Episode 5

The focus of this episode's flashback is Jack. We learn that helping people is in his nature and has been since a young age. Fast forward a couple years and Jack is at his current age. His mother demands that he bring his father home, but he won't be able to. At least not alive anyway. He finds that his father passed away from alcohol poisoning and drug overdose. His last objective is to bring home his father in a casket for some form of closure I suppose.

But now, back to real time. Because of a lack of sleep, Jack appears to be experiencing hallucinations. A man in a black suit appears and Jack is set off by him. In fact, it impacts his judgement when he is called out to save a drowning survivor. He ends up saving Boone, who is angry about being saved because he thinks he could have got back on his own. But unfortunately, the woman drowns. We later find out that the man is actually his father. However, there is the question of whether it is a hallucination or if it is a spirit guide type of situation, brought up by Locke. This provokes thought in Jack. He stumbles across ruins of the plane in the forest and finds the casket that should have contained his father completely empty. He becomes enraged and smashes it, but realizes there is a flowing stream of fresh water. This solves the issue of running out of water that the survivors were facing. 

Speaking of the whole incident regarding running out of water, it sparks conflict between the group. Sawyer steals the water, but ends up bartering the Gin so it is no longer in his possession. Who gives Sawyer the right to say who gets the water and who doesn't? Especially considering the fact that Claire, who is pregnant mind you, is suffering from dehydration. However, thanks to Jack, the situation doesn't get too far out of hand. 

What do you think about Locke's conversation with Jack in the woods?

OK: I see that Locke is very philosophical and spiritual, compared to Jack's scientific, logical nature. Also, that Locke knows something about the island that nobody else does. He knows what the mysterious "monster" is. 

(SH): From this conversation I gathered that Locke considers himself to be philosophical, and with good reason too. He appears to be in touch with himself and spiritual aspects of life. I am interested to gain further knowledge on him. 

What would you have done in Jack's position in regards to saving the drowning woman?

OK:  If I knew I was able to save the woman, I would've, but I think Jack knew in the back of his mind that if he went that far out with two people who couldn't swim on their own, all of them would've been caught by the current and eventually drowned. I think the only reason he blames himself is because he chose not to even try, even if it would've been impossible for him to save both.

(SH): If I had the ability to be able to save the woman, I think I would have gone out to save her first as she was the one I saw initially. I think Boone was right in saying he could have saved himself, and even if he was wrong, he hadn't been out there as long as the woman, and he wasn't as far out, so I could have came back for him after rescuing the woman. 

How do you feel about Gin's treatment of Sun?

OK: Okay, I understand it in the sense that that is their culture. That's how their society lives with men in a higher position than women, but you can tell that he loves her and cares about her, despite how tradition tells him he should act. 

(SH): Gin appears to be acting based on the traditions of his culture, showing primarily male dominance in the relationship. I have to admit, I feel he goes overboard with that, but even so, he does show his love for Sun. I'm not sure how she thinks he feels about her, but knowing this would help shape my opinion.