Catch-22 - Season 3x17 Rewatch

[Kiowa Warrior]

CATCH-22

The seventeenth episode of Season 3 is Desmond’s flashback, where we learn that he is in a monastery in Scotland to become a monk. A man comes to visit Desmond and suddenly hits him; a man who turns out to be the brother of a girl Desmond ran away from one week before they were supposed to marry. Desmond tells the girl – Ruth – that he had had a calling and that’s why he’d left, but she isn’t convinced. Back at the monastery Desmond speaks with Bother Campbell, and learns that he isn’t to become a monk after all; that the call he heard was not to do with being in a monastery, and that Desmond must face whatever’s coming next. And the next thing that Desmond has to face is to help a woman called Penny load some wine crates into her car.

Meanwhile on the island Desmond has flashes of Charlie getting killed in the jungle, as well as of a parachute and someone hanging from a tree. Desmond asks Hurley about the cable on the beach that he had seen, and along with Jin and Charlie they set off on a trip along the beach, camping overnight. And they’re camping they hear a helicopter overhead, and suddenly see a red flashing light in the clouds. They wait until morning to investigate and find a backpack in the trees, which includes a satellite phone and a picture of Desmond with Penny. As they walk on to find the parachutist, Desmond realises that one of his flashes where Charlie gets struck with an arrow is about to become true, but if he saves Charlie’s life – if he goes against the flash – there’s a risk he may never see Penny again, but after a moment of deliberation he pushes Charlie to safety. They find the parachutist and, although she isn’t Penny, she does know Desmond’s name...

[The Wizard]

Mmm... good episode. Poor gullible Desmond for interpreting the flashes to mean that Penny was coming to the island

Oh and yes, this is the episode with Kate

[JB Sawyer]

Funny episode this one. While good I find it one of the rare episode to have very little rhythm or flow to it. It's just kind of...piecemeal if you will.

The flashback is a tad pointless, in that it only emphasizes that Desmond runs alot (not in the same way as Kate), but more of he can't commit to things, and the origin of "Brother". Not really flashback worthy to be honest. Plus I can't stand Brother Campbell. However it is nice to see Penny's first meeting with Des and the instant bond between them. Perhaps there really is such a thing as love at first sight.

This does contain imo Charlie's best 'death' and it was quite shocking on first viewing, particularly being the very first scene of the episode. Yet it was at this point that you started to know Charlie would not die until the Season finale, if then, and so you can call their bluff by this point.

One downside though was I was quite disappointed with Naomi being the fallen parachutist. I really wanted it to be Penny and felt slightly robbed that it wasn't. I know it's probably a matter of time before Penny does reach the Island *fingers crossed* but I couldn't help but feel annoyed and disappointed when it wasn't Pen.

Still a pretty good episode and anytime you put Charlie, Hurley and Jin on a bonding session fun is bound to be had.

Re-watch rating: 7/10.

[Easily confused]

I pretty much agree with JB’s comments above

I like that we get to see Charlie’s death this time - not that I like to see him die its just that I find the whole Desmond is saving Charlie’s life a bit tedious so actually seeing it for a change rather than just hearing about it is refreshing

Flashbacks are a little stilted - looks to me like they haven’t put much effort in (although I am sure they did) scenery is a bit more theatre production than television quality imo and also I am pretty hopeless at recognising accents generally but where are all these flashback characters supposed to be from exactly

The first time I watched C22 I did think it was going to be Penny that they were looking for but looking at it now its seems to me a bit stupid that Desmond does think that - obviously when he is only seeing the flashes he is pinning all his hopes on it being Penny I can understand that but Penny doesn’t seem the sort to me to fly helicopters she is much more get someone else to do it for you sort. Also when he comes across the ruck sack he should have realised that it wasn’t Penny’s, I know the picture of them together was in it so that obviously would have confirmed to him that the flashes had some kind of Penny connection but I am assuming thats where the similarities between what Naomi and what Penny would pack in a bag end.

[D-Roc]

Hmm, looking forward to rewatching this, although i fear that my opinion will either be that of "Left Behind", or "One of Us". I really hope it's the latter!

[D-Roc]

Good episode, although it shockingly bleeds into one with "Flashes".

Desmonds back-story was endearing as usual (although I sense it could just have easily been Mr.Eko's).

Strong feel of destiny and fate in this episode. Liked Campbells reference to "Sacrifice" being one of the biggest tests that God sets - possible parallels with the island testing the likes of Locke re Boone's death etc.

Liked the idea of Desmond changing fate by choosing to extend Charlies life. Although one has to question why he risked so much when he knew that Charlie would eventually die - 'Fate keeps on course-correcting until it gets what it wants'. I guess the human spirit is stubborn due to the veil of 'hope'.

Interesting episode..goof to rewatch, if a little slow in places.

Re-watch value: 8/10