I right?
Posted by: Vermonter | July 19, 2007 11:36 AM
You know Daniel loves him some Henry. I bet that's the hardest part of going back and watching season 1 -- no Henry!
Posted by: cathead67 | July 19, 2007 12:21 PM
If I had to vote, it was certainly be for Emerson, but only by a split hair!
Posted by: Janice (formerly Belle) | July 19, 2007 02:36 PM
First...my vote would be for Emerson to win the Emmy. No contest for me. That said, I think that there should be some kind of award for just one single scene of season 2: That would be the scene where Locke is being put into the wheelchair for the very first time..I don't know how they managed to make a simple wheelchair look so menacing and the look of despair and fright on Locke's face was perfect. During that episode, that wheelchair was more scary than Freddy, Jason, and Leatherface combined. (Terry may just pull out an emmy win if they watch that episode before voting) Oh yeah, the Sawyer question! Of course I would forgive him. He's just a jackass who likes to show off but, in the end, he is easy to like. Plus, he doesn't back down from confrontation so he is a good guy to have on your side. (And, that was the hottest kiss EVER on network tv) Who would I NOT forgive for the torture thing? Easy. Jack. I know, I've made it clear I can't stand him but he had no remorse over what they did but yet he just about had a cow when Sayid beat the snot out of Henry a little while later. Sayid felt bad about what he had done and removed himself from the group for while because of it. At least we know what we are getting with Sawyer and Sayid.
I'll miss next week...going on vacation and no internet access where I'm going. See you all in 2 weeks!
Posted by: Angel | July 19, 2007 03:24 PM
OOPS!!! I meant to say Season 3 for the wheelchair scene! I was so distracted thinking about Sawyer that I vapor locked!
Posted by: Angel | July 19, 2007 03:26 PM
Duuuuuuuuude! let me take a moment to compose myself. Sawywer is so f-ing delicious!!! this episode was like porn for me. nothing better than hot headed, sweaty Sawyer all tied up. and that kiss!! i remember that so vividly in season 1. mainly because i was imagining myself as Kate. how did she not take advantage of him tied up!! she's an idiot! i would have done bad things to him!
Dan, you're glad i wasn't with you when you were watching. you would have plugged your ears or just thrown me out :)
great blog! i forgot how bad-ass Sayid was in this! i LOVE Season 1!
p.s. are Michael and Terry up in the same category? that sucks! i don't know who i'd pick. while i think Ben should totally get it, i think Terry is owed and has earned, and should have won every year! if EITHER of them gets it i'll be happy.
p.p.s. hi Janice! yep, Dan was dead on with my reactions :) where is everybody???
Posted by: Lauren, the LOST Nazi | July 19, 2007 03:46 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Today is Josh Holloway's BDay...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAWYER!!
Posted by: Janice (Belle) | July 20, 2007 06:21 AM
Happy birthday Josh!
Posted by: cathead67 | July 20, 2007 07:50 AM
Lauren,
If I dress up as Sawyer for Halloween, will you do the "bad things" that you spoke about above to me?
Rich
Posted by: Rich DeBerg | July 20, 2007 10:18 AM
Hmm, now I am thinking about the best stolen kiss moments, the one that you didn't see coming ... god I miss those...
Posted by: Janelle | July 20, 2007 12:12 PM
OK, I know someone already commented on this but "boy" and "son" is a southern expression. It is not said in a bad way. It would be like calling someone "dude". I use it all the time and have never hurt anyones feelings. Come visit the south and let us teach y'all a few things!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 21, 2007 06:03 PM
Daniel....you echoed my #1 problem with the show. They never walked around the whole island. That should be the first thing they did after the crash (okay, make sure everyone is ok): walk the beach around the whole island and see if there's a Club Med on the other side (maybe where the Others actually work?).
I'm actually watching Season 2 this summer because I missed a lot of the second half of it. Still like checking in on what you're watching, tho.
Posted by: Sioux | July 25, 2007 07:29 AM
pet and meds
Posted by: front pet meds | March 18, 2008 07:12 PM