The episode starts in Iraq, when Sayid is a child. His father tells his brother he must kill a chicken to become a man, but he is reluctant, so Sayid walks over, snaps a chicken’s neck, and gives it to his brother. His father is pleased with Sayid.

We already knew Sayid had been working for Ben during the time they were off the island. Ben had provided Sayid with a list of people who worked for Widmore and posed a threat to his “friends” from the island. This arrangement came to an abrupt halt when Sayid met with Ben after claiming another victim, and Ben (who was standing eerily in the shadows) told him the list was finished. Sayid, confused and somewhat rejected, argues with Ben. Years later, when Sayid is working with a Habit for Humanity type group in Santo Domingo, Ben finds him, and enlists his help again, this time noting there was a man that had been sitting outside the mental institution where Hurley had been staying. Sayid refuses this task, and Ben tells him he is a killer. Sayid tells Ben “You’re wrong about me.” Some time later Sayid is approached by a woman (who we already know as Ilana) in a bar, and he ends up going home with her. In the midst of their foreplay, she pulls a gun on him and takes him to the airport, where she insists on taking a specific flight to Guam, even though Sayid (who is trying very hard not to go back to the island) now sees the rest of the Oceanic six, and knows what will happen.

Juliet is distraught, leaving her bacon to burn. She asks Sawyer if they’re done “playing house”. Sawyer assures her that his life there is very important to him. Meanwhile Jack, Hurley, and Kate are having breakfast together, and Hurley (the chef) lets the cat out of the bag about Sawyer and Juliet. Kate is more than a little surprised, and asks Jack if he knew, to which he honestly(and a bit sheepishly) replies yes. Later, Juliet is showing Kate around the mechanics’ station. The two share an awkward moment and Juliet says she’s glad she found out because, “[she] didn’t know how to say it without telling [Kate] to stay away.” That night, Sawyer goes to visit Kate, in a bit of a frenzy after speaking with Sayid (more on that) and asks why she came back. She starts “I don’t know why the others came back but I…” and is interrupted by a VW bus on fire that runs into one of the houses.

Sayid is in the holding cell, being visited by young Ben with sandwiches. Ben, mistaking Sayid for a Hostile, tells him about how he was approached by Richard Alpert, and how he’d been patiently waiting, just as he’d been told. He tells Sayid, if he is willing to be patient too, he can help him. On one occasion, Ben’s father is cleaning the cell, wondering to Sayid about his true nature as a hostile. Ben arrives, terrified to see his father there. His father, angry that Ben has been bringing sandwiches to Sayid, throws him up against the cell bars. Sayid moves (in a manner I took to be, I will protect you from your evil father Ben) but Ben and his father leave.

Sayid has a bit of a rough episode. First Horace comes in, trying to get him to talk, but he refuses. Horace goes to Sawyer, tells him (a little suspiciaously) if Sayid doesn’t talk, they’re going to have to take him to Oldham. Sawyer visits Sayid, punches him, tells him he has to make it look like he beat a confesssion out of him, that he is a defector from the Hostiles, but Sayid won’t do it. Sayid, therefore, is brought to Oldham (“He’s Our You”), where he is fed a truth serum substance. Sayid answers all of their questions truthfull, about how he got there on a plane, and how he’d been a bad man. At one point he mentions Sawyer’s name, and his captors ask “Who is Sawyer?”, but dismiss it, as they do his other statements. Later, in the cell, Sawyer encourages Sayid to hit him, and take his keys, so that he can escape. Sayid refuses, telling Sawyer he now knows what his purpose is. This prompts Sawyer to leave, and visit Kate (aforementioned). Ben (presumably) sets up a diversion of a flaming bus, and helps Sayid escape, on the promise that Sayid will take him to the Hostiles. While running away in the woods, Jin (in a VW bus) comes upon Sayid, who has told Ben to hide in the bushes. Sayid punches Jin unconcious, and takes his gun. Ben begins to run, expecting Sayid to follow. Sayid says “You were right about me” and shoots Ben in the chest. Ben collapses, and Sayid runs off.

Written by Susan
Pictures courtesy of: Lost-Media.com