Tricia Tanaka Is Dead
 | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (July 2007) |
| This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. (July 2007) |
| "Tricia Tanaka Is Dead" |
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"Tricia Tanaka Is Dead" is the tenth episode of the third season of Lost. It was aired on February 28, 2007, making it the 57th episode of the series. The episode was written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz and directed by Eric Laneuville. The character of Hugo "Hurley" Reyes was featured in the episode's flashbacks.[1]
Plot
Flash scenes
The show opens with a flashback: young Hurley joins his father, David Reyes, over an old car. He asks Hurley to start the car, even though there is no carburetor. When young Hurley states the obvious ("the car won't start without a carburetor"), David assures him good things happen when you believe they will, and that in this world you have to "make your own luck." Hurley's father tells Hurley he is leaving "for some work in Las Vegas" but will be "back before you know it." As David rides away, the mother is looking sadly out the window, Hurley is eating a "Glacier" chocolate bar, given to him by his father.[citation needed]
In other flashbacks, Hurley (now an adult) is on the news while Tricia Tanaka reports about his recent luck. They are outside of Mr. Cluck's chicken restaurant. Hurley's answers cut the interview short and Tricia and her camereaman enter the building. A meteor destroys it.
Hurley arrives home at his mansion and talks with his mother about the cursed numbers and the need to go to Australia. She tries to convince him the numbers are not cursed by showing him his father. Hurley is confused why his mother is accepting this well, his father thinks Hurley needs him back in his life. Hurley takes his father to the old car. Hurley's father bribes a tarot card reader into 'removing' the curse, but Hurley figures out the scheme.
Hurley packs for the trip to Australia. His father encourages Hurley that the trip is not needed, but promises him that he will be there when Hurley returns.
Hurley's van
On the island, Hurley speaks to Libby's grave about what happened to Jack, Kate, and Sawyer after they were taken by The Others. He confesses that he misses Libby, and that he was never afraid when with her. Later, Hurley learns that Charlie believes Desmond sees predictions of him, Charlie, dying. Hurley believes this and tells of the curse. Vincent the dog shows up with a human arm, leading Hurley to a Volkswagen camper van on its side underneath the foliage.
Roger Workman
Inside is a skeleton wearing a DHARMA Initiative jumpsuit sporting the name "Roger" on its chest and the Swan stations logo. On the beach, Hurley's requests for help are turned down. Jin, who did not understand, is roped into helping.
Hurley finds beer in the van and Sawyer outside. He learns Kate escaped but Jack is still prisoner. Hurley is very optimistic about the future and volunteers Sawyer to help him fix the van, mentioning the beer.
Meanwhile, Desmond refuses to tell Charlie when he, Charlie will die. Kate informs Sayid of all she knows about the Others and promises to get help in rescuing Jack, but will not say from whom.
Roger's Beer
Hurley, Jin and Sawyer succeed in uprighting the van. They open the door to reveal many pieces of paper, including some maps, and the beer. Hurley and Jin open the hood of the car to look. Hurley says it looks fine to him and goes to start the engine. He closes his eyes as he turns the ignition. Nothing happens. Even though Jin is sure the engine cannot be fixed, Hurley says it must be. Sawyer is on Jin's side and tells Hurley to leave Jin alone, earning a heated response from Hurley, who says that everyone needs a little hope.
Sawyer throws Hurley a beer. The can passes him and rolls down a hill, giving Hurley an idea. He goes to get Charlie from the beach, telling him to "stop moping". Hurley explains that he wants to do something dangerous with Charlie, that it will be dicing with death but that they need this victory. Charlie reluctantly returns to the van with Hurley, who jumps in and has the others push it to the beginning of the slope.
Victory or death
Sawyer argues that riding the van down the hill is suicide, but Hurley is determined to use the speed gained to start the engine. Charlie decides to ride in the passenger seat and the two of them get in the van. "Victory or death," Charlie says, as Hurley yells for Jin and Sawyer to push. The van begins to roll down the hill and gains speed. Hurley repeats to himself, "there's no curse, you make your own luck" before attempting to start the engine. It starts just in time and they drive around the meadow happily with the stereo on. Sawyer, Jin and Vincent all run down the hill and jump in the van to enjoy the ride.
Everyone except Hurley leaves the van behind and heads back to the beach. Jin gives Sun a flower; she kisses his cheek and hugs him. Charlie talks to Claire. Sawyer brings a case of beer back, looking for Kate, but she is not there. He sits down in his chair, and drinks a beer alone while watching the couples. Hurley, meanwhile, smiles in the van and continues to drive.
Rousseau returns
Elsewhere, Kate is on her way to speak with Rousseau. Locke and Sayid find her on her way, inquiring why she did not ask them for help. Kate answers that they are not motivated and do not know where to look. They tell her that they have the motivation, but until recently they did not know where to look. Locke then reveals he has a compass bearing derived from Eko's stick. A sudden gunshot signals that they are not alone: Rousseau is nearby. After shouting for everyone to hold their fire, Kate asks Rousseau for her help: she is going to go back to the Others' camp and needs Rousseau's help to find it. Rousseau is reluctant, seeing nothing in it for herself, and Kate answers by telling her her suspicions that Alex, who helped her escape from the other island, is Rousseau's daughter.
Miscellanea
| This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. (July 2007) |
Although credited, Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox), Ben Linus (Michael Emerson) and Juliet Burke (Elizabeth Mitchell) do not appear in this episode. Daniel Dae Kim's lack of screen-time (seven episodes) makes him the character with the longest absence while still residing on the beach. The only absence longer than Jin's was Michael's, with a total gap of eight episodes, but Michael was not still on the beach.
More is revealed about the van (including how it came to be where it was found) in the episode "The Man Behind the Curtain". The van also plays a significant part in the plot of the season three finale "Through the Looking Glass".
Tricia Tanaka is an Asian news reporter. In the animated series Family Guy, there is an Asian reporter with a with a very similar name.
Awards
Jorge Garcia submitted this episode for consideration on his behalf in the category of "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" at the 2007 Emmy Awards. [2]
References
- ^ ABC.com Official Lost Podcast
- ^ "2007 Emmys CONFIRMED Episode Submissions". The Envelope Forum, Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
