Generally speaking, Hurley-centric episodes have not been all that great. It has only been in recent episodes the rest of the characters have taken him seriously, so it has been hard for the rest of us to do so. It is difficult to put my finger on exactly why we are supposed to havechaged our attitude about him, anyway. Hes tells acts inexplicably crazy. I suppose more accurately, Jack is following him because of his new found attitude and the rest are just following him out of habit. Am I being cynical there? Hurley’s characterization has been one of the low points of the final season. We are just asked to accept that he has suddenly gained everyone’s confidence. There is no compelling reason why we should.
With that ax grinding out of the way, the episode was saved by the appearance of Desmond in both the real world and the sideways flash. As usual, most all the good stuff took place in the final act after an otherwise plodding lead up. The powers that be seemed to know that, considering how they ratcheted up the body count considerably.
2007
Ilana and Richard are ready to go blow up the Ajira plane in order to keep DarkLocke from escaping. Michael appears to Hurey and urges him to make them reconsider. Ilana will not budge and winds up getting blow up, Artz style, by the dynamite she is carrying. Her death does not deter Richard, who opts to head to the Black Rock for more dynamite.
Hurley destroys the entire stash of dynamite before Richard can gather any of it. He has decided, entirely on his own, to approach DarkLocke. Team Jacob subsequently splits down the middle. Richard, Ben, and Miles head to New Otherton to look for some C4. Jack, Sun, and Lapidas (Why has Jeff Fahey only had ten words to say the entire season?) agree to go along with Hurley, solely out of trust for him. Because he receives guidance from the dead and stuff.
Meanwhile, Sayid brings Desmond to DarkLocke. The two take a walk to the Frozen Donkey Wheel well where DarkLocke pushes Desmond in. somehow, I doubt Desmond is really dead, but I was not expecting the attempted murder. It does confirm Desmond’s immunity to electromagnetism is a threat to DarkLocke’s plan.
The two encountered the apparently regenerating Jacob, too. He was a young boy last time. he is in his early teens now.
Speaking of the plan, it involves getting the Ajira Losties all on board. Thanks to Hurley, they just walked right up to him. It makes one wonder if DarkLocke is actually on the side of angels or if perhaps the dead which are speaking to Hurley have a sinister agenda.
Why is there animosity between Jack and DarkLocke? They shared a long stare there. It was as if they had a history. Jack and Locke do not care for one another, yes, but it felt spooky for Jack to evidently hold such animosity with DarkLocke.
Another point of interest is the reitertion by Ben after Ilana’s death that once the island is done with you, that usually means the end of your life. Michael tells Hurley that he is still stuck there because of the murders he committed. As many times as it has been denied the island is purgatory, I do not buy his explanation. The island must still need certain members of the dead, as well.
2004
Like may of the others, hurley has better life in the sideways flash. He is a beloved, millionaire philanthropist. All that is missing in his life is a woman. she appears in the form of Libby. Unfortunately, Libby is on a field trip from the mental hospital. She approaches Hurley while he is stood up on a blind date to tell him she has memories of the two of them from the island reality.
(Digression: In a further parallel to comics, Dr. destiy is the only character in DC Comics continuity who realizes various time lines were merged into one during Crisis on Infinite Earths. He is stuck in a mental hospital as well, so no one pays him any attention. Call it homage or outright theft, but it is too big a parallel to think the comic book fanatics running Lost did not do that on purpose. Crisis on Infinite Earths is still a famous, sought after storyline 25 years later. Any comics geek worth his salt knows it chapter and verse. End of digression.)
After a seemingly chance encounter with Desmond, Hurley cannot get Libby out of his mind, so he goes to the sanitarium to see her. He does not recall the island, but says he does not think she is weird for believing in it. Libby checks herself out of the hospital and they go on a date. When they kiss, hurley has a flood of memories about the island. Desmond has been watching the entire time. Pervert.
Speaking of Desmond the pervert, he is later sitting in the parking lot of the school where Ben and Locke work. Ben checks up on him, thinking he may be preying on the children. Desmond feeds him some line and drives off--only to deliberately hit Locke in an attempt to kill him.
Considering Desmond’s purpose appears so far to be encouraging the oceanic 815 bunch that things are not right, what is the purpose of killing Locke? The hit and run occurred soon after DarkLocke killed the real Desmond. I do not think we know enough to draw a solid connection between the two incidents as yet.
So those whispers we have been hearing from the beginning are the island dead who are still trapped there like Michael. There is an answer to a longstanding question. Plus, Hurley was in the sanitarium with Libby in the real time line, but did not remember her. Is that a connection between realty and the sideways flashes or just one of those odd changes that have shown up from time to time between the two?
“Everybody Loves Hugo" is a mediocre set up episode saved by a few wham moments. But those wham moments were worth the price of admission. I am on pinsand needles to see what happens next. That is what a good set up episode isall about.
Ratig: *** (out of 5)
