1.17 - ...In Translation

The raft Michael has been building is destroyed and Michael blames the destruction on Jin. Sun's secret is finally revealed.

I've been worried since I first met you that you might end up being a spinster.
Spending my Saturday nights alone at home, tying knots?
Perhaps with an overweight aunt. It's a very sad image.
Maybe we should get some rope, spend a Saturday night alone together and see what happens. --- Sayid, Shannon Rutherford

Everyone gets a new life on this island, Shannon. Maybe it's time you start yours. --- John Locke

Folks down on the beach might have been doctors and accountants a month ago, but it's Lord of the Flies time now. --- Sawyer

Didn't see that coming. --- Hugo "Hurley" Reyes

I like it here.
I like it here too. --- John Locke, Walter "Walt" Lloyd

(Note: All flashbacks are in subtitled Korean.)

On Lostaway beach, Jin stares out to sea.

Flashback: Jin is in the office of Mr. Paik; Sun's father. He has apparently just asked Mr. Paik permission to marry Sun. Paik asks Jin why he wants to marry his daughter and Jin says that he may be from a fishing village but he has ambitions; he plans to someday own his own restaurant and hotel. Paik asks Jin what his father thinks of the marriage and, after a brief pause, Jin says that his father is dead.

Paik asks Jin if he would be willing to work for him. Jin says yes. Paik then asks Jin why he should give his daughter to someone who gives up his own dreams so easily. Jin responds by saying that Sun is is dream. There is a pause, then Paik extends his hand to Jin.

Sun arrives on the beach, a blanket wrapped around her. She removes the blanket, revealing a bathing suit, and prepares to enter the water. Jin sees her and rushes to her, yelling that she needs to cover herself up. Sun and Jin begin to argue in Korean. Several others on the beach watch the argument; from their comments this is not the first time they have seen it.

Jin attempts to pull Sun away from the water and she falls. This is too much for Michael, who runs up and yells at Jin to leave Sun alone. Jin yells something back. The two appear to be about to get into a fight when Sun suddenly steps forward and slaps Michael hard across the face. Michael seems stunned. Sun stalks off, Jin following.

At the caves, Jin demands to know what is going on between Sun and Michael. Sun denies that anything is happening. Jin seems unconvinced.

Flashback: Sun is with a friend and is finishing changing clothes. Her friend asks if she is happy to be married. Sun asks if her friend is jealous.

Jin appears and asks if he can spend time with his wife. The friend jokingly reminds them that they have guests and leaves. Sun asks Jin to finish buttoning up her dress and Jin asks if he has to button it up.

Sun asks when they will have their honeymoon and Jin says that he has to prove to her father that he is dedicated to his job first. Sun says she should be more important to him than his car company and Jin promises her that they will have their honeymoon someday. He takes a flower and places it in her hair.

Somewhat later, Sun approaches Michael. After checking that no one else is around, she apologizes for slapping him. Michael says that he got involved when he shouldn't have and so it was his fault. Sun continues to talk, insisting that she did it for Michael's protection and telling him that he doesn't know what Jin is capable of. Michael angrily tells her that Jin is her problem, not his.

Jin, meanwhile, is at the golf course hitting rocks. (Apparently they have lost all the golf balls.) Hurley appears and mentions that things got ugly at the beach and suggests that Jin do something to relax. He holds up two fishing poles. Jin looks at him then turns back to his golf. Hurley, somewhat annoyed, tells Jin that if he wants to be an outsider then he can be.

At the beach, Sayid and Shannon are working on the raft. Sayid wonders how Shannon learned to tie nautical knots and Shannon responds that she dated a lot of guys with boats.

Sayid comments that he is worried about Shannon, since she is spending so much time alone. Shannon seems amused. He continues, with mock seriousness, that he is afraid that she will wind up being a spinster and spending her Saturday nights alone with an aunt. Shannon suggestively says that he should spend a Saturday night with her, bring along some rope and see what happens.

Walt shows up and Michael excitedly tells him how much he will enjoy seeing New York. Walt seems less excited. Michael keeps talking about the architecture and buildings in New York but Walt seems uninterested and finally says he is going to play with Vincent

Jack approaches Michael and comments on how well the raft is coming along. Michael points out some things about the construction. Jack then says that there is talk among the others as to who will be going on the raft. Michael says that the raft will hold four people and that of course he and Walt will be on it. He says that there is space for one more person.

Jack asks who the third person is just as Sawyer appears and hands Michael a coil of cable. It is revealed that Sawyer has "bought" a spot on the raft by giving Michael some materials he needed.

Some time later, Kate is talking with Sun. She asks why Sun lets Jin treat her the way he does and Sun tries to explain that Jin wasn't always the way he is.

They are interrupted by several people running past. They follow and find the raft in flames. Michael and several others are desperately trying to put the fire out but they are unsuccessful.

Michael sees Sun, approaches her and demands to know where Jin is. Sun behaves as if she doesn't know what he is saying but Michael continues to insist that Jin must have been the one to burn the raft. Jack suggests that Michael is jumping to a conclusion but Sawyer and Charlie both remind him of the incident on the beach and say that Jin must be the one. Sun takes the opportunity to run away.

Sun finds Jin in the caves, looking for something to put on his burned hands. She is stunned and, saying she cannot believe he did it, asks why he burned Michael's raft. Jin just stares at her and repeats "Michael?".

Flashback: Jin rushes into Paik's office and starts profusely apologizing, saying that he knew some equipment was old and that he should have checked it more closely. Paik cuts him off, saying that he didn't call Jin there to punish him. Instead, he plans to promote him to be his personal assistant.

Jin is stunned and does not know that to say. Paik asks Jin if he knows Byung Han. Jin recognizes him as the Secretary for Environmental Safety. Paik tells Jin to go to Han's house and tell him "I am displeased."

Somewhat later, Jin knocks on the door of Han's home. Han leads him inside. Han's daughter is sitting on a sofa with a shar-pei puppy and watching television. (Note: The TV is showing a newscast; Hurley is recognizable on the screen.)

Jin tells Han that he works for Mr. Paik and is there to deliver a message. Han starts to panic and asks Jin "not in front of my daughter". Jin seems confused and says that Paik only wanted Jin to tell Han that "he is displeased".

Han relaxes immediately and almost falls over himself in relief. He takes the puppy from his daughter and gives it to Jin, telling him that it is a gift and thanking him repeatedly. Jin is very confused as to what is going on and protests but eventually takes the puppy and leaves.

On the beach, Sayid approaches Boone. He tells Boone that he and Shannon may be becoming more than just friends soon and he wanted Boone to know. Boone asks why Sayid is telling him this and Sayid says that he was telling Boone as a courtesy, not asking permission. Sayid says he hopes it won't be a problem and starts to leave.

Boone stops him and says that Shannon always became involved with older, rich men and that on the island Sayid probably counts. He says that Shannon will make him feel like the greatest guy in the world for as long as he keeps providing fish or whatever but that eventually she will move on. He says that when she does, for Sayid to "not take it personally".

Elsewhere, Jin is attempting to bathe his burned hands in some water. He is suddenly hit from behind by Sawyer, who tells him that he "messed up his ride".

Back at the beach, Sayid finds Shannon struggling to set up a tarp. She asks him to help and Sayid says that he is sure that she can take care of it on her own. Shannon senses something is wrong and asks what he means. Sayid says that he thinks she needs to find someone else to be her friend. Shannon gets angry and accuses Sayid of talking to Boone then stalks off.

Shannon finds Locke skinning a rat. She demands to know where Boone is. Locke claims that he hasn't seen Boone. Shannon tells Locke to tell Boone to stay out of her business and that if he has something to say to her, to say it to her face. Locke if he should be writing her message down.

Shannon starts to leave but Locke stops her. He asks Shannon if she likes Sayid. Shannon doesn't understand why he is asking but Locke continues by asking, if she does, what does Boone have to do with it? He says that all Shannon is doing by confronting Boone is giving Boone what he wants; her attention.

"Everyone gets a new life on this island, Shannon." he tells her. "Maybe it's time you start yours."

Elsewhere in the jungle, Sawyer is shoving Jin ahead of him. He asks Jin if he is scared, then says that he should be because "it's Lord of the Flies time."

Flashback: Sun, her hands covering his eyes, leads Jin to a table. She removes her hands, revealing to him a table covered with food. He is amazed and asks if she prepared all of it and she says that she wants to have a special dinner with him.

No sooner do they sit down then Jin's cell phone rings. Sun goes quiet as he looks at it then smiles as he turns it off and says that they won't be interrupted that evening. Sun smiles again and offers him some food. The house phone rings. Jin hesitates, then goes to answer the phone. Sun looks downcast.

Later, Jin is in Paik's office. Paik is berating Jin, saying that Jin couldn't deliver a message properly and now the factory has been shut down. Paik indicates a large man standing in the room and tells Jin to drive his "associate" to Byung Han's house so that he can show Jin "how to deliver a message".

In the car, Jin is watching in the mirror as the associate puts on a pair of gloves then starts attaching a silencer to a pistol The associate tells him to leave the engine running while he is inside then, when he returns, to drive the car to the river.

They arrive at Byung Han's house but, before the associate can exit, Jin leaps from the car and runs inside, where Han is having dinner with his family. Jin drags Han from his chair and brutally beats him. He savagely tells Han that the factory will open the next day. He then leans to Han and whispers "I just saved your life!"

Jin stands and sees the associate in the doorway, watching him. Jin exits, telling the associate "he got the message" as he does. The associate pauses for a moment, then exits as well.

Back home, Sun is sleeping on the couch with the dog when Jin enters the apartment and goes straight to the bathroom where he immediately starts washing his hands. Sun follows and finds him, his hands and shirt covered in blood.

Frightened, she asks if he is hurt. When he does not respond, she asks what he has been doing. He angrily says he has been working. A shocked look comes on her face and she asks what he does for her father. When he doesn't answer, she slaps him.

He turns to face her. "I do whatever your father tells me." he says, coldly. "I do it for us."

Frightened, Sun backs from the room and closes the door. Jin watches her go, then bends over the sink and breaks down into tears.

Sawyer shoves Jin onto the beach and everyone comes running. Michael starts yelling at Jin, demanding to know why he burned the raft. Jin says something in Korean, which only seems to make Michael angrier. Jack tries to get Michael to calm down but Michael points out that Jin's hands are burned. Sawyer and Sayid both tell Jack to stay out of it.

Michael punches Jin, knocking him to the ground. Jin gets up and again says something in Korean. Michael seems to think Jin is insulting him and starts beating him.

Suddenly, Sun screams, in English, for Michael to stop. She yells that Jin didn't burn the raft. Everyone on the beach stops, stunned, at the realization that Sun knows English.

Several people ask why Sun didn't tell anyone she knows English. Sawyer points out that from his reaction Jin didn't even know and says that, since she lied about that, how do they know she isn't lying now to protect Jin. Sun repeats that Jin didn't burn the raft.

Michael (and Sawyer) seem as if they are still ready to attack Jin again when Locke suddenly appears and yells that Jin didn't do it. Michael says that Jin has been out to get him since they arrived on the island. Locke says that there may be a personal issue between Michael and Jin but asks why Jin would destroy their one chance to get off the island. Locke points to the jungle and says that everyone knows they aren't alone on the island. He says that the others have attacked, kidnapped and murdered them in the past. He asks why everyone is blaming one of "us" when the real problem is "them". Locke walks off, seemingly disgusted.

On the beach, everyone looks at each other for a moment then slowly walk away. When only Jin and Sun are left, she approaches him but he turns his back on her without a word and walks off as well.

Michael returns to his raft, still angry, and says that there is nothing salvageable from the wreckage. Walt is there, looking scared. Michael finally sees him and apologizes for being so angry. Michael says it is just a setback and he will start again. Walt asks if he will build another raft and Michael says he will. Walt asks if he can help and Michael says of course he can.

At the caves, Sun finds Jin packing his belongings. She, more and more desperately, asks if he is leaving her to go to the beach, why he didn't just tell her he didn't burn the raft and why he won't talk to her. Jin says nothing and, taking his pack, starts to leave.

Sun suddenly screams, in English, that she almost left him. Jin stops and turns to face her. Continuing in English, she says that she was going to go away but then he made her feel that he still loved her. Switching back to Korean, she asks if they can just start over from the beginning. Jin stares at her.

Flashback: Jin, wearing a suit, arrives at a small dock. He walks down it to where a man is unloading fish from a small boat. He stands, watching until the man notices him. The man, surprised, calls him by name. Jin breaks down into tears, calls the man his father, and asks him to forgive him. He says he was ashamed of him. His father hugs him and says that it is all right.

Later, Jin is helping his father unload the fish. His father asks about Sun and Jin describes her as "beautiful, intelligent and hard-headed" before adding "We don't talk anymore." His father asks why they don't and Jin replies that he can't tell Sun the truth about her father. Jin says that in a good world, Sun would hate her father, not him. His father tells him that it is a good world. Jin says that his father doesn't know what he has done. His father says it doesn't matter; Jin is his son.

Jin says he wishes he and Sun could start over. His father asks why he can't and Jin says he has too many responsibilities. His father asks if they are more important than his wife. Jin says that he has to deliver watches to Mr. Paik's associates in Sydney and Los Angeles. His father says that he should let that be the last thing he does. Once he gets to America, he should start over again with Sun.

Jin looks up from his thoughts. "It's too late." he tells Sun. He leaves. Sun looks down and cries.

Elsewhere, Shannon walks up to Sayid and kisses him. Sayid, surprised, asks what the kiss was for. Shannon says that everyone gets a new life on the island and that she wants to start hers.

At the caves, Locke arrives to find Walt looking at the backgammon game. Locke comments that they haven't played lately and Walt says that he has been playing with Hurley, who now owes him $83,000. Locke says that he doesn't have that much money but he and Walt start playing.

Locke asks where Michael is and Walt says he is at the beach. Walt asks if Locke has a father and Locke points out that everyone has a father. Walt asks if Locke's father was "cool" and, after a pause, Locke says he wasn't. Locke says he wants to ask Walt something.

"Why did you burn the raft, Walt?"

Walt pauses and Locke tells him not to worry, he isn't going to tell anyone. Walt then says that he did it because he was tired of moving all the time. He has been moving his entire life but he likes it there on the island. Locke tells him that he likes it there too.

Michael is starting work on a new raft when, suddenly, Jin arrives carrying a bundle of bamboo. Michael looks at him in confusion but Jin turns to him and says "boat". Jin walks down to the beach and Michael follows.

At the beach, Hurley is wearing headphones and listening to his CD player. As he music plays, we see Shannon and Sayid are looking at each other affectionately and Charlie brings some water to Claire. Sun arrives, wrapped in a blanket. She drops the blanket, revealing she is wearing just her bathing suit. She wades into the water and laughs as it splashes around her feet.

The music abruptly cuts off. There is silence for a moment, then we see Hurley remove the headphones. Normal beach sounds return as Hurley taps on the CD player a few times before looking at it in frustration.

"Son of a bitch." he says.

The rivalry between Jin and Michael extends back to when Jin attacked Michael after thinking he had stolen one of Mr. Paik's watches in House of the Rising Sun.

Michael learned that Sun knew English in House of the Rising Sun. Kate also knew, having learned in Hearts and Minds.

When Jin is yelling at Michael in Korean, he is saying that he saw Walt start the fire and that he burned his hands trying to put it out. So Jin also knows that Walt started the fire. Sun probably knows as well, since she was there and heard what Jin was saying.