Lots going on this week. And I don't mean the election.

Before dipping into conversation, feel free to check out the latest Key Points review:

Key Points from "The Moth"

I bet the whole crash is just a publicity stunt for the Driveshaft reunion tour.

From where I sit, not really a lot of material here worthy of the old deconstruction kit.

Charlie's backstory was the kind of by-the-numbers TV schlock that 'Lost' had previously avoided. If all the flashbacks had the ABC Movie of the Week quality of this one, I'd have dismissed this show by now.

But three out of four is still an awfully good batting average, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, regarding their pool of ideas. Expecting all of them to be A-List quality is asking a bit much. Ironically, I think one of the difficulties was this: they've done such a good job establishing Charlie's personality without the flashback to this point, that the flashback really didn't add any understanding.

Other flahbacks are going to be more challenging to write well on the same basis. We've established an awful lot about Michael's and Sayid's personalities, for example. How do you make their flashbacks worthwhile?

Meanwhile, it is interesting how, one by one, the show is starting to address all the things that seemed like plot holes or deus ex machina shortcuts. Sayid's observation about the unlikely nature of the plane crash was the latest such thing. They may or may not resolve everything in a manner I enjoy/agree with, but they get points from me for taking things to a higher level, regardless.

Sayid getting clubbed on the head might have been the show's weakest moment so far. That was straight out of the Gilligan's Island playbook. (Actually, the whole triangulation thing was. The writers are really justifying the Sayid-as-Professor sneers.)

Looking forward to the overdue confrontation with Sawyer next week. In reality, someone like him would have gotten the crap kicked out of him long before this.

I would have to agree that this was not the best episode so far. It was almost didactic in its point that one always has a choice in life -- something that Charlie failed to admit for a long time. He blamed his brother for his drug addiction as if he had no hand in it himself. He *had* to do drugs. Just as he *had* to join the band and *had* to have threesomes.

Unlike trustno1, I did feel that Locke was fairly creepy this episode. How does he know what he knows, and how can he be so calm about everything? I see him more and more becoming the voice of the island. We've seen that the island gives you what it thinks you need. If you are afraid, it gives you something to fear. If you lack courage, it gives you an opportunity to prove yourself. Locke has taken it upon himself to be the guide for all. He's also taken the provider role, further showing his relationship with the island. Like the island, Locke gives you what he thinks you need.

I'm not a Christian, but I got a distinct Biblical vibe from Locke as well. The repeated importance of number three reminded me of Peter's three denials of Jesus.

I was rather disappointed with the heavy-handed symbolism of the moth. Charlie doesn't think he's good enough or appreciated enough. Locke says that while butterflies get all the attention, moths are better. Charlie emerges from his cocoon a moth.

The ending was telegraphed from the very beginning. Even last week suprised me with the way Michael used the axe on Jin's handcuffs. I wasn't sure he had that sort of rage in him and really didn't see it coming. This week's emergence from the cave/cocoon was just weak.

DEEPCOVER: I'm looking forward to the confrontation next week as well. Much as I love the Sawyer character for being the straw that mixes the drink, I'm surprised it hasn't gotten uglier. He's fun to watch on the show, but if I were on that island I'd go out of my way to avoid him, more for his sake than mine. Unless I needed more cigarettes or something.

Okay, *I'll* say it.

On a purely shallow note, Charlie's older brother is a hubba hubba. Even with those stupid glasses on him to make him look "straight and narrow".

Holy cow. That v-neck sweater wasn't bad to look at him, either.

Done. :P

I just love that song Driveshaft sings: even learned to play the small part they show on the guitar (easy song). Kind of catchy and I wish they would release the whole song.