The show is finally back, so let's pick it apart. Here's your well-reasoned, non-fanatical discussion for Episode 3.07: Not in Portland

Contributors this week: Claire C., Ally G., and Laila M.

Alex Crusoe

It seems odd that I'm leading off with a minor character, but I think that what went on this past episode with Alex is the most interesting. The most obvious question is still about her true relationship with Ben. It was revealed that he was most likely her adoptive father after she was taken from Rousseau. However, she seems to have emancipated herself from him, in a sense. I can't figure out why, especially if she doesn't know that she was taken from Rousseau.

Also, what will Alex do about Karl, who will likely end up back at the survivors' camp? It sounded like if she ever went to be with him, Ben would put a green light on Karl's life. How can, or will, she mitigate that little problem? If she does go to the survivors camp, she will likely run into Rousseau at some point.

Karl (Marx?)

Speaking of Karl, does it strike anybody else as odd that his name is spelled with a 'K'? Given all the references to philosophers (Rousseau, Locke, Hume, etc), it wouldn't surprise me if he did end up being Karl Marx.

That aside, there seems to be some disagreement about why Karl was being brainwashed. Is it because he is trying to escape, and they think that they can make him lock-step after showing him some creepy videos? Ally says she thinks he's being brainwashed because he's more susceptible to it being effective, whereas it would not work with Jack, for instance.

I actually don't know what to make of the whole brainwashing thing. Feel free to chime in on that one. I do know that it creeped me out in a way that he show hasn't done in quite some time. Also, I want to call how I spotted a Hanso scientist at the end of the brainwash sequence.

Will They Stay, Or Will They Go?

Juliet has been offered a ticket off the island, but will she even be able to go? Tom said to Jack that they were going to have a surgeon come work on Ben, but then said something about the purple flash in the sky, alluding to the hatch explosion. Ben allegedly keeps his word when he makes deals, as he (maybe) did with Michael and Walt. I think Juliet is getting screwed here. Ben was on his deathbed and said the one thing that would have saved his life, whether it's true or not. Besides, we're barely invested in Juliet. It would be useless to off her so soon.

Claire also pointed out something pretty interesting about Juliet. She seems to have a pattern of becoming involved with very controlling men (Edmund and Ben). Will she break that cycle by getting involved with Jack?

Jack, on the other hand, is a big question. It's inferred from the LOST Moments that he's kept alive and that Kate goes back to rescue him. It's impossible to say one way or another what will happen to him, but I hope that he gets out of capture soon. The show drags a lot when they focus on the characters being in captivity.

Odds and Ends

Ally said this to me and I'm completely sold in it: Tom is gay. Remember how he coyly said "you're not my type" to Kate? Now watch.

Edmund Burke, Juliet's ex-husband is yet another philosophical reference. He kind of looks like the real Burke, too. Laila pointed that out and says, "If we meet a Dr. Hegel, I think I can no longer watch this show."

Things I'm Required To Post

Ally says that Edmund Burke's accident with the bus was very "Mean Girls-esque." I've (obviously) never seen the movie.

Laila says there is some parallel between the Jack/Juliet dynamic on LOST and Derek/Preston on Grey's Anatomy. They're all doctors to boot. I don't watch Grey's Anatomy, so...

Finally, here is Laila's weekly commentary on Sawyer: "Sawyer = hot."

Post your thoughts.