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LOST “Ab Aeterno” Review

Titus Welliver in Lost

What did you think of tonight’s episode of LOST “Ab Aeterno” (translation: From The Beginning of Time)? This was my favorite episode of Lost ever! For starters we got some key answers and pieces of information:

- Richard is from the 1800s and was on the ship The Black Rock when it crashed in 1867.
- The Black Rock smashed into the statue, which is why only a foot remains today.
- Jacob brought the ship to the island.
-Jacob gave Richard the power to live forever in return for his services as an intermediary between Jacob and the people brought to the island.
- The island acts as a ‘cork’ that keeps an evil force (The man in black/the black smoke) away from civilization
- Jacob was in charge of keeping the man in black on the island, but now that he is dead, it will be up to his successor (who is still TBD) to take over Jacob’s role.

Nestor Carbonell (Richard Alpert) did an outstanding job in Ab Aeterno; maybe one of the best performances I’ve seen on Lost. I loved the scene where Hurley helps Richard communicate with Isabella (his dead wife). It reminded me of the movie Ghost (but in this case Hurley was Whoopi Goldberg, Richard was Demi Moore and Isabella was Patrick Swayze)…both scenes made me shed a tear. All joking aside, I now have a new found respect for Richard. That guy has had a rough time. I can totally understand why he wanted to kill himself and also why he was ready to go over to Evil Locke’s side.

I also enjoyed Titus Welliver’s performance as the “Man In Black”. He plays the part exactly how I imagine a powerful evil force: calm, cool, and with a beard. I almost prefer him over Evil Locke. So now that we finally have a better idea of what’s going on, what happens next? An epic good versus evil battle? When will the new Jacob be chosen? Who will it be? What role will Charles Widmore play? Who will end up on which side?

As always, leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of tonight’s episode of Lost!

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Author: | March 23, 2010 | 13 Comments

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  • The TV Obsessed

    Best episode of the season and one of the best episodes of the series. Who knew a straight story infused with Lost mythology could be this good? Nestor Carbonell followed in the footsteps of all the other great actors on the show when an episode centered on him. It was obvious that MiB was manipulating Richard, and it seemed like Jacob was somewhat genuine. The show seems too simplistic to be good vs. evil, so there is probably subtle deceit by Jacob nestled in his outward forthrightness.

  • julie

    I’m wondering if the entities of Jacob and MIB are one and the same person – representative of the good and bad in all of us – as they each seem to make us question which is good and which is evil…..consider that Dogen’s instructions to Sayid on how to kill Fake Locke were identical to how MIB told Richard to kill Jacob….and yet, fake Locke did not give the same instructions to Ben, who actually succeeded in killing Jacob – he DID talk to Jacob – and perhpas the talking to him, and Jacob’s careless demeanor is actually what persuaded Ben to do the killing.

  • Matt

    If the Black Rock was indeed the cause of the statue breaking as seen in Ab Aeterno (during a horrific storm and at night), how come in the opening scene of the finale of Season 5 we see Jacob and MIB sitting on the beach with the Balck Rock approaching in perfectly calm weather during the day? Is this an error on the writers part or something more?

    • Jake

      I don’t belive it was specifically stated that the ship approaching was the Black Rock, although I could be mistaken.

  • Jeannie Porter

    Jacob had to know he was going to die because before he was brought to his death he had candidates in place to replace him. This is all so interesting.

  • http://multieffectspedal.net ng@multieffectspedal.net

    I really hope the mib evil lock isn’t evil I hope its not as black and white as what the current episode states, also is Jacob some kind of God or angel , after all he did say he sent the ship to the island …

    Anyway doesn’t evil Lock have a mother he said in the previous episode that he actually human..

    so still lots of questions..

    also how many more episodes do we have left? they really better tell us everything!

  • http://www.thesmogger.com Mike

    My favorite show for 5 years – and to watch it end like this is killing me. I seriously don’t know how to make due with 7 episodes left and so little answered – hopefully something will start getting resolved. Ab Aeterno helped a bit but not much

  • Fish

    How “good” is Jacob to keep bringing people to the island to be manipulated and murdered by black smoke guy? It isn’t like Jacob doesn’t know smokey is going to kill people. He wiped out all but 1 of the Black Rock passengers.

    • melodie

      This is Biblical in nature. Jesus, calls people to Him, but satan is constantly trying to interfere with that relationship. The “Wine” that MIB broke is a pun. Jacob (Jesus) shed his blood to cover our sin. When we accept that gift, we are protected from the consequence of sin, and have eternal life. MIB, breaks it out of spite. Jacob is saying my blood has paid the price already, marinate on that…..Jacob is an angel, but remember so is satan, represented by mib. The white rock represents good, the black evil, the scales the balance. The candidates, all of us–we fall short, we do stupid things, but if we are among those with Christ (Jacob) among the chosen. Satan is a liar, he mixes the truth with lies. Some of Jacob’s facial expressions led me to believe that he might actually be the evil one. If he was Jesus, he could bring people back from the dead, so perhaps, he is the Holy Spirit. Or, God, who doesn’t force Himself on anyone, but calls people to him (brings them to the island) and let’s them decide who they will follow. Who they will trust and for how long. Satan(MIB) is always looking for a way in. His ways will consume (black smoke) all who give themselves over to him. He sees your faults (Black smoke does as well). It is all very interesting and theological. I’ve decided it’s mostly Biblical. At first I thought these two were Cain and
      Abel, because Cain kills Abel, but now that it’s been revealed that they are in hell, I’m thinking otherwise. There was mention in the first season of Adam and Eve. Oh, one more thing. Before the beginning, Satan vacated heaven and took a third of the angels with him. I also thought that maybe MIB represents Satan as he’s been talking about whoever doesn’t go with him will die.

    • melodie

      because all who stay with Jacob will die to themselves, much like believers in Christ must do. Like the first lie in the garden of eden “surely you will not die” Satan is saying you will die, but not explaining it fully. Jacob needs someone who is willing to die to themselves for a greater purpose to take his place.

  • Kristyn

    In the Bible, Jacob is one of the most significant people in the Old Testament. His name means “he grasps the heel” (figuratively, “he deceives”). The biblical lesson we learn from Jacob is that all human intentions and actions-for good or evil- are woven by God into his ongoing plan. Sound familiar? Interestingly, biblical Jacob was born a twin. I think MIB is Jacob’s brother, and I assume his name will be revealed as Esau. Genesis 26:23; (the Lord speaks to Jacob and Esau’s mother when she is pregnant with them) “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be seperated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

  • danny

    Awesome episode of Lost. Jacob can be a badass and kick some ass if he has to get down to it

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