The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Episode 1x8: Confidence Man
Directed by: Tucker Gates
Written by: Damon Lindelof
Airdate: 11-10-04
Summary: Sawyer pretends to have Shannon's inhalers. Charlie and Claire share fake peanut butter.
Centric: Sawyer
Review:
I have to state that I didn't like Sawyer during season one. In fact, it took me a long time for Sawyer to grow on me. I'd say somewhere during season three I warmed up and maybe didn't full on like the guy until season four. Looking back, I can say now, I love the character--really one of the greatest characters Lost had on the show. Funny how times changes. Anyway, this episode I liked when it first aired. I got, even at the time, that this was supposed to humanize Sawyer a bit. Didn't make me like him any more. I think, however, I appreciate this episode more than I did back then. As a piece of writing, the script is absolutely fantastic. The symmitry of the flashbacks and on island story alone is something that I have to applaud.
The plot itself is pretty straight forward, which is rare for Lost. But it's not so much the plot but the characters that make this (and ultimately Lost) interesting. It's a great character study into one of the more complex characters on the show. The purpose was to de-villain Sawyer and, in a way, put a twist on other characters such as Jack and Sayid. Really, I feel like this episode also marks a turning point in the series, but more on that in a second.
Okay, so Sawyer's this con man who essentially hates himself for ending up being what he hated the most. A lot of season one moments point to Sawyer being suicidal, not really caring if he lives or dies. And in a way, pushing Jack and Sayid to nearly kill him was a part of that. I mean, it's not so much that he's a bad guy, we'll learn later in the series that he isn't, it's just that he's so screwed up and that he holds on to so much self hatred, he's not only become narcessistic, but feels he's got nothing to live for. It's a fantastic place to start a character arc and throughout the series, we get the rise and fall of Sawyer, which is pretty awesome overall. (it also mirrors Jack fall and rise arc--seriously, I could write a thesis on how these two have similar roles on the show.)
So, really, the episode is about that--how Sawyer needs to push everyone's buttons out of self hatred. The ironic part is that he's conning not only everyone else about Shannon's medicine but himself in the process, convincing himself he's just as bad as the original Sawyer. (which, no, no, no...no one is THAT evil.) I think the other fascinating thing is not just showing how Sawyer has layers to him but how everyone reacts to him as well. I think this episode Sawyer being a pain brings out everyone's true natures.
Let's start with Jack. Up until this point, Jack is pretty much the hero, good guy, etc. But Sawyer gets under his skin like no one else. Maybe it's cause of Kate, which it is somewhat. Maybe it's because Sawyer won't fall into the good little survivor line. Maybe cause Sawyer is a lost cause that Jack can't 'fix'. Whatever it is, Sawyer embodies just about everything that Jack doesn't like and because of that, Jack is pushed to reach a darker part of himself. One that allows his conscious to torture someone. Jack's no saint, and I think this episode shows that pretty well. He bypasses reason because of emotion and Sawyer nearly dies for it. Not exactly the 'cool' leader one should be. And it's funny how his flaws in leadership get brought up later. So, the hero has flaws just like the villain has a heart. I like the twist here.
Also, there's that scene where Sawyer tells Jack to let him die because he'd let Jack die-- Well, Sawyer pretty much wants to die at this point, so of course he's gonna be rude. But Jack doesn't, mostly because his need to fix everything overrides his actions at times. And I do think that by season five perhaps, Sawyer wouldn't just sit there and watch someone die. But that scene shows the fundamental differences between the two men at this point.
Okay, so then there's Sayid. I really do believe they started writing the characters differently after this episode. I mean, you could argue that the survivors are finally becoming themselves and not the survival/hero mode you original meet them in, and I will say that I think at this point the writers have finally found the characters, but there is a difference in how the characters are presented after this episode. Anyway, Sayid up until this point, Sayid was rational and logical, being the leading man in getting everyone off the island. Sawyer's refusal to be helpful pushes him down that dark, emotional path that Sayid doesn't like to go and spends his entire life trying to run from. We get into Sayid's pysche more in the next episode but it was truly a 'whoa' moment when he actually began torturing Sawyer.
And then there's Kate. Here's my thing. I actually like the idea behind Kate when she was first written--that she was a strong character and was going to be the female lead and she needed to find her husband. Whatever the idea was for her character back in the pilot, that stayed with the character until, say, about his episode. Because after this episode, Kate stops being a strong, independent character, her IQ seems to drop, and she seems to be around soley to be the object of Sawyer and Jack. While the triangle was an interesting idea, I feel like in the long run, it damaged Kate's character. But I suppose that's a point I'll leave for later when it's more relevant.
At this point, I think this is where I actually find the triangle an interesting character study. I mean, there is a natural chemistry between Kate and Sawyer and I think the two of them understand each other in a way that Kate and Jack don't seem to be on the same ground. Sawyer, I believe, did part of his little con over the inhalers not just because he wanted everyone to hate him, but also because he really did want a kiss from Kate. Not only would that stick it to Jack, but I do believe he was attracted to her right from the beginning. But also, for someone like Sawyer, it's a big deal for him to open up to anyone, and this girl did just that. She can get under his skin and see through his tough guy lies--and that is huge. It's part of the reason he starts to fall in love with her. And Sawyer genuinely falling in love starts him on the path of redemption. So, yeah, it's kinda cool--
As for Kate, I can't say I really got it the first time I watched it, because I wasn't sure how anyone could relate to Sawyer off the bat, but she does feel something for him, especially after she kisses him. Because they do have a connection, despite her not wanting to acknowledge that it's there. Because the two of them are a lot a like. And he's symbolic of a lot of unresolved issues that she's got to deal with. So, yeah, there was potential here for there to be an intriguing love triangle between the three characters. It's just unfortunate that they started ruining Kate's character so that no one cared anymore.
One small note about Kate and Sayid. It was pointed out to me recently that Kate and Sayid have the most mature relationship at the beginning of the series. And they did. They both acted intelligent and worked to do what was best for the survivors in a mature manner. No one was belittling, or crazy, or abused, etc. I suppose I never would have bought them as a romantic couple, but it was a nice angle since so many of the relationships/friendships on this show are juvinile. It's a shame that after this episode, because Sayid leaves, Kate and Sayid never share that same level of friendship again. Ah, what would have been.
Okay, so, there is a b-plot here, amazingly. And it's really beautiful and sweet. I mean, here's how you write a real love story. Not one where the two characters should be together because their main characters or where they're so screwed up they have their first kiss while one is being tortured and tied to a tree. Charlie and Claire, laughing, talking, genuinely getting along, flirting, everything. And the fake peanut butter--which is a little weird, but overall, the fact that he goes through all the trouble to make her safe is quite romantic. They really are an adorable couple at the beginning of the series and one you can not only really buy as a romantic couple, but one that you want to root for. It really puts the whole triangle into perspective as to how nutty it is.
Flashbacks:
The flashbacks do well to tell Sawyer's history. I mean, we get that he's a con man, but the cool part is that you're supposed to think that he was the one whom the letter was written. The twist at the end being that he wrote the letter and became the person he hated. A very nicely done piece of writing there. I'm not sure if the flashback to island stuff is paralleled as nicely again. A few things I'd like to mention.
For one, we get to see Sawyer having a heart, when he can't do what was done to him. The little boy showing up was symbolic and also lets us know that Sawyer isn't completely evil. Just very screwed up.
The thing that brings this whole thing down a little--the actual con itself. I'm hard pressed to believe that anyone with half a brain would fall for the scheme. I mean, there are that stupid of people out there, but it still seems like a stretch to me. Also, I hate to say it, but the acting is just a bit over the top--the actress in particular. It's almost like it's a parody of itself. I can't help but groan every time she groans for Sawyer at the beginning or when all that money falls out of the briefcase. It's a little forced.
I also can't help but feel that the sex scene, along with the naked Sawyer at the beginning, was put in there for the female fans. And they tend to do this a lot with Sawyer. I feel like, *shrug*, Josh Holloway is a good looking guy but eh, doesn't do much for me. And I really am more interesting in just about everything else before Sawyer with his shirt off...
The Little Things:
*I'm not sure why Sawyer thinks that the stuff he stole from everyone is now his. :P
*Boone and Shannon are used mostly as a plot device in this episode. Unfortunately, they're used this way until the end of their respective purpose on the show.
*Do Australians not like peanut butter? I've never gotten that line.
*Locke bugs me in this episode. Why pin it on Sawyer? And why does Sayid so easily agree to that line of thinking? I call foul on this one.
*I really wonder what Kate wanted to put at the end of her line 'if you do this' to Jack. Because he does do it. And not much happens--
*You know who wins in this episode? Sun. She totally rocks. Not only does she use a plant to solve the problems, she does it without violence. This is why it's a shame there wasn't a woman running things. So many problems would have been solved, lol.
*However, why didn't Sun just tell Jin what she was doing? Seems like a little bit of unnecessary tension to me.
Favorite Quotes:
HURLEY: Wow, man. That was awesome. I mean, that was like a -- Jedi moment.
SAWYER: Baby, I am tied to a tree in a jungle of mystery. I just got tortured by a damn spinal surgeon and a gen-u-ine I-raqi. Of course, I'm serious.
Unanswered Questions:
Do I have any? Not really, we're not really into the mythology stuff yet. Maybe wondering what happened to Sawyer once he left that one dude's money on the floor of his mark. But since he's still living, it's not really important.
Grade: A- This episode loses a point or two for the lack of logic in the flashbacks and for Sayid's overreaction. But the script is wonderful and the characterization is fantastic.
Lostpedia
Directed by: Tucker Gates
Written by: Damon Lindelof
Airdate: 11-10-04
Summary: Sawyer pretends to have Shannon's inhalers. Charlie and Claire share fake peanut butter.
Centric: Sawyer
Review:
I have to state that I didn't like Sawyer during season one. In fact, it took me a long time for Sawyer to grow on me. I'd say somewhere during season three I warmed up and maybe didn't full on like the guy until season four. Looking back, I can say now, I love the character--really one of the greatest characters Lost had on the show. Funny how times changes. Anyway, this episode I liked when it first aired. I got, even at the time, that this was supposed to humanize Sawyer a bit. Didn't make me like him any more. I think, however, I appreciate this episode more than I did back then. As a piece of writing, the script is absolutely fantastic. The symmitry of the flashbacks and on island story alone is something that I have to applaud.
The plot itself is pretty straight forward, which is rare for Lost. But it's not so much the plot but the characters that make this (and ultimately Lost) interesting. It's a great character study into one of the more complex characters on the show. The purpose was to de-villain Sawyer and, in a way, put a twist on other characters such as Jack and Sayid. Really, I feel like this episode also marks a turning point in the series, but more on that in a second.
Okay, so Sawyer's this con man who essentially hates himself for ending up being what he hated the most. A lot of season one moments point to Sawyer being suicidal, not really caring if he lives or dies. And in a way, pushing Jack and Sayid to nearly kill him was a part of that. I mean, it's not so much that he's a bad guy, we'll learn later in the series that he isn't, it's just that he's so screwed up and that he holds on to so much self hatred, he's not only become narcessistic, but feels he's got nothing to live for. It's a fantastic place to start a character arc and throughout the series, we get the rise and fall of Sawyer, which is pretty awesome overall. (it also mirrors Jack fall and rise arc--seriously, I could write a thesis on how these two have similar roles on the show.)
So, really, the episode is about that--how Sawyer needs to push everyone's buttons out of self hatred. The ironic part is that he's conning not only everyone else about Shannon's medicine but himself in the process, convincing himself he's just as bad as the original Sawyer. (which, no, no, no...no one is THAT evil.) I think the other fascinating thing is not just showing how Sawyer has layers to him but how everyone reacts to him as well. I think this episode Sawyer being a pain brings out everyone's true natures.
Let's start with Jack. Up until this point, Jack is pretty much the hero, good guy, etc. But Sawyer gets under his skin like no one else. Maybe it's cause of Kate, which it is somewhat. Maybe it's because Sawyer won't fall into the good little survivor line. Maybe cause Sawyer is a lost cause that Jack can't 'fix'. Whatever it is, Sawyer embodies just about everything that Jack doesn't like and because of that, Jack is pushed to reach a darker part of himself. One that allows his conscious to torture someone. Jack's no saint, and I think this episode shows that pretty well. He bypasses reason because of emotion and Sawyer nearly dies for it. Not exactly the 'cool' leader one should be. And it's funny how his flaws in leadership get brought up later. So, the hero has flaws just like the villain has a heart. I like the twist here.
Also, there's that scene where Sawyer tells Jack to let him die because he'd let Jack die-- Well, Sawyer pretty much wants to die at this point, so of course he's gonna be rude. But Jack doesn't, mostly because his need to fix everything overrides his actions at times. And I do think that by season five perhaps, Sawyer wouldn't just sit there and watch someone die. But that scene shows the fundamental differences between the two men at this point.
Okay, so then there's Sayid. I really do believe they started writing the characters differently after this episode. I mean, you could argue that the survivors are finally becoming themselves and not the survival/hero mode you original meet them in, and I will say that I think at this point the writers have finally found the characters, but there is a difference in how the characters are presented after this episode. Anyway, Sayid up until this point, Sayid was rational and logical, being the leading man in getting everyone off the island. Sawyer's refusal to be helpful pushes him down that dark, emotional path that Sayid doesn't like to go and spends his entire life trying to run from. We get into Sayid's pysche more in the next episode but it was truly a 'whoa' moment when he actually began torturing Sawyer.
And then there's Kate. Here's my thing. I actually like the idea behind Kate when she was first written--that she was a strong character and was going to be the female lead and she needed to find her husband. Whatever the idea was for her character back in the pilot, that stayed with the character until, say, about his episode. Because after this episode, Kate stops being a strong, independent character, her IQ seems to drop, and she seems to be around soley to be the object of Sawyer and Jack. While the triangle was an interesting idea, I feel like in the long run, it damaged Kate's character. But I suppose that's a point I'll leave for later when it's more relevant.
At this point, I think this is where I actually find the triangle an interesting character study. I mean, there is a natural chemistry between Kate and Sawyer and I think the two of them understand each other in a way that Kate and Jack don't seem to be on the same ground. Sawyer, I believe, did part of his little con over the inhalers not just because he wanted everyone to hate him, but also because he really did want a kiss from Kate. Not only would that stick it to Jack, but I do believe he was attracted to her right from the beginning. But also, for someone like Sawyer, it's a big deal for him to open up to anyone, and this girl did just that. She can get under his skin and see through his tough guy lies--and that is huge. It's part of the reason he starts to fall in love with her. And Sawyer genuinely falling in love starts him on the path of redemption. So, yeah, it's kinda cool--
As for Kate, I can't say I really got it the first time I watched it, because I wasn't sure how anyone could relate to Sawyer off the bat, but she does feel something for him, especially after she kisses him. Because they do have a connection, despite her not wanting to acknowledge that it's there. Because the two of them are a lot a like. And he's symbolic of a lot of unresolved issues that she's got to deal with. So, yeah, there was potential here for there to be an intriguing love triangle between the three characters. It's just unfortunate that they started ruining Kate's character so that no one cared anymore.
One small note about Kate and Sayid. It was pointed out to me recently that Kate and Sayid have the most mature relationship at the beginning of the series. And they did. They both acted intelligent and worked to do what was best for the survivors in a mature manner. No one was belittling, or crazy, or abused, etc. I suppose I never would have bought them as a romantic couple, but it was a nice angle since so many of the relationships/friendships on this show are juvinile. It's a shame that after this episode, because Sayid leaves, Kate and Sayid never share that same level of friendship again. Ah, what would have been.
Okay, so, there is a b-plot here, amazingly. And it's really beautiful and sweet. I mean, here's how you write a real love story. Not one where the two characters should be together because their main characters or where they're so screwed up they have their first kiss while one is being tortured and tied to a tree. Charlie and Claire, laughing, talking, genuinely getting along, flirting, everything. And the fake peanut butter--which is a little weird, but overall, the fact that he goes through all the trouble to make her safe is quite romantic. They really are an adorable couple at the beginning of the series and one you can not only really buy as a romantic couple, but one that you want to root for. It really puts the whole triangle into perspective as to how nutty it is.
Flashbacks:
The flashbacks do well to tell Sawyer's history. I mean, we get that he's a con man, but the cool part is that you're supposed to think that he was the one whom the letter was written. The twist at the end being that he wrote the letter and became the person he hated. A very nicely done piece of writing there. I'm not sure if the flashback to island stuff is paralleled as nicely again. A few things I'd like to mention.
For one, we get to see Sawyer having a heart, when he can't do what was done to him. The little boy showing up was symbolic and also lets us know that Sawyer isn't completely evil. Just very screwed up.
The thing that brings this whole thing down a little--the actual con itself. I'm hard pressed to believe that anyone with half a brain would fall for the scheme. I mean, there are that stupid of people out there, but it still seems like a stretch to me. Also, I hate to say it, but the acting is just a bit over the top--the actress in particular. It's almost like it's a parody of itself. I can't help but groan every time she groans for Sawyer at the beginning or when all that money falls out of the briefcase. It's a little forced.
I also can't help but feel that the sex scene, along with the naked Sawyer at the beginning, was put in there for the female fans. And they tend to do this a lot with Sawyer. I feel like, *shrug*, Josh Holloway is a good looking guy but eh, doesn't do much for me. And I really am more interesting in just about everything else before Sawyer with his shirt off...
The Little Things:
*I'm not sure why Sawyer thinks that the stuff he stole from everyone is now his. :P
*Boone and Shannon are used mostly as a plot device in this episode. Unfortunately, they're used this way until the end of their respective purpose on the show.
*Do Australians not like peanut butter? I've never gotten that line.
*Locke bugs me in this episode. Why pin it on Sawyer? And why does Sayid so easily agree to that line of thinking? I call foul on this one.
*I really wonder what Kate wanted to put at the end of her line 'if you do this' to Jack. Because he does do it. And not much happens--
*You know who wins in this episode? Sun. She totally rocks. Not only does she use a plant to solve the problems, she does it without violence. This is why it's a shame there wasn't a woman running things. So many problems would have been solved, lol.
*However, why didn't Sun just tell Jin what she was doing? Seems like a little bit of unnecessary tension to me.
Favorite Quotes:
HURLEY: Wow, man. That was awesome. I mean, that was like a -- Jedi moment.
SAWYER: Baby, I am tied to a tree in a jungle of mystery. I just got tortured by a damn spinal surgeon and a gen-u-ine I-raqi. Of course, I'm serious.
Unanswered Questions:
Do I have any? Not really, we're not really into the mythology stuff yet. Maybe wondering what happened to Sawyer once he left that one dude's money on the floor of his mark. But since he's still living, it's not really important.
Grade: A- This episode loses a point or two for the lack of logic in the flashbacks and for Sayid's overreaction. But the script is wonderful and the characterization is fantastic.
Lostpedia
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