So, we're about a third of the way through Season 2 in our We Have to Go Back series. For those of you who are new to the scene here and wondering if you've stepped into a time warp, a little info for you: we've taken Jack Shephard's plan to heart and gone back. Back to the beginning of the series, that is, flush with all the knowledge that a fan of the show has accumulated through the first few seasons of Lost.

Now, hopefully you've all found this more valuable than a mere series of plot summaries. My primary goal in this (besides, you know, making sure I had enough content to keep this blog going between seasons) has been to see what jumps out at me knowing what I know now. They say hindsight's 20/20, but I think it's 4/8/15/16/23/42, thank you very much.

But what I've discovered, quite often, in the 30+ episodes that I've recapped in this fashion, is just how many tantalizing questions raised early on still haven't been answered. For some, this is justification for jumping ship on the show long ago. But as far as I am concerned, I revel in the fact that certain mysteries are so huge that it's taken this long to arrive at the answer. This isn't some "How much for that doggy in the window?" type of inquiry, but rather deep questions that pervade both the Island but the true nature of the conflict at the heart of Lost. And Season 2's early goings are chock full of the meat of the mythology of the show.

As such, I find myself with a bounty of topics to discuss. So many that I'm unsure quite where to begin. So, in cases like this, I do what I always do. Drink heavily. And by "drink heavily," I mean "ask you guys for help." After all, I need you to tell me whatcha want, whatcha really really want. If it's "a zigazig ha," I probably can't help you, but if it's answers/theories about the following topics, I'm yer man.

1) Swan Subterfuge. In "What Kate Saw," we learned that the orientation film for the Swan was edited, omitting information about the Swan computer. We know, although our Lostaways don't, who was behind this fanciful editing. But why was this footage edited? Why would using the computer for communication cause an incident? And how does the Blast Door Map fit into all this?

2) Making a List, Kidnapping Twice. We've gotten our first tastes of the many lists that have pervaded the show. Jacob's made some lists, and so has Ben. But are they the only two? Why bother actually writing them out, as opposed to merely committing them to memory? And just how long has this list-making been going on in the grand scheme of things?

3) The Good, the Bad, and the Dharma. Goodwin tells Ana Lucia that Nathan died because he was not a good person. Nice line of reasoning from a murderer. How do the various groups in Lost decide moral authority over others, and what does it say about the nature of the Island? Moreover, is the Dharma Initiative just another example of such moralizing or do they stand outside, as men/women of science?

4) Black Swan screaming in the dead of night. The main protagonist of the newest alternate-reality game for Lost goes by the handle "Black Swan." What is the significance of this, and how does it impact how we view both the Incident and the Dharma Initiative's goals as a whole?

There you have it, four topics. Most lists contain three or five suggestions, but those aren't Numbers, darnit. So they are out. Vote for your top two choices below. Vote early and often. You guys have been quiet lately, and I'm hoping endeavors such as these get the lot of you back into the conversational fray out here. Much like The Temptations, I ain't too proud to beg. (Which is why I'll also plug my other article before scooting off for the time being. Lot of Lost goodness over there too.)

Ryan also posts every 108 minutes over at Boob Tube Dude, then peruses Zap2It's Guide to Lost Facebook group.

Comments

I'll step up and vote for Making a List and Swan Subterfuge. Any insight into those lists, which drive me nuts because I don't understand them, is appreciated.

Lisa from PDX | Sep 4, 2008 7:41:57 PM | #

---

I'll go for Making a List and The Good, the Bad. Mostly because I love discussions on right and wrong, bad and good. Cheers!

verbalme | Sep 4, 2008 7:53:43 PM | #

---

I vote for The Black Swan (it may be the saving grace of the ARG), and what is up with all the greek mythology references. Also, the Swan subterfuge, as I am all for Hatch mythology, particularly Radzinsky and the supposed underground tunnel system. In fact I offered a theory of my own on the last thread (though it was late and probably went unnoticed):

Maybe I'm going waaaaay out there, but what if Faraday IS Radzinsky. We've never seen Radzinsky, only heard of him. Also, wouldn't it be something if the Blast Door Map is in Faraday's journal. That would blow my mind.

Shaggysteve | Sep 4, 2008 8:28:29 PM | #

---

I do wonder how they'll handle all that...it's such tricky business. He could either be completely responsible for everything we know about the current state of affairs on the Island, or be a passive observer in a Peabody/Sherman sorta way. (Frozen Donkey Wheel=Way Back Machine! Heh.) Either, or anything between, is possible. It's really great.

Ryan | Sep 4, 2008 9:02:12 PM | #

---

Faraday's time trippin, I hope, brings whole new volumes of "Whoa!" to Lost next season. In the last recap, I suggested that he somehow influenced Radzinsky in the past, but you took it farther ShaggySteve and I like the thought of him being the guy.

Anyway, I'm gonna have to vote for #1 and #3.

Other Sean | Sep 4, 2008 10:46:46 PM | #

---

I'd have to go with The Good, the Bad, and the Dharma. I've had questions on the motivations of Ben and the kidnappings/killings.

Brian of the North | Sep 5, 2008 6:07:34 AM | #

---

I cast my ballot for Swan Subterfuge. I want to get into your heads and walk around on this one. I got a taste of Radzinsky and the secrecy of the DI in yesterday's comments and I want more!

Shaggysteve, I'm right there with you about R and the blast door map. I've studied that thing so many times I keep holding out hope we'll finally see some Cerebus vents or the now-sealed tunnel system.

JeffC | Sep 5, 2008 6:20:39 AM | #

---

i thought it was my job to do the drinking...

:-)

i am for #1 and #2. while i am intrigued by Black Swan, as part of the non-canonical ARG i have to put it at the bottom of the list.

mri | Sep 5, 2008 6:39:15 AM | #

---

I am for Swan Subterfuge and Black Swan Screaming in the Dead of Night because I, well, really like swans.

Blue Sean | Sep 5, 2008 9:34:39 AM | #

---

You must prefer the cinematic version of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Blue Sean. After all, it starred Kristy Swanson and not Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Ryan | Sep 5, 2008 9:59:28 AM | #

---

I am voting for a double dose of swans - #1 and #4.

kat | Sep 5, 2008 12:52:30 PM | #

---

I vote for Swan Subterfuge and The Good, the Bad, and the Dharma. That said, the kidnapping of the children, and then not showing them EVER, is really bugging me. Where the heck are they?

Tim | Sep 5, 2008 1:02:27 PM | #

---

We saw the kids in the SINGLE WORST EPISODE EVER, "Strangers in a Strange Land." I _think_ that's the only time, and for Walt-esque reasons, perhaps the last. But I could be wrong about the sole appearance. Anyone else know?

Ryan | Sep 5, 2008 1:51:36 PM | #

---

Aarg (not ARG, but aarg!), I can't seem to get caught up. Just when I finish watching one episode we are on to the next. Its like that at school -- too much to do and not enough time. I just wanted to let you know that I am still here, but just one episode behind and have been for about a week.

Debra | Sep 5, 2008 2:15:05 PM | #

---

I think the Island might be Atlantis and some Greek sailors saw it during a Frozen Minotaur Wheel correction and this was the Island of Atlantis disappearance that Plato wrote about.
Also 4 toes on the statue means 8 toes on both feet and 16 fingers and toes on the Atlantean body. There are three of the numbers.

Harry | Sep 5, 2008 2:39:10 PM | #

---

Just want you to know that I have been diligently keeping up with the "We Have to Go Back" endeavor. I have found Season Two to contain a lot more unanswered questions that I had at first thought. It is almost better this time around knowing what is being set up. Eko's story is all but laid out in plain black letters in the 23rd Psalm. I still can't figure out Ana Lucia's purpose though. And what IS Libby's significance going to be? Perhaps Season 5 will shed some light. Anywho, my votes for a topic of discussion would have to be Swan Subterfuge and The Good, The Bad, and the Dharma. I hope we do see the incident soon. And I hope it is meaningful. I want Lost to end well. No repeat of Alias please Mr. J.J. and co.

FlippyHam | Sep 5, 2008 5:30:19 PM | #

---

Ryan, I'm pretty sure the kids show up again in "The Brig".

JeffC | Sep 5, 2008 7:13:15 PM | #

---

I vote for topics #1 and #4.

I FINALLY caught up with you all. This is so good to re-watch all these in time for the new season.

Yes, I totally agree that at this point there are so many questions to ask and I would like to hear Ryan answer those questions about the orientation tape and the "Black Swan". I think those topics are in keeping with the ARG, so they seem appropriate at this point also.

Debra | Sep 6, 2008 4:32:48 AM | #

---

Post a comment

Name:
Email Address:	optional
URL:	optional
Comments: