Episode Report Card Cindy McLennan: A+ | 1112 USERS: A YOU GRADE IT Ob La Di, Ob La Da Life Goes On, Brothah
By Cindy McLennan | Season 6 | Episode 11 | Aired on 2010.04.06
Sideways St. Sebastian's Hospital a.k.a. The Only Hospital in L.A.: The staff consensus is that Desmond's got a pretty good bump on his noggin, but his CAT scan was inconclusive. When they ask him about symptoms, the word hallucinations snaps him to attention. They want to do an MRI on Des. As they prepare him for it, they double check to make sure he's not wearing any metal -- just like the Widmorons did on Craphole-Adjacent. And, they give him a panic button, which many have compared to the buttons on the hatch computer, but which reminds me of the Fail Safe key. Did original recipe Desmond's "test" at the Hydra station bleed into Sideways St. Sebastian's -- necessitating this test? I like to think so. Anyhow, once they start the Magnetic Resonance Imaging, images from original recipe Desmond's life with Penny and wee Charlie Hume start resonating in Sideways Desmond's brain. It's not long before he pushes the panic button and ends the test. He has to get out of that contraption and find Charlie PACE, ASAP.
No one will give Des any information on Charlie Pace, since he's not family. But then, Dr. Jack Shephard appears. Des recognizes him from Oceanic 815, and tries to hit Jack up for some intel, but before Jack has to decide whether or not he should run afoul of HIPAA, Charlie runs through the halls in his dignified hospital johnny. We are spared a look at hobbit bum, thank Jacob. Des chases after him, but never says, "At least get some pants, brothah," which really, I think is a wasted opportunity. Once Des catches up to his charge, he demands to see his hands. "NOT PENNY'S BOAT," is not on either one, of course, but Desmond's desperation is enough to clue Charlie in on the fact that his plan worked. Desmond's near-death experience showed him his really truly true reality and soul-scorching love, too. Charlie's got his own purpose now, and it doesn't seem to involve singing for his supper at the behest of the family Widmore. He advises Desmond that none of this matters. What matters is what they felt. "If I were you, I'd stop worrying about me, and start looking for Penny." Amen, Charlie. Amen. Commercial.
Desmond reports the day's events to Chuckles, who is less than impressed with his star employee's results. He's all what do you mean he's gone? He's a junkie who drove my car into the drink. When I give you a job to do blah blah blah no more MacCutcheon's for you, laddie. Plus? Des gets the plum assignment of informing the reportedly formidable Madame Widmore that Pace is a no-go for her and young Master Widmore's classical music-rock extravaganza/charity event.