Photos
Video
'Lost': Story tellers
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.
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
(Optional Step 8)
If Kate is present, scream at her and run away.
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 | #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 | #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 | #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 | #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 | #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 | #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 | #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.
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 | #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 | #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 | #
Zap2it Twitter Talk
