Stranger in a Strange Land (Lost)

"Stranger in a Strange Land (Lost)"

"Stranger in a Strange Land" is the ninth episode of the third season of Lost. It aired on February 21, 2007, making it the 56th episode of the series. The character of Jack was featured in the episode's flashbacks.

Summary

Sawyer and Kate are seen on Alex's canoe with an unconscious Karl, paddling away from the Hydra island. Kate suggests returning for Jack; however, Sawyer refuses. Tom handcuffs Jack and moves him out of his room. In the hallway, Tom and Jack pass a handcuffed Juliet and an older woman, whom Tom reveals to be the 'sheriff' named Isabel. Tom also informs Jack that Juliet is in trouble.

Kate and Sawyer land on the main island and question Karl about the Others. Karl reveals that the Others work on the Hydra island but live on the main island.

Jack is put into the bear cage (Sawyer's old cage.) Juliet, while being overseen by guards, is released from the main building and walks up to Jack's cage. She shows Jack a picture of Ben's back, which is infected, and asks Jack to help Ben. Jack refuses. After Juliet leaves, Isabel arrives at the cage and questions whether Jack knows what his tattoos mean.

Jack is brought into a room with Tom, Isabel and Juliet. Isabel asks Jack whether Juliet told Jack to kill Ben. Jack denies the accusation.

Back in his cage, Jack is visited by Cindy and the previously kidnapped members of the tail-section. Cindy tells Jack that they are going to watch something, and Jack angrily sends them away. One of the children seen walking away is carrying the teddy bear that was used as a trap in a previous season.

Meanwhile on the main island, Sawyer finds Karl crying in the jungle. Karl says that he is crying because he misses Alex. Sawyer asks Karl if he is in love, to which Karl affirms to be true. Sawyer tells him that love is worth the risks of getting caught by the Others and lets Karl go into the jungle on his own.

Alex notifies Jack that the other Others are planning to execute Juliet. Alex releases Jack from his cage and asks him why he saved Ben. Jack replies that he saved Ben because he said he would. Alex leads Jack to Ben in order for Ben to give the order to spare Juliet. Jack and Alex arrive at Ben, who is lying on a table. In exchange for Jack's promising to care for Ben, Ben writes a note to spare Juliet.

Alex leads Jack to Juliet's hearing, and Alex hands Isabel Ben's note. Later, Jack is back in his cage, and Juliet visits him. She shows him that the Others branded her back. Jack suggests that he and she should work together in order to make sure Ben keeps his word and lets them off the island.

The Others, along with Jack, get on a boat and begin to travel back to the main island.

In a series of flashbacks, the origins of Jack's tattoos are revealed. Jack received the tattoos in Phuket, Thailand from a woman named Achara whom Jack met on the beach. Achara has a gift in which she reveals the true personality of a person, which she then tattoos on them. Jack demanded a reading and the tattoo, even though he was an outsider. Her reading of Jack was that he was a leader, but that this made him lonely, the tattoo however reads: 'He walks amongst us but he is not one of us'

Trivia

• The phrase "Stranger in a Strange Land", is from the Biblical Book of Exodus.
• Stranger in a Strange Land is also the name of a book by Robert A. Heinlein as well as songs by U2, Iron Maiden, and Spock's Beard.
• Sawyer sings "Show Me The Way to Go Home" while in the boat. In the film Jaws, the main characters sing this song just before their boat is attacked by a shark.