Sure, a lot of this episode was answering questions with MORE questions but it does feel like we're inching closer to an eventual resolution to mysteries that have been plaguing us since Season 1. Throwing THE NUMBERS/Valenzetti Equation into the fray after barely mentioning them over the past couple of seasons is a little sneaky but I still like how they are connected to names that are on Jacob's list. I do hope that the numbers have more meaning than something that Jacob was simply fond of. Speaking of the list, Kate was visited by Jacob as well yet she wasn't on the list of remaining names. I hope we get an explanation for this.
The black and white stone imagery being thrown in there as an 'inside joke' was a welcome reference to something else we haven't seen in a while. It makes a lot of sense that the black and white stones represent both Jacob and Smokie. What would be even more interesting is if they also represented the two alternate worlds we're both seeing this season. I somehow doubt it but it's something to keep in mind.
There were some telling character reactions this week that do a great job of enhancing the urgency of the situation. Richard Alpert is frightened and that is something I don't recall ever seeing. He isn't just concerned, cautious or nervous; he's scared to death and for a man who doesn't age that tells you a lot. He's not the only one who is frightened either. The Man in Black is freaked out by visions of a young boy who he goes chasing through the jungle. We're not too sure who or what the boy is yet (Future Aaron or Jacob reborn?) but he seems to cause Smokie a lot of distress and that causes us a lot of concern as well. If the Man in Black doesn't have all the answers – who does?
I'm absolutely loving the fact that The Smoke Monster/Man in Black is an actual living/breathing character this season. We're starting to learn a lot more about what drives Smokie and why he's so determined to get off the island. That "Smokie Cam" from the beginning of the episode was fantastic and hopefully we'll be seeing more of it throughout the season. I've always wanted to see life through the eyes of a pillar of smoke. The "Don't tell me what I can't do!" scene with the young boy was a pleasant surprise. Is Locke's personality bleeding into Smokie's or is it the fact that the two characters aren't that different after all? I would love it if the truth turned out to be the latter.
Ben's eulogy at Locke's burial caught me a little off guard. It seemed genuine and for Ben Linus that is always a surprise. I'm actually having a hard time reading Ben ever since the Season 5 finale. We've spent the last five seasons implicitly not trusting the man. Even when he seems at his most genuine we don't quite believe him. Does he have something planned? What are his motivations now? Ben Linus will continue to keep me on edge until the very last scene of the series.
I know this will be the second week in a row but I have to point out Josh Holloway's performance yet again and with Terry O'Quinn doing a terrific job as the Man in Black, their scenes together were some of my favorite so far this season. Sawyer's character arc has been the most interesting to watch this season and his decision to leave with the Man in Black caught me by surprise. If this is a return to Season 1/Season 2 Sawyer, I have a sneaking suspicion that his alliance with the Man in Black isn't quite what it seems.
The parallel universe has been much kinder to John Locke, who finds himself still in a relationship with Helen Norwood. "The Substitute" did a particularly great job of highlighting the differences between the original time line and the new one. Helen suggesting they invite Locke's father to the wedding was quite surprising. If Locke and his father are on speaking terms I'm curious as to how he ended up being paralyzed?
We also got to see a lot more connections with other characters from Flight 815. Enough to now believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that these are more than just chance encounters. Locke meeting Ben Linus – the history teacher. That was just classic! If Jacob was responsible for pushing these characters toward being on Flight 815, what could be causing their lives to constantly intertwine now? I swear this show is bringing up more questions in the final season!
Early on it's clear that Lindelof and Cuse are determined to reinvigorate some of the strong character work the show was known for during the first couple of seasons. There are some great examples of this in "The Substitute," especially with John Locke who still suffers in much the same way his deceased counterpart did. He's still just as frustrated and angry at the world but he seems to have made a few right decisions that have made his life a little better. Locke and Helen share a great scene together in which he vents his frustrations with her concerning his paralysis. Rose's return also dealt with Locke's inability to accept what has happened to him. I've really missed these poignant character moments. They were few and far between during Season 5.