The All Seeing Eye

It's only a matter of days now until Lost finds its way back onto our screens, and that means everyone's favorite time-traveler, Desmond David Hume, will be back for more neck-wrenching plot twists. How will Desmond and the group deal with Charlie's demise? Will those precognitive visions spell disaster or rescue for the castaways? HENRY IAN CUSICK talks exclusively about working in the water, Penny, and Charlie's final moments.

Words: Bryan Cairns

So far you've had more than your fair share of working in the water - you've been on a boat in the rain, dove into the sea to save Claire, and had to swim deep down to get to the Looking Glass station. Are you sick of getting wet yet?
No! Doing that water stuff has actually inspired me to take my scuba diving test. The show is going to arrange for me to be scuba certified. I realized I should do that now in case there is going to be more underwater stuff. I should get better at it, more comfortable with the water, and embrace it. I enjoy surfing and swimming so now I am working with this guy Victor for my scuba training.

When you swam downwards in the season three finale, was that all shot in a pool?
Actually, most of it was in the sea. That diving down was in the sea, but the coming up was in a set.

When Desmond, Hurley, Charlie, and Jin encounter Naomi and Mikhail, it is Desmond who takes charge and ultimately makes the decisions. Do you see him potentially emerging as a leader for season four?
That I don't know. There are a lot of strong characters, and at some stage all of them rise to the challenge. That was a point on the show where Desmond had a lot to lose, so he just rose to the challenge. There are a lot of heroes on this island.

Between all the premonitions, do you think Desmond ever questions his sanity?
I question Desmond's sanity! OK, it is television, but anyone having those premonitions or having been through what Desmond has - it's not that he's insane, but he's had a lot of time to think about his mental state. It's probably a little bit shaky, but then again, everyone in his position would be doubting their mental well being. Plus, on an island like this, emotions will always run high.

Some characters on the show have called Desmond a coward and have stated he is unworthy of Penny. Do you think the island brought out the best in him?
Possibly, or maybe he's trying to make up for his past. At the same time, although he has been called a coward, we still haven't found out why people call him that. He's been referred to as a coward a few times for things I would question whether they really are cowardice. Maybe this term isn't being applied in the right way. I am looking forward to seeing what makes people call him that, so far, it hasn't been justified yet. I hope that will be answered.

Let's talk about Charlie's fate. Did you have to wait for that script to confirm what was going to happen to him in the end?
I knew ahead of time. Dominic told me the day after he found out that he was definitely leaving.

Since it was basically you and Dominic in those last scenes, what was the atmosphere like on set?
Dominic was very focused on what he was doing. Usually, working with Dominic in the past, such as on Catch-22 with Jorge Garcia, and Daniel Dae Kim, they were very chatty. Dominic has this amazing ability to talk right up to, "Rolling, speed, and action!" He will be chatting with Jorge and Dan about where the best hamburger is, right until the call for action and then he goes straight into it. But for this scene, he was more focused. Then again, he didn't have anyone to talk about hamburgers with! I don't tend to chat very much on set; I like to stay quiet and focus.

What elements of the season finale really caught you off guard?
Naomi getting stabbed was a bit of a shocker - I am surprised that happened so quickly. I thought she was going to hang around and have more information to give. I went along with it all, and I really enjoyed the writing for Desmond and Charlie. I thought that was well done. I enjoyed the 'Hurley and his van' sequence too.

What about the famous flash-forward?
I never read it - you only read it if you were in the scene. I think it's a brilliant idea - Jack talking to Kate about having to go back o the island. Now there is an ending of the show in sight, hopefully fans will stay with us to see the final three seasons out. I have been receiving so many emails from people telling me how amazing they thought the flash-forward reveal was.

Season four is edging ever closer. Do you have any New Year's wishes for Desmond David Hume?
I have no idea where the writers are going next. Desmond was supposed to be a doctor, and in the army, and then things were revealed like him being a monk and be able to see the future. You just have no idea what's coming next. But whatever it is, it is usually better than what I can come up with! I have faith in the writers and I am just as curious as you are to know where it is going to go.

This article appears courtesy the official Lost Magazine. The official companion to TV's most compelling show, Lost Magazine brings you the latest interviews, theories, character diaries, and exclusive input directly from Co-Creator Damon Lindelof. Plus, receive a stunning poster of the Swan Hatch as used to build the set when subscribing online HERE