Pop Culture Roundup March 2, 2007
Via Bedazzled: The Pretty Things perform on Swedish TV, plus Herb Alpert in Scopitone!
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The White Stripes' next album, Icky Thump, will be out later this year.
Tentative song titles include "I'm Slowly Turning Into You," "Catch Hell Blues," "Little Cream Soda" and "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do What You're Told)."
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The Kids WB! has a new animated Spider-Man series in the works for 2008. From the press release:
Tentatively titled “The Amazing Spider-Man,” the new series is being produced by Culver Entertainment. Greg Weisman (“Gargoyles”, “The Batman”) is supervising producer, Victor Cook (“Hellboy: Blood and Iron” and “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command”) is producer/supervising director. The series will premiere on Kids’ WB! on The CW, the No.1 rated Saturday morning kids broadcast slate.
Riding the crest of Sony’s anticipated summer blockbuster “Spider-Man 3,” the new animated series picks up the original web-slinger’s mythology at the beginning of his hero’s journey – as a not-so-typical 16-year-old entering his junior year of high school. Having spent the summer engaging common criminals with his new-found powers, Peter Parker must conceal his secret identity while engaging a new level of terror – the multi-leveled pressures of teenage life at home and school while combating bigger, badder super-villains in the real world.
“Our goal is to reinterpret these great characters and concepts for our millennium,” Weisman said. “We’ll have plenty of resonant material for the Spider-Man fan, while engaging the Spider-Man novice with the same thrills we experienced when we were first exposed to the character. Our stories will appeal on multiple levels with plenty of eye-candy, action, humor and colorful characters for the youngest demographic balanced with extensive character development for ‘tweens, teens and adults.”
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Dark Horse Comics has four art books planned for the coming year: "Art of Bone" featuring the work of cartoonist Jeff Smith (June); "Art of Grendel," tracking the 25 years of Matt Wagner's character (August); "Conan: The Phenomenon," including the paperback cover art paintings by Frank Frazetta and other works (September), and "Buffy: Panel to Panel," featuring works from Dark Horse's various "Buffy" series (October).
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Contrary to earlier reports, Galactus apparently is in the second Fantastic Four film, says director Tim Story.
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SciFi Wire has some details about the next season of "Heroes."
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Fantagraphics Books is having a tough time finding a good quality version of a 1965 Peanuts Sunday strip for use in its "Complete Peanuts" books. The original isn't in the Charles Schultz archives. Give 'em a holler if you happened to have clipped a color copy out of your local paper 40-odd years ago.
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Cool images from a 1976 Hasbro Toys catalog.
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The White Stripes' next album, Icky Thump, will be out later this year.
Tentative song titles include "I'm Slowly Turning Into You," "Catch Hell Blues," "Little Cream Soda" and "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do What You're Told)."
--------------------
The Kids WB! has a new animated Spider-Man series in the works for 2008. From the press release:
Tentatively titled “The Amazing Spider-Man,” the new series is being produced by Culver Entertainment. Greg Weisman (“Gargoyles”, “The Batman”) is supervising producer, Victor Cook (“Hellboy: Blood and Iron” and “Buzz Lightyear of Star Command”) is producer/supervising director. The series will premiere on Kids’ WB! on The CW, the No.1 rated Saturday morning kids broadcast slate.
Riding the crest of Sony’s anticipated summer blockbuster “Spider-Man 3,” the new animated series picks up the original web-slinger’s mythology at the beginning of his hero’s journey – as a not-so-typical 16-year-old entering his junior year of high school. Having spent the summer engaging common criminals with his new-found powers, Peter Parker must conceal his secret identity while engaging a new level of terror – the multi-leveled pressures of teenage life at home and school while combating bigger, badder super-villains in the real world.
“Our goal is to reinterpret these great characters and concepts for our millennium,” Weisman said. “We’ll have plenty of resonant material for the Spider-Man fan, while engaging the Spider-Man novice with the same thrills we experienced when we were first exposed to the character. Our stories will appeal on multiple levels with plenty of eye-candy, action, humor and colorful characters for the youngest demographic balanced with extensive character development for ‘tweens, teens and adults.”
--------------------
Dark Horse Comics has four art books planned for the coming year: "Art of Bone" featuring the work of cartoonist Jeff Smith (June); "Art of Grendel," tracking the 25 years of Matt Wagner's character (August); "Conan: The Phenomenon," including the paperback cover art paintings by Frank Frazetta and other works (September), and "Buffy: Panel to Panel," featuring works from Dark Horse's various "Buffy" series (October).
---------------------
Contrary to earlier reports, Galactus apparently is in the second Fantastic Four film, says director Tim Story.
---------------------
SciFi Wire has some details about the next season of "Heroes."
---------------------
Fantagraphics Books is having a tough time finding a good quality version of a 1965 Peanuts Sunday strip for use in its "Complete Peanuts" books. The original isn't in the Charles Schultz archives. Give 'em a holler if you happened to have clipped a color copy out of your local paper 40-odd years ago.
----------------------
Cool images from a 1976 Hasbro Toys catalog.
DVD: Peter Pan (Two-Disc Platinum Edition)
Out March 6. Press release info from Disney:
Peter Pan soars to new heights for the first time ever on 2- disc DVD in an all-new magical Platinum Edition. This classic film has undergone an extensive digital restoration and features a new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix.
Walt Disney's Peter Pan (Two-Disc Platinum Edition) 2-disc DVD is filled with high-flying bonus features for all ages including "Camp Never Land" - explore the world of Never Land with three all-new multi-level games, a never-before-seen alternate opening beginning in Never Land instead of the Darling's home, Deleted songs, "In Walt's Words" - A new discovery! Walt Disney reveals in his own words "Why I made Peter Pan", "You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan" an exciting journey to discover how the film was made, a sneak peek at the all-new Tinker Bell movie, and much more.
BONUS FEATURES
All-New Digital Restoration With Enhanced Picture and Sound
* Camp Never Land Games - Explore Never Land With All-New Multi-Level Games
* Alternate Opening "The Peter Pan That Almost Was" - Experience the story beginning in
Neverland
* Deleted Songs
* In Walt's Words - Why I Made Peter Pan - Details Walt Disney's thoughts and experiences
from the first time he saw Peter Pan and how he instantly connected with this magical story
* Sneak Peek At The Upcoming Tinker Bell Movie
* You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan
* Peter's Playful Prank DVD Story Book
* Magical Environment - Take Flight With Peter Pan Above the London Skyline in your own
home
* And Much More
Pre-order now for $17.99 from Amazon.
Peter Pan soars to new heights for the first time ever on 2- disc DVD in an all-new magical Platinum Edition. This classic film has undergone an extensive digital restoration and features a new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix.
Walt Disney's Peter Pan (Two-Disc Platinum Edition) 2-disc DVD is filled with high-flying bonus features for all ages including "Camp Never Land" - explore the world of Never Land with three all-new multi-level games, a never-before-seen alternate opening beginning in Never Land instead of the Darling's home, Deleted songs, "In Walt's Words" - A new discovery! Walt Disney reveals in his own words "Why I made Peter Pan", "You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan" an exciting journey to discover how the film was made, a sneak peek at the all-new Tinker Bell movie, and much more.
BONUS FEATURES
All-New Digital Restoration With Enhanced Picture and Sound
* Camp Never Land Games - Explore Never Land With All-New Multi-Level Games
* Alternate Opening "The Peter Pan That Almost Was" - Experience the story beginning in
Neverland
* Deleted Songs
* In Walt's Words - Why I Made Peter Pan - Details Walt Disney's thoughts and experiences
from the first time he saw Peter Pan and how he instantly connected with this magical story
* Sneak Peek At The Upcoming Tinker Bell Movie
* You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan
* Peter's Playful Prank DVD Story Book
* Magical Environment - Take Flight With Peter Pan Above the London Skyline in your own
home
* And Much More
Pre-order now for $17.99 from Amazon.
DVD: The Addams Family: Volume Two
Here's some press release info from MGM:
Finding new life on DVD March 27, 2007 from MGM Home Entertainment, The Addams Family: Volume Two delivers even more irreverently morbid antics from the family that turned the established formula for situational comedy on its ear and became a monster success during its 64-episode run. The Addams Family: Volume Two features even more ghoulish humor from the wickedly funny clan as they attempt to blend in with polite society... despite their own uniquely bizarre roots.
...The Addams Family: Volume Two DVD collection features the next 21 offbeat episodes from the classic series, as well as audio commentaries by Thing, Cousin Itt and "Addams" historian Steven Cox, Tombstone trivia and Guest Star Séances.
Disc 1 - Side A:
* "Thing Is Missing"
o Select scene commentary by Thing and Cousin Itt
* "Crisis In The Addams Family"
* "Lurch And His Harpsichord"
* "Morticia, The Breadwinner"
Disc 1 - Side B:
* "The Addams Family And The Spaceman"
* "My Son, The Chimp"
o Select scene commentary by Thing and Cousin Itt
* "Morticia's Favorite Charity"
* "Progress And The Addams Family"
Disc 2 - Side A:
* "Uncle Fester's Toupee"
* "Cousin Itt And The Vocational Counselor"
o Select scene commentary by Thing and Cousin Itt
* "Lurch, The Teenage Idol"
* "The Winning Of Morticia Addams"
Disc 2 - Side B:
* "My Fair Cousin Itt"
o Select scene commentary by Thing and Cousin Itt
* "Morticia's Romance" (Part I)
o Tombstone Trivia
* "Morticia's Romance" (Part II)
* "Morticia Meets Royalty"
o Commentary by Steven Cox, author of "The Addams Chronicles"
Disc 3 - Side A:
* "Gomez, The People's Choice"
* "Cousin Itt's Problem"
* "Halloween-Addams Style"
* "Morticia, The Writer"
Disc 3 - Side B:
* "Morticia, The Sculptress"
Special Features
* Mad About The Addams featurette
* Guest Star Séance with Parley Baer, Milton Frome, Vito Scotti, Elizabeth Fraser, Richard Deacon, Sig Ruman, Margaret Hamilton, Elvia Allman, Eddie Quillan and Peter Bonerz
Pre-order now for $19.99 from Amazon.
Finding new life on DVD March 27, 2007 from MGM Home Entertainment, The Addams Family: Volume Two delivers even more irreverently morbid antics from the family that turned the established formula for situational comedy on its ear and became a monster success during its 64-episode run. The Addams Family: Volume Two features even more ghoulish humor from the wickedly funny clan as they attempt to blend in with polite society... despite their own uniquely bizarre roots.
...The Addams Family: Volume Two DVD collection features the next 21 offbeat episodes from the classic series, as well as audio commentaries by Thing, Cousin Itt and "Addams" historian Steven Cox, Tombstone trivia and Guest Star Séances.
Disc 1 - Side A:
* "Thing Is Missing"
o Select scene commentary by Thing and Cousin Itt
* "Crisis In The Addams Family"
* "Lurch And His Harpsichord"
* "Morticia, The Breadwinner"
Disc 1 - Side B:
* "The Addams Family And The Spaceman"
* "My Son, The Chimp"
o Select scene commentary by Thing and Cousin Itt
* "Morticia's Favorite Charity"
* "Progress And The Addams Family"
Disc 2 - Side A:
* "Uncle Fester's Toupee"
* "Cousin Itt And The Vocational Counselor"
o Select scene commentary by Thing and Cousin Itt
* "Lurch, The Teenage Idol"
* "The Winning Of Morticia Addams"
Disc 2 - Side B:
* "My Fair Cousin Itt"
o Select scene commentary by Thing and Cousin Itt
* "Morticia's Romance" (Part I)
o Tombstone Trivia
* "Morticia's Romance" (Part II)
* "Morticia Meets Royalty"
o Commentary by Steven Cox, author of "The Addams Chronicles"
Disc 3 - Side A:
* "Gomez, The People's Choice"
* "Cousin Itt's Problem"
* "Halloween-Addams Style"
* "Morticia, The Writer"
Disc 3 - Side B:
* "Morticia, The Sculptress"
Special Features
* Mad About The Addams featurette
* Guest Star Séance with Parley Baer, Milton Frome, Vito Scotti, Elizabeth Fraser, Richard Deacon, Sig Ruman, Margaret Hamilton, Elvia Allman, Eddie Quillan and Peter Bonerz
Pre-order now for $19.99 from Amazon.
CD: Alfred Hitchcock Music to Get Murdered By
Here's a legit release of a fun novelty the made the sharity round a while back. It's basically a mood music spoof with some dry narration from Hitch. Don't know much about the Circus of Horrors sound track that makes of the twofer.
Out March 13, pre-order for $14.99 from Amazon.
Out March 13, pre-order for $14.99 from Amazon.
DVD: To Catch a Thief (Special Collector's Edition)
Due out May 8. Details:
Cary Grant is John "the Cat" Robie, a suave ex-burglar whose life of ease along the French Riviera is torn asunder when a new string of robberies are committed with his trademark style. Can Grant prove his innocence, or will beautiful heiress Grace Kelly lure him back into a life of crime, in Alfred Hitchcock's seductively stylish thriller? With John Williams, Brigitte Auber.
Specs:
* 106 min.
* Widescreen
* Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo Surround, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono
* Subtitles: English
* audio commentary
* featurette
* music video
* theatrical trailers
Pre-order now from Amazon for $11.19.
Cary Grant is John "the Cat" Robie, a suave ex-burglar whose life of ease along the French Riviera is torn asunder when a new string of robberies are committed with his trademark style. Can Grant prove his innocence, or will beautiful heiress Grace Kelly lure him back into a life of crime, in Alfred Hitchcock's seductively stylish thriller? With John Williams, Brigitte Auber.
Specs:
* 106 min.
* Widescreen
* Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo Surround, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono
* Subtitles: English
* audio commentary
* featurette
* music video
* theatrical trailers
Pre-order now from Amazon for $11.19.
DVD: Pirates of the Golden Age Movie Collection
Due out May 8. Details:
This quartet of spirited swashbucklers is sure to shiver your timbers.
First, Yvonne De Carlo stars as a popular entertainer who falls in love with a wealthy aristocrat (Philip Friend) who is actually a pirate out for revenge against the sinister shipping magnate who ruined his father, in "Buccaneer's Girl" (1950). With Robert Douglas, Elsa Lanchester.
Wrongly accused of piracy, a hapless shopworker (Donald O'Connor) actually joins a privateer crew and quickly earns a reputation as the most dangerous man on the high seas, in the comedic "Double Crossbones" (1951). Helena Carter co-stars.
Next, the action-packed "Yankee Buccaneer" (1952) finds the crew of a 19th-century U.S. Navy frigate disguising themselves as pirates in an effort to catch some real nautical ne'er-do-wells. Jeff Chandler, Scott Brady star.
And, with rapier in one hand and rope in the other, Errol Flynn swings into action as a British naval officer charged with stopping pirate Anthony Quinn, in "Against All Flags" (1952). Maureen O'Hara also stars.
Specs:
* 5 1/3 hrs. total on two discs.
* Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono
* Subtitles: English (SDH), French
* Theatrical trailers.
Pre-order for $20.19 from Amazon.
This quartet of spirited swashbucklers is sure to shiver your timbers.
First, Yvonne De Carlo stars as a popular entertainer who falls in love with a wealthy aristocrat (Philip Friend) who is actually a pirate out for revenge against the sinister shipping magnate who ruined his father, in "Buccaneer's Girl" (1950). With Robert Douglas, Elsa Lanchester.
Wrongly accused of piracy, a hapless shopworker (Donald O'Connor) actually joins a privateer crew and quickly earns a reputation as the most dangerous man on the high seas, in the comedic "Double Crossbones" (1951). Helena Carter co-stars.
Next, the action-packed "Yankee Buccaneer" (1952) finds the crew of a 19th-century U.S. Navy frigate disguising themselves as pirates in an effort to catch some real nautical ne'er-do-wells. Jeff Chandler, Scott Brady star.
And, with rapier in one hand and rope in the other, Errol Flynn swings into action as a British naval officer charged with stopping pirate Anthony Quinn, in "Against All Flags" (1952). Maureen O'Hara also stars.
Specs:
* 5 1/3 hrs. total on two discs.
* Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono
* Subtitles: English (SDH), French
* Theatrical trailers.
Pre-order for $20.19 from Amazon.
DVD: Daniel Boone season 3
No specs on this yet, other than it's out April 24.
According to IMDB, the show's third season aired in 1966-67 and includes 28 episodes. Guest stars include Slim Pickens, Peter Graves, Vic Tayback, Ricardo Montalban and Kurt Russell. There's a nice episode guide here.
Pre-order the set now for $37.49 from Amazon.
According to IMDB, the show's third season aired in 1966-67 and includes 28 episodes. Guest stars include Slim Pickens, Peter Graves, Vic Tayback, Ricardo Montalban and Kurt Russell. There's a nice episode guide here.
Pre-order the set now for $37.49 from Amazon.
Pop Culture Roundup March 1, 2007
Comics scribe Arnold Drake, co-creator of the Doom Patrol and others, is ailing.
Arnold Drake is in Cabrini Hospital in New York City with what his
daughter called "a touch of pneumonia." He was found collapsed, but
conscious on the floor of his apartment by a neighbor (thank you, Mr.
Hennessy). He is still in intensive care as of today (February 28).
Arnold has been writing comics since the late '40s. He's written humor and
adventure for all age groups from Batman to Jerry Lewis. He is the creator
of Stanley and His Monster, Deadman, Doom Patrol and Beast Boy. He also
wrote what is probably the first American graphic novel; "It Rhymes with
Lust" was published in 1950 with art by Matt Baker and is due to be
re-released by Dark Horse in a few weeks (March, 2007).
Send cards, letters and art to Arnold Drake, Cabrini Medical Center, 227 E.
19th St., New York, NY 10003.
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Newsarama interviews Gemstone Comics head Russ Cochran about his new line of EC Comics Archives.
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"The Cat in the Hat" is 50 years old. NPR has a story.
-------------------
On My Mind reviews the many looks of Supergirl.
--------------------
Via PCL LinkDump: The uncensored history of the blues.
Arnold Drake is in Cabrini Hospital in New York City with what his
daughter called "a touch of pneumonia." He was found collapsed, but
conscious on the floor of his apartment by a neighbor (thank you, Mr.
Hennessy). He is still in intensive care as of today (February 28).
Arnold has been writing comics since the late '40s. He's written humor and
adventure for all age groups from Batman to Jerry Lewis. He is the creator
of Stanley and His Monster, Deadman, Doom Patrol and Beast Boy. He also
wrote what is probably the first American graphic novel; "It Rhymes with
Lust" was published in 1950 with art by Matt Baker and is due to be
re-released by Dark Horse in a few weeks (March, 2007).
Send cards, letters and art to Arnold Drake, Cabrini Medical Center, 227 E.
19th St., New York, NY 10003.
------------------
Newsarama interviews Gemstone Comics head Russ Cochran about his new line of EC Comics Archives.
------------------
"The Cat in the Hat" is 50 years old. NPR has a story.
-------------------
On My Mind reviews the many looks of Supergirl.
--------------------
Via PCL LinkDump: The uncensored history of the blues.
Lost Clues: "Tricia Tanaka is Dead" Ep. 10, Season 3
Synopsis:
Hurley discovers a decrepit VW bus used by the Dharma Initiative (complete with dead driver inside) and recruits/demands Jin, Sawyer and Charlie to help him get it running again, insisting that the accomplishment will have postive ramifications for everyone--that doing so will somehow break the bad luck curse that's haunted him ever since he won the lotto back home.
In flashback, we see the young Hurley trying to get an old Camaro running again. His dad promises to help, but abandons the family before doing so. Also in flashback, we see Hurley's Mr. Cluck restaurant get obliterated by a meteor with TV news reporter Tricia Tanaka inside--hence the episode title.
Back in the present, Kate seeks Danielle the Frenchwoman's help in finding the Others' settlement.
Clues, observations, speculation:
* How did Roger the work man, driver of the VW, die?
* A map Sawyer spots shows the Dharmas were planning to build roads. Did they ever do it?
* Mmmm... Dharma Beer.
* The tune playing on young Hurley's stereo and on the VW stereo once it starts running is Three Dog Night's "Shambala."
Wash away my troubles, wash away my pain
With the rain in Shambala
Wash away my sorrow, wash away my shame
With the rain in Shambala
(chorus)
Ah, ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Everyone is helpful, everyone is kind
On the road to Shambala
Everyone is lucky, everyone is so kind
On the road to Shambala
(repeat chorus)
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala
I can tell my sister by the flowers in her eyes
On the road to Shambala
I can tell my brother by the flowers in his eyes
On the road to Shambala
(repeat chorus)
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala
* From Wikipedia: In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Shambhala (also spelled Shambala or Shamballa) is a mystical kingdom hidden somewhere beyond the snowpeaks of the Himalayas.
...Shambhala (Tib. bde 'byung) is a Sanskrit term meaning "place of peace/tranquility/happiness".
* Charlie is seen wearing a Bob Dylan "Highway 61" T-shirt. Here are the lyrics to Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited."
* Hurley is yet another character with father issues, ala Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Locke, Sun...
* Sawyer stepped on dart. What's all that about? Just an opportunity for Kate and him to make nice, or some deeper meaning?
Hurley discovers a decrepit VW bus used by the Dharma Initiative (complete with dead driver inside) and recruits/demands Jin, Sawyer and Charlie to help him get it running again, insisting that the accomplishment will have postive ramifications for everyone--that doing so will somehow break the bad luck curse that's haunted him ever since he won the lotto back home.
In flashback, we see the young Hurley trying to get an old Camaro running again. His dad promises to help, but abandons the family before doing so. Also in flashback, we see Hurley's Mr. Cluck restaurant get obliterated by a meteor with TV news reporter Tricia Tanaka inside--hence the episode title.
Back in the present, Kate seeks Danielle the Frenchwoman's help in finding the Others' settlement.
Clues, observations, speculation:
* How did Roger the work man, driver of the VW, die?
* A map Sawyer spots shows the Dharmas were planning to build roads. Did they ever do it?
* Mmmm... Dharma Beer.
* The tune playing on young Hurley's stereo and on the VW stereo once it starts running is Three Dog Night's "Shambala."
Wash away my troubles, wash away my pain
With the rain in Shambala
Wash away my sorrow, wash away my shame
With the rain in Shambala
(chorus)
Ah, ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Everyone is helpful, everyone is kind
On the road to Shambala
Everyone is lucky, everyone is so kind
On the road to Shambala
(repeat chorus)
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala
I can tell my sister by the flowers in her eyes
On the road to Shambala
I can tell my brother by the flowers in his eyes
On the road to Shambala
(repeat chorus)
How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala
* From Wikipedia: In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Shambhala (also spelled Shambala or Shamballa) is a mystical kingdom hidden somewhere beyond the snowpeaks of the Himalayas.
...Shambhala (Tib. bde 'byung) is a Sanskrit term meaning "place of peace/tranquility/happiness".
* Charlie is seen wearing a Bob Dylan "Highway 61" T-shirt. Here are the lyrics to Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited."
* Hurley is yet another character with father issues, ala Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Locke, Sun...
* Sawyer stepped on dart. What's all that about? Just an opportunity for Kate and him to make nice, or some deeper meaning?
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