A few days have past since the LOST series finale aired and I'm still in denial that we will not have our beloved show grace us with a new episode...not next week...not next season...not...
Well, you get the idea.
I waited a couple of days to peek around the Internet at fan reactions to the finale. I wanted to be sure that I wrote up my thoughts on The End the same way I wrote up all my other notes, without being spoiled and without influence before or after an episode aired.
A few friends shared their honest thoughts and honest perceptions with me about the show, the story and its writers, the LOST community, recappers, bloggers, podcasters, theorists and fans. It is enlightening to see how the journey was for the them over past six years. I thought it an interesting idea to collaborate and post some of their thoughts here. I will post a series of these shared thoughts so be sure to check back. Also I encourage you share your LOST journey with us, so leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
Here is Joshua M. Patton. thoughts:
A few seconds after I watched the final moments of LOST, my cell phone rang bearing a call from a fanatic friend in Florida. I imagined that upon answering the phone, I would hear his sobbing voice seriously asking if he should perhaps gouge out his own eyes so that the image of Jack closing his eye would be the last thing he would ever see. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Rage peppered with expletives met my ears, “Those bastards! How could they? I mean dead the whole time?”
“What?” I said, incredulous and wondering if he’d seen the same television show I had just watched. Had he closed his eyes with Jack, he would have been spared a modicum of this anger because of, what I believe to be, ABC’s decision to show the crash site over the credits. Since this space is normally occupied by promos, and with no more LOST to promote I’d decided to opt out of the promo for “Rookies” or “Other Modern Family/Parenthood Show,” that those whose living depends on “the next thing,” would hope may replace LOST in the zeitgeist. Although they think “zeitgeist” is a German word for money-fountain. ABC, on the other hand, took a much higher road than I thought they would.
When I looked at those images, I clearly saw the remains of the survivors’ camp, piles of sorted clothes, and the burned fuselage. I read this as one part homage to the beginning of the show and the second part, perhaps, was a suggestion that since the Island lives on this crash site, and the remnants of those who lived and died here, is now as much a part of this island as the four-toed foot, the Dharma barracks, and the Black Rock before it was blown to smithereens. The show ended when Jack’s eye shut and Christian definitively said that everything that happened to him was real and it did matter. It was not the Ajira plane, although it is perfectly within fans’ rights to believe that plane never landed safely, but I’ll get to that in a moment.
The other reason for my friend’s dissatisfaction, I think, is how central a theme love was to the end of the show. His personal life is fraught with stress as an impending divorce has separated him from his wife and, even worse, his children. I think that once he realizes that in his own sideways world, this woman that left him would not have caused his “flash,” and once he realizes that, perhaps his perception will change. Love and the overall spiritual element of the ending also left some fans dissatisfied. Another of my friends is a rabid agnostic. A man of science, his faith was in that everything would be explainable by science. Thanks to articles in Popular Mechanics and Wired, he believed that everything on LOST had a scientific explanation and left no room in even his imagination for magic.
So while that may be a more legitimate grip than a misunderstanding about the images run over the credits, Still, I don’t even think that sending our characters off into a bright light is the real reason for my friend’s and everyone else’s dissatisfaction with the way the show ended. The reason is that for the past six years, LOST has been simultaneously two shows. There is the show the writers and producers and actors have presented to us and then there is the show as we’ve written it in our minds. The finale itself was an expertly done elegy for the series. These characters and their tragic paths to redemption and then ultimately salvation was always what the show was about. Just like the stories of Narnia was about the children who visited the world and Hogwarts was only seen through the eyes of the three main characters, so was the island a magical and deeply mythological place that only served as the setting for a story about the survivors of a plane crash.
LOST is a show that demands much of its viewers. Unlike procedural dramas and other such formulaic shows, LOST provided us with a myriad of stories that crossed many genres. The much reviled Exposé was a murder-mystery show (with a twist), He’s Our You was a spy-thriller, and many other episodes of the show defied genre classification. This is not what I am getting at. At its height, the first season, the promises of the show’s mysteries were much more appealing than once the answers started coming. A brilliant story through-and-through, many viewers found that the answers they were being given were less intriguing than the ones that they had imagined in the hours, days, or weeks after a given episode.
To be fair, the writers of the show have more or less given us paths to the answers. Rather than give us specific facts on a platter, the writers give us suggestions, sometimes from dubious sources, and confirmations that need to be married up with information given in other episodes. When answers are given to us straight and with no ambiguity, e.g. the whispers, many viewers are left feeling unsatisfied. As someone said on the lovely and talented Maggie Furlong’s web show Instant Dharma, the most satisfying thing the writers could give us is closure on a topic, rather than didactic answers. When the answer to a question is hidden we have mystery, once we have the “answer” that exhilarating mystery just becomes another bit of information. This once fascinating question is as robbed of its magic as the digital effects of Avatar would be reduced to its ones and zeros.
Yet, just because there are certain answers given to certain questions, such as the polar bears, it doesn’t mean that your theory about how the polar bears are the ones that built the Dharma Barracks is any less valid or any less a part of the show. When Karen and I first corresponded, one of the first things I told her was that I thought most of her theories were completely and utterly ridiculous. The wonderful thing about Karen, and others like her such as her podcast partners the ODI and Vozzek69, is that usually when the answer proves to be nothing like the particular nutty theory postulated weeks before, her enjoyment of the show does not seem to diminish. It was a wonderful gag that when the LOST community of website-runners would grade each episode, they mostly used a typical “A” through “F” grading scale, Karen used an “A+” through “A++++++++” scale. Just because the show went to a different place than she thought it was going to, she was merely happy to have had her passport stamped in that far corner of her imagination.
In fact, all that wild speculation and willingness to explore even the most absurd ideas paid off for them in that after “The Candidate,” they were perfectly primed for what the finale ultimately showed us. I downloaded and listened to the last ODI podcast, but in bits and pieces because they always give you at least two hours of LOST ramblings. On a long drive back to Pittsburgh from a more rural part of Pennsylvania, I was listening to the last half hour or so of the podcast the day after the finale and, while I don’t have quotes, they essentially nailed the scenario – all along really – that the Lostaways had to atone for their baggage and join the community to move on, spiritually speaking. While this was sandwiched between theories that the island is a shoehorn and that Christian Shepard is Santa Claus and the President the point isn’t that one theory was correct and others are off-the-mark, confused, or batshit crazy, but that these folks had opened their minds to the possibility of anything. This is not to say that they are apologists nor that they will swallow anything like gullible pelicans, in fact of all the theorizing stayed very true to the characters as we knew them. They were anchored to the show by these characters and through them, anything was possible.
Karen and Vozzek69, as far as I know, were not professional writers who saw in LOST an opportunity to find a dedicated audience, but two rabid fans who were compelled by this fictional story that they loved and the only way to make sense of it all was to work it out on the (web)page. I began my writing career in a similar fashion; at a very young age there were things I loved and things I couldn’t make sense of, so I thought I would organize those thoughts on paper. As if summoned by a supernatural force, they too began to peck away at the keys and have done what all good writers do: organize thoughts and ideas for those who cannot. A mish-mash of literary analysis and rabid imagination, they and others wrote the second storyline of the show and it is one that will never end. It’s the stories told by the fans, the podcasters, and the other LOST writers: Karen, Vozzek69, and others. And thank Hurley for them, because there is still quite a bit to talk about.
You can check out Joshua's blog at: www.thelastrube.blogspot.com
Shared Thoughts From JO of Get LOST with JOpinionated
None of us knew what we were in for when LOST debuted on September 22, 2004, but without a doubt I had no idea that this television series would have such a profound effect on and change my life. The level of creativity from start to finish was astounding and inspiring; to be able to weave and intermingle so many elements and characters for six seasons was an admirable and tremendous accomplishment, and one we will probably not witness again for 5-10 years.
To be honest, I did not care how LOST ended. I trusted the writers and producers based on the stellar quality of the overarching story and seasons leading up to the last episode, and enjoyed every second of the journey they provided for all of us. I was pleasantly surprised and touched by the emotional resonance of the Flash Sideways reveal, and truly loved the final ten minutes of The End. After watching the series finale four times, the same two words come to mind: beautiful and perfect.
Shared Thoughts From Andy of DarkUFO:
Being part of the whole LOST "experience" running the site has helped me enjoy the show so much more as I could see all the reactions of the fans each week on the site along with all the great insight our recappers and theorists made.
The show itself hooked me from the very first minutes and that feeling of not being able to wait for the next episode has never dwindled, even after the Finale. I still feel I want more LOST.
Hopefully all Lost fans will meet up at the "church" at some point in the future.
Namaste.
Shared Thoughts from Chris of Super Duper Stream:
"Lost, for me at least, began as a story about a dozen or so normal, broken human beings who find themselves coping with the real issue of being trapped on an Island, and unreal issue of supernatural events. These people were not your usual TV cliches - the two de facto leaders were a Doctor who harboured cryptic tattoos and an unassuming woman hiding the fact she is a 'dangerous' fugitive.
Although this is where Lost began, and the writers did a fantastic job of returning us to our core characters and their attempts to overcome the various real and supernatural events thrown at them, along the way something altogether more magical happened. These writers weren't just entertaining us, they were teaching us, guiding us. Like a veritable mash-up of every theme, story, myth and idea ever conceived, Lost took us, the viewer, through every genre imaginable in weaving their tale - romance, science fiction, action, adventure, mystery, crime, comedy. All of them had their moment to shine.
What Lost has done for me is to provide a gateway to all these fantastic stories and themes. It has taught me more about philosophy, books, science, history, etc than School ever did. Through via various aspects of the fandom that have taken each piece and investigated it further, I have learned so much. There are websites out there solely devoted to the various books mentioned in Lost and how they tie into the overall motif, websites out there dedicated to the etymology of the character's names, others too that deal with the repetition of phrases and how they make up a rich tapestry over time. Each of these people, these fans, these websites, make up a chain that wraps and envelopes the Lost story to make it something altogether stronger and larger. I also feel like I have been a link in this chain - my own forte is in analyzing all of these ideas and theories and condensing them into something that is easier to understand without all the intricate details.
As you can see, it is hard to tie Lost down into one core aspect - it is the storyline, the characters, the themes, the fans, the community. All of it, combined, makes Lost what it is, was and always will be. Magical. One of a kind. Easy to love. A perfect marriage of quantity and quality. There were some little aspects that I didn't like with Lost, some minor details I disagreed with, even felt they were 'wrong'. But for everything I didn't enjoy, there were hundreds more things I did enjoy, and I guarantee there were thousands of fans who LOVED the very thing I didn't. And I think that is where Lost's successes lay - it could never be everything to everyone, but I think there was enough of everything there that everyone could at least love some part of it.
Now that we've reached The End, I still feel like the journey has only just begun. To fully appreciate all the little details, we need to go back to the start, to re-watch the show, to continue to share our opinions and takes on the past six seasons, and to continue to read and share with each other all the things we loved and noticed - and maybe together we will eventually understand everything that has happened. And until then, I will relish every moment of the journey."
Earlier this week The ODI asked you to send in some questions and there are so many great questions! There is of course no way to answer each one but in this bonus podcast we answer several of the common questions that were sent in and provide you with our initial thoughts about the finale.
You can read my notes on The End for more LOSTNESS!
We are working on our Finale Recap podcast and it will most likely be in two to three parts so keep your eyes open for those.. Also since so many great questions were sent in we will try to do another bonus podcast to answer some more.
In the mean time I hope you all enjoy this podcast and once again thanks for all the comments and questions!
Also, as promised, one lucky listener of the podcast will win an awesome LOST Prize package from DK Publishing that includes a LOST Complete Collection DVD Set and a LOST Encyclopedia!
That is correct! If you listen to this podcast we provide you with details on how to enter and how you can possibly win this awesome prize!
Good luck and enjoy!
This podcast is available via iTunes or the audio player and download link below:
I can't believe I just wrote that title here. I am having a hard time coming around to facing the end of this wonderful journey, but alas I know that every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. What can I say? That's a line that sticks with me after my many years of playing the club circuit but its proper nonetheless.
Once upon a time:
Jack's eye opened to signify the start of this journey.
It has always seemed to me that he and the other castaways were placed on the "Island" as if they were placed pieces on a game board.
I played back in my mind's eye Christian Shepherd's coffin arriving at LAX in the LA X sideways and Jack on the "Island" washing his hands and face in the stream in preparation for his new "Island" job, Ben going through the mundane motions in his one armed existence in the sideways and then him loading a gun on the "Island" to continue on his quest as he currently sides with (MIB)/Locke, Locke looking back at his empty black wheelchair as he is wheeled on a gurney into surgery, Lonely James in the locker room at the police station putting his badge over his head and glimpsing at himself in the mirror he broke in frustration, then he tends to Kate's bullet wound on the "Island", and Kate waits in Hugo's Camaro in the church parking lot of The Lamppost station while the Oceanic Air Cargo van delivers "Christian".
Interestingly Desmond signs for the cargo from the currier Bocklin, claiming he works there. Kate nonchalantly asks Des "Who died?" and he blandly replies "A man named Christian Shephard."
Kate won't let him turn the key to start the car until he tells her why he made her put on that dress and busted her out of jail to go to a "Fusion" concert, "You won't even tell me why we're here."
Desmond-"No one can tell you why you're here, Kate."
I remember Kate having similar dialogue with Ben in A Tale of Two Cities.
Desmond confesses that he wants to "leave".
Curious Kate wonders, "Leave and go where?"
Desmond will show her.
Jack stands alone ankle deep the water of the stream and we see he has a renewed aura about him but shares with James that he really doesn't feel any different as "the new Jacob", and he really doesn't know "what the hell just happened up here". Jack explains to his friends that Jacob said they have to go to the bamboo forest just past their old camp and that's where he'd find the place they need toprotect. Yes, in that very same vicinity we've seen Jack start from at least twice already.
Jacob called it the heart of the Island; it's a light.
Hugo- "And that Locke Smoke Thing wants to put it out?"
Jack- "Something like that, yeah."
Hugo- "So, what if he does?"
Jack- "Then that’s it for all of us."
Kate- "But, if Locke wants to put it out, then why hasn’t he?"
James- "'Cause he ain’t got what he needs. I’m guessing that’d be Desmond. . .That’s where we were headed before your inauguration. Sayid said Locke tossed him in a well."
Jack-"Jacob didn’t say anything to me about Desmond."
James- "Doesn’t sound like he said anything about anything."
Hugo- "That’s kinda of true, dude. He’s worse than Yoda."
James-"All right. Y’all head to your heart of the island and I’ll go get the magicleprechaun out of that well." {Hearts and Minds}
Umm, yeah...there's some wonderfully evasive but convincing sounding bits of information for ya.
A Tale of Two Cities, Three Time Lines, Do-Overs, and an Island that "Technically, you know, we don't even know if we're on an Island"
Time was irrelevant on the "Island" and in the sideways and in the place of the Castaway meet up.
Christian tells Jack that everything that happened to him was real, so this includes "Island" events, Flashes, and the Oceanic 6 craziness. Hmmm...Perhaps it was only as real as he made it. Even if it was a matrix/virtual or physical with simulations incorporated, or a real mystical island, or metaphysical planes, and/or states of consciousness, all of those still count as a real experience for them.
Desmond and Jack share important dialogue before Desmond descends into the light cavern.
Desmond- "This doesn't matter, you know...Him destroying the island, you destroying him. It doesn't matter. You know, you're gonna lower me into that light, and I'm gonna go somewhere else. A place where we can be with the ones we love, and not have to ever think about this damn island again. And you know the best part, Jack?"
Jack- "What?"
Desmond- "You're in this place. You know, we sat next to each other on Oceanic 815. It never crashed. We spoke to each other. You seemed happy. You know, maybe I can find a way to bring you there too."
Jack- "Desmond, I tried that once. There are no shortcuts, no do-overs. What happened happened. Trust me, I know. All of this matters."
Yet we've constantly witnessed the loop concept with all the castaway's and their stay on the "Island" and in their Flashes. We've even seen Oceanic plane wreckage already inside the caves. Come on! Desmond "saw" different versions of Charlie dying and had Flashes before his Eyes, and in The Constant with times/places. We've seen them refer to moments of remembering things during the "Island" adventure, they even reference what their supposed to and not supposed to do as if it's been done before, saw proof of different versions of things and scenes, and people, items and dialogue repeated over and over again. But obviously in the grand scheme of things and the emotional closure to the story, all of these facts and details were placed in the category of "Irrelevant Island Items".
Fantasy, Fairy Tales and the Flightline Motel: Enlightened Hurley has a mission to bring Sayid along on one of his errands to pick up bass guitarist Charlie Pace of Drive Shaft and deliver him to the Fusion benefit concert. Sideways Charlie is totally drunk, and even after levelheaded coaxing from Hugo he won't go to the show. Hugo came prepared with a fucking tranquilizerdart gun to ensure the transport of the unwilling rocker. Someone please tell me why oh why there is a need for tranquilizer dart guns in the sideways?
This is supposed to be the same enlightened Charlie that was the guide to Desmond's enlightenment. WTF?! How come we don't see any sign of that Charlie here?! BTW Charlie's important message to us via his tattoo is "Living is easy with eyes closed. Misunderstanding all you see."
We revisited the same motel from Lockdown. The very same one that Anthony Cooper stayed in after he staged his death and instructed John to get the money from the safety deposit box, and where John proposed to Helen.
It is important to keep in mind the "sideways" also shows us people lying, on the run, kidnapping/taken hostage, embezzling, killing, dying and the inception of babies.
Fire + Water:
It is the beautiful Eden like cavern that contains the picture perfect stream and warm bright light, which simultaneously contains fire and brimstone. However, this ancient containment chamber has been constructed and decorated by man.
When Desmond removed the giant pawn from the hole in the heart of the "Island" in an effort to put the light out, he thought this action would let him leave "this place".
Evil wasn't really unleashed, but this act was one part to liberating the (MIB)/Locke from the "Island". After all, (MIB)/Locke and Desmond were seeking the same thing the Lostie's ultimate goal was in the sideways... to "leave".
Putting out the light played a role in giving us the end of "MIB", and of "Jacob" who just disappeared. This ended the "Island" game for the twins.
I hope that box is big enough for you to conjure yourself up an Ajira plane that can leave Hydra Island:
Just like the magic box of the "Island", the sideways seemed to utilize the concept of "If you believe it" it can happen.
In the "sideways" did Jack imagine he had a son? Locke tells him he doesn't have a son, yet Locke remarked about his son looking just like him in last week's episode. Also in the "sideways" Locke can get up and walk pretty much immediately after major spinal surgery.
On the "Island" Chesty Frank believed he could fly that plane out of there, not just on a wing and a prayer but with duct tape! And son of a bitch he did it!
This is also where we learn-
Miles-"I don't believe in a lot of things, but I do believe in duct tape" line is said, and I gotta say...I'm stealing that awesome line for future use!
Miles will be Frank's eyes while he drives the plane getting it ready for takeoff, and Ricky Boy, who finally realized he really wants to live, will relay Miles' info back to Frank the pilot.
Here "on Island" and "sideways" give us constant examples of people appearing and disappearing and wishes granted. {We've seen this in "off Island" and "Oceanic Six" events as well.}
The "Island" of misfit Castaways still keeps secrets:
The "Island" was indeed the place you go to be tested and challenged, to learn, to find what you lost, to heal from your pain, to grow, become enlightened and then move on. We have six seasons proof of that. Rose even mentions to Bernard the "Island" is the place where you to "get better". We have indeed been privy to a few castaways going through the challenges there, finding redemption, seeing truth, letting go and moving on more than a handful of times. We've even seen instances where people opted out; Ana Lucia.
The other point we can't ignore is that we've been told many times the "Island" adventure is a separate place from the "REAL WORLD", hence making it an "UNREAL WORLD" of some sort.
We can go back and prove the "Island" manipulated and altered people's perception and memory, drugged them, and brain washed them. We've seen proof of the illusion, of things being faked, contrived, use of costumes, wigs/beards, props, decoy villages, scripts, cameras, fake bird sounds, and so much more. The visitors were assigned roles, jobs and names. Their needs were met; including food drops, medical supplies and some comforts of home.
We've even seen the "blurring" of on and off "Island" events present themselves while someone was in a sleeping-dream state. Direct examples are Something Nice Back Home and The Cost of Living.
We know the "Island" to be an "Island" of magical power and such, and blurring of "Island" events and off "Island" events were always there.
Ultimately the "Island" did not want its true identity revealed!
Games, Games and More Games:
In this episode Christian reminds Jack that everything that happened to him in his life was real, with real people. This includes the "Island" experience.
The Island- The show did bring games, Easter eggs, hidden subliminal clues with books, props and actual dialogue within the on screen "Island" story and ARG'S.
Do I take back my bold typed clue words about the game, mental health, simulation/virtual, matrix, things happening in the head/mind/consciousness, events blurring together, and all those things? NO!!
No matter what the Island is not an "Island" or at least not your typical cay of land sitting in the middle of open water island.
The game element was there all the way up until the very end. There was no doubt about it. We know "this place" had rules that change and vary according to who the new leader is, moves, timer, countdown, trades, cheats, loopholes, levels, leaders, pieces/pawns, odds, and points. You could also leave the game/experience and come back into it or completely opt out if you're not ready to continue. We've even seen proof of literally starting over in the same position. There were goals of the game/adventure such as slay the monster, blow up the sub or the plane and save the world, and these challenges is what is supposed to liberate you from your own suffering and making you change.
We can look at the "Island" as a stop in the adventure/experience/game/journey as one of the levels/planes. We can even acknowledge the final scene in this episode with Christian opening the church doors as next level or "Game over."
We're told time didn't matter on the "Island" and in the last stop on Jack's sideways, yet there always was a blurring of events; as if things were running simultaneously.
The "Island" Whispers:
I call fucking shenanigans on Michael telling Hurley that the whispers are of those who couldn't move on. Ask yourself, "move on" from where? Automatically wouldn't you "assume" that makes it "purgatory" or "afterlife" of sorts? Or is it just the bleed through of voices from outside of the experience/game? It still fits either concept. Technically the general "voices" explanation is still in question, as the "Island's" identity wasn't explained and it appears that the two relate to one another. I must also question why Michael would have not been redeemed when he fulfilled his duty on the freighter and was actually given permission from "Christian" that he can go. I guess in the end it was Michael who couldn't "let go".
Enlightenment:
“Careful observation is the only key to true and complete awareness.”
In the six seasons of notes I've presented to you something that was a constant is my understanding that the castaways were indeed on a journey of enlightenment. You have seen this research and photos in my notes before, but I've left a few reminders here:
Dharma- Teachings of the Buddha {Dharma Initiative=The Start of the 8 fold path.}
Black or White...it's about the balance.
The images shown to us through the story connect with Dharma, Karma and Zen Buddhist practices: The Bagua, wheel, light, colors, Dogen, the temple, waves, fish, mirrors, water, spiral, consciousness, etc..
Bardo, a Tibetan word means "Intermediate State" also translated as "transitional state" or "in-between state.
Together "six bardos" form a classification of states of consciousness into six broad types:
The Bardo of This Life, Bardo of Meditation, Bardo of Dream, Bardo of Dying, Bardo of Dharmata, and the Bardo of Existence. Any state of consciousness can form a type of "intermediate state", intermediate between other states of consciousness. Indeed, one can consider any momentary state of consciousness a Bardo, since it lies between our past and future existences; it provides us with the opportunity to experience reality, which is always present but obscured by the projections and confusions that are due to our previous unskillful actions.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead ...there is in fact no single Tibetan title corresponding to the Tibetan Book of the Dead. The overall name given to the whole cycle is Profound Dharma of Self-Liberation through the Intention of the Peaceful and Wrathful Ones or as Karma Lingpa's Peaceful and Wrathful Ones.
The Liberation Through Hearing During the Intermediate State or Bardo Thodol is a funerary text. The Liberation Through Hearing During the Intermediate State also mentions three other Bardo: those of "life" (or ordinary waking consciousness), of "Dhyana" (meditation), and of "dream" (the dream state during normal sleep).
In the third Bardo the soul encounters the Lord of Death, a fearsome demonic deity who appears in smoke and fire, and subjects the soul to a Judgment. If the dead person protests that he has done no evil, the Lord of Death holds up before him the Mirror of Karma, "wherein every good and evil act is vividly reflected." Now demons approach and begin to inflict torments and punishments upon the soul for his evil deeds.
The Battle of Two Wills:
The storm is raging and rain is pouring down on Jack and MIB/Locke, who literally have a physical showdown on the cliff. It was like watching two Gladiators fight to the death!
Locke stabs Jack in the gut and starts to cut open his neck. This is the literal bleeding through of "Island" events and the sideways. {Or even facing a memory.} Jack tries to choke the life out of (MIB)/Locke; all the while the "Island" is falling to pieces around them. Because the magic of the "Island" is broken and MIB/Locke became "mortal" {at least he "became" mortal to Jack and the rest}, Locke is shot by the bullet Kate saved for him. The sunlight starts to show itself through the storm and MIB/Locke smiles knowing "You're too late". Ultimately Jack kicks MIB/Locke off the cliff sending him to his final death and finally liberating the MIB-LOCKE from the "Island". {Poor Locke, he's always tossed out a window, thrown off a cliff, falls down a well, gets shot in the leg.}
In the sideways Jack is congratulated on his "Nice work" by a nurse who is wheelingsedatedLocke from surgery into room 218. Jack's neck is bleeding. The nurse informs Jack that sedated Locke is already waking up.
Jack-"Mr. Locke. Can you hear me?"
Locke opens his eyes and Jack explains to him he just had major surgery, "Try not to move and just relax, okay?"
Locke is happy because "It worked". He has use of his legs again. When he moves his toes,memory of his "Island" experience floods him and he asks Dr. Jack, "Did you see that? You don't remember".
All of a sudden Jack has a Flash of him and Locke looking down into the Swan Hatch.Locke's awaking inspires him to literally get out of the bed, knowing "We need to go" and he asks Jack, "Will you come with me?"
Locke is truly happy that he "gets it" while in denial Jack feels, "We're not going anywhere".Upset Jack needs to go see his son, but Locke reminds him, "You don't have a son."
Jack is confused. On his way out of the room Locke tells the stubborn doctor, "I hope that somebody does for you what you just did for me." Jack literally just liberated Locke from his suffering.
The pieces are moved:
With the sun shining and order somewhat restored, severely injured Jackjokes with Kate, "Find me some thread and I can count to five."
Kate informs James that Locke's dead, "It's over."
Although the sun is shining the "Island" is still rumbling and breaking apart.
James-"Sure don't feel like it's over."
The "Island" is still crumbling because whatever Desmond turned off Jack needs to turn it on again. {This is exactly what James had to do with the vending machine when he was with Juliet Carlson to buy an Apollo bar from rack G23. And it's technically legal.lol.Reboot.} Jack feels if it doesn't work the rest of them need to be on that plane. Kate encourages Jack to let the "Island" sink,but Jack can't do that.James thinks he can manage to get the boat across the channel in time.
James thanks the Doc for everything. Ben feels if the "Island's" going down that he's going down with it. Hugo is "with" Jack. Jack wants Kate to go and get Claire on that plane.
Kate is sad, "Tell me I'm gonna see you again."
They passionately kiss goodbye and they both say "I love you".
James and Kate find they literally have to jump from the cliff to make it over to the boat that will bring them to Hydra Island and the plane.
Of course this reminds me of the Zen proverb- "Let go over a cliff, die completely, and then come back to life. After that you cannot be deceived."
Jack will head back into the depths of the cavern to plug the pawn back in, reigniting the light; rebooting the "Island" and restoring balance.
Jack, Hurley and Ben understand that this is Jack's final quest because this is the way it has to be, even though Hurley accuses him of committing suicide.
Hurley is handed the proverbial torch of protecting the "light".
Jack does the whole "Drink this" mumbo jumbo minus the "incantation" in order to make things legal, but he still manages the "Now you're like me" closing statement to the communion. Hurley will only accept the job on a temporary basis.
{Jack put Hurley in charge of a very important job in Everybody Hates Hugo.}
In the depths of the raging cavern Jack rescues disappointed Desmond. Desmond feels he has to put it back, "It's like a train!"
Jack releases Desmond to go home and be with his wife and son {How does Jack know all that info?} and he will plug the ancient stone pawn back in. Jack will see Brother in another life.
Severely injured Jack completes his last task of restoring the light and the water.
Kate pleads with Claire, who thinks the "Island" made her crazy ass insane, to go with her. Claire's concerned that she no longer knows how to be a mother. Kate convinces her she's not alone and that none of them knows what to do at first.
Kate, James and Claire make their flight with Frank, Enos and Ricky Boy.
Frank's leap of faith worked in enabling them to take flight.
Hurley, with his new role, dubs Ben his numbertwo in charge because he has experience. Desmond will be on the "Island" with them. Hurley will run the "Island" a new way, a better way than Jacob did. He will do what he does best, take care of people.
By the way a funny bit, Hugo always knew he was "going back to the caves, after all no one lives there anymore, so he won't bother anybody. He's going to live alone, be one of those crazy guys with the bigbeard, no clothes, who's naked and throws doody at people." He mentions this in Dave.
Some place safe:
In the "sideways" it's Kate that meets up with Jack at the Fusion concert (where workers are literally breaking everything down and packing it away) to inform him it's over. Jack is looking for his son and of course he doesn't seem to be around. Jack remembers Kate when she touches his face and tells him she's missed him so much. Jack has Flashes of them on the "Island" but still resists and wonders "What is happening to me? Who are you?"
Kate convinces Jack to go with her so he'll understand.
Changed Locke arrives in a yellow Shoreline taxi at Mrs. Hawking's white church {Lamppost Station} that contained the Dharma Initiative's Lamppost Station. Yes, the very same one that enabled the Oceanic Six to return to the "Island".
Locke wheels himself to the entrance where he comes upon Ben sitting. Ben shares that most of them are already inside.
Ben- "I'm very sorry for what I did to you, John. I was selfish, jealous...I wanted everything you had."
Puzzled John asks, "What did I have?"
Ben- "You were special, John. But I wasn't."
John- "Well if it helps, Ben. I forgive you."
Although that helps and matters more than Ben can say, he still isn't ready to join up with the rest of the castaways. He still has some things he needs to work out, "I think I'll stay here a while."
It is Ben that prompts John to get out of that chair.
John walks into the church a completely changed man, free of all the things that crippled him.
Hugo pokes his head outside the church, sees Ben and thanks him for being a real good number two.
Ben- "You were a great number one, Hugo."
Jack arrives to the Lamppost station/church in his shitty ol Bronco with Kate. He feels he's at {church} the place where he was going to have his father's funeral; he died in Australia. Although I remember Jack telling Sayid in the episode Three Minutes, that he was going to L.A. and right from the airport to the cemetery to bury his father.
He asks Kate,"Why did you bring me here?"
Kate- "Because this is where you were gonna have your father's funeral."
Jack still doesn't completely comprehend what is going on. Kate will wait for him inside for when he's ready to leave.
The Long Con:
Abracadabra, smoke and mirrors!
So...was the LOST adventure supposed to be a living breathing chess game and puzzle? We were led to "believe" that it was.
The blissful ending we saw with Christian and Jack and the ambiguous explanation given leaves much to interpretation yet on the other hand it was definitive...closure.
However, if we're asked to believe the "Island" is a real physical place, with real people, complete with a shape shifting smoke monster, a frozen donkey wheel that can move the "Island", time travel, mysterious wishes being granted, ghosts, whispers, an ageless man, appearing and disappearing people, healing properties, world saving electromagnetic forces, a Willy Wonka Eggdicator machine that determines if someone if good or bad, a cork that plugs a hole in a bright light cavern, reset button, special people, twins who've been playing an eternal game, and an invisibility cloak around the "Island", then we as the viewer can if we choose to, ignore certain key "facts" that make the ending we saw correct and create whatever world we want to.
The "Island" may very well have been a "real island" that had fantastical properties. It could be an "Island" that was utilized by rich people, military, scientists (The DeGroots, Hanso, Mittleos, Mittlewerk) for the purpose of study, and a place to bring "lost" people and rehabilitate them. Or even a metaphysical level of the journey. For the castaways this still would be the place that they did share their coming together via a staged plane crash, the tests and challenges they faced under the guise of a game, where they would learn to confront their demons, face their fears, see truth, end addiction, forgive themselves, forgive others, get over abandonment issues and other emotional issues that paralyzed them, learn to let go of their attachments and suffering and then be free to live their lives in the "real world". It would have been this time spent together that was indeed the most important to Jack, Locke and the rest of the castaways. They were the people who meant the most in the most important time of their lives, who shared in their life changing growth.
Wonderland:
In the sideways environment we were also mixed up in the world of Jabberwocky. Things were wrong and backwards at times. People switched sides, teams and even roles and jobs.
In The End we still witnessed people having to read and follow instructions and diagrams.
I just gotta ask...What are we logically supposed to make of the entire Oceanic 6 era? I'll just chalk it up to my thoughts about it being a level of the "Island" experience/adventure/exercise/game/journey.
But even Dorothy was able to wake up from her experience and realize what parts were real and which were not. The people in her real life bled over into the adventure she had while she was unconscious/sleeping.
Perception:
This has always been a story about perception. This is why we all extrapolated different things from the story. I can see why fans may not be happy with the conclusion that was revealed because it did not end with the ending you may have perceived or hoped for.
Did we spend the last six years watching a story about people caught up in the middle of a real life issue that involved a stay on an "Island" that really was a lab, run by powerful people all for the sake of betterment of man, or a real plane crash on a magical "Island", or is it strictly the metaphysical journey of levels of birth, enlightenment, death and rebirth.
We were always meant to take our own journey through this story and we were always supposed to take our own views from it and see things when we were ready to see them.
Things to Note...Questions we leave on the table...
* Jack, Locke and Desmond worked as a team to lower Desmond into the light, yet all three of them had different motives for going into the light.
* Your mind creates things/thoughts/ideas/fear/etc.. One aspect of the "Island" adventure is to "believe" and believing in what you see/hear/experience/etc.
* Locke is Locke.
* What was with all the eye color changes throughout the six seasons?
* At what point in time did "God loves you as he loved Jacob" happen?
* There are many episodes that although I feel connected to Locke's issues, I can see connect to Jack's journey.
* Was it really Jacob who invited Charles Widmore to the island; to bring Desmond and prep him for his mission to put out the light?
* One aspect of the journey it to let go of one's negative self and ego.
* Life, Death, Rebirth.
* Technically Desmond interfered in the sideways and pushed people to "wake up".
Vocabulary and Research...
* Arnold Böcklin: was a symbolist Swiss painter-16 October 1827 – 16 January 1901. He pained The Isle of the Dead and The Return.
I'm sure the sideways (waiting area) represents very different things to each of us. We were only told it was a place they "made" to find each other. I do have my own thoughts on what it is; of course this is based on the story I perceived through the six seasons.
Nonetheless, here is some insight to what the word Purgatory technically means:
* Purgatory: any situation causing suffering. A miserable situation.
From Latin purgātōrium: cleansing. Cognate to English (purge): Tending to cleanse or purge.
- In Roman Catholic and other religious teachings; a temporary state of the dead.
- is the condition or process of purification or temporary punishment
- (verb) 1). To carry out a task; EXECUTE, gas, electrocute, shoot, finish, hang, bear, create, enact
2). To reach a goal.
- Additional Synonyms: Abaddon, Gehenna, Hades, abyss, bottomless pit, everlasting fire, fire and brimstone, infernal regions, limbo, lower world, nether world, perdition, pit, place of torment, suffering, underworld.
- Mental suffering: affliction, agony, anguish,bemoaning, bereavement, bewailing, care, dejection, deploring, depression, desolation, despair, despondency, discomfort, disquiet, distress, dole, dolor, gloom, grievance, harassment, heartache, heartbreak, infelicity, lamentation, lamenting, malaise, melancholy, misery, mortification, mournfulness, mourning, pain, purgatory, regret, remorse, repining, rue, sadness, sorrow, torture, trial, tribulation, trouble, unhappiness, vexation, woe, worry, wretchedness.
Circle:
Ensō is a Japanese word meaning "circle " and a concept strongly associated with Zen. The story begins with Jack opening his eye and ends with him closing his eye in the same position as we were introduced to him. Locke found what he was looking for on the "Island" a long time ago, as did many other castaways. Jack's full circle experience on the "Island" happened for a reason. He was the one who admittedly checked back into the "Island" experience to try to fix his broken self. He would not learn to let go and beat his "demon" until he came out of the "Island" experience a fixed new man, freeof the chains/things that bound him. When he fulfilled his quests there, he was finally able to leave/die from the "Island's" learning ground and move on and have total peace.
Let's look at what we were shown...In the sideways Jack literally tells Locke "If I can fix you, Mr. Locke, that’s all the peace I’ll need." And on "Island" Jack's last quest is to kill the "monster" {the negative}, assume a new role to give him purpose and restore peace and protection to "this place", which he does. Although it took Jack longer to understand why he was in "this place", he finally completed the course and ultimately liberated himself.
Can I just say that even after all we witnessed my favorite character is still Locke. He was the one who did see truth in knowing they were brought to the island for a reason. Even when he would stumble the goodhearted and nurturing leader was there. He was a tough warrior who had hope and fought for the cause even when no one wanted to listen to him. Yes, we saw his spirit broken, but the warrior was still inside there. Even then Locke's the one who made me believe that I can overcome obstacles and find a purpose. "Don't tell me what I can't do."
Live Together, Die Alone:
It doesn't matter if we observed the castaways learn to find and forgive themselves and know love under the guise of a game, or if it was a literal depiction of the path of enlightenment and onto Nirvana, Jack and these people needed to learn to heal themselves, coexist and work as a team for the greater good. They played a deep and important role in each other's life changing enlightenment.
“There is no coming to consciousness without pain”:
We all went into this blind. We were never promised anything. We were never told how, why and what the deal is with "This Place"-the "Island", we were never told the rules of the "Island" adventure and/or game, what they were and how they work. You always had a choice to continue on with the adventure to where ever it was going to lead or to opt out. For all intents and purposes we took this journey just as blindly as the Castaways did. We only learned information when a Castaway learned the answer. We were always meant to take the entire journey along with them just as if we were on the "Island" with them.
Jack took longer to be able to heal himself and only when he completes the acts of liberating "the monster"/Locke on "Island" and Locke in the Sideways" was he able to see truth and free himself. I believe this is why we're led to believe "MIB" "assumed" Locke's ID; it was because Jack had to literally face the one person/Locke on the "Island" who represented his opposition/negative, the one who challenged him most.
All of this didn't make my own journey through all of this any less important or rewarding.
The LOST story is filled with so many layers of everything that makes up people, life, struggle, pain, rewards, love, hope, purpose, destiny, death and rebirth. We all had many ways to watch this show, and different things to take from it, or you didn't have to take anything at all from it. My entire experience with this LOST journey became a part of my life, played a role in my own personal growth and enlightenment, and made me a better person. This story changed my life on so many levels. I was open to all the possibilities this story had to offer. I enjoyed the magic even while it inadvertently became my teacher and guide. There always was a message, lessons and answers in the story. We were able to watch this epic unfold in a literal and metaphoric way.
Were we all meant to come out of this as Zen masters? No. But guess what? The idea was to clue us into "awareness", our consciousness, our own purpose...destiny. Some of us did indeed "get it" and some may need a longer to, but that's okay and that doesn't mean the journey stops for any of us.
We're all flawed. People are flawed.
We were shown that everything we do does matter and affects everyone we touch... forever, and, that "time" really means "now". Like it or not we make an imprint on the universe.
The Journey:
This journey did provide us with hints, clues, reveals and answers about the "Island" along the way, but some chose to not see them and that's okay because that part of the story is secondary. LOST also gave us hints to death and "this place" being a place of punishment, suffering and learning throughout the years. Sometimes it was literal, other times it was subliminal and/or metaphoric.
Christian explains to Jack that his friends "died" at different points. We don't know how much "time" came and went and it doesn't even matter. It seems that each castaway had their own individual experience and enlightenment and agreed that when they all were ready (of course they waited for Jack to have his awakening in the "sideways") and they were in their "some place safe", they would leave one place and move on to the next...together.
As we see literal reconnection's and reunions of the people who once lived on the "Island": Charlie finally connects with pregnant Claire, Kate delivers Aaron...again, Sun and Jin (who speak perfect English and are pregnant with Ji Yeon), James and Juliet (at the rebooted vending machine share the same dialogue as when James was reunited with her at the implosion site on the "Island"), Sayid and Shannon (really?!), etc., is all in preparation for Jack's being able to truly let go and move on to the next phase...all together.
You should ask yourself how this journey was for you overall. Did you have fun? Did you enjoy the ride? Did it excite you every week? Did it make you happy? Did it open your sense of wonder and imagination? Did you truly look, see, hear and understand? Did you find answers or insight? Did you read more books? Did you write about the show at all (blogs/forums/message boards)? Did you make new friends? Did you find love? Did you learn how to handle different kinds of situations? Did you learn to look at things through new eyes? Did you learn to think outside the box? Did you mock other people for thinking outside the box? Did you learn trust? Did you learn how to have hope? Did you find a way to forgive? Did you learn patience? Did you learn how to treat people? Did you learn about Karma? Did you grow? Did it give you wings to fly? Did you discover the real you? Did you find your purpose? Or, Do you just feel like you were Scooby Doo'd?
The Destination: It doesn't matter who we were, it only matter who we are.
Jack, through his long struggle to heal himself, finally came to realize who he really was. He went into the journey one way and came out another. {Although to me he still looked a bit confused and apprehensive.}
On "Island" Jack wakes up laying on the rocks at the stream like when we saw Jacob discover his brother "dead" after pushing him into the lighted cavern.
Inside the church Jack ascends the steps and enters the room that displays a lot of Buddhist, Zen, Dharma, Hindu, Christian and other religious and spiritual icons, and the casket he believes holds his father's body. When Jack touches the coffin he is flooded with Flash memory of his time on the "Island".
I gotta tell ya, when he opens the casket I really thought Jack would see himself in there. But of course the coffin is empty and Jack's disappointed. Christian's body never seems to ever actually be in a coffin. Does that tell you anything? Hmmm?
Still not understanding, Jack turns to see Christian there.
Jack-"You died."
Christian confirms he did.
Jack-"Then how are you here right now?"
Christian-"How are you here?"
He gives Jack time to think about it.
Jack-"I died too." {He looks a bit unaware and puzzled}
He cries and his father holds him. They tell each other "I love you."
Jack-"Are you real?"
Christian laughs- "I sure hope so. Yeah, I'm real. You'rereal. Everything that's ever happened to you isreal. All those people in the church...they're all real too."
Jack-"They're all...they're all dead?" {Real and Dead...at the same time!}
Christian-"Everyone dies sometime, kiddo. Some of them before you, some long after you."
Jack-"Why are they all here now?"
Christian-"Well there is no 'now' here." { N O W H E R E }
Jack-"Where are we, dad?"
Christian-"Well this is the place that you all made together so that you can find one another. The most important part of your life was the time that you spent with these people. That's why all of you are here. Nobody does it alone, Jack. You needed all of them and they need you."
Jack-"For what?"
Christian-"To remember...And to...let go."
Jack-"Kate said that we were leaving."
Christian-"Not leaving, no. Moving on."
Jack-"Where are we going?"
Christian smiles-"Let's go find out."
We are led very lovingly into the revelation that in the "sideways" the castaways were waiting for stubborn Jack to have his eye opening moment to truly seeing where he is in his existence/being.
The Over the Rainbow closing scene was beautiful. Jack still seemed confused by his awakening but was enveloped by the warmth and love of his friends. They chose to be of a collective consciousness and physically move on together.
Christian was with Jack while he traveled his path. It may have taken Jack longer to reach that point than his friends, but he made progress until he finally did. "It takes as long as it takes."
Science vs. Faith:
There was a way for these two sides to live in balance. You can be a person who encompasses both.
I still stand by all my research that gave us potential insight to the other layers of the story. I have taken my notes based on facts and information presented within the story itself not conjecture and speculation. I've always been a person whom believes in only what I can see. We all can see the layers and themes in the story and we can even entertain that some of what we saw wasn't real, again all based on the "information" they gave us. But we know questions only lead to more questions; which is what the word Hydra means.
I did always warn you that people and things are not what you think.
✈ Was the "Island" a real island that just happened to have magical properties?
- It was a place you can go back and forth from.
- A place of study, teaching, learning, healing.
- Food drops are made to it.
- The entire Dharma Initiative was able to run power to it, build barracks, hatches and stations all over it, yet conned it's Pearl Station workers with thinking their notebooks actually went somewhere.
- No children allowed except for Ethan, Miles, Aaron, Zack, Emma, Ji Yeon, Jacob, MIB, Dan, Charlotte, Annie and Ben. And we can't ignore in "this place" life was created where there wasn't supposed to be the creation of life.
✈ Was the "Island" a created environment? (Either physically or virtually)
- Items appear here, pretty much upon request.
- It is referred to as a "magic box".
- People die and are seen again.
- Certain people seem to heal from deadly injuries.
- No children allowed except for Ethan, Miles, Aaron, Zack, Emma, Ji Yeon, Jacob, MIB, Dan, Charlotte, Annie and Ben. And we can't ignore in "this place" life was created where there wasn't supposed to be the creation of life.
✈ Was the "Island" a form of purgatory or metaphysical limbo?
- Although this limbo not only challenged it's visitors, but it also allowed fighting, war and more pain.
- No children allowed except for Ethan, Miles, Aaron, Zack, Emma, Ji Yeon, Jacob, MIB, Dan, Charlotte, Annie and Ben. And we can't ignore in "this place" life was created where there wasn't supposed to be the creation of life.
- Jacob could not grant absolution for sins. But he could have you hang around looking youthful for a really, really long fucking time! (if you believed in that enough) WoooooHooooo!
✈ Which category do you place these "Island" facts?
- It's a bloody snow globe where on and off "Island" events blur together.
- Items, props, clothes, cars, books, images, people and dialogue are repeated over and over.
- Jacob "plucked" people out of their existence and brought them there.
The End:
As Jack is reconnecting with his "Island" friends in the church/Lamppost station with a new understanding and acceptance, on "Island" Jack makes his way back to the bamboo forest. We get a shot of Jack's white tennis shoe he gave to Christian, now is worn and tattered but still hangs from the tree. Jack assumes his position and is met by Vincent who is there to ensure Jack doesn't do this alone. Jack watches a plane fly overhead. {Dogs by their very nature are filled with unconditional love.}
In the church/Lamppost the "Island" friends take seats in the pews, almost as if readying themselves for another flight to adventure.
Christian opens the door in the back of the church letting in the warm bright light...Whatever or where ever that is or represents is up to you.
Jack's eye closes signifying the end of this journey.
The wreckage revealed at the end of the episode could mean there was a plane crash and they all died then, hence making the whole island adventure some crazy ass purgatory where magic tricks and illusions run ramped and people can die over and over. Or the wreckage is staged for the next round of lost people to arrive on the "Island" lab to face their challenges.
Or the explanation I feel...simply, it is closure to the place that brought us all together.
The episode was GREAT and it ended as I expected it to. I feel a warm peace with the conclusion. I thought it was beautiful and fitting. I knew it wouldn't please everyone, how could it?
I may talk about a lot of things in my notes/podcast as far as the exploration of the game element, matrix, what's real or fake, contrived imagery, simulation, blurring of events, etc. But no matter what parts of the science, technology or mythology I'd address I was always sure to address the metaphor and my take on their journey to enlightenment. Who knows why this is a layer of the story I always gravitated to, maybe it's because coincidentally have been trying to put the pieces of my broken self back together and it's one hell of a process.
I completely understand the viewer who watched the show and invested just as much time and followed the mythology, science, religion and other facts that "they" spoon fed us, and is let down that their journey did not have the payoff they expected. Life is full of surprises, aint it?!
I never cared if the ideas I brought to the table were right or wrong and it never bothered me if people didn't agree with me, for me it was always about the journey, the exciting exploration and possibilities, and the fun in trying to solve a puzzle. For me all of the research and note taking was a blast!
In the end all the fun smoke and mirrors, mystery, mythology, time travel, food drops and all that other wonderful mysterious stuff wasn't the point of the story. It has always been about the journey itself, the journey to enlightenment and the "Island" residents, the people that we connected with and fell in love with. We rooted for these special people while they were on their journey struggling to find themselves, through their pain, hope, growth, letting go, their quest for balance, to feel whole and know love, to find faith in themselves and enlightenment...their ability to keep moving...to ultimately moving on. It was a beautiful and memorable story filled with heart.
The "Island" is still a place of "Whatever you wish for" can be! I love my world of imagination, exploration, and escapism, but I am also conscious enough to be open to the things that will enrich my life and my being, and LOST is one experience that I will have with me forever. I had so much fun with every aspect of this adventure. I loved being an active participant in the story.
My heart is broken that it is over and I must learn to let go at some point, and I must have hope that it's ending will make way for a new beautiful experience for my life's journey as well as yours. I did go into all of this one person and I too came out of it another person.
The journey doesn't stop here as it is ongoing.
I truly thank you all for taking this journey with me.
Namaste.
I can't help but wonder if Desmond ever read Our Mutual Friend before he "died".
I have been trying to gather my strength to put together my LOST thank you. Maybe deep down I know when I did put it together I'll have to accept the end of this story and I simply don't want to.
You have been so kind to let me share my LOSTNESS with you for the past six seasons. I've truly and wholeheartedly enjoyed every minute of it. I have been telling everyone "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." But I can't seem to practice that statement just yet.
I'm sure you don't even realize it but you have all touched my life. Over the years you have shared your artistic talents with me in creations of your LOST art, pictures, videos, music, fan fiction, articles, blogs and podcasts. Early on you literally taught me how to use photo editing programs so that I could start creating my Silly LOST Pictures that I would lovingly share with all of you. You made me feel special with all the comments, created image comments and greetings, messages, emails and the many gifts you have sent my way. Thank you all for this amazing experience!
Thank you to all who visit my notes despite the fact I am not a writer!
I need to thank my family. I love you more than life itself. Thank you for putting up with all of this. This LOST journey helped my personal growth in so many ways and I hope you can see that. Remember when the hurricane hit in 2004 you had me use Jack's count to five method to let the fear go. We literally had just learned it! Who would have known I'd have to utilize it more than a few times. The LOST story has brought me so much joy. In the end the only thing that really matters is that we truly love each other.
To Brian Quain: Who would have guessed that a few years ago (and a few days before your wedding to sweet Vanessa), that some nutty stranger would chat on the phone with you about LOST. I had a total blast doing the LOST Book Club podcasts with you. Look at where it brought us in our personal lives.
To The ODI LOST podcast (Anil) and Vozzek69 (Danny): What can I say that we haven't already shared in our "off air" conversations about our getting together. Thank You for letting me be part of the podcast and for your constant support. And for respecting and making sure I wasn't privy to any spoilers...ever!!
To everyone on Team LOST: the creators, the writers,and producers, directors, editing-post team, crew and cast. Thank you for this amazing story and adventure. My entire LOST journey and experience goes way beyond the simple enjoyment of a TV show and its music and you all already know that. You extended yourselves beyond the words on a page, the images on the screen and music notes on a staff. You have changed my life, renewed my hope and showed me I’m not too old to believe in a “magic box”.
Thank you to the many people who have included me on their websites, interviews and podcasts.
The one thing I didn't want to do was leave any of You, my LOST friends, out of my "thank you". I feel terrible that I couldn't mention all of you individually.
Over the past six seasons our lives had a journey of their own. Many of you got engaged, married or even divorced, had babies, graduated, got a new job or lost a job, battled an illness and/or beat the shit out of one, welcomed new friends and family into your lives and maybe even lost someone. We have lived many of these moments together all because a TV show called LOST acted as a magnet and pulled us all together.
My obsession is NOT coming to an end. I will try to find a way to carry on my LOSTNESS (and the blog of course), as long as there are LOST topics to write about. Who knows...maybe there's a book in my future. lol
But let's face it... I'm not good at letting go and that's the truth, it's not just a line from Jack.
One other truth is that LOST totally changed my life and my life will never be the same. Yes, all aspects of my life even down to my ringtone (which is You All Everybody) and the fact that I only play 4-8-15-16-23-42 in the weekly lottery. Believe me, there are many other fun LOST bits and serious LOST bits that are incorporated into my daily life. LOST gave me purpose for six seasons. Although technically after I post my notes for the finale I won't have a purpose any longer. I don't know where the path leads, what purpose my life will have or where my destiny lies.
It's been such an amazing adventurous journey for me on so many levels. My common sense knows all good things must come to an end. After all, “Nothing is permanent.”
I have to believe that it will make way for a new wonderful enlightening and magical experience.
Life is a continuing journey. I hope your journey is filled with happiness, good people, purpose, hope, love and all the things that lead you to fulfilling your destiny. Life is what you make it.
I am so happy and honored that LOST brought us all together and now it's our responsibility to nurture that seed. We may live far apart but the world of instant communication can keep us together; as well as a possible meet up or reunion here and there.
I'm not going anywhere! "Live Together, Die Alone."
Please know my life is much fuller having known you.
Much love and great appreciation,
Love to all who are "LOST"™
~Karen Shortcake Mauro~
Special Thank you to all of you who supported my LOSTNESS and encouraged Karen's LOST Notebook to be here:
All my friends over at MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. Jeff Jensen-Entertainment Weekly DarkUFO-Andy, G-Man. Doc Arzt-Jon Lachonis Jopinionated -Jo Garfein
Steve and Matt from The Smoke Hatch. These two wonderful guys were the ones who brought me into the podcasting world. I will be forever grateful for not only that but for their continuing friendship and support. Jacob's Cabin
Heath's World It's about Bunnies
Ryan and Jenn Ozawa- The Transmission
Jay and Jack- The Jay and Jack Show
Clifton Armstrong The Four Toed Foot
The Official LOST Fans on MySpace
LOSTblog
The Lostaholics
Melissa Carmichael for your constant love and support.
Rebecca Jean- For your creative photos and giving me the title- Queen of LOST Sawyer840
Billy Ray Gallion
Linda and Jeff Hamilton
Jason and Claudine
Erin- Loster21
Jon Barand for always including me in all things LOST!
Ronald Rahman
Jim DeSantis- MovieBrainRot
Stuart Kiczek for giving me a shout out at 2009 comic con and so much more.
Rob Wense for that wonderful poster and so much more.
Revered Milo shout out at Gallery1988 video feed.
Jamie Brown for his artistic wonderfulness to my site and so much more.
Rick from Famous Faces Comics. You know why!
Erika Olson-LongLiveLocke
Kerri Healy King for bringing me some beach camp sand!
Elena David for the many interviews and support.
George Stulak, Stephen Fry, Angela Dixon, Felicia Mayle, Terrance S. Ellington, Melissa Hernandez, Levi Muller, Swampy, Julie and Mark Phillips, Lynn, Doug, Nick Rizzo, Techno Prep, Susan Lee Smith, Bonnie Green, Mary Jane Carpenter-Lottery Ticket, Alice Linn-ComixGuru, Amy-Aohora, Tony Tamayo, Mike Fish, Carlos Damien, Papa Tim, Mindy Wadlington Wiggins, Monica Southworth, Mister Payne, Kelly Delatorre Mackoy, Megan Minieri, Jonine Woods, Amanda Hogan, David Rambo, Sean Douglass, Dustin Watchman, Chris Candella, Notlost, Black Swan
These slide shows are not here for self indulgence, they are here to share in all the things that we all shared in through the years. Includes: Meeting other LOST fans, art you've sent me, Silly LOST Pictures I created, and other special LOST moments.
Here's a great clip/ad created by my friend Vivid Jame. I did the voice over.
It ended up giving us a hint to Ben and Hugo teaming up on the "Island" after
the MIB-Jack battle!
Jack's eye opens.
He wakes up in his apartment, heads into the bathroom where he sees in the mirror that the left side of his neck is bleeding. {LA X}
He joins David for the breakfast the boy prepared; Opening a box of family size SuperBrancereal. David asks Jack if he's going to the concert and informs him "mom" is going too.
David- "You're not gonna get all weird are you?...Just don't get weird."
Jack won't.
Pregnant Claire walks in, "Morning" and joins them for super bran. {White milk pitcher is on a dark tray.} Claire feels fine and she shares, "He kicks like crazy at night."
Jack answers his cell. It's actually Desmond calling from his car pretending to be a representative from Oceanic Airlines claiming they've located Jack's missing cargo {not father or coffin}.
Jack-"My father's coffin, you found it?"
Oceanic/Desmond-"Yes sir. It'll be arriving in Los Angeles by the end of the day." {It}
Jack thinks that's great news.
Oceanic/Desmond-"We at Oceanic are very sorry it's taken so long. Good day, sir."
Jack looks puzzled.
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
On the beach Jack uses black thread from black fabric to stitch up Kate's bullet wound. {Kate stitched up Jack in Pilot.}
He warns her it's gonna hurt a bit; he has to do this or else it will get infected.
Kate is very emotional over the death of Jin and Sun and the fact they had a daughter. Jack doesn't seem all that moved by all of that. Kate feels Locke did this to them/the Kwon's, and they need to kill him. Jack knows.
Sawyer looks out to the water at the wreckage from the sub explosion (red life jacket, white life preserver}. He's joined by Hurley, Kate and Jack.
Jack wants them all to get going.
Hurley wonders, "Go where?"
Jack- "Before Sayid died he said that Desmond was in a well. Locke wants Desmond dead then we're gonna need em."
James is getting motivated.
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
In the parking lot Desmond sits in his car waiting. He watches John Locke in his wheelchair at his handicap van. {Uses a remote to lock up} A studentwelcomes Locke back, "It's good to see you."
Desmond turns the key to start the car, and any plan he had to cause an incident is thwarted by Ben.
Ben recognizes the man in the car as "Him", the one who hit Mr. Locke. He wants somebody to call the police right now.
Ben-"I saw what you did. I'm making a citizen's arrest."
Desmond hits Ben and throws him to the hood of the car.
Ben-"I will not let you hurt Mr. Locke again."
Desmond-"I'm not here to hurt him. I'm here to help him let go."
Confused Ben asks, "Who are you?"
Desmond turns him over, "You wanna know who I am?" {Sayid said this line w/Henry Gale} He starts beating up Ben again and in the midst of the beating Ben has flashes of the beating Desmond gave him on the doc after Ben went to Our Mutual Friend to kill Penny.
Desmond tosses Ben to the ground and takes off in the car.
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Ben leads Miles and Richard on a shortcut through the jungle on a trek back to the houses/barracks; he lived in these houses a long time, he remembers how to get there.
Miles-"Well I lived in these houses 30 years before you did...otherwise known as last week. I don't know where the hell we are."
It's a good thing he's following Ben. Richard asks Ben how much explosives he has access to.
Ben-"More than enough to destroy the plane10 times over and keep it from ever leaving this island."
Richard feels it's been a long time and wonders if it's still there. Ben claims he put thought into hiding the C-4.
Miles-"Let me guess...cookie jar."
Don't be ridiculous! Ben admits it's in his secret room behind the bookcase.
They arrive at the disheveled houses. {Playground, swing set}
Miles gets all "wonky" and claims that to be how he gets around dead stuff.
When Ben asks Miles what's wrong and "Is there something you want to share with us?"
Miles-"I don't think that..."
Ben-"What is it?"
Richard cuts him off and answers "It's Alex. It's your daughter...After you left I buried her."
Ben looks sadly down at the area near the picket fence and thanks Richard.
They enter Ben's dark rundown house. He pulls the bookcase away from the wall to reveal Ben's huge closet that contains the evidence of the multiple identities he is able to have. {Black full length mirror} Miles sees the hieroglyphs on another door and asks "What's that, a secreter room?"
Ben-"It's where I was told I could summon the monster. That's before I realized it was the one summoning me."
Miles looks concerned. Ben opens the safe containing the C-4 and asks Richard, "It's your idea, are we looking to cripple the plane or blow it to hell?"
Richard-"Blow it to hell."
Ben-"Then we better take it all."
As Ben and Richard carefully put the C-4 in the backpack they hear someone enter the house.
Armed, the head into the kitchen where they discover Zoe. Richard tells her don't move, "Show me your hands."
Of course Ben wonders who the hell she is and just then Charles Widmore enters and announces "She's with me. Hello Benjamin. May I come in?"
Ben is shocked to see him.
Charles helps himself to a glass of water from the faucet. Shocked Ben asks what he's doing here.
Charles isn't afraid that Ben has a gun pointed at him and nonchalantly turns to Zoe instructing her to go to the doc, "take our equipment from the outrigger and then sink it."
Ben plays tough and wants answers but Widmore doesn't budge, "You shoot me and your chances of survival will be gone." Widmore tells Zoe to go, "He won't do anything."
Richard watched Zoe leave. Widmore directly asks Richard what he's doing there.
Richard-"We're getting explosives to destroy the plane on the other island."
Ben is pissed that Richard blabbed the plan. Widmore wonders why they would want to do that as he's had that plane rigged with explosives since he got there. "As usual Benjamin, I'm three stepsahead of you."
Curious Ben asks, "How did you get back here, Charles?"
Charles-"Jacob invited me."
Ben-"That's a lie.You've never even seen Jacob."
Charles-"I most certainly have. He visited me not long after your people destroyed my freighter. He convinced me the error of my ways and told me everything I need to know for this exact purpose."
Ben-"What purpose?"
Just then Zoe radios Charles to inform him Locke is coming.
We see Locke approaching/rowing in the outrigger. She hasn't been seen by him. {Binoculars. Time on her watch.}
She tries to say that their boat is still there and she didn't have time...Charles tells her to run, get here as fast as you can.
Charles tells Ben "If you don't want to die we need to hide."
Ben looks over at Richard.
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Ben sits on an orangeexam table while the school nurse treats him. "This may sting a bit, Mr. Linus."
Ben-"It's Dr. Linus, actually." She leaves to get him an icepack. Ben sits looking at himself in a full length mirror.
"Dr. Linus?" It's Locke wheeling himself into the clinic; he heard there was an incident in the parking lot. Ben proceeds to share his encounter with the man he got into a fight with. "I saw the man that ran you down, Mr. Locke. He was back, I approached him and he just...attacked me. And the strangest thing happened...While he was beating me I think, I think I saw something. {Locke starts dialing up the police on his cell} What are you doing?"
Locke-"I'm calling the police."
Ben-"You may not want to do that."
Locke with the phone to his ear-"Well why wouldn't I want to?"
Ben-"The man told me that he wasn't trying to hurt you. He told me that he was trying to get you to let go. {on Locke's cell "L.A.P.D.. Hello. L.A.P.D.."} And for some reason I believed him. Do you have any idea what he was talking about, Mr. Locke? Does that mean something to you?" {Interesting to see both of these men visibly bruised.}
Locke looks like a light bulb goes off and is lost in thought; he disconnects the call to the cops.
As that officer is hanging up the phone, Desmond approaches the counter asking to see a detective.
Detective James asks Detective Miles, "What's with the getup? Somebody die?"
Miles, who putting on a gray/silver tie, reminds him of the benefit at his dads museum; the concert he's been telling James about all week. "Ring a bell?"
James sarcastically replies, "Yeah, it's all I've been thinking about."
Miles tells James he can still be his date if he wants to. {I thought Miles had a girlfriend} Miles confirms the redhead who hates James, Charlotte, will be there.
James-"I'll pass." {File boxes, binders, logs, an "Incident" binder}
A uniformed officer escorts Desmond over to Detective Ford. Desmond admits he is the suspect of the hit and run at Washington Tustin High School and for badly beating a teacher there this morning.
Desmond is locked up in a cage/cell with Sayid and next to Kate.
Ford thanks Desmond for saving the tax payers the trouble of hunting him down. Desmond is delighted to be there with them.
Kate is lying on the cot and looks over at Des and says, "Terrific."
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Jack leads James through the jungle and asks him, "Any idea exactly where this well is?"
James-"Sayid said it was close to our camp, we're about an hour away. If Flock wanted Desmond dead why didn't he just kill him?"
Jack-"Who know? Maybe it's one of his rules." {His rules}
James-"The bomb on the sub...you said he couldn't kill us."
Jack-"I've been wrong before." {Indeed you have.}
Remorseful James asks, "I killed em, didn't I?"
Jack-"No. He killed em." {No Jack ass! James killed em. James was the one who ultimately pulled the wires. Locke may have had a hand in getting the explosives on the sub and maybe it was really part of a test, but Locke knew James would react that way. The responsibility is was literally in James' hands.}
James knows the truth.
Hurley sees a young blond boy standing in the jungle. {Young Jacob}. Kate asks him if he's alright. Hurley's fine and the blond boy has disappeared. Kate walks ahead and Hurley turns right into the blond boy who just appeared out of nowhere!
The Boy/young Jacob demands the ashes he took from Ilana's things after she died.
Hurley-"What? Who are you?"
The boy knows Hurley has them in his pocket and he want them back because, "They're mine."
Hugo wonders what the boy wants them for. The boy grabs the ashes from Hugo's hand and runs into the jungle. Hugo runs after him coming upon grown Jacob sitting by a campfire holding the small pouch of ash. {Bright colored flowers}
Jacob-"Hello Hugo."
Hugo-"Dude, I've been waiting for you to show up where ya been?"
Jacob-"It doesn't matter I'm here now."
Hugo-"Did you see a kid run by here with your ashes?" {He knows they belong to Jacob! Bright red flowers.}
Jacob-"My ashes are right there in that fire. When it burns out you'll never see me again. You should get your friends, we're very close to the end, Hugo."
Hugo is surprised.
Armed with a rifle and his backpack, Locke comes ashore via the dock and notes the cases in the other outrigger. {Shoes on.}
Zoe is back at Ben's house.
Widmore feels there’s no time, "Linus has a hidden room, come on. . . What are you waiting for?"
Ben isn't interested in hiding. "He’s gonna find me sooner or later anyway. I’d rather have it over with."
Miles feels while these are both great plans, he's gonna go with surviving, "If you need us, we’ll be running through the jungle."
Ben has Miles wait as he asks for Widmore and Zoe's walkie talkies. He gives one to Miles,"In case I need you."
Widmore-"He’s gonna kill you. You know that."
Ben-"Then I guess this is goodbye."
Charles and Zoe hide in the secret room. Ben asks Richard if he cares to join him outside while he waits for the inevitable.
Nervous Richard tells him "I, I’m gonna talk to him. I know this man. All he wants is for me to join him, and if I can get him to leave with me, maybe that’ll give the rest of you a chance."
Miles wishes them good luck with that, and runs off.
Richard and Ben head outside. The smoke monster sounds are heard and Richard is tossed/pushed out of the way by the monster.
Stunned Ben sits on the porch chair and waits. Locke walks up from around the side of the other house and sits with Ben. {He takes out a large knife.}
Locke-"Just the man I was looking for."
Ben-"Well, you found me. Can I get you a glass of lemonade?"
Locke needs Ben to kill some people for him. {Ben needed Sayid to kill Widmore's people for him.}
Ben- "And why would I do that?"
Locke- "Because once I leavethis island, you can have it all to yourself."
Ben suspiciously replies- "All right."
Locke- "Good. . . Now whose outrigger is that down at the dock?"
Ben- "I believe it’s Charles Widmore’s."
Locke-"And do you know where I might find him?"
Ben- "He’s hiding in my closet."
Ben drops his keys in the school parking lot. Alex {with her "Hi, I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas", hairdo} says hello to Dr. Linus and is happy to see him. She asks what happened to him and he explains he found himself confronting someone that had a bit of a temper.
Alex wonders why would someone want to hurt him; the nicest guy ever.
Ben-"Guess they had me confused with somebody else." {WOW!!}
Alex-"Well, you shouldn’t be driving. My mom’s waiting for me over there. Let us give you a ride home."
Ben-"Oh, no, I’m not going to be any trouble to you."
Alex-"Dr. Linus, please. . . You’ve got one hand. You look like Napoleon."
Ben-"Excellent point."
Alex calls over to her mom by the car to ask if they can give Dr. Linus a ride home.
Danielle-"Of course. After everything you have done for my daughter, a ride is the least we can do. I’m Danielle."
Alex takes things one step further asking mom if Dr. Linus come over for dinner. {It’s coq au vin night.} Danielle insists he come, "Even if we have to kidnap you."
At the home of Danielle and Alex, Dr. Linus helps clean up. Alex sits in another room doing homework. Ben asks Danielle, "...Where is her father?"
Danielle-"He died when Alex was two." {Claire was told her father died when she was two}
Danielle feels that’s probably why Alex is so attached to him. "All the interest you’ve taken in her. All the help you’ve given . . .you’re the closest thing to a father she’s ever had."
Ben seems moved and peeks in on Alex doing her homework.
Danielle asks him if he's all right. Ben blames his teary eyes on the onions.
Danielle-"Oh, I’ll put in less next time."
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Ben enters the house with Locke; he directs Locke to the secret room. He informs Locke Charles and his lady friend are in here and she's armed. "But I’m guessing that’s not a problem for you."
Locke- "Wait out here. You don’t need to see this."
Ben- "I wanna see this."
They enter the dark secret room where Ben apologizes to Charles.
Locke-"What a pleasant surprise. How nice to be able to talk without those fences between us. {to Zoe} And who might you be?"
Zoe attempts to reply but Widmore tells her not to talk to him. Locke slits Zoe's throat!
Widmore-"Why would you do that?"
Locke-"You told her not to talk to me. That made her pointless. . . Now, Charles, it’s clear you’re not afraid to die. So, there’s only one way to motivate you to tell me what I want to know. Soon this will all be over. I’ll get what I want. And I’ll finally leave this island. And when I do, the first thing I’m going to do is kill your daughter . . . Penny."
Widmore-"You’ll kill her whether I talk to you or not."
Locke-"No, I won’t. I give you my word."
Widmore-"And I’m supposed to take your word?"
Locke wants him to share why he came back here and he won’t hurt your daughter.
Widmore admits he brought Desmond Hume back here because of his unique resistance to electromagnetism. "He was a measure of last resort."
Locke-"What do you mean, “Last resort”?"
Widmore refuses to say any more in front of Ben.
Locke-"Well, then whisper to me."
Widmore whispers into Locke’s ear. Ben fires three shots into Widmore!
Ben-"He doesn’t get to save his daughter?"
Locke wipes off his knife and tells Ben, "You never cease to amaze me. Fortunately, he had already told me what I needed to know. So, no harm done."
Ben-"Good. . . Did you say there were some other people to kill?"
{Apparently there really wasn't anything smoke monster-y for Ben to see in the closet.}
Hurley leads Sawyer, Kate and Jack to Jacob. Jacob's campfire fucking burns a loooong time. {It's dark/night} Jacob says hello to each, calling them by their first names.
Hurley-"He’s right there by the fire, he says hello. . ."
Jack tells Hugo "I heard him."
Hugo is surprised, "What, you can see him?"
Yep, Jack, Kate and Sawyer all can see and hear Jacob.
Kate-"So, you’re the one who wrote our names on the wall."
Jacob-"I am." He also admits to writing Sun, Jin and Sayid's names on the wall too.
Kate-"Is that why they’re dead?"
Jacob-"I’m very sorry."
Kate is getting worked up, "You’re sorry?" Hugo says her name trying to keep her calm.
Kate-"No, I wanna know why. I wanna know that Sun and Jin and Sayid didn’t die for nothing."
Jacob-"Come and sit down and I’ll tell you what they died for. I’ll tell you why I chose them . . . and why I chose you. And then I’ll tell you everything you need to know about protecting this island, because by the time that fire burns outone of you is gonna have to start doing it."
Jack is sitting at his office desk working on the computer. Locke wheels himself in to see Dr. Shephard. {Locke is minus the band-aid on his head}
Locke sees a photo of Jack, Christian and David and wonders,"Is that your son?"
Jack-"Yes, that’s, uh, last thanksgiving."
Locke smiles- "He looks just like you." {Who, the smoke monster? Or Jacob, Locke, Christian?}
Jack- "Don’t tell him that. lol. So, what can I do for you, Mr. Locke?"
Locke- "Dr. Shephard, you and I were on the same plane from Sydney. You gave me your card, and . . . the next day I threw it away, no offense."
Jack- "None taken."
Locke continues-"Anyway . . . then a few days later I get hit by a car. And of all the doctors in Los Angeles, I ended up with you. Then a-after you save my life, you still want to fix me and I still don’t wanna be fixed. Okay. Then . . . the man who ran me down shows up at my school today, again. He beat up a teacher in the parking lot. But, do you know what he said to him? He said that he wasn’t there to hurt me, he was there to help me “let go,” which is exactly the same thing that you said to me the last time we saw each other."
Jack-"I’m sorry. Are, are you saying that I sent this man to run you down?"
Locke-"No. No. No. No. No. But, but what if all this . . . maybe this is happening for a reason. Maybe you’re supposed to fix me."
Jack-"Mr. Locke, I want to fix you but I think you’re mistaking coincidence for fate."
Locke-"You can call it whatever you want, but here I am. And I, I think I’m ready to get out of this chair." {Jacob's chair? lol. Anyway, this Jack doesn't seem all that impressed by their connection and the belief in fixing Locke like he did in The Candidate.}
Jack smiles.
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Jacob sits around a fire with Jack, Hugo, Kate, and Sawyer. He explains he doesn't know where to start.
Hugo-"How about why you brought us to the island."
Jacob-"I brought all of you here because I made a mistake. A mistake I made a very long time ago, and now, because of that there’s a very good chance that every single one of you and everyone you’ve ever cared about is going to die."
Annoyed James wonders, "What mistake?"
Jacob-"You call him “The Monster.” But I’m responsible for what happened to him. I made him that way. And ever since then he’s been trying to kill me. It was only a matter of time before he figured out how, and when he did, someone would have to replace me. And that’s why I brought you all here."
James-"Tell me something, Jacob. Why do I gotta be punished for your mistake? What made you think you could mess with my life? I was doin' just fine til you dragged my ass to this damn rock."
Jacob-"No, you weren’t. None of you were. I didn’t pluck any of you out of a happy existence. You were all flawed. I chose you because you were like me. You were all alone. You were all looking for something that you couldn’t find out there. I chose you because you needed this place as much as it needed you."
Kate-"Why did you cross my name off of your wall?"
Jacob-"Because you became a mother. It’s just a line of chalk in a cave. The jobis yours if you want it, Kate." {Technically proving it is all pointless.}
Jack-"What is the job?"
Jacob-"There’s a light at the center of the island. You have to make sure it never goes out. That’s how you protect it."
James-"Your monster friend said there is nothing to protect it from."
Jacob-"You have to protect it from him. . . You must do what I couldn’t. What I wasn’t able to do."
Jack-"You want us to kill him? Is that even possible?"
Jacob-"I hope so, because he is certainly going to try to kill you."
Hugo wonders how Jacob's gonna pick. Jacob isn't going to pick. He wants them to have the one thing he wasn't given, "a choice."
Kate-"And if none of us chooses it?"
Jacob-"Then this ends very badly."
Jack-"I’ll do it. . . This is why I’m here. This is . . . this is what I’m supposed to do."
Jacob-"Is that a question, Jack?"
Jack-"No."
Jacob-"Good. Then it’s time."
Jacob leads Jack into the jungle. As Sawyer, Kate and Hurley watch them. James remarks, "And I thought that guy had a God complex before." {Who, Jack? lol}
Kate-"James."
James knows.
Hugo-"I’m just glad it’s not me."
Jacob asks Jack if he remembers that bamboo field he woke up in when you first got there; "Beyond that field, across the ridge, is the heart of the island. That’s where the light is. . . That’s where he’s trying to go. And that’s what you have to protect."
Jack-"Past the bamboo? There’s nothing out there."
Jacob-"Yes, there is, Jack. And now you’ll be able to get there. . . Do you have a cup?"
Actually Jack conveniently has one.
Jacob washes his hands and scoops some water from the stream into the cup and recites some mumbo jumbo to make Jack believe he's offering a communion to him. "Drink this."
Jack wonders how long he's gonna have to do this job and Jacob tells him "As long as you can."
Jack drinks the entire cup of water.
Jacob-"Now, you’re like me." {But you just said they all were like you!}
{The point that Jacob is totally privy to Jack "waking up in the bamboo forest" and that we know from the missing pieces episode So it Begins, it's Christian who has Vincent "wake up" his son. Locke/smoke thing claimed to be Christian, but was it Jacob? And does Jack actually think he has some "magical power" now?}
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Sawyer, with two officers tells his three detainees that it’s been real nice having them but they're shipping off to county. Kate flirts with James wanting to be let go as she still claims her innocence and James believes her. James feels that doesn't matter because he's a cop.
Kate-"You don’t seem like a cop to me."
James-"Nice knowin' ya."
Desmond, Sayid and Kate are riding in the back of a black and white police van.
{Dispatch over radio 1-Adam-21 responding}
Desmond tells his fellow passengers he thinks it’s time to leave. "I said, I think it’s time to leave. You ready to get out of here?"
Kate- "I’m sorry. Who are you?"
Sayid- "He’s a crazy person who turned himself in."
Kate- "What’d you turn yourself in for?"
Desmond- " I ran over a guy in a wheelchair."
Sayid- "You see what I mean?"
Desmond- "All right. I’m crazy. But do you want to get out of here or not?"
Kate- "So, what, are you just gonna tell the driver to stop?
Desmond- "The driver already knows where to stop. But when that happens you’re gonna have to give me your trust."
Sayid- "Our trust?"
Desmond-"That’s right? Because after I set you free, I’m gonna ask each of you to do something, and you’re gonna have to promise me that you’ll do it. So what do you say?"
They both half heartedly give their promise. This pleases Desmond.
The van pulls over, stops and the rear door is opened by Officer Ana Lucia Cortez!
Ana Lucia-"Who’s Hume?"
Des-"That’s me."
Ana Lucia-"Where’s your friend with my money? Otherwise I’m gonna have to say I shot all of you trying to escape."
Desmond tells her not to worry he’ll be here. Ana Lucia un-cuffs Desmond. A yellow Hummer pulls up.{Plate 2WQI332} Desmond is excited because "Here he comes."
Hugo apologizes for being late. {He has a large yellow envelope.}
Hugo-"Oh, hey, you didn’t tell me Ana Lucia was gonna be here."
Ana Lucia-"Do I know you, tubby?"
Hugo nervously replies,"Oh, no. We never met. Anyways, here’s your money. A hundred twenty-five grand, right?"
Ana Lucia-"Yeah, that’s right. Nice not knowing you."
Hugo asks Desmond,"She’s not coming with us?"
Desmond-"No, she’s not ready yet."
Hugo tells Des he brought him his Camaro; the keys are under the floor mat and everything else he needs in the trunk.
Desmond is happy,"All right, good. . . Um, you know where you’re taking them, yeah?"
Hugo-"Absolutely."
Desmond-"All right, well, we should get going. {to Sayid} Okay, you’re with him, and you’re with me."
Kate-"What do you mean, I’m with you?"
Desmond-"We are going to a concert. Let’s go." He hands her a sexy black dress.
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Ben is following Locke through the dark jungle. He asks Locke,"If you can turn yourself into smoke whenever you want, why do you bother walking?"
Locke-"I like the feel of my feet on the ground. Reminds me that I was human. We’re here."
The look down into the well. Ben wonders if Locke is thirsty. Locke informs Ben this is the well he threw Desmond Hume into and that he sent Sayid to kill him and obviously he didn't.
Ben-"Looks like someone helped him out." There's a rope hanging on the inside.
Locke-"No, Ben. Someone helped me out."
Ben-"What did Widmore say to you?"
Locke-"He said Desmond was a fail-safe. Jacob’s last resort in case, God forbid, I managed to kill all of his beloved candidates. One final way to make sure that I never leave this place." {Whose candidates?!}
Ben-"Then why are you happy that he’s still alive?"
Locke-"Because I’m gonna find Desmond and when I do, he’s gonna help me do the one thing that I could never do myself. I’m gonna destroy the island."
What They Died For is a GREAT episode!
It is all an illusion but in the end it's all about heart, hope, love and...technology. The on "Island" and off "Island" events will sync up!
When I first started to write my notes out years ago I would constantly come up with the question "Who is orchestrating this dance?" Well, I guess we're going to find out the answer.
Things to Note...Questions to Ask...
* Jacob's ashes-Smoke...
* Will Locke blow up the death star?!
* Locke's goal is to get off the "Island" and to go home. Jacob has found a way to get on and off the "Island".
* Locke kills Zoe with a knife; he doesn't have to change into "smoke" to do it. Locke is Locke!
* Where's Vincent?
* No matter what or when, Richard is the best dressed "Island" resident!
* David's mother-Juliet.
* Jack's neck is bleeding. This blurs with events of LA X. Will Jack endure a slit to his throat on or off "Island"? Zoe's throat/neck is slit.
* Doctors.
* Crazy. I've noted many times before that the "Island" adventure may be part of a form of therapy or rehabilitation.
* Pretend. Role playing. Fake. Illusion. Con.
* School. Teach. Learn. Well.
* Computer. Synch. Escape. Driver.
* Game. Deal. Rules. Hunt. Race.
* Ana Lucia Opted out of the "Island" adventure in season two when she told Michael "I can't do this anymore"
* Could the "smoke monster" be a creation, a figment of Jacob's imagination or actually part of Jacob and/or MIB or any of them? Or the "virus" in the system?
* Ben longs for the love of a family.
* Why would young Jacob ask Hurley for the ashes when he's already privy to taller ghost Jacob?
* Jacob can change images. Unless it was "Smokey" pretending to be young Jacob and then older Jacob.
* When Desmond is beating up Ben I am reminded of angry young Jacob beating up MIB. We have also seen Jack display this kind of physical "snap anger".
* In Par Avion, Mikhail tells Locke, Kate and Sayid that they are "flawed"
* Hurley and Desmond know what is going on.
Vocabulary and Research...
* Weird anagrams to Wired.
* Synch or sync:
- Synchronization, the coordination of events to keep them in time
- sync (Unix), a command for Unix-like operating systems
- Sync, a signal used in composite video systems to coordinate the timings of lines, fields and frames
- File synchronization or syncing, to synchronize directories or files on computers
- Oscillator sync, where a slave oscillator is reset by a master oscillator
- DIN sync, a standard interface for electronic music instruments.
* Sheila Kelley as Zoe, is a classically trained dancer and has been a pole-dancing teacher and wrote a book about it- S Factor:Where Woman Discover Their Sexy Inner Power. {For me this connects to Nikki's pole dancing in Expose. lol}
As we head into the finale I look back at all these notes I've taken and thoughts I've shared and it's interesting that there are a few things I've not wavered on since season one as far as wanting to know "how" their "Island" experience is actually happening.
I still feel there are computers, technology, machines involved as well as simulation/virtual, drugs, etc.. That is why no matter what happens to the "Island" the "Island" will always exist.
* Something is occurring in the head and mind-consciousness. {Sleep state.}
* Things we see are not always real.
* There is a bug in the system, a glitch in the matrix, a virus.
* There is a human hand to all we are seeing and not a "mythological" godly one.
* Time is irrelevant as they are stuck in a bloody snow globe; "everything" happens within the confines of the "Island".
* There is a game element to these exercises. This seems to play into the point of things being run over and over for the testing of probability and outcome. Choices made,chance, checks and balances. I.E. The Black Swan Theory or even game theory. That is why it only ends once for this group of participants, and I guess that is when we should see who the last one standing will be.
* People/players/ participants are removed from the "Island" playing field via the various reasons I've mentioned many times over the years.
I always tell you that people and things are NOT what you think so be very careful who/what you assume. The sides and roles have switched many times.
Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Maybe Jack, number 23 on the wheel of destiny, will assume the gatekeeper role and be the one who needs to be kept in.
I know there are readers to my notes who have a field day that I use quotation marks around the word "ISLAND". I do that for a damn reason and not just because it looks fucking cool or to make it look more important, I do it because the "Island" isn't an "Island"...it's a magic box.
The Wizard of Oz, down the rabbit hole, the other side of the looking glass...Grownups playing make believe. Is it all for fun and socializing or for therapy, rehabilitation, enlightenment and to find what you have lost? Is it possible we will find out that none of the people we have come to connect with and love don't even exist? I have hope that the Castaways are living participants in this adventure experience with their quest for balance.
Just like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz always had the power to go home, so do they. But how far do they have to travel...maybe not very far at all. Perhaps they're in a building in N.Y.C. or on a huge ship sailing around the world or maybe they're in their own homes. Maybe through the inventions of technology we will find we can join in on all the "Island" adventures too. Who knows?
Who will have LOST, and who will have WON....
Love to all who are "LOST"™
Disclaimer: I never claim to know everything about the show and my thoughts by no means make me right! The things I share here are my views and/or opinions. I don't claim to catch every single detail either! You all know I hate spoilers! And I stand clear of reading certain sites as to not take me off my own course of research. The one thing I don't need to do here is rehash all of the obvious clues from an episode; we all know what they are. Understood? Let the fun begin! I'll only note things that I know come up as clues later, but need to be noted when they first show up and things I find that will be of importance.
