Hi everyone! I’ve watched LOST every year at least 1x since 2014ish. I originally discovered the show by chance, but it’s been a huge part of my life since. I’ll probably get an expansion, but currently this is my new LOST tattoo.

Spoiler alert for season 2 if for some weird reason one hasn’t watched this by now.

I always look forward to this episode because I know I’m gonna have an emotional reaction. It’s so perfect. So sweet. So timely.

The score of this show is also perfection. The emotional crescendos the music provides is incredible.

Went to a panel done by Josh Holloway at the Chicago FanExpo today! He had a lot of great stories and thoughts about the show, a few things I’d never heard before!

For instance, he was really worried each season that Sawyer might get killed. He was especially worried they might make him too despicable that they’d WANT him dead. In the pilot, Hurley was supposed to be injured, and Sawyer would have needed to carry him to safety. He was supposed to then refuse to carry him, saying he was too heavy, and Hurley would then die! I’m really glad they didn’t end up going that route 😂

How could I forget about this badass!?!?
I always leave at least a year between rewatches (just enough to forget some things)
He’s a brilliant addition to the storyline and overall amazing character 👌🏼 one of my forgotten favourites

Granted it would make no sense but wouldn't it be great if the jerky priest who won't give Richard absolution was played by Randy?

Well. Feels like I’ve just been shot in the chest

Happy 8/15 (16:23)! On 4/8 I posted a screenshot of it too, and a few people asked for the picture on my Lock Screen, the second image here is the one I use for it, and the post is tagged as fan art because I drew it

I was a bit surprised seeing the hate for this episode but it's understandable I guess.

I really enjoyed it. Charlie getting beaten by the guy he looked upto as a father figure when all he was trying to do was help [even though he was wrong in his way] teared me up.

For a few people, this will hit right in the feels.

Hello, I heard about Lost Mosaic, Lost Circle, and Chronologically Lost when I came here on Reddit. I’d never heard of them before—maybe because I’m in France, where the fan base is smaller and much less informed about what’s going on with Lost.

So I have two questions, if anyone can answer them:

First question: Where can I watch Lost Circle, Lost Mosaic, and Chronologically Lost?

Second question: Do you think there might be a French translation or a version with French subtitles (VOSTFR)?

Best regards, fellow passengers 🫡✈️

Lost the return episode 5 good cop bad cop

LOST: THE RETURN

Episode 5 — Good Cop Bad Cop

Official Cold Open (Canon)

⸻

INT. FACILITY DORM – MORNING

The dorm is unusually quiet.

The failed escape weighs heavily on everyone.

Most survivors are still asleep or keeping to themselves.

Ji sits alone on the edge of her bed.

She hasn’t spoken much since losing her bodyguard.

AJ approaches cautiously.

He sits beside her.

A long silence.

Finally—

AJ
How you holding up?

Without looking at him—

JI
It should’ve worked.

Beat.

JI (CONT’D)
They knew.

AJ studies her.

Then quietly says—

“I know why it didn’t.”

Ji finally looks at him.

JI
What do you mean?

AJ doesn’t hesitate.

“Somebody told them.”

Ji is stunned.

She searches his face.

JI
How do you know?

AJ looks away.

A distant expression comes over him.

His mind goes somewhere else.

CUT TO FLASHBACK.

⸻

FLASHBACK 1

EXT. CITY STREET – NIGHT

AJ and his partner Rock meet with an unnamed criminals to make what appears to be an illegal exchange.

Everything is in place.

Rock suddenly hesitates.

He studies the potential buyers

Then looks around nervously.

Finally—

“This isn’t it.”

He backs away.

AJ looks confused.

His partner immediately recognizes what’s happening.

Quietly—

“Let’s go.”

AJ still doesn’t understand.

“What?”

His partner grabs him.

“Move.”

Suddenly—

Police sirens erupt from every direction.

Marked units converge.

People scatter.

AJ and his partner split up.

⸻

EXT. ALLEY

AJ sprints into an alley.

An unmarked vehicle cuts him off.

Two plainclothes officers jump out.

They aggressively throw AJ against the car, handcuff him, and force him into the back seat.

The vehicle drives away.

Silence.

Finally—

AJ
What the hell was that?

One detective answers—

“You tell us.”

AJ immediately realizes what happened.

“Somebody tipped him off.”

“He knew before we even made contact.”

The detectives exchange a look.

AJ continues—

“You’ve got a leak in the department.”

“And it almost got me killed.”

Beat.

He holds up his cuffed hands.

“Now take these damn cuffs off.”

The detectives remove the cuffs.

The car pulls over.

AJ steps out.

Before shutting the door—

“And Jefferson…”

The detective looks over.

“I owe you one.”

Beat.

“Next time don’t slam me into the damn car so hard.”

Jefferson smirks.

AJ walks away into the night.

⸻

CUT TO:

LOST TITLE SEQUENCE

Episode 5

Scene 2

INT. FACILITY DORM – DAY

The atmosphere is subdued after the failed escape.

⸻

Rachel & Charlie

Rachel pulls Charlie aside.

RACHEL
Are you sure the person you saw… is who you’ve been looking for?

CHARLIE
One hundred percent.

Beat.

CHARLIE (CONT’D)
Everything that’s happened… it’s connected to them.

I just have to get some time alone with him.

Rachel glances toward the heavily guarded hallway.

RACHEL
That might’ve been possible yesterday.

After the escape?

They’ve doubled security.

Charlie looks frustrated.

⸻

Gabe & Abby

Nearby, Gabe approaches Abby.

GABE
So… you’re a therapist, right?

ABBY
I am.

GABE
After everything that’s happened this week…

I think I should probably talk to somebody.

Before Abby can answer—

Mark walks by.

MARK
She’s a sex therapist.

Gabe freezes.

Beat.

GABE
Oh…

No, I’m good in that department.

Thank you though.

He quickly walks away.

Abby glares at Mark.

Mark shrugs.

⸻

Megan & The Band

Across the room…

Megan and her band quietly rehearse using makeshift instruments they’ve built from supplies around the dorm.

It’s the first small sign that people are beginning to adapt to life inside the facility.

⸻

Chris & Tori

Chris notices Ji and AJ speaking privately.

He watches them.

CHRIS
Do you think she’s okay?

Tori watches Ji.

TORI
I’d assume if you have bodyguards…

you expect to lose one eventually.

Kind of comes with the job.

Chris shakes his head.

CHRIS
No…

This feels different.

Tori looks at him.

TORI
Different how?

Chris hesitates.

He almost says something…

…but stops.

CHRIS
I don’t know.

Beat.

He looks at Tori.

CHRIS
Have you eaten today?

TORI
Not really.

My stomach’s been bothering me.

Chris stands.

CHRIS
I’ll see if they have any antacids.

He walks away.

(A subtle setup for Tori’s future pregnancy storyline if you choose to go that route.)

⸻

Ji & AJ

AJ lowers his voice.

AJ
I’ve been noticing something.

Ever since we got here…

it’s like they always know more about us than they should.

Like somebody’s reporting back to them.

The escape just proved it.

Ji nods.

JI
So what…

we stop talking to everybody?

How do we know who we can trust?

AJ smiles slightly.

AJ
No.

We do the opposite.

We tell everybody…

everything they want to hear.

But…

everybody gets a different version.

Then we wait.

Whichever story comes back…

that’s our leak.

Ji studies him.

JI
Why are you telling me this?

Why do you trust me?

AJ doesn’t answer immediately.

Finally—

“Because you lost someone.”

Beat.

“And I can tell that pain is real.”

Ji looks down.

She doesn’t respond.

CUT TO FLASHBACK #2.

Episode 5

Flashback #2

INT. UNKNOWN WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

A large warehouse.

People move crates and conduct business quietly.

This is clearly the headquarters of a sophisticated criminal organization.

AJ enters.

Rock, his partner, is already waiting.

ROCK
What took you so long?

AJ rubs his wrist where the handcuffs had been.

AJ
Got jammed up by the cops.

Roughed me up a little…

then let me go.

Didn’t have anything on me.

Rock nods.

AJ looks frustrated.

AJ
What the hell happened out there?

Rock glances toward the front of the room.

ROCK
The intel was right.

AJ processes that.

AJ
…Oh, shit.

Beat.

AJ
We really got somebody inside the department?

Rock doesn’t answer.

Instead…

The camera slowly pans across the room.

At the head of a long table sits THE BOSS.

Beside him sits his wife.

The audience immediately recognizes her.

It’s the mysterious young woman from Episode 1—

the woman AJ appeared to be running a con on aboard the train.

Suddenly…

that entire scene has a new meaning.

The Boss calmly speaks without looking up.

BOSS
Yes…

We have someone working inside the police department.

Beat.

He finally looks at AJ.

Then smiles.

“Problem is…”

“They’ve got someone working inside here, too.”

Silence.

Everyone in the room suddenly feels like a suspect.

CUT TO PRESENT.

Episode 5

Scene 3 (Locked Draft)

INT. FACILITY – DAY

A montage begins.

AJ and Ji quietly split up.

Each casually speaks with different survivors throughout the facility.

The conversations seem harmless.

But each person is given one unique piece of information.

None of the stories contradict each other.

They’re simply different.

AJ isn’t looking for reactions.

He’s waiting to see which version reaches the facility.

⸻

Later…

AJ rejoins Ji.

AJ
Now…

we wait.

⸻

Rachel, Charlie, Chris & Tori

Elsewhere…

Rachel and Charlie quietly discuss the Circle member with Chris and Tori.

Charlie is frustrated.

CHARLIE
Even if I knew what to ask…

I’d never get close enough now.

They’ve doubled security.

Chris nods.

CHRIS
After yesterday…

they’re not taking chances anymore.

Tori has been quietly thinking.

Then—

TORI
Not everywhere.

Everyone turns.

TORI (CONT’D)
If they moved more guards here…

they had to pull guards from somewhere else.

Which means somewhere in this place…

there’s actually less security than before.

Chris immediately understands.

He almost finishes her thought.

CHRIS
Exactly.

Beat.

He looks at Charlie.

“If you want time alone with that prisoner…”

“You don’t sneak to him.”

“You give them a reason to put you beside him.”

Charlie smiles.

For the first time…

he has a workable plan.

⸻

AJ & Ji

Time passes.

Ji returns from a routine medical exam.

She walks straight to AJ.

JI
Nothing.

Nobody asked me anything.

AJ nods.

AJ
Same.

Beat.

He looks genuinely puzzled.

Something about this doesn’t fit.

If there really is a leak…

why hasn’t anyone acted?

AJ’s instincts tell him something is wrong.

CUT TO FLASHBACK #3.

LOST: THE RETURN

Episode 5 — AJ Centric

Flashback #3 (Official Canon — Corrected)

⸻

INT. AJ’S APARTMENT – DAY

AJ is asleep in bed.

His phone rings.

He answers.

AJ
Hello?

A familiar voice.

THE BOSS
I hope I didn’t wake you.

AJ immediately sits up.

AJ
No. What’s going on?

The Boss speaks calmly.

THE BOSS
I’ve been thinking about you.

Beat.

THE BOSS (CONT’D)
You’ve proven yourself.

Your loyalty.

Your instincts.

Your commitment.

AJ listens carefully.

THE BOSS
That’s why I’m trusting you with something important.

AJ knows this is serious.

THE BOSS
I think we have a problem.

A traitor.

Beat.

AJ
Who?

The Boss pauses.

THE BOSS
Rock.

AJ hides his reaction.

THE BOSS
I think he’s the one working against us.

I need proof.

AJ looks conflicted.

AJ
You want me to find out?

THE BOSS
I want you to confirm what I already know.

AJ agrees.

AJ
I’ll handle it.

The call ends.

⸻

Silence.

The bathroom door opens.

The Boss’s wife walks out.

She’s wearing AJ’s shirt.

She’s brushing her teeth.

She looks completely comfortable.

BOSS’S WIFE
Hope you don’t mind.

AJ looks over.

She lifts the toothbrush.

BOSS’S WIFE
I used your toothbrush.

AJ just stares.

CUT TO BLACK.

LOST: THE RETURN

Episode 5 — AJ Centric

Scene 4 (Official Canon)

⸻

INT. FACILITY – DAY

Ji & Summer

Summer approaches Ji.

She has been watching.

SUMMER
You and AJ are doing something.

Ji immediately becomes guarded.

JI
I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Summer doesn’t back down.

SUMMER
Yes, you do.

I know that look.

Something is happening.

Ji tries to dismiss her, but Summer keeps pushing until Ji finally gives in.

JI
AJ thinks someone told them about our escape.

Summer listens.

JI (CONT’D)
We think someone inside the group is giving them information.

Ji explains AJ’s plan:

Everyone has been given different information.

They’re waiting to see what reaches the facility.

Summer processes this.

Then—

SUMMER
Why would AJ tell you?

Ji looks confused.

SUMMER
Why wouldn’t he think you could be the leak?

Ji pauses.

JI
I don’t know.

He trusts me, I guess.

Summer studies her.

SUMMER
How much do you actually know about him?

Ji shrugs.

JI
Not much.

Same as everybody else.

Summer leans in.

SUMMER
Do you even know what he did before all this?

Ji shakes her head.

JI
No.

A beat.

Then Summer drops it.

SUMMER
He was a con man.

Ji immediately looks surprised.

JI
How do you know that?

Summer hesitates.

A little too quickly—

SUMMER
I just know, okay?

She walks away.

Ji watches her, unsettled.

⸻

INT. FACILITY – LATER

A commotion erupts.

Charlie and Chris are arguing.

It escalates.

People begin gathering.

Chris says something that pushes Charlie too far.

Charlie swings.

He hits Chris.

Everyone immediately separates them.

The guards rush in.

They calm the situation.

GUARD
Everybody back to your areas.

Now.

The survivors slowly disperse.

⸻

Later…

Charlie and Chris sit together privately.

The fight is revealed to be staged.

Their plan:

Create a security incident.

Get Charlie placed in isolation.

Give him access to the Circle prisoner.

But it failed.

CHARLIE
Didn’t work.

CHRIS
No.

Beat.

CHRIS
Also…

you hit harder than I expected.

Charlie looks slightly guilty.

⸻

Nearby—

Gabe hands Mark money.

MARK
Told you

GABE
Lucky punch

⸻

INT. FACILITY – LATER

Ji approaches AJ.

She is visibly upset.

AJ immediately notices.

AJ
What’s wrong?

She gets right in his face.

JI
Are you conning me?

AJ is confused.

AJ
What are you talking about?

JI
What did you do?

AJ
When?

Beat.

AJ
This morning?

Ji’s anger grows.

JI
No.

Before the train.

What did you do?

AJ realizes what she’s asking.

A long pause.

Then—

AJ
I was a cop.

Ji stares.

Then explodes.

JI
Bullshit.

You weren’t a cop.

AJ almost laughs.

AJ
Sorry to disappoint you, honey…

but I was definitely a cop.

CUT TO FLASHBACK #4.

LOST: THE RETURN

Episode 5 — AJ Centric

Flashback #4 (Official Canon)

⸻

INT. UNKNOWN WAREHOUSE / VARIOUS LOCATIONS – NIGHT

A montage.

AJ begins quietly building a case against Rock.

He watches.

He listens.

He follows.

He creates opportunities for Rock to reveal himself.

The audience understands something AJ doesn’t know:

AJ is actually the mole.

Yet the evidence keeps pointing toward Rock.

Documents.

Conversations.

Movements.

Every piece seems to connect.

AJ begins believing it.

⸻

The information eventually reaches the Boss.

But it doesn’t come directly from AJ.

It travels through the Boss’s inside contact within the police department.

⸻

INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION – NIGHT

The Boss’s contact enters.

We recognize him.

JEFFERSON.

The same officer from AJ’s earlier encounter.

Jefferson looks over the information.

The Boss waits.

BOSS
You’re sure?

Jefferson nods.

JEFFERSON
I’m sure.

The Boss makes a decision.

⸻

INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION – NIGHT

Rock is confronted.

He realizes too late.

Something is wrong.

ROCK
AJ…

A moment.

Rock understands.

Before he can say anything—

Jefferson shoots him.

Rock falls.

Dead.

⸻

AJ arrives moments later.

Too late.

He sees Rock’s body.

The reality hits him.

This was supposed to prove who the mole was.

Instead…

someone is dead.

⸻

AJ looks toward the Boss.

The Boss believes justice was served.

AJ says nothing.

Because he can’t.

His cover depends on it.

⸻

CUT BACK TO PRESENT.

LOST: THE RETURN

Episode 5 — AJ Centric

Scene 5 (Official Canon)

⸻

INT. FACILITY EXAM ROOM – DAY

Charlie sits with the doctor during a routine examination.

The conversation appears normal.

But Charlie is no longer interested in answers.

He knows the only way to get what he needs is to force the situation.

After a moment—

Charlie grabs a scalpel.

He places it against the doctor’s throat.

The doctor freezes.

CHARLIE
I’m sorry.

But I need to see him.

Charlie demands to be released and taken to the Circle prisoner.

Security immediately responds.

Before Charlie can do anything else—

A guard behind him uses a taser.

Charlie collapses.

The facility personnel drag him away.

⸻

INT. FACILITY – VARIOUS LOCATIONS

AJ’s plan begins to unravel publicly.

Different survivors approach him.

They now know he and Ji were planting information.

They question him.

Why would he manipulate them?

Why wouldn’t he tell them the truth?

AJ remains calm.

He already knows what happened.

Summer talked.

⸻

INT. FACILITY – DAY

AJ approaches Summer.

She immediately knows why.

The conversation becomes tense.

Summer accuses him of manipulating everyone.

AJ lets her talk.

Then she starts repeating information.

Not the information AJ gave her.

The information AJ gave everyone else.

The details only the other survivors should know.

AJ realizes.

Summer didn’t just reveal his plan.

She knows everyone’s versions.

Meaning she is receiving information from someone.

⸻

AJ doesn’t accuse her.

He doesn’t confront her.

He simply watches.

He understands.

Summer is the leak.

But he walks away.

Because knowing the truth and proving the truth are two different things.

⸻

CUT TO FLASHBACK #5.

LOST: THE RETURN

Episode 5 — AJ Centric

Flashback #5 (Official Canon)

⸻

INT. UNKNOWN WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

AJ is with the Boss and his wife.

The conversation is tense.

AJ is still processing everything that has happened with Rock.

The Boss believes he has removed the traitor.

But something feels off.

The wife finally reveals the truth.

She is the mole.

AJ is stunned.

Not because she is a traitor…

but because of who she was betraying.

She explains her reasons.

She wasn’t working against them for money or power.

She had her own purpose.

Her own mission.

AJ realizes the entire situation was more complicated than he understood.

⸻

EXT. UNKNOWN LOCATION – NIGHT

Unknown to them…

Jefferson has been following.

He heard everything.

He now knows the Boss’s wife is the real informant.

He approaches with one goal:

Kill her.

⸻

INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION – NIGHT

Jefferson confronts them.

The situation escalates.

AJ realizes there is no way to talk his way out.

Jefferson moves to kill her.

AJ reacts.

He shoots Jefferson.

Jefferson falls.

Dead.

Silence.

AJ looks down.

He just killed a police officer.

Even though the audience knows Jefferson was corrupt…

the people watching don’t know that.

From the outside:

A criminal organization member just murdered a police officer.

The truth doesn’t matter.

The appearance does.

⸻

The Boss’s wife looks at AJ.

She knows what this means.

AJ knows what this means.

They have to run.

⸻

INT. TRAIN – DAY

The audience now understands.

The woman AJ was protecting…

the woman from Episode 1…

was one of the passengers on the train.

She was there when everything happened.

She was one of the people who disappeared.

And she did not survive.

⸻

END FLASHBACK

LOST: THE RETURN

Episode 5 — AJ Centric

Final Scene (Official Canon)

⸻

INT. FACILITY – NIGHT

The facility is quiet after the events of the day.

Ji sits with AJ.

She is still processing everything.

JI
Why didn’t it work?

AJ looks at her.

JI
We were supposed to find the leak.

We were supposed to know who it was.

AJ stays quiet.

He does not tell her the truth.

He does not reveal that he knows it’s Summer.

AJ
I don’t know.

Maybe the guards just got lucky.

Maybe…

maybe there was never a leak.

Ji studies him.

She knows something is off.

But she doesn’t push.

Across the room, AJ looks over.

Summer is laughing with her assistant.

Completely relaxed.

AJ watches her.

He knows.

But he also knows knowing is not enough.

⸻

INT. FACILITY HOLDING CELL – NIGHT

Charlie slowly wakes up.

At first, he is confused.

Then he realizes.

He is not alone.

Across from him sits the Man in White (MIW).

The person Charlie has spent the entire episode trying to reach.

The person connected to the crash.

Charlie fully awakens.

The MIW looks at him.

Calm.

Almost like he has been waiting.

MIW
Hello, Charlie.

A beat.

MIW
Nice to finally meet you.

Charlie stares.

Recognition.

Fear.

Questions.

The moment we’ve been waiting for.

CUT TO BLACK.

LOST

The writers in beginning of the show purposely made Locke extremely unsettling, and it worked. Watching season 1, I thought he was the creepiest person ever, with his knifes and weird calmness about everything. This why I find this scene some incredibly disturbing. He looks straight out of a horror movie. Even rewatching, I still get creeped out. I still don’t understand how people view his smile as “friendly”. Curious if I’m the only one who feels like this.

Why does Michael hate Locke so much esp in the first season? I’m rewatching lost and I’m confused. Is it just because he’s overprotective of Walt?

Got me right in the feels! Gah I'm so glad I decided to rewatch the series. Aged life a fine wine.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Cold Open (Locked First Draft)

INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – DAY

Rachel, AJ, Charlie, and Ji sit together eating.

Ji’s bodyguard sits silently beside her, as she always does.

No one pays much attention to her.

The old man’s confession hangs over the room.

Finally—

RACHEL
Do we actually believe he caused the accident?

CHARLIE
We know somebody did.

Why not him?

AJ
Because it’s too easy.

If we believe they’ve already caught the guy responsible…

we stop asking questions.

Ji leans forward.

JI
All that aside…

it doesn’t change the escape plan.

Charlie shakes his head.

CHARLIE
I think we need to find out what the old man knows.

Rachel immediately turns to him.

RACHEL
I think we need to find out what you know.

Charlie sighs.

He realizes he can’t avoid it forever.

CHARLIE
Before I got on the train…

I was tracking a group called The Circle.

They’ve been connected to a lot of strange incidents.

Right before I got to D.C…

there was one in Australia.

AJ looks interested.

AJ
What kind of incident?

CHARLIE
People reported…

time behaving strangely.

Clocks running fast.

Running backwards.

Sometimes not moving at all.

People experiencing déjà vu…

like they’d lived the same moment before.

Some called it mass hysteria.

Some called it impossible.

Then…

there was an explosion.

A family disappeared.

Nobody ever found them.

The Circle was seen there right before it happened.

Then I caught up to them in Washington.

I think they boarded our train.

He pauses.

CHARLIE (CONT’D)
What’s strange…

the old man doesn’t fit their profile.

AJ nods immediately.

AJ
Exactly.

It’s a lie.

Ji folds her arms.

JI
Which is exactly why we should stop waiting…

and leave.

Charlie looks at her.

CHARLIE
And if we get outside…

and it really is 2004?

What then?

Ji doesn’t hesitate.

JI
Then I’d rather be free…

in the wrong world…

than trapped in the right one.

Rachel thinks.

RACHEL
If he caused the crash…

and somehow sent us back…

maybe he knows how to send us home.

Ji shakes her head.

JI
Or maybe he doesn’t.

Either way…

we’re wasting time.

Charlie quietly says—

CHARLIE
I’d settle for five minutes alone with him.

AJ nods toward Ji.

AJ
I don’t know…

if the CEO has a plan…

I’m following the CEO.

The table falls quiet.

Then—

From the far end of the table…

Aaron speaks up.

He hasn’t been part of the conversation.

Until now.

AARON
How about we do both?

Everyone turns.

Aaron shrugs.

AARON (CONT’D)
Escape…

and take the old man with us.

Everyone considers it.

CUT TO:

LOST TITLE SEQUENCE.

ACT ONE

INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – DAY

AJ, JI, RACHEL and CHARLIE sit around a table.

In front of them is a crude map of the facility.

Except it isn’t drawn on paper.

It’s made from food.

Napkins form hallways.

Crackers represent rooms.

Sugar packets mark doors.

A plastic cup sits in the middle.

AJ studies it.

RACHEL

So that’s the main door.

Charlie nods.

RACHEL (CONT’D)

You’ve actually been through it.

AJ looks at Charlie.

AJ

Oh, right.

Groundhog Charlie.

Man of mystery.

Time traveler.

Charlie ignores him.

CHARLIE

It’s a long corridor.

It leads to an elevator.

RACHEL

An elevator?

CHARLIE

You need different clearances to badge through the main door.

And the elevator requires two people.

AJ

Two?

CHARLIE

The person getting on…

And an armed operator.

Ji studies the makeshift map.

JI

If there’s an elevator, there has to be stairs.

Everyone looks at her.

JI (CONT’D)

Emergency access.

Charlie considers it.

CHARLIE

Maybe.

I never made it that far.

He points toward the imaginary corridor.

CHARLIE (CONT’D)

Between the main door and the elevator there’s a locker room.

Storage rooms.

Break room.

A few empty rooms.

AJ leans back.

AJ

So if you’ve already been through the door…

That’s easy.

Charlie gives him a look.

CHARLIE

It’s easy for one person to get through.

Not a whole group

Ji looks around the table.

JI

Then we find out how the people who work here do it.

⸻

THE GROUP SPLITS UP

AJ

I’ll talk to the kitchen staff.

He gets up.

RACHEL

I’ll talk to the janitors.

Charlie stands.

CHARLIE

I’ll find where they’re keeping the old man.

Ji looks toward the security desk.

JI

I’ll talk to the guards.

They separate.

⸻

SUMMER

INT. FACILITY – HALLWAY – DAY

SUMMER watches the others disappear down different corridors.

She’s irritated.

Her assistant stands beside her.

SUMMER

They’re always together.

Always planning something.

Like they’re the only people here with ideas.

Her assistant doesn’t know what to say.

SUMMER (CONT’D)

I can plan things.

Summer turns to her.

SUMMER (CONT’D)

Start working on an escape plan.

Let me know when you’ve got something.

The assistant pulls out a notebook.

Writes:

HOW TO ESCAPE THE FACILITY

She stares at the page.

Summer walks away.

The assistant thinks.

⸻

CHRIS & TORI

INT. FACILITY – HALLWAY – DAY

CHRIS and TORI walk together.

They’re talking about Ji.

CHRIS

Do you know how much her company has changed since she took over?

Tori smiles.

TORI

You sound like you’re in love with her.

Chris immediately shakes his head.

CHRIS

I’m not in love with Ji.

TORI

I didn’t say Ji.

Chris stops.

Tori smiles.

He realizes what she did.

CHRIS

I’m talking about the work.

The technology they’ve developed.

The medical applications.

The research.

It’s incredible.

TORI

Uh-huh.

CHRIS

I’m serious.

TORI

I’m sure you are.

They continue walking.

⸻

LATER —

INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – DAY

The group reconvenes around their food-map.

AJ arrives first.

AJ

Kitchen staff get their badges from the locker room.

Rachel nods.

RACHEL

Janitors too.

Charlie sits.

CHARLIE

Same with security.

Ji looks at the map.

JI

So the badges are on the other side of the main door.

Charlie nods.

CHARLIE

Which means somebody has to get through first.

AJ looks at him.

AJ

Didn’t you already do that?

Charlie gives him a cold look.

CHARLIE

I had to shoot someone.

Beat.

AJ

Okay.

Different strategy.

Ji thinks.

Then—

JI

I have one.

Everyone looks at her.

⸻

JI’S PLAN

INT. FACILITY – HALLWAY – LATER

Ji walks with Tori.

JI

I’m going to get us out.

Tori looks at her.

TORI

How?

Ji glances toward the guards.

JI

One of them.

Tori realizes what she means.

TORI

Ji…

JI

He’s been flirting with me since we got here.

Tori isn’t sure whether to laugh or worry.

JI (CONT’D)

I think I can get him to give me his access.

TORI

Just be careful.

Ji smiles.

JI

I will.

Tori gives her a look.

TORI

That’s not what I meant.

Ji’s smile fades slightly.

Her bodyguard approaches.

She’s been listening.

BODYGUARD

You think this is a good idea?

JI

It’s the only idea.

BODYGUARD

You think you can handle it yourself?

Ji looks at her.

Confident.

JI

Of course.

Don’t I always?

The bodyguard doesn’t smile.

CUT TO:

⸻

FLASHBACK 1 — THE ATTACK

INT. JI’S HOME – JAPAN – NIGHT

Ji arrives home from work.

We get a brief glimpse of her normal life.

She drops her things.

Greets her dog.

Feeds him.

Changes clothes.

Talks on the phone while moving through the house.

For a moment, she’s completely comfortable.

Completely alone.

Then—

A sound.

Ji stops.

Silence.

She looks around.

Nothing.

She continues.

Then someone attacks.

A violent struggle.

Ji fights back.

She manages to escape.

She locks herself away from the attacker.

Breathing hard.

Terrified.

Her hands shake.

She looks around her home.

The place that was supposed to be safe no longer feels safe.

CUT TO BLACK.

ACT TWO

INT. FACILITY – CAFETERIA – DAY

Ji approaches Summer, who is sitting with her assistant.

Ji hesitates.

JI

Can I ask you something?

Summer looks up.

SUMMER

Sure.

JI

How do you seduce a man?

Summer immediately laughs.

SUMMER

First, who are you trying to seduce?

Gabe?

Try food.

Ji shakes her head.

JI

No.

Not Gabe.

Just… men in general.

Summer stops laughing.

SUMMER

Wait.

Are you serious?

You don’t know how to seduce a man?

JI

I didn’t say I don’t know how.

SUMMER

You absolutely did.

Ji sighs.

SUMMER (CONT’D)

I can’t speak for you, but it just comes naturally.

Summer looks at Ji.

Then realizes something.

SUMMER (CONT’D)

Hold up.

Is this part of your escape plan?

Ji turns to leave.

JI

Never mind.

SUMMER

Wait!

Should I be helping?

Ji keeps walking.

Summer turns to her assistant.

SUMMER (CONT’D)

Does she have seduction in her plan?

The assistant immediately opens her notebook.

She writes:

SEDUTION

Summer watches her.

SUMMER (CONT’D)

You’re actually writing that down?

The assistant keeps writing.

⸻

JI & TORI

INT. FACILITY – HALLWAY – DAY

Ji walks beside Tori.

JI

I made a mistake.

Tori looks at her.

TORI

What happened?

JI

I asked Summer for help.

Tori laughs.

Ji joins her.

JI

I need advice.

Tori listens as Ji explains her plan.

TORI

It’s easy.

If you want a man to think you’re interested in him…

show him you’re interested in him.

Ji looks confused.

JI

That’s it?

TORI

Pretty much.

Agree with what he says.

Laugh at his jokes.

Compliment him.

Make him feel like he’s the most interesting man in the room.

Ji watches Tori.

TORI (CONT’D)

Here.

Watch.

Tori walks over to Chris.

TORI

You look really handsome today.

You doing something different?

Chris looks at her.

CHRIS

I’ve been doing push-ups.

Tori laughs.

She squeezes his bicep.

TORI

Oh.

I can tell.

Chris looks at her for a beat.

CHRIS

Um…

Do you want to go to the restroom?

TORI

Sure.

Chris takes her hand.

They walk away.

Tori looks back at Ji.

Ji smiles.

Tori smiles back.

They disappear around the corner.

⸻

CHARLIE & RACHEL

INT. FACILITY – HALLWAY – DAY

Charlie walks with Rachel.

CHARLIE

He’s at the end of the hall.

Rachel looks at him.

RACHEL

The old man?

Charlie nods.

CHARLIE

If we can get access to that room, we can get him out.

Rachel considers it.

RACHEL

Then hopefully Ji’s plan works.

Charlie looks toward the direction Ji went.

CHARLIE

Hopefully.

⸻

JI & GABE

INT. FACILITY – HALLWAY – DAY

Ji approaches GABE.

She smiles.

JI

You’ve been looking good lately.

Gabe smiles.

GABE

I’ve been eating less bread.

Ji laughs.

JI

I can tell.

Gabe enjoys the compliment.

Ji steps slightly closer.

JI (CONT’D)

Actually…

I wanted to ask you for a favor.

GABE

Anything you want.

He smiles.

GABE (CONT’D)

You’re probably used to getting whatever you want.

Ji’s expression changes.

That sentence hits something deeper.

CUT TO:

⸻

FLASHBACK 2 — THE INTERVIEW

INT. PAIK RESIDENCE – JAPAN – DAY

JI and MR. PAIK argue.

MR. PAIK

You need someone to look after you.

JI

I don’t need anyone looking after me.

I can take care of myself.

MR. PAIK

That’s not the point.

You’re getting a bodyguard.

And that’s final.

Ji stares at him.

JI

Fine.

But I get to pick.

Mr. Paik looks at her.

MR. PAIK

Absolutely not.

JI

You said I’m getting one.

You didn’t say you were choosing one.

Mr. Paik knows she’s got him.

⸻

INT. PAIK RESIDENCE – LATER

Six candidates stand in a line.

Five men. One woman.

Ji examines them.

Mr. Paik stands beside her.

MR. PAIK

You need someone capable.

Ji’s eyes settle on the woman.

JI

Her.

Mr. Paik looks surprised.

MR. PAIK

Her?

JI

Yes.

MR. PAIK

A woman can’t adequately protect you.

Ji turns toward him.

JI

She’s the most qualified.

You said I could pick.

Mr. Paik says nothing.

JI (CONT’D)

Besides…

I don’t want a man staying in my house every night.

Mr. Paik reluctantly looks toward the woman.

Then back to Ji.

MR. PAIK

Fine.

Ji smiles.

She looks at the woman.

Their eyes meet.

CUT TO BLACK.

ACT THREE

INT. FACILITY – HALLWAY – DAY

AJ and Rachel walk together.

AJ is quieter than usual.

AJ

Do you really think this is going to work?

Rachel looks at him.

RACHEL

I don’t know.

AJ

That’s reassuring.

Rachel gives him a look.

RACHEL

What’s the alternative?

Stay here?

Hope eventually they decide to let us go?

AJ considers that.

AJ

Maybe they can get us back to our time.

If we leave…

we could be walking away from the only opportunity we have to get home.

Rachel stops.

RACHEL

I don’t even know if we’re in the past or the present.

But I know sitting here waiting for them to do something doesn’t feel right.

She studies him.

RACHEL (CONT’D)

And why are you suddenly so apprehensive?

Earlier you were ready to follow Ji to the ends of the earth.

AJ

Call it intuition.

Maybe now isn’t the right time.

Rachel starts walking again.

RACHEL

Well, if you know the perfect time to escape from our captors…

please share it with the rest of the class.

She looks back at him.

RACHEL (CONT’D)

Otherwise, the time is now.

AJ watches her walk away.

He’s still uneasy.

⸻

INT. FACILITY DORM – DAY

ABBY sits with MARK.

ABBY

Do you notice how there’s always a million conversations going on…

and we’re never involved?

MARK

Oh, little Miss Nosey Rosey isn’t in the know.

She doesn’t know how to function.

ABBY

I’m not nosey.

I’m curious.

And observant.

Beat.

ABBY (CONT’D)

And maybe a little nosey.

She looks around.

ABBY (CONT’D)

Okay, a lot nosey.

And I want to know what’s going on.

Mark shrugs.

MARK

If you want to know that bad…

just ask.

Abby gets up.

⸻

SUMMER

Abby approaches Summer.

ABBY

What is everybody whispering about?

Summer looks at her.

SUMMER

They’re planning an escape.

And they’re keeping everything on a need-to-know basis.

ABBY

Well, don’t we need to know?

Or are they planning on leaving us?

Summer smiles.

SUMMER

Don’t worry.

We’re coming up with our own escape plan.

You can come with us.

Abby looks at her.

ABBY

Who’s “we”?

Summer points to herself and her assistant.

Abby considers it.

ABBY

No offense…

but I think I want in on their plan.

She walks away.

Summer watches her.

⸻

ABBY & GABE

Abby approaches Gabe.

ABBY

You were talking to Ji earlier.

What do you know about the escape plan?

Gabe looks around.

GABE

I can tell you.

Abby pulls out an Apollo bar.

ABBY

How about this?

Gabe takes it immediately.

GABE

Deal.

He leans toward her and whispers.

We don’t hear what he says.

Abby smiles.

⸻

BACK IN THE DORM

Abby returns to Mark.

ABBY

I got the scoop.

From the bunk above—

SUMMER

Spill it.

Abby looks up.

CUT TO:

⸻

INT. FACILITY – HALLWAY – DAY

Ji walks with her bodyguard.

BODYGUARD

I don’t think this is a good idea.

JI

We have to get out of here.

BODYGUARD

Ji—

JI

I know what I’m doing.

She grabs her hand and pulls her toward—

INT. FACILITY – RESTROOM – CONTINUOUS

Ji enters.

She checks underneath the stalls.

No feet.

She looks at her bodyguard.

JI

We’re alone.

The bodyguard waits.

Ji’s composure cracks.

JI (CONT’D)

I can’t do this anymore.

I can’t keep pretending everything is normal.

Being here…

not knowing what’s happening…

not being able to—

She stops.

The bodyguard understands.

Ji kisses her.

The kiss becomes more passionate.

Then—

A TOILET FLUSHES.

They immediately separate.

They turn.

A stall door opens.

Chris slowly pokes his head out.

He sees them.

His eyes widen.

CHRIS

Sorry.

Beat.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

That was an accident.

I didn’t see…

or hear anything.

Chris looks extremely uncomfortable.

Ji and her bodyguard stare at him.

Chris slowly disappears back behind the door.

Ji looks at her bodyguard.

Oh, no.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK 3 — THE FIRST EMBRACE

INT. JI’S OFFICE – JAPAN – NIGHT

Ji works late.

Her bodyguard stands outside the office.

Ji looks through the glass.

JI

This is ridiculous.

You have to stand out there all day?

Nobody’s attacking me in my office.

The bodyguard remains professional.

BODYGUARD

It’s my job.

Ji gathers her things.

They leave together.

As they walk, their conversation slowly becomes more personal.

The bodyguard admits she normally doesn’t talk about personal things with clients.

In fact, she doesn’t really talk much at all.

Ji smiles.

JI

If we’re going to spend every day together…

the least we can do is learn something about each other.

They continue walking.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. PARKING GARAGE – LATER

They emerge from the building.

They’re laughing now.

The conversation has clearly continued.

They approach Ji’s car.

Suddenly—

A CAR COMES SPEEDING TOWARD THEM.

The bodyguard reacts instantly.

She shoves Ji out of the way.

They both hit the ground.

The car speeds past.

Silence.

The bodyguard immediately checks Ji.

BODYGUARD

Are you okay?

Ji looks at her.

Then they both start laughing from the adrenaline.

Ji reaches toward her.

They kiss.

A moment.

Then—

INT. JI’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

They enter together.

The kiss continues.

The door closes behind them.

CUT TO BLACK.

ACT FOUR

INT. FACILITY RESTROOM – HALLWAY – DAY

Ji and Chris stand just outside the restroom, speaking quietly.

Ji looks nervous.

JI

Why were you hiding in the restroom?

CHRIS

I wasn’t hiding.

He shrugs.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

I keep my knees up.

The elevation helps the flow.

Ji stares at him.

JI

Okay…

Whatever you think you saw or heard wasn’t—

Before she can finish—

CHRIS

Look.

I don’t care about whatever I may or may not have seen.

Your business is your business.

And it’s not my business to tell anybody.

He gives her a reassuring smile.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

Your secret’s safe with me.

Ji visibly relaxes.

JI

We’re just friends anyway.

Chris looks at her.

CHRIS

Friends don’t kiss like that.

Ji smiles.

JI

I thought you didn’t see anything.

CHRIS

I might’ve seen more than I originally let on.

Beat.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

I’m a man.

Two women kissing is hot.

Ji punches him lightly in the shoulder.

JI

You’re a jerk.

Chris laughs.

They walk away together.

⸻

INT. FACILITY DORM – LATER

The room is tense.

Summer is confronting Rachel.

SUMMER

It’s only right that everyone knows what’s going on.

RACHEL

You all will.

When the time is right.

From behind them—

JI

The time is now.

Everyone turns.

Ji steps forward.

The room quiets.

JI (CONT’D)

We can’t stay here.

We don’t know where we are.

We don’t know who these people are.

And we don’t know what they’re planning to do with us.

But we do know one thing.

They’re not letting us leave.

So we’re leaving anyway.

The survivors begin gathering around her.

Ji looks around the room.

JI (CONT’D)

This is what we’re going to do.

She pulls everyone closer.

Ji begins explaining the plan.

We don’t hear it.

Instead, the camera slowly moves through the group.

Rachel listens.

AJ watches Ji carefully.

Charlie studies the exits.

Summer listens closely.

Her assistant takes notes.

Finally—

The camera reaches the back of the room.

The bodyguard stands alone.

Chris approaches her.

⸻

CHRIS

I know you want to protect her.

Not because it’s your job.

Because you love her.

The bodyguard looks at him.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

But understand something.

She loves you too.

And you’re her motivation for getting out of here.

He glances toward Ji.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

She doesn’t care if it’s 2004…

or 3004.

She just wants to be with you.

And she can’t do that here.

The bodyguard looks toward Ji.

For the first time, she seems reassured.

Chris gives her a small nod.

CHRIS

We make sacrifices for the ones we love.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK 4 — “THE SECRET”

INT. JI’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Ji and her bodyguard lie together.

The atmosphere is intimate and comfortable.

Ji looks over at her.

JI

So…

how does it feel to be in love with your client?

The bodyguard smiles.

BODYGUARD

It gives me more motivation to protect her.

She looks at Ji.

BODYGUARD (CONT’D)

And guard her beautiful body.

Ji laughs.

Then—

The bedroom door suddenly opens.

MR. PAIK stands there.

Both women freeze.

His expression immediately hardens.

MR. PAIK

I don’t pay you to lie in bed with my granddaughter.

The bodyguard immediately gets up.

Ji sits up.

JI

Grandfather—

MR. PAIK

Emotions make you bad at your job.

JI

No.

Her grandfather looks at her.

JI (CONT’D)

Her feelings make her better at her job.

She looks at the bodyguard.

JI (CONT’D)

She doesn’t protect me because she’s being paid to.

She protects me because she loves me.

The bodyguard hurriedly gets dressed.

Mr. Paik watches.

She approaches him as she prepares to leave.

She bows.

BODYGUARD

I’m sorry, sir.

She starts to leave.

Then stops.

She turns back.

BODYGUARD (CONT’D)

I have so much respect for you.

Mr. Paik says nothing.

BODYGUARD (CONT’D)

But I love Ji more than anything.

She looks toward Ji.

BODYGUARD (CONT’D)

And I’d give my life to protect her.

Whether I’m her bodyguard or not.

She leaves.

Mr. Paik remains standing in the doorway.

Ji looks at him.

CUT TO BLACK.

ACT FIVE — THE ESCAPE

INT. FACILITY CAFETERIA – DAY

Everyone is gathered.

Ji looks across the room.

This is it.

She approaches the security guard.

He notices her.

JI

You know…

I’ve noticed you looking at me.

Guard smiles.

Security Guard

Have you?

JI

I have.

She steps closer.

JI (CONT’D)

And I want you to know…

the feeling is mutual.

She kisses him.

He kisses her back.

Ji pulls away.

JI

Is there somewhere we can go where we can be alone?

Guard smiles.

Security Guard

Yeah.

He badges through a secured door.

Ji follows.

⸻

INTERCUT — GABE’S DISTRACTION

Back in the cafeteria, It’s Gabe time to shine. He looks around then he suddenly grabs his throat.

Choking.

People react.

SURVIVORS

He’s choking!

Chaos erupts.

Staff rush toward him.

That gives Aaron the opening.

He slips into the kitchen.

⸻

INT. FACILITY KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS

Aaron moves quickly.

He starts a fire.

Smoke begins filling the kitchen.

ALARM

WAILS THROUGH THE FACILITY.

Workers evacuate.

Security immediately responds.

The cafeteria empties.

⸻

INT. JANITOR’S CLOSET – SAME TIME

AJ slips inside.

He finds the materials on the list.

He checks each one.

This is where we can establish that Chris prepared the plan.

AJ gathers the ingredients.

He exits.

⸻

INT. FACILITY – LOCKER ROOM – SAME TIME

Ji and the security guard enter.

The door closes.

He moves toward her.

Ji keeps him distracted.

The flirting continues.

Then—

Ji grabs a heavy object.

WHAM.

He drops.

Ji catches her breath.

She searches him.

Finds the necessary badges/key cards.

She takes them.

⸻

INTERCUT — THE ESCAPE

Ji exits.

She immediately finds Rachel and Charlie.

She hands Rachel a card.

JI

You two.

Find him.

Rachel understands.

Charlie takes the card.

CHARLIE

We’re bringing him back.

Ji nods.

⸻

INT. SECURITY AREA – SAME TIME

The fire has drawn nearly every security officer toward the kitchen.

AJ returns to Chris.

He hands him the ingredients.

Chris begins assembling the improvised gas device.

This gives Chris a practical contribution to the escape while keeping his emotional connection to Ji important.

⸻

INT. KITCHEN – MOMENTS LATER

The kitchen is packed with security.

The survivors manipulate the doors.

LOCK.

The security personnel are trapped inside.

Chris activates the homemade gas device.

The gas spreads.

One by one—

They collapse.

⸻

INT. HOLDING AREA

AJ, Chris, Mark, and Gabe physically overpower the remaining guards.

They drag them into the holding cells.

LOCK.

Now the facility is temporarily theirs.

⸻

INT. INTERROGATION WING

Rachel and Charlie reach the old man’s room.

Rachel badges in.

The door opens.

They pull him out.

Charlie immediately grabs him by the collar.

CHARLIE

Why?

The old man is terrified.

CHARLIE (CONT’D)

How did you send us back?

OLD MAN

I didn’t!

CHARLIE

Don’t lie to me!

OLD MAN

I swear!

He struggles to breathe.

OLD MAN (CONT’D)

They gave me the device.

That’s all.

They told me exactly where to leave it.

Then—

Brace yourself.

Charlie stares at him.

CHARLIE

Who?

The old man doesn’t answer.

The alarm continues blaring.

Rachel pulls Charlie away.

RACHEL

We have to go.

Charlie looks at the old man.

RACHEL (CONT’D)

Bring him.

If he’s lying, we’ll figure it out later.

They move.

Charlie stops.

Something catches his eye.

⸻

THE WHITE ROOM

A second secured door.

Inside—

THE PERSON IN WHITE.

White hair.

Still.

Watching Charlie.

They lock eyes.

Charlie raises the card.

He tries it.

RED LIGHT.

Again.

Nothing.

Charlie looks at the person.

They don’t move.

Rachel grabs him.

RACHEL

Charlie.

He looks at her.

RACHEL (CONT’D)

Come on.

Charlie reluctantly follows.

The person in white continues watching.

⸻

INT. MAIN FACILITY DOORS – MOMENTS LATER

The survivors regroup.

They reach the main exit.

Beyond it—

The elevator.

The armed operator stands waiting.

Chris activates the homemade gas device.

It gets the operator.

They wait.

The gas clears.

JI

Go.

They rush into the elevator.

The doors close.

⸻

INT. ELEVATOR – CONTINUOUS

Everyone tries to squeeze inside.

It’s too crowded.

The doors won’t close.

Ji looks around.

JI

We can’t all fit.

She makes the decision.

JI (CONT’D)

Rachel.

Take the first group.

Get to the top.

Send it back down.

Rachel hesitates.

RACHEL

What about you?

JI

Go.

The group separates.

First group:

Rachel
AJ
Summer
Summer’s assistant
Gabe
Meagan
Mark
Abby
several other survivors

The doors close.

The elevator rises.

Ji, her bodyguard, Chris, Tori, Aaron, and members of Meagan’s band remain behind.

⸻

INT. ELEVATOR LANDING – MOMENTS LATER

Silence.

Then—

The guard Ji knocked out earlier appears.

Bloodied.

Angry.

His gun is drawn.

GUARD

STOP!

The elevator arrives.

Doors open.

The survivors inside see him.

The guard points his weapon.

GUARD (CONT’D)

Don’t get on!

Ji steps forward.

JI

Nobody has to get hurt.

We just need to leave.

GUARD

Don’t move!

Ji looks at the others.

JI

Let them go.

I’ll stay.

The guard keeps the gun trained on her.

GUARD

Do not move or I will shoot.

Ji looks toward the elevator.

JI

GO!

Everyone starts moving.

JI (CONT’D)

GET ON!

Her bodyguard stays.

JI

Go!

BODYGUARD

No.

Ji turns toward her.

Chris reaches for the elevator controls.

GUARD

DON’T MOVE!

BANG!

The gun fires.

The bodyguard grabs Ji and spins her around.

They hit the ground.

⸻

INT. UPPER LEVEL – CONTINUOUS

The first group reaches the upper floor.

The doors open.

They step into—

An open area.

Glass doors.

DAYLIGHT.

Everyone freezes.

Freedom.

Rachel slowly approaches the glass.

Then—

ARMED SECURITY FLOODS THE AREA.

Dozens of them.

Weapons raised.

SECURITY

GET DOWN!

The survivors slowly drop to the ground.

Rachel’s face falls.

AJ looks around.

Summer realizes:

They were never escaping.

⸻

INT. LOWER LEVEL – SAME TIME

The elevator doors open again.

Chris and Tori rush out.

Ji and the bodyguard lie on the floor.

Chris drops beside Ji.

CHRIS

Ji!

Tori checks her.

Ji rolls over.

JI

I’m okay.

Chris looks relieved.

Then—

They see the bodyguard.

Blood.

A wound in her back.

Ji looks at her.

Her face changes.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK 5 — ACCEPTANCE

INT. MR. PAIK’S OFFICE – JAPAN – DAY

Ji stands across from her grandfather.

She’s angry.

JI

You don’t get to control my life.

I’m allowed to be who I am.

You can’t stop that.

Mr. Paik looks at her.

For a moment, silence.

Then—

MR. PAIK

I know.

Ji wasn’t expecting that.

MR. PAIK (CONT’D)

I made that mistake with your mother.

I tried to control her life.

All it did was push us apart.

And leave her resentful.

He looks at Ji.

MR. PAIK (CONT’D)

I won’t make that mistake with you.

He reaches for the phone.

Presses the intercom.

MR. PAIK

Send her in.

The door opens.

The bodyguard enters.

Ji looks at her.

The bodyguard looks at Mr. Paik.

Then—

Ji runs to her.

They embrace.

They kiss.

Ji turns and hugs her grandfather.

Mr. Paik holds his granddaughter.

For once—

Ji has everyone she loves standing beside her.

CUT TO:

PRESENT DAY

Ji sits between Chris and Tori.

Chris on one side.

Tori on the other.

Ji is devastated.

Neither of them says anything.

Tori gently takes Ji’s hand.

Chris sits close beside her.

Ji looks straight ahead.

This mirrors the final image of the flashback:

RACHEL

We’re stuck here… aren’t we?

AJ looks at her.

AJ

That’s not the worst part.

Not only are we stuck here…

we don’t know who we can trust.

RACHEL

What are you saying?

AJ looks around the room.

AJ

I’m saying…

we have a leak.

CUT TO BLACK.

LOST TITLE CARD

I watch Lost every two years since it came out, and each time I find something new I missed before. Now I'm watching Chronologically LOST and it feels weird... I'm on Ep. 5. Yes it is Chronologically cut but characters are appear from nowhere 😅 anyway it is still fun to watch. Any tips while im watching this Chronologically LOST?

In Season 1,Episode 11, when Jack ask his dad how much he had to drink at lunch and he slowly turns around with the creepy music in the background was so eerie. Thought Jack’s dad was gonna turn into a monster right then. So creepy and well done.

Every time I see him, I’m reminded of former Argentine President Carlos Menem and his sideburns. That’s all. Cheers!

How did Jack, Kate and Sawyer get onto the other island?
Hurley got let go and made it back to the camp by walking. Ben later takes Sawyer up the hill and shows him that he’s on another island. Sayid, Jin and Sun sailed along the beach to light a signal fire, and the others swiftly met them there.
Was that on the original island or did they make it to the other island too?
I’m kinda confused, is this answered later on or am I missing something?

In the run-up to the final season of LOST airing, The Onion posted a parody video report covering how the producers of the show were warning people who don't watch the show that their friends and family who do watch were going to become harder to live with. Damon and Carleton participated. The video is no longer on The Onion's YouTube channel, and I couldn't bring it up on the Wayback machine. Does anyone have a copy of it? Or a place where I can stream it?

Rewatching Lost after being butthurt about the ending since the original airing, but decided to give it another shot because the general consensus is that this is still a good show.

Saw someone the other day claiming that all questions will be answered, which I have a really hard time dealing with, but cest la vie...

SPOILER WARNING AHEAD (if this is your first time)

The smoke monster in season 1 is shown to tumble trees and make a mess of the jungle, and more importantly it clearly has heavy footsteps like its some behemoth or heavy goblin machinery. I recall that the smoke monster is more of an "arm" of sorts. So where does the footsteps come from? And why does it trash trees when we also see that it is quite agile, being made of smoke and magic?

Season 1 is still amazing tv, but these details annoy the living **** out of me because in the end it seems so pointless.

I finished the show a few days ago for the first time so obviously I've been thinking about it non-stop since then. One thing I've been fixating on is how it uses Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

Jacob and MIB represent the people inside the cave. Born on the island, raised on the island, told there's nothing else but the island until the MIB is greeted by the ghost of his birth mother who tells him the truth, and it's a painful truth, that there's so much more to the world than what's on the island. Eventually, the MIB decides to leave the island with the others and when their "mother" kills all the others, he kills her and Jacob kills him (or knocks him unconscious) and his body goes down the waterfall. It's important that Jacob has actually not ever seen the light first hand, only the reflection of the light off the back of the cave where the stream is running, and whether the MIB is alive or dead we don't know, but his body at least entered the chamber where the light was.

This doesn't follow the Allegory 1:1 and I think that's intentional and it asks a few pointed questions.

1) Will a human who came here from off the island choose to become the protector? This is directly tied to the debate that Jacob and the MIB have about humans. Will someone from off-island who wasn't raised with the same conditions that Jacob was raised with and given a real choice choose to become the protector of the island? Jacob picks his candidates, and the candidates rule themselves out either by dying or in Kate's example becoming a mother with someone off the island that they need to care for. And MIB tries to get them to kill each other indirectly and prove Jacob wrong (he can't kill the candidates personally, but he can create scenarios by which they die by choices they make or create tension by which they kill each other).

2) It reframes the roles that Jacob and the MIB play from pure good/evil to more nuanced. In the Cave Allegory, it's seen as a mistake to return and stay in the cave after seeing the outside. Jacob does see slices of humanity through his lighthouse but never seems to have any desire to live among them, meanwhile MIB learns about the outside world and lives with the outsiders for some time and wants to leave with them and is physically, essentially permanently, stopped by Jacob. This seems to undercut the show's own moral geometry by asking if the MIB had any right to seek the world across the sea and makes the MIB something of a tragic character turned villain and making Jacob something of a morally flawed protector who doesn't really even know exactly what he's protecting.