3x09 Stranger in a Strange Land

[NoMoreFun]

What I don't get is they foreshadowed the tattoo flashbacks in "lockdown", so it couldn't have been a last minute clutching at straws flashback. There must be some significance. There must be.

[Richard Was Here]

This is my least favorite Jack-centric episode in the entire series.

For someone who was out to 'find himself', Jack didn't end up learning anything about himself he didn't already know.

They introduced a new character, and then ended up taking her nowhere.

I suppose it was nice to have the loose end about what happened to the tailies who were snatched off the beach tied up...but that took up about 3 minutes of the episode.

nothin' much to see at all.....

[Leghorne]

I agree the flashbacks were the most terrible part of this terrible episode. As far as the significance of the tattoo... I've seen several threads regarding whether or not Jack may be the supposed real "leader" of the others. If you believe those theories this episode could potentially foreshadow that. The same goes for the theories about why Juliet has been time traveling but the others haven't.
I'm sorry to say I'd probably rather sit through an entire Nikki episode over having to look or listen to Isabel again.

[CameraOne]

I liked this episode the first time around, and still do. I don't see what's so bad about the flashbacks... I agree the actress was wooden, and the tattoo storyline didn't really lead to any big epiphanies, but it wasn't any worse for me than other aimless flashbacks that other characters had.

I do hate the scene where Jack violently forces Achara to tattoo him. I still think this episode was a clever lead-up to the scene of Jack with the beard in the finale... they should have kept a few bruises and increased the beard-age of Jack when he was being beat up.

I also don't get why Jack was so angry at Cindy... sheesh, take a chill pill.

I really like the Sawyer-Karl scenes, and I still find this glimpse into the Others' justice system to be fascinating. I think Darlton had a real knee-jerk reaction to the hatred for this episode by failing to continue to reveal any more of the mysterious aspects of the Others society. Back in the barracks, they are back to being a "normal" neighborhood in the suburbs.

Yes, the whole concept of building an episode around Jack's tattoo was tacky, but I thought the writers did a great job with it.

[Dr. Chameleon]

Originally Posted by CameraOne

I also don't get why Jack was so angry at Cindy... sheesh, take a chill pill.

I do. He's locked up, for starters, and Juliet and Ben have been maddeningly obscure about who they are while clearly having access to all kinds of personal information about Jack. To have Cindy come along and suddenly be "one of them" doesn't make any sense, and only further enrages him because he has absolutely no understanding of what's going on and is powerless because of it.

[Passenger49]

I have nothing to say except that Achura is gross. And no, I didn't enjoy the steamy sex scene. Why? I just told you. Achura is gross. Very prostitutesque.

[sdorian]

I think they just handcuffed Juliet and all that to get Jack to feel for her, so she can infiltrate them. con: let them think it's their idea. They were never going to kill Juliet. all to get Jack to tend to Ben and bring him around on her. (I still despise Juliet.) and what, they have anesthesia and full surgical supplies, but no neosporin?

I don't see why the Others want to keep Ben alive so badly.

everyone's such a good actor, you never know when anyone's lying. well, except Ben because everything he says is a lie.

so Jack's been in Thailand a month? man, what vacation time...

they put Jack and Ben on some kind of canoe, and then they're all on a big boat, that we never hear about or see again?

I thought this is one of the lamest episodes of the series. Who cares about Jack's tattoos, that had nothing to do with anything (and they didn't even translate correctly)? the only symbolism I could take out of it was "marking", like a sign of the beast, of evil people or something. but still...could all be just a psych game with Juliet to manipulate Jack.

Anyway, unlike most episodes, this one didn't get any emotional reaction out of me, just lame and pointless. But that's already been covered. I will say (just to be the devil's advocate I suppose) that I thought Achara was decent-looking, hot even if they made her character dumb. I did like the little moment between Sawyer and Karl. (whether he wanted to get rid of him or was earnest) and I did think the character of Isabel had potential, that that actress got ripped off. overall though, the episode really doesn't convey anything.

[TWISTED-GAMER]

the only thing i liked about this ep was Bai Ling's cleavage. around 18m 30 seconds & 19m 5 seconds to be exact!

[PissedOffGiraffe]

Okay, so the flashbacks are horrible, yes. Sex scene is gross.
But the thing that really got to me, and why I do understand Jack's reaction, is why Cindy was being so damp stupid.
I mean, maybe she wás leading a better life with the others and was being happy and all, but you'd think she at least understand Jack's point of view, seeing as she was terrified of the others just weeks ago herself too. Maybe she wasn't allowed to tell him anything but at least let her show him a sign of understanding, of making him feel better.

The only explanation I can think of is that she was being drugged like Claire in Maternity Leave but she didn't seem out of it at all so I REALLY don't get what's up with Cindy and it's bugging the hell out of me!!

[Dr. Chameleon]

Originally Posted by PissedOffGiraffe

Okay, so the flashbacks are horrible, yes. Sex scene is gross.
But the thing that really got to me, and why I do understand Jack's reaction, is why Cindy was being so damp stupid.
I mean, maybe she wás leading a better life with the others and was being happy and all, but you'd think she at least understand Jack's point of view, seeing as she was terrified of the others just weeks ago herself too. Maybe she wasn't allowed to tell him anything but at least let her show him a sign of understanding, of making him feel better.

The only explanation I can think of is that she was being drugged like Claire in Maternity Leave but she didn't seem out of it at all so I REALLY don't get what's up with Cindy and it's bugging the hell out of me!!

I think she was brainwashed, which is why her behavior is so confusing/infuriating. She has no concept of Jack's perspective and is possibly quite detached from her former self. This is the kind of stuff about the Others I really want to see explanations for in this final season that make sense, but I'm getting worried that they're going to ignore all the weird behavior of the Others from earlier seasons.