I think I'd be pissed at anyone I found handing my 10 year old a big ass hunting knife when I wasn't around, but especially so in the circumstances Cindy set out.

Oh, totally, I agree. But Michael forbade him from hanging out with Locke just when they were playing backgammon.

And, yeah, I understand the whole, trying to bond with son thing, except, you know, he wasn't, really. Or at least, doing it well (see: golf tournament episode, when he didn't even let Walt take his turn) He leaves him with Sun and Claire and whatnot. I think it's more of a gut danger instinct that he can't ignore, but really can't back up. Which is parental perogative, I'd say.

The dynamic between them (Michael and Walt) is awesome and painful.

The dynamic between them (Michael and Walt) is awesome and painful.

Yes. I love it. And you're right, that he's trying to bond with his son but not doing a very good job. Unlike Brian, he does want to be a father; the problem is, he's never done it before. The last time he was a dad was when Walt was a baby, and the same techniques don't really work anymore.

The last time he was a dad was when Walt was a baby, and the same techniques don't really work anymore.

Exactly. I also think that he's trying to act as if the father-son bond that would have been there if he'd been a part of Walt's life was actually there.

The fact that he wanted to name the kid after his own dad suggests that Michael probably had a good relationship with his dad, and he's frustrated that he doesn't have that with Walt.

With this episode, Michael has become my favorite castaway.

Good catch on the earlier b-day discussion, Anne. I'd forgotten about that. So glad to finally get Michael's story, and part of Walt's; I wonder if we'll get a Walt's perspective ep? I mean, not necessarily of the same happenings. I had not guessed for a second that Walt's super powers were pre-Island. Curious.

Do we think Walt knows he's... special? My impression from everything up until the "You're not listening..." scene is that he's clueless. But I don't know.

he's trying to bond with his son but not doing a very good job.

It's not all Michael's fault, though, but trying to force someone to form a bond with you is a great way to repel the other person instead of bringing him/her closer.

Hauling people around on those narrow vines, Locke's hands should be cut to ribbons. Really.

It seemed that the amount of vines that Locke was holding was less than the amount of vines wrapped around Walt's waist.

What was Michael's answer in that earlier ep when challenged on not knowing Walt's birthday?

Y'know, Blood Meridian is one of my favorite books, but I think Locke's not malevalent enough to compare to The Judge, who was, after all, an authority figure from the start of the book (and in contrast, I'd say Locke's only an authority figure to Boone, maybe Charlie, and now Walt & Michael) and a completely amoral cold-hearted killer. Locke exhibits quite a bit more compassion and humanity. At least for now.

What was Michael's answer in that earlier ep when challenged on not knowing Walt's birthday?

August 24 (Episode - House of the Rising Sun)

He recited Walt's birth date without skipping a beat.

Then, he asked Walt if Walt knew his birthday.

I knew going in that Harold Perrineau had better acting chops than anyone on the show except maybe Terry O'Quinn, and it was so nice to see Fury make use of that to good effect. Everything just sort of clicked into place regarding Michael, and much of it was done without being overtly spoken. Here's hoping he starts getting credit in the media for the great job he's doing after this episode.

I was thinking last night of fun theme songs for the various characters, and came up with the following:

Jack — "Jumping Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones for all the cliff diving and jungle flailing and stripping.
Shannon — "The Bitch is Back" by Elton John. They should have played this over the closing credits of "Hearts and Minds."
Sun — "Silence Is Golden (But My Eyes still See)" by Frankie Valli.

Any suggestions for the other characters?