Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: B+ | 1073 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT The Mirror of Erised
By Cindy McLennan | Season 6 | Episode 5 | Aired on 2010.02.23
Lighthouse: As the men approach, Jack asks if Jacob is inside. Hurley says he guesses so, which smells like fudging to me. As he struggles with the door, Jack cracks, "Does it say anything on your arm about the door being jammed?" Ha! When Hurley says no, Jack kicks it open like the action hero he longs to be and we cut to...
L.A. Reality; Williams Conservatory: In the lobby, Jack sees a sign welcoming all candidates. Subtle, huh? He reaches the auditorium just as David begins his audition with "Fantasie Impromptu." Jack is entranced, as he watches his beautiful boy make beautiful music. I heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord... I'm sorry to earworm you with the overused "Hallelujah" but if I don't pass on the infection, it will consume me. Jack's eyes are now at super high-gloss. When David finishes, he rises and thanks the judging panel before walking off stage. Jack's tears still insist upon defying gravity. The broad smile on his face is his only weapon in fighting them off. Just then an Asian boy I like to think of as "Sean" asks, "Is that your son?" When Jack says it is, Sean says, "He's really good," before walking off to his own father's embrace. His father is none other than Yoko!
Yoko encourages his son in Japanese. Once the kid is gone, Yoko says to Jack: "They are too young to have this kind of pressure, aren't they?" Jack agrees. Yoko adds, "It's hard to watch and be unable to help." He waits a beat to give me time to take in the gravity of his words. He's talking about Jack and his fatal flaw in both realities. He's talking about parenthood. And perhaps, he is talking about his own, other reality -- that is the Templars' role on the island. Before my head implodes under the weight of these ideas, Yoko adds, "Your son has a gift. How long has he been playing?" Jack... doesn't know. Yoko smiles at him, but his smile totally says, "FREAK!" Jack returns and uncomfortable grin and walks away.