Ep 19. The Brig

John Locke's long journey to get off the mysterious Island seemingly comes to a dead end in "The Brig," the 19th episode of Lost's third season. In a dark and disturbing exploration of the show's overarching themes of fate and destiny, Locke finds himself grappling with his own sense of self and purpose when he is forced to confront the man who has been manipulating him for years.

The episode begins with a brief flashback to a teenage John Locke, who is living with his foster mother in the care of a group home. Angry and lost, Locke happens upon a man working on a car, who cryptically tells him that he was "born to be special." The scene is a chilling foreshadowing of what is to come, as Locke's journey towards destiny has always been one of the central threads of the show's mythology.

Back on the Island, Locke is confronted with the man he has been seeking for years: his father, Anthony Cooper. But unlike Locke's idealized vision of the man who abandoned him as a child, Cooper is nothing more than a manipulative con artist who has been using Locke for his own gain. The revelation is a major turning point for Locke, who has always believed that his father would be the key to his salvation.

With the help of Sawyer, who is still reeling from the loss of his own father, Locke sets out to confront Cooper and ultimately exact revenge for all the pain he has caused. The scenes between the two men are some of the most intense in the show's history, as Locke's desperation to connect with his father is met with nothing but contempt and disdain.

Despite his anger, Locke ultimately realizes that he cannot kill his father without becoming the monster he has fought so hard to avoid. With a newfound sense of purpose, he turns himself in to the rest of the castaways and embarks on a new mission to unite the group and take on their mutual enemy, the mysterious Others.

"The Brig" is a powerful and evocative episode that highlights some of the show's most compelling themes. From the idea of destiny and fate to the importance of family and fatherhood, the episode explores the complex relationships that define the show's central characters while also pushing the overall narrative forward.

Overall, this is a must-see episode for any fan of Lost, and stands as a testament to the power of the show's storytelling and character development.