cine + octo = boo

Wow, it’s been six years. Reading Joshua Heller’s take on the passage of time according to LOST sparked my own reflection, but that is for another post.

Tonight is the premiere of the first of 18 final episodes of LOST, a show I’ve lived and breathed since 2004. The first episode out of the gate is LA X, and I’m going to set about liveblogging the final season. I’ve already gone over the rules, so go pull out your supply of snacks from the recent Dharma supply drop, pour yourself some McCutcheon’s, and get ready to soak in the beginning of the end.

Tonight, LOST-pocalypse begins, and this is where the action will happen. The live blog begins…now:

11:00pm — Sayid LIVES!

10:58pm — Richard was in chains? The Man in Black is very disappointed in these people? Why?

10:53pm — Given the rate at which the Losties are dropping like flies, it seems like Miles is a pretty valuable commodity.

10:49pm — “Let’s not resort to namecalling.” Smokie has a little bit of a sense of humor. Terry O’Quinn is really amazing in this role. This is an award winning performance in the making.

10:45pm — I’m really enjoying the serendipitous intersections. Boone, Charlie, and now Claire. Wait, are those the missing kids?

10:36pm — Possible risks: Death by drowning? He can’t leave the island? He returns 3 days later like Pet Cemetery? No, it looks like plain old death. And cue the Jack “I will rescue you” schtick. Place your bets, is Sayid out for the count?

10:34pm — So the spring is no longer clear. Does that mean it no longer works? Wait, what are the risks? Is this how they plan to facilitate the Zombie season 7?

10:31pm — Over $10,000 in Jin’s suitcase, this is bad news. Yipes, Sun just double-crossed Jin.

10:21pm — Who are these people? Oh shit…did Jacob just pass a list of names over to these people via the ankh?

10:19pm — Sawyer is SMART. Another glimpse into Miles’ powers. Is it just me, or does he get more grey hair every time he uses his powers? Wait, it worked?

10:17pm — Kate just kicked some ass. Now she meets up with Sawyer. Fate?

10:15pm — Denise’s money is on Claire ruling the Temple people.

10:09pm — In the temple, thinking of all the times Smokie was summoned by Ben. I wonder if the Man in Black played Ben the same way he played Locke?

10:07pm — See? Christian’s body never made it onto the plane. The island always wins.

10:04pm — What was Juliet going to tell Sawyer? This is the stuff that haunts.

10:02pm — OK everybody breathe. Part 2 is queueing up.

10:00pm — Is Jacob’s guitar case actually Charlie’s guitar case? Funny how many transitional objects are flashing by in this deboarding sequence.

9:57pm — Does anyone else get the feeling that the Bizarro Plane sequence is littered with psychological reminders for Jack regarding the island? “I was supposed to die” — Charlie

9:52pm — Commercial question: Is the Man in Black really Esau?

9:47pm — Smokie COMBAT!!! This episode has everything. Oh, I knew the sand had to be some sort of protection against Smokie. “Sorry you had to see me like that.” HOLY SHIT, THE MAN IN BLACK IS SMOKIE!

9:45pm — I’m beginning to think that Jacob’s refusal to defend himself against Ben was an Obi Wan “If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine” type moment.

9:44pm — Let’s go to the temple.

9:40pm — So even in an alternate timeline, Charlie still kicks off. Or maybe not. Interesting that post-crash in Season 1 Jack sent Boone on a search for a pen. This time he actually needed it to save a life.

9:37pm — So the odd thing, delivering something absolutely perplexing (the bizarro plane sequence) and juxtaposing with the timeline we’re comfortable with is only more nervewracking. Which is real? Both?

9:36pm — “Hey y’all, everybody! I’m dead!”

9:34pm — Jacob loves you.

9:33pm — Oh SHIT! What’s in Jacob’s guitar case?? Oh wait, Hurley sees dead people.

9:32pm — Teamwork!

9:31pm — Side note: Apparently Kuffs has a new TV show.

9:28pm — Uh oh, Richard just spilled the beans to Ben about the real John Locke.

9:24pm — Now were at the scene of Jacob’s murder. What does Locke in Black have to discuss with Richard? Just a hunch, was Richard a plant for the Man in Black?

9:23pm — This is playing like a greatest hits. Next up: Boone! Shannon didn’t want out of bad relationship…I can’t remember enough about her backstory. Locke’s discussing his walkabout…can he walk, or is he lying?

9:19pm — Has Sayid punched his final timecard? Wait…JACOB!

9:17pm — Juliet! Awwww, Sawyer really loves her.

9:16pm — Jin thinks we moved through time. Hurley thinks he’s the luckiest man alive. Is the plane sequence BIZARRO LOST?

9:15pm — Whoa, Doc Artz cameo!

9:13pm — Wait, we’re back on the plane? What the hell is going on here?

9:11pm — Kate’s on the island, sans hearing. Very good sound design. Jacob’s theme. Enter Miles. Jack is here. So if they are in 2004, was Jack dreaming the plane sequence?

9:09pm – So…the island is underwater. Wait, did my DVR just mess up? Why are we seeing the incident again?

9:06pm — Dharma shark and Taweret…plus Beetlejuice music?

9:05pm — Wha??? See you in another life, brother.

9:03pm — Note: she only gave him one bottle of vodka. Also, no Charlie. Is that Locke back there? We’re not in the same timeline.

9:02pm — Juliet vs. Jughead. Flash to white. And…Jack on a plane?

8:56pm — 4 minutes until LOST! (yes, I chose this update carefully).

8:26pm — 4  8  15  16  23  42  =  108

8:20pm — FYI Dharma Merlot definitely helps pass the time. Where did I put the McCutcheon’s?

8:04pm — Ack! Forgot about the recap show…d’oh! Time for more adobo and some Dharma Merlot to sooth my nerves.

7:53pm — 7 minutes and counting!

7:47pm — OK, it’s a gamble, but I’m going with LA X being a Sun-centric episode. #notgoingtohappen

7:44pm — I was half kidding. I mean, how does that lyric from Annie go again? “Betchyer bottom dollar, there’ll be…?”

7:33pm — Hmm…Damon Lindelof doesn’t know what a “bottom dollar” is. Clue?

7:12pm — First update…wondering whether anyone followed any other liveblogging efforts.