When we saw Faraday emerge from the sub at the end of Hoth, a sense of relief came over us. Why? Without a doubt, Season 5 has given us one character that was sorely underdeveloped last season: DANIEL FARADAY! This episode focuses the relationship of Daniel and his mother, Eloise. The relationship also acts as some interesting metaphor for free will (Dan) vs. fate (eloise). The flashbacks focus on this battle, as Eloise pushes Dan towards his tragic fate, against his own will. This dynamic brought an emotional factor to a character that we never thought would bring such feelings, while explaining all of our unanswered questions on a somewhat mysterious Faraday.
On top of this, the Island stuff is tense and packed with amazing stuff. The scenes here are filled to the brim with tension, and the acting is spot on. Jack and Kate finally get some direction that was lacking after Whatever Happened, Happened.
However, the episode really knocks things out of the ball park with the ending. Although tragic, the ending reinforces the whatever happened, happened time rules. Even though Daniel thought free will was present, his actions only led him down the road to the fate his mother knew from the get go. Tragic, yet incredibly satisfying in terms of the mythology, this episode stands as a cornerstone episode of the season. I can't wait to see where the finale will take us.
On top of this, the Island stuff is tense and packed with amazing stuff. The scenes here are filled to the brim with tension, and the acting is spot on. Jack and Kate finally get some direction that was lacking after Whatever Happened, Happened.
However, the episode really knocks things out of the ball park with the ending. Although tragic, the ending reinforces the whatever happened, happened time rules. Even though Daniel thought free will was present, his actions only led him down the road to the fate his mother knew from the get go. Tragic, yet incredibly satisfying in terms of the mythology, this episode stands as a cornerstone episode of the season. I can't wait to see where the finale will take us.