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Thursday, 21 February 2008 |
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By John Keegan
Visit Critical Myth for an archive of John's TV Review archives, with more than 1100 entries.
| Of all the characters on "Lost", Kate is the least defined of the prominent leaders. In fact, compared to the rest of the island leadership (counting both tribes together), she continues to be a contradictory mess. Her status as the "wild card" has largely amounted to being a love interest for two strong personalities, even though she has treated both Jack and Sawyer horribly at one time or another.
Recent developments have hinted at a direction for the character, particularly the possibility of pregnancy in the one part of the world where it is absolutely fatal. That possibility was used as a red herring for the events in the flash-forward, where Kate is obviously worried about her "son". This might have presented some interesting plot complications. After all, if Kate had survived pregnancy on the island, that would have to be explained somehow.
This leads into a complicated encounter with Sawyer. First, she uses Sawyer in her bid to get information out of Miles, who is turning out to be rather talented when it comes to enlightened self-interest. Then she appears to seek comfort with him, yet gets angry when he celebrates the news that she's not pregnant. When Sawyer calls her out for her constant manipulations, she slaps him across the face.
It's unfortunate that Sawyer didn't think (or know) to remind Kate that there's a damn good reason to celebrate her lack of motherhood, and that her entire personal history is a testimony to running away from problems. This episode only confirms that Kate hasn't changed significantly since the beginning of the series, and she still hasn't accepted what the island has to offer.
The message, it seems, is that the process of surviving the "rescue" will teach her the value of responsibility. The story that eight passengers survived the crash, but only six were still alive by the time of rescue, does not bode well for Claire anymore. Something must happen to convince Kate to take custody of Aaron, perhaps at Claire's request. Jack's issues suggest that Claire's death (or inability to leave the island) was a personal wound, so perhaps he learned the truth about their father.
Whatever the case, Aaron is meant to be a part of Kate's overall redemption, or at least the most glaring opportunity. That plays into her agreement not to leave the state during her ten years of probation. She doesn't take full responsibility for her actions, but she does take a step in the right direction. It's unfortunate that this step is connected to decisions on the island that directly contradict any semblance of growth.
More to the point, Kate is still being defined by her relationship to others, not by any skill set or active agenda of her own. Kate is still running away from herself. She jumps between Jack and Sawyer, respecting neither in the process, and yet she is treated with undue respect in return. Even the cover story for the Oceanic 6 is designed to make her look like a hero. After the "rescue", she takes on the role of mother to Aaron. But it's clear that she has yet to find peace within herself.
Kate's plea agreement will no doubt play into the situation at the end of Jack's flash-forward in "Through the Looking Glass". Kate has more than a persona reason to avoid a return trip to the island; it would violate her probation. Yet one could argue that this particular episode sets the stage for a later decision to help Jack get back. That might be the only way for Kate to find redemption, since this is certainly not the moment.
Beyond Kate, this episode touches on some other important character moments. Locke continues to fall apart without guidance from Jacob, and he tightens control over the rest of the tribe as a result. His treatment of Miles was clever and terrifying in the same moment. If this is how far Locke will go now, just how bad will it get?
One interpretation of Miles and his ghost-busting is a complicated con, but it may be more than just a matter of grabbing money. Perhaps he has chosen to apply his abilities in such a manner because he feels he has no choice. His extortion of Ben was too specific to be a general desire for illicit wealth, and his willingness to turn against the rest of the team suggests a personal crisis. That may play into the scenario that leads to the "Oceanic 6" deception.
Of course, that may take a bit longer to evolve, because returning to the "rescue boat" is not going to be easy. The disappearance of the helicopter is hardly unexpected, after Daniel's warning to Frank in the previous episode, and it should begin to explain some of the mysteries about the island and the difficulties getting there and getting away. If nothing else, the "rescue" arc has given the writers enormous opportunity to shed light on major open questions.
Unfortunately, the focus on Kate and her supposed "mysterious" personality is a letdown. As luminous as the actress can be, the writers have spent more than three seasons on the character with little or no progress. Considering how many of the other prominent characters have been given substantial growth, Kate seemed stunted in comparison. |
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