'Lost': Six degrees of separation

May 06, 05:09 PM

With the end of Season 4 of Lost rapidly approaching, we're on the verge of learning of this season's greatest mysteries: the origin of the Oceanic 6. But given how much future events have centered around this group, we know surprisingly little about them. We know their identities, we know their geographical locations, and we know they are all miserable enough to start their own LiveJournal pages. Other than that? Surprisingly little.

So, in anticipation of finally learning their beginnings, I'm going to throw out a series of possibilities that should all be proven completely false by the time the curtain falls on this excellent season of television. As always, I'm less a fan of coming up with one "right" theory, as it's a fool's errand I've run far too often during the course of this show's history. All I'm doing is taking the information available at the present time, free from any potential future spoilers, and teasing out a few potential ways in which the actions on the Island can ultimately link up with the events seen in flash forwards.

Option #1) The Oceanic 6 were formed before they left as a means to protect the Island.

Theory: The Oceanic 6 were a premeditated endeavor, with people selected with a specific purpose in mind to play a role in the outside world, with full knowledge and consent of all parties involved.

Pros: Given the show's propensity for list-making, is this too far a stretch? The most likely iteration of this option is Ben Linus constructing a six-pack of people in an attempt to counter Widmore's attack on the Island. It's more than likely that these six did not understand the roles to be played, but nevertheless went along with a plan that at the time seemed appealing. It's only later that they truly discover how wrong a choice they made in accepting this offer.

Cons: I'm trying to think of reasons that these people would agree to a plan in which only six people made it off the Island. Each one of them have at least one person they'd sooner die for rather than leave them behind by this point. Except Aaron, who's way selfish and stuff. Also? Agreeing to work with Ben doesn't make a whole lot of sense unless Ben does something between now and then that temporarily absolves his actions up until that point.

Option #2: "The Oceanic 6" is merely a media-driven construct having nothing to do with the Island nor the Widmore/Linus War.

Theory: The Oceanic 6 do not actually enjoy the attention nor the association with each other, and are merely victims of a media-saturated society seeking the next big story. Already reeling from the events that left only them freed from the Island, the world's eye is too much for them to bear, rendering them isolated, miserable, and guilt-ridden. Benjamin Linus is not involved with the group in any meaningful way, and only uses Sayid as his right-hand man for his own personal revenge.

Pros: The Oceanic 6 seem as separate off the Island as they currently do on the Island, with the various members scattered across the globe. We've yet to see these six in the same place at the same time, although undoubtedly we'll see some type of scene that either involves a press conference, a secret meeting, or even the "rescue" with all involved in the near future. Hurley's reaction of "Good" upon learning that no others flew to Korea to see Ji Yeon further implies a lack of love between the six survivors.

Cons: Does anything in this show happen without a good reason? A show that involves Benjamin Linus, Charles Widmore, the Hanso Foundation, and a secret island will NOT let the main plot of Season 4 be driven by a headline in US Weekly. While more than likely a popular moniker in the media, it's unlikely that this meme did not start without a nudge from a major party in the Lost universe.

Option #3) The Oceanic 6 were strategically deployed by Benjamin Linus, without their knowledge, in order to be his in-world army/force.

Theory: These six people were selected by Benjamin Linus in order to perform acts in the wake of Charles Widmore changing the rules. What Benjamin did not count on was the Island needing them to come back.

Pros: As stated before, it's unlikely anyone would willingly work for Ben before leaving the Island. However, Sayid's demeanor upon seeing him in Iraq at Nadia's funeral is not one of rage, but mere confusion. This indicates there's still some level of detente when the 6 leave between themselves and Ben. It's only later than Ben comes to collect his debts (via the Orchid, something he kept hidden from them) And the Island/Jacob starts to exert its will upon those that left. The same tension that exists on the Island continues off, leaving those six with no choice but return to the initial playing field for the final act.

Cons: It's still extremely unclear how any of the 6 could help Ben in any meaningful way other than Sayid, and he seems to start using Sayid as part of an improvisational plan rather than some carefully constructed scheme. We haven't seen anyone else talk to Ben, and it's fairly uncertain that anyone at this point besides Sayid even knows he's made it off the Island at all. Controlling actions on the island is one thing, but controlling them in the real world? Infinitely harder, especially if the majority of the Oceanic 6 don't understand the roles they are meant to play.

***

OK, those are just three of many possibilities, but I'm going to leave it at that for now. Should be plenty for you all to mentally munch on. So get munching!

Which theory seems most likely? What options did I miss? Were these six people chosen at random or as part of a master plan? Leave your thoughts and opinions below!

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

in ABC , Lost , Television

Permalink

Comments (85)

Comments

I'm going with option #2. I don't believe it was at all planned, just simply escaping due to circumstances out of their control. (Even though 'simple' is rarely heard when it comes to anything LOST.) I find it hard to believe that they would purposely leave anyone on the Island behind unless they had to. However, this does not explain the cover story. Someone must have told them to never mention the Island or their friends would die.

Perhaps there was a means to leave(an opening if you will), they were told this was their only chance, then they were warned never to look back.

Shaggysteve | May 6, 2008 5:57:07 PM | #

if it turned out #3 was correct, you'd have to assume Ben had roles for each of the O6, right?

Sun - her Dad is associated with Widmore, Ben makes sure Sun gets off the Island and now he has a chip to cash in with Paik Industries

Jack - if Ben knows about Christian popping up all over the place (and i'm assuming he does) and knows that Jack is related to Aaron, he's sent as Aaron's father figure

Kate - Claire is MIA, Kate steps in as mom. Ben grew up w/out one, he knows Aaron will be a better adjusted individual less likely to gas an entire population if he's got a mom.

Aaron - ain't that the $67,000 question...

Sayid - Ben's designated btrwrthr

Hurley - he's the designated mystic, Locke's not leaving the Island, so Hurley is the off-Island Locke. i think Ben knew that they would have to come back and Hurley's the key to finding the cabin off-Island. wow...THAT'S a stretch, i think i pulled something.

:-)

mri | May 6, 2008 6:26:01 PM | #

I'm gonna have to go with something similar to number 2: The concept of the O6 is something created by the media, but they had to get off the island at the same time, and either Ben or Widmore had something to do with it, because there's just no way they would get out using only their own resources.

Option 1 is a bit of a strech by itself, but combined with #2 may be possible. As far as option 3 goes, well, let's just say that in case I picked soldiers to fight my war, I wouldn't pick a drunk maniac, a preagnant woman a baby, a fugitive on the loose, and a crazy guy to fight it.

sin laden | May 6, 2008 8:13:21 PM | #

I think Ben's involvement in the Oceanic 6 is going to depend on whether or not he's the man in the coffin. The article didn't say the name Benjamin Linus (so far as I could tell, anyway), so if Jack knew immediately that it was him, he'd have to know that Ben escaped the Island after they all left.

Personally, I think the Oceanic 6 are going to leave by conventional means (as boring as that is), most likely the helicopter. Now, there may still be a secret Ben-controlled way some of them get off the Island (such as a plane using the Hydra runway), but I think the freighter, the helicopter, a life-raft or any combination of these will take at least Sun and Sayid, if not the others, off the Island.

Now, this leads to WHY these six people leave. I think they're all gonna leave for different reasons. Sun gets off because Jin and Charlotte made their deal, Aaron because he's the only baby (women and children first, y'all) and Hurley because he's Aaron's interim guardian with Claire missing. If anyone agrees to go as a means to protect the Island and those left behind, it will be self-sacrificing Jack, and Kate goes with because she loves him. Also, if Claire comes back and dies during the evacuation, she'll bestow Aaron onto Kate. Finally, Sayid will leave the Island because he's already on the freighter. Desmond, though, probably stays behind because he knows Penny is coming from him eventually. As for the actual name "Oceanic 6", that I think is a media invention.

Anyway, that's all the practical stuff. I'd love it if Jacob plays a big part in not just choosing the Oceanic 6 but also how they escape, but I don't think it's going to go down that way.

Other Sean | May 6, 2008 11:43:13 PM | #

I think they get off the island via a conventional way, as well. The media attention and their name (O6) virtually guarantee that they can't just appear in the Tunisa desert with Dharkas on. But, the WAY they get on that freighter could have some mystic stuff behind it, and I'd love for Jacob to be involved in that, too, Other Sean. If he is, then, Ben would start scheming a way to use them for his benefit.

Joe Cool | May 7, 2008 5:58:50 AM | #

Option #4: 6 are sent on a mission, by the Island, to retreive that which had been denied to the Island for so long. Something Benjamin had overlooked (for all his scheming). Something so blatantly obvious that Locke would completely overlook it. See, Aaron is the key and it will take Aaron growing up a little, in the outside world, to realize what it is that must be brought back to the Island. It's taking time, as the O-6 become impatient, but the Island can wait. You see, the Dharma brand products, being dropped to the island are getting a little old. Injecting a child into the outside world ensures that by being led by childrens cravings for pancakes, the O-6 will eventually, be stockpiling brand-name syrups for their trip back to the island. The adults just don't realize this yet and Aaron isn't old enough to vocalize it nor is Sun's baby. Sure, Jacks taken up to flying over the ocean over and over again. He'd find his "precious" if he'd pack a bottle of our favorite breakfast topping in his carry-on.

Brian of the North | May 7, 2008 6:00:12 AM | #

I don't think a life raft would work...remember the Dharma Shark is still out there.

Tim | May 7, 2008 9:01:18 AM | #

The only reason Option #4 to me is the gradual, creeping realization from Hurley and Jack that they made a horrible decision in leaving the island, with the Island itself doing its creeptastic rendition of "Come to Jamaica, mon!"

Aaron as a key to a major Lost secret, though, I totally buy.

Ryan | May 7, 2008 9:05:47 AM | #

Maybe Aaron is Claire's constant.

Tim | May 7, 2008 9:30:10 AM | #

We know the O6 will leave the island this season, but will they actually get back to the real world this season? The season finale may be a lot of people getting off the island. Then, at their next stop, only the 6 will be allowed to leave.

Also, do we think more than the O6 are back in the real world? We've seen that Michael and Walt can come back from the island without anyone noticing, so who knows who else is really back.

A-Rob | May 7, 2008 9:43:52 AM | #

I think that the way the 6 gets off will be thie will of the 6 and not that of Ben or Widmore. The reality of there "mission" or work to do and as to weither they should get off the island at all will not be revealed at the end of this season. We are just going to see them get off. How Ben uses that is a result of what he already knows from jumping thru time.

Victor | May 7, 2008 11:13:21 AM | #

Victor | May 7, 2008 11:13:24 AM | #

Based on Sayid's reaction to Ben in Iraq, the 6 must believe that Ben, in some way, is no longer the ultimate villian. I believe two things possible:

1. The rest of the remaining 815 survivors are alive on the island, in 2004/2005. The "Oceanic 6" have made a deal with the devil (fill in identity)to perform some task, even if it is only returning to discredit Widmore's attempt to stage the wreckage. Their performance of said task ensures the safety of those left behind. I simply don't believe that Jack would leave the island while members of his group remained unless he believed it was the most heroic and self-sacrificing action possible. He is simply to meglomaniacal to have departed the island without being the hero, his pathological need to be someone's hero (see his comments to Kate on this topic in last week's episode) ensures that he believes he is doing "a far, far better thing now than ever before.

2. I believe that there are people, perhaps flight survivors, who might have slipped off the island but escaped the media frenzy by assuming the identities of some of the crew of the freighter. I simply don't believe that Widmore recruited too many freighter crew members with families and ties to any sort of life because if he had to dispatch the crew, there would be too many questions. We know that several crew members are already dead via suicide, violence amongst themselves and time-slippage. We know there is more violence coming in future because the doctor washed ashore in last week's episode. Where you arrive and leave from the island appears to depend on your trajectory, so he is likely killed in future but floated into the past or "now" to the survivors. Members of the Oceanic flight could assume the roles of Regina, Minkowski, the doctor, etc. and rejoin the mainland without having to endure the media frenzy of the acknowledged survivors. I can see Juliet reappearing as Regina or Naomi, Desmond as mystery crew member who's brains decorate his stateroom wall, etc.

Another lingering thought - could Ben not kill Widmore because the island protects those for which it has a use or is Widmore Ben's constant? I can't help but wonder if, when Ben arose after muttering, "he changed the rules," if he didn't walk out of that house and into London at some point in time, returning via the same "Orchid" mechanism a few minutes later as perceived by Locke and company in the houss. Just a musing...

romana118 | May 7, 2008 12:42:06 PM | #

I will admit I like the notion that Ben went through the creepy door, over to the Orchid, and got spit out directly to the Sahara, returning at a time to be named later, but that's so out there that I can't muster up much analysis past a Beavis and/or Butthead-eqsue, "Heh heh, that'd be cool."

Ryan | May 7, 2008 1:27:42 PM | #

From what I was able to see in the coming attractions, Sayid gets back to the island somehow. Don't know about Des *sigh*.
Maybe Sayid came back on a raft and intends to shuttle as many people as possible back to the freighter that way. He can only take a cetain number of people at one time so, there go the first six (Jack, Hurley, Kate, Aaron and Sun along with Sayid). Something happens and they can't get back to the island to pick up any more survivors so, the rest are left waiting and, again, stranded.
I think Michael and Lapidus do something to the helicopter to prevent Keamy and mercs from going back and killing any more people so, they have no other means to go back and rescue anyone else.
The six who made the first of many anticipated trips off the island must now come up with a story that all will swear to and stick to or else risk the lives of those they left behind.
It just surprises me that so many years pass before any of them realizes that they have to go back. Do they think that the people they left behind are already dead? Do Jack and Hurley's visions convince them that the folks they thought were goners are still alive and in need of their help?

Chris | May 7, 2008 1:43:44 PM | #

It kind of seems that they are the only ones who managed to get the opportunity to leave and took it. Jack implied in the last episode that Sawyer had a chance to get, but "chose to stay." Some are off doing whatever, other don't want to leave. It could just be pure chance how it worked out.

Lauren B | May 7, 2008 2:10:30 PM | #

* SPOILER ALERT *

Ran across this sneak peek a few days ago, but didn't have a direct link at the time. It's quite an interesting scene from the freighter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLY0nUsX5V0&NR=1

Shaggysteve | May 7, 2008 3:20:21 PM | #

Early on I thought that the O6 were a team sent out to protect the Island from encroachment by Widmore, made up of members from the two factions Team Locke/Ben and Team Jack. Now, we have seen that those factions have split and recombined as a reaction to the Freighters actions, so now I lean toward a team that has certain skills to protect the Island (or initially, Ben's conception of how to protect the Island). Why these six?
First, Aaron is important, and short of capturing Ben, possession of Aaron by Widmore may be the next best thing in the Island's version of Capture The Flag. There must be a critical reason that he can not be safe on the Island, so the next best thing is hiding in plain sight as a well-known O6 celebrity. Aaron, of course, needs a guardian, with the disappearance of Claire, Sawyer asks Kate to take on that responsibility (as well as check on his own daughter's well-being, as he stays on the Island to find Claire or protect the remaining 815ers)
Jack goes because it fits his plan, he fully intends to lead a rescue of the survivors, but finds the Island is very hard to find.
Sun must get off due to her pregnancy, but the Paik connection is sweet also.
Sayid is fated to be Ben's and The Island's Hired Gun.
Hurley goes because Jacob tells him too. Perhaps Jacob gives him a list of the O6.
A common thread with the O6 (other than Aaron) is that all of them were far away from the hatch implosion (great discharge of electromagnetic energy). Hurley, Kate and Jack on the dock, Sayid and Sun on the boat, so leaving "The Island Bubble" would not be too debilitating. Of course, Aaron was on the beach with Charlie and Claire, but I suspect Claire is Aaron's Constant and Aarons value is that he has the power to home in on his Constant and will be the O6 member to lead them back to Island in time to tip the balance in the final battle between Team Widmore and Team Linus.....

Puff | May 7, 2008 5:52:09 PM | #

Puff-

Nice theory. You actually brought up a good point which I forgot about. The fact that 5 out the 6 O6 were no where near the beach when the hatch exploded. You would think this would somehow keep them immune to the 'sickness'. Therefore, they are the only ones who could actually 'escape' at this point of time.

Shaggysteve | May 7, 2008 6:04:45 PM | #

Are we assuming that the "there were 8 survivors but 2 died" story told by Jack is a lie? If not, and they were specifically chosen, wouldn't the 2 deaths affect the plan?

Shari | May 7, 2008 8:10:27 PM | #

I can't believe nobody hasn't mentioned the biggest controversy of the week: The May 1st Zap2it article "LOST Guy Becomes Jim Carrey's Lover" that refers to Rodrigo Santoro ("Paulo") as a former CO-STAR of LOST!!! That makes it sound like he was right on par with Charlie and Libby and other now-departed, but beloved, characters.

Shouldn't they have said something like "Santoro briefly played a character that was so despised by most of LOST's audience that not only was he killed by being buried alive, the creators had to issue an oath that he would never return (such as in a flashback) -- an oath that to many was reminescent of (and perhaps inspired by) Krusty the Clown's signed blood oath promising that Poochie the Dog would never return."

"concerned" | May 8, 2008 12:20:41 AM | #

Jeff: "concerned", thanks for the Boo-yah on my secret-room-summons-Smokie prediction :D Nice to have you back; it's been a while

sin laden: concerned - what a triumphant return, with some amazing comments.

Brian of the North: wow, dude (or dudette), you've really been paying attention!

Hey everybody! Wow! Thanks! (I was all set to do the Sally field bit but then I saw, upon getting caught up with the rest of last week's posts, that Ryan beat me to it.)

By the way, I am a dude (not a dudette). And, while I've never been married, based on how turned on I got by all of Kate's pantless scenes (especially the one where she jumps up and wraps herself around Jack), as straight as they come. (So if there are any LOST women out there who like older [forty-something], short, fat men, be sure to let me know.)

Speaking of Kate, even though overall I agree with Ryan and others that this episode didn't seem as good as last week's, I really enjoyed most of the Kate/Jack scenes as they reminded me of their initial romantic attraction early in the show, starting with when Kate sewed up Jack's wound shortly after the crash.

The romantic in me still hopes they work things out and get married. And now that James Sawyer Ford has revaled his latent heroic self it would be nice if he ended up with Claire. (I thought it was obvious things are heading in this direction; I'm surprised that some on this blog were taken aback when someone mentioned this possibility.)

I was absolutely blown away by JasonS's Star Wars analogy! Kudos Jason! Though, as Shaggysteve mentioned, we still have to figure out where Kate fits in. (And I guess Jason and I differ a little in that I see Linus -- not Christian -- as Darth Vader; though we both tend to see Widmore as The Emperor. And I agree with the rest of his "casting.")

Things that I noticed that others have mentioned as well:

1) How come Smokey didn't kill Keemy and everyone??? WTF???

2) Sawyer probably asked Kate to check on his former girlfriend and kid;

3) The whooshing sound has changed to make us think of the island scenes as flashbacks;

4) Kate's voice in the shower seemed dubbed (very hokey if true).

Things I wish I could say that I noticed but didn't (good work people!):

1) The SMOKE detector sounding shortly before Christian Shephard appears;

2) Juliet may have been shaving above the scar in order to remove an implant;

3) Beast's hypothesis that ben's shock at Alex's death may not have been that Charles WOULD kill Alex (via his flunky), but shock that she actually COULD be killed by the other team. As in, I wonder if if he actually expected that if Keamy DID shoot Alex, that she would remain physically unharmed, a la Michael trying to shoot himself. So by "changing the rules", maybe he didn't mean only that Widmore simply broke his word, but that he actually disabled the technological/temporal safeguards that prevented certain pre-agreed-to players from being killed. And Ben's realizing that Widmore had done this opened the door to his potentially being able to harm Penny. Does that make sense to anyone? 'Cause I think I hurt my brain...

I'm not sure, but I think you may be onto something here. I took it as simply a decision on Widmore's part, but perhaps you are right, perhaps he actually figured out how to overcome the island's safeguards. Very interesting...

Things others have said that I disagree with

Nothing worth mentioning as far as I can remember, but I am torn between BrianOTN's humorously phrased observations on how Jack shouldn't be so whiny and should appreciate what a wonderful life he has, and Patricia's view that he should be admired that he can't live with whatever happened.

So I guess for me this is the central drama of the show: wanting to find out what is eating Jack so much, hoping it is serious enough to justify his behaviour, yet hoping that he can eventually work things out so he and Kate can live "happily ever after". (As does, hopefully, Claire with a ressurected Charlie or reformed Sawyer.) For those of you who didn't see their comments:

BrianOTN: I think the Thai translation of Jack's tats is "He needs cheese to go along with his whine."

BrianOTN: Could the guy BE (please intone with Chandler-esque sarcasm) any more fragile from a psyche standpoint???? Seriously dude, let's check 'em off here: Hot fiancee, check. Cute kid, check. Successful career, check. Now granted, he's been through a lot, but you'd think, in the flash-forwards, his character would have developed a little more...er...character. As to why he attempts suicide? Who knows? He might have spilled some Red Bull on the Corinthian Leather(tm) in his car. Time to man-up, Jack-o and start discovering a little testicular fortitude. You had a future wife and nephew to take care of. Given your past, a couple apparations of your dead papa shouldn't necessarily send you over the edge.

Patricia: With regard to why can't Jack just be happy in the future with Kate, Aaron and his doctor practice, it's because he's living a complete lie, and he he can't do it. Hurley is miserable. So is Sayid. I don't think it's commendable to simply write off people you fought and survived with just so you can play house with Kate and Aaron. I think it shows tremendous empathy on Jack's part that he CAN'T just go on with his life and live this big lie. It also doesn't help that the island is haunting him. Seeing his dead father walking around isn't something that he can easily ignore.

Well, no missive of mine would be complete without identifying the name of a classic Star Trek episode, so let me say in closing that the name of the episode that Shaggysteve referred to (about a planet where the children were special/protected but once they went through puberty they died) was called Miri. Oh, and BrianOTN, you're right that the prime directive had to do with not interferiing with a society's evolution... which reminds me of the old joke ("we kid because we love" as Krusty would say) that virtually every episode of Star Trek was about seeing how Kirk would get away with violating the Prime Directive.

P.S. I'm not sure why I felt/feel the need to use a pseudonym -- maybe I'm worried somebody I know will see my postings and tell me (like Uncle Owen told Luke) that I can "waste time with my friiends when my chores are done". But a free-lancer's work is never done. In fact, that's why I've been AWOL so much lately, as I'm behind schedule on some deadlines. But I promise that someday before the end of the show I'll reveal my identity. (Especially if I ever have enough success in my writing that that reveal would actually mean something!)

P.P.S. By the way, thanks to whoever (the webmaster I would guess) who fixed the "technical malfunction" (a double post and related manglings) I had when posting the final of my huge missives last week.

"concerned" | May 8, 2008 3:20:54 AM | #

DISCLAIMER: HIGHLY TECHNICAL COMMENT

Brian of the North: Another completely whacky theory is that Ben's relocation is based on the "7 Days" scenario. Remember that series? Dude can travel back in time, but because of the Earths rotation, he ends up in a different physical location on the planets surface when he reappears seven days earlier. (i need some more Dew)

I don't remember ever hearing of that show, but this is exactly what has always bothered me about time travel. For instance, if you go back six months you'd actually need to go 186 million miles away (to the other side of the earth's orbit) just to stay on the planet (since the earth is about 93 million miles from the sun if I remember correctly).

Although if you went back in time a full year instead of six months then the earth would be back where you started so you wouldn't have to go anywhere.

But what about going back in time even a single day? I imagine it would mean you'd appear in space somewhere, no longer on the earth, right? Let's see, circumpheence is PI times diameter, so about 584 (3.14 times 186) million miles per year, or about 1.6 million miles a day! So travelling back (or forward) in time just one day would put you over six times farther than the moon (240,000 miles) is from earth!

And this is all just relative to the sun; I'm not even considering the solar system's movement relative to the rest of the galaxy, or the galaxy's movements outward from the center of the universe (where the big bang happened) toward infinity.

I think you can begin to see why time travel has never made much sense to me. (Though I'm sure there are theories out there that try to say that somehow travelling through time will also magically make you simultaneously travel through space precisely as needed.)

Anyway, regarding the other technical issue recently discussed, I'm glad that the "sandwich theory" provides the same results as sticking a rod through the center of the earth (for instance, the point opposite Tunisia is in the south pacific east of New Zealand, a possible location for the island). Sorry I previously misunderstood the nature of the sandwich.

"concerned" | May 8, 2008 4:02:26 AM | #

totally off topic, but I almost fell over when watching "Myth Busters" last night with dh -- has anyone seen the Geico commercial with Mrs. Butterworth doing the "interpretation" piece for the car accident victim? If it has already been mentioned, I sincerely apologize. I usually ignore commercials and this was the first time I had seen it. My husband could not understand why I suddenly turned the sound on and started laughing. He thinks I've lost it. ...and maybe I have! (13 hours, 57 minutes, not that I'm counting or anything)

djc | May 8, 2008 4:03:58 AM | #

"concerned"--again you've been paying attention. The show "Seven Days", addressed the time travel & physical relocation issue through a powerful computer program and an old school joystick mounted in the sphere that our hero would climb into before he "blasted off". I think the fact that I was the only one watching is why the show's not around any more. Later dude!

PS if anyone gets a chance, rent the move "Cabin Fever" and tell me if there aren't similarities with the protagonist and Jack. Also, tell me if you don't totally get grossed out. ;o)

Brian of the North | May 8, 2008 5:43:07 AM | #

Actually, now that I think about it (or aboot it for my Canook friends), the reason that I liked "Seven Days", was that it DID address the practicalities (or in-practicalities) of time travel. Not only did the protagonist end up in a different physical location, but he'd have to travel back to his headquarters and then convince the people around him of the impending disaster (depending on what week it was) and his "handler" was a hot fake Russian that he'd have to keep trying to get with over and over.

Brian of the North | May 8, 2008 6:02:31 AM | #

djc,

YES!!!! That commercial has been mentioned and it is hysterical from our POV, here on the Zap2It LOST blog!!!!!!!!
Geico has been totally btrwrthd!!!!! Beats cavemen.

Chris | May 8, 2008 6:26:24 AM | #

concerned-

hmmmm time travel and planetary movement. hadn't thought about it. but then, it makes me think about the first time i ever flew in a plane when i was about 5 and my dad (he's QUITE the jokester) told me to be careful because if i jumped up in the air on my way to the bathroom, the back of the plane would smack me in the face.

BOTN-

Cabin Fever totally grossed me out. particularly when she shaves her legs. gag...

mri | May 8, 2008 6:45:50 AM | #

"Cabin Fever" was an awful, awful movie with possibly the most out-of-nowhere, pointless scene I've ever witnessed; the infamous "Pancakes!" scene.

Now, Cabin Fever, the episode, while I won't get to see it for another 12 hours, I'm already predicting it's far better than the movie.

Jeff | May 8, 2008 7:04:38 AM | #

mri - LOL! Your Dad sounds like my dh ... I'm constantly having to remind my kids "Daddy is just teasing you." But I literally laughed out loud at your story about your Dad and the airplane "smack(ing you) in the face."

BOTN - I've actually seen some of the ep of "Seven Days," but only in syndication. It was interesting to see it mentioned.

I remember watching re-runs of "The Time Tunnel" with that trippy tunnel thing from the '60s. We've come a long way since the days when "you just had to forget the major lapses in logic and enjoy the ride." But, then again, I'm the type that takes all time travel stories with a few leaps in logic and tries to accept them as (mostly) enjoyable entertainment. LOST sets the bar very high in terms of tying together all the "logic leaps" ... we'll see how it all plays out with The Orchid, Ben and his Dharka in Tunisia (and elsewhere), etc.

djc | May 8, 2008 7:18:53 AM | #

Jeff--Why you gotta do me like dat?! I was hoping for a couple of reviews a week from now that included the "pancakes!" scene. Can't really tout "Cabin Fever" enough, but if you like your pancakes! with plenty of btrwrth, this movie is for you. Eli Roths first big movie. Let's not spoil the movie any more!

Brian of the North | May 8, 2008 8:00:49 AM | #

"concerned"-

Wow dude. You really do pay attention. Glad to have you around. Hope you'll stick with us.

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 8:28:38 AM | #

LOL, sorry BOTN, didn't mean to jump the gun ;)

Jeff | May 8, 2008 8:34:22 AM | #

I saw the Geico commercial on Tuesday during an unplanned internet outage. No WoW? Watch TV, right? I almost had to pick myself up off the floor. The only thing that could have made it better is if there had been a TV in the background playing an episode of Lost.

Someone needs to post a YouTube video of that commercial so all of us the the "Ryan McGee FanClub of Lost Geekdom" can have a good inside chuckle at the unwitting use of what has become our icon.

One thing I do want topoint out in regards to the theories of who got off the island, and how: Jack reminded Kate that Sawyer CHOSE to stay on the Island. Which, in my book, says that, at some point, an actual decision was made by those on the Island about who would actually be the ones to leave it. Why Claire wouldn't go with Aaron has sort of started to be addressed I think. So has why Jin wouldn't go with Sun. So, I think it's going to boil down to them leaving on the helicopter, and there being only enough room, weight allowance and gas for six people (or five people plus one 10 pound baby), and that's going to be how it happens.

I'll accept pre-pats on the back for how right I'm going to be. LOL

AdSlinger | May 8, 2008 9:34:49 AM | #

In my mind, after she giggles about the Geico logo going right across her body, she launches into a 14-person killing spree. That's probably just me, though.

Ryan | May 8, 2008 9:47:51 AM | #

I hope before the season ends, the Numbers come back. How I miss them, so :(

Jeff | May 8, 2008 9:59:00 AM | #

Here it is. The commercial of our affection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl71J2q1kCE

Enjoy

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 10:15:25 AM | #

Damn You Mrs. Butterworth!!! Stop taunting me!!!! (shakes his fist toward the sky) And dear little Geko, you've made my "list".

Brian of the North | May 8, 2008 10:52:21 AM | #

Adslinger makes a good point, if they do use a helicopter, Sayid's military experience may involve helicopter piloting. But I do not think that will be the case. The O6 cover story is 8 survived the crash and 6 lived to be rescued. I still think Ben puts them ashore on an island somewhere near the Sundra Trench and engineers a sighting of them that leads to rescue. This diverts attention away from the Island, and is consistant with the Public's knowledge of Flt 815. By the fact that the O6ers are maintaining the cover story, they are party to some sort of deal, which I believe is to protect the island. This also implies that Widmore's freighter play is defeated with the freighters all dead or held captive on the Island by Team Linus. This is why Abbadon wants to know if "they are still alive?" when he talks to Hurley.
Given the timeline, Hurley and Jack start to get the "Go back feelings" several years after rescue, so perhaps there is another threat to the Island (Widmore Strikes Back?) that will comprise S5 and the O6s eventual return to decide the ultimate fate of the Island (and Time and Space and Humanity) in S6.....

Puff | May 8, 2008 11:04:18 AM | #

Puff, you're making the assumption that the survivors will be found near the Sunda Trench. If the whole point of the O6 is a play by Ben to discredit Widmore planting the plane, why put them close to the fake wreckage?

I think it's more likely that they'll end up somewhere around Fiji.

Jeff | May 8, 2008 11:15:06 AM | #

Given that we've seen Widmore in his swank apartment, and not, you know, IN JAIL, I am going off the assumption that publicly descrediting Widmore did not happen as a result of the Oceanic 6's appearance.

But you're right, Jeff, that
"Eggtown" has the Oceanic 6 on an Island in the South Pacific.

Ryan | May 8, 2008 11:20:43 AM | #

I'm so WAAAAAALTing excited for tonight!!!!!!!! Just forward my mail to the cabin, thank you very much.

Chris | May 8, 2008 11:34:24 AM | #

Good point Ryan, touché. I guess we'll have to see what happens by season's end (if that will tell us anything).

Jeff | May 8, 2008 11:50:56 AM | #

Ryan, I'm laughing over your "Come to Jamaica, mon," but I think Bali Hai might be even better.

"Here am I, your special island. Come to me, come to me." heh heh heh

mri posited particular reasons for each of the Oceanic 6 to be off the island. (I like Hurley as most-reachable-by-the-island.) With ??? for Aaron.

Well, given that the most recent (until tonight) episode reached back to Season 1 for that "you're not meant to raise him" warning to Jack, I'm thinking we may be slowly coming back to Aaron is "special." No, not that way, but didn't the psychic tell Claire something like that?

meggins | May 8, 2008 12:08:05 PM | #

Point taken. Especially the Eggtown reference, but this point bugs me for if there are questions about the wreckage and the distance from where it was found and where the survivors are found, wouldn't that lead to questions concerning the island? Or at least raise eyebrows of those "in the know" concerning Dharma, Widmore or Mittelos? I hope all of that gets cleared up at some point.

Puff | May 8, 2008 12:53:58 PM | #

Well, you could argue that the mere fact that Jack mentions they were marooned on an island in the south Pacific (rather than the Indian Ocean) might raise suspicions about the particular island on which they were stranded.

Jeff | May 8, 2008 1:42:03 PM | #

The O6 have been told to tell a story about only 8 people surviving the crash, and six coming back to the real world. If all this is going on, why would their fake crash site matter? Jack could say they were in the South Pacific, but I don't think that has to tie in with anything island related. The interesting thing will be how the O6 are reintroduced to the real world. Who does the world think found them and brought them back? (And is this the same person that made up the survival story?)

Also, I'm waiting to here more of this story. Whoever thought of it knew Kate would need an "alibi" during her trial, hence her being the leader on the island. What other details do we still have to find out?

A-Rob | May 8, 2008 2:12:44 PM | #

* MILD SPOILER ALERT *

Jeff, you may be particularly interested in this(that is if don't know about it already).

Darlton did an awesome radio interview this morning and discussed a few upcoming things. Definitely worth a listen.

http://kroq.wmod.llnwd.net/a168/o1/kbaudio/lost_lindeloff_cuse.mp3

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 2:35:11 PM | #

If the "official" story of the O6 is that 8 survived the crash but only 6 make it home, then maybe 8 people were intended to escape but two of them died in the process (maybe Jin and Claire?)

Also, in terms of the "cover up," we may find Abaddon having a lot more influence on the fate of the O6 than either Ben or Charles. Remember when that creepy guy came to intimidate Hurley in the hospital when he was afraid Hurley might blow the whole cover in a crazy stupor?

I don't think we understand the full extent of Abaddon's power yet. It may be interesting to see how their story develops.

Ryan | May 8, 2008 4:25:16 PM | #

Shaggysteve, I listened to that interview! So stoked about what it means for season 5 (since I'm a huge DI geek).

Jeff | May 8, 2008 6:39:33 PM | #

Jeff-

Me too. I'm sure it will include all the mythology of the show that I love so much.

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 6:51:42 PM | #

Hey all-

Just came across this picture of Hurley standing in front of Ben's secret door. Very Cool.

http://bp3.blogger.com/_n3eH1jI8AZ8/SCNjXWpBVUI/AAAAAAAAEbE/NI1ZWubQd1c/s1600-h/jorge+at+ben%27s+door.jpg

| May 8, 2008 6:55:48 PM | #

That episode made my brain bleed! SO MUCH to digest!!!

Jeff | May 8, 2008 8:07:25 PM | #

Haha, same here Jeff. I don't even have anything to say.

A-Rob | May 8, 2008 8:10:54 PM | #

I know. There was so much set up for the finale. It's going to be awesome.

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 8:11:09 PM | #

That cabin scene alone was jaw-dropping. Is Claire dead?

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 8:15:37 PM | #

Man, I don't even know what to think. I want to stay up for the recap, but I might need til tomorrow to figure it out.

A-Rob | May 8, 2008 8:19:47 PM | #

Me too. I'll definitely be thinking about this in my sleep.

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 8:21:37 PM | #

Damn that was jaw-dropping and lots of WTF?-moments ... "we have to move the island" ... OMFG

Erwin | May 8, 2008 8:25:59 PM | #

I don't think Claire is dead.

Jeff | May 8, 2008 8:33:18 PM | #

Anyone else think the Orchid is where they can 'move' the Island?

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 8:34:08 PM | #

Claire is SO dead. Jeff, i'm betting you 2 bottles of the btrwrth...

my thoughts as i watched:

Those who dream are in communion with the Island .

I want Richard Alpert’s face cream.

Keemy = the head crazy navy diver from The Abyss

John rebelled against his calling: he knew the item that was his, and he knew he was supposed to be a scientist, he knows he should live in harmony with the Island and not in a Hatch or in Otherville.

Locke owes Abbadon? I love this show…

HE WANTS US TO MOVE THE FREAKIN’ ISLAND ??!!!

mri | May 8, 2008 8:36:37 PM | #

Is it just me, or was one of the craziest things that Locke drew a picture of Smokey?? And are we in store for a group flashforward next week?

A-Rob | May 8, 2008 8:38:52 PM | #

I think Claire is dead too ... Locke owes Abbadon ... Richard Alpert has been everywhere ... and then the doc's throat gets slit but we already knew that ... but seeing how it happened ... awesomeness ... and I love Keemy ... and this show ROCKS ...

Erwin | May 8, 2008 8:40:45 PM | #

I believe next week is multi-character centric. It should include plenty of WTF? moments

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 8:42:30 PM | #

Explain to me how she's been caring for her baby while she's dead and I'll explain why I think she's not.

Jeff | May 8, 2008 8:44:02 PM | #

i think that ghosts on the Island are corporeal enough to do a lot. things like, talk to Vincent, rock chairs, whisper in the jungle...and those recently dead can do more than those who've been dead a while.

mri | May 8, 2008 8:46:07 PM | #

oh and she's hanging out with Christian Shephard who is also very, very dead.

mri | May 8, 2008 8:46:56 PM | #

Do dead people have band aids (or should I say Dharma Aids) on their foreheads? And does anyone think Jack might be....... special?

A-Rob | May 8, 2008 8:47:18 PM | #

So if she's dead, where was her body?

Jeff | May 8, 2008 8:54:50 PM | #

her body is still in the rubble of the house.

mri | May 8, 2008 8:56:03 PM | #

Where is Christian's body?

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 8:56:11 PM | #

Shaggysteve-

good point.

mri | May 8, 2008 8:57:53 PM | #

Christian didn't pull an Obi Wan, though. He was dead, his coffin fell out of the plane, then it went missing. Did Claire's body just disappear?

Jeff | May 8, 2008 8:58:39 PM | #

but Christian is still dead. Claire's body is in the rubble of the RPG'd house.

mri | May 8, 2008 9:00:16 PM | #

Is Christian really dead, or did he just set this all up to get Jack to be on 815?

Plus, what's up with the captain working with Sayid and Des. Did I miss something?

A-Rob | May 8, 2008 9:02:14 PM | #

I think the captain's mission was to get people to the Island, not to kill anybody.

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 9:07:43 PM | #

What was up with the 'secondary protocol'? They knew what Ben's next move would be?

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 9:13:00 PM | #

The way they show apparitions on Lost is always very deliberate. They're always very quiet, very succinct, very mysterious and something about them always feels, well, "off". Plus, they inevitably vanish.

Claire, on the other hand is dazed, she's bleeding, she's picked up and carried around by Sawyer, she takes a nap (with Hurley in the room), she nurses Aaron, she sweats, she's scared of the smoke monster, she cries and gets emotional when she sees Danielle and Karl's bodies, she panics when she can't find Aaron.

All of those things seem uniquely human to me and unlike any apparition they've ever featured on the show.

Jeff | May 8, 2008 9:15:03 PM | #

Widmore must have been in control of the island before. He knew that if Ben knew the island was under attack, the only way he could stop it would be to go to the cabin.

I'm not buying Ben's whole it's Locke's turn to be in charge thing. Locke made Hurley believe it was his choice to stay with them. Now Ben is making Locke think it's his turn to take control.

A-Rob | May 8, 2008 9:17:59 PM | #

I'm not going to say she's dead or alive, but something is just different about Claire.

Shaggysteve | May 8, 2008 9:18:46 PM | #

Awesome episode! Are you sure this season is gonna end next week? I thought there were going to be 14 eps in total (three more).

Claire can't be dead, or I Aaron, being so special, would definitelly notice his mommy wasn't normal. And where the hell is good Christian?

How the hell are they MOVING THE ISLAND? Even if its in time, its a pretty insane idea. But after all this is Lost... If they could make smokey work, this is a piece of (pan)cake.

By the way, nice smokey drawing from kid Locke (how did he not recognize Alpert on the island?!)

sin laden | May 9, 2008 4:56:54 AM | #

There's a lot of people I met at age 4 that I wouldn't recognize now.

Jeff | May 9, 2008 5:12:06 AM | #

I think Chris is onto something, that the 6 who get off the island leave with Sayid in the raft. It kind of adds up...
Sayid would be gauranteed a spot as the one who came back for them. Jack would have to stay at the beach (because of his stitches) while the other survivors went off to find the chopper. Kate would stay with Jack, and we know Sawyer is on the way back to the beach with Aaron, and that he CHOOSE to stay on the island. I'm guessing Jin & Sun would stay on the beach because he doesn't trust the chopper people, and she's pregnant. Jin would easily give up his spot to ensure Sun got home safely. The only one who doesn't fit yet is Hurley.

In the future, nobody in the general public seems to know that Kate is not Aaron's real mother, and someone had to get Sun pregnant so I'm guessing the two of the 8 who didn't make it would be the alleged baby daddies - Jin and Sawyer? Although the one hole in this theory is Aaron's age.

jolis | May 9, 2008 9:21:40 AM | #

I'm still thinking that at some point before they are rescued, the Oceanic 6 will have to agree upon the lie to tell the rest of the world.

There are bad circumstances that happen before they leave, otherwise why wouldn't they be shouting from the rooftops that there are still other survivors alive?

Jeff | May 9, 2008 11:43:18 AM | #

Name:
Email Address:	optional
URL:	optional
Comments:

'Lost': Six degrees of separation

About This Blog

Zap2it TV Talk

Latest Posts

Link to Us

Shows We Recap

Nielsen Top Shows

Zap2it Show Guides

Other Zap2it Blogs

Zap2it Partner Blogs

Other Links