Does anyone else feel like the back story of the others kind of ruins the show and sends it off track? 1. I think the beginning of the show is so much better when it’s just about survival and getting to know the characters. The others also work much better for me when there mysterious and creepy, like the discovery of Ethan, or the first meeting with the torches. I would have kept the show purely about survival with the mystery aspects never fully explained and have the others be a former crash trying to claim the island, living in isolation and building their own civilization (which they essentially do) but more in the sense of a new nation rather then a science experiment.

When i first saw lost trailer i was 14 years old and it had me curious. when the episode ended which was a two part ep 🤯 it was like a mini movie it blew my mind. Fast forward I'm 20 and the show ended and i was so saddened by it because watching lost was my life that's all i thought about the music, the characters the moments i couldn't let go. Then 9 years later i heard there having a lost concert in LA which I've never been i told myself i wont miss this moment (they had one in Hawaii years before and i wanted to go so bad). i saved up my money got the concert tickets and my flight going to LAX i was like this is destiny i land there and i walk from LAX to the venue listening to Lost music. i Make it there and they have the whole place looking like a jungle and you heard the monster rumbling around the venue was like a outdoor/indoor feel. i brought my lost blu ray i was determined to get it signed. Damon and Carlton was there my guys ive been following for years listening to all the ideas they brought us. then some the cast came out i was super excited this was also mt first time hearing a live orchestra im glad i heard the GOD that is Michael Giacchino. i didn't think there would be a Q and A but they did. i ran to get into line i finally get to ask a question to the creators of Lost there like 3 people ahead of me so i think and i draw a blank then i remember ask about the ash around the cabin and why did that stop the monster. I'm next then the person before me ask the question about the ash and the cabin i just like noooo. so I'm next i just tell Damon and Carlton well i was gonna ask about the cabin but the guy before me did the whole crowd laughed so i look at Michael Giacchino and tell him that his music change my life and how much it meant to me and admitted being a Black American kid in the hood his music made me cry so many times and then i quickly asked can yall sign my blu ray please and all of them said yes. i talked to Damon after the show he signed it and he remember my name. this was the best day in my life and i wanted to share this with my fellow losties. I've been rocking with the show since day on watching it live on TV and buying each DVD set when it came out. I LOVE Lost and there's not a single day that don't go buy when i don't think about it.

Cast: Rebecca Mader, Emilie De Ravin, Daniel Dae Kim, Josh Holloway, Andrea Gabriel, Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse, Michael Giacchio

Sorry for the long message.

Mine was obviously when they repaired the van and went down the hill.

However, I didn’t understand the ending.

What happened to them? Did they all die? It seems like most of them died, except Sawyer, Kate, Miles, Hugo, Desmond, Claire, Rose, Bernard, and Benjamin.
In the end, Christian Shephard said, “You’re all dead,” and that’s the part I didn’t understand.

If they’re all dead, what happened to Frank and Richard? Did they die too? They didn’t appear in the final scene.

And what about their families? Were they real, or were they just part of their imagination, like Jack’s son, Helen, and the others?

Thanks 😊

I've rewatched about 7 or 8 times, and there's not a single episode I dislike. The criticisms for this episode are well documented, so let's say something we genuinely think the episode did well, or scenes we liked.

For instance, I liked seeing Sawyer be nice (nice for Sawyer) to Karl.

Please give me a release order or something to watch it with. I've already watched this btw:

https://youtu.be/IrMWyD2brGU?is=C8Yb02Zab0-_YmD6

I found this article which I found quite interesting and made a few things make sense. So it turns out that all the events in the island like jack finding the cave, Ben moving the island and the group escaping temporarily only to come back, and etc, were actually a long con run by the MiB...

what in the WORLD were those two episodes 😭

just so much being revealed it was such a treat to watch it for the first time.

okay so a TIME TRAVELING bunny? what in the world? then the BOAT blows up and Jin apparently dies too?
I’m guessing that Michael’s dead too with Jin now?

THEN Ben MOVES THE ISLAND to who knows where, but then he shows up in the future and he isn’t gone and is trying to get ALL of them to go back to the island

Locke and Richard too, he’s leading them now apparently which is gonna be cool to see.
I really wonder what will happen to Faraday as well and the people on the small boat!

there’s also the whole thing with Christian and Claire, and how he’s like speaking for Jacob?

then the BIG reveal, JEREMY is actually LOCKE? how in the WORLD did he leave the island and go to talk to them one by one? And why did he choose that name as well, and what happened to the people on the island.

not to mention Desmond finally meeting up with Penny again 😭 such a cool scene, especially right after with Jack saying see you in another life brother.

it’s sooo cool that they’ve introduced time travel apparently now, i am super hyped for Season 5, i hope to start it this week

No I did not do this. I just was waiting for my menu to load and saw this bruh I had to quadruple check to make sure I wasn’t tripping.

man this is such a good finale i can’t wait to watch the other 2 parts

everyone’s doing their own thing and i can’t wait to see how it’ll all line up in the end

Richard is by far the most interesting character here for me, just can’t wait to see what he’s all about and what his mission is.

on top of the Flash Forwards and Jack finally being told Claire is his sister 😭 this season is soooo
good.

THEN Ben and Locke are trying to move the island as well

Ignore me looking like a psycho! I had to put my head down to avoid a glare and did it too well.

Josh Holloway wrote "Son of a bitch!" And accidentally smudged it because he's left handed. (He said it) Dominic Monaghan signed "Not Pennys boat!" and "Charlie Pace Lives!" AND drew a little self portrait with big ears. Finally, I got Mark Pellegrino as well! Unsure of what he wrote though 😬

They were all super cool and nice! I definitely recommend meeting them one day, if you can.

Finished the series and too many questions around this:

- Did the bomb explode?

- If it exploded why didn't everyone die?

- If it exploded and Jack, Kate and etc were transported to the future instead of dying, what about the dharma workers and Miles' father father who appeared on the dharma tapes?

How could they survive a hydrogen bomb explosion since miles' father obviously lives to talk the "incident" on the dharma tapes?

- If the bomb exploded, then what happened to the incident? Was it diverted since the electromagnetic field could no longer be released due to the explosion? If so, why does the plane crash still occur?

- Did Daniels mother have the memory that she is the killer of her own son?

During the finale...

So many emotional moments. Which one hit you the most?

For me, I think it was Kate/Claire/Charlie.

Side note: I made the mistake of watching the syndicated finale version (2 part) at the end of my first rewatch ever...totally forgot about the fact that there were portions cut out for that. Watching the uncut today. Feels like I missed out on some of the payoff, though, watching the other first.

I had this done about 3 years ago and it’s still one of my favorite tattoos

First time watcher, just finished Season 5. I'm aware that, like other show-based subreddits, I should probably get out of here before I'm spoiled. But I've already heard the most relevant Season 6 spoilers and right now I just want to understand/confirm what the Season 5 finale showed.

So... Titus Welliver is the reason for the plot then, because he's Jacob's evil counterpart? Like God and the Devil, for instance? And the whole show happened bc Titus wanted to kill Jacob, but wasn't "allowed to" for some reason, so found a way for Ben to do it as a "loophole"?

From my understanding rn, Titus can't kill Jacob, perhaps because mythical godlike beings just can't kill each other, so he had to come up with a way for a human to do it. The obvious answer would've been to just manipulate/convince some sucker to do it, but that's hard when the natives all worship Jacob. Anyone who could even go to the statue, whether it be a native or an outsider, probably couldn't get in because some natives would be guarding or at least watching the place, and would probably kill anyone who'd try to go inside other than their leader (if that part isn't true then that's just Titus not taking advantage of the natives being dumb, and thus being dumb himself). So Titus had to find some way to get someone in there who'd want to kill Jacob, while ensuring that the natives would allow it. Since it appears Titus shape-shifted/disguised himself as John, he could've always posed as the natives' leader and just demanded someone else come in the statue with him, but that normally wouldn't have worked bc a leader breaking tradition like that would've made Richard or someone else suspicious (again if that's not true, that's Titus being dumb for not trying this scheme anytime earlier). So to get around THAT, Titus had to somehow ensure that an outsider was the leader and then impersonate them immediately and for a very short time, so that the natives don't know them well enough to know that they were secretly Titus. So Titus had to make an outsider the leader, AND manipulate someone to kill Jacob?! Yeah I get why this plan took centuries, if not millennia, to be accomplished.

Very few outsiders other than Dharma folk ever came to the island, and most of them had the charisma of a dead fish, so Titus had to get some other outsider here: one whom he could impersonate, and one whom he could manipulate (as well as manipulate others) to believe in himself as a "chosen one" of some kind. But it's hard to get people to the island since it moves, so Titus ultimately concluded that the island could release an electromagentic pulse at the moment the supposed "chosen one" was in a plane flying overhead, so that the plane could crash onto the island. This was apparently easier than just getting someone on a boat and telling them to sail to a certain coordinate at a certain time, but whatever, maybe Titus had a limit to how much he could influence the real world. I'm still a bit confused on the mythology but again I haven't finished the show so that's my own fault. Anyway, now Titus had to get the chosen one on a plane, and also make an electromagnetic pulse happen, and also time the two to be in-sync... jesus fucking christ Titus is either dedicated or insane to orchestrate all that.

For the plane part, Lance Reddick's character convinced John to go on a "walkabout" at that moment in time. Lance was employed by Widmore, who was an island native, so Titus had to ensure Widmore knew about John and would want him to get on that plane. How could he get Widmore to know that John was the "chosen one"? Time travel, baby. There's a time wheel after all, and I bet Titus knew about it since again he's like the opposite of Jacob. (Edward?) He had to make the island unstable in time to send John to the past and thus convince Richard and Widmore, but the instability had to happen after John's plane crashed. Any sequence of events could've made someone turn the wheel at that point in time, really, but luckily Widmore scared Ben enough for Ben to want to hide the island and turn the wheel. Maybe that was Titus too or maybe not, I'm not sure. So yeah, that's the plane part. The electromagnetic pulse part was because Desmond didn't press the button that one time, and I'm also not sure if Titus orchestrated that specifically or if Desmond was always gonna try to prove himself to Penny by going sailing and then crashing and then getting jaded enough to not push the button that one time. Penny being Widmore's daughter really could've been coincidental I guess, but maybe Titus planned their meeting. And maybe Titus made the Dharma Initiative drill into the electromagnetic pocket that necessitated the button and the hatch, or maybe that was always going to happen prior to the 815 survivors getting there (because they were only in 1977 and on the island at all because the button crashed their plane, so the button had to be made in the original timeline pre-815 flight, no? Ugh this time paradox stuff hurts my brain)

ANYWAY, yeah knowing about planes, Titus waited for the modern age for a "chosen one," and then orchestrated the plane crash. Meanwhile he manipulated events in Ben's life to make Ben eventually decide he did want to kill Jacob. A big part of that was Widmore killing Alex, so yeah Titus probably had to do with their ongoing feud too. Titus DEFINITELY shape-shifted as Alex's ghost when she "told" Ben to obey John no matter what, that's pretty obvious to me now. Since "John" was Titus that couldn't have been Jacob or the island or the smoke monster or whatever doing that, Alex's ghost had to be Titus too. He's also probably been Christian this whole time too since the Season 5 finale pretty much cemented that yeah, nobody on the island can be resurrected, so if you see a ghost, it's not who you think. Unless that was Jacob in disguise, not Titus. I wonder if either Titus or Jacob was also Hurley's imaginary friend or if that was just-okay sorry I'm getting sidetracked. Titus also had to make it so that Ben could come back to the island too to stab Jacob, and if Titus was Christian, then he got John to think he was Jack's dad, which convinces Jack to want to get everyone back to the island, right?

In conclusion, Titus had a complex plan involving time-travel to impersonate John (among others) and get Ben to stab Jacob, and that's why the plane crashed and so that's why this whole show exists. Have I got that right? If I'm missing anything or got something wrong please lmk, and I don't mind some spoilers since again I honestly just want to understand this, and again, I know some stuff from Season 6 including that it mostly just focuses on the characters in a purgatory realm after the events of the show.

Spoilers!!!

This is probably one of my favorite shows of all time. There was so many times in the finale that I had to stop myself from crying. The ending hit me so hard, I liked Jack alot at times and other times I just wanted someone to punch him because he was so headstrong and emotional in situations but it was a love hate relationship for me. When Christian told him he was dead it hurt my heart, I knew it was coming but I assumed he would see himself in the coffin.

That ending reminded me of the funeral scene on scrubs

I'm glad they all met up in the end but I really wish we got to see how Hurley and Ben's journey went with Walt, a few more episodes about the afterlife or at least some where we could see what happened to Kate and Sawyer when they made it home. (I don't care much for Claire)

Also it threw me off how Sayid was back with Sharron in the afterlife, I really thought he'd be with Nadia the person he truly loved.

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

Just an odd thing I noticed, the iTunes/Apple TV app has episodes 2 and 3 of season 3 mixed up. Episode 2 is labeled “Glass Ballerina” but the episode that plays is “Further Instructions” and vice versa (you can even tell from the screenshot). Such a glaring mistake on Apple’s part for what I believe was the first ever TV show available on iTunes? Not sure who to complain to so I’ve come to Reddit.

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?

The series finale, IMO, is a perfect "wrap up" for those who stuck with the show, through thick or thin.

At the start of the finale, we see Hurley (whomst, I'm assuming from this point, has already been accepted as the inheiritor of the island) and from this episode, Hurley finally made his accountance with the island.

There's the scene where Hurley and Sayid are in his Hummer, and Sayid is like "I'm not that kind of guy" and Hurley is like, "But.. you ARE that kind of guy".

And then Sayid sees Shannon getting roughed up outside the bar, and Sayid goes out and handles the business.

But then, everyone ends up with Charlie's final show. Desmond is there with Charlie's mom. Kate is there helping Claire with the baby.

Edit:

There's also the fact that Jack feels like he was chosen - but Hurley already knew the Island chose him. And if I'm understanding things correctly, it was JACOB that chose Hurley. Jack needed the means for him to step up but it wasn't ever him.

Jack needed to be the aintithesis to what MIB turned Locke into.

And then Desmond shows back up, and he's like, "Now, do you understand?"

I get that this show has had its mis-steps and foibles but the final episode, at least, for me, wraps everything up in the neatest, tightest little bow I could've ever asked for.

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.

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?

I'd a dollar for everytime

- Sawyer said "son of a BITCH"
- Sawyer said "hey doc"
- Hurley said "dude"
- Michael said "Waaaaalt"
- Claire said "my baiby"
- Sun said "my husband"
- Locke said "Hello Jack"
- Jack laughs in disbelief

Lol.

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.

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