The Others (Lost Band)

Heard about these guys on "The Transmission" podcast. They write a new song for each Lost episode, and it's really catchy. Check out "Jacob Loves You"... it's our favorite. And an animated gif... what's not to love!

http://www.theothers.thethungs.com/mp3s.php

Mysteries of the Universe: The Dharma Initiative

Check out a little pre-season Lost action. Feel free to post anything else for our little mini-community you may have watched/listened to pertaining to the new season.

I know it's early, but I can't wait for this 6th and final chapter!

This is something put out by ABC.com:

Mysteries of the Universe: The Dharma Initiative
The five-part video series will screen online as follows:
Part 1 - July 23, 2009
Part 2 - August 4, 2009
Part 3 - September 8, 2009
Part 4 - October 15, 2009
Part 5 - November 16, 2009

The Wheel of Dude

Jorge Garcia (Hurley) was on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  They played a game called "Wheel of Dude", pretty funny...

http://www.hulu.com/watch/72882/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-wheel-of-dude#s-p4-sr-i1

Jacob!

We finally get to meet this mysterious Lost character in another great season finale! The opening scene alone was very intriguing! We see Jacob talking to a man in a black shirt.

Could these two characters at odds with one another in some way be Jacob and Esau from the Bible? After reading a few things I am inclined to believe this is a good possibility.

In Genesis 27, Jacob steals the family blessing away from the older Esau by tricking their father Isaac.

“Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob."

In the opening scene the man in the black shirt says to Jacob “do you have any idea how badly I want to kill you?” Jacob cooly replies, “yes.”

Also, if you read in Genesis 25:23 God says to Isaac’s wife speaking of Jacob and Esau:

"Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger."

Jacob of the Bible relates to the Egyptian theme in that Jacob eventually ends up in Egypt with his son Joseph as a high ranking Egyptian official.

Whether these characters are Jacob and Esau or not, they definitely represent the two fronts that will no doubt play a major part in the final season of Lost. I can’t wait!

The Constant and The Variable

This week's episode is looking to be a good one! A little hint, if you have the season 4 DVD I would recommend reviewing the episode The Constant from last season sometime before tomorrow night. The upcoming 100th hour episode of lost is called The Variable has been coined by the producers as the "sister episode" to The Constant.

I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to learning more about Daniel Faraday!

Michael Emerson (Ben) can make anything creepy

In case you missed it, Ben was the guest on "The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon".  The first part of his interview was pretty interesting, but towards the end he proved that he can make anything creepy.

Luke, I am your father...

What a great twist with Hurley re-writing Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back!

Star Wars themes have been woven into Lost from season 1, but it was great to see Star Wars actually mentioned in this episode.

Miles' back-story in this episode continues the theme of characters with "daddy issues." This is not unlike Luke's relationship with his father Anakin (aka Darth Vader). Though Luke has a lot to hold against his father, redemption of this relationship takes place in Anakin's final moments of life.

Though Locke was not able to have this redemption with his father, Hurley is thankful for his second chance with his dad.

In this episode we see Miles constantly trying to fill his fatherless void by earning large amounts of cash. I really liked that moment where Miles is watching himself with his dad through the window. It seems to give hope toward that void finally being filled.

I believe Miles may have the same opportunity to rekindle his relationship with his father before the end of the season and I am going to go out on a limb and say it will cost Miles his life.

We're the "Good Guys"...

First off, remember how Rouseau refered to the smoke as a "Security System?" I always figured it protects the island. More specifically could its job be to protect the temple? Technically, we still haven't seen it for what its worth! Just the catacombs. What is so special about the temple?

Now I'm jumping back to season 1. Locke's first encounter was with a bright white light. Before the end of the season, his second encounter was much different. Why did the monster turn on him? Was it because he'd lost his way? For Boone's death? For being the "chosen leader" he sure had some controversial treatment.

Now on to my real point: As you remember from Eko's last episode, it seemed as if the Black Smoke was judging him. Now we had a chance to see Ben get his judgement (how he passed that test is BEYOND me). Right before Ben was being tested, the smoke cloud came pouring out of those holes below the Anubis picture. What an interesting tie-in considering that Anubis was the weigher of souls. I have a feeling that all Others have to weigh in with the monster to be judged. Maybe this is why Ben can say with confidence "We're the Good Guys..."

Welcome Back, Jack!

Last night's episode was really good. Between laying straight the time-paradox, learning about what happened to Aaron, followed by a glimpse at the long-awaited mystery "The Temple," this episode gave us a little of everything. Personally I enjoyed most was watching Jack find his way again.

While I can't agree with the whole "let the kid die" dilemma, seeing Jack with a brand new outlook was comforting. Starting in season 3, Jack was losing his grip on things, but I feel like we are going to see fresh approach to his character and a willingness to take on more important roles for the outcome of the island. I cheered him on during his talk with Kate (who is annoying as a mosquito bite!)

So I say, "welcome back, Jack!"

...now when's Desmond going to be back on the scene?

Ben's Viewpoint

Ben to Locke: "You've been here 80 days I've been here my whole life! How do you think you know this island better than me?"

We thought it was just another one of Ben's lies, but if what Richard says is true, it turns out Ben actually thought he has been on the island his whole life.

So now how does Ben's alliance with the Others connect to "the purge," when Ben wipes out the Dharma Initiative with poison gas?

Is Ben dead?

My first thought when Young Ben was shot at the end of last episode was, he can't be. The producers of Lost spoke in the past about "paradox free time travel" This idea basically states, interfering with the past will not change or modify the future. The universe has a way of "course correcting itself."

However, check out this excerpt from the most recent
Official Lost Podcast with producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.

Are the producers just messing with us, or do you think some alternate future awaits the Losties? There certainly were clues in the episode where Sun and Lapidus visit the old Dharma village that the future may be different. Your thoughts?

Sayid's Motivation

Sayid is motivated by things unseen to us at this point in the season. This is seen when he repeatedly turns down Sawyer’s offer to free him. He talks often in this episode about his “purpose.” What was the purpose he spoke to Sawyer about that he realized since coming to the island? Was it to kill Ben, or was there something else motivating him to make his decisions.

An idea I had regarding Sayid’s motivation includes his strongest connection in his life, Nadia. Could Sayid be chasing after at this point a chance to see his beloved Nadia again? Remember the “box” that Ben spoke to Locke about in season three? Because The Dharma Initiative does not welcome him anymore, I believe Sayid will now seek out “The Hostiles” in some effort to connect to his lost love.

Jacob

Any thoughts on WHO Jacob is? Have we seen his likeness on the show already, or do we have yet to actually meet this mysterious, but much talked about character?

Namaste Overview

The runway - That was a really cool scene where Frank lands the plane on the island. We find out in this episode that he landed it on the runway Kate and Sawyer helped build in Season 3. I think this was planned by someone in the past who somehow knew the future, maybe Ben from Jacob. I think they know the Ajira flight would need to land on the island in the future.

Leadership Reversal - How about the switch between Jack and Sawyer in the role of leader? I like Sawyer in his leadership role for some reason. It feels like Sawyer knows so much more about the island, having been there well over three years now. The conversation between Jack and Sawyer was interesting. I first took Jack’s side on his criticism of Sawyer’s leadership style, but quickly understand Sawyer’s thoughtful position toward decision making. I liked Sawyer’s allusion to Churchill during WWII, there is something very cool about reading a book in the midst of turmoil to help a person clear their memory.

Amy’s Little Boy - Ethan! Interesting. Who would have thought Ethan had his roots in the Dharma Initiative?

The Hatch/Swan Station - We see the blading Dharma worker designing the hatch in this episode in the “Flame Station” from season 3. I think we have more to see of the origins of the hatch including the numbers and the mysterious energy source.

Sun not taken to 1977? - Why didn’t Sun transport to the island like Jack, Kate and Hurley? It would make sense that Ben wouldn’t be transported because we know he exists in his younger form at that time. What about Sun? Is she on the island in a younger form. Maybe she has some relation to Pierre Chang, Dr. Marvin Candle, Dr. Mark Wickmund and Dr. Edgar Halliwax...oh wait, they are all the same person.

Triangles and Squares

So now that Oceanic and Ajira passengers are reunited, how will the battle of the shapes turn out? I'm talking Love Triangles (and love-squares) of Jack-Kate-Sawyer-Juliet. Is there a happy ending out there for anyone? Who would you pick to be together...or who do you think WILL be together? Post away...

Big Prediction

I'm putting out a question for you all to ponder over and place a very early prediction. The answer to this question, I believe, will not be revealed until the Series Finale next year or sometime in proximity to that. Anyways, I think this will be fun to put some guesses that, as the seasons continue, we'll want to change or adjust over time...

Here it is:

Who are Adam and Eve? I've grown increasingly suspicious of the fact that the man and woman found in the caves back in season 1 (yes, season 1) could in fact be passengers of the Oceanic 815 crash or other significant characters in this show. Could it be now that our friends are back in the 70's-ish time-frame that they died and reside in the caves? Give it a couple days to think over your thoughts and be sure to state your argument for why.

Widmore and Ben

Isn't it interesting how this last episode, "The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham" contrasts Widmore and Ben? For one brief hour, they seemed so completely polarized that you could be sure Widmore was the "good guy." Yet we know he's a cocky, greedy, and ambitious. And he got exiled from the island! That doesn't happen just because you were late for campfire songs! In truth the only thing that could potentially deem him is the fact he has (had?) a daughter which makes him a little closer than human. Compared to Ben, who has been completely transparent about the fact he cares only for himself, for a moment in time, Widmore might have won our affections with the kindness he showed to Locke.

Personally, though I doubt this is an intended connection, I remembered back in my high school days a little computer game called Myst (hey! wasn't that about an island too?) In that game their were two brothers locked away and you inevitably had to choose which of the evils you would help. So having to choose between the two of them, who would you side with?

Why they went back

I am going to make a theory for tomorow night's episode - feel free to bash it down with logic and reason!

We've all agreed that Sayid, Hurley, and Kate bought into the plane-ride-back-to-the-island idea way too easily after much resistance. After giving it some thought, this is the best conclusion I can think of.

All of them were approached by Locke - that didn't do much. All were approached by Jack and Ben - we saw how that went over. My guess is that an elusive character we know next to nothing about is the key. That character is Matthew Abbondon, the "Oceanic rep." I have absolutely no facts to support this theory other than he is an intimidating character (also see The Wire and Fringe for fantastic acting by Lance Reddick). Seriously, I do just about anything he says after losing a stare-down contest! I think this would be a great way to answer a lot of the mystery around this character, who probably works for Widmore in all actuality.

Unless everyone becomes convinced by a series of bad dreams/hallucinations/visits from Ana Lucia, I think this theory has potential!

Sayid in Handcuffs

Kim came up with a good theory that I can't take as my own. I asked her to post it, but apparently she would rather read Pride & Prejudice than blog about sci-fi dramas in her spare time. So I hacked into her account and will explain her thoughts as best as I can:
-JS

It is a mystery at this point what brings Sayid onto the plane after being so strongly against following Ben and his ideas earlier in the season. Kim believes that Ben, in his determination to get everyone on the flight, sold Sayid out on all the killings he committed. Who would have more evidence to give to officials than Ben? Sayid is now being extradited for his crime. This not only gets Sayid on the plane, but allows one of the former conditions to be present to help with "the crash" (the condition of Kate being extradited with detective-who-gets-his-leg-chopped-off-with-a-plane-part in season one). Sayid seems to willingly accept his fate to be taken on the Ajera flight as a choice to go back to the island instead of a life in jail.

What would get them on a that particular flight to Guam? Either Ben arranged with one of his people or connections to "extradite" Sayid on flight 316, or he is actually being extradited to Guam where he very well could have assassinated someone.

Addional Thoughts on 316

New Dharma Station: How cool was the scene in the basement of the church? My initial thoughts went to the lamppost from the C.S. Lewis classic TLWATW that signaled the gateway back to the wardrobe in England in the book.

Doubting Thomas: The sacrificial references in this episode are clear to be sure. I was interested in Ben's allusion to the apostle Thomas. Thomas was willing to follow at first, in fact very devoted through Christ's life, yet most noted for his moments of doubt. Ben seems to relate Jack to Thomas. Has Jack already done his share of doubting, or is there more to come in the future? My guess is the later. We can be pretty sure we will see Locke alive in some way again on the island. I predict that Jack will doubt his existence.

Loose Ends?: What are the loose ends Ben needs to "tie up"? A loose end I can remember from last season was Ben's promise to Widmore to kill Penny. Ben is at the docks when he calls Jack.

John Gets New Kicks: Interesting that Jack's "gran-dad" Ray is on the run around the time the plane is getting ready to take off. Why would Ray pack Christian Shepard's shoes as one of the few items in his tiny suitcase for his big getaway? I IMDB'd the character Ray (his actual name is Raymond) to find he is in a lot of movies and TV shows. I'm willing to bet we haven't seen the last of "Ray" in this series. Do I sense a possible lineage?

Help Wanted: Ajera Airlines: Is it just me, or do you remember an Ajera Airlines product mentioned on a previous episode of Lost? Please help me figure this one out, it's killing me. I can't seem to find it on the web/am afraid of spoilers if I would look too far into a site with the hits "Ajera" and "Lost."

"Jack, I wish you would have believed."

316

What a well played out episode. I'm still moving my brain around how elaborate the who set up to get back became. Didn't it feel almost too easy? After all that struggle Ben had, suddenly everyone is there and willing. Not long ago, Hurley was in jail - Kate seemed to have no plan to ever return, and Ben got himself jacked up by someone. How did it all suddenly pull together (in less than 36 hours, mind you)?

I'm sure you probably noticed the John 3:16 theme, which as any good christian (or basketball fan) knows is all about sacrifice and putting yourself in someone else's place. Isn't that exactly what we witnessed in this episode? For example, the obvious of course is that Jack had to give up something of his father's to give to Locke. Hurley's caring around a guitar. Who does that remind you of? Sayid is escorted by a US marshall. Who does that remind you of? It seemed like each of the Oceanic 6 needed to make a connection to the original plan trip. Where there any other connections made?

In unrelated news, I hope that in the time-travel, Frank Lapidus will completely grow back his goatee and find a Hawaiian shirt...

This Place is Death

First off, this was a great episode. So much happened it’s hard to know where to begin.

I am trying to figure out if the skipping the island is doing is random or purposed by some force aka The Island.

If it is the island it seems to be working in very inconsistent ways that would lead me to believe there is more than one force at work.

For instance, when Jin stopped Rousseau from going into the hole by the temple it really got me thinking. What would have happened if Jin had not been at that place and time? Rousseau would have most likely gone the way of her party members that got “sick” and had to be killed. It is apparent that Robert (Rousseau’s boyfriend) knew much more than he should have and was being highly influenced by some force (the island?). He wanted Rousseau dead. So did the island want her dead? If it was by island’s fate that Jin was placed where he was then there seems to be some conflicting forces trying to keep her alive for some future purpose.

How about Charlotte, Dharma and Daniel? Very intriguing.

I have a few questions to throw out there for additional thoughts:

Will the island skip through time anymore now that the wheel is not dislodged anymore?
Who or what is Christian Shepherd? (that guy freaks me out)

Hume

As I'm doing this week's classwork, I'm exploring text of different philosophers - one of such being David Hume. Lost has provided me with a new-found respect for understanding philosophies, and given that Desmond is my favorite character, I thought I would share:

"Every event must have a cause..."

Simple, yet given this show - how completely appropriate!

Hurley Bird

I started reading the book Island by Aldous Huxley. This book would be pretty cool on its own, but with its MANY tie-ins to Lost, it makes for fantastic reading.

One parallel I've made is that on this island, birds talk. Its not like you can carry a conversation with them, but one of the early founders of the civilization taught birds to repeat a word or short phrase as a pep talk or encouragement. This made me think of that big green bird from season 1 and 2 finales that sounded as if it was saying Hurley's name. Neat, huh?

Jughead

As I sat waiting through six, yes six, screaming children just to get a hair cut, I was able to do some profound thinking. Let's hope you didn't draw the same conclusions so that I can WOW you as well.

Last week's episode was called "Jughead," refering to the bomb that was on the island circa 1940s-70s. When Faraday inspects the bomb, his grand advice before flashing away is to bury it in concrete. Now jump back to Season 2, episode 3-ish. Jack and Sayid are in the Swan hatch in some crawl space checking out an area heavily covered with concrete. Sayid says last time he'd heard of concrete poured this thick was Chernobyl. Hurray! I figured out where the bomb went!

Now my big question, because I'm compelled to say the bomb is slightly more significant than those two isolated events, is how did the implosion of the hatch affect this weapon?

Hurley Blog

This website was passed along to me by one of our big fans at school. Jorge Garcia (Hurley) has his own blog, which not surprisingly, is pretty funny stuff! Check out what he has to say here:

http://dispatchesfromtheisland.blogspot.com

Jan 21

Time to get this board talking again! Only hours away until season 5!