What 'Lost' mysteries would you like found?
Last time out, I looked at one of my burning B-level "Lost" mysteries: how did Ben Linus end up in Rousseau's net back in Season 2? It's a B-level mystery in my eyes because while it's a question I want resolved, I realize it's probably not a central focus of Season 6. It's hard to demand that the show answer that question instead of, say, the true nature of the Island. Well, it's actually quite easy to demand it, but it's not really fair.
But the discussion got me thinking about other B-level mysteries still floating in the enigmatic ether of the show's murky narration. I'm thinking these deserve some analysis as well here on the blog. It's all well and good to try to solve the nature of the smoke monster, but that's not only prime, Grade-A mystery, but it's also a little...obvious. I'm not advocating going to the extremes of obscurity when looking for alternate ambiguities. But going off the beaten path might be fun for me to write about and for you to consume with your eyeballs.
So I'm calling out for suggestions for B-level mysteries to analyze over the next few weeks. I want to know what lingering questions are in you brain that may not feature the top-shelf answers still waiting to be deployed, but will still fill in a lot of the gaps of the show as it heads towards the finish line. A few that pop into mind for me:
- The nature of the pallet drops
- Why Widmore himself didn't/couldn't go on the Kahana
- What happened to the real Henry Gale
- Who really ordered the Purge
I'm trying to avoid asking questions about The Others, because if you think about it, we truly honestly know extremely little about them. Trying to attack one aspect of their background inevitably leads to another muddled aspect which bleeds into another impenetrable puzzle. So maybe that's a week's worth of entries. (Say, next week's. For funsies.) So hit me with your B-level mysteries as well as your burning Others questions as well in the comments below, and I'll address your responses in the days to come!
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Why didn't Charlie and Desmond just cut the electrical cable on the beach with the axe instead of swimming down to the Looking Glass station ?
I suspect, Allan, for the same reason Charlie didn't close the water-tight door as he left rather than from inside (he clearly had enough time): he had been convinced by TMIB (via Desmond) that he "had to" drown.
(At least, I hope it was TMIB behind this... although all those who found Charlie's death moving might disagree.)
I know I have a whole bunch of B-level mysteries (it seems like every time I watch an ABC rerun I am reminded of several), but I can't seem to recall any right now. For some reason right now all I can think about is the question that has plagued me ever since I saw "The Bounty" in a theatre (anamorphic print no less!) so many years ago... did Fletcher Christian ever make it off that island and (under a different identity) back to civilization or not?
I have many but will try to keep it brief....I too would like to understand how and why the pallet drops work. Especially if they can't find the island but somehow can deliver food there. Well here is my list and I know I am forgetting some:
1 Why didn't the Others know or bother with Desmond in the Swan.
2 Why is it that Ben can't kill Widmore when he greets him in his bedroom.
3 What exactly are the "rules" that Ben talks about that Widmore broke or changed.
4 The rules that appy to Ben not being able to kill Widmore...are these the same that apply to MIB not being able to kill Jacob.
5 What are these mysterious powers that Ellie seems to have like knowing what is going on and how she got inserted in Desmond's Flasback and told him to not buy the ring.
6 Who is Bad Christian.
how did Danielle not know about hatches?
it's bugged me for a while...and i don't buy the whole "she's just nuts" argument or that the Others frightened her off.
How about, who was Sarah Shepard having an affair with? It consumed Jack, but she was adamant about not telling him. Jack even thought it might be his father, adding another layer of misunderstanding and bitterness to their relationship. Then later we see a pregnant Sarah at the hospital after Jack almost commits suicide....I just don't think TPTB would keep bringing her back if she wasn't important. Is it someone we know?
Also...how/why did Shannon see Walk in the jungle when he was supposedly with the Others?
Why was Richard dressed like a homeless guy when he meets Little Ben and tells him to "be very, very patient," but then in Season 5 we know that he's clean, has cut his hair and shaved, and is very acquainted with the Dharma Initiative around that same time since Ben is still Little Ben at that time?
Did Rousseau really never see any other people during her 16 years on the Island, except when Ben took Alex? It seems impossible. And about Ben getting caught in her net...I think he had every intention of getting caught to infiltrate their camp and learn for himself who was "special" or not. He probably had some idea since he knew Walt, but maybe Walt gave him so info on John and he wanted to check it out himself. Sorry this is so long! Love your blog and ideas!
Jacoby asked:
What are these mysterious powers that Ellie seems to have like knowing what is going on and how she got inserted in Desmond's Flashback and told him to not buy the ring.
Ellie knew everything in Daniel's journal from the day she gave it to him up to 2004 and then from 1974 to 1977. I suspect that Desmond going into the jewelry store was just one of many things in the journal since Desmond was Daniels constant. In 1977, after Ellie shot Daniel, she had a journal full of info on who will be where and when. But her Intel stops once flight 316 leaves. That is why she told Penny "For once I don't know what will happen next."
Now the journal made me think of another question.
Daniel is sitting in a Jeep with Miles at the Orchid reading his Journal. Chang pulls up in van. Daniel looks up and says "Right on time". So unless Daniel has lived through all of this before, how did Chang's time of arrival get into the journal?
1. what was up with the polar bears?
2. what ever happened to the hanso foundation and dharma initiative post-purge? (which ties into how did the food drops continue).
I want to know about all the "mirror" imagery and the scenes where something changes when viewed again. For instance the pictures on the wall when Miles goes up the stairs.
B-levels and a few C-levels for your consideration
How do the dots connect in Libby's timeline. The unavailability (or reluctance) of Cynthia to return for S6 says we won't get a 'Libby' flashback episode, but S5 found a way to answer most of our Danielle questions without Mira Furlan.
What really happened to Locke, Eko, & Charlie when the Swan imploded? Des's story has been mostly explained, but I want to know where the rest of them went.
Who are Adam & Eve?
Why does Kate always want to come along?
Richard says he has never seen Jacob bring someone back to life, but is that because he just hasn't seen it? It sure appears that Locke would've died upon impact from 8 stories up.
What do the rest of Jack's tattoo's mean?
Will we ever see the balcony collapse that Hugo keeps talking about?
Maybe more later...
And about the Others...
Does stabbing Jacob 'kill' Ben's final chance to be one of the good guys?
Where was Richard during the Jacob/MiB talk at the beginning of 'The Incident'? Maybe sweeping up in the tapestry room?
Is it just me, or should Richard have recognized who or what was posessing Locke after the Ajira 316 crash?
Did Radzinsky help to sell out the other DI members in order to secure regular pallet drops and a permanent place in the hatch that was his 'baby'?
The ratty clothes. Worn to fool outsiders, or the Smoke Monster?
There ya go...