Episode 2.18 --- Dave

[spicedogs]

Episode 2.18
Dave

This episode was not as exciting as the previous one: Lockdown. Nonetheless, it had a lot redeeming value. It was not islandcentric as Lockdown was, but you cannot have all episodes be islandcentric. That would make LOST so unexciting. Awaiting for that cliffhanger islandcentric episode is just a great experience, in my humble opinion. However, I think that the relationship stories (which Dave is) are vitally important for the building block of the storyline. They are fun to watch, your heart is a bit settled, and you learn a bit about the characters and, at times, a little bit about the island itself.

Anyway, enough rambling. As I did for Lockdown, I will make a synopsis of this story and add screen captures. As I don't have time to make my own screencaptures,so I will be using this site for my pictures:

http://lost-media.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=thumbnails&album=1033 

I may eventually change them, but then again, I may not. 

I went ahead and made my own screen captures.

This episode begins with Hurley and Libby jogging on the beach. 

Hurley is out of breath and tells Libby that he cannot lose weight. 

Libby reassures him that not everyone loses weight easily. Some have slower metabolism. Hurley confesses that the reason he cannot lose weight is because he is so food sick that he has a stash hidden away in the jungle. 
 

   

 

He kept this stash after the food from the hatch was distributed among the Losties. He just made sure that he got a larger share, which he stashed away. He confesses that he wants to change, but can’t get to do it. Libby tells him that if he wants to change, to just do it. She gives him a huge jar of ranch dressing and encourages him to throw it away:

 

Hurley: When we first crashed here, I was like, this isn’t all bad—it’s, like, the all mango diet. I wasn’t turning any heads or nothing but I did drop a couple belt sizes. Then we found this hatch and it was full of food—tons of food. I tried giving it all away, but I guess I kind of kept some of it for myself. I wish I could just get rid of it.

Libby: Then get rid of it (holds out a giant jar of ranch dressing). You want to change... then change.

 

 

Both Libby and Hurley engage in a free for all throwing away food. (I understand that these episodes are done for entertainment value. But it bothers me, because in real life, there would be no way that any castaway would throw food away as these LOSTIES do.)

 

Suddenly, Sun, Jin, and a number of Losties are running and screaming that something was found in the jungle. 
  
         

     

Both Libby and Hurley follow them, only to find that a big load of food was parachuted overnight. 

Libby wonders where the food came from. Charlie explains that Locke said that some sort of blastoff trapped him in the hatch and that maybe it was because the food was being dropped off. Charlie asks whether anybody has seen a play the night before. To this, Sawyer replies, “Yeah, I saw it Tattoo. I just decided not to tell anyone.” (Tattoo is in reference to an old 1970’s show: “Fantasy Island.”)

 

A scuffle breaks out among the Losties about he has possession of the food. Charlie asks “Shouldn’t we let someone a little more trustworthy take care of this?” To which, Sawyer replies, “Like you, babynapper?”

 

Charlie says no, “Like Hurley.” Hurley gets upset. He didn’t want to be in charge of food again. After all, he just got rid of his stash. Libby trying to save Hurley says, “Okay, hey, hey, how about no one’s in charge, okay? I’m sure everyone can manage to just take what they need.” Sawyer replies, “Great plan, Moonbeam. And after that we can sing Kumbaya and do ‘trust falls.”

 

As the food continues to be rationed out, Hurley sees someone among the Losties. It is a bald guy in a bathrobe. 

Hurley chases him into the jungle. Hurley trips and falls, but finds one slipper that belongs to the bald guy.  

The first introductory scene is over. 

  

The next scene opens at beach with Hurley looking at the slippers and at Libby coming towards and telling him how proud she was of him. How he was able to deal with the food being dropped off just as he got rid of his stach. 

 

We are taken to Hurley’s flashback at the mental health institute. We find out that Hurley is to be on a diet and that his mother was the one who institutionalized him. We get to learn that Hurley is upset about an “accident,” but he refuses to talk about it. We also get to see that the bald guy on the island was with Hurley at the institution and that his name is Dave. Dave is Hurley’s only friend in the institute, and, however, he does everything he can to keep Hurley fat. He constantly encourages and talks about food with Hurley.

 

We return to island time. This time, we are in the hatch, watching John setting Locke’s leg. It might have been fractured, but without X-rays, Jack can’t be sure. He suggests a wheelchair, but Locke refuses to use it, but accepts crutches.  

John tells Jack that ~HG must not be bad, as he came back to help him (Locke). He could have escaped, yet, he chose not to. Jack informs him that the only reason ~HG came back was because he thought that his story would check out. 

 

We also learn that Sayid and Ana Lucia are in the middle of interrogating the faux Henry Gale. [Herein faux Henry Gale is represented as ~HG, except in direct quotes. (“~” means not in logic.)] ~HG is tied up with his hands high above his shoulders. (As I was looking at it, it reminded me of how Christ looked like on the cross. In essence, ~HG was crucified.) 

~HG claimed that the original Henry Gale was already dead when he found him. He had broken his neck, and ~HG just buried him. 

 

Sayid informs ~HG that he should have checked Henry’s wallet. Inside it, there was a $20.00 bill that Henry used to write to his wife Jenny: 

 

~HG: He was dead already. Four months ago I was part of the search party. Henry Gale was hanging out of the basket... neck broken.

Sayid: So he was already dead?

~HG: Yes.

Sayid: Then you buried him and left a grave marker?

~HG: Yes.

(Sayid pulls a 20 dollar bill out of his pocket)

Sayid: You really should have checked his wallet before you did that. I assume Henry Gale did not have any paper on which to compose his thoughts, so he had to improvise. There wasn’t much space for that. (He reads the bill.) “Jennifer, well you were right. Crossing the Pacific isn’t easy. I owe you a beer. I’m hiking to one of the beaches to start a signal fire. If you’re reading this I guess I didn’t make it. I’m sorry. I love you, Jenny. Always have; always will. Yours, Henry.” So tell me, how did Henry Gale write a note to his wife with a broken neck?

 

~HG admits to Sayid that he is indeed an Other, but that he will be killed if he talks:

 

~HG: If I told you about them, you have no idea what he’ll do.”

Sayid: He?

Ana Lucia: He means their leader, the guy with the beard.

~HG: Him? He’s no one; he’s nothing.

 

Sayid angrily draws his pistol and informs ~HG that he will kill him if ~HG doesn’t tell him how many the others are. He points the gun, ~HG screams out, “You can’t do this; I am not a bad person.” (Here’s another allegation to “bad vs. good.”) Ana Lucia knocks the gun out of Sayid’s hand. ~HG’s life is spared.

Sayid angrily draws his pistol and informs ~HG that he will kill him if ~HG doesn’t tell him how many the others are. He points the gun, ~HG screams out, “You can’t do this; I am not a bad person.” (I find that this may be an important clue, as once again, the reference to being a good person is revealed. As we may remember, Goodwin did stress that Nathan was killed because Nathan was not a good person.)

 

Ana Lucia tries to keep Sayid’s temper in line, but Sayid pulls the trigger, Ana Lucia hits Sayid’s arm, and the gun is aimed away from ~HG when it goes off. Humbled, ~HG thanks Ana Lucia for saving his life. But Ana angrily tells him to shut up. (I find that this may also .be an important clue. ~HG’s facial expression goes from gratitude to contempt. I think ~HG will remember Ana Lucia’s demeanor towards him in the future.)

 

So The Losties become jailors in effect, keeping watch over the prisoner of war.

 

Meanwhile, Eko continues building in the jungle. Charlie approaches him with the food palette. 

Eko thanks Charlie for his gift and asks Charlie to help him:

 

Charlie: What’re you making?

Eko evasively: Hold that end.

Charlie: What are you making?
(silence from Eko)
Charlie: Is it a Starbucks?

Eko: Help me carry one of those logs, please.

Charlie: Are you going to tell me?

Eko (after a long silence): Not right now.

 

Hurley is seen walking in the jungle holding Dave’s slipper. Suddenly, he finds a box of DHARMA Fish Crackers. 

He starts stuffing his face with it, when he finds that Dave is staring at him. Hurley screams at him: “You’re not here.” Dave starts attacking Hurley with a coconut. He is about to attack him with a second coconut, but, instead, he runs away. Hurley starts running after him. Suddenly, Hurley finds himself next to Charlie and Eko:

 

Charlie: Are you OK, Hurley?

Hurley: Did anyone see a man run through here in a bathrobe with a coconut?
Charlie: No, I saw a polar bear on roller blades with a mango.

Eko (in a soothing voice): I did not see anything, Hurley.

Hurley (worried): Yeah, me either.

 

We get back to Hurley’s flashback. He is playing Connect Four with Leonard:

 

Dave: “Pretty sneaky, Leonard.” (This is in reference to a TV commercial from the 70’s for “Connect Four.”)

Dave sees that Hurley is eating celery:

 

Dave: Leonard’s got graham crackers; why don’t you take some? What’s he gonna do? Call you a 23?

 

A nurse distributes Hurley’s medicine. Dave encourages him not to take it and run away with him. Soon after, Hurley’s psychiatrist (Dr. Brooks) takes Hurley’s and Dave’s picture for the bulletin board:

 

We return to island time. Sawyer is trying to open DHARMA Chocolate Cream Cookies (DHARMA version of OREOS) in half and lick the cream. Whenever the cookie is not perfectly separated, Sawyer tosses the cookie on the floor. 

(As I stated before, I understand that these episodes are done for entertainment value. But it bothers me, because in real life, there would be no way that any castaway would through food away as these LOSTIES do.)  

 

Hurley: You’ve gotta twist it.

Hurley: To get the frosting, pulling it only breaks the cookie

Sawyer: That’s what I get for not going to the expert in first place. What can I do for you deep dish?

Hurley: Kinda looking for something.

Sawyer: Forget it. I’m done trading. Got enough food to open up a chain of minimarts. Hey, you think Sayid needs a job?

**********

Sawyer: What stuff you seein’?

Hurley: I don’t know... maybe like a bald guy, in a bathrobe.

Sawyer: You mean like that guy there?

(Hurley turns around and sees nothing)

Sawyer: Got’cha!

 

Hurley gets mad at the indignation and attacks Sawyer. 

 

Hurley punches Sawyer and recites a name that Sawyer called him with each punch. Here are some of the names I caught:

Fatty

Babar

Jabba

Stay Puff

Lardo

Deep dish 

Jin and Sun witness the attack. Jin is amused with Hurley’s new strength, but Sun requests that Jin break up the fight. Jin is able to remove Hurley from Sawyer. Sawyer calls Hurley crazy, which Hurley denies it. Hurley had intended to get Clonazepam from Sawyer, not knowing that Sawyer was no longer the keeper of medicines. Jack won them in a poker game in the previous episode. 

(Clonazepam, according to Wikipedia “is commonly prescribed for epilepsy; anxiety disorder; panic attacks, restless leg syndrome; initial treatment or mania, together with first-line drugs such as lithium, haloperidol, or resperidone; hallucinogen persisting-perception disorder; chronic fatigue syndrome; night terrors; toilette syndrome. (It has shown to be helpful in reducing and dealing with the physical motor tics associated with TS, although it is still considered an off-label usage by many.)”

In the next scene Kate, who came down to the beach to get a pair of crutches for Locke, has fun with Sawyer:

Kate: So he just attacked you, hah?

Sawyer: Try to contain yourself, freckles.

Kate: Why, I’m worried. You looked like you just got your ass kicked.

Sawyer: Don’t you got any adventures to get to? I think Timmy just fell off the well over that way.

Kate: Seriously, though, why would Hurley, of all people?

Sawyer: Got no idea. I didn’t do nothing. He just Hulked out on me.

Sawyer: You walk off and have a nice long giggle, but steer clear. The man is crazy.

Libby finds Hurley in his hut packing.  She is concerned about what happened between him and Sawyer, but Hurley doesn’t want to talk:

 

Libby: That’s a lot of peanut butter.

Hurley: Well, I’m going to need a lot of protein where I’m going.

Libby: Where are you going?

Hurley: Back to the caves. No one lives there anymore so it won’t bother anybody. I’m gonna live alone and be one of those guys... you know, the crazy guys... with the big beard and no clothes, naked and throws doo-dee at people. 

 

As Hurley is leaving, his peanut butter jar falls on the floor and peanut butter is spread all over the ground. 

Hurley picks it up with a leaf and starts eating it. 

He sees Dave and once again  and yells

 

Hurley: You’re not here. You’re in the hospital! You can’t be here!

Dave: Sorry dude. I am here.

 

We get back to Hurley’s flashback. We learn that the reason for Hurley being institutionalized is because he feels responsible for the death of two people who died after Hurley stepped onto an overcrowded deck. After the accident Hurley went into a catatonic state basically doing nothing, but eating. There were 23 people on that deck, but it was built for 8. Hurley cannot accept that it was an accident. That it was not he who was responsible for their death. Hurley confronts Dr. Brooks by telling him that Dave was right in feeling that Dr. Brooks was nothing but a quack:

 

Dr. Brooks: Dave isn’t your friend Hugo, because Dave doesn’t exist.

 

Dr. Brooks shows Hurley the picture that was taken for the bulletin board. 

 

Hurley has his arms around no one.

Dave attempts to wake up Hurley to escape. Hurley tells him that he is nothing but a hallucination. Dave slaps him and tells him that he’ll continue to slap him to prove his existence. Hurley tells him that he saw the photo taken of both of them but Dave was not in it. Dave tells him that Kinkos and Photoshop do a lot of magic. Hurley follows Dave. Dave goes out the window, but Hurley remains in the hospital. Hurley tells him that he is aware that Dave is not his friend. He is not his friend; he is just trying to keep him fat. Dave tells him that if Hurley doesn’t follow him, he will never get out.

 

We are back in island time. Dave reminds him of the time Hurley did not escape with him. Hurley told him that yes, indeed that was the time Hurley began to get better. Dave told him that it wasn’t so. He told him that Hurley was still in the hospital. He put doubts in Hurley’s mind by pointing out that the Lottery was won by the numbers that Leonard kept repeating, that Hurley is living on an island that needs those same number punched in the computer every 108 hours. He tells Hurley that he is in "his own private Idaho."

 

He tells that Libby is not real, as she has the hot for him. Dave tells him that everyone on the island is part of Hurley’s subconscious. He tells him that the only way Hurley will wake up is by throwing himself down the cliff into the ocean. 

Dave throws himself down the cliff. 

Hurley stays.

We go back to the hatch. Ana Lucia is fixing something. Locke finds out that Jack is down at the beach telling the Losties that an Other is locked up in the hatch. Locke asks to see ~HG. Ana is reluctant, but later she allows Locke in:

 

Locke: I want to talk to him.
Ana Lucia: I don’t think that’s on today’s program.

 

**********

 

Locke: Did you get caught on purpose? You and your people have been here for God knows how long, and you got caught in a net...

~HG: God doesn’t know.

Locke: Excuse me?

~HG: God doesn’t know how long we’ve been here, John. He can’t see this island any better than the rest of the world can.

 

Essentially, ~HG plants doubts in Locke’s head, telling him that he number punched in the numbers, and nothing happened. Everything is still normal:

 

Locke: You’re lying.

Henry: No, I’m done lying. 

 

 

She proceeded by kissing him to prove the reality of their relationship:

Libby catches up with Hurley. She convinces him to not jump into the ocean. Hurley questions her existence and tells her that he feels that all of what he is experiencing is in his imagination. She replies by asking Hurley to name the person whose leg she fixed when the plane crashed. As Hurley didn’t know, she told him that it was because she had experienced it, and he did not invent it. 
 

Libby: That was a real kiss.
Hurley: Maybe, you should do it one more time, just to make sure.

 

They walk away hand in hand. At first Libby is smiling.

 

 

But soon enough her smile fades to a worried frown.

 

 

 

 (I have not yet figured out the reason for Libby’s mood change.)

 

We are taken to the final flashback. We see Dr. Brooks taking Hurley’s picture, and there was Libby watching it happen while she was taking her meds.

 

 

We are taken to the final flashback. We see Dr. Brooks taking Hurley’s picture, 

    

and there was Libby watching it happen while she was taking her meds.