Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A | 763 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT Your Mother's An Other?!
By Cindy McLennan | Season 5 | Episode 14 | Aired on 2009.04.29
2004; Essex, Massachusetts: Daniel Faraday watches in tears as his TV reports the discovery of the Oceanic Flight 815 wreckage. Caroline tries to talk about the discovery, but he's too upset. They're interrupted by a knock at the door. It's Charles Widmore. Caroline, haven't you ever heard you don't invite vampires in your home? Daniel weeps as he apologizes for not recognizing his visitor and explains that he has a condition that affects his memory. Widmore looks different... kindly, here. He tries to put Daniel at ease by explaining they've never met. When he introduces himself, Daniel remembers that Widmore was his research benefactor. When he says he meant to thank Widmore before he left Oxford, Widmore corrects him. "You mean -- before you were dismissed." Okay, scratch kindly. Daniel sobs that he tested it all on himself and wouldn't have ever hurt Theresa, except for you know, how he totally did. Widmore explains that he's there to offer Daniel a real opportunity. Daniel tries to beg off but he's too disturbed the by reports on Oceanic 815 to concentrate. Widmore decides to put Daniel at ease in his own special way. "Daniel, what if I told you they're not dead? What if I told you the plane was a fake? An elaborate, expensive fake." And how would Widmore know that? Because he put it there. Daniel says, "Well, why would you tell me that?" Widmore doesn't blink. "Because come tomorrow, you won't remember I did." Oooh, burn, but... these people are insane. Not poor, crazy Dan (although yes, him), but his mean, crazy parents. Clearly, you've caught on by now that Widmore is Daniel's father, right? I didn't want him to be. I thought he and Ellie came across more as siblings than lovers in "Jughead," so I wanted him to be an uncle or something, but nope. There's too much him and Ellie in this episode for it to be anything else. And this poor, broken boy is the result of these two Ring Wraiths and their unholy union. Widmore continues, because it's not like Dan will remember. "Daniel, the real Oceanic Flight 815 crashed on an island -- a special island with unique scientific properties. I want to send you to the island. It will further your research, show you things you'd never dream of, but more importantly it will heal you, Daniel -- your mind, your memory." Dan can't quite believe this, but Widmore nods, encouragingly. Finally, Daniel stammers out, "W-why are you doing all this for me?" Widmore says, Luke, I am your father. All right, no. He goes on about Daniel's tremendous gifts and yada yada. Daniel says Widmore sounds like his mother. Widmore smiles then laughs. "That's because we're old friends." Yeah, booty buddies. Daniel searches Widmore's face for answers to questions he can't remember, and we cut to...