Very good. It was fitting to have a Sayid backstory to complement Shannon’s rage over her brother’s death. Although the flashbacks weren’t jaw-dropping, the episode itself was beautiful. Dealing with pain and rage is something that is effective in a tv show however many times you watch it. Every character had a nice piece of the story. Like I said last week…the end of the first season is near.

          Although Sayid is one of my favourites, his flashbacks this week were boring. There were some parts I liked and some parts I didn’t. Sayid is not the kind of person to risk a man’s life just for a woman. He was going to find her anyway. Or maybe not. I also thought the CIA crossed the line when they used blackmail to force Sayid into helping them. Sydney Bristow would never do that. It was refreshing to watch an episode such like this one. Essam is a “martyr” or in our words, a suicide-bomber. His friends had stolen C-4 from a CIA camp in Melbourne. Consequently, the CIA involves Sayid. They were college roommates. Sayid was told to force Essam to come out of hiding with the C-4. Once exposed, they would intervene. Essam was a great character caught between moral beliefs and religion. Essam beautifully portrayed the moderate Muslim. He was afraid to speak out. He wasn’t afraid to die; he was afraid to kill. In his religion, such a thought would be considered treason. I’m also surprised that such an episode was aired after the events of 9/11. The Muslims and the Western world are very different. We have different ideologies and rules. Enough with the history lesson.  

          I was surprised to watch Shannon’s reaction to her brother’s death. Sometimes, the need for revenge is inevitable. Like usual, Maggie Grace was excellent. One never knows how much they love someone until he’s gone. Shannon had to have felt remorse for the way she kept treating her brother over the years. I found it extreme when she stole Jack’s key to the case just to go kill Locke. She was about to do it too. If it wasn’t for Sayid, Locke would have been a goner. That would have made me mad.

          Although I was angry with Locke last week, I realized he did nothing wrong. It was Boone’s choice to climb up the tree and it was Boone’s decision to tag along with Locke. Accusing him was pointless. Besides, he came clean on everything. He confessed to hitting Sayid across the head (I kind of figured that out, but I was still shocked), he led Sayid towards the plane, and he apologized to Shannon. There’s nothing else Locke could have done. He took responsibility for his actions. Why does everyone hate him? He was right to say that Boone was a hero. He stayed until he could send out a transmission. What’s the matter with everyone?

Spotlight on…Sayid

-          Sayid is being interrogated by the CIA. Three-hundred pounds of C-4 were stolen from them by a terrorist organization in Melbourne. They blackmail Sayid into helping, promising him that they would tell him where Nadia is when he’s done.

-          Sayid goes to a mosque in Sydney to see his old friend Essam. He visits his house and finds a bug in the smoke detector. He lives with two friends. Sayid asks the group for the truth.

-          Essam is out on the soccer field with Sayid. Essam tells him that he’s been chosen to be a “martyr.” Essam is afraid. He doesn’t think he can do it. The CIA wants Sayid to convince Essam to go through with the bombing. They are going to intercept him.

-          Sayid convinces Essam to go through with the plan. Essam asks him to join him.

-          Essam is preparing to leave. Sayid tells him the truth. After pointing a gun to Sayid, Essam kills himself.

-          Sayid wants to claim Essam’s body. The CIA gives him a ticket to Los Angeles to find Nadia.

Tales from the Island

Sayid: I stood over Boone’s grave. I was angry. I was angry for Shannon and I was angry because I lost another member of my new family. All of a sudden, I remembered Essam and I remembered the day I decided to turn him into the CIA. I couldn’t let Shannon kill Locke; I wanted to, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t have her go through the same things I’ve had to go through. She would have never forgiven herself; I would never forgive myself. She stood there with the gun pointed at him. I knew Jack wanted him out of the way. I didn’t. We have to stick together; that’s how we survive.

Quotable Quotes

-          Sayid: “I didn't know Boone very well, and for that I am sorry. On our sixth day here a woman named Joanna died. She drowned. And Boone was the first one into the water. I didn't know him, but I remember his courage. And I know he will be missed.” He sure will.

-          Charlie: “You get some rest, and I'll take care of Turnip Head.”
Claire: “Turnip Head?”
Charlie: “Yeah, it's what I'm calling him until you name him. His head looks like a turnip.”

-          Charlie (singing to Turnip Head): “The itsy-bitsy spider climbed up the spout, down came the rain and drowned the spider out...”
Hurley: “Dude, it's washed. . . washed the spider out. Unless it's some kind of British version?”

-          Kate: “Hey, brought you something to eat.”
Jack: “What's in it, chloroform?”

-          Locke (about Boone's death): “...It happened because he was trying to help us. He was a hero.”

-          Sayid: “Take me to the hatch.”
Locke: “What? I told you....”
Sayid: “No more lies.”

-          Hurley (after singing "I Feel Good" to the baby): “Dude, that's all I got.”

Some Final Notes

-          Hurley was absolutely hysterical when he sang for “Turnip Head.”

-          I like the name “Turnip Head.”

-          I thought Shannon had killed Locke. The bullet looked as if it hit him bad.

-          Locke was the one who hit Sayid and broke the equipment.

-          Sayid himself believes that Locke is the only one that can save them.

-          I’m glad Kate drugged Jack. He was going absolutely crazy. Furthermore, she was at his side for a long time.

-          How did Shannon find the case with the guns? Nobody could have told her. I know… it’s tv.

-          Will the Losties forgive Locke? I really hope they do.

-          I had a great time watching Sawyer read Claire’s baby a car magazine. Of all the voices, Turnip Head enjoyed Sawyer’s the most.

-          Walt still doesn’t want to get off the island. I hope he doesn’t burn the raft again.

-          I still cannot understand how Jack can be a doctor. He takes everything so personally.

Good episode 3 ½ stars

-          Next episode

-          Lost season 1

-          Lost main