Let's hop in the Wayback Machine, and set coordinates for March 2005, the last part of season one. This was the 41st day on the Island, and Locke was desperate to believe that the Hatch he found was special. Locke has a vision of the Beechcraft plane crashing, a vision he believes is a sign from the Island - proof that he is "special" and that coming to the Island is his destiny. On his way to find the plane, Locke loses his ability to walk. It seems like the Island has taken back its gift to John, and he's unable to approach the Beechcraft, so he sends Boone in his place. Of course, the plane couldn't take Boone's weight and it falls, fatally injuring Boone. That night, John is unable to face the rest of the survivors and explain himself. Miserable, alone, and doubting his faith, Locke stumbles into the jungle and pounds on the Hatch. "I've done everything you wanted me to do, so why did you do this to me?" And at that moment, a light comes on in the Hatch. Cut to black. That's not all of the scene, but viewers would have to wait over a year to see more.
On May 24, 2006 the explosive season two finale showcased John Locke's crisis of faith and revealed the history of the man in the Hatch. Desmond lived in the Swan Hatch for over three years, and on September 24, 2004 he failed to press the button and caused a system failure. When the Swan went into overload, the electromagnetic power pulled Oceanic 815 out of the air. John Locke awoke to discover he could walk again. Meanwhile, Desmond feared that everyone on the outside of the Hatch was killed, and the world might have been destroyed. After three years trapped on the Island, and now over three months since the system failure pushing the button alone, Desmond is contemplating suicide. He sits with a bottle of whisky, a gun and a book. He's a fan of Charles Dickens and has read every book but his last, Our Mutual Friend. Desmond carries a copy intended to be the last book he ever reads. Penny knows how important that book is, and before Desmond is sent to military prison, she hides a letter inside. It falls out now, and Desmond finally reads it:
"All we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us.At this moment, everything comes crashing down on poor Desmond. He knows that Penny still loved him, but fears everything is already lost. "It's all gone", he yells as he trashes the room. But then he hears a sound: Pounding on the Hatch. A voice: "I've done everything you wanted me to do, so why did you do this to me?" Desmond turns on a light and realizes there are still people, and he may be saved. He goes on pushing the button, and later tells John "You saved my life brother, so I could save yours." Desmond then turns the failsafe key and destroys the Swan Hatch. This sets into motion the events that lead to the rescue of the Oceanic 6, and the death of Jacob. And there's still more to the scene.
And you have her. I will wait for you.
Always.
I love you, Pen"
On February 4, 2009 the season five episode "The Little Prince" featured Sawyer, Locke, Juliet, Miles, Charlotte, and Daniel skipping in time. For them, it has been over 100 days since the crash of Oceanic 815. The group skips away from 1954 and begins traveling through the jungle - the date is now November 1, 2004. At this moment John Locke is pounding on the Hatch and Desmond is inside contemplating suicide. A light shines into the night sky as the group passes. Miles asks, "What's that light?" "We better stay clear of it", says Locke. Later, Sawyer guesses why Locke wanted to avoid the light, and asks him if he wants to go back there, "tell yourself to do things different, save yourself a world of pain." "No," says John. "I needed that pain, to get to where I am now."
What a moment. It encapsulates so much of what's great about Lost: it's about fate vs. free will, and not mistaking coincidence for destiny (or vice versa!) It asks whether there's a meaning to everything we do, or only what we make of it ourselves? And it's about redemption - earned with self awareness and by taking responsibility for our actions, not through divine intervention.
There's even more I could write about this moment, including who or what was influencing John Locke, its connection to the death of Boone at the same time as the birth of Aaron, Saywer's moment of anguish in the jungle missing Kate and more. And there are tons more incredible scenes throughout the series. I'd love to hear some other favorites.
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