The Man From Tallahassee - Season 3x13

[Kiowa Warrior]

THE MAN FROM TALLAHASSEE

The thirteenth episode of Season 3 is Locke’s flashback, where we learn how he ended up in a wheelchair. After having his benefits stopped for his depression, a man called Peter comes to Locke’s apartment and tells him that his mother is planning to marry someone called Adam Seward, and that he’s worried he’s not all he seems. But since Locke donated his kidney to him he can’t be all that bad, right? Locke confronts his father and tells him to call off the wedding to prevent someone else’s life falling into ruins and it seems that Cooper will. Locke is then stopped by a couple of detectives asking why Peter came to see him, because Peter has been killed. Locke goes round to Cooper’s apartment demanding to know if he killed Peter, but Cooper denies it and says that he’s a conman, not a killer. Locke doesn’t believe him and goes to phone Peter’s mother, but Cooper rushes at him and pushes him out of the window, eight stories high. Waking up in hospital Locke learns that his father has fled and could be anywhere, and as the police leave the hospital therapist puts him in a wheelchair for the first time.

Meanwhile on the island Kate goes into the Others’ house to rescue Jack, but Jack tells her she shouldn’t have come back and to get out, but she – along with Sayid – are taken prisoner by the Others, with Sayid being tied up outside while Kate is placed in a games room. Jack visits Kate to say a final goodbye, telling her that he made a deal with the Others to go home but that he will come back for her. Locke finds Ben and demands he tells him where the submarine is, but not before Ben asks Richard to bring him the man from Tallahassee or before telling Locke about the magic box. Alex guides Locke to where the submarine is, and as he walks back up he sees Jack and Juliet about to leave on it. Locke apologises just as the sub is blown up. Ben then takes Locke to see what’s inside the magic box, and as Locke opens a door he’s shocked to see his dad bound and gagged right in front of him.

This is a top episode I think, particularly all the scenes with Locke and Ben where they're speaking about the other, or the island, or the magic box...just great! And what a terrible shame it was that Jack's plans to get away on the submarine fell through...no it is actually, since we could have seen the back of him then. But did Locke actually blow up the sub, or just move it somewhere before setting off the explosives?

But if anyone's got to be felt sorry for it's Locke: he just wanted to help someone else from getting their life ruined in his flashback, but all he gets in return is to end up in a wheelchair for four years after his own father tried to kill him. Poor John...

[keeno_82uk]

thought this one was a good one. Goes in depth into lockes fears and doubts.

9/10

[KatesFate]

Excellent epi. Terry O'Quinn is an excellent actor. Poor Locke indeed. His own father stole his kidney and then tried to kill him. I'd want to blow things up too.

[JB Sawyer]

There is some nice stuff between Ben and Locke in this episode, some very good stuff from Ben in particular, and the scene between Alex and Sayid is very well executed as is the Danielle and Alex sighting. However there is far too much Locke for me to actually like this episode. There's only so much of his pathetic hypocrisy I can stand. And this was also the episode that made Cooper just stupidly one-dimensional bad guy. Silly writing imo, you just lost Cooper all credibility

Re-watch rating: 6/10

[D-Roc]

This really is vintage! You know those werthers originals you haven't had since you were 10? This episode is like that memory..warm, fuzzy, sweet and moist!

I can honestly say that this episode gets better for me with each watch. It's not even the 'big moment' which does it for me..it's the intence chess-like dialogue between Ben and Locke which just rocks my world. The way they play one another only for Ben to be 2 or 3 steps ahead all along, it's just amazing! I've long believed that Ben knew Locke would help him prevent J+J from leaving (or that some other form of intervention would assist him). He calls it the "magic box". I want me some of that box.

Everyone was A-grade in this episode..even Kate, who's incredulous looks were spot on as she was rushed into submission by the Others heavies. Wow, she's also very flexible..didn't quite realise the flexibility required to adjust her body over those handcuffs.

Her scene with Jack was sweet - handled well and with just enough 'wtf' to keep me guessing..even in this rewatch I was intrigued by Jack's thinking and his ability to be so, well, cold. "I'll come back for you" - I bet that's what he tells all the girls

Great to see more of Alpert..small role, but like all of his scenes they leave a lasting impression on you.

People gripe about Locke's FB's, but I see no problem with reinforcing the heartache the man has been through..and wasn't he in a sorry state, his balding hair all unkempt and eating microwave dinners night after night. The window scene was tremendously well done, but even better was Ben asking Locke what it felt like..especially when he revealed that he was actually referring to his father betraying him. Wow..ME's eye's are words by themselves..

Could write a book about this episode, but wont..nothing can emphasise how much I appreciate this episode..great just fricken great.

Re-watch value: 10/10 (and I don't say that often)

[lost-lover]

Locke and Ben together in this episode was absolutley brilliant, all the more better because they're two of my favourite characters and both played by excellent actors. I liked how they were both trying mind games on each other in this one. And wow, you have to feel sorry for Locke in this one - first his father steals his kidney then tries to kill him - talk about the ultimate betrayal.
The little scene with Danielle seeing Alex again for the first time was very sweet, very emotional.
The Jack and Kate bits were quite good too, Jack was very cold in this episode, I think Fox conveyed this very well. All in all, one of the best episodes of Season 3.
Re-watch value: 9/10

[Easily confused]

I LOVE this episode. Locke was so heavily underused in S3 but really has his shining moment here. I had reached the point (before watching it) of no longer caring how Locke ended up in the wheelchair and I knew that this episode was THE episode and I thought I didn’t care until about half way through I was starting to get anxious and was then thinking well are they ever going to show it and then just as I thought I had been tricked and it wasn’t THE episode it happened and I was not expecting it one little bit to happen like that. And better than that it hasn’t lost its appeal.

I also love the mind games between Locke and Ben its just pure genius.

11/10

[The Wizard]

Originally Posted by D-Roc

"I'll come back for you" - I bet that's what he tells all the girls

[Lost Lewis]

Watching this episode yesterday made me realise that after being immature with my love for Claire I've decided to grow up and now (for the first time since series 1) Locke is my favourite character again! I really enjoyed his flashback in this episode too. As always, you feel sorry for him at the end

Great episode all round though. I didn't remember it being this good for some mad reason! But there's so much going on to keep you satisfied. Locke and Bens discussions would've been enough!

Anthony Cooper in the 'magic box' though. I was never feelin that to be honest...