Par Avion

Season 3, Episode 12, Aired
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Episode Summary

After noticing some migratory birds, Claire hatches an impressive plan to get the survivors of Flight 815 rescued. Meanwhile, Sayid, Kate, Locke and Danielle continue their trek to the Barracks with Mikhail in tow.
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Fan Episode Reviews (128)

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  • Awesome.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Sarah_LOST, Dec 03, 2010 Report Abuse
    Claire learns about Desmond's prophecy. She later ties a rescue message to a bird and releases it. Locke, Sayid, Kate and Danielle approach a sonic barrier fence protecting the home of the Others during their mission to rescue Jack. Locke shoves Mikhail, an Other who they have captured as a hostage, into the fence and he dies. Locke, Sayid, and Kate climb over the fence without any problem. It is revealed in flashbacks that Claire shares her father with Jack. Claire meets her father for the first time after her mother goes into a vegetative state, as the result of a car accident with Claire. This episode is mostly about Claire, she isn't one of my favourite characters, so this isn't cone of the best episodes of the season. However, it's cool
    to know more things about her, like one of the most shocking moments on Lost, that Jack and Claire have to same farther that was awesome to be honest. I like what Claire is doing on the island. I love the way Desmond is always there, meaning he obviously doesn't want Charlie to die. I love the scnes between Sun and Claire. I love the way Desmond interups the bird plan. I love the scnes with Sayid, Kate, John and the French chick, oh and Mikel. I love the scenes between Charlie and Claire. I love the way Claire finds out about Charlie due to the fact that Desmond tells her the truth, the scene with Charlie and Claire after that is awesome. I love the ending it was aweosme.moreless

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  • One of the biggest revelations in the series history--- who's your daddy?

    8.0
    "Great"
    By DavidB226Morris, Dec 03, 2010 Report Abuse
    We haven't seen much of Claire this season, and the few times we have it's in connection with Charlie, so it's good that we're learning something about her. And considering that all we knew about Claire in her previous flashbacks dealt with her pregnancy, it's about time we learned some more about her past. In it is one of the biggest revelations of all, and a link we didn't expect.

    Claire (who apparently grew up as a Goth girl with her dyed brown) was raised alone by her mother. They were in an auto crash in which she was driving, and her mother ended up in a coma, kept alive only by machines. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't have taken care of her, but someone took care of all the expenses--- her father, who Claire had lived her life thinking was dead. Even more shocking, her father is Christian Shepherd. (At last we have an idea as to what he was doing in Australia in the first place. Though I hadn't figured out he was related to Claire, the actress who played her Aunt Lindsey appeared in 'Two for the Road', as the woman he was arguing with before Ana Lucia pulled him away. Another subtle link that we haven't seen much of Season 3) Christian has come to appeal to take her mother off life support. He doesn't know the exact circumstances of the accident, but he seems to know enough to tell her that "There is hope, and there is guilt, and believe me I know the difference." This is a rather strange admission from a man who told Jack that sometime it was best to offer a critical patient some hope, but perhaps he realizes enough to know that the one who needs hope is the one who can move on with her life. She doesn't listen, though, and before she boarded Oceanic 815, her mother was still on life support. And the guilt he was speaking--- which Claire feels for causing the accident in the first place--- will probably never be relieved either. (It turns out, however, that Claire had a right to be hopeful.)

    Now, on the island, Claire has her own sort of hope to deal with, when she sees a tagged bird, she tries to seize on this as a hope of rescue, with the idea that by clipping a message to it's wing would somehow get them saved. (How exactly they would do it, seeing as they still have no idea where they are, and don't even have the vaguest geographical coordinates is another story, but you have to believe in something.) Naturally, this doesn't help matters when Desmond starts hanging around in order to save Charlie's life yet again.

    (This may have been faulty writing, but let me spin it anyway. According to Desmond's flash, Charlie would have died if he slipped on the rocks trying to get a bird for Claire, so he fired his gun to scare the birds off. But if he hadn't fired his gun, they would have trapped the birds with no problems. Is it possible whoever's sending him these flashes is sending him the wrong information? Or is he making it up as he goes along trying to save Charlie even if this does it the wrong way? Given what we later see this season, I think this may be a legitimate possibility.)

    Eventually, Desmond again does something none of the crash survivors have done, and that's reveal his problems to someone. He tells Claire that Charlie is doomed, and she decides not to accept it. She's going to stop pushing Charlie away and try and find hope. Unfortunately for her and Charlie, hope may carry the day here, but fate has a heavier hand with the destinies of both of them (though even now we're still not sure what it is)

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, Kate, Sayid and Locke are dealing with their own set of problems. Sayid is understandably angry that Locke blew up the Flame Station, while Locke offers half-assed excuses. Mikhail is still acting high and might, but there are definite hints that he knows far more about this island than he's telling. He certainly seems to know more about the castaways. He also mentions a 'list' which we heard Danny Pickett mention before he attempted to kill Sawyer, referring yet again to Jacob. Then they find a sonar fence that surrounds the barracks they are trying to approach. Mikhail says it hasn't function in years, but he's lying--- as Locke proves when he inexplicably grabs him and throws him to his (apparent) death. (And yes, I know, blood shot out of his ears, but there is more to this man than meets the eye)

    Now everyone has a new reason to be angry at Locke, and all he offers are even lamer excuses. What the hell is going on with him? He seems determined to isolate himself from Kate and Sayid, he's blown up the Flame, and now he's killed a man (okay, so that last one's not permanent) And now they find some C-4 in his backpack Locke seems to have received some kind of message from the island, and whatever it is, it's telling him that he has to break away. We won't see until the next episode, but it's clear he's operating on some kind of path, but we're still not sure why he considers it so important.

    Eventually, they reach the barracks, and we get to see one of the biggest shockers we've seen this season---- Jack is playing football with the Others, and it looks like he's gotten pretty comfortable there. Given what we saw happen to Cindy, it's easy to assume the worst, much like Kate does. What she doesn't know is that the worst is still to come for everyone.

    Claire and Charlie end up sending a message on one of the birds (how they fit it on one piece of paper is hard to imagine, but that's another story). Claire seems to have finally accepted that her mother is dead, and her role as the island mother. However, she still seems reluctant to let anyone into her life, even Charlie who has offered so much of himself. She seems to be willing to accept him now, but time is running out for this, too.

    The episodes on Claire are not as strong as some of the other episodes (perhaps that's because she's related to Jack ;) ), but this one uses her past far more effectively than we've seen. Maybe she can now free herself from her past, and prepare to accept herself in a new life with her child (if she gets one)moreless

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  • This episode was absolutely wonderful! Love watching it :)

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Forgotten890, Dec 03, 2010 Report Abuse
    This episode was very, very good for many reasons. It revealed what some people had been thinking for a while; Jack and Claire are half-brother and sister. It showed Claire when she was in her gothic teenage days and she first met her dad. It was a sad flashback about her wrecking her car just after she told her mother she hated her. After the wreck her mother went into a coma. She had an idea to get them off the island. She wanted to capture a sea bird because they were migratory birds that were tagged. So when they landed scientists would check them. She got the idea to catch one and attach a message to it. She is confused because Charlie starts acting very strange and will not help her because he says it's a lost cause. She gets angry and tells him to stay away from her. But she finally follows Desmond to a bird. She questions how he knew the bird would be there. He ends up telling her about his visions. She goes back to her tent and her and Charlie sort of make up. They write a note and attach it to the bird. The note ends with the words, "please don't give up on us". Claire then says, "I'm not giving up on you either Charlie. It's gonna be okay. You're gonna be okay. We'll get threw this together." They let the bird go and watch it fly off. The other half of the episode was about Locke, Sayid, Kate, and Danielle still on their mission to find Jack. They come to a security system thing made of large pillars. Mikhail tells them that they can go threw it because it doesn't work anymore anyway. To test this Locke pushes Mikhail into the field. He is shocked and starts foaming at the mouth and bleeding. He falls to the ground and dies. Kate decides that they will have to go over the barrier. They cut down a tree, prop it against a pillar, and each climb over. At the end of the episode they reach the Other's little town. They see Jack playing football with Tom. Then after a shot of confused stares, it fades to black.moreless

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    1 0

  • Another Great Claire Centric episode!!!

    8.2
    "Great"
    By Dante_Edy, Dec 03, 2010 Report Abuse
    Objective - One more Claire Flashback completed, Claire knowing about Charlie condition and Sayid ,Locke and Kate find the Others place and even Jack.

    Flashbacks - Claire Flashbacks began well and the situation became more complicated when someone paid the hospital bills. This person is a well Know character to the Lost fans, which was predictable, but was a great surprise for other people. The story development is nothing top level, but manages to be good and the ending, like the last flashback is very emotional and sad.

    Claire/Charlie Event on The Island - This one was good two. The beginning was nice, but the speculation arises when Claire affirm that they have a way out of this Island, but this means trouble for Charlie and Desmond continue to predict his dead and his willing to continue to risk his life to save Charlie. The conflict build was nice and can make you feel sorry for Charlie. Maybe the climax of the situation was when Claire ask for the truth. Then, the ending was beautiful.

    Locke, Sayid Kate and The French Woman - The beginning was filled with interesting conversations, as usual, when Mikhail open is mouth, is always the part the make you pay full attention, even if your house is burning. The complication phase was interesting, since Locke appears to have his own plan with the Other and not rescuing Jack like Kate and Sayid want. The Climax of the situation was when our survivor tried to pass the Sonic Fence, nice tension there. The ending, well, simply superb and Lost Level.

    Overall:

    1 - Plot Holes: Gold. Didnt Notice and I dont Know too much about births.

    2 - Time and Scenes Management: Gold. you simple cant notice that scenes that are only there just to buy time.

    3 - Surprises/Twist/Shocks/Cliffhangers: Silver. You will know who is Claire Father is. The cliffhanger will be amazing.

    4 - Action: None. But is wasnt Necessary.

    5 - Funny: Nothing to Laugh here, only to smile.

    6 - Drama: Gold. Claire Flashbacks and her event in the Island have pure drama moments that are meant to make you feel sadness for sure.

    7 - Tension/Fear: Bronze. Maybe the Sonic Fence.

    8 - Excitement Level (curiosity/Mystery/Doubt/Revelations: Gold. You will want Claire to know about Charlie faith. You want to Know who her father is. You want to see how Lock and Co will find Jack. - - - 8,2

    This episode follow the last episode quality, focusing in 3 central scenes and making all them seem interesting. Revelations, Drama, nice moments and some tension, with a amazing, simple and intriguing cliffhanger at the end will make you love this episodemoreless

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    1 0

  • Claire has the best episodes

    10
    "Perfect"
    By Blue_Blood, Dec 03, 2010 Report Abuse
    Par Avion is a truely great episode. Though I don't think it was as great as "Raised By Another" it had a certain emotional flare to it that Emily de Raven (Claire) is so good at delivering in the episodes she's in. Claire is a personal favorite character of mine and I was amazingly hyped up for a Claire epsidoe and was definately not disappointed. The big Christian-is-your-father reveal was shocking and nicely done. Finally we get a glimpse of Claire's life before she became pregnant. Episodes about Claire are scarse and before Par Avion there were only two. The first, "Raised By Another" was about the 8 months she was pregnant before coming to the island and the second "Maternity Leave" was a flashback about what happened to her when she was kidnapped by the Others. We finally get to see her for who she was before she was pregnant and we were not disappointed.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • Like many other episodes, this one begins with the close-up of an eye. This time, it was Claire's. The shot is held for longer than it has been in the past. Edit
    • It is unlikely that Carole Littleton would be forced to fund any medical expenses as a result of a car accident in Australia. The cost of any medical expenses would be borne by CTP, or Medicare. Naturally, any insurance company would seek to limit their exposure to cost, but Medicare is obliged to fund the life threatening medical care of a "public patient", and CTP covers the medical care of any vehicle accident victim. For Christian to fund this care, either Carole is not an australian citizen, or else the vehicle was not registered and this implies that Claire is facing criminal charges of driving an unlicensed and uninsured vehicle. Edit
    • The message Claire and Charlie attached to the gull reads: "To whom it may concern: We are survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. We have survived on this island for 80 days. We were six hours into the flight when the pilot said we were off course and turned back toward Fiji. We hit turbulence and crashed. We've been waiting here all this time, waiting for rescue that has not come. We do not know where we are. We only know you have not found us. We've done our best to live on this island. Some of us have come to accept we may never leave it. Not all of us have survived since the crash. But there is new life, too, and with it, there is hope. We are alive. Please don't give up on us." Edit

  • Notes

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  • Quotes

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    • Christian Shephard: Do not keep your mother alive for the wrong reasons. Now there is hope and there is guilt. And believe me I know the difference. Edit
    • Sayid: The more I learn about your people, the more I suspect you are not as omniscient as you have us believe. Don't speak to us as if you know us. Mikhail: Of course I don't know you, Sayid Jarrah; how could I? And you, Kate Austen, are a complete stranger to me. But you, John Locke, you I might have a fleeting memory of. But, I must be confused because the John Locke I know was para- (He is cut off by Rousseau) Edit
    • Charlie: Yeah, uh, how do you even know this stuff about birds, Claire? Claire: I, uh, I watched a lot of nature shows with my mum. Charlie: Doesn't exactly make you an expert. It's just, I don't want to see you wasting your time, that's all. Claire: So, what happened to seizing the day? Charlie: Sorry. I don't see the point. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Star Wars: Episode VI: The Return Of The Jedi: After a long time fighting evil, Luke Skywalker & Princess Leia found out they were brother and sister. This was told by a dead elderly person (Obi-Wan/Ben Kenobi), who was like a paternal figure for Luke. The same with Jack & Christian, and Claire. Edit
    • Real World Location: Claire places Aaron on a Bondi Beach T-shirt to change his diaper. Bondi Beach is a popular beach location in Sydney, Australia. Edit
    • When addressing Claire, Sawyer begins to call her 'Barbie,' but stops himself midway through on account of his 'punishment' for losing ping-pong. 'Barbie' is a doll that has been produced by Mattel since 1959. Edit

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