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'Lost': Dissecting the Season 5 teaser trailer
There are many pros and cons about being known as "the Lost blogger." Sure, I'm far from the only one, but those who know me (in real life or virtually) pretty much know me first and foremost as "the Lost blogger." I kinda wish they'd opt for "the super awesome dude," but hey, beggars can't be choosers. But every once in a while, being known as "the Lost blogger" has its benefits, as when a few hundred people simultaneously sent me emails with the title "Lost Season 5 Trailer OMG!!!" late last week. Even my grandmother sent me one, which astounded me in that I wasn't aware she knew about either Lost or the internet.
Many of you have already seen said teaser trailer: I myself first learned about it thanks to a thread started by reader JeffC over at the Zap2It's Guide to Lost's Facebook group. But for those of you who haven't seen it, or are craving analysis/discussion of said trailer, here it is, with my take below. All time references are to the video embedded below.
0:00 - 0:30 – Just a rehash of Season 4. Nothing new there, except a handy reminder that the Oceanic 6 left on Day 108. Just in case they needed to clang that anvil even louder.
0:30 – 0:39 – A slightly recut version of the final scene of Season 4, with Indiana Linus and Suicide Beard Shephard talking over Locke's corpse. Except, hey, notice that little flash at 0:39? Says "Dharma Initiative," aside the logo from the ARG. What ARG, you ask? Trust me, some things are better left unsaid.
0:40 – Locke's on the ground, on the Island, with an off-screen figure holding a rifle at his noggin. The Soon to Be Bentham has this great, "This wasn't in the job description" look on his face. Perhaps there's an Other that’s a little less than happy about his leadership? Or has someone else found their way to the recently moved Island?
0:40 – Charlotte gives Daniel a worried look. So much for him existing in a different time period than those on the Island when it disappeared, I guess. This video seemed to indicate otherwise, which gave rise to various theories that Faraday might have transported back to the Dharma Initiative's heyday when the sky went purple. Then again, just wait, there's more coming soon in this trailer.
0:40 – Another flash of the "Dharma Initiative" atop Jack's depressed mug, telling Ben that John wants them all to go back to the Island.
0:42: – Juliet's digging in the dirt (to find the places she got hurt). What she uncovers is small and metallic: another hatch? A time capsule? Voltron? Take your best guess below!
0:43 – Oh, hey Daniel. Nice Dharma mining cap you got there. Why might you be spelunking? Are you in one of the underground vents mentioned in the Blast Door Map? Looking to tame a smoke monster? And what's so interesting about that particular rock formation he's about to touch? No answers? OK, then. Say hi to yer mutha for me!
0:44 – Looks like Locke's tied up against a tree, with Richard Alpert walking towards him with a torch. Some sort of initiation ceremony, perhaps: an Island-based version of the panchen lama (Alpert) awakening the dalai lama (Locke). (See here for greater context of the Buddhist backdrop to this relationship.) After all, what is a lama if not a teacher of Dharma? Makes sense in which the season that should finally explain the role of the Dharma Initiative should also use such a ceremony in order to shed light on some of the mysteries of the Island as well.
0:46 – Looks like Locke holding a compass in his bloody hands. In keeping with the Alpert/Locke dynamic, here's a quiz: where have we seen this compass before? Exactly. Cue the hairs standing up on the back o' my neck.
0:49 – Cue the montage of the Oceanic 6, featuring a newly shaved Jack (bye, bye, beard) and a gun-wielding Hugo. That's right, Hurley's got a gun. His whole world's come undone. Sure hope he don't shoot Sun. Then again, if the Island needs her, said gun wouldn't work anyways. But I'm getting ahead of myself here.
0:53 – Sayid tells someone (most likely Hurley) that they need to get to the safe house. Is the safe house Casa Linus? This could turn into the weirdest version of Big Brother ever.
0:57 – Sun is trapped inside what looks to be an office of some sorts. Guess that business merger with Widmore isn't working out the way she intended?
0:58 – "Can we go to Disney, Mommy?" "No, because Mommy just found out Uncle Jack is going somewhere, and so Mommy's going too. It's kind of Mommy's thing. You can meet Mickey next year. Maybe."
1:00 – As Jack talks about those "left behind," we see shirtless Sawyer, Juliet leading Charlotte and Miles in the jungle, a group of survivors still on the beach, and Juliet, Faraday, Miles, and Charlotte standing in the jungle at night alongside Sawyer, who still hasn't managed to find his shirt yet. Can I say: I LOVE the idea of Sawyer/Juliet working together as de facto leaders of Those Left Behind, with the Freighter Folk still there acting as a resource for knowledge into the Island's history. Between their insight and Alpert's imparting of wisdom onto Locke, we should learn a lot about the Island as it goes straight to hell in a hand basket this season.
1:04 – Whoa, what's up with the hazmat-wearing, rifle-arming person doing busting out of a hatch and scaring poor ol' Faraday? Given the shot here, I can't tell if it's a new hatch, or if Faraday's tunnel visit somehow leads to said "exotic matter" seen at the end of Season 4, sending him Marty McFly-esque back in time.
1:06 – Hey, Beechcraft! Long time no see. Last time I saw you, you were sitting atop the Pearl, burnt to a crisp. And yet here you are, falling from the sky as yellow as the day you were born. We either have some time-traveling going on here or Locke revisiting his greatest hits on the Island. (Maybe we'll see this after the "Stuff Locke Exploded So No One Could Leave the Island" montage.)
1:07 – Ben Linus: "Well, thank God for second chances." Now, anyone who believes Ben's in this simply to save the Island is smoking some stuff they shouldn't be smoking, according to the laws of most civilized countries. We know, for instance, that he wants to kill Penny Widmore as revenge for the loss of Alex. Could returning to the Island merely be a long con to get her into the fray? Or will she simply enter the picture as an added bonus to his true goal: a return to his beloved? In any case, look for the paths of Ben and Penny to slowly converge as Season 5 progresses.
***
All in all, this is a teaser trailer, through and through, with an emphasis on the "tease." That's fine in order to whet our appetites for the upcoming season, but makes it near impossible to draw conclusions without spoilers. So as I open this up for discussion, I once again state our basic "no spoiler" policy here on the blog. If ABC hasn't announced it, it doesn't exist as far as we're concerned. So please honor that system as you drop your own theories and conjectures about this teaser trailer.
A few things stand out:
Looks like we have three main narrative thrusts: The Oceanic 6 returning to the island, Locke's ascension to head of the Others, and Juliet/Sawyer's struggle to keep the Lostaways alive. These three plots converge over the as-yet-undescribed events that led Locke to leave the Island and (apparently) commit suicide soon after confronting the Oceanic 6. If I were a betting man, I'd put a few dollars down on Abaddon being in the middle of all the adversity in Season 5.
If Season 1 was about the survivors, Season 2 about the Hatch, Season 3 about the Others, and Season 4 about the Widmore/Linus conflict, then Season 5 should be about the Dharma Initiative. This leaves Season 6 to be about the Island, as the big mysteries of the show (smoke monster, Jacob, Claire's absence) finally get explained. This season will focus more on the DI, both back in the day and in its most recent reincarnation. (The word "reincarnation" was used purposely there, as a way to tie in Locke's arc as the man of faith with the DeGroots' arc as the man/woman of science.)
Also, think about this: remember Faraday's first in-show appearance? He's watching the discovery of Oceanic 815 on the bottom of the Sunda Trench, sad for reasons even he can't explain. What if that scene actually happens AFTER everything he goes through this year? It's still chronologically accurate, but he's experienced things in the past...things that won't happen in his frame of reference until this season. Just food for thought.
But enough about what I think: now it's your turn. What stood out in this teaser trailer? What excited you the most? What are your biggest questions about Season 5?
Ryan also posts every 108 minutes over at Boob Tube Dude, then peruses Zap2It's Guide to Lost Facebook group. He also encourages you to leave questions for the producers and cast of Lost here.
Ok. wow. detailed.
My mind's blown.
My biggest season 5 question is "how are they all going to get rounded up and back to the island?".
I asked a similar question in the season 4 finale of how are they all going end up on the helicopter...
If Faraday is seen with the other Losties, either a)they've all been transported back to the heyday of the Dharma Initiative and therefore all occupy the same time and space as Dharma or b) due to Farday's distace from the Island at the time of its move, he is now experiencing time-displacement similar to Desmond. Either way, I'm excited the most about his storyline this season.
Last season Kate felt very strongly against returning to the Island. What changed her mind? You'd have to wonder if Bentham/Locke told her that Sawyer is still alive.
Sayid and Hurley together should prove very comical.
I'm in agreement that Abaddon may be responsible for wreaking havoc on the Island in an attempt to collect that favor owed by Locke.
I'm hoping this isn't the only teaser we get before the return. This one definitely gave us enough to absorb for now, but I for one want more.
Shaggysteve | Oct 26, 2008 6:20:08 PM | #I can't wait for the next season. Though admittedly a little worried if only because my expectations for the final two seasons are very high which tends to lead to disappointment. But I have faith!
As for Kate's change of mind to returning to the island, Shaggysteve, I'm not convinced her "vacation" is to the island... she COULD be attempting to hide from Jack and the other Oceanic 6 to avoid going back.
Marc | Oct 26, 2008 7:20:27 PM | #Maybe this is what all those frequent flier miles are for. Fly Oceanic!
Thorny | Oct 26, 2008 7:22:59 PM | #What's a trailer of Lost without Desmond? Hopefully this isn't a bad sign of things to come....he has to be integral to the final two seasons. By the way...how many Losties are actually left on the island besides the main characters? Have they all just about died off through attrition and other means?
Jacoby | Oct 26, 2008 7:34:14 PM | #Ryan, I think we should make 1 exception to the spoiler rule and that's if anyone hears when Lost is to return prior to an official announcement it should be shared.
Rishi | Oct 26, 2008 7:43:24 PM | #February 4th is a date I keep hearing, but has yet to be confirmed by ABC.
Shaggysteve | Oct 26, 2008 7:57:31 PM | #That thing Juliette is uncovering... I'm convinced it's the Swan hatch. Look at any of the season 1 episodes that show it before they blow the door off. It's the same hatch!
As for HAZMAT man's location, I'm gonna say that's Swan, too. But who is the man? I'm hoping it's Radzinsky.
JeffC | Oct 26, 2008 8:24:32 PM | #Also, here is a higher res version of the video, complete with screencaps.
http://spoilerslost.blogspot.com/2008/10/better-quality-version-of-lost-promo.html
Check out the screenshot of the beach camp survivors. Look where they're standing. There's no beach camp!
JeffC | Oct 26, 2008 8:34:44 PM | #I hope it's Radzinsky too, but wouldn't be terribly dissapointed if it was Kelvin. Most likely it is the 'Swan', but possibly the 'Arrow' as well.
Shaggysteve | Oct 26, 2008 8:38:09 PM | #Feb 4, my birthday, woo-hoo! Have to DVR it, though, cause I'll be in the Bahamas. :)
Kara Mel Apples | Oct 26, 2008 9:06:10 PM | #oh Ryan, kudos! I definitely think all Losties were transported back to Dharma... Ryan, was it you that mentioned that the new Dharma logo is slightly turned, to mimic the turning of the Donkey Wheel? Any thoughts on that?
I definitely think that is Radinsky which opens up a whole new can of Dharma whoop ass on who the "him" is... "are you him?"... The Losties are rediscovering the Island--the question is, will the Dharma-folk believe them or capture them for their studies?
Brandon | Oct 27, 2008 9:03:41 AM | #I've got me a feelin' that Locke is alive and well, on the island, but not so alive and well on the mainland. Same would be true for Claire-bare and many other of the other islanders. Your time may be up off of the island so you better return while you can. That's probably the ultimate reason why Jack has to go back. Either to save himself or someone close to him.
Brian of the North | Oct 27, 2008 9:19:21 AM | #Now I'm all giddy with anticipation! Season 5 now!
Anyway, I'm not sure that's the Swan hatch. Based on the screencap, this one is square, but the Swan hatch was just a window on top of a circular one.
The idea of ALL the Lostaways ending up back in time is very intriguing. It might explain why there's apparently no beach camp and why Sawyer can't find his shirt - maybe.
What I took from this trailer:
1) There's definently time-travel going on. Whether it's just Faraday, or when he actually goes back, or when/where he ends up, I can't say.
2) Widmore's still up to his old "find and destroy the Oceanic 6" tricks. Also, the Sun/Widmore alliance isn't going as planned...
3) eHarmony wouldn't have put Locke and the Others together.
4) I hate to say this but...there's a chance that Ben might not be after Penny anymore. He talks of second chances, which is vague but somehow I get the feeling that with all of the work trying to keep the Oceanic 6 alive and together, he won't have time or desire to go get revenge. It wouldn't have been the first time the show dropped a plot nugget only to forget about it later on (Hi Libby's past!) so I wouldn't put it past them. And you also have to consider that if the actors that play Penny or Desmond won't be available, they kinda have no choice but to abandon that plot :(
Other Sean | Oct 27, 2008 11:01:23 AM | #Other Sean,
I think the square IS the window from the Swan.
Also, I think we can count on the Ben hunting Penny plotline for this season.
JeffC | Oct 27, 2008 12:39:06 PM | #By the way, I fogot to say thanks for the shout-out Ryan! :)
JeffC | Oct 27, 2008 12:41:45 PM | #The show does have a history of dropping plots, but I can't see them dropping Ben's revenge plot. I mean, they gave us this really dramatic closing scene at the end of Ben's episode last year where he tells Widmore he's going to do this. I don't know about everyone else, but I think it'd be pretty lame if they dropped it. And I wouldn't worry about the two actors not being available. Henry Ian Cusick is probably under contract and Sonya Walger, while I've seen her in other things lately, isn't gonna get anything better than this right now.
It's just a teaser, so I'm not worried about Desmond not being in it. There should be another one before the season starts.
I was far more excited by this trailer than any show this fall. There are a couple good things, but seriously, February can't come soon enough.
Oh, and as for Juliet and Sawyer being the defacto leaders...I love the idea, but who exactly are they going to be leading? Rose and Bernard? Everyone else is dead, gone, John of the Jungle, or the freighter people who are unlikely going to want to take orders from people they've know for a week. Or however long last season was.
So excited for season five! Dharma beers all around.
Juliet can teach people how to construct effective poker faces. Sawyer's going to give lessons in ducking enemy fire. "When I say, 'Get down,' I mean it!"
I think they will work mostly with the remaining Freighter Folk; however, there's still a healthy number of redshirts left on the island, as evidenced in the brief shot in the teaser trailer.
What's unclear is if this group ever merges with the Others in order to defend themselves against the third-party threat that sends Locke off the Island. I have to imagine Locke at least SUGGESTS this at some point. Which leads to an interesting question:
Who would take more convincing: Alpert to work with the Lostaways, or Sun to work with Jack?
Ryan | Oct 27, 2008 1:19:40 PM | #Alpert would hate the Freighter Folk; Faraday and all his science, Miles with his greedy and smartass nature (plus the chance he might psychically mess with Jacob or the whispers), and who knows what Charlotte's after.
Sun trusting Jack again though, that's a tough sell. I guess it'll depend on how her alliance with Widmore goes (if he's behind her scene in the trailer, not well).
Other Sean | Oct 27, 2008 1:44:59 PM | #Why is the high quality video lacking the dialog?
William Robinson | Oct 27, 2008 3:57:14 PM | #I have a sinking feeling Richard Alpert is going to die this season.
Think about it... the man who can finally answer all the mysteries with which Locke has been obsessed can't possibly be meant to stick around much longer than to initiate Locke into his new leadership role.
I bet he'll start to reveal the secrets of the Island, but before we can learn too much, he'll die. Locke will then have to lead as best he can without his mentor... and probably make a lot of wrong decisions.
JeffC | Oct 28, 2008 6:21:04 AM | #JeffC - interesting point, but how can he die if he doesn't age? for me that puts him in the "can't die until the Island wants him to" pile. not saying he isn't somehow removed (maybe via his own personal donkey wheel back to the 4-toed people from whence he came?) from the Island, i just don't thinkhe can die in the classic sense of the word.
mri | Oct 28, 2008 7:41:47 AM | #I think he can. I don't think his age is related to some kind of invulnerability.
I do agree Richard's probably in the only-the-Island-lets-you-die group, but maybe his ultimate purpose is to shepherd the savior of the Island. If that's the case, he's a marked man this season, I think.
JeffC | Oct 28, 2008 10:18:44 AM | #Because if he dies, then the Island can never find its savior, is what you mean? I can see that.
I just hope this doesn't lead to a scene in which we see Richard telling Locke, "OK, the thing about the smoke monster is..." then we heard the THWACK of Abaddon's knife burrowing itself into Alpert's back. That will annoy beyond the pale.
Ryan | Oct 28, 2008 10:22:06 AM | #Yeah, that's pretty much what I mean. I think Alpert's destiny is to be Locke's Obi-Wan Kenobi. Fulfilling his destiny means his life is no longer in the Island's control, so he will become vulnerable for the first time in his 600(?) years of existence.
Omg, if he dies in mid smoke monster explanation, I'll have a frakking heart attack!
JeffC | Oct 28, 2008 10:40:24 AM | #
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