Charlie is suffering from intense withdrawal since giving Locke his heroin stash. In flashbacks, we see that Charlie was reluctant to stay in his band, Driveshaft, because of the temptations that came with the territory. After he confesses his lusty sins of the flesh, the priest tells him that temptation is a part of life, but the choice to succumb is ours. That is what makes us accountable, and these decisions shape our lives. Charlie's brother Liam persuades him to continue in the band by assuring him that if and when Charlie feels it's necessary, they will walk away. As their success grows, so does Liam's ego and drug habit. A worried Charlie begs Liam to quit the band for his own good. His brother's biting remark that Charlie is nothing without the band shatters him. So he embraces his inner "rock god" and starts using. The band breaks up eventually, and Liam goes on to get clean and settle down with a family of his own. Charlie is not so fortunate. Driven by his addiction and feelings of inadequacy, he goes to Australia to plead with Liam to return to the band. Liam wants to help Charlie with his drug problem, but refuses to go back to that life. Charlie storms out angry that Liam has never looked out for Charlie but has instead made him a great candidate for VH1's where are they now. And that was the last time they ever saw each other. Not a good way to end things.
On the Island, Locke attempts to help Charlie overcome his desire to get his drugs back. He brings up the subject of choice again when he reminds Charlie that the will to overcome natural instincts is what separates us from the animals. We are capable of making choices. This is a theme that has become front and center in Season 5 leading into the final season. We will be watching to see if they can change their future/past with their choices or if it has been pre-determined by fate. Did they alter the outcome by detonating Jughead, or is their resistance futile in the face of destiny? Interesting how Locke is the champion of free will in this case. He even gives Charlie the option of asking for his drugs back rather than destroying the stash outright. This gives Charlie the chance to overcome his addiction on his own terms rather than merely running out sometime soon. Very Jacobian of him. Insert yourself only to a point, but the decision is up to them. Locke uses a moth in its cocoon to illustrate the value of overcoming hardship on your own. The symbolism could easily be applied to any of the survivors. Struggle is serving to strengthen them. To interfere with that and eliminate any hardship would be to deprive them of the opportunity for growth.
The rivalry between Jack and Sawyer is starting to grow some teeth in this episode. Sawyer seems to make it a personal mission to annoy Jack and invade his territory both figuratively and literally. He moves into Jack's shelter on the beach once Jack moves to the caves. He also makes plain his appreciation for Kate's charms when Jack is around. When he's not, Sawyer seeks to undermine him with Kate. Kate goes to Sawyer for electronic equipment he has salvaged from the wreckage to assist Sayid with his ongoing attempt to discover the source of Rousseau's distress signal. Sayid and Kate head off into the jungle to triangulate the signal in conjunction with Boone back at the beach. When news of Jack being trapped in a cave-in reaches the beach camp, Sawyer volunteers to go tell Kate since he knows where she is. When he finds her, he opts not to tell her since she is insulting and short with him. After a conversation liberally peppered with what's Jack got that I haven't machismo, he lets slip the life-threatening situation Jack currently finds himself in.
By the time Kate arrives, Charlie has already gone in after Jack. Once he unpins Jack from the rocky rubble, he has the unenviable task of popping Jack's dislocated shoulder back into place. Ew. If only this was the last time we had to watch this painful procedure. Juliet and Kate will reenact this later. Charlie comes clean with Jack on his withdrawal, and Jack treats it as a medical problem rather than a moral failing. Charlie then sees their salvation in the form of a moth that leads him to an opening through which they escape. When Kate, who has very nearly worked herself to the verge of collapse trying to dig Jack out, sees him safe and sound, the relief on her face is evident. Enjoy this Jack. She'll be swapping spit with Sawyer soon.
Charlie, after receiving a hero's welcome from the rest of the group makes the decision to burn his stash. The decision to quit is his and not a consequence of running out. Locke proclaims his pride. What a great guy Locke is turning out to be! A real friend to lean on when conquering substance abuse problems!
Meanwhile the triangulation project has lost two of its three members to the cave in situation, but Shannon takes over Boone's responsibility on the beach while Sawyer fills in for Kate. All goes according to plan until Sayid gets knocked out by a saboteur just before he can locate the signal.
In other island developments:
- Locke uses Charlie as boar bait when the poor guy is in painful withdrawal
- Locke looks positively radiant while skinning a boar
- Locke knocks Sayid out cold and prevents any attempt of finding the radio tower
- Locke is a sketch ball!
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