So. How about that Lost episode last night? "Everybody Loves Hugo" was more than I expected, in every way. It was funny, it was spooky, it answered questions, it asked questions, it brought us closure, and it opened up a big ol' bag of "WTF?"
First things first: Let's discuss tonight's supporting character casualty: Jacob's abrasive but determined goddaughter bit the dust in an abrupt and mildly amusing way. Hate to say it honey, but they told you to be careful with the dynamite. Her boom-tastic demise was a nice shout-out to the late Leslie Arzt. I can't say I was disappointed to see her go. She's been a pain in the ass since day one, with all her shooting, and cryptic pass phrases ("What lies in the shadow of the statue?" WTF?), and her seducing/arresting of Sayid, and whatnot.
But back to things of actual importance... It was nice to see some old faces back on Lost, even if it was just in Hurley's sideways story (with the exception of Michael, who I'm still convinced is actually Smokey pulling a fast one on poor Hurley). After three seasons, Hurley and Libby finally had their first date: a picnic on the beach. ("Awwww...") And we got to see some serious Sideways/Island crossover action when Libby saw Hurley and recognized him from "somewhere," continuing the love story theme from last week's "Happily Ever After." Speaking of Desmond...
A word to the wise, if you're ever following a creepy Smoke Monster into the jungle, and he stops at a really old, really deep well, it's because HE'S PLANNING ON PUSHING YOU INTO IT. I am really not an observant person, but even I got the heebie jeebies when they stopped at that well and Smokey got that twinkle in his eye that says, "You're walking right into my trap, you sexy Scotsman, you." I almost had a nervous breakdown when he shoved Des down the well (Quick! Someone call Lassie!) but I'm encouraged by the scenes from next week, where it appears my beloved Desmond is still at least mostly alive.
My favorite part of the episode was the brief scene between Jack and Hurley on their way to meet Smokey/Fake Locke/Man In Black/Lockeness Monster. I am absolutely in awe of this scene. It only lasted about two minutes, but for me it was the most important scene of the episode. Hurley confessed that he didn't know where he was leading them (Does anyone? Has any leader on Lost ever really known what they were doing?) and Jack shared his revelation that "I can't ever fix it." BOOM! There it is. That was the moment we have been waiting for since season one, when it first became apparent that Jack's white knight syndrome was actually a deeply rooted character flaw. Somewhere between Juliet's death and his badass poison-swallowing showdown with Dogen, Jack finally came to grips with the fact that he can't fix everything, that sometimes you have to just let go. Call it what you will: epiphany, revelation, "ah-ha" moment... That exchange between Jack and Hurley was so subtle and poignant, it blew me away. Figuratively, not literally, like a certain dark-haired daddy's girl. (Too soon?)