(S06E13) You had to wait until the closing moments of this week's 'Lost' to find out the identity of the character referenced by the episode title, 'The Last Recruit.' In the end, though, it was inevitable. There was really only one possibility, though the journey to getting there took some unexpected twists.

The flash-sideways took the most unexpected twist of all, but definitely propelled the main plotlines of the beta-verse forward. Here's your spoiler alert: this week's flash-sideways featured everyone! The foundation has been laid, the clock is ticking and its time to get things moving.

BETA-VERSE (2004)

Kudos to those of you who speculated that almost everyone would come together at the hospital Jack worked at. While it didn't go down exactly like that, Sun and Locke both wound up there. Do you think Sun's freak-out upon seeing Locke as they were being wheeled in side-by-side was an unconscious reaction to remembering him as Man-in-Black Locke from the alpha-verse?

We didn't get as many of those moments between characters where they were clearly aware that something was amiss. Nor did they react in that "knowing" way when they kept running into one another. In fact, beta-Sawyer simply used the coincidences of him running into beta-Kate over and over again as an opportunity to hit on her.

Beta-Sayid and beta-Kate are now in the custody of the authorities, so things aren't coming up roses for everyone. Locke, on the other hand, may be about to experience that miracle so many of you speculated about, now that Jack is performing surgery on him after the car accident. Unclear still is Desmond's motivation for hitting him -- unless it was to get him to that hospital to meet Jack.

Desmond also facilitated the meeting between Jack and Claire, featuring Ilana as a lawyer no less. He's clearly bringing the gang back together again, but to what end? The island is underwater so they can't go there, though they could take a flight over it. Would their reunion be enough to trigger some mass mental awakening that will alter the timeline they're living in? I'm still wondering if alpha-Desmond and beta-Desmond are sharing an ongoing mindlink, or if they just shared information.

ALPHA-VERSE (2007)

Alpha-Desmond is still too laid back about everything. While beta-Desmond is making things happen, alpha-Desmond isn't doing much of anything. Ever since he was blasted with that electromagnetic energy, he's been just following along passively -- reacting instead of acting. He even had very little to say to alpha-Sayid when the latter arrived to finish him off. I suspect, however, that what he said was enough to spare his life.

There were some sparks of the old Sayid inside this new zombie version, so maybe the resurrection effects are temporary or incomplete. Even Claire seems more post-trauma stressed out than actually altered in a permanent way.

Meanwhile, Sawyer's plan to commandeer the boat and head for Hydra Island was ill-conceived from the beginning. He was such a capable leader as part of the Dharma Initiatve, but now he's back to letting his emotions rule his mind. Are we still supposed to forgive him because of his grief over losing Juliet?

The reunion of Sun and Jin was a bit disappointing, considering how long they've been apart. It was appropriate that it fixed her language barrier, though it's more likely their emotions would have had them both reverting to their native language. Widmore's lackeys cut things short by pointing their guns at everyone, which means we were denied the emotional payoff we've been hoping for. Sun and Jin were as well, so perhaps its appropriate that we're all frustrated together. At least we don't have to deal with them whining and pining over one another anymore.



I half expected Kate to follow Jack into the ocean, but in the end, Jack became the 'Last Recruit' to Locke's army. Whether or not that's a good thing remains to be seen. In fact, Jack is now alone (unless we count Sayid) with Locke, of the remaining candidates. The character has come full circle, as it is now Jack alone who is working on the very faith that led to alpha-Locke's downfall. He believes there's a reason they're all on the island, and he's following his gut -- albeit quite possibly into the lion's den.

While beta-Jack was saving beta-Locke's life on the operating table, MiB-Locke saved alpha-Jack from literally going to pieces on that beach when Widmore's people started bombing it. Widmore is playing dirty, and has no concerns for potential casualties. He's reneged on his deal with Sawyer, and is trying to bomb Locke -- as if he thinks explosions can destroy smoke?

I'm not sure what Widmore's end-game is, but he's not coming across as much of a savior. For all that MiB-Locke has been the villain this whole time, they're doing a great job of leaving just that shred of doubt in your mind that maybe, just maybe, his is the side you want to be on.

Jacob manipulating these people onto this island for his own purposes is cruel, while MiB-Locke posing as Jack's dad to lead him to water is helpful, in his own way. The layers of complexities in this struggle between Jacob and the Man in Black keep the mystery alive, even as the number of episodes dwindle. Black or white? Yeah, there are clear sides, but which is the right, or good side just won't come clear.

'Lost' takes a break next week (commence gnashing of teeth). The May 4 episode is called 'The Candidate.' Jack was 'The Last Recruit,' but is he the candidate? And does that mean we'll find out as soon as this which of the remaining candidates will ultimately take the title, and all the glorious responsibilities that go with it?