The story deals with the aftermath of the detonation of the hydrogen bomb at the end of the previous episode, “The Incident”. “LA X” introduces a new narrative device that replaces previously used devices, such as flashbacks, flash-forwards and time travel. This as yet unknown device will apparently make the final season feel similar to the first season in terms of tone.

Two outcomes of the detonation of the hydrogen bomb in the previous episode, “The Incident”, are presented. The first timeline takes place in 2004; the second in 2007.

2004

The first timeline begins on Oceanic Flight 815, in which the survivors’ attempt to change the future has averted the crash. The island is now shown to be underwater. Most of the characters’ situations remain the same, e.g. Kate (Evangeline Lilly) is still being transported in custody of U.S. Marshal Edward Mars (Fredric Lehne), Jack (Matthew Fox) is transporting his deceased father, and Locke (Terry O’Quinn) is still paralyzed. However, there are some differences as well: Boone (Ian Somerhalder) is returning to Los Angeles alone since his step-sister decided to remain behind, Hurley (Jorge Garcia) claims to be the luckiest man alive, and Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick) is on board. During the flight, Jack is called upon to save Charlie (Dominic Monaghan), who has asphyxiated himself while attempting to swallow a small bag of heroin. Jack, with the help of Sayid (Naveen Andrews), resuscitates him; however, Charlie is arrested for drug possession. Jack also encounters Desmond; however, he is nowhere to be seen when the plane lands.

After the plane lands safely at LAX, Jack is informed that the airline has lost his father’s coffin. Kate escapes custody of the marshal and hijacks a cab in which Claire (Emilie de Ravin) is also a passenger. Jin (Daniel Dae Kim) is detained after he fails to declare a large amount of cash on his customs form. His wife, Sun (Yunjin Kim), afraid to reveal she speaks English, does nothing to help the situation. Jack speaks with Locke, who notes that his own luggage has also been misplaced. They discuss Locke’s condition, which Jack offers to evaluate for free, after Locke tells him that it is irreversible.

2007

In the second timeline, nothing has changed. Jack, Kate, Hurley, Sayid, Jin, Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell), Sawyer (Josh Holloway), and Miles (Ken Leung) have been returned to the present at the site of the Dharma Initiative Swan station, immediately after Ben (Michael Emerson) has killed Jacob (Mark Pellegrino). Sawyer is angered by the prospect that Juliet’s death was meaningless and engages in a fight with Jack. However, Juliet is alive underneath the remains of the station. The survivors eventually free Juliet, but she dies of her injuries soon after, moments before she can tell Sawyer something important; Sawyer blames Jack.

Hurley tends to Sayid, who has been mortally wounded by a gunshot. Jacob visits Hurley, explaining that no one else will see him because he’s dead. He tells Hurley to take Sayid to the Others’ temple in order to heal him. Hurley must also bring the guitar case that Jacob previously gave him. The survivors split up, with the majority going to the temple, while Sawyer and Miles stay behind to bury Juliet. Sawyer forces Miles to use his medium skills to talk to Juliet; he relays the cryptic message “It worked.”

At the temple, the group is captured and brought before two men, a Japanese man (Hiroyuki Sanada) and his translator (John Hawkes). Hurley tells them that Jacob sent him, and offers the guitar case as proof. Inside is a wooden ankh, which the leader breaks open. Hidden in the wood is a note, listing the names of Hurley and his companions, and instructing the Others to help Sayid or they will all be in trouble. Sayid is brought to a pool, noted to have gone murky, where he is held underwater until the time of an hourglass passes. Feeling responsible for his death, Jack tries CPR, but Sayid does not respond. Sawyer and Miles are brought into the temple, having been captured after burying Juliet. The leader questions Hurley in a separate room, where he reveals Jacob is dead. Shocked by this news, they sound an alarm, prepare their defenses, and send fireworks into the air in preparation for an attack. Meanwhile, several of the Others insist that Jack join them in a private conversation. Jack refuses and a struggle ensues. At this point, Sayid suddenly comes back to life.

Inside the pedestal of the statue, the Man in Black, who has taken the form of Locke, sends Ben outside to bring Richard (Nestor Carbonell). Outside, Richard refuses to go inside and instead shows Ben Locke’s body. Bram (Brad William Henke) and his team from Flight 316 enter the statue with Ben. The Man in Black transforms into the Smoke Monster and easily kills them, except for Ben. The Man in Black then explains to Ben that his true goal is to return home. He finds this ironic because Locke wanted desperately to stay and live on the island. Outside, Richard sees the fireworks from the temple; however, the Man in Black knocks Richard out after divulging his identity to him. The Man in Black then announces that he is disappointed in the Others as he carries Richard’s body into the jungle.

“LA X” comprises the 104th and 105th television episodes of the American Broadcasting Company’s Lost, marking the premiere of the sixth and final season. It was written by show runners/executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse and directed by executive producer Jack Bender. Both parts are aired on February 2, 2010 on ABC in the United States and on CTV in Canada and on February 4, 2010 on RTÉ Two in Ireland.

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