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One of many things I love about Lost is that they are so meticulous about titling their episodes.

“The Substitute” works on so many levels.

Most obviously, Locke finds his calling, perhaps, as a substitute teacher (I’ll get to Ben later. Yowza!).

But then there’s the idea of the substitute Locke on the Island. He’s Smocke, and he can, it seems, take form as the Smoke Monster, but also as John Locke. According to Jacob’s bodyguard, he can’t take on the form of anyone else right now, though (of course) we have no idea why.

And then there’s the third level (ooh, a trinity!) – Jacob has been looking for a substitute all this time. Sawyer was a candidate. Jack. Hurley. Sayid. Jin (or Sun, but I’m guessing Jin). Locke (the real one). So many names crossed off. Noticed “Austen” wasn’t among the names Smocke pointed out. Is that because he must take the form of a man or because Kate isn’t “suitable”?

If Kate isn’t suitable, then why is she even on the island? Why has she been so important? Is it because of the pull she has on both Sawyer and Jack?

The question, of course, is WHY all these people were suitable. All are flawed, in varying degrees. But heavily flawed. Hurley can’t control his eating and is justalittlebit cuckoo (and can see dead people). Locke is a perpetual sad sack and fatalist. Sayid tortured people. Jack has to fix everything and he’s an alcoholic. Sawyer a conman. Jin & Sun have a whole host of secrets from one another and Jin does bad things for Sun’s dad – and she blames him for it, as opposed to herself.

Which begs THIS question: Is Smocke telling the truth? Is Jacob actually the bad guy? Things on Lost are never as they seem to be, and Jacob so obviously seems to be in the right and Smocke so obviously in the wrong that it very easily could be the opposite. Of course, they could be pulling a Triple Pretend on us, and it is actually what it seems to be.

Just because he beat up Richard, dragged him across the jungle and hung him in a bag from a tree doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy. Only on Lost could that statement be made.

By the way: How awesome an actor is Terry O’Quinn? The range he played just last night, never mind the John Locke of old, he’s as good an actor as Michael Emerson. We just haven’t seen him play the range he is playing this season. There isn’t a HINT of John Locke’s persona in Smocke, as Sawyer very quickly pointed out.

I have to say, I’m glad Smocke pulled Sawyer out of his funk. A drunk and self-pitying Sawyer isn’t a fun Sawyer.

Now, the fact that Sawyer also could see the blond boy in the jungle was interesting, too. Obviously means something about Sawyer, as Richard couldn’t see the boy. Or maybe it means something about Richard. Maybe Richard was never the “leader” of the Others because he didn’t have that extra something. Or perhaps he traded that “something” for his immortality.

OK, so just a few things about off-island Locke:
• Nice to see Locke about to be happily married
• Don’t EVEN tell me he’s not going to be cured by Jack
• Hurley is so cool
• Locke is so much more able to cope with disappointment than Island locke was
• Did you catch that his father is alive and involved and will be coming to the wedding?
• Love Rose! She kicked Locke’s butt but good. And rightly.
• Benjamin Linus, history teacher. Would have been SO appropriate if he were teaching ancient history, with a specialty in Egyptology, no? But still. Looks like he and Locke are going to be fast friends. WOW. Love it.

And Ben on the Island? His eulogy at Locke’s graveside was actually very touching. Probably the most honest thing he EVER said in his adult life.

But best line of the night goes to Frank, who muttered, “Weirdest damn funeral I’ve ever been to” after Ben’s eulogy, as he reaches for a shovel to pile the dirt on Locke.

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