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Post by Spaced Out Looney on Jan 16, 2006 16:32:10 GMT -5
It's hard to say for sure, but I think Charlie might very well be using, and what we see is his "as yet untapped" stash. There's no reason to open up the statues until he's ready to use what's inside. His defensiveness and lying said "using" to me - or else, he's very much on the brink of doing so. Possible, very possible. Although there's not a clear causal relationship there. The dishonesty could be covering shame that he can't put it completely behind him, that he still feels the need to keep the stash "just in case" things get bad enough to justify using again. As to Virgin Mary, something of great worth placed inside her by a higher power with no action of her own... Intriguing!! And shudderworthy. Heroin-->BabyJesus? Commentary on religion or faith? I wonder if you're onto something
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Post by SpringSummers on Jan 16, 2006 16:32:54 GMT -5
Yes - agree. Basically, my feeling was that it was hard to tell for sure whether Charlie had been using again or not. I don't think the lying and defensiveness definitely said "using for sure" - but it made me wonder if he was using again, and he certainly could be. The only thing that I thought was definitive was that Charlie hasn't truly let go of the addiction. Currently using or not, we can see that he remains very vulnerable to the drug. Isn't that the MO of an addict? It's a daily struggle. Kind of like the countdown of the Dharma clock. And if you don't use the right combination, it all goes phlooey. Unless, of course, you stare it in the face and take responsibility for your own destiny. Charlie has yet to take responsibility for the choice he made which lead to his addiction. He's still whining about it being his brother's fault. Hi, karenH! Yes, I agree. I thought the "my brother's fault" line was very much about showing us how far from taking responsibility (and therefore, any measure of control) Charlie is, when it comes to his addiction. He's very vulnerable and weak and he sees himself as a victim. He's either using, or he's stashing the stuff because he wants it on hand - but either way, he's still in its grip.
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Post by SpringSummers on Jan 16, 2006 16:33:30 GMT -5
Possible, very possible. Although there's not a clear causal relationship there. The dishonesty could be covering shame that he can't put it completely behind him, that he still feels the need to keep the stash "just in case" things get bad enough to justify using again. As to Virgin Mary, something of great worth placed inside her by a higher power with no action of her own... Intriguing!! And shudderworthy. Heroin-->BabyJesus? Commentary on religion or faith? I wonder if you're onto something The opiate of the masses?
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Post by Sharky on Jan 16, 2006 16:54:37 GMT -5
Intriguing!! And shudderworthy. Heroin-->BabyJesus? Commentary on religion or faith? I wonder if you're onto something The opiate of the masses? Exactly! I started to use that quote, but didn't wear my electrician's gloves today so I was afraid of getting "Mr. Bolty'd" for real. ;D
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Post by Karen on Jan 16, 2006 18:35:25 GMT -5
Isn't that the MO of an addict? It's a daily struggle. Kind of like the countdown of the Dharma clock. And if you don't use the right combination, it all goes phlooey. Unless, of course, you stare it in the face and take responsibility for your own destiny. Charlie has yet to take responsibility for the choice he made which lead to his addiction. He's still whining about it being his brother's fault. Hi, karenH! Yes, I agree. I thought the "my brother's fault" line was very much about showing us how far from taking responsibility (and therefore, any measure of control) Charlie is, when it comes to his addiction. He's very vulnerable and weak and he sees himself as a victim. He's either using, or he's stashing the stuff because he wants it on hand - but either way, he's still in its grip. Hi Spring! (that was me (karenH), btw) Yep, I agree. He still wants it, and lying to Claire and Mr. Eko shows that he is still in denial.
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Post by Karen on Jan 16, 2006 18:36:14 GMT -5
Intriguing!! And shudderworthy. Heroin-->BabyJesus? Commentary on religion or faith? I wonder if you're onto something The opiate of the masses? Huh. Very interesting.
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Post by Lola m on Jan 16, 2006 22:00:15 GMT -5
Interesting thought about wondering if there was significance to the heroin being inside the Virgin Mary. Charlie is Catholic. Maybe she is protecting him from it. I'm assuming that he isn't using. The Virgins all looked intact to me.Isn't that the definition of virgin? **snicker, snicker**
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Post by Karen on Jan 17, 2006 16:37:49 GMT -5
Great review, Sara! Thanks for looking up all the references to what was carved on the 'Jesus stick'. (best line all night - "What are you going to do? Hit me with your Jesus stick?" I wonder why it tickles so?) As you said, it's especially weird how Hurley's numbers are working themselves nicely into the whole storyline, or visa versa. I'm enjoying the ride, even though we get more questions than answers every week. Isn't that what life is like anyway? The more you know, the more you realize you don't know. Thanks for writing the review!
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Post by Lola m on Jan 17, 2006 17:00:14 GMT -5
Wonderful and interesting review, Sara! I very much liked that you brought up "Walkabout". As you said, it didn't have the same "surprise" factor, but I think this episode has the same kind of impact and future importance. (I got a good snicker over: ". . . this may end up being the reviewing equivalent of Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past, except with Virgin Marys instead of madeleines." ;D ) Loved loved loved your theme of symmetry. One of the things I really loved about this episode was the paralleling storylines, the way things kept circling back on themselves. You really captured the feeling perfectly with these lines: "Talk about your metaphor-rich environment"s, indeed. Kudos to you for all your research-y efforts, tracking down the various verses from the "Jesus stick" and the images in the black smoke and so on. I really like it when someone else does all the hard legwork for me. ;D I also think your suggestions regarding a possible mechanical explanation for the black smoke are very intriguing. Finally, your paragraph about the search for forgiveness was truly lovely. Brava, Sara, brava!
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Post by Linda on Jan 17, 2006 23:29:12 GMT -5
Hi all!
Hawaii pretty.
Episode good.
S'cubies smart.
Sara very, very smart. #bid#
Bye all!
Linda, aka Ms. States-the-obvious
P.S. Seriously. Cool Sara analysis & S'cubie post-y goodness.
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Post by Karen on Jan 17, 2006 23:38:36 GMT -5
Hi all! Hawaii pretty. Episode good. S'cubies smart. Sara very, very smart. Bye all! Linda, aka Ms. States-the-obvious P.S. Seriously. Cool Sara analysis & S'cubie post-y goodness. Linda! I hope all is well with you. #bighug# Hawaii and Linda - still very pretty!
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Post by fish1941 on Jan 20, 2006 14:01:05 GMT -5
I have a question. Did the scene or scenes with Charlie protesting that his brother was responsible for his drug addiction, juxtapose with a flashback of Eko trying to convince Yemi (and himself) that his reason for using the Church to smuggle the drugs out of Nigeria?
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Post by Wendy on Jan 28, 2006 20:26:57 GMT -5
Sara!!!!
I just wanted to say how awesome your analysis was. You obviously put a lot of work into it. I think this has been my favorite episode in season 2 so far. And your review just made me love it even more. Great job, Sara. #applaud#
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