There Will Be Blood

In a previous post, I mentioned that "The Constant" was the climax of the ultimate Lost story-line and the rest was falling action. After viewing "The Shape of Things to Come," I have to revise this. At this point, it appears that Lost is a tragedy. The murder of Alex is the turning point, unleashing a torrent vengeful death and destruction (some of which we have seen already at the hands of Sayid). Just as the crux of Hamlet is the death of Polonius, this moment is the crux of Lost. It sets in motion many opposing actors and motives toward possibly a much more tragic blood-letting.

The murder of Alex is possibly the bravest moment of Lost. The writers broke the rules. A father is not supposed to let his daughter die. A defenseless young woman is not supposed die. Now that she is dead, no tragedy is out of bounds for any character.


Alex's death sets up the final moment of the episode, when Ben confronts Charles Widmore to tell him that he will kill Penelope. Now, it is likely the Ben will try to use Desmond to draw out Penelope. Instead of anticipating the reunion of Desmond and Penelope, we will now to have to dread it. It is also possible that Ben will utilize Sayid to kill Penelope, a man who also sought reunion with a long-lost love and who is now crushed.

One of the great things about a Shakespeare or classic Greek tragedy is that everyone knows what is going to happen. Once that turning point is reached, the audience knows that nearly everyone will suffer for it. They just don't know how. Lost has telegraphed a major confrontation and the fates of some critical characters. I believe that Desmond and Penny will make it, but that belief is now colored by a growing threat. Lost has reached is turning point. How many will suffer for it?

Bods: 10
Brains: 10