LOST DISCOVERIES

 

LOST:

WALKABOUT

Created by: J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof

Story by: David Fury

 

Air date: Wednesday, October 12th, 2004

 

A Daytrip Down The Spiritual Path

By Vlad

 

A Soulful Spike Society Review

www.soulfulspike.com

 

Synopsis

 

We start with a flashback of Locke lying on the beach immediately after the crash, bedlam all around. He opens his eyes, sits up and looks at his right foot. It’s shoeless and he wriggles his toes. Looking around he finds his shoe and slips it on his foot and then looks around to the confusion about him.

 

We come out of the flashback to the dog, Vincent, incessantly barking. It is night and something is moving about in the fuselage. The people gather nervously on the beach. Jack pulls out a small flashlight and moves in to explore. There is definitely something moving around in there. Sawyer pulls out a high power flashlight and moves up to check for himself and spooks the creatures, which go tearing out of the wreckage, gashing Charley as they do so. Locke identifies the creatures as boars.

 

While tending to Charley’s wound, Jack talks to Sayid and Kate and tells them that they need to dispose of the bodies left in the wreckage by cremating them. The others are unsure, since they don’t know the people and seem to think a burial would be best. Jack recommends burning them the next night and walks off, which Kate explains to the others as Jack hoping that someone will see the fire.

 

The next morning Sayid tells Kate of a plan to place antennas he has built in spots around the island to triangulate on the French distress call and find the power source.

 

When Walt goes to talk to Locke, Michael tries to discourage him and asks for his help in gathering firewood. Walt is put off and sulks away, stating that “at least Mr. Locke talks to me.”

 

Soon after, Jack has to break up a tussle between Hurley and Sawyer. Seems they are fighting over a stash of peanuts that Sawyer has and claims are his since he found them. On further questioning, Jack finds out that there are no more rations left. When they are all trying to decide what to do, Locke dramatically interrupts the conversation by throwing a knife into a seat near Sawyer…and announces that they should go hunt. When asked how he managed to bring the knife on board, he says he checked it on. He then displays some knowledge about boars and the others agree that it’s a plan (with the only dissent coming from Sawyer who agrees to it sarcastically.) At this point Locke opens a case he was seen fiddling with earlier and it’s full of different types of hunting and survival knives. Hurley asks himself “Who is this guy?”

 

At this point we are taken for another flashback. This time it’s Locke in an office answering a phone. He exchanges some discreet military sounding conversation, setting up a clandestine meeting. The voice on the phone refers to him as “Colonel.” Then the camera pans out as Locke’s boss is standing over him while Locke sits. The boss is reprimanding him for having a personal call on company time and asks him for some reports that are due. Seems Locke is just a menial computer wielding employee in some big business type firm.

 

Returning to the present, Kate, Michael and Locke all prepare to go off on the boar hunt. Jack inquires of Kate privately as to why every time there’s a field expedition, Kate always goes. She tells him about Sayid’s plan with the antennas. Jack says, “So it’s not about the boars?” to which she replies with a smile, “I’m a vegetarian. “

 

Michael asks Sun, with lots of gesticulating, if she will watch over Walt while the hunting party is gone. She replies in Korean but seems to get and agree to the idea of the request. Walt sulks as his father leaves.

 

Meanwhile, Jack is unloading supplies from the wreckage, making ready for the fire that night. He is approached by Claire, who asks if he will say some words at the funeral. Jack looks uncomfortable and tells her that it’s not really his thing. She then decides that she will take charge of it and Jack hurriedly agrees.

 

Boone notices the black lady that Jack talked to on the plane and then later saved by mouth to mouth resuscitation is sitting well away from everyone, just staring out at the ocean. At the time he mentions this to Shannon, she tells him she doesn’t care. The siblings then get involved in an argument that results in Shannon declaring that she will manage to take care of herself by catching a fish.

 

Shannon stumbles upon Charley who was in the middle of getting his fix with the heroin. Unnoticing of what he was doing, she leads him on slightly and convinces him to go fishing for her, which he agrees to do, evidently to try to impress her.

 

Boone plays upon Jack’s conscience to go talk to the despondent black woman, named Rose. He sits and talks and tells her that she needs to take care of herself, to drink water. He then sits beside her for some time, trying to quietly comfort.

 

Hot on the trail of the boars, Michael tells Kate a little of his relationship with his son but is cut off when they get close to their prey. Locke efficiently quiets them and has them get into position for attack. Unfortunately Michael breaks his silence, spooking the boar that charges out, knocking Locke to the ground and goring Michael in the thigh. This results in another flashback for Locke.

 

Locke is sitting in a break-room at work playing a war board game with a co-worker during lunch. It is obviously the “clandestine” meeting that he was earlier talking about on the phone. The overbearing boss strides in. He makes rude comments about the game and informs Locke that he has gone through his personnel file. He questions why Locke who has never served in any military branch, is called “Colonel.” He then produces a brochure he took from Locke’s desk concerning a vacation Locke is planning. Evidently Locke wants to do a Walkabout in Australia. Locke tells the boss that it’s a spiritual thing and that he has taken time off and will be going in a few weeks. Locke’s gaming opponent is surprised and happy and asks if Locke has mentioned it to Helen yet. The boss is surprised that Locke has a woman in his life. The asinine boss then snidely implies that “old man” Locke couldn’t do a Walkabout. Locke makes a reference to Norman Croucher, a double amputee that climbed Mt. Everest…that he did it because it was his destiny. The boss continues making fun of Locke and leaves. Locke says quietly as the man exits, “Just don’t tell me what I can’t do.”

 

The scene fades back to the present and Locke gets up slightly dazed but still wanting to hunt the boar. He tells Kate to take Michael back to camp and that he can do this. When Kate replies “You can’t…” he cuts her off as he strides away with a quiet “Don’t tell me what I can’t do.”

 

Some time has passed and Charley has recruited Hurley into helping him fish, which they are attempting to do with a piece of wreckage attached to a stick for a crude spear. It’s obvious that neither really knows what they are doing but they seem to bond over the effort.

 

In going through the personal belongings of people to prepare for the funeral, Claire discovers an envelope with Sayid’s name on it and returns it to him. He thanks her, saying he thought he had lost it. He opens it, revealing a couple pictures of an attractive middle-eastern woman who, from the look on his face, he cares about, perhaps a wife, a sister or a girlfriend.

 

Rose finally opens up to Jack, telling him about her husband and why she has his ring around her neck: his fingers swell on flights and she keeps it for him until they land. She tells Jack that she releases him from the promise he made on the plane to keep her company until her husband returns from the restroom. Jack laughs and tells her that she won’t get rid of him that easy. It seems like there is a real dialogue. She tells him that he’s nice and that is probably why he became a doctor. Jack kind of shakes his head and says that he was born into it, that it’s a family business.

 

Locke continues his hunt alone and has another flashback. This time we see him reclining in bed in a bachelor-type apartment, talking on the phone to Helen. He tells her that he is going to do the Walkabout that they have discussed and then tells her that he has two tickets, implying he wants her to go. It is at this time we discover that Helen is most likely a phone-sex worker. She tells “John” Locke that he is going too far. That, even though they have talked for months, she isn’t allowed to date her customers and that he should probably talk to a therapist. She then hangs up on John, obviously frustrating him.

 

We cut again to the present, where Kate has the wounded Michael wait while she climbs a tall tree to place the antenna in it. Michael is impressed and she smiles, saying “I’ve climbed worse.” While in the tree she sees the wake of the big monster that killed the Pilot making its way in the direction that Locke headed off in. Startled, Kate accidentally drops the cobbled together antenna to the ground, breaking it.

 

We then cut to Locke, who hears the boars he has been pursuing. Just as he is about to flush them out, something huge emerges from the forest. Locke stands there, shaken, simply staring upward at the “huge something.”.

 

We change scenes to the beach where Sawyer gives some wallets to Claire that he “found” in the wreckage. Walt and Sun seem to bond a little as she makes some “toothbrushes” from some sort of plant. It is then that Kate and Michael come hobbling out of the jungle. Walt goes rushing to greet his dad and asks about Mr. Locke. Michael winces and doesn’t say anything, evidently not sure how to break it to his son.

 

Charley appears to Shannon and Boone bearing a fish that he has taken all day to catch, all jabbery about how he and Shannon will dine that night “al fresco.” Boone apologizes to Charley for Shannon using him. As the siblings wander off bickering over her abusive ways, it seems to dawn on Charley that he was indeed the “fish” that Shannon caught.

 

Back on the beach, Jack tells Rose of the ceremony that is planned for that night and she says that she would like to be there for that. He helps her up and mentions that perhaps she would want to say something for her husband. She seems confused and says that her husband isn’t dead. Jack tells her that everyone in the tail of the plane was lost. She looks to him and says that she supposes that everyone in the tail probably thinks the same of “them.” Just then, Jack catches sight of a white man dressed in a navy business suit wearing white shoes, standing at the edge of the forest. When he looks away and looks back, the man is gone.

 

Kate returns the broken antenna to Sayid, who is upset, but regains his composure. She assures him that they will try again. Just then Jack approaches, checking out her minor wounds, concerned. She tells him that Locke is “gone,” implying that the “creature” probably got him. Jack starts to tell her that the others are going to hold a service for the dead, but catches another glimpse of the suited man. He goes rushing to the edge of the jungle, with Kate in tow but the man is gone. However, while Jack is searching, Locke comes struggling out of the foliage dragging a dead boar. He looks to Jack and Kate with a troubled smile on his face.

 

That night Claire reads off names and whatever personal facts they know of the dead, the fuselage burning behind them. The rest of the survivors all stand around quietly except for Jack and Charley. Charley takes some of his dwindling drugs before returning to the rest. Jack sits alone on the beach many yards away, simply staring out to the ocean.

 

In mid ceremony, Michael tells Locke that it was nice work getting the boar. Then he asks if Locke caught sight of the “creature.” Locke pauses for a moment and then lies, saying “No.” Locke then turns his gaze back to the mass funeral, prompting another flashback for him.

 

We see John Locke sitting in front of a tour guide’s desk in the Australian outback, arguing with the seated agent because he isn’t being allowed to go on the Walkabout. The agent tells him that John lied and that there is no way his insurance would allow Locke to go with his “condition.” Locke and he argue; Locke claiming he is fit and can do it and that he has dealt with his “condition” for 4 years.. The agent finally gets up and says that the company will pay for his trip back to Sydney and that’s the best they can do. As the agent walks out of the office, the camera pulls back and an enraged Locke wheels around in his wheel chair chasing the agent out the door, yelling “Don’t tell me what I can’t do!” This memory segues into Locke once again remembering his awakening on the beach. He is shown wiggling his toes in amazement and after a few minutes, struggling to his feet and rushing off to aid Jack, who is yelling for people to help the survivors.

 

We come back to current time and the survivors are all standing around the fire, quietly in thought, as Claire reads off names and facts. Locke stares at the burning wreckage, somber. Then his gaze falls upon his old wheelchair sitting nearby and a small smile creeps to his face.

 

 

 

The Road To Shambala

 

According to the Shambala tradition, there is a natural source of radiance and brilliance in the world, which is the innate wakefulness of human beings. This is the basis, in myth and inspiration, of the Kingdom of Shambala, an enlightened society of fearlessness, dignity and compassion.

 

 

“A Walkabout is a journey of spiritual renewal, where one derives strength from the earth and becomes inseparable from it.”

– John Locke, Survivor

 

From that basic description, the Walkabout sounds very much like a Buddhist exercise: the “becoming one with all around you” concept. This episode is very much John Locke’s episode, much as Tabula Rasa was all about Kate. But many of the characters are explored as the entire episode is about the rebirth of all these people. Let’s take a look at what is shown us and see if we can’t be enlightened.

 

 

“Wash away my troubles, wash away my pain with the rain of Shambala.”

– Three Dog Night

 

In the second half of the Pilot episode, when the sudden storm comes rushing in, we see Locke on his knees in the rain, his head cast back and seemingly relishing it washing over him. This is a puzzling scene, much like the scene in the first half where he is smiling incongruously while eating an orange. Everyone else is afraid, panicked, seeking shelter, yet this man seems to be having the time of his life. Later on he tells a secret to Walt, who then relates it to his father: “A miracle has happened.” Well, obviously, a miracle has happened. A jet liner has crashed while flying over an ocean, but manages to crash on ground, on an inhabitable island and well over 40 people walk away with little harm.

 

But the miracle John Locke is referring to is something far more personal. Via his flashbacks, we discover that he believed it was his destiny to go on Walkabout. This is the paraplegic’s dream, though certainly he meant it in a far more abstract sense. One can only imagine his terrible disappointment having made the trip all the way to Australia, only to be turned away from his desire; how he must have been saying silent prayers to the heavens to allow him the chance to complete his “destiny.” So, when he finds himself lying on a beach, on a deserted island and can miraculously now walk and run without seeming effort, the man certainly must feel his prayers have been answered.

 

“Wash away my sorrow, wash away my shame with the rain of Shambala.”

– Three Dog Night

 

John Locke’s former life as a data-entry flunky was certainly full of sorrow and shame. So alone that he must pay for company; constantly feeling the ridicule of his co-workers, his previous life seemed miserable. He fills his days doing meaningless reports when he certainly has a mind that is capable of much more, if not a body willing to assist. His “Colonel” nick-name implies that he is a leader, a man of thoughtful calculated action. In talking to his co-worker he states: “Patience, the quality which you lack GL12, is the hallmark of a leader.” So, upon finding the first situation where he has the knowledge to improve their lot, he steps forward to lead. Locke is becoming the man that he has dreamt of being: strong, resourceful and important. All these things he knew were within himself are finally getting a chance to come out. Destiny, if there is such a thing, surely can not be denied.

 

 

“Everyone is helpful. Everyone is kind on the road to Shambala.”

– Three Dog Night

 

John Locke isn’t the only one on this spiritual journey of renewal; Jack is finding himself in unknown waters. Originally, Jack seemed to be Superman: he had all the right advice, took charge and saved lives. But now that the immediate crisis is over, we are seeing a different Jack. This Jack lacks some of the interpersonal skills needed to be a true leader. He seems detached from the others and, in fact, reluctant to connect when the chance is offered. It is only when Boone mentions his responsibility to the woman he saved, that Jack gets involved with Rose.

 

Using his best bedside manner, he draws her out of the shell she is forming. After talking, she tells him that he has a nice way about him…that he is a good soul. But when she concludes that is why he became a doctor, he says that he was sort of born into it and appears somewhat dissatisfied that is the case. Again, we are seeing the idea of destiny. Jack is who he is, his temperament and his skills not because he chose them, but rather because they were imprinted upon him. They are who he is. But, he is rapidly being faced with the fact that “who you are” and “what you do” are two different things. One simply can help guide in the other. Jack being stuck on the island is finding that there are many ways to be who he is rather than what he does.

 

“Everyone is lucky, everyone is so kind on the road to Shambala.”

-Three Dog Night

 

There are, by my best count, now 47 survivors on this tropical island; maybe 48 if you count Vincent. As I mentioned before, these folk are incredibly lucky, if indeed, it was luck that allowed them to survive that dreadful crash. A handful of these people seem to be leaders or have the potential to be leaders. Already squabbles are breaking out over food, and personalities. These people need to learn cooperation if they are all going to survive. By becoming one, that one will have the skills, talents and stamina it will need, whether it’s surviving until a rescue comes or simply forming a new society.

 

Already we are seeing in-roads with Sawyer, arguably one of the loners of the group. Last week we saw him making a hard decision to end the marshal’s life compassionately but out of need for the group. This week he goes from fighting over rations to handing in the wallets he found in the wreckage so the survivors can bury the dead appropriately.

 

The survivors as a whole seem willing and ready to follow leadership in doing the things it will take for their survival. If they keep up the good efforts they are well on their way.

 

 

“How does your light shine in the halls of Shambala? How does your light shine in the halls of Shambala?”

- Three Dog Night

 

The circle of life is detailed neatly here. The dead, because they are not being properly dealt with, are posing a risk to the living. The past has an influence on the future. But it is only an influence. One is not doomed to be controlled by the past. Jack’s solution of disposing of the bodies is an acceptable one to the survivors as well as being practical. While I do have a problem with the fuselage being destroyed to do this, it’s a minor quibble. Utilizing the corpses as a potential savior for the living is just an exceptional example of how everything is interconnected and if we simply struggle to see how, then things can be done in harmony.

 

The thing that the practical side of Jack missed is something that the expectant mother Claire picks up on. Life must go on. By dealing with the dead, the living can resume living. A mother is always tending to the present with an eye to the future. It is very nice that this mother also realizes that one needs to tend to the past as well. And by them all working together, this endeavor is a success.

 

 

“I can tell my sister by the flowers in her eyes on the road to Shambala.”

- Three Dog Night

 

Shannon seems to have finally faced the reality that they are probably not going to be saved anytime soon. It was assumed that this would be a good thing. Amazingly, she hasn’t learned anything from her second chance at life and is attacking the problems she faces here in the same ways that she did before. By using Charley and him finding it out, she has hurt not only Charley but herself and everyone on the island. The next time Shannon is truly in need, I suspect Charley will be that much less likely to help her. And that could be disastrous not just for the two of them, but for the entire party. It is ironic that the one person that has someone else that they can intrinsically depend on (her brother Boone) is the one person that seems to shun any real connection with others. It is truly karma that we are forced to face the same problems again and again until we finally solve them.

 

Sayid, on the other hand, has been one of the heroes of the entire group. No matter if the others are distrustful of him or are treating him poorly, he continues to do what needs to be done for everyone. He is the one that determines the necessity of lying to the others to keep morale alive. Yet, he is the one that suffers internally because of his need to maintain that lie out of his concern for everyone’s welfare. It seems from his photographs that he truly wants to return to his life and his family.

 

 

“I can tell my brother by the flowers in his eyes on the road to Shambala.”

- Three Dog Night

 

Kate seems to be making a connection with many of the men on the island: Jack, Sayid, Charley and even Sawyer, who seems to be softening to her. He jokes at her as she returns from the forest, but when she tells him “not now” he quickly cuts it off, without seeming to be upset. When Charley was down on himself in the Pilot, Kate tells him that he’s appreciated and that she’s glad he came. When Sayid is frustrated over the antenna, she touches him and assures that they will indeed try again. She has gotten close to Jack, telling him the truths that they are keeping from others by necessities. She even was going to tell him why she is a fugitive. It seems that Kate understands the need for everyone to be together, to be focused and is honestly concerned about the welfare of her companion survivors. Coming from a woman that is on the run and has been for some time, it seems she is using her second chance at life for the betterment of all, and therefore her own improvement.

 

Conclusion

Shambala is sort of an earthly paradise, a place where man has thrown away the limitations and shackles of the mundane and lives life in physical and spiritual harmony. Buddhism believes in reincarnation and that it takes more than one life to learn everything that is needed to be learned.

 

Our castaways have truly been given a second chance to live. Their situation is what they will make of it. They have their entire pasts to draw upon, both their successes and their mistakes. Will they manage to overcome their limitations and grow? Or are they destined to repeat the same mistakes from their prior lives? We have already seen growth in Sawyer and Kate and perhaps Sun and Michael. Will everyone manage to learn that they have to get along and become a single entity if they are going to survive for long? According to Buddhism, eventually they will. It seems like, as Charley stated, “We’re positively made of time.” The wheel just keeps turning.

 

What Worked?

 

 

 

What Didn’t?

 

 

 

 

It’s very hard to find anything else that didn’t work in this episode. My opinion of it, is that it is the finest aired yet.

 

Questions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Missing: Update

 

Jack – Matthew Fox

Jack, finally you are beginning to show that you aren’t Superman. What is that secret you are keeping so close to your breast? And the weird blue guy… don’t worry about it. You aren’t going nuts. We saw him too.

 

Kate – Evangeline Lilly

Kate, I must say that you are quite the go-getter. The way you scampered up that tree impresses me as does your seeming empathy for everyone else.

 

Charlie – Dominic Monaghan

Oh Charley! Charley Tuna, Chicken of the Sea. Shannon is an evil, mean, selfish bitca, cold as that fish you spent all day catching for her. You can do far better. Seems like that little drug stash is getting perilously low. I am glad that you seem to have made a friend in Hurley, though. He might be able to help you through it.

 

Hurley – Jorge Garcia

Nice going with the burgeoning friendship with Charley. Me thinks he will be needing one reeeaaal soon. Maybe you two can go fishing.

 

Claire – Emilie de Ravin

That was a very sweet thing you did, Claire, organizing the funeral and reading over the dead. Considering the condition you are in, it would be natural if you were only thinking about yourself, but instead you seek to comfort everyone. That little boy is gonna have a great mom.

 

Boone – Ian Somerhalder

and

Shannon – Maggie Grace

Oh man…Shannon, can you get any worse? Taking advantage of sweet little Charley like that. You should be so ashamed. But you don’t even get it at all. I take back my Shannon Dougherty remark: You are the queen!

 

And Boone...I know I am supposed to like you, but, there just something about you that I don’t. I can’t seem to put my finger on it. Maybe it’s the genetic link to Shannon? Unfair, I know, but there you have it.

 

Sayid – Naveen Andrews

Way to go McSayid! Nice job whipping up that antenna. I know it’s going to be difficult to repair. Perhaps you should ask Locke if he has a Swiss Army knife in that case. Then there’ll be no stoppin’ ya.

 

Michael – Harold Perineau

and

Walt – Malcom David Kelley

Michael! You aren’t that old so you should remember what its like to be a boy of 10. You were mere inches from gaining some your son’s respect. Would it have hurt you to embellish the boar story a little? After all, you were doing something brave. And you could have actually told Walt about his friend Locke. I know you are trying, but dude, you are blowing it almost every time.

 

And Walt…I still don’t like you. Give me something to work with here, please! I know! Befriend Sun and have her teach you Korean. Then start hanging around her and Jin and annoy the bastard to death for me!

 

Sawyer – Josh Holloway

Okay, both impressed and disappointed here. Let’s start with the negative first: It’s not that you were keeping the nuts for yourself; you earned them. It was the fact that Hurley managed to know you even had them. Come on, guy. I thought you could be more devious than that.

 

On the other hand, giving the wallets to Claire to acknowledge the dead…nice gesture. I just hope that you kept the cash. I mean… it’s not like they are needing it, and you are gonna need something when you get off this godforsaken island. Do me proud and don’t become too good.

 

Locke – Terry O’Quinn

Okay… wow! We finally know who you are. And while you aren’t the bogey man that everyone else thinks you are, you still managed to pull off being a little intense and scary…even in a wheelchair! So, okay, what WAS that you saw in the jungle? And why did you lie? Ohh, you are just eating this all up aren’t you, Mr. Locke? We know so much and still we are going “Who is this guy?”

 

Jin – Daniel Dae Kim

and

Sun – Yunjin Kim

Sun, you are beginning to really…(pun coming)…shine! Your interaction with Walt was just great. And how is it you manage to brush your teeth with such delicacy?

 

And Jin? Where were you? A whole day out of sight? I can’t believe you weren’t snooping over her shoulder every minute. Did Sun feed you the bad sushi? Heh heh heh.

 

The Dog (Vincent)

Alright! Good boy, Vinnie! You’d better get your fair share of that boar. Stay alert, boy and bark if that bad man Jin comes around trying to feed you bizarre fish.

 


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