Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A | 5870 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT I Once Was Lost, But Now Am Found
By Cindy McLennan | Season 6 | Episode 17 | Aired on 2010.05.23
Sideways; Concert: Jack arrives at the concert to find only the stragglers left. He takes his phone out (to call his son who no longer exists?) and that's when she comes strutting out from under the tent. "It's over." Jack flips his phone closed. "Excuse me?" Kate gestures behind her. "The concert -- it's over." While Jack is agitated, Kate looks like she just had the best spa day ever. She cocks her head playfully. "You lookin' for someone?" Jack scans the grounds as he answers. "Yeah. My son. I was supposed to bring him here tonight, and then I couldn't come, and..." Kate stares into his eyes until he chuckles. He says, "I'm sorry," as he walks toward her. "Where do I remember you from?" Kate: "I stole your pen." Jack laughs. "What?" Kate: "Uh, Oceanic 815 from Sydney. I bumped into you coming out of the bathroom. I stole your pen. Jack: "And that's how I know you?" Kate's voice is raspy, her eyes -- sad. "No, that's not how you know me."
She closes the distance between them and in a wide shot, those in the audience who had no interest in six seasons of Shirtless Sawyer are consoled with one va-va-va-voom shot of a surprisingly leggy Kate -- in a dress that gives her curves her Island togs just could not. Kate grabs Jack's face with both hands. And oh my word, how many times have I typed that phrase in this recap? He has two quick flashes -- one of them sitting by the campfire at night; the other takes us back to the very first time they met. In the present, Kate, still with her you-know-whats you-know-where says, "I've missed you. So much." This is the ninth time I cry.
Jack flashes on their first kiss. It's too much for him. He's not ready to let go yet, so that he can reunite with the girl he wasn't ready to let go of, but ultimately did, so that he could cleave to the island -- corks and all -- and never let go, or something. He shrinks back from her touch and exhales. When Kate asks if he's okay, he looks up at the sky. "What is happening to me?" He approaches her, nearly in tears. "Who are you? I don't..." Kate clasps her hands together. "I know. You don't understand, Jack, but if you come with me you will." And you know, I've liked this couple from the get-go (although I think the writers botched things here and there, and I thought all possible pairings of the quadrangle could have appealed) but right now, I'm a petty little bitch. I'm looking at Kate (whom I like). She'll be in love all alone until Jack finally has his break-through. I know that's gotta hurt her and? It makes me so happy! Subtle, cosmic payback, for the win. As Jack looks at her, trying to figure things out, we WHOOOSH back...