The Long Con clearly demonstrates that the LOST writers had some excellent chemistry, cohesion, and planning abilities. This episode just doesn't work without the proper setups from The Hunting Party and Fire + Water.
Sawyer's cons in the flashbacks are pretty standard fare for television, even his long con on Cassidy. The brilliant scheme is the one that unfolds on the island, and the first time around I admit I fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
When you think about all the factors in play you really have to tip your hat to Leonard Dick and Steven Maeda. We knew of Ana Lucia's obsession with guns and plans to build an army. We knew of Charlie's embarrassing smackdown at the hands of Locke. The only wild card came in the first few minutes of The Long Con, when Jack decided to ransack Sawyer's tent for pain killers.
The way Sun, Kate, Jack, Ana Lucia, and Locke all get played is really sort of brilliant. I'm only surprised that Charlie himself wasn't duped in the process.
But there are some reality checks that I simply can't ignore. It's a bit of a stretch to think Charlie could've dragged Sun any sort of distance. She might not "weigh a hundred pounds soakin' wet" but Charlie ain't exactly Mr. Eko either. And we all know Sun loves to hit people.
Another problem is the suggestion that Locke would be so easily outsmarted by Sawyer in the Swan. It certainly wasn't a secret that Sawyer was a despicable human being, yet Locke's easily convinced that Sawyer's sole motivation is to "piss off Jack"? I have to ask then — as the audience, which version of Locke are we supposed to believe is the REAL one? The sage that took Boone under his wing and imparted all kinds of wisdom, or the gullible buffoon who delivers all the guns to Sawyer on a silver platter?
Those issues aside it was still a fun and well-crafted episode, one that makes me love to hate Sawyer.
Josh Holloway did just fine in his first centric of the season, throwing in his usual mixture of perpetual scowls and dimple-beaming smiles. But the guest star came awfully close to stealing the stage.
Kim Dickens makes her debut of Cassidy Phillips, and I'm completely biased when I say she's one of my absolute favorite recurring guest stars on the series. She's attractive but not cookie-cutter bombshell gorgeous. She's perceptive but not conveniently all-knowing. She's got a sweet side but she's a wildcat perfectly capable of going toe-to-toe with Sawyer. It doesn't surprise me in the least that they brought her back several times.
Kevin Dunn (Gordy) gets some bonus points for being sufficiently disgusting. I was genuinely rooting for Sawyer to clock him right there in the diner.
Deductions for the two dudes Sawyer conned at the gas station. Awful. Just awful. I should deduct points from the director for even letting that performance slide.
This was Roxann Dawson's sole directing effort on LOST. Since The Long Con is relatively heavy on dialogue and not sprawling journeys or action scenes, it ranks comparatively low on the difficulty meter.
Sun's abduction from the garden was executed nicely (the directing that is, I'm not rating Charlie's performance here), particularly with Vincent coming/going and the arrival of a rain storm beforehand.
Bonus points for the lighting and shadows during Charlie's meeting with Sawyer at the end.
I was a bit disappointed with Sawyer's "new sheriff in town" speech, not just in writing but in directing as well. The close-ups of his face were plentiful when I personally think there were plenty of opportunities for more captivating shots, angles which would establish his newfound dominance over the camp. As it stands, it plays more like Sawyer telling a story by the campfire.
As promised, deductions for allowing the horrible acting at the gas station. Ms. Dawson should have told the young men, "Try again, but with acting ability this time!"
The trade-off in an episode about cons is that they're built on the novelty of deception. Since it's pretty difficult to be deceived by a repeat viewing, longevity tends to plummet.
The good news is, I'm a big fan of Cassidy so I like to revisit her debut from time to time.
I'd say atmosphere and emotional impact are pretty much non-factors in The Long Con, although perhaps on first viewing one might be concerned about Sun's fate or think it's a sign of impending invasion from the Others.
Then again, if finding someone to be despicable counts as emotion, then I suppose I spoke too soon. This episode was definitely effective in making me despise Sawyer, and quite honestly I never quite got over it (nope, not even after his arc in Season 5).
