I will confess, as rambling as I've been over the past few months here on the blog, it might pale in comparison to the verbiage I'll drop tonight. Because thanks to Zap2It reader Jeff, I've watched the 13th and final mobisode in the "Missing Pieces" series, and it's a doozy. I mean, a REAL DOOZY. It's as important as every mobisode featuring Arzt is unimportant.

Now, you might be thinking, "Well, Ryan, you've only reviewed eleven mobisodes so far...what happened to Number 12?" Well, Number 12 is actually the mobisode released by ABC this week, entitled "The Envelope." I'm going to skip major analysis of it, because 1) it's not nearly as interesting as mobisode 13, "So It Begins," and 2) it's not really a mobisode so much as a deleted scene from Season 3.

"The Envelope" takes place during the events seen in "A Tale of Two Cities," with Juliet crying and baking badly. Turns out she almost showed fellow book club member Amelia the x-rays revealing Ben's spinal tumor. She never does show Amelia the x-rays, but confides in her that they (The Others) may be in trouble. It's an interesting technique, showing that Juliet's willing to use Ben's mystique against him. It's the start down a path that leads to her asking Jack to kill Ben mid-surgery.

But while that's all well and good, I want to get to "So It Begins," a mobisode so vital, so important that I can't believe that ABC didn't bother to air this before the start of Season 4. It seems not only careless, but actually irresponsible to NOT show this as, essentially, the prologue to Act 4 of Lost. So I'm breaking my normal protocol and discussing a mobisode before ABC itself hosts it. I'm not doing this to be some blog maverick or upset the powers that be; in fact, I'm doing it because I love this mobisode so much that I want everyone to see it before Season 4 starts. Nuttin' but love for ya, Lost.

Just as "Through the Looking Glass" changed the way we as viewers understand Lost as a whole, "So It Begins" likewise shifts audience perspective in a radical manner. If it doesn't throw in as giant a loophole as "Looking Glass," it nevertheless suggests a very different framework from that we've previously conceived. No longer can there be any doubt that at least two people were on Oceanic 815 for a reason. While others on that flight may have also served a beneficial/important purpose, there's no longer any doubt that Jack Shepard and John Locke were brought to the Island.

Not exactly ground-breaking analysis, I get that. But what's so gosh darn intriguing now, at least as far as I'm concerned, is that two very different sides brought the the man of science and the man of faith to the Island. And the composition of these two groups is what I find so absolutely thrilling, so completely unexpected, and yet, in many ways, so very obvious.

But I've prattled on enough without actually dropping the clip on you. Here it is.

Now, let's state this fact up front: Christian Shepard is dead. He's very and extremely dead. The producers said so on the Season 3 Blu-Ray extra "Access: Granted." I'm taking their word on this, and not looking for any loophole. Dude's deader than Britney Spears' career. I'm subscribing to the "it's Smokey posing in Christian form" school of thought.

As to how Smokey could know so much about Jack, Vincent, and the Lostaways, I'd like to remind you of the flickering lights seen in "Left Behind," where Smokey seemed to essentially be taking Polaroids of Juliet Burke. Is it possible, just possible, that these Polaroids take photos not of one's physical self, but mental self? This could easily fit in with our ongoing discussions of Smokey as one-half of Jacob, split in the "incident" mentioned in the Swan orientation video.

And why does Juliet get her photos taken, when Kate does not? Because Kate's already had her mental Polaroid taken on the day she crashed, along with everyone else on Oceanic 815. Smokey's essentially bagged and tagged the Lostaways, many on Day One. (Smokey tagged Eko in Season 2: this explains all of Eko's memories reflected inside of the monster.) This explains why Smokey can manifest itself as representations of their individual psyches: it's already seen what makes them tick.

But if this is true, and it's Smokey who talks to Vincent and tells him to wake Jack up, this leads to the crux of the matter: why does Smokey feel Jack has work to do?

I won't pretend to know the end-game of either side, but much like the backgammon game featured in Season 1, there are two sides at war: one of light, and one of dark. And each side has pre-picked a champion for their team, if you will. Thing is, neither side bothered to tell their champions of their status. Just couldn't work that way: these heroes have been selected for their innate disposition and decision-making skills. To alert them to their role would be to undermine any "natural" response.

We've little to go on here, but I think this much is clear. There's a side that wants to protect the island, and there's a side that wants to control the Island. And Locke and Shepard are the members of Oceanic 815 who are unwittingly working for these higher powers. Everyone else, while important in one way or another, ultimately fall behind one of these two men.

The show may have given us a clue with the "man of science"/"man of faith" titles alluded to earlier. The Island would need a man of faith; those who want the Island under their control would seek a man of science. The Island wants someone to believe in something intangible; those who want the Island want someone immune to its allure. And given the events of Season 3, it looks like those who want to control the Island picked the better man. Jack's stubborn (some would say pig-headed) leadership enabled the freighter to ultimately make contact with him, and by extension, the Island.

In fact, it would be interesting to see if the "primary objective," mentioned in the Season 4 trailer by one of the Freighters, wasn't Jacob himself. Perhaps the removal of Jacob is the primary objective. I can't fathom how his elimination benefits the Freighters, but I'm fairly sure they didn't land on the Island to get their mitts on some Dharma canned yams.

It makes a bit of sense, really: Team Jacob, spearheaded by Locke, and Team Smokey, led by everyone's know-it-all doc, Jack. Jacob's very existence calls for a leap of faith, which makes him perfect for Locke. While Locke may not understand Jacob's existence, he does recognize the pressing need at hand to protect the Island. And then there's Jack, poor, deluded Jack, so sure he's doing the "right" thing when in fact he's playing into the powers that be, ready to snatch the Lostaways up (not unlike a certain smoke monster, mind you).

Again, I don't pretend to know WHY the monster wants Jack to lead Dharma 2 (with 89% more evil than the original recipe) to the Island, but it's hard for me to think it DOESN'T want Jack as its unwitting emissary. Jack's great tragedy is that he will only realize his part in the story when he's back in the real world. Then, and only then, will he truly realize what he's done, and for whom he has done it.

And then and there starts his true, final arc: his search for the Island, to go back, to fix the damage he's done. To change the end, he has to go back to the beginning. But for now, this Thursday, we'll have to content ourselves with Season 4's premiere episode, "The Beginning of the End."

Thoughts? Opinions? Insight? White tennis shoes? Cold mugs filled with frosty Dharma beer? Leave 'em below!

Ryan also posts every 108 minutes over at Boob Tube Dude.

Comments

I find it interesting that Christian seems tethered to the ground. As if perhaps he is an extention of smokey, taking shape of what it wants to. At the same time, we've seen other smokey's wandering around including Christian in Season 1. But nevertheless, I find his posture odd; kinda pressed against the foilage..am I nuts?

Marino | Jan 28, 2008 8:13:53 PM | #

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Whew - that last paragraph says it all.

I was thinking the same thing after I watched #13 - "why aren't they showing this more - this is way important." My friends all know I am obsessed with this show, and they come to me with questions because I read the blogs. Trying to explain things over and over in my words will in no way do this show the justice it deserves - (especially since I get it wrong half the time!) - but they still come to me with questions. ABC needs to attract THOSE people more.

This brings me to another point - you either understand LOST or you don't. Understanding and loving are not the same thing. My BFF (yes, I have one) and I used to talk LOST every Thursday morning last year while our babies were napping. I could not get it in her head, though, how the writers work. When Paulo and Nikki were buried alive, she said, "I can't wait to see what happens with them next week." I was like, "Are you kidding me? They're not going to be talked about next week. We'll be lucky if they even ever mention their names again!" She loves the show, but is frustrated with the pace and the gaping plots holes, while I live for them.

So ... is loving LOST the same as understanding LOST?

Rosemarie | Jan 28, 2008 8:20:46 PM | #

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Ryan-
I read this theory today (pretty long, but totally worth it, if not just to get to the link at the end to an essay by Damon Lindelof) and am very curious to hear your take on it. Thoughts?

http://mirrormattermoon.blogspot.com/

morgan | Jan 28, 2008 8:41:19 PM | #

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Ryan,

Great theory. I'm with you that its smokey. And did you notice at the 14-15 second mark there is a quick shot of some smoke? Could be the plane burning but I'm thinking it's either smokey or a nudge to us that smokey is about to appear.

Nate | Jan 29, 2008 6:20:37 AM | #

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Aww, thanks for the shout-out, Ryan :)

Jeff | Jan 29, 2008 6:26:06 AM | #

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FYI Smokey appears at exactly 16-seconds. Although the resolution leaves something to be desired. To answer the question of the white shoes. I think it's a subtle way of showing you that, yes, the character is dead. Lack of shoes has always been a sign of death throughout history and it's often been the story that funeral directors would remove the shoes from the departed as they were often not viewed during the funeral ceremonies. The custom is also based on the belief that the deceased will soon be entering a "holy place" and must have their shoes removed. Could it mean that Jack's dad was lacking shoes when the plane crashed and put on a pair of sneakers that was lying around? I don't know.

Brian of the North | Jan 29, 2008 7:15:13 AM | #

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My two cents: Doctors/Surgeons often wear white tennis shoes when their in the hospital. Don't you watch Scrubs, ER? LOL. May just be a simple acknowledgement that he is a doctor.

Marino | Jan 29, 2008 7:20:58 AM | #

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Brian O.N.-

but Christian is D-E-A-D. how do dead guys find sneakers and put them on? i think they point to something. maybe its not a major point, but its a point.

mri | Jan 29, 2008 7:22:33 AM | #

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Thanks for all the heads up re: Smokey's appearance. I thought I _heard_ it around that time, but turns out it was only Vincent panting. Needless to say, it wasn't my finest moment.

Re: mirrormoon theory. Not bad, though it's all a bit "Katamari Damarcy" for my tastes. Certainly possible, though, and is another way to explain the "vile vortices" aspect.

That being said, I'm more prone to think of Smokey and Jacob as two split halves. Just sits better in my brain than an underwater crane attacking Eko.

But hey, it's Lost. Lord knows there's room for more theories!

Ryan | Jan 29, 2008 7:22:36 AM | #

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Your theory on Smokey makes sense. That being said, I have a theory of my own.

Going back to your take on the Twin Paradox. This very well may be the reason why Ben does not want anyone leaving the Island. When Oceanic 815 went through a vortex to make it to the Island, it created a Doppelganger for each of the Lostaways. What if, in Christian's case, it made his Island-self alive? It fixed Locke's legs, and Rose's Cancer. What if it fixed Christian's deadness? However, he may be something in between life and death like Smokey or Jacob. The producers said he is dead, but they may just mean his real-world self.

Do I make any sense or am I off my rocker?

Shaggysteve | Jan 29, 2008 7:30:12 AM | #

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here's a great lecture that JJ Abrams did for TED Talks. he loves his magic box. no spoilers, just fun.

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/11555

mri | Jan 29, 2008 7:39:24 AM | #

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oh, and a great discussion on "mystery" in scripts, etc.

mri | Jan 29, 2008 7:44:06 AM | #

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MRI: I assume JJ consulted with Sarah McLachlan? 'Cuz she's pretty much the expert on building a mystery. (Thank you! I'm here all week! Try the veal!)

Ryan | Jan 29, 2008 9:46:32 AM | #

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mri-yes, the point i was making was that Christian is D-E-A-D. Smokey takes the image of the dead on the island. (ps mark my word, Walt is dead, drowned at sea) Remember he was soaking wet when he appeared to Shannon. I think Smokey took his image after finding him washed ashore. So anyway, Smokey finds Christian in the box (sans shoes) takes his image, grabs some shoes that are hanging in a tree, and puts 'em on for walking around.

Brian of the North | Jan 29, 2008 11:37:37 AM | #

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The biggest reason I hope he's dead is because otherwise the show has no stakes. If Charlie, Bea, Libby, or anyone else rises from the dead, then you've got a situation like on "Heroes" (where anyone can be revived by Claire's blood...horrible, horrible development.)

I don't WANT Christian to be dead, but his part in the show is far from over, which is the important think to realize. I'm willing to wager he's connected with Dharma2 in ways yet unexplained.

Ryan | Jan 29, 2008 1:36:12 PM | #

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ok, couple of things to respond to now:

BOTN - LIKE Walt being dead...interesting. well, i mean, don't like anyone being dead, but you know what i mean.

Shaggysteve- GET OUT OF MY BRAIN!!! had the same thoughts on the ailments of the Losties re: Rose's cancer, Locke's ability to walk, etc. would like to add Jin's lack of viable sperm to that list.

Ryan- that was a groaner. its a good thing i love your blog. :-) if Lost turns out to be a metaphor for the unopened box (i.e. JJ never opens the box for us) i might end up drooling in a corner somewhere.

mri | Jan 29, 2008 2:09:48 PM | #

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I have known (or least had an inkling) that Christian Shepard was important to the show/island since Season 1 when I started to notice that his is the voice of all of the "Previously on Lost..." narrations! Even though he may in fact be dead, he is pivotal character in the Lost saga somehow.

Rachel | Jan 30, 2008 10:12:54 AM | #

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Rachel- The "Previously on Lost" voice is actually Carlton Cuse's. He mentioned it in one of the podcasts/episode commentary's.

I loved this theory and this blog in general. Consider my mind blown!

Sean | Jan 30, 2008 3:12:11 PM | #

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No one has mentioned that when Locke was in the death pit about to kill himself in last season's finale, Walt also told him to get up because "he had work to do".

Mark | Jan 31, 2008 6:56:06 AM | #

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