Blank Slate
Episode 1x3: Tabula Rasa
Directed by: Jack Bender
Written by: Damon Lindeloff
Airdate: 10-6-04
Summary: The US Marshall exposes Kate's secret. Kate stares wistfully...
Centric: Kate
Review:
So, we get our first true Kate episode. Here's my thing about Kate--I feel like the writers, while seeming to love the character, never really knew what to do with her. Starting out now, she's still a pretty strong character, which I appreciate for a female role, which with her mysterious background makes her interesting at this point. Even knowing all that's coming after it, I think is one of the few good Kate episodes, as it is early in the series and still trying to establish who these characters are and their new relationships with each other.
That said, this is still a Kate episode and like most of them, I can't really claim that anything really happens in them. Basically, the Marshall is dying and, in a way, makes his peace with Kate as he does so. We're also alluded to her mysterious past, as the Marshall deems her completely dangerous. I still find that amusing, as Kate seems harmless, but I suppose the writers wanted to use that angle to create some drama early on.
While the plot doesn't really go anywhere, I think I liked the setting up of various character relationships in this one. First of all, there's Kate with Jack. I mean, these two seem to hit it off, then Jack's perfect little view of her is shattered when he finds out she's a convict. I think, also, and something that is explored later, Kate doesn't want Jack to know anything about her past. She likes the idea of having a blank slate or "Tabula Rasa" as the title suggests. I have to give her credit for being somewhat intuitive because I think it's clear that she knows Jack wouldn't take well to her past and she'd like him to keep that pedastol ideal of her--because, in a way, she herself would like to be that person. I also find it amusing that once she gets back she goes straight to Jack to tell him about more creepy island stuff. One day in and she already considers Jack her BFF. So, yeah, the tension between these two characters, the innitial gravitation between the two of them vs the reality of their stark difference is already there. What I really like, though, is Jack's maturity at the end, where he basically lets Kate off the hook by telling her that everyone gets to start over on the island. Of course, that is a metaphor for all of them, and a theme of the entire series--second chances, but on a smaller level, it's a nice moment of understanding between Jack and Kate. It may only last a half dozen episodes but at least it's there.
We've also got the set up of Kate and Sawyer's relationship--really more so than I ever have given thought. These two seem to gravitate to each other naturally as well, but more so in a two of a kind, outsider type ways. Sawyer may not be aware of that yet, but Kate, even early on, is the only one who can really deal with him, as she finds him a familiar type. Also like to point out that she's already got him doing crap for her. Heh... I find it amusing that she won't off the Marshall herself, she has to have Sawyer do it.
For that matter, the antagonistic relationship between Sawyer and Jack is created here, too. As Sawyer points out, Jack is a man holding on to civilization while Sawyer has accepted that they've entered 'the wild'. While Jack will get into more philosophy discussions with Locke--Jack and Sawyer's varying character traits are very much on display. I do want to say, though, I like that Sawyer had a humanizing moment after shooting the Marshall and missing. He had been awfully cocky and overly confident up until that point. His remorse later shows that he's not just an evil hick with a bad attitude but a very layered screwed up man. (as are all the losties.)
Oh good god, the whole freaking love triangle was established in this episode. While I do find it interesting and good character development at this point, I will say it does get tiresome the more they drag it out.
The other Kate issue that is brought up is the fact that she runs---from everything---partly because she enjoys it partly out of necessity. At the moment, it's a character trait. Unfortunately, it's an aspect of her character that will become pounded into us and her issue with running becomes soley what the character is about.
In other news around the island--
Since we start in on centric episodes, the characters take their turns fading into the background. Like, Boone and Shannon don't really do anything in this episode.
Charlie and Claire begin to bond. It's cute and sweet in a junior high way. I like their relationship pre-Aaron, it was always a bit innocent.
There's kinda a b-plot with Michael. First of all, he accidentally runs into a half naked Sun. It's kinda funny/weird and there definite signs of showing a Michael-Sun-Jin triangle early on but, for some reason (thankfully) the writers seemed to deviate away from that. Michael also goes hunting for Walt's dog Vincent. Locke is the one who actually gets him back and does the nice guy thing and let Michael return the dog to Walt. I'm not entirely sure why Michael has such issues with Locke--it kinda bugs me. But a lot about Michael bugs me.
One quick note about Locke--after three episodes, the characters are pretty much all set and presented. Except for Locke. No wonder people found him highly intriguing at first--we really didn't know a thing about him or his character up to this point.
Flashbacks:
The only thing Kate's flashbacks do is establish why she's in Australia. She's on the run. That's kinda it. Oh, and that whatever she did, she's can't be THAT bad of a person if she tried to save the life of the person who turned her in. She's still a murderer...whatever. And really, it's a good thing that the show didn't over do the flashbacks at the beginning. Once you've seen them, on rewatch you can easily sleep through them and not miss anything interesting or important.
The Little Things:
*When Hurley first learns of Kate, he's very hesitant and somewhat scared of her. I find it amusing, since I don't think the dynamic really comes back. And, for that matter, how many times do Kate and Hurley interact on this show?
*Sayid gives a little speech at the beginning of the episode dictating and organizing the rest of the losties. So, um, why wasn't he named leader at this point?
*In the beginning, Josh Holloway tried to shed his southern accent. I feel like it's most notable here than anywhere else. I'm glad the producers asked him to use his natural accent--he doesn't seem as Sawyer without it.
*I completely forgot that season one was full of musical montages at the end. I really love the song "Wash Away"
*I should have mentioned this in the previous episode, but also a season one trait, revealing the centricity of the next episode by focusing on that character in the last scene.
Favorite Quotes:
SAWYER: Nice stick.
Out of context, it doesn't seem so funny, but it really is..
CHARLIE: What are you making?
LOCKE: Whistle.
CHARLIE: I used some tribal flutes once in a recording session. I'm in a band.
MICHAEL: I'm going to get your dog back as soon as it stops raining. Hey listen to me, I'm going to get your dog back. [The rain stops.]
It's all about the timing.
JACK: I don't want to know. It doesn't matter, Kate, who we were - what we did before this, before the crash. It doesn't really... 3 days ago we all died. We should all be able to start over.
Unanswered Questions:
It's a Kate episode--rarely do they pertain to the mythology of the show. Rarely do they ever do anything besides show Kate's relationship with Jack and/or Sawyer. (And later Aaron). For the life of me, I didn't have any after this--but then, I'm not that picky about really specific questions. So, uh, none for now...
Grade: B- Despite the fact that Kate episodes genuinely never add anything significant to the story, the on island story is still captivating this early in. Really, the only thing that bogs it down is the flashbacks and there are only a few of them.
Trivia:
*An interesting tidbit, the writers found it implausible that Sawyer would miss the marshal at such a close range--and thus creating Sawyer's vision problems.
*Kate claims to be a Canadian during her flashback scenes. Actually, Evangeline Lilly is Canadian. I'm always amused they let her keep her accent since she's supposed to be American.
Lostpedia 1x3
Directed by: Jack Bender
Written by: Damon Lindeloff
Airdate: 10-6-04
Summary: The US Marshall exposes Kate's secret. Kate stares wistfully...
Centric: Kate
Review:
So, we get our first true Kate episode. Here's my thing about Kate--I feel like the writers, while seeming to love the character, never really knew what to do with her. Starting out now, she's still a pretty strong character, which I appreciate for a female role, which with her mysterious background makes her interesting at this point. Even knowing all that's coming after it, I think is one of the few good Kate episodes, as it is early in the series and still trying to establish who these characters are and their new relationships with each other.
That said, this is still a Kate episode and like most of them, I can't really claim that anything really happens in them. Basically, the Marshall is dying and, in a way, makes his peace with Kate as he does so. We're also alluded to her mysterious past, as the Marshall deems her completely dangerous. I still find that amusing, as Kate seems harmless, but I suppose the writers wanted to use that angle to create some drama early on.
While the plot doesn't really go anywhere, I think I liked the setting up of various character relationships in this one. First of all, there's Kate with Jack. I mean, these two seem to hit it off, then Jack's perfect little view of her is shattered when he finds out she's a convict. I think, also, and something that is explored later, Kate doesn't want Jack to know anything about her past. She likes the idea of having a blank slate or "Tabula Rasa" as the title suggests. I have to give her credit for being somewhat intuitive because I think it's clear that she knows Jack wouldn't take well to her past and she'd like him to keep that pedastol ideal of her--because, in a way, she herself would like to be that person. I also find it amusing that once she gets back she goes straight to Jack to tell him about more creepy island stuff. One day in and she already considers Jack her BFF. So, yeah, the tension between these two characters, the innitial gravitation between the two of them vs the reality of their stark difference is already there. What I really like, though, is Jack's maturity at the end, where he basically lets Kate off the hook by telling her that everyone gets to start over on the island. Of course, that is a metaphor for all of them, and a theme of the entire series--second chances, but on a smaller level, it's a nice moment of understanding between Jack and Kate. It may only last a half dozen episodes but at least it's there.
We've also got the set up of Kate and Sawyer's relationship--really more so than I ever have given thought. These two seem to gravitate to each other naturally as well, but more so in a two of a kind, outsider type ways. Sawyer may not be aware of that yet, but Kate, even early on, is the only one who can really deal with him, as she finds him a familiar type. Also like to point out that she's already got him doing crap for her. Heh... I find it amusing that she won't off the Marshall herself, she has to have Sawyer do it.
For that matter, the antagonistic relationship between Sawyer and Jack is created here, too. As Sawyer points out, Jack is a man holding on to civilization while Sawyer has accepted that they've entered 'the wild'. While Jack will get into more philosophy discussions with Locke--Jack and Sawyer's varying character traits are very much on display. I do want to say, though, I like that Sawyer had a humanizing moment after shooting the Marshall and missing. He had been awfully cocky and overly confident up until that point. His remorse later shows that he's not just an evil hick with a bad attitude but a very layered screwed up man. (as are all the losties.)
Oh good god, the whole freaking love triangle was established in this episode. While I do find it interesting and good character development at this point, I will say it does get tiresome the more they drag it out.
The other Kate issue that is brought up is the fact that she runs---from everything---partly because she enjoys it partly out of necessity. At the moment, it's a character trait. Unfortunately, it's an aspect of her character that will become pounded into us and her issue with running becomes soley what the character is about.
In other news around the island--
Since we start in on centric episodes, the characters take their turns fading into the background. Like, Boone and Shannon don't really do anything in this episode.
Charlie and Claire begin to bond. It's cute and sweet in a junior high way. I like their relationship pre-Aaron, it was always a bit innocent.
There's kinda a b-plot with Michael. First of all, he accidentally runs into a half naked Sun. It's kinda funny/weird and there definite signs of showing a Michael-Sun-Jin triangle early on but, for some reason (thankfully) the writers seemed to deviate away from that. Michael also goes hunting for Walt's dog Vincent. Locke is the one who actually gets him back and does the nice guy thing and let Michael return the dog to Walt. I'm not entirely sure why Michael has such issues with Locke--it kinda bugs me. But a lot about Michael bugs me.
One quick note about Locke--after three episodes, the characters are pretty much all set and presented. Except for Locke. No wonder people found him highly intriguing at first--we really didn't know a thing about him or his character up to this point.
Flashbacks:
The only thing Kate's flashbacks do is establish why she's in Australia. She's on the run. That's kinda it. Oh, and that whatever she did, she's can't be THAT bad of a person if she tried to save the life of the person who turned her in. She's still a murderer...whatever. And really, it's a good thing that the show didn't over do the flashbacks at the beginning. Once you've seen them, on rewatch you can easily sleep through them and not miss anything interesting or important.
The Little Things:
*When Hurley first learns of Kate, he's very hesitant and somewhat scared of her. I find it amusing, since I don't think the dynamic really comes back. And, for that matter, how many times do Kate and Hurley interact on this show?
*Sayid gives a little speech at the beginning of the episode dictating and organizing the rest of the losties. So, um, why wasn't he named leader at this point?
*In the beginning, Josh Holloway tried to shed his southern accent. I feel like it's most notable here than anywhere else. I'm glad the producers asked him to use his natural accent--he doesn't seem as Sawyer without it.
*I completely forgot that season one was full of musical montages at the end. I really love the song "Wash Away"
*I should have mentioned this in the previous episode, but also a season one trait, revealing the centricity of the next episode by focusing on that character in the last scene.
Favorite Quotes:
SAWYER: Nice stick.
Out of context, it doesn't seem so funny, but it really is..
CHARLIE: What are you making?
LOCKE: Whistle.
CHARLIE: I used some tribal flutes once in a recording session. I'm in a band.
MICHAEL: I'm going to get your dog back as soon as it stops raining. Hey listen to me, I'm going to get your dog back. [The rain stops.]
It's all about the timing.
JACK: I don't want to know. It doesn't matter, Kate, who we were - what we did before this, before the crash. It doesn't really... 3 days ago we all died. We should all be able to start over.
Unanswered Questions:
It's a Kate episode--rarely do they pertain to the mythology of the show. Rarely do they ever do anything besides show Kate's relationship with Jack and/or Sawyer. (And later Aaron). For the life of me, I didn't have any after this--but then, I'm not that picky about really specific questions. So, uh, none for now...
Grade: B- Despite the fact that Kate episodes genuinely never add anything significant to the story, the on island story is still captivating this early in. Really, the only thing that bogs it down is the flashbacks and there are only a few of them.
Trivia:
*An interesting tidbit, the writers found it implausible that Sawyer would miss the marshal at such a close range--and thus creating Sawyer's vision problems.
*Kate claims to be a Canadian during her flashback scenes. Actually, Evangeline Lilly is Canadian. I'm always amused they let her keep her accent since she's supposed to be American.
Lostpedia 1x3
Labels: lost
posted by spaceorphan @ 5:44 PM
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