I've read a lot of complaints that the reveal of Michael as Ben's man on the boat was easily guessed, anti-climactic, and sub-standard for the writers of _Lost_. I agree wholeheartedly...which is why I am convinced that Michael is _not_ Ben's man on the boat.
Just because he's there doesn't mean that Ben put him there, or even knows he's there. As we all know, the writers are masters at misdirection (is that a flash-forward?...no, wait, it's a flashback?...or maybe it's a flash-sideways?) and this is no different. Ben's man on the boat will be someone else, I don't know who.
People have also been saying that Michael didn't seem to recognize Sayid. I disagree. I think that was a very uncomfortable silence between the two, and Michael/Kevin was reluctant to shake Sayid's hand for fear of having his wrist snapped.
And lastly, Michael's alias, "Kevin Johnson," is obviously another clever easter egg from the writers. Kevin Johnson was an NBA player from the '90s. His nickname was "K.J." This obviously stands for "Kill Jin," foreshadowing exactly what the writers are going to do at the end of the episode. Very clever.
Okay, that last point is total bullshit and I don't believe a word of it, but the Michael on the boat stuff...that's for realz.
I initially posted this in the "Kevin Johnson" thread. But, perhaps it is better placed here:
I was very glad to see Harold Perrineau back as a "Freighty". That is, this "Michael" seems more complex and tortured. His "narcotic" stare at Sayid and Des was well done.
I was relieved when the old Michael left.
Of course many questions:
Why/how the pseudonym?
Where's Walt?
Does Kevin/Michael have the freighter sickness?
Has the guilt worn him down? _________________ "Sensitivity? .WHO CARES"- jg
I was a strong proponent of Michael not being Ben's man on the boat.
After 'Ji Yeon' I will have to concede that he probably is, and it pains me to admit that Matt Lafferty is not a poo-head.
The real disappointment of course was the anti-climactic nature of the reveal.
There is still hope that the startling revelation will come in the next episode, something along the lines of what Mark B suggests, that Michaels bearings sent him sometime in the past, allowing for enough story to be told for us not to be asked to believe that the Michael at the end of season 2 could be manipulated by Ben to that extent.
Maybe the twist will be that Michael actually confides in his friends this time. _________________ Joopİ
I was very glad to see Harold Perrineau back as a "Freighty". That is, this "Michael" seems more complex and tortured. His "narcotic" stare at Sayid and Des was well done.
I was relieved when the old Michael left.
@ jg - I couldn't agree more. Initially I was not looking forward to Michael's return, but all it took was one brief scene, nearly devoid of dialogue, to give me hope for a 'changed' Michael. I don't know why and I could be way off, but I think his actions will include a stronger will, more confidence and a truer sense of purpose for his character. Panic mode Michael became too obsessive and irrational, I feel like that will not be the case this go 'round. _________________ "I dust a bit...in addition, I am at the moment writing a lengthy indictment against our century. When my brain begins to reel from my literary labors, I make an occasional cheese dip."
I disagree with then notion that Michael isn't the man on the boat. First, sometimes if it clucks like a chicken, lays eggs like a chicken, and gets slaughtered by Locke like a chicken, it's a chicken. Second, Michael has a connection to Ben, and who better to be trapped in a purgatory-like existence, owing Ben everything?
Of course, I'm one of the ones arguing that the Oceanic Six, represening people who got off the island, might be as high as 8 people if one includes Aaron and Ben... so I could be way off!
It would be a heck of a zinger if Michael isn't the man on the boat, I'll give you that. _________________ "So we saved the world together for a while, and that was lovely." --Desmond
I utterly disagree with the notion that something has to be a massive shock or surprise in order to be a good reveal. All this particular reveal proves is that the story has progressed in a logical manner. Locke's dad being Sawyer is another example of a reveal that a great deal of people guessed ahead of time, and it represents one of the finest moments in Lost history. To suggest everything has to be a massive shock to class as a good reveal is enormously simple minded.
Michael is Ben's man on the boat because that is by FAR the most interesting, logical and satisfying conclusion.
I don't think Michael being Ben's man on the boat is interesting, logical or satisfying. If that is the case then I hope the gaps to be filled in since Michael and Walt left the island will change my mind (which may or may not include a shocking reveal).
One of the great things about the writing on the show is the logical character and story progression, another is the misdirection and shocking reveals which would naturally be anticipated and discussed on a forum like this.
To suggest that someone who simply disagrees with you is simple minded is...well...simple minded. _________________ Joopİ
To my mind as has been said before we are big fans of the show and so notice the tiny details. Micheal being on the freighter was probably a shock to many of the 13+ million viewrs but not to people who are mebers of fan forums. It was blindingly obvious.
Anyhow I want to see Micheals journey not only his physical journey from the escapee to being on the freighter but also the journey from murdering crazy person to apparently mild mannered janitor. _________________ Mark B.
<insert slightly amusing one liner or meaningful famous quote here >
I don't think Michael being Ben's man on the boat is interesting, logical or satisfying. If that is the case then I hope the gaps to be filled in since Michael and Walt left the island will change my mind (which may or may not include a shocking reveal).
Well, exactly - the full story is to come and that is where the interest lies with me. Coupled with the revelation that Michael is on the boat (and, be honest, if it hadn't been plastered everywhere that this was the case this would've been a huge shock) we're getting a whole episode filling in one of the biggest gaps in the show.
Quote:
One of the great things about the writing on the show is the logical character and story progression, another is the misdirection and shocking reveals which would naturally be anticipated and discussed on a forum like this.
What bothers me is this constant hunger for big moments and seemingly nothing else. I'd much rather have the satisfaction of seeing Michael's story intersect with the new excitement of the Freighter story than be knocked on my arse by a BIG MOMENT and it consequently bringing bugger all to the overall story. I'm not necessarily saying anyone else being Ben's man on the boat would be like this, it's just I'm not entirely sure why some people are underwhelmed by what we got.
Quote:
To suggest that someone who simply disagrees with you is simple minded is...well...simple minded.
I admit, I was being a tad hyperbolic and I wasn't singling anyone out in particular. it was more of a general expression of my frustrations that I think I've better described above. So I apologise for insinuating anyone here is simple minded.
In the ABC promo for episode nine, there is a clip of Sawyer saying ...
Spoiler:
"The same guy who sold all of us out so he could get off the island." Kate and Locke are shown to presumably be in the same room unless that is another editing trick. Either way, we know that Ben told Locke who his man on the boat is.
The way I see it going down: After Sawyer and Hurley see Ben walking about freely, they confront Locke. Locke then explains what he was told.
It seems to play out as though Michael is the informant. It may also have something to do with Walt's absence. If you did not know that the actor was set to return this season then it would have been an awesome reveal.
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