Lost Flashback: "Outlaws" Review

September 25, 2008 - "Outlaws" revolves around Sawyer's hunt for a boar through the jungle. On the surface, that doesn't sound like an exciting premise for one of the best shows on television. But, peel away the layers and what we have here is an intelligently written series of conversations that deal with revenge, murder and what really happens to a person when they take another human's life. It's a clever follow-up to Charlie shooting and killing Ethan last episode and it delves deeper into the psyche of some of the show's more intriguing characters.

This week's flashback focuses on Sawyer who is blinded by his quest for vengeance. The flashback opens with a horrifying scene depicting Sawyer's father killing his mother and then killing himself. This scene adequately sets the tone for the entire episode and doesn't pull any punches. We witness everything during this murder-suicide from a young James Ford's (Sawyer) point of view and feel the terrifying impact of both gunshots. For a character whose actions would make most of us despise him in real life, we are constantly given a great deal of reasons to sympathies with him.

After Sawyer is given a tip about the whereabouts of the "real" Sawyer, he heads off to Australia to confront and execute the monster that continues to haunt his dreams. When he finally comes face-to-face with his mark, Sawyer trembles and is unable to go through with the act. It's a wonderfully acted scene by Josh Holloway who really conveys that sense of fear and helplessness that he now feels when faced with the man he has been chasing all of his life.

Sawyer is unable to go through with the execution and later, in an unexpected twist; he encounters a drunk Christian Shephard. They share a few drinks and Christian conveys his regret for not calling his son back home and telling him how proud he is for turning him in during the meeting with the review board. Then he convinces Sawyer to complete the task he set out to do and not live with the same regret. Unfortunately, if Christian knew what Sawyer's plan was, he might rescind that suggestion. Sawyer once again finds Frank and fires a shot close to his heart, only to find out that he was being used as a pawn and that this man isn't the person who destroyed his family.

On the island, Sawyer also seeks revenge, but this time it is against a boar that appears to have a personal vendetta. It's a pretty lighthearted story that does a good job of maintaining some sense of comic relief in what is otherwise a very serious episode. Kate goes along with Sawyer on his Journey and they share a great scene together in which they play the game "I never…" Through this game, we learn that Kate was once married and that both of them have taken a man's life. It's an unusual similarity to bond over but these characters know that they are different from the rest of the group and have to stick together.

Sawyer eventually comes face to face with his prey and after starring the board down, he decides not to shoot it. The reason for his decision is something that we'll never really know but it is clear that it stems from the error he made when he shot and killed Frank back in Australia. It changed Sawyer's perception of revenge and what it means to take a life and now he doesn't take the act so lightly – an important lesson.

Charlie, fresh off the heels of carrying out his own revenge, must now live with taking Ethan's life. As much as he wants to act as if he isn't affected by the incident, it is obviously troubling him. Sayid shares his own act of vengeance with Charlie and simply relays the fact that he'll always have to live with what he has done. It's a pretty straightforward scene but does a good job of moving Charlie's character beyond what he has done. It's something that he will always have to live with but he now knows he is not alone.