'Lost': Ten burning questions for the season finale
We're just a few days away from the Season 5 finale, entitled "The Incident." And with so many questions still up in the air, it's high time to get a few answers before heading into the long off-season. But what questions should get answered? We can't expect every burning "Lost" question to get answered; some will undoubtedly wait until the Island-centric Season 6 unfolds. But here are ten questions I think could get answered this Wednesday.
To whom do Ilana and Bram answer?
In a season in which many characters have been given short shrift, Ilana's Shadow Group nears the top of the shrift list. Inserted into the show halfway through the season, and only intermittently featured since, they represent a potential third, fourth, or even fifth party currently amidst the Lostaways seeking something on the Island. We haven't seen them on-Island since "Dead is Dead." It's high time to finally learn about them now.
What lies in the shadow of the statue?
The single coolest question of Season 5 has been completely ignored for the last two weeks. And it's driving me bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S. Hollback Girl Ilana posed this question to Lapidus, and Bram posed it to Miles before the latter boarded the Kahana. Does this riddle have a literal or metaphorical meaning, and how does it relate to their being aboard Ajira Airways 316?
What's in the box?
A dead body? A body frozen in carbonite, all Han Solo-esque? A remote denotation device for Jughead? Geiger equipment to locate/extract it? Keyboard Cat? This blogger wants to know. Whatever is inside will hopefully shed light on the first two questions posed, although knowing "Lost," it's only going to confuse things more.
Is whatever happened always what happened?
Since "Because You Left," the mantra "whatever happened, happened" has governed the potentially paradox-riddled world of time travel. Sayid shot Ben, but Ben always got healed thanks to Kate and Sawyer. But we're hitting a critical point in which we're about to get the ultimate test of this theory, as hydrogen bombs, unlimited sourced of energy, and doctors that suddenly found faith hurtle towards each other in the past. Remember: when Ajira 316 crash landed on Hydra Island, we heard The Numbers broadcasting. Those were not broadcasting back in Season 1. Which leads me to my next question...
Why were some Ajira Airways 316 passengers flashed back to 1977?
Jack thinks it's destiny. Kate thinks Jack's loco. I think it's Eloise using Faraday's journal as a subtle means of breaking the time loop once and for all. But why Jack, Kate, Hurley, and Sayid were pulled back into time while the rest of Ajira 316 stayed in the present has barely been addressed. It's about time we learn who or what was responsible, and if that entity did indeed manage to change the past.
Will the love quadrangle be squashed once and for all?
Between Jack calling the three years he's known Kate to be primarily composed of "misery," to a captured Kate being literally placed between Sawyer and Juliet in the Galaga sub, we've had an unfortunate return to the Season 3 quadrangle that just...won't...end. Since apparently nothing short of someone's death will cure this endless cycle, look for one or more of the participants to die in this season's finale. That's not a spoiler; that's just a wish to kill this quadrangle forever.
Will we see a payoff to Vincent's tattered leash?
Back in "The Little Prince," Locke and company come across the tattered remains of what looked like their old camp. The camp looks disheveled and ransacked, with Vincent's tattered leash in the sand. Also there? A few familiar outriggers, complete with Ajira Airways water bottles. Will we see Ilana and Co. shoot at Locke's outrigger? And will we see Vincent, Rose, and Bernard in some capacity in the season finale?
Is Locke really Locke?
The majority of people who read my recap of "Follow The Leader" agree that something is slightly off about Season 5 on-Island Locke. But how off is he? Is this transformation due to a sense of finally found purpose (as he suggests), or the insertion of something sinister into his soul?
Why can one only see Jacob on an invitation-only basis?
Going back even to Season 3, the rule has been in place: you don't proactively seek out Jacob; you let Jacob summon you. But we've never actually seen an instance in which Jacob has handed down word for a visit, nor how such a communication could even be distributed. I think Richard and Ben are terrified of Locke's insistence to see Jacob for different reasons. For Ben, it's a form of blasphemy; for Richard, it's a signal that whatever ruse he's pulled over The Others' eyes for decades/centuries/millennia is about to come to a crashing halt.
Who/what is Jacob?
This, to me, is the biggest question, one that's hung over the show's head for 3 seasons, and the one that potentially contextualizes the War of the Island in a way that sets the stage for Season 6. Considering this man is at the center of the "Lost" universe, we know essentially nothing about the man, the myth, the Luddite, the cancer healer, the cabin dweller, the heart breaker, dream maker, love taker, don't you mess around with Jacob. And while keeping him in the shadows this long makes sense, there's only one season to go. So it's high time to start putting some Jacob cards down on the table, Darlton.
OK, those are ten questions that could plausibly be answered in the season finale. What are the questions you want answered this week? Leave them below!
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"Remember: when Ajira 316 crash landed on Hydra Island, we heard The Numbers broadcasting. Those were not broadcasting back in Season 1. Which leads me to my next question..."
Well, actually Rousseau turned her signal off in the last episode of season 3, so one may think that the Numbers broadcast took over then. Seems reasonable.
My burning question is: Why does Richard pretend like he doesn't remember any of the 815ers besides from "seeing them die" in 1977. I mean wasn't he on the docks when they captured Kate Jack Sawyer and Hurley? And even if he wasnt on the docks (or on Hydra Island for that matter.. I can't remember if we ever saw him on that Island during the captured bit of Season 3) he DEFINITELY has to know about Sawyer because I mean he gave the file to Locke to enable the death of Anthony Cooper. So his response to Sun was a bit odd given that he should have known about ALL of the 815ers from 2004 not just the ones in 1977.
J: What I got out of that scene was that she turned off the signal to allow communication with the Kahana. It didn't get replaced by any other signal, otherwise it wouldn't have worked.
Maybe there's another tower transmitting on Hydra Island. Considering they were flying over the Hydra when they heard the numbers, it's conceivable the broadcast was localized to that area. And really, the idea of some kind of transmitter existing on Hydra Island makes sense, since the DI would need to maintain communication lines between the main Island and Hydra Island. How else would they arrange sub/boat ferrying between the two?
Those are all great questions for the finale, Ryan. I have a feeling every single question you asked will be at least addressed, if not flat out answered. Especially the one about Jacob. We've been faked out of truly meeting Jacob twice now. The first time was exciting enough because we learned he's not visible and you have to be very special to even hear him. The second time, though, was a complete letdown. So, I'm saying third time's a charm. Being this close to the end of the show, we've got to finally meet this man in full and understand why he's considered to be so remarkable and "magnificent".
Given the show's focus on the theme of redemption, just what are the characters motivations right now? They all seem particularly selfish going into the finale.
Jack's goal is the opposite of redemption. He only wants to hit the reset button on the last three years, which cuts against any notion of "lessons learned." Plus, he's blindly willing to commit suicide and kill countless others to do it. Count Sayid with him.
Locke only wants to kill Jacob. I have no idea why, but agree that he is exhibiting the characteristics of the doubting rationalist trying to kill God.
Sawyer and Juliet just want to leave and live their lives together wherever and whenever.
Kate originally wanted to find Claire to reunite her with the baybee, but she quickly abandoned that plan. Frankly, she's the most selfless character right now as she went back to the DI to try and stop Jack from killing everyone.
So, given that nothing advances in this show without personal redemption, I think the most important question going into the finale is how and what will change these characters motivations and bring them back together for the greater good?
I actually agree with J, I think that's a feasible explanation for hearing the #s.
Any other explanation would ***ume that Jack and Co. actually DID change things in 1977 - but since the beach camp is still on the island in 2007, it seems pretty clear to me that they didn't change anything, and whatever happened indeed happened.
"What I got out of that scene was that she turned off the signal to allow communication with the Kahana. It didn't get replaced by any other signal, otherwise it wouldn't have worked."
Yeah, it makes sense. So does the idea of a second radio tower on Hydra Island. I was just thinking of the default broadcast because we know the Numbers were being transmitted when Rousseau arrived (This Place is Death), and also when Hurley's "colleague" in the mental institution heard it over the radio. I really doubt the DI would have been transmitting on a frequency blocking every other communication, whereas Rousseau might have done it by accident.
My question concerns the Black Rock? What's its significance? Who was the First Mate? Some say Richard, some say Jacob or Hanso. I think its Desmond and hope this "incident" is the cause for it being on TI. Hope they tease us on this in the finale.
There was some speculation that it is Hurley's voice heard broadcasting the numbers when Ajira 316 crash landed. Therefore, it will be neat to see Hurely record that (if that's the case) and therefore will somewhat bring his character around full circle. Although, I know Hurley has a bigger purpose then just that. What that is we just don't know yet.
sorry for the typos guys: Hurley not Hurely...than not then