"Happily Ever After"

Desmond Hume delivered one hell of a Lost episode last night. "Happily Ever After" may not have delivered the same emotional one-two punch as "The Constant," but Desmond episodes have a tendency to arrive just as viewers are beginning to become frustrated with certain mysteries -- Desmond is here to calm your fears. "Happily Ever After" accomplished that goal, providing a context and reason for the sometimes interesting, sometimes eye-rolling flash sideways sequences that have dominated half of nearly every episode of Lost's final season. Thank you for your help, Desmond.

Here's what we thought of the latest episode of Lost, "Happily Ever After."

1) So, I was mostly right: the flash-sideways sequences now have meaning, thanks to the Desmond's revelations in "Happily Ever After." The flash-sideways will continue to be the prevailing narrative device to accompany the present Island timeline, but from this episode forward, it seems they'll have a very clear, very direct purpose in attempting to convince everyone from Oceanic 815 that something happened, something they did. Sounds a little bit like what Benjamin Linus was tasked with by Ms. Hawking and Jacob, doesn't it? Both Jack and Desmond have a certain look in their eyes now, as though they're consciously aware of the reason they're on the Island now. We've been given a glimpse at what that is, but those guys are hiding someone from us. Are Jack and Desmond the new Jacob and Man in Black?

2) It's unclear how much each side of Desmond knows. Does Desmond in the flash-sideways know everything about what's happening on the Island, or only the existence of another timeline? In "The Constant," Desmond's mind was actually swapping between the two existences. He was fully in control of himself and able to bring memories of each experience back to the other timeline. We aren't given an indication that's happening in "Happily Ever After." Clearly, Desmond comes back to the Island after the experiment with a newfound purpose, but is that because he experienced everything that we watched, or something else?

3) Ms. Hawking made a triumphant return to Lost and, naturally, she threw things for a loop. At this point, she's the only one who seems to know what's really going on. Desmond, Charlie and Jack seem to have pieces to the puzzle, while Hawking is aware of the consequences. She wants to push Desmond away from connecting with Penny. Is that because it would throw off the timeline? Do things need to happen for other things to happen? Well, clearly, but what are those things that need to happen? Surprise, surprise: we're in the dark on these answers. Charles Widmore does not seem to be aware of what's happening, though. Why is his wife?

Joseph Baxter, Got His Blackberry Fried By Widmore's Giant Magnet Thingy:

1) I think the creative team actually had good instincts in anticipating when viewers would get fed up with the sideways and might start to bail if they weren't finally told why they're watching it. Last night, the sideways was finally codified as something was relevant to the events in the original timeline on the Island. With just one revelation, the concept they devoted about 50% of the season's screen time has finally had its existence justified. As a fan, I feel I have been assured that investing interest in this storyline was indeed worth my time and will pay off. Even the "Fugitive Kate 2.0" stuff somehow seems legitimate now. I was previously scared that taking the sideways road would only lead to a cheap Patrick Duffy in a shower, "It was all just a dream" swerve. Now, I can confidently tackle this aspect of this show, knowing that it's all relevant. Did I mention that I was happy with this revelation?

2) If there was such a thing as mandated quotas for out-of-context homoerotic innuendo, then I think "Happily Ever After" more than met them. Whether it's Minkowski creepily leaning over Desmond asking, "You looking for some company?" or Daniel pulling Desmond out of his limo to ask him (a complete stranger) "Do you believe in love at first sight, Mr. Hume?" It seemed no accident and Desmond reacted accordingly. You almost expected him to say "Uh, sorry brotha, ah don't swing that way." After the second time, you're kind of left wondering if someone was pulling your leg. This is a small point, but the thing about Lost is that small points are still purposeful points.

3) This episode was clearly structured to be a companion piece to season four's legendary episode "The Constant." Last week, I talked about how parallel play was all over "The Package," yet that was nothing compared to "Happily Ever After." It was such a mash-up of all of Desmond's most significant moments on the show that most of the obvious points spoke for themselves. There was Desmond's seemingly innate instinct to find Penny -- his "constant." While my own speculation about Desmond being on Oceanic 815 because of special powers and awareness may have been a bust, it still seemed like Desmond had a special awareness and was set to become something supernatural. We know he's not one of Jacob's candidates, but the recurring themes of Desmond (living in isolation while watching over the button, precognition, awareness of other universes) still seem to have him as a dead-ringer to be the new Jacob. It's no accident the episode was called "Happily Ever After." While Desmond can't quite turn the page on the chapter on his life that was the Island, it always works out for him. Fate seems intent on taking him away from Penny, yet no matter in what timeline or universe he gets sent, he always manages to find her.

4. Desmond seemed to achieve some odd state zen state after his journey to the sideways. In fact, the sight of Sayid violently dispatching his Widmore-employed handlers didn't even cause him to blink. Could we have gotten another moment of epiphany like we did for Jack at the end of "Lighthouse?" It would seem so. In fact, it held the theme of episodes of the past few weeks, which seem to be nice little wrap-ups for each of the centric characters' paths as they prepare their own way towards the endgame. Much like Jack's big moment, we got see everything that led to it, yet, at the same time, we're a bit oblivious as to the complete nature of Desmond's newly-achieved edification. While it may seem freaky that Desmond went with Sayid over to Team Smokey so quickly, it is important to keep in mind that he has no knowledge of what's happening on the Island, and as far as he knew, Sayid was still "good old Sayid." What plans will Smokey have for old Des?

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