Quick programming note here on the Lost blog: the Lost Butterworthed Gallery has been updated with new images. If you've seen the gallery already, go back for more goodness. If you haven't, dear God, what's wrong with you? It's like visiting the Louvre, only with more syrup. And really, who wouldn't want to visit a saccharine-laced Louvre? Exactly.

In yesterday's entry, I posted ten possible topics of discussion for the two-week interim between the first part of "No Place Like Home" and the two-hour finale. Among the first responses, the genesis of the Oceanic 6's cover story seemed to generate the most interest. Coming in dead last? "Hurley: Boxers or Briefs?" Shoulda seen that one coming.

So in today's entry, I'll look at what I feel are the five most likely sources of the cover story.  I'll also look at the pros and cons of each, and then let you, the readers, decide what's correct. (We could let the producers and writers of Lost decide, but really, where's the fun in that?)

In order from least likely to most likely, according to my Lost-addled brain:

#5) The Freighter Four

Pros: They each have knowledge of their mission to the Island, are by and large now sympathetic to the Lostaways, and could provide crucial intel on both the freighter, Widmore's plans, and the Island in general to the Oceanic 6. Three of them also have good reason to stay behind on the Island, with Lapidus providing the most likely method off the Island for the 6.

Cons: Not only are the Freighter Four spread out across the Island, but we've learned over the course of the season that they were largely duped from the get-go as to their specific roles in the "rescue" mission. And while I'm sold on Faraday and Lapidus as clearly in the "good guy" camp, I still don't completely trust Charlotte and Miles.

#4) Oceanic Airlines

Pros: The Oceanic 6 could very well be shocked and dismayed upon learning they were the only six who successfully left the Island. This would leave them susceptible to a PR storyline created by Karen Decker and Oceanic Airlines,  a story that is false but would allow them to potentially move on from their recent tragedy. This formulation also allows for someone in the Lost mythology to have ties to Oceanic Airlines and provide this story as cover for future events.

Cons: I think I simply want a more emotional, personal, haunting reason for the secrecy of the Oceanic 6. Having it be a simple PR story that the 6 go along with doesn't feel dramatically appropriate. I want this cover story to not only cover the truth, but a deep well of pain on the part of the Oceanic 6. (I know: I'm a cheerful fellah.)

#3) Jack Shephard

Pros: The de facto leader of the Lostaways becomes the de facto leader of the Oceanic 6, at least through the press conference. While the 6 slowly split in the following months/years, they still adhere to the story because they begrudgingly believe it's the best and only option available. This option assumes that the 6 all realize Jack made the wrong call in contacting the Freighter, but believe that leaving and maintaining the cover story makes the best of a broken situation.

Cons: Who in the name of Dharma Dan would listen to Jack Shephard at this point when it came to tactical strategy? Then again, Kate seems to have no problem shacking up with him the future, so I guess Jack lives to screw up another day. (I like Matthew Fox, y'all: I just think the show makes him unlikable at times, especially when it comes to making BIG DECISIONS RELATED TO THE GROUP'S LONG-TERM WELFARE.)

#2) Benjamin Linus

Pros: It's Ben Freakin' Linus, people. Who better to concoct a ginormous lie with long-term payoff?

Cons: I'm still not sold that, at the point the Oceanic 6 leave the Island, they would acquiesce to anything Ben had to say. Even if Ben made a compelling argument that this was the only way to save their friends/save the Island, I can't see Jack and Sayid going along with it. But hey, I can't see how Keamy isn't about to kill him seven ways from Wednesday, but we know Ben will survive that, so anything's possible.

#1) Penelope Widmore

Pros: My absolutely favorite option at the moment. She's appeared in the last two season finales. She's an incredibly unlikely option, in that she's out of the collective fan consciousness at the moment.  This would pay off Charlie's sacrifice, explain her future absence, give her a potential reunion with Desmond, and set in motion events that would ricochet into the next two years.

Cons: It's a bit deus ex machina, I know. And while I'm part of the Penelope Widmore Fan Club (Boston chapter), I'm not sure everyone would be as enamored of this option as I am. In addition, I think the Des/Penny reunion should be in the series finale, not a season finale, to reach maximum impact. And since I've gone on record as saying this will happen, I've ensured it will never come to pass.

OK, people...those are my five options. Which ones resonate? Which ones ring false? And which ones did I miss? Leave your answers below!

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

Comments

Hey at least ya spelt deus ex machina right!

I'd have to lean more to the Benjamin Linus theory only because:

1. We've seen him in the FF's and what a wonderful little manipulator he is off the island as well!

2. Yes, while 90% of the 815-ers still think he's evil, his polling numbers are tracking up! Yay! By the time they get to the "leaving the island", the Losties will be hosting fundraiser BBQs for BenJAMin on the beach.

3. It's Benjamin Fracking Linus and he always has a plan.

Now I can get back to my pancakes & syrup. Chooz MEE! Hehehehe

Brian of the North | May 19, 2008 5:57:57 PM | #

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sorry, but ben is evil, pure and simple. my guess is he's been trying to get the freighter to the island the whole time and has been playing everyone. especially jack. ben knew by telling him NOT to call the ship, that that is exactly what jack would do. ben is the puppetmaster. he is getting everything he wants, so it would be naive to think that bringing the FF to the island wasn't his plan all along. cause it was. and the only reason jack is upset about seeing him in the coffin is because jack has lost his most likely was back to the island.

cheers42 | May 19, 2008 6:10:38 PM | #

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the only thing sweeter than having everyone sympathize with the most evil character ever and make everyone think he's been the good guy all along is to make everyone think that, then pull the rug out and make you realize you've all been duped. just when you start to feel for the bad guy, BOOM, he gets even more evil. i wouldn't be surprised if ben planned to have his own daughter killed just to build up sympathy among the lostaways so he could closer to them and screw them over

cheers42 | May 19, 2008 6:16:45 PM | #

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I'd like for it to be Oceanic, just for the simple fact that is conspiracy-driven. We've talked on here that Oceanic may very well be under the umbrella of another organization (Mittelos/Widmore/Hanso), so this would certainly add another element to how they got to the Island in the first place.

Ben is a top contender, just from his manipulative ways. He definitely has reasons for having them off the Island for his own bidding.

However, I am going with Jack. Being the leader, someone had to come up with a story. I'm leaning more towards it being more of an escape than a rescue. With the 'moving of the Island', the Freighter's possible explosion, and Keamy's men on a killing spree, it just seems like the O6 may just stumble upon being rescued, then have to explain why they are the only survivors.

Shaggysteve | May 19, 2008 7:38:13 PM | #

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I like the idea of Penny being behind the O6 rescue, but I never thought about her coming up with the cover story. I'm not sure if she'll play a part, but I'll be glad if she does.

Of the options mentioned, I think Ben or Jack are the top possibilities. Jack may have made some not so great decisions so far, but from what we've seen, the O6 still trust him and look to his as their leader. Even Hurley says in the future he wishes he would have gone with Jack in the first place. More than who comes up with the story, I want to know why the O6 so willingly go along with it. So far, they've shown no loyalty to Ben or anything island related. So, what's going to happen to make them act like nothing on the island ever happened?

Also, what about Richard Alpert. He seems to be most connected to the island and hasn't been a threatening force to any of the O6. Now, with Alpert leading Kate and Sayid, it provides a way for him to plant this story.

A-Rob | May 19, 2008 8:25:15 PM | #

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Right now I can't really see anyone else but jack coming up with the cover story. I backup my theory with Jack's responding to everything everyone else is asked on the plane and his "tell them your husband is dead or we're all dead" look at sun in the press conference.

Option #5 is highly unlikely, because we still don't know the freighter four's intentions, #1 is equally unlikely, wich makes me wonder why you put in most likely position, #2 doesn't seem right, because Jack would never EVER listen to ben and because sayid is stunned to see ben out of the island, like he was just a stranger. And the oceanic thing is also very hard to believe because they couldn't have told the company where they came from. The only thing oceanic did was explain how they think they came to the island where they were found, on a boat, wich excludes Lapidus's chopper as their ticket back home.

sin laden | May 19, 2008 8:27:33 PM | #

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Can I get a nickel everytime someone says "Freighter Four?" Of course, then I'd have to give it to Stan Lee, but I digress...

Personally, I think the cover story is going to be the brainchild of Ben AND Jack.

- The first step in Ben's grand revenge scheme against Widmore is probably going to be discrediting him. The Oceanic 6 are a serious blow to his faked-crash PR machine. However, I don't think Ben creates the specifics of the cover story for two reasons:

1) He's about to be captured by Keamy, and even if he gets rescued, we KNOW that somehow, something makes him put on Hallowax's Dharka and beam himself up (in the middle of a gun fight, no less), ending up in the Sahara.

2) In all of that going on, I don't see him finding time to tell the Oceanic 6 "Ok, you did this, and you'll say that, and if anyone asks, this is that, etc." Not to mention that the Oceanic 6 don't even exist yet in the Island narrative, and when they do form, Ben will have no idea of the specifics of who they are, how they get away, and be able to build a story around that information.

- This brings me to story architect #2, Jack. He was already en route to the Orchid when last we saw, which means he can have a sit-down with not only Ben, but Locke as well. As he talks to these two men, they can tell Jack what is about to go down, and give him cart blanche to create a story sutiable to tell the outside world. They give him the task, and it's up to Jack to fill in the specifics.

And ultimately, when the game is over and the Oceanic 6 comes together, on their way to freedom, Jack can then have specific information relating to those specific people, and tailor the cover story to fit their needs.

Maintaining this story is Jack's sole charge (either from Locke, Ben, Jacob or the Island), which is why he's always at the forefront of the action when a member of the Oceanic 6 starts to crack (Hurley), or when the media starts to ask questions (Kate's trial).

I think the weight of this responsibility is alot of what causes Jack to turn into pill-popping Future Jack; he's been the one responsible for being the Oceanic 6 caretaker (and guardian of their secrets) for so long, that he just can't take it anymore. Having the Island keep haunting him through Charlie and dear old dad can't be helping, either.

Other Sean | May 19, 2008 10:16:33 PM | #

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I'm not necessarily championing this theory, but ....

What if Ben *is* able to physically and mentally travel through time and space? What if he can do one, the other or both? Then wouldn't it be one hell of a cliffhanger if Keamy does kill Ben. Kill him dead. That would be a great "conversation starter" for the ensuing offseason.

Just think about it.

Ryan (Not McGee) | May 20, 2008 12:13:53 AM | #

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I think I like the Oceanic theory best. It puts them out in front of the media storm and gives them the best chance to spin this as positively as possible.

One other thing: I sure tear up whenever you mention a Desmond/Penny reunion. If that isn't until the series finale, I'll be sitting in an ocean of my own salt water after that. I've said this before, but God help me, but if those two kids aren't together and alive after this is all over, Darlton will have to live the rest of their lives looking over their shoulders.

Joe Cool | May 20, 2008 5:04:59 AM | #

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Ryan, I wholeheartedly agree that the Desmond/Penny reunion should be an endgame piece and not before. If she were to suddenly pop up in this year's finale, it could potentially rob the drama. However, if she does show up this year and they write it really really well, I won't be terribly disappointed :)

Jeff | May 20, 2008 6:51:21 AM | #

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I think Ben is a likely option, but what about CHARLES Widmore? Or someone working on his behalf such as Abaddon?

milo | May 20, 2008 7:02:53 AM | #

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I remember thinking during the Season 2 finale, "This is the love story of Lost." Which probably makes the writers crazy, since they probably want me more invested in some combo of Jack/Kate/Sawyer/Juliet. Oh well. Not happening.

Ryan | May 20, 2008 7:04:30 AM | #

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i'm on the Ben-Jack combo punch for the cover story. i think that Jack reaches some kind of enlightenment about the Island through Ben or Locke. more likely though, he's shown what's up, says it's a load of crap, and only later realizes in a drunken, pill-hazed state what the Island wanted him to do.

mri | May 20, 2008 7:57:14 AM | #

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Given the love and care with which the characters have been written, I'd reckon Desomnd & Penny are the couple the writers want us to invest in the most.

Jeff | May 20, 2008 7:58:03 AM | #

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Hey, Ryan, I wanted to ask: if I made a Lost fan video and posted it on YouTube, would you be able to feature it in a post (if you like it, that is)?

Jeff | May 20, 2008 8:01:33 AM | #

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Sure thing, Jeff, I'll take a peek when it's done. Just be sure it's not vulgar, or set to "Cotton-Eyed Joe".

Ryan | May 20, 2008 9:06:55 AM | #

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I'm always amused to read how Jack brought the Freighters to the island with his call, but Jack did not bring the Freighters to the island. If you recall, Naomi was ALREADY on the island long before Jack made the call, which means the Freighter was sitting off shore just waiting. Also, Naomi parachuted from a helicopter (hello Lapidus!), remember?

The Freighter knew where the island was and was already sending their people. Jack did not suddenly bring chaos down on top of the survivors. Also, why would Ben have Michael on board as a spy if he didn't ALREADY know the Freighter was on the way?

I know that people (including Ryan) love to blame Jack for everything, but he did not bring the Freigher to the island. Naomi had already arrived, Michael was in place to spy for Ben, and doom and gloom was coming whether Jack made the call or not. Also, who wouldn't want to radio for rescue? I don't recall the survivors screaming at Jack NOT to make the call, do you? In fact, they were waiting with baited breath. One final thing: Sayid asked for Jack's word, when Sayid was staying behind for the ambush, that Jack would not allow anything to keep him from making the call to the Freighter, and Jack promised the call would be made.

Poor Jack. He's damned no matter what.

Patricia | May 20, 2008 9:32:30 AM | #

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One thing Jack didn't do, is put Sayid and Desmond on the helicopter. They went on their own, it wasn't his call. I don't get why he feels so responsible.

Jeff | May 20, 2008 10:15:34 AM | #

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"Just be sure it's not vulgar, or set to 'Cotton-Eyed Joe'."

Done and done :)

Jeff | May 20, 2008 10:17:36 AM | #

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Jeff I've got a feeling that Jack would feel personally responsible (and anguished) if Aaron made doody in his Dhuggies. He's just that type of guy.

Brian of the North | May 20, 2008 11:11:59 AM | #

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The writers have said that they consider Penny/Desmond to be one of the major love stories of the show (I forget their exact words). They just can't get Penny in much more because the actress is often working on other projects.

milo | May 20, 2008 11:13:31 AM | #

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BOTN, so true! He'd probably cry about it more than Aaron, too.

Jeff | May 20, 2008 11:40:39 AM | #

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"Kate, we HAVE TO GO BACK!"

"Jack, pull yourself together. This isn't the first time we left Bennigan's without our boxed leftovers in tow."

"WE HAVE TO GO BACK!"

"We're almost home. Let it go."

"WE HAVE TO GO BACK!"

"You big baby."

Ryan | May 20, 2008 11:59:35 AM | #

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Ryan-

SNORT!

you totally made me blow lemonade out my nose. nothing like citrus-clean sinuses!!!

mri | May 20, 2008 12:23:46 PM | #

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I think I blew some Butterworth, but I promised to keep my personal life out of this. (badaboom)

Brian of the North | May 20, 2008 12:42:26 PM | #

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The Jack Cry in 7 Steps:

1. Furrow brow
2. Scrunch nose
3. Flutter eyelashes
4. Repeat steps 1-3, placing right hand on brow
5. Rub brow repeatedly while turning beat red
6. Place hands on hips, turn away from source of pain, tilt head toward feet
7. Slowly shake head back and forth in between sobs

Jeff | May 20, 2008 12:46:41 PM | #

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(Optional Step 8)
If Kate is present, scream at her and run away.

Jeff | May 20, 2008 12:50:51 PM | #

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Jeff-

don't forget what happens after optional step 8:

Wonders why Kate won't talk to him anymore.

mri | May 20, 2008 1:13:04 PM | #

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He curls up into a fetal position with his thumb in his mouth.

Oh, and then he puts the lotion in the basket.

Brian of the North | May 20, 2008 1:19:02 PM | #

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Hehe, yeah mri, I was about to add something like Act perplexed as to why Kate goes back to Sawyer.

Jeff | May 20, 2008 1:37:08 PM | #

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And don't forget the thought balloon floating above Jack's confused-expressioned-head: "Am I still on Party of Five? When did we come to this island? And where the hell's Neve Campbell? She owes me twenty bucks!"

Dark Disciple | May 20, 2008 3:02:42 PM | #

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Of the 5 options listed I lean towards Ben.

I also liked A-Rob's suggestion of Richard Alpert.

I'm adding another suggestion in Sawyer. Who better to come up with a cover story than a con-man?

Rishi | May 20, 2008 3:31:29 PM | #

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Jack is destined to be a whiney-baby. He whines about getting off the Island. He whines about getting back to the Island. He whines when his pancakes have no Butterworth on them.

Even though the Desmond/Penny storyline was probably an afterthought, it HAS turned into the major romance of the show in my opinion. It's probably because life had given them tons of obstacles, yet fate (or whatever you want to call it) brings them back together. I agree that their reunion is best kept until the series finale.

Shaggysteve | May 20, 2008 3:57:45 PM | #

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The producers better not be thinking about killing Desmond or reuniting him and Penny before the series finale, or I'm gonna turn into pill-popping, drunk, grizzly bearded maniac sin laden.

And Jack is the biggest cry baby ever. I just hope Kate learns and somehow sticks with Sawyer (because him and Claire, well, not gonna happen)

Jeff, mri and BOTN- incredible. I almost died of laughter with your Jack jokes.

sin laden | May 20, 2008 5:31:58 PM | #

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I think that the O6 (mainly Jack) make up the story.
If they tell the truth about a fantastic island where miracles happen they know folks will want to visit (and rescue the others). But we can guess that before the season ends Locke moves the island in time and space.
There will probably be too many questions of their story and absolutely no proof so they simply need a more believable story.
While a Desmond/Penelope reunion is a wonderful thought, I think even if Ben takes down the entire Widmore Corp. he will still expect an eye for an eye retribution. Widmore killed his daughter so Penny must die!
I expect that the producers will reunite them only to kill one of them off seconds later.

HenryMikel | May 21, 2008 10:28:20 AM | #

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I'm totally with you on the Jack getting annoying thing--I'm so sick of him right now!

Lauren B | May 21, 2008 11:29:49 AM | #

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I think it's part of the "move the island strategy" that was dictated to Locke. Widmore believes that the plane crashed on the island, which is why he faked the other crash site. Allowing these survivors of the crash to be found in a different location, may help to throw Widmore off with his attempts to locate the island.

BrianSF | May 21, 2008 3:41:34 PM | #

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I think is is likely that Whidomre or Alpert could also be behind the "cover up." Whidmore by way of threatening the lives of the rest of the people on the island, or Alpert by way of promising he'll keep them safe. Something MAJOR is in play to keep them ALL quiet and sticking to the story, especially loose lips whacky Hurley (who I think would inevitably crack and spill the beans.) The only thing I can attribute that to is the lives of their friends, who they have to go back to rescue.

Ryan | May 21, 2008 4:36:48 PM | #

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