"The New Man in Charge"

Let's talk about LOST!  The New Man in Charge.

Here are my notes  about the long awaited 12 minute epilogue; which I will write up in the vein of the Missing Pieces Mobisodes. Remember to click the pics because they're posted here for a reason.

Epilogue "The New Man in Charge"

Orote Peninsula, Guam: Dharma Logistics Warehouse
                                                      THE PRESENT   {uh, as in "gift"}

Two Dharma men {Provisions} are working in the warehouse.   We get a shot of the printing press label maker with  its "backwards/mirror image" plate.

Glen- "How soon do you get those peas labeled?"
Hector-"I don't know. Couple hours."    {He hand cranks and hand cuts the labels.}
Glen- "Hurry it up, man. I already got the rest of the palette loaded."
Hector- "I don't know why you're always in such a hurry, man."  {The fucking White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland!}
Glen- "That's why. We're gonna miss our launch window. I don't wanna be up half a night loading damn boxes."

Ben- "Excuse me."   {Ben wears an Island shirt under his blazer.}
Glen- "Who the hell are you? How'd you get in here?"
Ben- "My name is Benjamin Linus. I'm from the Home Office."
Hector- "Nobody from the Home Office has ever come out here."
Ben- "There's a new man in charge, he sent me."
Glen- "Sent you to do what?"
Ben- "Tie up a few loose ends. Your services are no longer required, gentlemen. Closing this place down. So, you're free to go."
Hector- "But we've been loading the palettes under the drones for like...20 years now."
Glen- "What are we supposed to do?"
Ben- "This is your severance pay. I'd say you can do pretty much anything you want." {Ben hands them envelopes of American cash in hundreds}
Glen- "So, work with the Dharma Initiative?"
Ben- "The Dharma Initiative hasn't existed in almost 20 years."
Hector- "That's not true. We still get a teletype before every drop."
Ben- "It's automated. Comes from the Lamppost station in L.A.. There hasn't been a person posted there since you two started. That's why the man in charge has me going around closing up shop."
Glen- "Lamppost station?"
Ben- "I've already said more than I should've. Before you leave, please lock the doors, turn out the lights."
Hector- "Wait. You can't just walk out of here. We deserve answers!"
Ben- "All right. Before I go I'll let you each ask a question. But just one. So, make it count."
Glen - "Where have we been sending these palettes? Where are they dropped?"
Ben- "An Island."
Glen- "How's that possible? The coordinates are different every time."
Ben- "The Island moves."
Glen- "How does the Island..."
Ben- "Uh-uh! One question. Your turn." {Technically Glen got to ask three.}
Hector- "We're on Guam. So this Island is somewhere in the tropics, right? So explain this. Polar bear biscuits. How is there a polar bear on a tropical island?"
Ben- "Polar bears, actually. Plural. You guys have a DVD player?"

Ben- "So we watch it together and then we all leave. Is that a deal?"
Hector- "Deal."
Glen- "Deal."
Ben- "Sorry about the quality. It's a transfer from an old Betamax." {Ben pockets a Dharma granola bar and eats a Dharma granola bar}

The film/dvd begins...{Be warned! This video is riddled with skips, warps, glitches, and missing bits.}
1 of 6

Dr. Pierre Chang {Wearing a Swan station logo medical/lab white jacket}-  
"Hello, I am Dr. Pierre Chang. And this is the orientation video for station one of the Dharma Initiative, the Hydra.  For purposes of security, please do not divulge my name to any outside parties. I wouldn't want to have to resort to using an alias in the future.   The chief purpose of this station is to conduct biological and behavioral research on various animal, bird and marine subjects. {6 caged rabbits}  Here are some of the duties you may be asked to perform... {A crazy voice says "Hurley. Hurley"} ...Genetic alteration.  These fascinating hybrids, or "hy-birds" as we call them, will be released and monitored to see how they adapt to the unique properties of the island... successful advanced studies in larger mammals.  Ursus maritimus, or polar bears, possess a keen sense of memory and adaptability.  These traits make them ideal candidates for electromagnetic studies that will be conducted at a secondary site where their comfort in cold temp... It's important when dealing with the bears that you do not show affection or become attached in any way.  Also, do not underestimate their intelligence and cunning. These rules must always be followed. I repeat, the bears are not your friends.  Rewarding the bear with a fish biscuit, once it has successfully performed a complex puzzle. After the training is completed, you will tranquilize the bear. Affix this tracking device around the subject's neck.  At which point it will be transported to the Orchid station for the next phase of research.  Remember, be sure to confirm that the female bears have not been impregnated before transport, as the electromagnetic levels at the Orchid have an extremely harmful effect on early term gestation.   As you've already learned, we do animal research here at Hydra.  Unfortunately, one must consider the most dangerous animal of all... humans.  And so, there is another more secluded test site, where we are conducting significantly more sensitive work. The island's indigenous population, some of you may have heard them referred to as "Hostiles", are acquired on the main island, sedated and brought here, to Room 23. {A "dummy/mannequin" is shown strapped in, in place of a person.}   Because the subjects are unwilling participants, security personnel should always be present during these sessions. Under no circumstances are you to engage subjects in conversation.  The purpose of these interrogations is to better understand the Hostiles' way of life, their origins, and particularly their worship of an island deity they refer to as "Jacob".    After the research team has concluded their tests, inject this into the back of the subject's neck.   Then place these goggles over his or her eyes. Hitting this switch will commence the visualization while the drugs take effect.  {The lights turn off, loud techno music plays while the video shows images and quotes} The dream-like quality of the film combined with the cutting edge pharmaceuticals will create an amnesia of sorts.  Any memory of his or her interrogation will be effectively wiped clean.   While these interrogative measures may seem extreme, rest assured, they are vital...to temporary truce with the Hostiles is not violated.  This concludes your orientation of the Hydra station. Good luck and remember do not discuss the nature of these experiments with other members of the Initiative.  
Enjoy your time here on Hydra Island. Namaste and good l..." 

The two men are stunned.

Hector- "I think we're gonna need to see that again."
Ben-"Sorry, we're out of time." {Ben collects his DVD}
Hector- "What did they do to those bears? And what the hell's a 'Hostile?"
Ben-"Goodbye, gentlemen. I have another call to make. Namaste."  {There is an obvious buzzing of a fly/bug}

SANTA ROSA MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE

Ben is wearing the same clothes as he wore to the warehouse in "Guam".
Ben- "Hello, I'm here to see Keith Johnson."
Nurse Susie Lazenby- "Are you on his visitor's list?"
Ben- "No. But I'm sure if you give him this note, he'll want to see me."


Walt, a kid in a grownup mental institute,  plays Connect Four solo in the game/rec room.
{The same familiar artwork and colorful cutouts decorate the room}
Ben- "Hello, Walt." {He doesn't call him Keith}
Walt-" What are you doing here?"
Ben- "Like my note said, a friend of yours sent me."
Walt- "I don't have any friends."
Ben- "We all have friends. Even me."
Walt- "You here to kidnap me again?"
Ben- "I'm genuinely sorry about that. But what's done is done. I can't change the past. I can only take responsibility for it. Walt, I understand what you've had to go through. I know the difficulties you've had pretending to be someone you're not.   {Walt takes off the legs of the Connect Four grid} Walt, I'm here to help you."
Walt- "Why?"
Ben- "Because you're special. And I bet nobody's told you that in a very long time."
Walt- "What good does that do me?"
Ben- "We need you. You have work to do. Starting with helping your father."
Walt- "My father's dead."
Ben- "Doesn't mean you can't help him. Will you go with us, Walt?"    {Ben places a wrapped DI granola bar on top of the red game pieces. Walt picks it up.}

Outside the building at night, Ben is encouraging cautious and unsure Walt as they walk through the picnic area and get into a blue Dharma van.
Ben-"Come on, it's OK. You ride shotgun."
Hurley-"Dude."
Walt- "Hurley."
Hurley- "It's great to see you, Walt."  {Jacob music plays}
Walt- "I kept hoping one day somebody would come back for me. They said I was crazy."
Hurley-"You're not crazy, dude. Not even close. You just need to get back to the island, that's all. It's where you belong. It's where you've always belonged."
Walt- "Why?"
Hurley- "I wanna talk to you about a job. All right, Ben, let's get out of here. It's time for us all to go home."
Ben starts the van and they drive away.

Things to Note...Questions to ask...
* Everything blurs together!  "This Place"-the "Island"-Guam-Santa Rosa-On "Island and off "Island", etc.
* Ben and Hurley travel to and from the "Island".   If you have to be sedated to "transport" to the "Island" then who sedates and wakes the other?!! lol
* The {"Hy"- "high"} bird is in a covered darkened cage...SLEEPING!  Drugs! Altered State of Consciousness!
* Confined. Alone. Solitary. Shutoff. Shutdown
* The Hydra Station is number 1; the Orchid Station is next step of the research.
* Computers, Programs, Drones, Machines. {"acting" on behalf of a human.}
* Drugs-High (hy), Hallucinogens, Sedatives, Tranquilize, Injections, Hypnosis, Brainwashing.
* Mind games, manipulation.
* GAME. Rules.
* Dream.  Dreamlike
* Mental health. Feeling alone. Lost. Santa Rosa.
* Tabula Rasa
* The Lamppost station is automated; hasn't had a person there in 20 years and The Hydra video shows a dummy/mannequin in place of a human
* What is real and what is not real?
* The "date" on the printout is not a real date.
* The "Island" is a place of learning.  An Institute is also known as a place of learning.
* Faraday's rat maze
* Tests. Experiments.
* Challenges
* Walt's name is Keith Johnson.
* Walt is presented with a "job".
* Walt is not 20 years old and we just learned the DI hasn't existed in almost 20 years.
* What does "dead" really mean?
* Walt is wearing a zip up hoodie like Michael and Hugo wore in Everybody Loves Hugo
* You need to consume a Dharma food product to be "transported" to the "Island".  The use of sedative and/or hallucinogen is what brings you to the "Island"
* The Island moves...is the "Island" really a ship?
* The handle on the door to Room 23 is like one that is on a refrigerated room or meat locker.
* Candle, Halliwax, Wickmund all represent "light".
* The Lamppost's "church" ends up being the place where Jack, Christian and friends are embraced by the warm bright "light".  The "light" lives in all of our hearts and the heart of the "Island".  Ah, lovely metaphors at work.
* The Dharma Initiative info from the film/dvd brings us back to the information we learned in the first ARG "The LOST Experience". 
 - I also want to provide you with The Psychology test video from The LOST Experience from back in June of 2006.

Vocabulary and Research...
* Logistics-word comes from "Pertaining to logic"

* Hydra- Also means a persistent or many-sided problem that presents new obstacles as soon as one aspect is solved.

* Drone-
   1). A Bee, a male wasp, a male ant.  (BUG)
   2). An abbreviation referring to one of two psychoactive drugs (Mephedrone "Methoxymethcathinone"), commonly known as methedrone

* Hostile-  opposed in feeling, action, or character.
   2). characterized by antagonism
   3). angry, aggressive, not warm, unfriendly or hospitable
   4). enemy
   5). alien

* Bear- carry, convey, transport, ferry, fetch, move,pack, take, transfer
  - Mental state, Endure,
  -Refuse to throw away,
  -Give birth.
  -Bare- To uncover, reveal or expose.

* Peas are contained in a pod.
* Indigenous-inherent; feelings indigenous to human beings.



What the "hex" going on?!  Well, people, things and places are not what you think...Ha, imagine that.

First...For those of you who feel disappointed that we didn't get a look at life on the "Island" under its new management...We did!!  Because it's all "the Island". 
They are NEVER out of the confines of the "ISLAND" or whatever the "Island" really is. We've all been down the rabbit hole which just happens to be over the rainbow in OZ.

It is obvious (and not all in my head) events and places we've seen in the six years happened within the "confines" of the "Island" adventure.  It was shown all over this 12 minute epilogue.
This also connects my Wizard of Oz-Alice in Wonderland idea...what we saw happened in a sleep state and/or altered state of consciousness where things are blurred together. 

This Zen Buddhism based journey involves altered states of consciousness and levels of consciousness (sleep state), and states of existence/being along the path.  The "Island's" role in this may also be aided with the addition of mediation, sedation, drugs, hypnosis, and/or even a computerized merged reality experience...the matrix.

If everything is really occurring and blurred within the confines of a specific space, one with distinct boundaries, then we still need to wonder...where this place is.   Is it all completely in the mind, consciousness/subconscious {with the use of drugs and or meditation aided by machine/computer}
or is it literally on an island or in a building or a prison, or are they on a ship in confined pods?  Is it possible that this adventure can happen all while you're in the comforts of your own home?

Let's look at the first part of what we're shown:
The "cutting edge" out of existence Dharma Initiative has only two clueless dudes in "Guam", hand cranking labels and packing pallets on autopilot (Automated) for 20 years! They don't even know about the Lamppost station. Really?!   These people are literally "trapped in a fucking box"!
Not only are we being shown the DI surviving under an auto-piloted front, but we're also seeing more people who are metaphorically "stuck" and oblivious that there is a whole entire world out there that they could and should be living in.  These two men are living in a redundant cycle with no comprehension of how to do it any other way.
Interestingly Ben, who just turned Glen and Hector's lives upside down,  limits the men's questions and is obviously restricting them from learning more even though they are curious.  Ben's entire demeanor is very mysterious and cunning and kind of suspicious.
Walt, a child who is residing at a mental institution for adults {I've only ever seen adults there}, is called upon by Ben via Hurley.    Hurley, Jacob-like, wants to talk to Walt about a "job" but also refers to Walt belonging on the island and also feeling positively that it's time to get out of there and that it's time for all of them to go home.  Is it just Walt's turn to watch the "Island" or is he "indigenous/hostiles" to the "Island"  {Ahem, as Candle mentions "there are"} and is he just being returned?   And I must ask what Walt's "special" role on the "Island is; although now we see he must become the new man in charge.  Is his role to take the place of the Jacob or MIB identity?   {John was "special" and connected with Smokey.}   Hurley states it's time for "all" of them to go home, so if the "Island" and the outside world are not really of the same space is Hurley gathering up all the natives to return them to the "Island" as well, or are they just all ready to go home?  Where is home?   It must be somewhere over the rainbow.

Are we still the victims of a Long Con?   Well, there continues to be a game element and the story still reeks of "Smoke and Mirrors", magic, illusion and lots of razzle freakin' dazzle.

The still seemingly vague and inconclusive {glitchy} information we received from the Hydra orientation film connects many things we learned in the first ARG, The LOST Experience.  Do I disregard any of that valuable time consuming researched shit load of information I learned with playing that game?  Nope.  Because we know and accept this story is multi layered.  Nevertheless, I found this Hydra Orientation film to be filled with a plethora of insight and answers.

We have been fed hints to breeding and "using" the natives of the "Island" all of these years along with the path to enlightenment part of the story.   Keep in mind the story is a wonderfully huge metaphor being narrated via all the puzzling problems and imagery we see on and with the "Island".    So the information Candle gives us can be perceived as him talking about Jack, John and the rest of the  people on the "Island" and not "bears" and "birds". 

But who knows, maybe Walt is a hybrid {or really  a "hy" bird, as in they're all "high", again as Candle outright states},  maybe they all are.   Or they're all Hostiles, native to the "Island" and they're the ones being broken down and reprogrammed. 

Marvin Candle's drivel about the viewer not telling anyone his name lest he be reduced to needing an alias is total nonsense, but his statement, "The Hostiles are acquired on the main island, sedated and brought here" is not.
Think about it...Are we really talking about "hostiles", as in natives to an actual island or are we really talking metaphorically about angry and lost people?  Have we witnessed the literal kidnapping of natives to an island and their being used as test subjects by the Dharma Initiative or about is it about a lost person who can't bear his burden any longer and is in need of a life changing journey to put him in the right light so he can live the life he is meant to live.  That may be a form of therapy or rehabilitation.   It very well may be that it is a combination of some of these clues.
We can watch the orientation footage literally, accepting the information Candle is telling the viewer as facts regarding the D.I. and their "programs".   And you can watch it understanding the subliminal and metaphoric connections to Jack, John, Hurley and the rest of the Castaways while ignoring the bits about the DI and their programs.  Of course you can also watch it while mastering how all of those factors fit and work together.

The visual of the white rabbits in the orientation video again for  me, correlates to a trip down the rabbit hole and not to some gobbledygook Marvin Candle's video is trying to distract us with. 

Hurley, the new man in charge, seems to be literally moving stuck people forward; liberating them.
Bah! Maybe he's just pushing the clueless people out.

"This Place"...the "Island" is a place of learning.  It doesn't matter if  you think it's run by a bunch of crackpot scientists, doctors, inventors, the military, actors, gamers or it's a real island that you can go on a journey to find yourself,  you're purpose there is not only to be challenged and tested, but you will learn, heal and be free and reborn.   It is part of the journey to enlightenment.

I do want to reflect on a moment we spent with Hurley and his adventure on the "Island" with his being confused on whether "Island" events are real or part of his subconscious.  We're given so much important information from his friend, Dave.  Dave hints to things being faked.   But more importantly is the dialogue Dave has about the "need to wake up" Hugo.
Dave tries to get Hurley to fall back off the cliff, not so he can kill himself but so it will "wake" him up.   Hugo perceives the going over the cliff as an act of physical death but what it really represents is a metaphoric "death", an ending and a means to bring you back to life.  It is very Zen.

So with this "Big Finale" it's time for us all to go home.   After all, Home is where your Heart is.  
It is also where you end up after you run all the bases on the field, or you work your way all the way around the game board indicating the completion of the game...back to home.

Now, if you're ready and only if and when you're really ready...
Come on, do it, I know you want to...Close your eyes, tap your heels together three times and think to yourself...There's no place like...Home.
...And now you can wake up.
At least until your next adventure, that is.

Love to all who are "LOST"™

Everybody Loves Hugo

Let's talk about LOST.     Everybody Loves Hugo.

"In a world full of conflict and strife...there is but one fact we all can agree upon...Everybody Loves Hugo. Born to humble surroundings, Hugo Reyes has always been a beacon of light for all who cross his path. Now Hugo's lifelong love affair with chicken led him to acquire and then expand the Mr. Cluck's chain into a worldwide phenomenon.  The exponential growth of Hugo's success was startling.  But financial success wasn't the end... it was the beginning. Hugo and giving became synonymous.  Parks, playgrounds, hospitals, the Mr. Clucks house for children. The philanthropy was unparalleled.   Which brings us to this evening and the opening of the Hugo Reyes Paleontology wing at the Golden State Natural History Museum. A lasting beacon of culture that bears the name of one of our cities greatest benefactors...Ladies and Gentlemen...our man of the year...Hugo Reyes."
When he stands to the applause of the room his mom looks unimpressed.

The "Flashes of snapshots" from Hugo's life is displayed during the speech.{A farm, as an infant/mom, baby, grand re-opening, w/box of chicken, Mr. Cluck's in Paris,Mt Fuji, Egypt, shaking hands with people at a Construction site/hardhats, w/NuNu, kids and chicken suit guy at a zoo w/elephant, ribbon cutting, experimental farm,etc.}

{Note: When Cheng says hospitals the image of Hugo in front of BOX2 is shown}
The master of ceremonies is Pierre Cheng/Candle/Wickman/Halliwax.

While leaving the event Hugo tells his mom about another event in his honor next Saturday night; The Human Fund. {The trophy is an opaque piece of glass in the cutout shape of a T-Rex.} "Can you make it?"    Apparently Hugo receives many trophies.
Unimpressed and bored Mom remarks that everybody loves Oo-go, "You know who doesn't? Women."
She feels Hugo needs a woman in his life especially on who has not "nursed" him. While Hugo feels he's too busy to meet someone his mom feels the real reason is that he scared. Hugo says he's not scared. This pleases mom as she reveals he has a date tomorrow with grandpa Tito's neighbor's daughter Rosalita; she agreed to lunch with him. When Hugo asks what she's like, angry mom replies, "Willing to meet you! You're going! She's gonna love you. And if she doesn't...we will find someone who does."
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Hurley changes the dead flower to a bright new fresh one at Libby's grave marker at Boone Hill.

Hurley kneels down and talks to Libby. "A lot of crazy stuff's been happening. I kinda wish I could talk you about it in person. A lot of people come and talk to me when they've...you know...gone. It'd be nice if you did too."
Ilana walks over asking Hugo if he's ready to go. "Once I'm back we're leaving."   She says she's going to the Black Rock because they need dynamite to destroy the plane. Hugo asks if she's sure that's the right move. Ilana isn't sure, but it's the only move they have.
Hurley-"Well, you're the expert."  {Some expert, huh?}
Ilana asks whose grave it is.
Sad Hurley shares her name was Libby and was in the tail section of the plane. They were gonna have their first date, like a picnic and then she was murdered. Ilana is sorry.
Hurley-"Yeah. Me too."
Ilana walks away. Once alone Hurley hears whispers.
Michael appears and informs Hurley he's there to stop Hurley from getting everyone killed. Hurley stays quiet while holding his dead flower.
Michael-"You gonna say something?"
Hurley-"And why should I trust you? You murdered Libby and Ana Lucia."
Michael-"That doesn't right matter now. What matters is you going across that Island to blow up that plane. People are gonna die.  A lot of people and it's gonna be your fault. {What?!} Because people are listening to you now, Hurley!"
In the distance Jack calls "Hurley".    Jack wonders who Hurley's talking to.
Hurley-"No one."
Jack-"Come on. We're leaving."
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Hugo is down to his last homemade tortilla chip in the basket. The waiter offers him more and starts to remove the other place setting but Hugo has him leave it because he's meeting someone and she's running late.
Waiter-"Right. Chips are on the way."
Hugo looks over the Spanish Johnny's menu.

Libby appears at his table. "Hugo."
Hugo looks over the top of the menu and sees this woman. He wasn't expecting someone like her; someone so pretty. He invites her to sit.
Hugo-"You don't look like a Rosalita."
She informs him her name isn't Rosalita, it's Libby.
Hugo-"So, you're not my blind date?"
Nope, she just saw him from across the room. She apprehensively mentions if she tells him how she knows his name he'll think she's crazy.
Hugo-"No I won't."
Libby reaches across the table and takes hold of both his hands. "Hugo. Do you believe that two people can be connected...Like soul mates?"
Hugo-"I guess."
Libby is getting teary eyed, "You don't remember me, do you?"
Hugo-"Should I?"
Dr. Brooks walks over and asks Elizabeth what she's doing. "Are you bothering this man?"
Libby claims Hugo to be an old friend. Dr. Brooks apologizes, explaining she wandered off.
Hugo-"Wandered off from where?"
Nearing tears, Libby tells Hugo that everything she said she meant.  They look in each other's eyes for a moment.
Dr. Brooks-"Forgive us."   He literally pulls Libby away.  Hugo is left surprised and confused.

Hugo walks outside to watch Libby get into the white van.  They wave at each other.
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Ilana returns to the beach telling everyone they have to make it to the outriggers and across the channel to Hydra Island before nightfall. She tells Richard she retrieved four sticks of {totally shitty ruined sweaty leaking} dynamite; enough to destroy the cockpit and all the instruments. "That plane'll never fly."
Hurley doesn't think the whole unstable dynamite thing is a good idea. Ilana wants him to trust her because she's been training her whole life for this.
Hurley-"To blow stuff up?"
Ilana-"To protect you."
Hurley-"Yeah, but, how's blowing up the plane protecting us?"
Ilana starts piling water bottles into the dynamite bag, "With that plane gone, that thing wont be able to  leave the Island."
Hurley-"Yeah, well, neither will we. And then we'll be stuck here with it and then it'll be angry at us.
Ilana-"Jacob said Richard will know what to do.  And Richard said to blow up the plane, correct?"
Richard - "Yes."
Hurley- "Well, Jacob never said anything about it to me. I mean what if Richard's wrong?"
Richard is just watching Hurley.
Ilana-"Hugo, I'm looking out for your best interest...all of you!  Nothing is more important than this. That thing is evil. And god help us if it ever leaves this Island...Because if it eve..."
Upon jamming her last water bottle into her bag, Ilana is blown to bits!

Locke is whittling a very long stick with his big knife.  Sawyer asks him if it's going to be a spear.
Locke-"I'm not sure what it's gonna be yet, James. When the time is right, it'll tell me."
Sawyer-"You talk to wood now?"
Locke wonders if there's something Kate and Sawyer want him to do.
Frustrated Sawyer wants Locke to do "anything!"  He feels the bastards on the other Island grabbed Jin and they're just sitting around twiddling their damn thumbs doing nothing about it.
As he continues to whittle, Locke shares, "There's a difference between doing nothing and waiting."
Kate asks what they're waiting for.
Locke waves his knife-"You were only able to come back to this Island because you all did it together.  If we're gonna get on that plane and leave it has to happen the same way. We're waiting for your friends to get here, Kate.  Hugo, Sun, Jack.  That's the only way we're ever getting off this... god forsaken rock."
Kate-"Well I don't see that happening."
Locke-"Well let's just hope you're wrong."
Sayid saunters into camp and Sawyer asks him where he's been.  Sayid needs to speak to Locke in private; the two men walk into the jungle.  Sawyer suspiciously watches them
Locke wonders if everything went alright; did Widmore see Sayid.    Sayid mentions Widmore's people saw him.
Locke-"And you let them live?"
Sayid-"I didn't see the point of killing them when I had what I came for."
Locke-"So you found what they were hiding in the submarine?"
Sayid most certainly did. He led Locke to the reveal of peaceful Desmond tied to a tree.

Hurley walks over to Ilana's belongings.  Picks up a red covered book and the small sack of "ash"{Or diamonds}, which he takes.

Richard dumps a bag full of crap out and tells Ben they have to go get more dynamite or else "she" died for nothing.  Quiet Frank just watches.
Jack-"Maybe she died to show us to stay the hell away from dynamite."
That's a risk Richard is willing to take.  Jack tells Richard that he promised Sun that he'd get her off that Island and Richard wishes he didn't promise her that.
Richard-"If it makes you feel any better you can blame it on me."
Hurley thinks Richard is right and feels it's the only choice they've got, "Trust me, Jack."
Jack says okay, and motivated Richard suggests, "Let's get moving."
Although Hurley looks unsure.
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
A clerk at the counter at Mr. Cluck's chicken is calling out for number 38.
Hugo walks up to clerk {Jayden} and orders a family size bucket of chicken.
While Hugo sits a eats a woman is calling out the number 41.
Hugo looks around, as if "feeling" like he's being watched and does indeed see a man looking at him. It's sunglass wearing Desmond. He walks over as asks Hugo if he's seen him before.
With a fist full of chicken leg, Hugo reveals he owns the place and the guy might have seen his commercial; he asks Des if he wants a Cluckateer key chain.
Desmond seems confused, "No. It's not that."
After a few seconds of recall he asks Hugo, "Were you on Oceanic flight 815...a week ago from Sydney?"
Yeah, what a coincidence! Desmond automatically takes a seat while he asks Hugo if he minds he join him while he waits for his order. "OOh...That is a lot of chicken!"
Hugo-"I eat when I'm depressed."
Desmond smiles-"So what's her name?"
Hugo-"I met a girl on a blind date the other night."   {Night?! It was lunch...in the day!}
Desmond-"And it didn't go how you hoped."
Hugo is excited and shares that she's totally awesome except for one thing..."She's crazy."
Desmond-"Well all women are a little bit crazy, brotha."
Hugo-"No! This one actually lives in the looney bin. I mean I saw the van. She's full on nuts. I mean she started sane...but then she told me we already knew each other. And that...I'd remember!"
Desmond wonders if Hugo believed her and he says yeah, he kinda did.  Desmond whispers to Hugo to go with his gut and try to find out where she thought she knew him from before he gives up on her. Hugo is lost in thought. The clerk calls out "42. Order 42."  That's Desmond's order number!
Desmond-"It was nice bumping into ya."
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Locke kneels down to talk to calm tied to the tree Desmond. He apologizes that Sayid tied him up but he was afraid Desmond would run before they had a chance to talk. Des doesn't blame him and explained he has nowhere to run to.  Locke feels that best argument against captivity that he ever heard, he doesn't know what is. He cuts Des free and asks him a couple of questions.
Locke-"Why did Charles bring you back to the Island?"
Desmond-"Considering I was kidnapped...you'll have to ask him."
Sayid confirms they had him under armed guard.
Desmond-"They threw me into a wood shack and blasted me with a massive amount of electromagnetism."
Locke wonders how he can be sure what he blasted him with.
Desmond-"Experience."
Locke-"Do you know who I am?"
Des replies matter of fact, "Of course...You're John Locke."
Locke instructs dead pan Sayid to head back to camp because he and Desmond need to take a walk. Sayid mechanically heads into the jungle. Locke holds out his right hand to Desmond to take, "Something I'd like to show you." {Who is showing who what?} Desmond takes his hand and Locke helps lift him up.

On their trek through the jungle stunned Ben remarks to the gang about Ilana and Jacob, "Kinda makes ya think, Ilana being handpicked by Jacob, trained to come and protect "you candidates", no sooner does she tell them who they are, then she blows up. "The Island was done with her. Makes me wonder what's gonna happen when it's done with us."
No cross wearing Richard has led them to the Black Rock. He wants to be the only one handling the dynamite so he's going in alone. It's at that moment he and the rest realize Hugo isn't with the group. {How does Hurley manage to vanish from the group undetected over the years?}
"RUN! GO! GO! GO! GO!" It's Hugo running from the Black Rock! It is blown to bits! {Only the ship, nothing else}
Richard is pissed, "Why the hell did you do that?"
Hugo-"I'm protecting us."
Richard-"What the hell were you thinking?! What are we supposed to do now?!"
Jack tells him to calm down.
Richard-"We're dead. We're all dead!"
Hugo sits alone. Miles tells him a warning might have been nice. Hugo did indeed say "run". He reveals to Miles that Michael told him to do that. Of course Miles doesn't know Michael so Hugo explains. "Michael. He's one of the people who come back and yell at me after they die. He told me I have to stop everyone from blowing up the plane, so...no dynamite...no more blowin up."
Miles-"That happen a lot? Dead people yelling at you?"
Hugo-"Happens enough."  {He thinks he gets yelled at?!!  WTF?}
Miles-"And you just...listen to whatever they say?"
Hugo-"Dead people are more reliable than alive people."   {And why would that be?! Think about it.}
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Large photo of a tropical island.
Hugo {wearing a gray zip-up hoodie)sits in Dr. Brook's office wanting to see Libby.

Dr. Brooks doesn't think that's a good idea as she's not well.
Hugo-"Clearly she's well enough for like a fajita field trip."
Brooks feels that's his mistake; he mis-judged her condition.
Nervous Hugo-"Her condition."
Brooks-"She has issues with reality."   He doesn't think it "probably" would be a good idea for Hugo to see her right now, it'll only confuse her.
Hugo-"You said 'probably' which means you might make an exception?"
Brooks-"Perhaps for family."
Hugo-"Or a generous donor. The rec room looked pretty narly on my way in. What do you think 100K might buy?"   Hugo writes a check.

A patient releases the black and red chips from the Connect Four grid.  Visitor Hugo sits in the rec room waiting for Libby. The room is filled with child like artwork, cutouts, paint, alphabets W-7U,games, images of the Island, old dude playing a hand-held video game etc.

Excited Libby enters and wonders if Hugo remembers. He does not.
She's disappointed, "Then why are you here?"
Hugo-"Where is it you think you know me from?"
Libby's not sure, "I know it won't make sense."
Hugo-"Try me."
Libby-"A few days ago I was watching TV and one of your commercials came on... and the moment that I saw you it was like I was hit over the head all these  memories came washing back... of my life..only it was... another life."
Hugo-"What kind of memories?"
Libby-"There was a plane crash and uh, I was on an island."
Hugo-"And I was there?"
Libby-"I think so. We knew each other. We... liked each other.  And then when I got here it was almost like I'd been here before and for some reason, Hugo,  I have a memory of you being here too."
Hugo-"Um, this is the first time I've ever been in a mental hospital."
Libby-"Yeah, I know. But I can't get you out of my brain and that's why the other night when I saw you  I had to talk to you. Because if.. you remembered me..."
Hugo -"I wish I could, Libby, but I can't. I'm sorry."
Libby cries-"It's ok. It's ok.  I'm crazy."
Hugo-"Yeah, probably, but we all got something, right?  I mean it takes a lot of guts go up to a total stranger  and tell them you know them from some bizarro alternate universe. I'm scared just saying hi to a girl."
Libby-"You're doin fine."
Hugo-"Hey, can you ever like... get out of here? Umm, day pass or...?"
Libby-"Yeah. I'm here voluntarily."
Hugo-"Whoa. Would you like to do something?"
Libby-"You mean a date?"
Hugo-"Yeah."
Libby would love that.
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
"Remind me Desmond, how long were you down in that hatch pushing that button?", asks Locke.
 Desmond-"Three years."
Locke notes here he is back for more, "If I didn't know better I'd say this Island has it in for you."
Desmond-"Do you know better? There's nothing special about me, brotha. This Island has it in for all of us."
Locke-"Yes it does."    He sees a familiar young boy{brown hair} over Desmond's shoulder.
Desmond can see him too, "Who's that?"
Locke-"Just ignore him."
Desmond-"Do you know that boy?"
Locke-"I said ignore him!"    Desmond looks back at the boy, the boy smiles and runs away.

Back at the burning Black Rock motivated Richard decides he and Ben going back to the Dharma barracks because Ben thinks there is still grenades and explosives there.  Jack feels they should talk about this.  Richard feels there's no time to talk, but if Jack knows what they need to do , if he knows how to stop that thing from leaving the Island without blowing that plane up then they need to hear it.
Hugo declares they need to go and talk to Locke.
Richard-"Are you trying to get us killed?!"
It's not Hugo's idea, it's "his".    Hugo  points into the jungle at nothingness, claiming Jacob  to be there.    Richard calls Hugo on this and wants him to prove Jacob is standing there by asking Jacob "What the Island is".
Richard feels if Jacob is really standing there he'd know that he had told him what the Island is.
Hugo walks over and stands next to Richard stating he doesn't have to prove anything to him, "You can either come with me or you can keep trying to  blow stuff up. Your call, dude."
Richard looks Hugo in the eyes and announces Hugo's lying.
Richard-"Jacob isn't telling us what to do because Jacob never tells us what to do.  I'm gonna make this simple, if that thing leaves the Island that's it... it's over."   {Yes, it will be game over.}
Miles-"What's over?"
Richard-"Everything!  I'm destroying that plane and I could use all the help I can get.  Who's coming with me?"
Ben is going.  Miles tells Hugo he saw "that thing" in action and it doesn't want to talk, so he's going with Richard too.    Jack apologizes and feels if Jacob says we go talk to Locke, then they go talk to Locke. He's going with Hugo.
Richard-"Don't get in our way."   He and his tiny group heads out.
Jack-"Alright, Hurley...let's go talk to Locke."     Hurley looks troubled.

Hurley leads his group through the dark jungle.   Sun writes a note to Frank asking if they made a mistake.
Frank-"Probably."

Nervous Hurley asks Jack what he thinks they should say to Locke when they get there. "I mean...How do you break the ice with the smoke monster?"
Jack tells him not to worry about it because something tells him Locke will do most of the talking.  Hurley's scared he could just kill them all.   Jack seems nonchalant about it.   Hurley turns around to Jack and confesses he didn't see Jacob back there. He just said it because he wanted everyone to listen to him.
Jack-"I know."
Hurley wonders why Jack went with him.    Jack explains that ever since he got Juliet killed all he's wanted was to fix it, but he can't ever fix it.  "You have no idea how hard it is for me to sit back and listen to other people tell  me what I should do. I think that maybe that's the point.  Maybe...I'm supposed to let go."  {Yes, Jack. That is your lesson.}
Hurley remarks, unless his letting go gets them killed.   Going to see Locke was Hurley's idea, not Jacob's and  Jack is trusting Hurley.
Hurley feels it's a good thing he does, "'Cause I have no idea where I'm going."
They all hear whispers!
Hurley says it's cool because "I think I know what these things are."
He has the group wait there as he walks into the jungle alone.  He calls out for Michael "Hey you around?" and Michael walks out.   {It's a good thing Michael walked out and not some other gone folk.}
Hurley-"You're stuck on the Island, aren't you?"
Michael-"'Cause of what I did."
Hurley-"And... there are others out here... like you, aren't there. That's what the whispers are?"
Michael-"Yeah. We're the ones who can't move on."    {Can't.}
Hurley-"Do you know where Locke is?"     Michael points to a torch illuminated area down  in the valley.

Hurley asks Michael if there's anything he can do to help him.
Michael-"Don't get yourself killed."    He also asks if Hurley ever does see Libby again "Tell her I'm very sorry."  {Tell her yourself!!!}    Hurley smiles will be sure and do that. 
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
Hugo lays out a blue blanket on the beach for his picnic with Libby.  He brought six different kinds of cheeses.   Libby sits staring out at the ocean.   Hugo wonders if something's wrong.
Libby-"No. Not wrong...just...off."
She hasn't been "here" before but being there with Hugo is familiar to her, "Like a date we never had."  She realizes she sounds completely insane.  They both question each other about why they want to be with one another.
Hugo-"Come on, look at me."
Libby looks him in the eyes and tells him she wants to be with him because she likes him.  Hugo feels she likes him because she's delusional.   Libby just kisses him.  Hugo gets "Flash images" of he and Libby on the Island".   He opens his eyes and Libby asks what's wrong.  Hugo shares he thinks he's remembering stuff.   With this recall it may mean Libby isn't crazy.   Desmond has been sitting nearby in his car watching the two on the beach.

Locke has led Desmond to a  very old well.  Locke reads Desmond's mind in wondering how deep it is.  Locke tosses a lit torch into it and it sounds like it lands in water.    Locke teaches him that the people who dug the well did it completely by hand.  "God knows how long it took em."
Desmond-"It seems like a lot of  work just to get some water."
Locke-"Oh they weren't looking for water, they were looking for answers.  A long time ago places like the one we're standing at now made compass needles spin.  And the people holding the compasses needed to know why...so they dug."
Desmond-"Did they find what they were looking for?"
Locke-"No, they didn't.  The reason I wanted you to see this, Desmond,  is because Charles Widmore is not interested in answers, he's only interested in power.  And he brought you back to this island  so that you can help him find what he's looking for.    After all, this isn't the only well."
Desmond-"And that's the reason you wanted me to see this."
Locke is curious, "Why aren't you afraid?"
Desmond-"Excuse me?"
Locke-"You're out here... middle of the jungle...with me... not a person on earth even knows you're here.  Why aren't you afraid?"
Desmond-"What is the point of being afraid?"
Locke looks deep in Desmond's eyes, smiles and pushes him into the well.

Locke arrives back at his camp and informs Sayid that they don't have to worry about their "friend" anymore.
Curious Sawyer asks Locke where he's been.  Locke shares he went for a walk.   Sawyer feels now that Locke's stretched his legs...Sawyer's distracted by the arrival of Hurley.
Hurley-"I don't know who you are , dude or what you want..."
He appeals to Locke that even though both sides have weapons he wants Locke's word no one will get hurt or killed.  He gives his word that they're not going to do anything and he wants Locke's word to the same. So Locke hands his knife to him and gives his word.  Hurley tells the guys they can come out.   Out walk Frank, Sun {She doesn't automatically asks for Jin!}  and Jack.   Jack and Kate share a smile.   His gaze is broken when Locke says "Hello Jack."    Jack looks confused and concerned, Locke smiles.

{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble}
At school Locke is making his way across the parking lot in his wheelchair.   Desmond is sitting in his car and spots Locke.   Educator Ben knocks on Desmond's window to inquire if he's waiting for someone in particular.  Ben notes Desmond has been parked at the school watching the kids.
Desmond doesn't have a kid who goes there and adds the lie of just moving to the neighborhood and is looking for a school for his son "Charlie".   Desmond keeps his eyes on struggling Locke.
Ben-"Well, as a teacher here I can vouch for it completely. It's a wonderful school."
Desmond finds this info great to hear and obviously ends the chat with Ben.  Ben still looks suspicious.   Locke is still wheeling his way up the little hill.  Des starts the car and speeds up intentionally hitting Locke.
Ben runs over to him, tells someone to call 911.
"Mr. Locke! Oh my god!  Don't, don't move.  We're gonna get you to the hospital. Mr. Locke...Mr. Locke... Can you hear me?!"
Watch when Locke starts to come around.

Everybody Loves Hugo is a GREAT episode!!

Why did Desmond hit Locke with the car?  Is it so Locke has to connect with Jack...or because Locke pushed him into the well?
Why did Locke push Desmond into the well?  Was it payback for hitting him with the car?
Which of these intentional events came first?  Hmmmm  It is possible things are not separate at all.

Child-like artwork, cutouts, play, toys, games, imagination, make believe and yes...even deep pain.
I can't help but sometimes "feel" like we are seeing our grown up Losties behave like children at the same time.
The unblemished innocence of a young child, the ability to feel safe, to have their minds open to nothing but wishes, dreams, imagination, fantasy, exploration and possibility.  All of this is what every child embodies until the ugly hand of society gets a hold of them.    When a "catastrophic" experience happens to a child it leaves them feeling alone, abandoned, and hopeless, with their strength shattered and dreams crushed.
With all this mention of children this season I can't help but wonder about Waaaaaaaalt.

The "Island" does indeed seem to be the place you go to find  yourself, to rediscover the person you left behind and need to connect with again, to learn to love, forgive and accept things so that you can move forward.
People who are unable or can't "move on" are stuck. Exactly! Aren't they all stuck on the "Island" looking for answers?
This episode is riddled with mental health issues and the connection of Libby, Michael and Hurley.  Add to this Michael's revelation about the whispers belonging to some that are "stuck" in this "Island" adventure/experience/game because they're the ones who can't move on.  Locke is "stuck" too.  They have not learned what they are there to learn, hence they are still there.
Maybe there are even ones that "can't"... simply because they "can't".   Michael never said they were dead and/or spirits/souls lost in between worlds.  The reveal was left with enough ambiguity to go in the direction of either a religious "purgatory" (Of course then this would mean this "Island" purgatory would enable the dead to die over and over and over again) or something completely simple.
Can't it be that they are "stuck" in the damn adventure?!   Possibly on another level/plane or outside of the experience with access to enter while the Losties are in an altered state?
Nowhere did Michael or Hurley say how their journey is happening or what the "Island" is!!  A contrived bloody snow globe where things are imagined and faked?  If so, how would it be purgatory?
Take a look at Michael's monitors from the episode Meet Kevin Johnson.
(Click the pic)

Voices/whispers in their heads: 

Schizophrenia: A severe emotional disorder of psychotic depth characteristically marked by a retreat from reality with delusion formation, hallucinations, emotional disharmony, and regressive behavior.   

Personality Disorder: severe personality disorder that develops in early childhood; characterized by a lack of control of anger, intense and frequent mood changes, impulsive acts, disturbed interpersonal relationships, and life-threatening behaviors.

Or the more common reason among the rest of us, we may hear whispers/voices is when you are in a half awake-half, {semi conscious} sleep state.

Things to Note...Questions to ask...
* Now we have "wells" to look down into instead of "hatches".
* I don't see Isabella's cross hanging around Richard's neck.
* Hurley lies/manipulates to get the people to do what he wanted.
* Real. Not real.  "Island" and off "Island" events blur together.
* So...where's Christian?
* Menu. Connected. Power. Channel.
* Marker. Chip. Move.
* Crazy. Insane. Santa Rosa. {Rosalita} Mental Hospital. The Looney Bin. Full on nuts. Depressed. Delusional. Issues with reality.
* Identity. 
* Memory. Mind. Head.  Brain.
* Believe.
* Desmond is #42 at Mr. Cluck's
* Game. Connect Four.
* Well. How many times was the word "well" said or shown in this episode?!
* Wrong. Not wrong-off.
* Wood Shack. Jacob's cabin. Mr. Cluck's chicken shack.
* What is with quiet observing Frank the pilot?
* When they blew up "the bomb" did that change things for the "stuck" people on the"island" too.  Shouldn't have?   Michael was told he can go by Christian.
* Desmond, Sawyer and Locke have seen the young boy.
* In Live Together Die Alone, Locke asked Desmond "How long did you say you were you down in the hatch?" Desmond replies-"3 years."
* Why would Hurley think the dead are more reliable than the living?  Maybe because the living can disappoint and hurt you.
* Jack mentions something to Ana Lucia about women being crazy.
* Why does Libby and Hugo say they met each other the other "night" when they met at lunch in the day?!!!!
* I don't recall mirrors for Hugo here.
* Hugo's commercial talks about sleeping under the stars and dreaming.
* Longing for family
* Is Locke still trying to bring the "family" back together.

Vocabulary and Research...
* The Human Fund is a nod to the show Seinfeld.  The Human Fund was a made up charity by George.  He created it in an effort to con his fellow workers, giving them the illusion he donated money for a gift/donation in their name.  Every aspect of  this was bullshit.
* Bump: The removal of passengers from an overbooked airline flight
- A dosage of some illegal substance (slang, most often in reference to cocaine)
- Bump (Internet), raising a thread's profile by returning it to the top of the list of active threads OR an abbreviation for "Bring up my post"
- Bump mapping, a computer graphics technique
* Записки из подполья: 1864 novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Translated to Notes from the Underground or Letters from the Underworld.
* Well: "Well-to-wheel", or Life cycle assessment.
- WELL: The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, normally shortened to The WELL, is one of the oldest virtual communities in continuous operation.
- A potential well is the region surrounding a local minimum of potential energy. Energy captured in a potential well is unable to convert to another type of energy (kinetic energy in the case of a gravitational potential well) because it is captured in the local minimum of a potential well. Therefore, a body may not proceed to the global minimum of potential energy, as it would naturally tend to due to entropy.
Well of Knowledge-In Norse mythology, Mímisbrunnr (Old Norse "Mímir's well")is a well associated with the being Mímir, located beneath the world tree Yggdrasil.
* Nurse:  In other languages, the word for nurse comes from the same etymology as the word infirmary, such as in French (infirmier), or Italian (infermiere).
* "Spanish Johnny's"   Bruce Springsteen's -Incident on 57th street.
* 57th Street in NYC: This stretch of 57th Street is home to  hotels such as Le Parker Meridien and well known restaurants such as the Russian Tea Room, and the offices of several magazines including The Economist and Newsweek. The corner of 57th Street and 7th Avenue is home to the city-owned performance venue Carnegie Hall.
300 East 57th Street is a Manhattan apartment building on East 57th Street designed by Emery Roth and erected in 1947.  The building is the last known New York address for J. D. Salinger before he moved to a life of seclusion in the New Hampshire woods.




So...What is the "Island"?! Are events happening in the "head/mind/consciousness"?    Is it combined with one hell of a LARP?! What kinds of things are happening in their brain/mind?
Either way things are connected. Who knows...this may lead us all back to a building in New York City.


Just throw a penny in the well and make a wish to find your true north.

Love to all who are "LOST"™

PS: Check out:
Dave
Numbers

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? Good! 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. It will get very exciting as we progress into the story.

Ab Aeterno

Let's talk about LOST!   Ab Aeterno.

The episode opens with Ilana's eye.   Jacob visits bandaged Ilana; apparently they know each other a long time.  He's giving her a list of the remaining candidates.   {Jacob already knew he needed a replacement.}
{Flash Whoosh-the opening moments go back and forth to the beach}
Ilana doesn't know what to do next.  {The scene switches to un-bandaged Ilana in the hospital}  "After I brought them to the temple...what do I do?"    
Jacob tells her to ask Ricardus; he'll know what to do.
{Scene back on the beach.} The castaways learn that Richard is Ricardus.
Richard laughs and mentions that he was trying to kill himself when Jack found him.
He reveals a secret to Jack, "You're dead".   Literally not figuratively.    
He's known for a long time that all this isn't what they think it is; they aren't on an island, never were. They're in hell.  He's very angry and adamant about Jacob being a liar; he suggests listening to someone else and he heads off.
Richard marches through the dark jungle with his torch. 

Ilana wants to go after Richard because Jacob told her Richard "has to know" what to do next.
Jack feels Richard has lost his mind and thinks we're in hell.    If he cared about what Jacob said he wouldn't care about talking to someone else.
Richard is going to Locke but the gang knows Locke is dead.  Ben informs them the consolation it's not exactly Locke.

Hurley is speaking Spanish to an invisible person. 
Jack asks Hurley "What's he saying?"   Jack says he saw Hurley talking to Jacob.   
Hurley says he's not talking to Jacob. 
Jack- "Don't lie to me. Please, if you know any something, anything that can help us..."    
Hurley insists it's not Jacob and it has nothing to do with Jack.
Miles is watching Hurley and Jack. 
Ben tells Ilana that Shephard is right about Richard; going after him is a waste of time, "He doesn't know anything."

Richard continues to make his way through the jungle.

Ben shares with the group the thing that makes him so sure that Richard doesn't know anything is that he's known him since he was 12 years old that should count for something. 
Frank remarks, "So guys met when you were kids, huh?"
Ben clarifies that he was a kid and Richard looked just like he does today.  Ben is saying this guy doesn't age.
Frank-"And how the hell do ya think that happened?"
Confused and lost Richard still carries his torch walking through the dark jungle.
{No Flash Whoosh/Air plane engine/sounds-rumble} 

Tenerife, Canary Islands.  1867. 

Ricardo rides on horseback to a house.  Isabella is sick, coughing up blood and dying.  Ricardo tells her to go back to sleep and kisses her forehead.  She's burning up so he puts a cloth on her forehead.
He wants to hurry to get the doctor; God willing he'll be back by dawn.   He grabs whatever coins he has, praying they have enough.  Isabella gives him her beloved cross to give to the doctor as well.  He takes it along.
Emotional Ricardo feels if anything ever happened to her...  
Isabella and Ricardo share deep love.
Isabella- "Close your eyes  {He does} We'll always be together."   
She kisses him while he keeps his eyes closed seemingly with happy thoughts.
Ricardo proclaims, "I will save you."    {He must have a case of the Jack Shephard's. lol}
Isabella clutches a black covered book as Ricardo braves the stormy night on horseback.

The Doctor is eating.   
The butler yells from the front door,  "You can't some in! You can't be here!"
Ricardo walks right in and pleads with the hungry doctor, as he couldn't wait because his wife is sick, to which the cold hungry doc suggests blankets, not for Ricardo, but because Ricardo is dripping water all over his floor.
Ricardo pleads for his help and the selfish doctor won't take the half a day journey in the pouring rain.  But he has very expensive medicine that can save her life.   The doctor unlocks a cabinet retrieving the medicine.   Ricardo pours out all the coins he has and when that is  not enough he adds Isabella's cross to the pot.
Ricardo-"Now you have everything."
The doctor says it's worthless and tosses it aside.  This upsets Ricardo and he scrambles to pick it up.  He begs the Doc to let him work off the debt.   When the doctor won't go for it Ricardo tugs on him, pleading, until things take a turn that cause Ricardo to push the doctor; making him hit his head on the table.   The man with the blankets sees Ricardo.
Ricardo had the small cork topped bottle of medicine {Which he technically paid money for} and runs off; riding off into the dark stormy night.

Ricardo arrives back home. {Still dark out. Half a day journey-twice and yet those candles are still burning! lol}
Isabella has passed. {Eyes open.}   He listens for her heartbeat and breaks down crying.

Cuffed Ricardo sits in a jail reading the bible. {Luke 4:37}  He wears Isabella's cross.   The Chaplin comes in with food but Ricardo isn't hungry.   The father notes the bible is in English.   Ricardo has been teaching himself because he and Isabella were going to travel to the new world and start a family, a new life.
Ricardo is prepared to make his confession.  He kneels downs, crosses/blesses himself, "Forgive me Father for I have sinned."   Truly repentant Ricardo begs for God's forgiveness to which the Chaplin informs him he cannot grant him absolution for murder.  This shocks Ricardo because this was an accident.  He feels there must be some way to earn God’s forgiveness.   
The only way to return God's grace is through penance and Ricardo is willing to do anything.   The Chaplin smiles and scoffs at this as Ricardo doesn't have time, because tomorrow he will be hanged.  The Chaplin's afraid the devil awaits him in hell.  Ricardo is left stunned.
Ricardo looks out his cell window up at a dead tree.   {A tree symbolizes life and that one is dead. Crow caws}  
Ricardo is led blindfolded. 
Whitfield looks at Ricardo's strong hands and in this mouth as he asks about his English speaking ability.  Ricardo also shares he works in the fields.
It’s his lucky day because Magnus Hanso will take him on a boat ride; he's Hanso's property now.   Whitfield pays the "father" for Ricardo and hopes Ricardo doesn't get seasick.
They sail the rough and stormy seas.  The chained men try to see what's outside the boat by peering through the thin wood planked walls of the ship. 
“Can you see anything?”    
“It’s too dark.”
"There’s an island”
One prisoner sees the statue in the dark and declares it to be The Devil. 
"The Island is guarded by the devil!" {Oh wow! It's 'guarded by' the devil!}
Ricardo is afraid and clutches the cross around his neck.  
The terrific storm causes the ship  to actually take flight, crashing into the statue breaking it apart and then ends up in the middle of the bloody jungle.

It's daylight and the survivors of the bizarre shipwreck wake up.  From down below the chained passengers all look up into the daylight calling out for help, "We're alive!"
We hear that Captain Hanso is dead.
Whitfield comes down revealing there are only 5 officers left and limited supplies so he kills the prisoners.  He tells Ricardo his actions are because if he freed him "it would only be a matter of time before you killed me".   
Ricardo doesn't have the cross around his neck.
Just then the smoke monster is on deck and takes lives. 
Whitfield wants to know what's going on up there and yells out to this men,  "I said report!"
He is taken by the smoke monster!
The smoke comes face to face with scared Ricardo, flashing its Flashes.   Ricardo closes his eyes and whispers {prayers}.   All of a sudden it is gone but is heard in the distance.


A blue butterfly flies into the Black Rock.  
Ricardo tries desperately to remove a nail from a floor plank so he can use  it as a tool to help free himself.  It starts to rain and he tries to drink the dripping water but he can't reach it.
Weakening and tired Ricardo retrieves the nail and continues to work on freeing himself.   A hungry boar is chowing on one of the prisoners.  Ricardo tells the boar to get out of here, "I'll kill you!" and uses the nail as his only defense.  The boar speeds by causing Ricardo to drop the nail a few inches out of his reach.
Very weak Ricardo hears a woman's voice.  He tries to focus his eyes to see clearly; it's Isabella. {This seems to be 5 days later. There are 5 score marks on a post}
He wonders how she is "here".  
Isabella tells him they are both dead, "We're in hell."  
{Why would they be in hell?! Why is she there period?!}   She claims to be there to save him before "he" comes back; the devil.  She shares that she looked in his eyes and all she saw was evil.   She asks if he saw him too and Richard "thinks he has".  

The smoke monster nears and Ricardo tells her to run; he insists he said he would save her.  "If you love me, GO!"     She heads up the stairs right into the smoke monster's path.
Ricardo breaks down.

A man with a lantern enters the dark ship, brings water/silver cups to weak and broken Ricardo.  He touches the left shoulder of unconscious Ricardo.    It's the MIB with dark eye/eyes.
Ricardo-"Who are you?"       
The MIB-"A friend."
Ricardo-"I am in hell?"
MIB-"Yes, I'm afraid you are."    
The man explains he was there long before "your ship".   
Ricardo shares about Isabella being there and how when the black smoke came she ran and hasn't come back.
MIB seems to not be aware of her and states "It probably means he has her." 
Ricardo-"Who?"
MIB-"I think you know who."   {Who? The devil?}
MIB will help him because he wants to be free too.   As  luck would have it he found keys on one of the officers outside.   He thinks they'll work, but before he tries he needs to know that Ricardo will help and will do anything he asks.   They agree, so MIB frees him from his chains. 

MIB complements his friend "It's good to see you out of those chains."
The MIB helps him and tells him he's going to need his strength if they're going to escape.   He also explains there's only one way to escape from hell and that's to kill the devil.
Blue eyed MIB directs Ricardo to the broken statue and where he'll find the devil.  He presents him with a fancy dagger to use to kill the devil; giving him the same instructions Dogen gave Sayid.
He also reveals he is the black smoke and claims Isabella was running from "him"  and there wasn't anything he could do to stop it.   The devil betrayed him, took his body and humanity; the devil can be very persuasive.
Ricardo knows murder is wrong and feels that's what brought him "here".
The MIB says they can continue to talk about what's right or wrong all day, but the question remains the same. Basically what will he do to see his wife again?
{The MIB leads us to believe the he/black smoke and the devil are two different beings and not one in the same.}
Emotionally torn Richard does indeed head to the broken statue on his mission and ends up getting his ass kicked by Jacob.  Jacob wonders who gave him the dagger and also claims to not know his wife.
Richard explains she didn't come on the ship and she's dead.
With that Jacob asks, "Then why are you asking me where she is?"
It is revealed Ricardo met a man dressed in black in the jungle who said Jacob was the devil.  {Watch Jacob's expression here.}
Ricardo again claims to have seen his wife in this place and Jacob says it wasn't his wife.   Ricardo blurts out she is dead just like him and he is in hell.
Jacob-"You really think you're dead?"
Ricardo-"Where else would I be?"
Jacob assures him he is not dead and proves it by forcefully submerging him the water repeatedly making him realize he had to hold his breath and bringing him up for air.
Jacob-"Why should I stop?!"
Ricardo-"Because I want to live!"
Jacob feels that's the first sensible thing he's said.
Ricardo's wet body is warmed by a gray blanket. Jacob brings over a corked bottle of wine and two silver cups.    Ricardo wonders what is inside (nods to the foot statue) and Jacob informs him "No one comes in unless I invite them in." He drinks.
Ricardo outright asks, "Are you the devil?"
Brown eyed Jacob says with a smirky smile, "No."
Ricardo-"Then who are you?"
His name is Jacob and he's the one who brought his ship to the island.   His explanation and illustration involves the use of the bottle of wine.  He demonstrates the wine as "hell/malevolence/evil/darkness" swirling around in the bottle unable to get out because if it did it would spread.  "The cork is this island, and it's the only thing keeping the darkness in....where it belongs."
He turns the bottle upside down to prove the cork's strength.

Jacob also explains that "That man who sent you to kill me believes everyone's corruptible because it's in their very nature to sin.   I bring people here to prove him wrong. And when they get here their past doesn't matter."  

We learn there were many brought to the island before the black rock's arrival and those people are all dead. {Jacob delivers that news very nonchalantly}
Richard is curious that if Jacob is the one who brought them then why didn't he help them.
Jacob wanted them to help themselves.  "To know the difference between right and wrong without me having to tell them.  It's all meaningless if I have to force them to do anything. Why should I have to step in?"  
Ricardo feels if Jacob won't "he/MIB will".
Blue eyed Jacob, seeming as if a light bulb went off, offers Richard a job, giving him a purpose.  The job is too "step in" because Jacob doesn't want to "step in".   He can be the representative, an intermediary between the people Jacob brings to the island and in return he will give Ricardo something.
Ricardo makes a few suggestions:  He wants his wife back, which Jacob can't do.  He asks if Jacob can absolve him of his sins so he doesn't go to hell, which Jacob can't do either. {Why? Because he's not God.}   Richard doesn't want to die, "I want to live forever."   
BINGO!  "That" Jacob can do. {He touches Ricardo's right shoulder.}

Ricardo returns to the MIB {green eyes} with his mission unaccomplished.   Ricardo gives a white rock to MIB from Jacob.

 

MIB-"I'm sure you realize if you go with him you'll never be with your wife again.  I understand...he can be very...convincing.  But I want you to know if you ever change your mind, and I mean ever, my offer still stands.  I have something for you."   

He hands him Isabella's cross; he found it on the ship.

Ricardo looks down at the cross and looks up to find the MIB has disappeared.
Ricardo buries the cross under the stone bench.  He kisses it and says goodbye to his love.
{Air plane engine/sounds-rumble} 
Richard digs up the cross because he's changed his mind.    
He looks up, "Are you listening to me?  I've changed my mind...I was wrong!   You said I could change my mind...You said the offer would stand...Does the offer still stand?!  Does the offer still stand!?   Does the offer still stand!?" 
Hurley appears, "What offer, dude?"   
He kinda followed Richard out there.   
Richard yells at him to get out. "Didn't you hear what I said?  I told you people I don't know anything!  Why did you follow me?"     
Hurley said his wife sent him and she's standing right next to him.  Apparently Isabella saw him dig up the cross.
Isabella tells Hurley in Spanish-"He doesn't believe you."   
Hurley translates; Richard doesn't see her.   
Isabella compliments his English and he replies Spanish.   Isabella wants Richard to close his eyes; it's okay because Hurley will tell him what she says.
Isabella tells him it wasn't his fault that she died, it was her time. "You've suffered enough, Ricardo."

Richard misses her and would do anything to be together.  

She tells him they are already together and she kisses his cheek.    

Richard cries and puts her cross around his neck and asks Hurley if something’s wrong.
Hurley mentions that she said one more thing "Something you have to do. She said you have to stop the man in black. You have to stop him from leaving the island. Cause if you don't...{Spanish}We all go to hell."   {Uh…She didn’t say that!  WTF is Hurley doing?!}
John Locke is watching this from afar. 

MIB sits on a log playing with a white rock and Jacob joins him.   It is evident these two are at odds but one seems to be there against his will.    As long as Jacob's alive the MIB isn't going anywhere.  The MIB's mission is to kill Jacob and anyone who replaces him.   
Jacob gives him the corked bottle of wine; something to pass the time.   
Jacob will see him around.
MIB-“Sooner than you think." and he smashes the bottle on the log.

Ab Aeterno is a GREAT episode!
The first thing I need to get off my chest is that these bratty boys just can't seem to get along! They should be punished! They both manipulate and con.   Although, I do believe we saw many elements that could mean the two are one in the same; two halves of a whole or opposition.

The episode drowned me in the words hell and devil so much they proved to not only be irrelevant but just plain old meaningless.
I loved that this episode kept things human.    Ricardo lost the love of his life and felt he was forsaken and abandoned by his "god".   Jacob took advantage of Richard’s vulnerability and claimed him; giving him a job and a purpose in “this place”. 
But I do feel it's Richard's perspective that he is in “hell".   It's rooted in his own personal belief system of being religious.  Richard has a broken heart, lost his wife and accidentally "killed" a man...that's why he's on the "Island".   He is broken and lost.  He’s literally bearing the cross of his loss and his self imposed suffering.    Interesting that Jack doesn't think they're in hell; as a matter of fact he sounds sure of it.

So, we know they’re not on an “Island” and it isn’t “hell” and come on…it’s not a “cork” that plugs up an opening to something on a moving “Island”.

Let’s talk about hell for a second. I researched some things and agree with the problem I find with the concept of hell. It takes in four important issues.
1). That it would have to exist in the first place.
2). That only some/certain people go there.
3). That there is no escape from the depths of it.
4). It is punishment for actions displayed during lifespan on Earth.

People could only commit a finite number of sins within their lifetime, but if they went to "hell" they would suffer punishment eternally, infinitely. That's just friggin' over the top punishment. Why would Richard's God not grant truly pennant Ricardo forgiveness for a death that was clearly an accident? Why would he be punished forever for such a circumstance? Of course it’s "man" who didn't grant him time for penance. Some coincidence, huh?

Let’s be honest each castaway has sinned, but did they sin enough to bring them to float the rest of their lives on a cork?!   Now Kate blowing up her father was murder so she should float on the fucking cork.

Richard claims they’re all dead and they're not on an Island, they never were and they're in hell.  Yeah, a personal "hell" not a literal "hell", where Apollo bars don’t melt or ranch dressing doesn't need refrigeration once opened.

If these two sides are ping pong-ing their life away, trying to beat each other with their little game of "bring the lost people to the island”,  all in an effort to "see" if people know the difference between right and wrong, and one side is supposed to be a positive stimulus and the other side a negative stimulus, why the hell are neither trying to influence to better the situation?   Maybe they like the chaos that gets created on the “Island” or they need a reminder of what right and wrong really is too.   These two sides just can't seem to find balance at all.

Everybody is lying and conning each other. A conman makes the game work by making the “mark” think ideas came from them. The con exploits human characteristics victimizing individuals. Isn’t that what Jacob is doing by bringing people to the “Island”.

I want to touch on something from the past. The John Locke we see now seems to have shown himself to us in the past many, many times, but specifically in season three.
That motivated Locke showed us:
* That he was determined to get to Ben, Jacob and the sub.
* Locke pushed Mikhail into the sonic fence trying to kill him, or at least silence him for a while.
* He utilized a loophole/cheat (encouraged by Richard).
* Got Sawyer to kill Anthony Cooper {but that also enabled Sawyer to face something that he needed closure on.}
* In Man behind the Curtain Locke beats the shit out of Mikhail when he refers to John an outsider.
* John offer Ben and doesn’t drink it.

Things to note...Questions to ask...
* Jacob and MIB eye color changes brown-blue-(green). {Maybe w/different TV's it shows up different.} There is a different brown eye color for the Losties and Isabella.
* Again I must ask if Richard doesn't age why the hell would he need reading glasses?!
* Richard. Ricardo. Ricardus.
* Richard comes from a very "religious/faith" based background and that is what the "Island" played on all these "years".
* Richard was literally being "blindly" led.
* The Black Smoke doesn't kill Ricardo and returns Isabella's cross.
* Crazy. Lost mind. Somebody may have a serious case of split personality and need to pull themselves together.
* The medicine bottle was corked and the wine bottle was corked.
* Medicine. Wine/alcohol
* Some of Richard's details were just like Desmond's details. Boat journey on a stormy night, running for the Doc, pushing a man who hits his head/killing him. That's not coincidence.
* Are they all in jail or just imprisoned by their own suffering?
* We don't see MIB eat or drink. We only see Jacob with food/drink. Here the selfish doctor was eating.
* Why did one of the prisoners claim the statue/island to be the devil?
* Is it only Jacob that ever left the "Island" to recruit people?
* Sun was taught English so she could go to America.
* The “new world”.  Jin and Sun wanted to escape to America.
* Whitfield.  In The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham, Locke comes across three instances with the word "field" in his travels: SouthField. Fieldcroft. Westerfield.  
* Teach. Learn. Language.
* Real. Not real.
* Boar-scavenger, Butterfly, Isabella… Was it MIB? Isabella was inside the ship while the black smoke can be heard outside in the distance.
* Who would grant someone eternal life? Did Jacob literally give eternal life or did Ricardo assume it and/or ask for it? {wish} The MIB touched Ricardo too.
* 1867: The Black Rock voyage was to have begun March 22 1845
* The "Island" is guarded "by" the devil.
* Would the "devil" admit he's the devil?   No.
* Would the "devil" try to convince someone that someone else is the devil? 
* Ilana is bandaged and then she's not. WTF? How was she healed? How much time passed?
* Why was Richard seeming pretty sure that Jack is dead?
* Michael told Jack and Locke that the computer wasn't what they thought it was.
* Black book/Bible.   Black smoke. 
* Be careful who you think is good and who you think is bad. Things and people still aren't what you think they are.
* The very patient MIB still seems as if he wants to be free of the game.
* Is it Jacob who doesn't use the "Isabella" card again until he needed it or is there a third grand master in play?
* What is the "Island"?

Vocabulary and Research...
* Ab Aeterno (Translation) Counting from Eternal
1). Since the beginning of time. 2). (figuratively) Since a very long time ago.
* Abaddon: The Hebrew word meaning "destruction" is sometimes used as a synonym of Hell.
* Diyu is typically depicted as an underground maze with various levels and chambers, to which souls are taken after death to atone for their sins committed when they were alive.
* The Hellschreiber or Feldhellschreiber was a facsimile based teleprinter invented by Rudolf Hell. It has since been emulated on computer sound cards by amateur radio operators; the resulting mode is referred to as Hellschreiber, Feld-Hell, or simply Hell. "Hellschreiber" translates into English as "Light Writer," "Bright Writer," or "Clear Writer," and is a pun on the name of its inventor Hell (the adjective) is German for "light," the adverb is "bright."
* Cork anagrams to ROCK.
* Ab Aeterno anagrams to- Eaten Boar
* El Socorro anagrams to- Rose Color 



I am so happy that the writers gave Nestor this chance to shine.  His portrayal of suffering Richard was amazing and truly engaging.

The LOST story makes total and perfect sense if you understand the metaphor of it all.  Everyone there has lost something that has caused a part of them to die.  Also part of the metaphor is to "let go" and also to let part of you/your ego to die so you can become new/reborn...to really live.
I still believe they need to face things, rid the negative and find themselves.  And when they accomplish "balance" they don't have to be in hell or in “this place” anymore...They can just walk through the escape hatch.

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? Good! 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! It will get very exciting as we progress into the story.