LOST: Everybody Loves Hugo

I wasn't expecting a Hurley episode to shock me. But for the first time this season, I think I gasped. Twice.

"Everybody Loves Hugo" was definitely about more than just Hurley. We're too late in the season for that. But I think it showed what a pivotal player Hurley has become, and I don't think anyone watching the first season would have ever suspected that. At that point, Hurley was the fun big guy who provided comic relief. He's still that, but obviously more.

On island, Hurley is at the center of the discussion regarding the Ajira plane. To blow up or not to blow up? Richard, for whatever reason, is set on destroying it, even though Frank Lapidus could probably tell him it can't be flown again (watch me be proven wrong in two episodes...).

The first shocker of the evening? Ilana totes around her dynamite-filled bag like a Hello Kitty purse and promptly blows up. I didn't see it coming, even though it's the perfect parallel to season one's "You've got Arzt on you." It seemed an unceremonious end to the character we know so little about, though I'm sure we'll get more of her back story before all is said and done.

Oh, did I mention Flocke throws Desmond down a well? Sorry, brotha!

Michael also appears to Hurley, instructing him to talk to Flocke. Against his reservations, Hurley does it, and creates another camp split, with Richard, Ben and Miles going off to destroy the plane.

Speaking of dead people, Libby never appears to Hurley, despite his pleas at her grave. In the Sideways world, we get a different story. After receiving a Man of the Year award (from Dr. Candle, no less) Hurley is convinced by his mother to go on a blind date with one Rosalita. But Rosie doesn't show, and Libby spots Hurley across the restaurant, convinced they shared a past in some alternative life.

Hurley, while a bit weirded out, doesn't think Libby is crazy, and even gets to finally have the picnic date they never did on the island. It's a sweet scene, and Hurley's flash of island memories during their kiss, is chilling. One by one, it seems (and thanks to Desmond), characters are "remembering" the island.

And now, gasp #2: that final scene in which Desmond runs over poor Locke, wheelchair and all. To see Locke lying there, bleeding and quivering, seemed as cruel as anything the show has ever given us. But especially to Desmond, the crime seemed to serve a higher purpose. Just what is that? Some might say revenge for what Flocke did to Desmond, but I think it's something more. Perhaps he's trying to prevent Smokey from inhabiting Locke's body? Or, more realistic, I think: he's trying to unite Locke and Jack Shepherd, Spinal Surgeon Extraordinaire.

There are too many parallels to mention, but here are a couple:

-Ben was the island protector, and in the Sideways world, he's admirably the school protector, apparently concerned Desmond is a pedophile ready to pounce.

-What an image to see Ben trying to revive Locke, while in the other universe he killed him in cold blood.

Other tidbits:

-What might Desmond find at the bottom of the well? The Donkey Wheel? Christian Shepherd?

-We know what the whispers are: per Michael, they're the souls trapped on the island, much like himself.

-Is Michael genuine, or is he playing Hurley? Or could he really be Smokey? (I'm thinking not, since Smokey is trapped inside Locke's form, yes?)

-Why won't Libby communicate with Hurley on-island? Maybe because she's not trapped?

-Does Desmond know who "Locke" really is? When Flocke asks he says, "You're John Locke." But his all-knowing smile indicates otherwise, doesn't it? His lack of fear clearly freaks Flocke out.

-How many more episodes until a Jin-Sun reunion? Do you think they're saving it for the finale? If all the upcoming episodes are this eventful and thoughtful, I don't mind. A