# Lost 1.17 "In Translation" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 23, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551 "2005-02-23T16:58:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/81 "2005-02-24T14:25:38Z")
> [@hypnotoad](#): > > The actor who plays Hurley was on an episode of ‘Curb your Enthusiasm’ (HBO) a few years back. I think the clip on tv is from that episode. > It was the show where Larry David buys pot for his father; Hurley was the dealer. Only, Hurley seemed aware of the camera, I think he waved at it and also looked right at it in both shots we saw. That suggests news or a reality show, not fictional TV. Apropos of nothing, I really liked Jin’s father, what little we saw of him. He has such a kind face! I hope we see more of him. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/82 "2005-02-24T14:31:54Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > … > And how did Locke know it was Walt and not The Others who burned the raft? Although Locke seems to be all-knowing or at least very perceptive I would say there’s no mystery on how he knew Walt did it. Jin saw Walt, chances are good that Locke did too, the difference is Locke didn’t bother to help put out the fire. I disagree with everyone’s insistence that the title is a nod to a mediocre movie from a couple years ago, the phrase “lost in translation” has been around for a very long time. It could be a nod and maybe some themes are similar but Ms. Coppola didn’t invent the phrase, so maybe they only wanted to use the phrase. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/83 "2005-02-24T14:33:16Z")
> [@Menocchio](#): > > But he didn’t. He knew Walt burned the raft, but said it was the _Others_. Did he though? He may have IMPLIED that it was “The Others”, but he never actually said it. Everything he said was perfectly true. Does anyone else think that Hurely is GAINING weight? It sure looked like it in this episode. Also, more “daddy issues”: Jin and Sun both have daddy issues, we learned. As does Locke. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/84 "2005-02-24T14:36:14Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > She said it in English, but I think this was a plot trick. She was still speaking in Korean, but since this was a major emotional point, they didn’t want to trust it to captioning. I’m sure she was speaking Korean the whole time, and TPTB decided to let us “understand” her Korean for those few lines. I completely disagree with this. She was speaking in English and it was for a specific reason. She knew that Jin did not speak or understand English and there were certain things she needed to say, but didn’t really feel that he should hear, or that she could tell him if she didn’t want him to leave her (like the fact that she was planning on running out on him). So she spoke her heart to him in English, and then switched back to Korean for the less intense stuff. ---
**Author:** ![ElectricZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58f4c7/32.png) [@ElectricZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElectricZ)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/85 "2005-02-24T14:38:16Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > And how did Locke know it was Walt and not The Others who burned the raft? I was wondering this, too… And it certainly doesn’t help get rid of Locke’s possibly ambiguous motivations, either. I figure one of two things. 1. He saw evidence of Walt before or just after the fire was set and didn’t realize it until after the fact. Walt walking around with a torch, hanging around the boat, etc. In this case, Locke’s covering for the kid simply because he likes him, sympathizes with him, or doesn’t want to see the castaways turn against him. 2. He actually SAW Walt start the fire. This is a tough one to explain away. A Locke who had the islander’s best interests at heart would show up out of nowhere, just like Locke always does, and stop Walt from torching the boat. Or more likely, he would have dropped some words of wisdom and let Walt decide for himself what path to take, just like he’s done with Charlie, Boone and now Shannon. But if Locke actually SAW Walt’s act of arson and didn’t stop him… Well that makes Locke swing back to the creepy/sinister side in my book. Another dark side of #2 is that he let Jin take the fall for it. He tried to intervene by casting suspicion on the “others” during the fight on the beach, but he could have put a stop to it. If #2 was true, he was willing to sacrifice Jin for Walt. In scenario 1, he just hadn’t figured it out yet… But in scenario 2 it’s back on the creepy side. Another great episode, though. I thought for sure Jin was going to take the opportunity to start fresh with Sun. But to have done so much for her, only to find out she was going to great lengths to run away from him… It would be hard for me not to be angry in the same circumstances. Admittedly, he kept his good deeds a secret and as a result gave Sun the impression he didn’t love her. There are definitely two sides to this story. I hope he cools off and they’re somehow able to reconcile. At the very least, I’m glad Jin’s got the opportunity to be part of the team… One other interesting thing: Sawyer gets something wrong again in this episode, acting before knowing the full story. Had he killed Jin and found out later he was the wrong guy… How much guilt can one man handle? EZ ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/86 "2005-02-24T14:44:41Z")
> [@Mauvaise](#): > > I completely disagree with this. She was speaking in English and it was for a specific reason. She knew that Jin did not speak or understand English and there were certain things she needed to say, but didn’t really feel that he should hear, or that she could tell him if she didn’t want him to leave her (like the fact that she was planning on running out on him). So she spoke her heart to him in English, and then switched back to Korean for the less intense stuff. I’m sitting on the fence on this one. It’s an easy device to use, _The Hunt For Red October_ used it quite well. But, Jin didn’t reply to her until she spoke in Korean again. Coin flip? I think we need a new Emmy catagory. Best Korean Subtitles And Stuff Left Out Of Them. That bit about Jin seeing Walt is huge, I think. The Island is gathering up those that are its own, lulling them into a false security. The violence hinted at in the preview for next week confirms this for me. That Island is one manipulative bitch! ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/87 "2005-02-24T14:47:37Z")
Hey! Maybe Locke understands Korean. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/88 "2005-02-24T14:47:52Z")
Also: Once again in this episode, Sawyer gives in to a need to seek revenge. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/89 "2005-02-24T15:03:47Z")
I loved the symbolism of Sun and the towel at the end…letting it fly away and standing alone (in a skimpy bikini!) **Kungfulola** nailed Jin’s motivation. He has more guts than anybody has been giving him credit for, and the acting is superb. I pointed out that Jin was Gavin to my wife, who had never connected the two before. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/90 "2005-02-24T15:09:38Z")
Well, dammit – I missed the whole episode. I had to pick my daughter up from church, for crying out loud (f_**ing Lent), and she was late and there was traffic and when I called my husband to tape it, he – of course – doesn’t know how to work the new machine, or where we keep the blank tapes (under the TV where I’ve kept them for the last 19 f**_ing _years_!). Dammit. How about a detailed synopsis somebody? ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/91 "2005-02-24T15:20:54Z")
Questions: Jin told his father that he was going to take watches to associates of his FIL in Sydney and another town (I forgot the name). Then why was Sun at the Sydney airport with him when she was trying to leave him? When he was in a different line with a flower trying to get her back? There are many Father/Child dynamics in the show: Jack, Kate,Sawyer, Jin and Sun, Walt, now we hear of Locke’s father not being cool. Bet Hurley’s back story is about his father?? ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/92 "2005-02-24T15:23:18Z")
I may have missed something. but Michael says the raft can hold four people. Michael, he’s building it. Walt, he would take his son along. Sawyer because he is helping. Who is the fourth? ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/93 "2005-02-24T15:26:57Z")
Shannon is the 4th (remeber, she was tieing bowlines) Brian ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/94 "2005-02-24T15:34:13Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Shannon is the 4th (remeber, she was tieing bowlines) > > Brian thanks ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/95 "2005-02-24T15:35:13Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Shannon is the 4th (remeber, she was tieing bowlines) I don’t think she had a spot. When Jack asked Michael who would be making the trip, Michael said he’d sold a spot to Sawyer, but there was still an opening. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/96 "2005-02-24T15:37:17Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Gotta say, though… ShakyCam was particularly irritating in this one. I’m not gonna stop watching, but I’m starting to consider Dramamine. Y’know? Yep. I’m trying desperately to escape into the plot of the show and suddenly **"HEY VIEWER! THIS ISN’T REAL! SEE?!?! THE CAMERAMAN IS THERE TOO! HE’S THE ONE SHAKING THE PICTURE!"** > [@Harborwolf](#): > > 2)The shaky cam stuff when Jin was getting hauled around. Not a lot of straight shots shown. Quite a few shoulders, chins, etc. It really brought things to Jins perspective. **Harborwolf** For the reason listed above I have to respectfully disagree. At least now I know that somebody appreciates the technique. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/97 "2005-02-24T15:39:51Z")
> [@eenerms](#): > > (I forgot the name). Los Angles > [@eenerms](#): > > Then why was Sun at the Sydney airport with him when she was trying to leave him? He was taking her with him. Unbeknowst to her, they were going to stay in America and start over. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/98 "2005-02-24T15:42:30Z")
> [@Mauvaise](#): > > I completely disagree with this. She was speaking in English and it was for a specific reason. She knew that Jin did not speak or understand English and there were certain things she needed to say, but didn’t really feel that he should hear, or that she could tell him if she didn’t want him to leave her (like the fact that she was planning on running out on him). So she spoke her heart to him in English, and then switched back to Korean for the less intense stuff. Then we’ll have to agree to disagree. Sun was frantically trying to save her marriage. Do you think she’s going to play language games with her husband as he’s packing up and walking away? She was doing everything but begging on her knees for him to stay. I stand by my earlier assessment of the scene. Sun was speaking Korean the whole time. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/99 "2005-02-24T16:14:30Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Then we’ll have to agree to disagree. Sun was frantically trying to save her marriage. It’s that very reason that I don’t believe she was speaking in Korean. I don’t think it’s particularly wise to try to save one’s marriage by telling the other person you were going to leave them. And Sun doesn’t strike me as a stupid person. It’s like writing a letter to someone you never intend them to see, just to get the stuff out there and said. I think that’s why she switched to English. If I’m wrong it’s not skin off my back, but I think it’s more poignant if I’m right. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551/100 "2005-02-24T16:15:12Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I stand by my earlier assessment of the scene. Sun was speaking Korean the whole time. I’m with **ivylass**. I think it was just so the viewers were sure to understand it. I recall thinking of it as “pulling a _Red October_.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-17-in-translation/291551.md?page=6)