Last nights episode was certainly a "set-up" episode, but, I feel that later one, once all the pieces have fallen into place and the truth of what is going on is revealed, this episode will be viewed diferently. It was brilliantly written, in that most every single scene (certainly those between Sawyer and FLocke) were so intricate that every single line of dialogue, nay, word uttered felt laced and pointed. These were two expert manipulators never doubting the others ability, or letting their own gaurd down for a moment. Sawyer combating FLockes weighted compliment that he is the greatest liar he's ever encountered by telling the absolute truth at every turn was brilliant. But most interesting was what we learned (or didn't) about FLocke himself. What IS his role in all this? Why DID he send Sawyer to Hydra Island? On a Recon mission? To stumble upon the bodies of the slain Ajira flight passengers so that Sawyer would think twice about crossing FLocke (who is most likely responsible for their demise)? Or was it that he knew Widmore had arrived and wanted to see how Sawyer would play his hand? Maybe it was a combination of any of these. ORRRR, MAAAYYYBE, despite how advantages to FLocke any one of these reasons could be, perhaps the REAL reason he sent Sawyer away was so that he could start manipulating someone else.... Kate.
In hindsight, this has become my favorite element of last nights episode. FLockes face when Kate emergence from the Temple read to me as pleasant surprise. What first was viewed by the public as a validation of the worthlessness of Kate's characte has actually made her (perhaps save only for Jack, the clear persumed candidate to take over for Jacob) the most interesting person in the Jacob/MIB conflict. The fact that, according to the numbers she isn't special has made her VERY special indeed. Perhaps the fact that nobody (i.e. Jacob) is looking at her makes her a very strong hand for FLocke to play. And how does he do this? By bringing back one of the oldest mysteries of the show. He uses Aaron.
Since the very beginning, we have been told that nobody but Claire could raise Aaron. This is of the utmost importance. We don't know why. But it has certainly been stressed throughout the entire run of the show. If that is true, then FLocke's attempt to convince Kate that Claire is no longer a fit mother and that she should reconsider reuniting Mother and Son is the strongest bit of evidence we have that he is bad news. And, who is to say that he has not manipulated Claire since appearing to her as her Father at the end of Season Four? Leading her away fro Aaron, poisoning her mind, corrupting her. How much control does he have exactly? He has already admitted to being responsible for her hate of Kate, BUT, is he actually capable of forcing action out of those that he has corrupted? Did he force Sayids hand in the temple, causing Dogen's and Lennon's deaths? AND, did he force Claire's attack on Kate? Only to then force her hand into a teary apology, making Kate all the more suspicious of this now unstable, moody woman, and her ability to be a good Mother to Aaron?
Seems like Aaron is still a very large part of this puzzle, and seems like FLocke is still very interested in keeping Mother and Son apart, and he may be able to convince Kate to do his dirty work for him. Also intersting to note: the tree's in which Kate sulked off to to cry alone post Clairessault were the same trees she hid in during the pilot when hiding from.... yup... The Smoke Monster. A very fun redux of that situation when Flocke, The Smoke Monster himself came upon Kate and offered he his hand.
As "set-up" as this episode was, you have to give the writers credit. Through every 'nothing' that happened, the subtext was SCREAMING LOUD. The entire episode was written as a tease, so that you were disappointed by not getting what you expected, meaning the writers KNEW what you wanted, and wrote around that. Certainly not lazy on their part. The entire Juliet thing was brilliant and gives me faith that having done an entire episode that was a tease for Juliet, they know exactly how important she is and will not disappoint when she DOES return. The blind date, the sunflower, the canoe's, all of it... just great!
