The Theory of Time

Clearly "Time" is a theory that runs throughout LOST.  I want to point out a piece of dialogue that bugged me a bit, but I think provides insight into the show.  This scene is between Jack and Frank the Helicopter pilot.

Jack comments that he really can't believe the Red Sox won the World Series.  This comment is made in the context of 2004, a year the Red Sox did win the Series.  His comment is received well by Frank who comments back that he's just frustrated that his Yankees didn't win.  

What should be noted is that the Red Sox also won the series this year...2007.  Either win would frustrate a Yankees fan...they just hate the Red Sox and don't care what year it is...

This is a subtle moment...and I don't think it's a mistake...we are set up as usual to think this is a moment that we learn how long Jack has been on the island...100 days...but, for the clue-reader...this moment confirms that our Losties really are in a Time-Bubble of sorts...that they live in an alternate-past of some sort...one where people don't age, heal miraculously, can't give birth...and...don't know about the Current Events of the world...

This theory stands up fairly well, but then has it's own questions...Ben is able to keep up with the news...Penelope communicates "real-time" with Charlie...and how did Jacob heal Rachel?

For more exploration about the issue of Time in LOST, read the following theory...it is comprehensive and may give you more than you want to know...but it is helpful in developing a framework in how to think about all that is going on in LOST...

www.timelooptheory.com

Interesting thoughts from DarkUFO...

We have met the enemy… and we are him.The story has always been circular, but never has it been more obvious until this episode when our four new friends arrive on the island. What greets these fresh-faced newbies that dropped from the sky? An island full of cheering survivors happy to be rescued? Yeah right. Maybe two or three seasons ago, but not now.“Light em’ up!” - Miles standing in the jungle, Jack telling him he’s surrounded by guns. Seeing him smirk at Jack, non-believing until a bullet whizzes by, a mirror-image of Jack – a mirror image of the situation the 815’ers encountered allllll those episodes ago. It was funny to watch, but it was alarming too. Look how easy it was for our main characters to become the very thing we all hated so much – the simplest of questions unanswered, the disparaging looks, the sarcasm, the jadedness…Now imagine that you’re Charlotte for a minute. You arrive smiling happily, awestruck at the beauty of the island. “Hey look! Flares! My friends are there!” Yeah that’s nice. You ask innocent questions. Someone starts to answer you, but someone else tells him to shut up. You’re disarmed. Then someone swipes your radio and straps it to a dog that runs off into the jungle. What the hell is going on? None of this makes any sense! Hehe, sure it does (to us at least). “What? Don’t you want to be found?” Nah, not really. C’mon Charlotte, get with it – before someone slugs two bullets into your chest. Oops, too late.The 815 survivors have cool jungle moves. The 815 survivors have rifles and guns. The 815 survivors have a camp, a really weird agenda (some of them anyway), and about half of them have no desire to leave the island. Sound a little familiar? You bet. Our beloved 815’ers have come full circle. They’ve executed their own purge, but the Others aren’t truly gone: the 815’ers have become the Others – without even knowing how.THAT’S HOW SLICK THE ISLAND IS.

AND...


Because I’ve got a Man on Their BoatVery cool ending. And possibly the only thing Ben could’ve said to save himself, yet again, from getting his brains blown out. With all the Walt references, and knowing in advance that he’s returning this season, I think the only logical person Ben’s referring to here would be Michael. Either that, or Mikhail’s stowed away with a pair of nunchucks about to kick unholy levels of ass.

Find 815

And...complements of Sarah and Joel (two other addicts)...check out...

www.find815.com

More Answers, More Questions

Last night I caught myself even more baffled after the first 3 minutes of Episode 2. The "confirmation" of 815 (I think it's an Oceanic cover-up), the introduction of Daniel's past-story (how far past?) and Daniel's crying...

We have 4 new characters that each clearly are important and serve a purpose. A physicist, a ghost-whisperer (no JLH though), an anthropologist and a pilot. I get this...what I don't get is the mission that Naomi and Abbadon have in mind...I will take a face-value that it involves Ben...and I take Ben at face-value (big mistake?) that he is holding one of their people (Jacob?)...

Among other confusing/interesting moments are...

The look on Ben's face when he discerns that Hurley saw 'The Cabin'
Ben's answer to Locke about the Monster..."I don't know"
The dead Polar Bear in the desert
The original Pilot on 815 and the lack of a wedding ring
Locke acknowledges Walt is taller; this lends to a time-continum issue

Others?

What I continue to be thinking about as well is the role of Electro-Magnetics...the Chopper appeared to go down b/c of this, the 'sky was fragmented' according to Daniel (Northern Lights?) and almost everyone who is on the Island was somehow 'attracted' to it...your thoughts are appreciated...

While I'm anxious about learning the identity of the latest Oceanic 6 member, I too share Locke's question, I want to know when Michael is showing up, and...I have about 25 more big questions...

I look forward to anymore thoughts...

The Oceanic 6...my first guess...

1. Jack
2. Kate
3. Hurley
4. Sawyer - he's a survivor
5. Claire
6. Aaron

And...I think Michael and Walt remain alive and are the ones being referenced with "Are they still alive?" Actually...this doesn't make much sense...but it's a starting point...

Beginning of the end, is our beginning...

Maybe it's the writers strike...or that we haven't seen each other for awhile due to the Holidays and people are getting married...or...maybe this show really is this good...whatever combination of factors are at work, this is all good...so...as we begin our questions, theories and discussions I thought I would provide us a vehicle to debate, process, question and philosophize about our favorite show...

So...begin where you will...The Oceanic 6? Are "they" alive? "They" need you? Hurley should have gone with Jack? Who's in the coffin?

I don't have the answers, but I love exploring the theories...can't wait for our next LOST party