Flashes Before Your Eyes

Season 3, Episode 8, Aired
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Episode Summary

A suspicious and determined Charlie enlists Hurley to help him wrestle the truth out of Desmond, who has been acting strangely ever since the implosion of the hatch.
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Fan Episode Reviews (188)

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  • Awesome.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Sarah_LOST, Oct 12, 2010 Report Abuse
    Charlie and Hurley attempt to get Desmond drunk so he will explain to them how he is able to see the future. An extended flashback reveals what happened to Desmond after the implosion of the hatch. Desmond relives a day of his life with Penny before coming to the island. He finds himself on the island again with the ability to see flashes of the future, most notably Charlie's approaching death. I love the start with Charlie and Hurley going through and stealing all of Sawyer's supplies - so funny, I love them together. I lovve Desmond he is awesome plus he can kind of see the future. I love the scenes between Charlie, Hurley and Desmond - extremely funny when they are all singing I cry laughing! I love Desmond's sortyline - awesome. I also love the way he is saving Charlie and not Claire's life, which means my favourite character will soon die, badtimes!moreless

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  • The exact reason i watch this.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Jason14yr, May 05, 2010 Report Abuse
    If you payed attention, this was a complete flash of the future back when desmond was still in england, but yet the old woman passed this power she has to him somehow when he turned the key in the hatch. Then his life flashes before his eyes..why? im afraid i dont know. watching it again right now. you can watch this episode, and still not get the full effect and meaning after 3 times! My point is that you have to put these things into perspective and ascertain them with an open clarity and mind. he didnt dump her for good, but to become that man you would be proud of like that sign said at that army place in the episode. she and he will get back together in my point of view. i havent seen an episode like this since season 2 and 1 so it is a great way to keep me watching this. To be or not to be is the question....so im asking you..... do you feel lucky??moreless

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  • You'll remember this one--- even if you don't know what happened for sure

    10
    "Perfect"
    By DavidB226Morris, Nov 22, 2009 Report Abuse
    This is a critical episode in the series --- not just because of how it flaunts the entire format or involves mind bending science or has some of the most memorable moments in Season 3. What makes 'Flashes Before Your Eyes' one of the best episodes of the series is because it does all this and has questions that probably help explain Lost better than any other.

    Centered around Desmond, this flashback tells us what happened when he turned the fail-safe key in the hatch in the Season 2 finale. The popular theories were either he thought he was about to die, and his life flashed before his eyes, but in a way that he thought he could change the course of events, or that he actually left the island and traveled to the past to try and change his fate. We are now fairly certain it was closer to the second option than the first, and that somehow the electromagnetic energy in the hatch blasted Desmond to circa 1996 when he was still with Penelope, before all the events that we saw in his flashback in 'Live Together, Die Alone' The difference is he doesn't remember the entire past, just bits and pieces.

    Desmond and Penny were happy together, but because he was obsessed with honor, he tried to prove to her father that he was worthy of her. We then see one of the most painful bits when Mr. Widmore tells Desmond that he is worth less than a swallow of whisky. (By they way, there are even more hints that something is up with him. In his office is a mural that is very similar to the one that was in the hatch. This is a hint Widmore is linked to the island, though we won't know how until Season 4.) Desmond then begins to have flashes brought on seeing Charlie at a street corner, playing his guitar. Slowly Desmond begins to realize that he has in fact traveled to the past, and he attempts to change his fate by buying a ring to propose--- and then he runs into the critical character in this episode --- call her the Ring Lady. She tells him that trying to change his fate is impossible, and that some things are predetermined. This deals with another of the critical themes of the series--- free will versus predestination. We've already heard it expressed by Locke and Eko that some things are predetermined. More realist grounded characters like Jack and Sayid have made it very clear they don't believe in fate. But the ring lady tells seems to hold firm to the idea that some things are supposed to happen, and that if they don't , the universe has a way of course correcting. She says Desmond is supposed to go to the island, and that is his path. However, she also tells him that this is the only great thing he will ever do, and that he and Penny will never be together--- things which we now know to be false. Is it possible that this woman is really no more invested with foresight than anyone else?

    As for who is the woman, we will eventually learn that her name is Eloise Hawking and that she has a far closer relationship to this island-- and to Desmond--- then just this flash. We won't learn that til season 5, though, and even now it's not clear just what this link is.

    But even if you don't know any of this, and are coming to this episode in sequence along with any other part of the show, this is still an extremely powerful episode. The scenes between Desmond and Widmore and the later one with Hawking aren't just critical as to how the character is built, but as dramatic scenes they are gut-wrenching. And the scene after which where Desmond finally breaks up with Penny, you can clearly tell that he doesn't want to, but he feels that he has to. He had great concerns with honor, though even now some of the reasons-- like what happened to his father or what he did in the army to disgrace himself are not clear. But that doesn't change the fact that he broke up the greatest thing in his life because he thought the world wouldn't let him. Then he seems to get a chance to change his fate, and at the exact moment, he tries to , he finishes turning the key, and he's back at the island (we're still not sure how he lost his clothes) in the depths of despair

    Of course, none of this exactly answers the question that has Charlie and Hurley all wound up--- how is it that Desmond seems able to see the future. The best bet is that the electromagnetism did something to his brain and now he's gotten the ability to see things in flashes. The problem is now the future that he's gotten a glimpse of is Charlie's, and because of what has happened, he think that Charlie doesn't have much of one.. He's been trying to save Charlie's life, but he believes that he can't stop it from ending.

    Why is it that Desmond sees Charlie's fate? Perhaps because Desmond is more important to the island than even he realizes, and that certain paths need to be followed. Charlie may not seem as important as Locke or Kate or Jack (but within his fate is the fate of the castaways. And it's also clear that it's not even close to being determined.

    If by now all of this talk has given you a monster of a headache, you could just ignore the philosophy and science and pain, and just revel in the excellent work by Henry Ian Cusick. Despite what Penny says to him, despite what Charlie tells him in a drunken slur, Desmond is not a coward. He's a brave trying to deal with things that have driven him to his breaking point and well past them. Unlike the Other, Desmond doesn't find this island miraculous. Like the castaways Desmond is wrapped up in a dismal past. But unlike them, he has begun to embrace the possibility of the future. This power will save some of the survivors. It will help the ones on the island. And maybe, just maybe, it will lead all of them to a happy ending. Though given what we see on this show, it's not bloody likely. Still this is the current high point of what has al what has already been a superb season.
    My score:10moreless

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  • Amazing Episode!!!!

    9.9
    "Superb"
    By Dante_Edy, Jul 10, 2009 Report Abuse
    Logic/Details - This type of quality mixed with great drama and Mythology is something that make this episode a rare Treasure and one of the Best episodes of an TV show.

    There are many people that cannot understand the concept that this Show applies, and this episode it is a clear example of that. It is not about knowing why that happen but to learn what happened. What happened with Desmond? Did he travel in Time? Did he just relived his past life? Was this a dream? This is Lost way, show you what happened and make you fill the holes that cannot be fulfilled yet. In this episode, you know what happened to Desmond, but the main question is what really happened when he relived his past? Did the EM affect people in general and make you see the future? This answer will only be provided in Season 4.

    Progress - This is strange, since is the first time that a character is given a almost full flashback episode. But ended up with a complete story, with mysteries to be solved.

    Emotions/Stimulation/Highlights - The old lady, the ending, Desmond with Penelope father conversation about the whine, the love story were the Best scenes that this episode could deliver. It is more easy to make the audience feel something when you see a story about Love. The all flashback is intriguing and mysterious that make you want to know more. This episode provides a unique experience.

    Ending - One of the Best shocking endings that this series could deliver.

    Overall - This episode stands above almost every others episodes of Lost, making this episode just perfect if you understand and appreciate Lost type of applying concepts. This is a step forward to Lost Sci-Fi concept. And to thing that this was the second episode centered in Desmond that I gave almost an 10, and he is not one of my favorites chars.moreless

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  • Brainstorm

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By napen, Nov 28, 2008 Report Abuse
    Vuelvo a ver este episodio y me vuelve a sorprender. Desmond y su qu corno me pas cuando esa maldita escotilla vol por los aires conmigo adentro. Qu pas???
    Bueno, Desmond (Odiseo?) tuvo un problemita con su cabeza: esta se golpe y ahora el pobrecito tiene serios problemas con la correlatividad del tiempo, o sea, vive momentos del pasado, del presente y del futuro en simultneo como si fueran flashes intercalados cul "For the benefit of Mr. Kite" solo.
    Y entonces qu? parece ser el nico con esas habilidades extraordinarias, al menos por ahora. Pobre Penlope que debe esperarlo eternamente. Pobre Charlie que va a morir.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • Goof: Just after Desmond resuscitates Claire, Charlie is asking how he knew she was drowning. There is an editing mistake with Hurley's position behind Charlie. Hurley starts to walk up to Charlie, then he is back where he started and then it cuts to him standing behind Charlie again. Edit
    • When Penny and Desmond get their picture taken, the photographer hands them one photo. Yet, everyone seems to have a copy...Desmond, Penny on her night stand and later Naomi has one in her pocket. Edit
    • Location When Desmond goes to the University, the location used for the filming is the Supreme Court building of the State of Hawaii. Mainly, the rotunda area. The same rotunda was used in filming an episode of E.R. when Noah Wylie's character goes to Africa to save Luka. Edit

  • Notes

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    • Henry Ian Cusick and Dominic Monaghan submitted this episode for consideration on their own behalves in the category of "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" at the 2007 Emmy Awards. Edit
    • A podcast rehash for the episode was released on February 20th, 2007. According to the producers, Desmond really did travel back in time and the events he relived occurred in 1996. Edit
    • International Air Dates: Denmark: March 14, 2007 on Kanal 5 The Netherlands: April 20, 2007 on Net 5 Finland: October 4, 2007 on Nelonen The Czech Republic: October 21, 2007 on TV Nova Spain: Monday October 1, 2007 on FOX TV Spain Macedonia: Thursday November 8, 2007 on A1 Germany: Monday December 3, 2007 on Pro7 Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Charlie: We need supplies we need...(Finds magazine) Shocking amounts of pornography. Edit
    • Desmond: I'm celebrating. Bartender: Oh, what is the occasion? Desmond: I think I have made the biggest mistake of my life. (Pause) And the worst part is I'm pretty sure I have made it before. Bartender: That is what they call deja vu, mate. Edit
    • Penny: Well, I say we celebrate. I say we celebrate that fate has spared you a miserable existence under the employ of Widmore Industries. Let me take you out tomorrow. Let's go for lobsters on the pier. My treat. Desmond: I don't think my failure to impress your father is any occasion to celebrate. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Mrs. Hawking is a reference to Stephen Hawking a scientist well known for his work in theoretical physics and quantum gravity (which relates to "black holes"). Time and its function has been a recurring theme on the show, and Desmond's new ability revolves on perceiving time in a new manner. Edit
    • The Matrix Reloaded The scene with Desmond and Mrs. Hawking sitting on the bench and discussing improbability to change the future is a reminiscent of a similar scene in the film The Matrix Reloaded where the Oracle explains to Neo the nature of the "flashes of the future" he experiences and tries to convince him that the choice leading to that future was already made and therefore the future cannot be changed. The Oracle also offers Neo a candy, just like Mrs. Hawking offers Desmond chestnuts. Edit
    • When Desmond is having his flashback a building collapses on a guy wearing red shoes and all you can see of him is those shoes, which is exactly how the Wicked Witch of the East dies in "The Wizard of Oz" Edit

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