Ep 19. Deus Ex Machina

In Lost season 1 episode 19, entitled "Deus Ex Machina," the focus shifts to John Locke, one of the central characters of the show. Throughout the season, Locke has been portrayed as a mysterious figure with a complex history. As the episode opens, we see Locke meeting with his estranged father, who he has been searching for his entire life. Their reunion is fraught with tension, as Locke tries to confront his father over the years of neglect and abuse he suffered as a child.

Meanwhile, the other survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 are dealing with their own problems as they try to survive on the island. But as the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Locke's story is the crucial one, as he begins to experience strange visions and dreams that seem to hold the key to his past and present.

The title of the episode, "Deus Ex Machina," is an ancient literary term that refers to a plot device in which an apparently unsolvable problem is suddenly resolved by the intervention of a supernatural or divine force. As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Locke is the titular "god from the machine," as he struggles to come to terms with his own identity and the forces that have shaped his life.

The episode is notable for its use of flashbacks to reveal more about Locke's past. We see him as a young boy coping with the trauma of his parent's divorce, and later as a man struggling with addiction and a sense of purposelessness. Throughout these flashbacks we see the seeds of Locke's obsession with the island and his unshakeable belief in its mystical power.

As the episode progresses, the tension builds towards a climax that is both shocking and emotionally resonant. The island's mysteries seem to coalesce around Locke, and we are left wondering how much of what we have seen is real, and how much is simply a product of his own tortured psyche.

"Deus Ex Machina" is a standout episode of Lost, masterfully weaving together themes of faith, identity, and destiny. It is a testament to the show's ability to tell complex and character-driven stories, and it leaves the viewer eagerly anticipating what will come next.