Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Flashbacks show Jack visiting Thailand and becoming involved with Achara, who claims that she can recognize people's true identities and mark them with tattoos. Jack follows her to her workplace and insists that she tattoo him despite her warnings. She describes him as a leader whose position makes him lonely and angry. The following morning, her brother and other local men beat Jack, inspect the new tattoo and order him to leave.
On the main island, Kate wants to turn back for Jack, but Sawyer refuses. Karl explains that the Others work on Hydra Island and live elsewhere. Missing Alex, he slips away from their camp. Sawyer finds him crying and encourages him to risk returning to the person he loves. At the Hydra, Jack is moved to the outdoor cage and learns that Juliet faces punishment for killing Pickett. He lies during Isabel's questioning to protect her.
Alex tells Jack that Juliet may be executed, prompting him to offer Ben continued medical care in exchange for intervening. Ben writes an order sparing Juliet, although she is branded as punishment instead. Jack later tells her that working together may force Ben to honor his promise to send them home. Cindy and the kidnapped children also appear among the Others, unsettling Jack. As the group leaves Hydra Island by boat, Isabel offers a translation of Jack's tattoo that he disputes.