?
Original Airdate: May 10, 2006
Writers: Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse
Director: Deran Sarafian
One of the best episodes this season was "The 23rd Psalm".  It was a strong character piece lifted by a superb script, which was also written by Lindelof and Cuse.  For the second Eko episode, the writing is still good, but not quite up to 23rd's quality.  As the early episode set us up for the second half, "?" is setting us up for the showdowns we can expect to see in the finale.
Though we see what Eko was doing in Australia (living as a priest), it is unclear why he got on the plane.  All that is clear is that Caldwell, the man who forged the IDs for Eko, had some guys in LA who could "get [him] on" with some unknown work.  It is possible that when Eko assumed Yemi's identity that he didn't make a clean break from his warlord status, and maybe it is the island that made him realize that the church was what he was supposed to do.
Clearly, his faith wasn't strong before the flight.  Probably the biggest reason he claimed his brother's identity was to avoid being taken by the Nigerian police.  This puts the epiphany Eko had after the plane took off in a different context.  It isn't quite the second chance it was made out to be in "The 23rd Pslam".  Instead, it is something much more interesting.
He's seen as the skeptic of his congregation, which makes him a fitting investigator.  Perhaps the Monsegnior is to Eko in the flashbacks what Eko is to Locke, placing him in the place he needs to be to renew his faith.  Even the drowned girl's father provides a logical explanation for what happened to her.  This story plays along well as he helps another through a crisis of faith.
However, it gets complicated when we see that the father is the psychic who got Claire on the plane.  He claims that he is a fraud and that he "gather[s] intelligence on people and exploit[s] it".  This is an interesting statement, and may have something to do with him being a recruiter for Dharma.  That type of jargon wouldn't be fitting for a psychic, who would probably just say something along the lines of asking vague question to get to a vague concept that the person could adapt to their situation.
It isn't explained what happened between him and Claire.  Perhaps he had a genuine vision, which freaked him out after scamming people for a living.  Or he could have actual abilities, and just lied knowing that Eko was skeptical.  It's possible that he's employed by Dharma because of his talent and is using this to get them on the island.
This encounter adds to Eko's journey from skepticism to faith.  Perhaps the reason Eko found himself on the island is to get into the faith that has always been inside him, but never manifested because of his violent past.  Although he doubted the drowned girl, he was given some reason to believe as she passed on a message from Yemi.  Two months into his stay on the island, he can see that his brother was right.
Now Eko is the one who actively pursues his destiny.  Some may consider this a little bit fickle, as he went from building a church to going after Locke and agreeing to press the button religiously in one episode.  However, it is fitting for the episode.  Eko's dreams lead him to a fourth hatch.  It is ironic how last season it took Locke more than half the season to break into The Swan, yet the three other hatches found since have been as easy to enter as opening a door.  Of course, it'd be rather repetitive for them to spend 10-12 episodes to break into every hatch (and Locke and Boone never found the door to The Swan despite all the time they spent in the area).
The Pearl, the fourth hatch, was alluded to in the blast door map (it's above the "Hic Sunt Dracones"), but its location wasn't anywhere near the center question mark.  If The Pearl is located where it is written, then they are no where near the question mark.  Some saw a question mark in the ground, but the actual image looked more like just a circle.  Again, they could benefit from mapping out the areas they've explored.
Perhaps Locke misinterpreted his dream in "Deus Ex Machina".  What if the dream was supposed to direct Locke to The Pearl?  It makes some sense, as they didn't find anything at the plane to help them get into The Swan, and the plane was just above the hatch before it and Boone crashed.  Maybe the island wanted Locke to see this hatch first and not doing that created the crisis he is submerged in now.  He should've, as Eko did, "wait[ed] for further instruction".
The Pearl's contents are odd.  All we find is a deep shaft leading to a single room, where those assigned there were supposed to work.  Where are the facilities for these workers?  Of course, this is assuming that there is nothing else left to see in this hatch.  There was a cigarette butt, which apparently may be fresh.  It's possible that this hatch is still in use, and the workers decided to hide once Locke and Eko came in.  Hopefully Eko will share what he found with the rest of the castaways.
Also worth noting are the nine TV screens, only one of which works.  If they did work, what would the other eight screens show?  Do they monitor other hatches?  Also, there is the computer, with The Swan logo, not The Pearl, with the print out, presumably of every time the button has been pushed.  The tube, as we learn in the video, is where the workers are supposed to put their written observations and where Locke puts his map.  Where does this tube lead to and is Locke tipping someone off by sending his note?
Then there's the second Orientation video, the fifth of six.  Considering both were made in 1980, it is unusual how different they are.  First, why make one on filmstrip and the other on a VHS tape?  The same actor plays the instructor in both films, but this time he introduces himself as "Mark Wickman".  Also, Marvin Candle's left arm seemed to be immovable, whereas Wickman could use both arms, and Wickman is dressed more stylized than Candle, who prefers a standard lab coat.  Are these the same person and is this a part of a psychological experiment?  Could they be clones of the same person?
There are some warps, but not nearly as many as The Swan's video.  Only when it comes to placing the notebooks in the pneumatic tube and what happens to the workers following their tenure.  It's more substantial in the latter, where those working are presumed to go to the ferry, where they'll head to the barracks.  Perhaps this is where The Others live, or it could be the underwater hatch.  However, it's doubtful that these warps are as meaningful in The Swan's video.
The content shakes Locke's world to its core.  Locke's faith has been unsteady all season, and Henry telling him that the button does nothing didn't help.  Now he sees this video, which cements the idea that the button is useless.  However, the video never says that, just that the people in there think it is important, and that it is part of a psychological experiment.  Considering his mindset, he is going to interpret it in the most negative way for him.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, it is Eko this time who asks if he wants to re-watch.  Pushing the button, to Eko, draws a parallel to prayer.  While nothing may happen when someone forgets to pray, it is up to those who believe to keep praying (not every 108 minutes, but still) because that is their position.  This sets the stage for the big "battle" between Eko and Locke, which should center around the button and if there is anything to worry about when the clock goes to zero.
The other major piece is Jack and the people in the hatch struggling to keep Libby alive (or comfortable when it's clear she isn't going to survive).  While Sawyer's power play is still a sore spot for the castaways, there is still good in him, as he questions Jack's eagerness to go after Henry for revenge over tending to Libby.  In this episode, Sawyer is far more sympathetic than Jack, who is letting his urge to get The Others cloud his judgment.  He isn't going to be macho and not reveal where his stash is while Libby suffers.  Also, when Libby succumbs, Sawyer provides solace to Kate.
Libby's death, while we never got to know her that well, is very well done.  Cynthia Watros' final look of utter horror knowing that Michael is still alive is amazing.  However, how her death and dying affects everyone else is what makes it really compelling.  Whose heart wasn't breaking for Hurley when he apologized for forgetting the blankets?  Plus, the absolutely beautiful piece of recurring music (it's been used in "Exodus II" at the end and in "Do No Harm" when Shannon learns about her brother) is well utilized as Libby's death shakes everyone to the core.
Despite what he did, I'm still not entirely against Michael, as strange as that may be. If anything, it vilifies the Others more for putting him in that position.  Of course, his motivations are still unknown.  It could've made sense to have this episode recount what happened on his expedition, but the events of this episode made it a better fit for Eko.
Darren Aronofsky, the director of Requiem for a Dream and Pi, was supposed to direct this episode, but couldn't because of scheduling conflicts (Lindelof and Cuse named the episode a symbol as a tribute to him).  This would be the first high profile guest director, and judging by the material, he would've had a lot to work with (perhaps adding some weight to the claim that there is some type of plan).  However, Sarafian does just fine.  It is a fine piece to set us up for the finale, with plenty of revelations to further the character arcs we've seen all season.
Score: 8/10
Back to Lost Back to "Two for the Road" Next to "Three Minutes" Back Home