Lost Reviews and News

Key Points from "Lockdown"

Season 2, Episode 17 Episode Air Date: 03/29/06
Point 1
	To the constituency who thought last week's episode was a little slow, I ask one simple question: How you like it now? My God did we ever have an episode. Hatches and Others and balloons and fruit gambling (yes, fruit gambling) swirling about in a maelstrom of clues and revelations. All in all, it was a jaw-dropper; a pure, this-is-why-I-watch-this-show, jaw dropper. So let's get to it! We begin exactly where we left off last week. Locke, Jack and Henry are gathered around the hatch kitchen table, engaged in a mind game of epic proportions. You'll recall that Henry closed last week's episode with a killer curve ball: He suggested that if he was an Other it would behoove him to send a group of castaways on a wild balloon chase into a deep, scary part of the island. This doomed group would then run head-long into a snarling platoon of Others and, ultimately, the captured castaways would be used as trade bait to get Henry back into Other territory. Henry's coy little tale holds particular relevance because Sayid, Ana-Lucia and Charlie just happened to have scampered off to a deep, scary part of the island on a balloon-finding expedition. And that brings us to this week. Jack and Locke, having just heard Henry's "scenario," are dumbfounded. Both clearly understand the gravity of the situation -- Sayid, Ana and Charlie could be a world of trouble -- but there's little either can do. Of course, that doesn't prevent bullheaded Jack from demanding that Henry draw another map to the balloon so that Jack can go and ... well, he can't go any do anything. The balloon group left over a day ago, so by the time Jack got to the location, the trio would already be Other chum. Jack's eyes dart wildly around the hatch; he looks like a crazed wolf (or a good actor stuck on a family drama with Jennifer Love Hewitt). Locke, however, is calm. He knows the situation is out of his control, so he's content to let destiny take its course. (These antithetical reactions represent reason No. 4,200 why Jack and Locke will eventually beat the crap out of one another.) Jack, miffed and pissed and generally upset, huffs off to go do doctorly things. This leaves Locke and Henry all alone. This is also where things become very interesting indeed. With Jack departed, Henry tries to once again crawl into Locke's mind and screw with the machinery. He asks Locke why he lets Jack talk to him "that way" (Jack was all huffy toward Locke). But the Jedi mind trick doesn't work this time (perhaps Locke finally remembered that he' the island's Obi-Wan). Locke rises and grabs Henry by the collar. He rips the frail Mr. Gale from his seat and marches him across the kitchen, then slings Gale into the armory and slams the door shut. All the while Henry whimpers, "I'm sorry, John. I'm sorry." Wuss. Locke then uses a time-honored anger management technique to temper his frazzled nerves: he exercises on a circa-1972 stationary bike (slap a banana seat on that puppy and they've got themselves a featured segment on "Antiques Roadshow"). While Locke pedals, a funky jazz song blares from the hatch speakers. The music obscures Henry's whimpering; it also inadvertently obscures a very important recorded message. Locke's ears perk up as he hears static and a garbled female voice cut through the jazz song. He snaps off the hi-fi, then traces the static to a loudspeaker in the nearby hallway. A female voice is definitely saying something, but it's impossible to understand the words. The lights begin to flicker. Henry calls from the armory: "John, John, what's that? What's going on? Oh woe!" "Suck it, Henry!" Locke shouts (not really, but he should have). Locke continues to fiddle with the loudspeaker. The female voice becomes clear: "Five ... Four ... Three ... Two ..." Oh this isn't going to be good. "ONE." The lights cut on and off and a heavy whir echoes through the hatch. Suddenly, heavy metal doors begin to slide over doorways and windows. Locke whirls and watches as the room literally closes in on him. Seeing that one door has yet to fully close, Locke throws on his fedora and bullwhip and grabs a crowbar, then sprints and sliiiiiides across the hatch floor, planting the crowbar under the metal blast door just before it slams to the ground. Indy would be so proud. The flush of Jonesian excitement immediately turns into pure discontent because Locke is now mired in a quagmire: he's locked in the hatch with an alleged Other, and help won't be coming anytime soon. Locke, ever the gamer, formulates a plan. He concludes that a series of levers might push the door high enough for someone to crawl through. Unfortunately, this plan requires strength Locke just doesn't have. If only he could find someone to help him ... hmm. Locke sidles up to the locked armory door (the armory was not cut off when the blast doors fell) and asks Henry if he can perhaps spare some time to help him lift a two-ton blast wall. Henry initially responds like you'd expect a guy who's been locked in an armory for days on end to respond: he snarfs incredulously. But then we see Henry's brain whir to life -- he senses an opportunity. Henry offers a deal: he'll help Locke if Locke "gives his word" (Henry's phrase) to protect Henry from future harm. It's a slick deal. Henry knows that even if Sayid, Ana and Charlie find a balloon and a grave, he's still up crap creek because they could easily say they didn't find evidence of Henry's alibi or, more likely, they could admit finding the goods but kill him for sport. If Henry can play to Locke's sense of honor, perhaps he can buy more time to worm his way out of this predicament. Locke listens to Henry's offer but doesn't immediately respond. He gets his Sam the Eagle face and thinks real hard, but really, there's not a lot to think about because escape requires collaboration with the mind-gamer in the armory. Locke spins the armory lock and swings the door open. He looks Henry dead in the eye and asks, "Who are you?" Henry responds flawlessly: "I am Henry Gale from Minnesota. I'm a rich 'mining' company owner who crashed a hot-air balloon on this island, then buried my wife, then ended up in that crazy French chick's trap, and now I'm stuck in this armory trying to screw with your brain so you'll believe my bullshit story. That's who I am." (Editor's note: I'm paraphrasing). Locke, satisfied with Henry's response, gives Henry his word. And with that, the two set about trying to open the blast door. First they use a crowbar, and then they slide a weight bar under the door crack. The door inches upward. Locke's eyes grow wide as sees daylight. Henry grabs a heavy metal toolbox and crams it under the door, hoping it will support the massive wall. The door crunches the top of the box, but the trusty toolbox holds. All this door business has left Locke and Henry huffing and gasping, so the two take a breather. Bad idea. The metal door is cracked wide enough for either Henry or Locke to slide through, yet both have chosen to mill around, maybe have a smoke and talk about island ladies. For some reason, they believe that a rickety old Dharma toolbox is going to hold up a two-ton blast door built to withstand a thermonuclear blast. Yeah, that's gonna work. At that precise moment, the hatch countdown alarm snaps Locke from his reverie. He realizes that he needs to boogie under the metal door and get to the computer before the still-unexplained countdown crosses the zero barrier (again). Locke drops down and slides his legs under the door ... and that's when the toolbox groans and crunches. The door slams onto Locke's legs! The toolbox holds momentarily, but the door is slowly cramming thousands of pounds of pressure onto the crinkling metal frame of the box (and Locke's previously paralyzed legs). Locke, grimacing in pain, shouts to Henry, and for some odd reason Henry decides to help. Henry grabs nearby exercise weights and stacks them feverishly below the door. The weights redistribute the pressure; Locke breathes a side of relief. Whew! Now Locke will simply slide back and everything will be ... Oh ... CRAP. Searing pain shoots through Locke's body (not exactly what a recent paraplegic wants to feel). He looks down and sees that one of the door's thick metal teeth has sliced into his leg, caking his cargo pants with blood and tissue (yeah, gross). Locke is going nowhere. And all the while, the countdown alarm continues to blare through the hatch ... Somehow, Locke convinces Henry to take on the button pushing burden. He tells Henry to crawl up into the air ducts and "Die Hard" his way to the mainframe room. Now, I use the word "somehow" because we don't witness their conversation -- at this point we had we just come back from commercial and suddenly Henry is all gung-ho about shimmying through a narrow metal duct and pushing a button. Who's got the Jedi juice now, Henry? Locke tells Henry exactly what to do: Go into the room and type in the code -- 4 8 15 16 23 42 -- then hit execute. Henry immediately memorizes the numbers. In fact, he seems to memorize those numbers a little too easily ... Henry looks for the nearest air vent and spots one in the hatch pantry. He starts climbing up shelves, knocking ranch dressing and Dharma Oaties everywhere. We know that Henry is a grand champion mind gamer, but in this next scene we see that he's not the most spry fella on the island. He takes a foolish step and then SLAM, BLAM, HENRY GOES DOWN! He cracks his head on a metal shelf and falls unconscious to the pantry floor. And still, the alarm sounds ... Locke screams at Henry and finally the little man groggily awakes. The alarm is still blaring so Henry clearly couldn't have been out for long. Locke pleads with Henry to hurry and the pleading works because Henry darts up the shelves and pounces into the duct system (not sure why he couldn't do that before, but anyway ...). The alarm gets louder. Locke shouts to Henry, but there's no response. The alarm grows louder still. Locke shouts again. From the other room, the countdown clock shuffles wildly -- just like it did when the clock hit zero in "One of Them." An ominous mechanical sound fires up ... And then the lights go out. The mechanical noise stops. The alarm stops. The shuffling clock stops. Silence and darkness wash over the room. In the blackness, an electric current sizzles. A dim blue glow envelopes the hatch and Locke blinks, trying to focus amidst the haze of blacklights (Dharma = Deadheads?). And that's when Locke sees "it." No, not the smoke monster. Or Kate in a towel. Or Hurley in a towel ... Locke sees a huge HIDDEN MAP scrawled across the blast door. (Click here for a fantastic screenshot. Thanks to Mark for posting the link.) His eyes dart over the surface of the door as he tries to discern the various drawings and symbols appearing before him. If only he had a TiVo! Thankfully, I do have a Tivo, and this is what I saw: The map is contained within an octagon (the same octagon the Dharma logo usually appears within). The map shows at least seven primary "buildings" lining the outer sides of the octagon. Each building is drawn in pink fluorescent ink -- the kind of ink that only appears under blacklights. I have no idea if this is correct, but my impression is that each building is a specific hatch. This contradicts the Dharma orientation film, which suggested there were six hatches, not seven. Then again, we really have no reason to trust information from a Dharma-approved propaganda flick. The seven "buildings" all seem to point toward a large center point. The exact center of the map is marked with a big question mark that's ringed by a fluorescent yellow circle. The outer edges of the map are covered in scribbled handwriting. The handwriting seems to describe specific elements of the various buildings. Taken together, the buildings and scribbles look to be a "master document" that brings together tasty tidbits of Dharma information. Unfortunately, that's all I could make out. If you happened to catch a clue, please post it in the comments area below. Moving on ... Locke's eyes devour the map's details ... left ... right ... up ... down! The blacklights flicker. Locke's gaze intensifies and his eyes move faster. The lights flicker again, then shut down completely. A moment later, the primary lights crackle and the hatch returns to normal (well, as normal as it can be -- it is the hatch after all). Suddenly, the metal doors start to lift, including the massive door pinning Locke's legs. The pressure slides off and Locke painfully pushes back, revealing a gaping wound in his leg. The door dilemma has been solved ... but where's Henry? Locke calls out, but there's no response from the wayward Mr. Gale. Locke pulls himself along the floor, leaving a trail of blood and goo in his wake as he slowly slithers toward the mainframe room. But Henry isn't there. Gasping, Locke rolls over in pain. And that's when Henry shows up. Locke is amazed that his prisoner has stuck around. Henry moves in and delicately tends to Locke's wound, then moves him toward the hatch couch so he can rest his gnarled leg. Locke pats Henry on the shoulder. "Thank you for not leaving me," Locke says earnestly. It's a poignant moment; the kind of moment that taps into the layers of abandonment and angst and upheaval that one broken man has acquired through his tumultuous life. And that brings us to ...

Point 2
	... Locke's backstory. We've seen plenty of drama in the castaways' backstories, but none of them -- not one -- can touch the tragedy of Locke. It's as though Shakespeare himself crafted this character. It's been a while since we last went to Locke Land, so let's pause a moment to provide a bit of context. When last we checked in on Locke, he had just been hoodwinked by his no-good father. Well, hoodwinked isn't the best term. In fact, I don't think any term can properly encapsulate the experience of having your long-lost father establish a relationship with you just so he can steal your kidney. So Locke's dad stole his kidney and Locke, as you can imagine, was none too pleased with this development. Locke's only recourse was to drive to his father's estate and sit outside the front gate in his dilapidated VW bug. He was the very definition of pathetic. But a glimmer of hope persisted and Locke, despite daddy issues and kidney issues and daddy's kidney issues, managed to maintain a relationship with his new girlfriend, Helen (played by the former Mrs. Al Bundy, Katey Sagal). In this episode, the backstory picks up with Locke and Helen years later. The two appear to be living in domestic bliss. In fact, Locke is ready to plant a big 'ol piece of marital bling on Helen's ring finger. But it's not going to be easy. You see, just as Locke is preparing for a lovely picnic/surprise engagement celebration, Helen scans through the obituaries in the morning paper and lands upon a familiar name: Anthony Cooper. She mentions the name to Locke and at that exact moment, a thunderbolt of angst shoots into Locke's soul. Anthony Cooper was Locke's no-good, kidney-stealin' daddy. For some inexplicable reason, Locke decides to attend his father's funeral. He and Helen are the only grievers at the outdoor ceremony. The officiating priest, seeing that his options are limited, asks Locke if he'd like to say anything. Locke rises and steps toward the casket ... [CLEARS THROAT] "Dad ... ahem ... you stinking son of a bitch ... I hope Satan sodomizes you with his pitchfork." Unfortunately, the network censors wouldn't let that line through, so the writers replaced it with: "I forgive you." Whatever. So Locke forgives his daddy and now he's got closure ... or so he thinks. As he finishes "forgiving," he looks up and sees the following: Two seedy guys are milling around the cemetery. A silver luxury car churns to life and zips away. Shortly thereafter we see Locke return to his normal existence. At this point in his life Locke was a home inspector, which means a future episode will involve Locke unmasking Dharma's secrets by detecting high radon levels in their subterranean headquarters. But I digress ... The remaining backstory elements are filled with angst and exposition, but I'm going to eschew all that in favor of handy bullet points (yes, I'm lazy). We see/learn/experience the following from Locke's backstory: Locke performs a home inspection for a pretty woman with an Iraqi accent. How do I know she's Iraqi? Because it's NADIA, Sayid's long-lost lady love! The exchange lasted two seconds and it was completely unremarkable save for Nadia's revelation that she's not married, but it was definitely her. Following Nadia's inspection (that's not as dirty as it sounds), Locke notices a silver luxury car parked across the street. He strides toward the driver's side ... the window slides down ... and there, looking quite lively for a dead man, is the grinning face of the definitely-not-dead Anthony Cooper! Cooper treats his boy to a beer at a local tavern. Locke is shaking with rage and confusion. Cooper, unaware that his son is two seconds from carving him open with an ice pick, tells Locke that he faked his own death because he scored a $700,000 con and two henchmen have been trailing him. These are the same two guys Locke spotted at Cooper's "funeral." (Sidenote: Cooper specifically used the word "con" ... I wonder if he spent any time in Tennessee during the '70s?) The story gets so much worse. Cooper asks for Locke's help. He needs him to retrieve the $700,000 from a safe deposit box then bring it to Cooper at a motel near the airport. In exchange for his assistance -- and because he feels oh-so-bad about that kidney thing -- Cooper says Locke can keep $200,000 for himself. What a magnanimous guy. Spurred by a pathological desire for his father's love, Locke gets the $700,000 from the safe deposit box (box No. 1516, by the way) and then zips back home to Helen. Upon arriving, Locke is at first giddy with excitement -- after all, he just scored $200,000 and his daddy's respect -- but the excitement turns sour when Locke spots the two seedy fellas from the funeral standing in his kitchen. The men have caught on to Cooper's scam and they've dropped by Locke's abode to inquire about a certain sum of cash Locke may have stumbled upon. The men take Locke's bag and dump it on the kitchen table, but Locke -- ever wily, even when riddled with daddy angst -- has stowed the money safely away. The bag is filled with only papers and pens. Disappointed, the henchmen grunt and flee. It's at this point that Helen starts to get real twitchy. She's been with Locke through some seriously sucky times and she has no desire to return to those dark daddy days. She asks Locke if something sinister is going on. Locke says no. Later, Locke gets the $700,000 together and visits his daddy at the airport motel. The two spend a few uncomfortable moments together (Locke tells daddy he's going to propose to Helen; daddy feigns interest), but the father-son bonding is interrupted by a knock at the door. Cooper swings the door wide and there, standing outside with anger pulsing from every pour in her body, is Helen. She tracked Locke to the motel and now she's ready to set fire to him, it and everything within a 10-mile radius. Helen berates Cooper for screwing up Locke's life and she punctuates her rant with a swift SMACK across Cooper's face. With that, she turns on her heel and darts off. Locke pursues Helen to the motel parking lot and, in a last ditch effort, tries to save their relationship by proposing. He pulls a diamond ring from his jacket pocket (he was planning on proposing later that night) and gets down on one knee. At this point, the man is vulnerable incarnate (Terry O'Quinn deserves an Emmy for this moment alone), but Helen, realizing she'll never be able to untangle Locke's gordian daddy knot, declines Locke's marital offer with a slow shake of her head. Without a word, she gets into her car and drives off, leaving Locke in a puddle of agony. And that's it. How Locke has managed to not blow his brains out is beyond me ... and on top of that, we still don't know how he became paralyzed!

Point 3
	It was nice to have a break from the Jack-Locke bitchfests that have punctuated recent episodes, but it appears that Jack's macho BS simply can't be stopped. Case in point: he and Sawyer duke it out in the island's first "Mine's Bigger Than Yours Poker Tournament" (watch closely and you can see mini ESPN cameras hidden in the coconuts). The card game begins when Jack spots Sawyer conning Hurley and Kate out of their hard-earned papayas (seriously, they're betting with papayas). Jack strides up and, without seeing any of the players' hands, correctly instructs Hurley not to challenge Sawyer. It's an impressive display that reveals Jack's heretofore unknown card skills. Sawyer, duly impressed, offers Jack a direct challenge and Jack accepts. So Jack takes a seat and he proceeds to steamroll the opposition. In a matter of minutes he's acquired a fine collection of papayas, bananas, mangos, pineapples, and Dharma fruit cocktail. He's clearly won the day (and the fruit), but Sawyer simply can't let it go, so he offers to go double or nothing. The machismo has reached unprecedented levels, and Kate, for the first time ever, has the perfect line for the occasion: "Uh, should I go get a ruler?" With that, Hurley and Kate exit the proceedings and Jack and Sawyer get down to business. The bet is simple: If Sawyer wins, he gets all the fruit. If Jack wins, he gets to raid Sawyer's secret stash and take all the medicine. The card game is notable for the following reasons: We learn a few character clues: Jack says he learned to play cards in Phuket. Sawyer reveals that, despite dropping out in ninth grade, he knows Phuket is in Thailand (he also knows it's not pronounced like it's spelled). Sawyer asks Jack if he got his tattoo in Thailand, but Jack doesn't respond. Jack wins the game, which means he's put an end to Sawyer's Reign of Medicine Terror. Jack's win also leads to this snarky-but-interesting exchange: Sawyer: "When I asked you what you wanted for stakes, why didn't you ask for the guns?" Jack: "When I need the guns, I'll get the guns." (At this point Kate ran in with a ruler and declared Jack the undisputed winner). One last thing: The playing cards were marked with Dharma logos, which means that at least one of the undiscovered hatches is home to the world's greatest marketing team. Disney doesn't have this kind of branding.

Point 4
	The writers have decided to rekindle the Jack-Kate relationship, which is weird because just a few episodes ago Kate was all ga-ga over Sawyer (granted, she thought Sawyer was channeling the soul of her dead dad, but still ...) To be honest, the one area of this show that feels forced is the love triangle between Jack, Kate and Sawyer. Or is it a love rectangle? Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Ana? Hell, if we can get Charlie in there we'll make it a love pentagram! Relationship nonsense aside, this episode's Jack-Kate flirting does have relevance to wider events. For example: Secret prisoner Henry Gale isn't going to be secret much longer (more on that in a second). In the last two episodes, Kate has been nipping at Jack's heels about visiting the hatch and in each instance Jack has lied right to Kate's face (his latest excuse: "uh, you can't get naked and take a shower in the hatch because we've got a broken ... uh ... pipe"). Now, Kate actually finds out about Henry Gale at the end of this episode (again, I'll get to that), but what's important about her exchange with Jack is that Kate's inquisitiveness is undoubtedly representative of the castaways' mindset. After all, why do Jack and Locke get to hang out in a well-appointed hatch while the rest of them decompose amidst salt water and tropical mosquitos? In a closing segment, Jack and Kate's flirt session is interrupted when they see a bright light blinking in the jungle. They run in and discover ... a supply of Dharma food. The blinking light is a beacon and the food is part of a balloon air drop. This means we finally have a plausible explanation for the hatch's well-stocked pantry and its modern washer and dryer.

Point 5
	I saved the best for last. Last week we watched as Sayid, Ana and Charlie ventured deep into the island's interior to corroborate Henry's ridiculous balloon story. In many ways it's a last-ditch effort: torture and incarceration haven't broken Henry, and the castaways don't have the option of keeping him locked up indefinitely. Something needs to be done. So Sayid, Ana and Charlie are working under the assumption that finding -- or not finding -- Henry's mystery balloon will either back up or negate his story. There are billions of flaws to this argument (the balloon could have blown away, the map could be wrong, Henry might be insane, etc.), but this is all they've got. Well, it's all that they had. What they've actually got is very, very interesting. But I'm getting ahead of myself. The episode picks up with Sayid, Ana and Charlie searching blindly for remnants of Henry's balloon and/or remnants of his dead wife. Rain is pelting down and the search is going poorly (... or well, if you're Sayid and you want justification for cooking up marinated Henry tips). But lo and behold, Charlie discovers a gravesite plopped in the woods. It's a simple grave, exactly as Henry noted. but where's the damn balloon? Ana wonders aloud why it's not raining on them anymore (the storm continues to rage). The trio looks up ... and that's when they see a big smiley-face hot air balloon covering the tree canopy. Grave ... balloon ... looks like Henry is in the clear! Right? Right? At the very end of the episode, Sayid, Ana and Charlie stumble upon Jack and Kate moments after the flirting duo discovered the air-drop supplies. At this point, we believe that Sayid, Ana and Charlie have found proof of Henry's innocence. We are wrong. The scene shifts to the hatch, where Henry is helping Locke with his leg. The two engage in cordial banter -- Locke asks how Henry got the blast doors to go up, Henry says he entered the code and the doors lifted -- but just as they seem to be getting all chummy, Jack, Kate, Sayid, Ana and Charlie march in. Jack slams Henry against a wall as Sayid trains his pistol on Henry's beady eyes. Locke protests, saying that Henry helped him. But those protests aren't going to make one bit of difference now ... "Couldn't you find my balloon?" Henry asks nervously. [CUE VENGEFUL SAYID] "We did find your balloon, Henry Gale. Exactly as you described it," Sayid says menacingly. "We also found the grave you described, your wife's grave. The grave you said you dug with your own bare hands. It was all there. Your whole story ... your alibi. It was true." [LONG ANGRY PAUSE] "But still I did not believe it to be true," Sayid snarls. "So I dug up that grave ... found that there was not a woman inside." [OH MY] "There was a man ... " Sayid looks down. The camera zooms in on a driver's license in Sayid's hand. " ... a man named, Henry Gale." The license clearly reveals that the beady-eyed man who's been claiming to be Henry Gale is definitely not the Henry Gale who lives at 815 Walnut Ridge Rd, Wayzata, MN 55391. This beady-eyed man is, however, completely screwed. And with that, the Gale mystery deepens: Who is the non-Henry Gale? Who was the real Henry Gale? Is the non-Henry Gale an Other? What the hell are they gonna do with this guy? And finally, which "Lost" crew member grew up in Wayzata, MN? That's it for now. Be sure to drop by our "Lost" Forum for stimulating conversation and conjecture.

Next Episode:
"Dave" -- Hurley freaks out and Libby is there to pick him up. Ranch-covered romance could ensue. Airs: Wednesday, April 5, 9 p.m., ABC.
Review by Mac Slocum. All photos and episode descriptions © ABC Inc.

Posted by Mac on March 30, 2006 11:02 AM | Email This

GREAT WORK MAC....record time

→ 1. Posted by: db at March 30, 2006 11:04 AM

why didnt the fake HG destroy the real HGs I.D card when he buried then he could have claimed he was travelling with the man in the grave.

→ 2. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 11:16 AM

Hey Mac,
I have to say you have the absolute BEST episode recaps!!! Thank you for all your hard work & time for the rest of us!

One question, I unfortunately just discovered your site this second season. Where can I find your recaps for the first season episodes?

Thanks!

→ 3. Posted by: LFan at March 30, 2006 11:27 AM

The 7th station on the map is actually crossed out. There is a note that says the 7th station was aborted due to a large number of underground springs.

→ 4. Posted by: Mark at March 30, 2006 11:28 AM

Great review, as usual. All I know is that one of the writers MUST have gone to University of Florida... how else do you explain Tallahassee (where arch-rival Florida State resides) being a hellhole of a place where Sawyer gets STDs and where Kate tries to run off to via bus?

→ 5. Posted by: JD at March 30, 2006 11:28 AM

Great blog!!

Just a question about the funeral, maybe I don't remember exactly correctly, but wasn't there another man in a suit standing behind Helen and Locke? Wonder who he might be.

→ 6. Posted by: Ali at March 30, 2006 11:29 AM

There is also a note on the map that says, "Activity minimal during lockdown and resupply procedure"... This would seem to imply that the closing of the blast doors is related to the resupply drop.

→ 7. Posted by: Mark at March 30, 2006 11:30 AM

LFan -- you can read all the season 1 stuff here:

http://www.filmfodder.com/tv/lost/archives/
cat_lost_season_1_reviews.shtml

And for anyone who's interested, I have created two separate index pages for each season. You can find them up at the top of the page in the right-hand navigation: Lost Reviews - Season 1 and Lost Reviews - Season 2.

Hope that helps!

→ 8. Posted by: mac at March 30, 2006 11:31 AM

Ali -- My thought was that the guy in the suit as a funeral director. I could be wrong, though!

→ 9. Posted by: mac at March 30, 2006 11:32 AM

Well well well. What an episode. I'd like to make an observation regarding the blast doors... Henry tells Locke that he didn't do anything to make the blast doors go up, so why did they go up (and why did they come down?) Well, what else was happening at the time...? The Dharma Supplies drop! I suggest that the food drop is scheduled and is automatic (doesn't need a person to make it happen). When a Supply drop is scheduled, the hatch puts itself on lockdown mode to keep the contamination of the island out (rememebr the Quarantine sign?) while the hatch inhabitent goes outside to gather the supplies. The voice over the loudspeaker was telling the hatch-dweller to prepare to go get the food, he is then supposed to leave (maybe with a gas mask on or something?), the blast doors come down, and open again after he has had sufficient time to return with the supplies.
I totally knew Henry's balloon was going to have something to do with something like this!
I can't wait for next week's episode, looks like we'll be finding out some more info about Hurley and maybe Libby too!

Does anyone know where we can find a screen shot of thw black-light map on the blast door? I'd like to take a closer look (no TiVo for this girl).

I remember reading somewhere that we were supposed to find a link between Locke and Sawyer in this episode, did anyone catch something I missed?

Hooray Lost! Great review, Mac!

→ 10. Posted by: sarah at March 30, 2006 11:32 AM

Several of the stations on the map are named. In addtion to the Swan, you can see the Arrow (found by the tailies in The Other 48 Days), the medical hatch (found by Claire), and new hatch named The Flame.

→ 11. Posted by: Mark at March 30, 2006 11:34 AM

There is an enhanced picture of the map at the following link. You can read most of the text on this version.

http://www.projectargo.com/lost-wallenhanced3.png

→ 12. Posted by: Mark at March 30, 2006 11:37 AM

Mac, you are a genius. I wait every week for your review. Didn't they use the Dharma cards earlier this season? Just a thought.

Also, did we finally figure out why they have to push the button? It sorta makes sense. They push it to tell them they do not need supplies. The doors lockdown, the button can't be pushed. That tells them to make the drop, while waiting they can read the map telling them where the drop will be. After the drop, everything opens and resets and they keep pushing the button.

→ 13. Posted by: Kevin at March 30, 2006 11:38 AM

Wait a minute... is that the Dark Tower at the center of the map? Just kidding...

→ 14. Posted by: Mark at March 30, 2006 11:43 AM

that was probably why Kelvin was out when he discovered Desmond also Kevin your opinion as been debunked Desmond would have starved, because he didn't miss a single countdown and if he did he would have known the world would not end

→ 15. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 11:45 AM

That was the best review by far! After the Satan comment I sat here and laughed for about 10 minutes straight! Bravo!

→ 16. Posted by: Theoldred at March 30, 2006 11:49 AM

A co-worker already found this on the web. Geeze people have too much time on their hands.

http://rossnewberry.googlepages.com/lost-wallenhanced3.png.jpg

→ 17. Posted by: Kalico at March 30, 2006 11:49 AM

Oh this is cheeky.

During the scene at the motel, the plane that flies over Locke is, of course, an Oceanic plane:

http://lost.cubit.net/pics/2x17/oceanicPlanes.jpg

→ 18. Posted by: mac at March 30, 2006 11:52 AM

Mac you are the greatest. I get just as excited for your recap as I do for the show.

I would say that the third man at the funeral was the funeral director, and I am most interested to see how Locke, Sawyer, and daddy all fit together.

→ 19. Posted by: Gerard at March 30, 2006 11:52 AM

This may be the best one yet:
http://i2.tinypic.com/sm8378.jpg

Dunno how they got it before the ep from the producers, but it looks to be valid..

→ 20. Posted by: Adam at March 30, 2006 11:52 AM

mark- how do you know the next one is the flame

→ 21. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 11:54 AM

The "Ohters" have Henry Gale's wife, he dead in the crash, she lived, buried him then was captured by the others. She told their story to the fake Henry Gale and he used it as his cover story when he was captured. This would explain why the I.D. was still on the body. This is my theory.

→ 22. Posted by: mad about lost at March 30, 2006 11:55 AM

Adam -- awesome link! I'm 99% sure that's from Entertainment Weekly. Jeff Jensen is their "Lost" guru. Ah to have EW's connections ... They deserve it though; it's a fantastic magazine.

→ 23. Posted by: mac at March 30, 2006 11:56 AM

Oh by the way Mac, Great work I love the weekly reviews and commentary. Look forward to reading it, and have turned a few co-workers onto the page also.

I 100% think the blast doors closing and opening had something to do with the drop off of the supplies.

Do you think Kate and Claire have mentioned the other hatch yet to Jack and Locke? You think it would be a hot topic of discussion.

→ 24. Posted by: Kalico at March 30, 2006 11:57 AM

Look at the picture of the map (I posted a link above). You can see one of the stations (it's #4) is named The Flame.

→ 25. Posted by: Mark at March 30, 2006 11:57 AM

Tallahassee might have some significance there too. When Kate was going to buy her bus ticket, she was going to Tallahassee, and Sawyer in this episode said that he new what Amoxicillin was because he's been to Tallahassee. This could at least be a similiar trait between at least two characters. But what is in Tallahassee?

→ 26. Posted by: Michael at March 30, 2006 11:59 AM

wow, how the heck did you get these enhanced images of the dharma map??? i rechecked my Tivo and couldn't make out any of the words.

→ 27. Posted by: lostADDICT at March 30, 2006 12:01 PM

Michael... Jeb Bush is in Tallahassee.

→ 28. Posted by: Mark at March 30, 2006 12:01 PM

I just knew the Bush family was somehow involved in this ;)

→ 29. Posted by: mac at March 30, 2006 12:02 PM

go on 2 the tailsection. com the map can be seen clearly with minimal eye strain

→ 30. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 12:03 PM

http://elfurl.com/2kris

This is the best link to the map I've found yet. It's being updated all the time as people get a better read on the writing.

→ 31. Posted by: SthrnMstKGirl at March 30, 2006 12:05 PM

when u see the map double click it will appear on a blank page then go to the bottom right corner and an icon will appear 'expand' u can see all the words clearly like reading from a book

→ 32. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 12:05 PM

the incident could not of been the plane crash as it was in 1985

→ 33. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 12:07 PM

according to the diagram the 5 hatches are the arrow, flame, swan, staff and one unknowed (closed down)

→ 34. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 12:10 PM

Great re-cap Mac. Couple points:

1) On the map (thanks for the links above) there is Latin phrase scribbled 3 times ï¿½Sursum Cordaï¿½ It is an expression meaning ï¿½Lift up your heartsï¿½ which is intoned at the start of the Eucharistic Prayer during Catholic Mass. It is/was also the name of a Cooperative is a small neighborhood located in Washington, D.C. It had 199 housing units constructed as an experiment in cooperatively managed low-income housing in 1968. Managed by the District of Columbia Housing Authority, it became a notorious open-air drug market plagued by violence and poverty in the 1980s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sursum_Corda

2) It is also a Ralph Waldo Emerson, Poem http://www.emersoncentral.com/poems/sursum_corda.htm

3) What if the blast doors are meant to protect the people in the hatch form the massive electromagnet field generated that pulls stuff to the Island? (e.g. planes, balloons, ships, supply drops etc. ) How else could a supply drop hit the island in the exact right spot in the middle of the night?

Just some food for thoughtï¿½ Looking forward to next week.

→ 35. Posted by: CMW at March 30, 2006 12:21 PM

Thanks for all the great recaps. I read them every Thursday as soon as they are posted. One minor thing -- Helen is Mrs. Al Bundy, not Mrs. Ed Bundy. :)

→ 36. Posted by: Elvis at March 30, 2006 12:23 PM

Here is Mapquest's guess at Wayzata, MN. It's funny that it centers the city in the middle of a lake.

http://elfurl.com/offzz

→ 37. Posted by: PiecesofArzt at March 30, 2006 12:27 PM

Guys, do me a favor and watch out for long URLs. As you've seen, they screw with the page. I'd appreciate it if you could run them through a TinyURL program. You can find one here:

http://elfurl.com

Thanks

→ 38. Posted by: mac at March 30, 2006 12:32 PM

Elvis -- Thanks for the catch!

→ 39. Posted by: mac at March 30, 2006 12:34 PM

Did anyone notice the first shot of the cards in the poker game? There were:

- 4

- 8

- 3 + 4 + 8

- 6 + 10 (jack)

- 3 + 4 + 6 + 10 (jack)

→ 40. Posted by: Dan at March 30, 2006 12:42 PM

Hmmm... I wonder if the producers thought up the whole numbers thing over a game of poker?

→ 41. Posted by: Rich at March 30, 2006 12:44 PM

Crazy episode!!

Can we now assume that the real Sawyer is Locke's dad???

p.s. WE NEED MORE SAYID and ECKO!!!!!

→ 42. Posted by: Phil Zoop at March 30, 2006 12:49 PM

Hey MAC !
Love reading you points each week !
I live in upsdtate new york, and my local station did not cut off the conversation between Henry and Locke about how he will get over the the geodome to enter the numbers. It went something like this :

LOCKE - "You have to use the air ducts to crawl over to the Geodome so you can enter the numbers."

Henry - "But I cant get into the airducts. The airvent in the gun room is bolted shut."

LOCKE - "Use the vent in the pantry. Its above the food shelves. Just be careful !"

ANd of course clumsy ass Henry fall on his "other ass" and knocks himself out cold.
:P

Keep up the great work brotha' !
:)

→ 43. Posted by: Scully815 at March 30, 2006 12:50 PM

Is it me, or was it Sayid's Iraqi girlfriend's house that Locke was inspecting....me thinks it is!!!!!

→ 44. Posted by: vikki at March 30, 2006 12:52 PM

Vikki, methinks you are right. If Mac had not pointed it out in his recap, I completely would have missed it myself. I wonder how that is going to tie in later....

→ 45. Posted by: J-Rod at March 30, 2006 12:57 PM

Better link to Dharma Blast Door:

http://www.thehatchonline.com/images/dharmadoor.jpg

Regards,
MEMENTO

→ 46. Posted by: memento at March 30, 2006 12:57 PM

Sorry about that. I'm used to HTML.

To ACE: I don't think that Henry expected anyone to dig up the grave of his dead 'wife' so he thought the license was safe.

About the backstory: We see Locke is a sucker for helping people even if it costs him something he already has. (Helen) Perhaps a parallel with Jack the gambler because Locke gambles with his life (girlfriend, family, kidney).

We see Jack as the confident gambler but then when he tells Kate the lie about the shower, wouldn't it be obvious he's been showering.

Also a theory, Jack was in Phuket to learn some illegal surgery technique which helped him heal his wife?

→ 47. Posted by: PiecesofArzt at March 30, 2006 1:00 PM

Aren't air drops typically made from a plane? How come no one heard anything?

→ 48. Posted by: Sue at March 30, 2006 1:06 PM

Has anyone ever spent a long amount of time using www.oceanicflight815.com. In it, if you use the explore feature, you kind of 'connect the dots' and get to view different video clips - and the resulting diagram looks a lot like the faint lines between the hatches on the "Map". There may have been previous discussion of this site, and if so I apologize for the redundancy...I'm trying to see how and if these things tie together though. Is there more the oceanicflight815 site that I'm missing?

Thanks!

→ 49. Posted by: Adam at March 30, 2006 1:08 PM

Avid reader, first time poster. BZ mac for the awesome recaps. It's obvious there is a strong religious undertone running thru this entire series. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Locke's mom claim Emaculate Conception? And then there is Eke. It has already been noted that the blast door map had Sursum Corda written on it, the phrase 'liberte te ex inferno'(Save yourself from Hell) is also scribbled on the map.

→ 50. Posted by: Maxlife at March 30, 2006 1:09 PM

After Jack informed Sawyer that he had spent some time in Phuket, Sawyer asked if that was where he got his ink (tattoos). I saw a really cool special on the travel channel a while back about tattoos in Thailand, specifically a big festival held in Phuket. Apparently, many people in Thailand take their tattooing seriously b/c they believe that the right tattoo created by a qualified artist can actually protect them. Some have attested to being 'bullet-proof' as a result of their tattoo. I have no idea where I'm going with this...but I guess it's food for thought. Any ideas?

→ 51. Posted by: J-Rod at March 30, 2006 1:24 PM

Hi, I should probably read the whole re-cap before posting what I think is a mind blowing revelation...duh! Sorry, y'all! Thanks, J-Rod...

→ 52. Posted by: vikki at March 30, 2006 1:25 PM

What an episode! Probably one of my favorites... anyways.. my theory is that:

The lock down happens when the supplies is dropped so that the person in the hatch (desmond) can't get out to maybe escape with the plane? Then the dors go back up after a good amount of time.. but again this doesnt make sense because Jack and Kate would have heard the plane...hmmm...

→ 53. Posted by: Sierra at March 30, 2006 1:41 PM

Another Big Mac masterpiece review. Most entertaining.

I agree that good old Henry memorized the numbers too quickly and easily after Locke said them. My first thought was that he had to already have known them.

Thanks for the Nadia catch...and the safe deposit number catch... I missed those both. But then again, I know I don't have to pay attention too closely since I have you to rely on!

Anyone notice the mapquest link to Wayzata, MN shows 'Gale Rd.' right under the star? Very interesting.

I fully believe that Locke's dad is the real Sawyer.

→ 54. Posted by: JoePike at March 30, 2006 1:45 PM

once again, great review mac-that satan line was a pulitzer winner! and what an episode huh! i guess this was an in-your-face to all those doubters from the writers!

i too think that the dropoff was the reason the hatch went into lockdown. it perfectly makes sense that because of the quarantine the hatch goes into lockdown so that no one can enter it...but then other areas like the computer are accessible?? and i agree that someone should have at least heard if not seen the plane...or maybe the electromagnetic theory works for that, the dropoff is made somewhere not above the island but the package is attracted by the electromagnetism...wow, this is awesome!!!

did anyone notice that henry gale's license expires in '03 and being a minnesotan i know that the licenses here are usually good for 5 years(correct me if i am wrong here) so that would mean that it was renewed in 1998. maybe that helps figure out when the crash occurred. also, it would be interesting to see how they tie in the story of the new henry gale into the show...was that an actual actor in the photo or just some extra?

thanks for the links to the hatch maps everyone...for those of us without tiVo, we are forever grateful!

Love this show!!!

→ 55. Posted by: katePlusSun=Fun at March 30, 2006 1:49 PM

Yo, could it be possible to find a way to view this on the net? I somehow (please don't crucify me for this) forgot about LOST last night. I can't seem to figure out how, as my life usually revolves around 9:00 wed nights, but oh well. Mac, i love the blog, and now feel as though I can go on with my week, but I would still really like to see this epi, any suggestions?

→ 56. Posted by: SarahWhite at March 30, 2006 1:50 PM

this may be my imagination but i dont recall Locke saying the number '43' when he told Gale the numbers and Gale typed them in anyway-can anyone confirm this

→ 57. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 1:52 PM

Um..."43" isn't one of the numbers ACE.

→ 58. Posted by: Adam at March 30, 2006 1:56 PM

42 then- wiseguy

→ 59. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 2:00 PM

Great review as usual Mac. Thanks again.

Just as a note...one of the phrases in Latin on the door is "Cogito ergo doleo" which roughly tanslates to "I think, therefore I suffer".

→ 60. Posted by: sharkkiller69 at March 30, 2006 2:03 PM

MAC U DA MAN ! ! ! !

Thanks again for the great recap. You catch stuff that us mere mortals would never see, just kidding, plenty of other posters to your site have caught great insights. Anywho, I now firmly believe that Libby is a pathological liar, and she dropped dime on herself. When Jack is approaching the beach Libby comes to him because she cut her wrist on something while trying to dig for mussels, anyway, Jack looks at it and says a little neosporin woould fix it right up. My point is this, if Libby is a psychiatrist then how come she didn't already now how to treat herself? All phsychiatrist's have to go to medical school and receive at least some basic medical training. If I'm wrong about Libby being a psychiatrist then I apologize, worst case she may have claimed to be a psychologist. In either case she creeps me out man.
When will we find out about Michael, Walt, and Desmond? I wonder how they're gonna resolve that.

Anyway, till next week MAC - Keep up the good work.

→ 61. Posted by: Mr. Grimm at March 30, 2006 2:03 PM

Locke definitely said all of the numbers, as did "Henry" when he stated them back to him.

→ 62. Posted by: hookedonlost at March 30, 2006 2:03 PM

I thought Locke cannot feel anything in his legs? Remember in Deux Ex Machina, Boone was doing all types of things to it and Locke could not feel any pain. So why all of a sudden he is screaming in excruciating pain.

→ 63. Posted by: Kent at March 30, 2006 2:07 PM

i think that is was the island protecting him in Deus ex Machina but maybe the island can't protect him inside the hatch

→ 64. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 2:10 PM

Am I missing the connection between Locke's Father and the real Sawyer? Why are people convinced that they are the same person? - just because Locke's father mentioned a "con". Sorry if this has already been discussed, I just don't see what you are basing this on.

→ 65. Posted by: SBK at March 30, 2006 2:10 PM

SBK phreaps because Lockes father as scammed someone just about anytime he is on the screen

→ 66. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 2:15 PM

I looked up "Sursum Corda" because I must have missed someone sharing that with us above, and here's what I found from Wikipedia:

-- "Sursum Corda, a Latin expression meaning Lift up your hearts which is intoned at the start of the Eucharistic Prayer during the Mass."

Thanks Sharkkiller69 for the translation of "cogito ergo doleo"!! I'd love to know the rest of the translations if anyone can do that!!

→ 67. Posted by: karen at March 30, 2006 2:18 PM

SarahWhite - you can actually download Lost episodes the day after they air from iTunes. I think they're something like $1.99. Hope that helps.

→ 68. Posted by: D at March 30, 2006 2:18 PM

SarahWhite:

You can download all the lost episodes for $1.99 on iTunes. They will play on your PC or Mac using quicktime... you don't need an iPod to view the episodes. I've watched a few that I missed this way.

→ 69. Posted by: Chris at March 30, 2006 2:19 PM

Speaking of timelines, katePlusSun=Fun mentioned that the MN licenses are good for 5 years. I read on another blog that barcoding on the MN driver licenses began in 1999 - is that correct?

Also, when Jack walked up on the beach trio playing poker, Sawyer asked him if he learned to play from watching it on tv. I'm assuming that this is referring to the World Series of Poker that has been running on ESPN, and that tv series became popular around 2003-2004. Some people have theorized that the actual timeframe of this show is something other than the time when the pilot episode aired (2004). Any claims that the timeframe is prior to 2004 would be inaccurate if Sawyer was referring to the World Series of Poker.

→ 70. Posted by: dknight at March 30, 2006 2:22 PM

I for one liked it better when it appeared everything was happening for supernatural reasons...instead of something logical and rationally explainable. But that's just the sci-fi buff in me I guess.

→ 71. Posted by: JoePike at March 30, 2006 2:24 PM

_____________SYNOPSES VIEWERS___________________

the the preview 4 SOS it looks like Jack and Kate are going to trade HG 4 people that the others had abducted who do u think they will swap them 4?

→ 72. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 2:24 PM

As previously noted, the Latin phrases have been translated on the image at the top of this site:

http://elfurl.com/ypg8h

with the exception of the latin phrase right under the big question mark which translated is:
"Don't consider that anything has been done if anything is left to be done."

→ 73. Posted by: brich at March 30, 2006 2:24 PM

Karen - check out this link that translates the latin right on the map....

http://elfurl.com/2kris

→ 74. Posted by: SthrnMstKGirl at March 30, 2006 2:25 PM

Can someone please describe what scenes for next work were?

→ 75. Posted by: John at March 30, 2006 2:25 PM

First, this is a tangent from this week's show, but I think it's pretty obvious now - given that it looks more and more like our plane crash survivors are the subjects of a massive longitudinal experiment - that the mysterious black smoke is some kind of state-of-the-art data collection device. Ideally they'll have someone - a mole - in the group collecting ethnographic data. But maybe the smoke is there more often than we think and it's just not detected? Anyway, it's clear from the episode featuring Eko that it collects visual data.

Also, at first I liked the theory that the hatch dweller, upon hearing the countdown, dons some decon suit, then the core of the hatch locks down with him on the other side - presumably to retrieve the dropped supplies. But if the blue-light map really is indicating the location of the supplies, then why does it appear inside the core of the hatch, where the hatch dweller would not be (since he'd be on the other side)?

I also agree that the supplies fall towards the Swan hatch b/c of the electro-magnetic pull. This would explain how a plane or helicopter wasn't heard - b/c it was dropped much much higher up. There's a metal undercasing to the supplies, etc.

This means that if the supplies drop to the same spot every time, then the blue-light map isn't showing where the supplies are after all. What is its purpose, then, given that the hatch dweller is out greeting the supplies? Who's left to read it? Keep in mind that there are supposed to be 2 people in that hatch at all times...

→ 76. Posted by: Joe at March 30, 2006 2:26 PM

Brich: Jinx!

I don't see on the map though where anyone was able to figure out what was written underneath the question mark, and don't see it on the map either. Where did you find out that little nugget of info?

→ 77. Posted by: SthrnMstKGirl at March 30, 2006 2:27 PM

No matter what medical training the Libster has had, she just wanted the opinion of a real doc. That whole scene was really just a set up to make Jack want to get the med supplies back from Sawyer even more.

→ 78. Posted by: JoePike at March 30, 2006 2:28 PM

The theory that's been floating around my house about Henry Gale and his balloon is this... that's what every Other is programmed to say if captured. That way, the proof is there and the Other is accepted into the group and is now the mole.

→ 79. Posted by: GeekyGal at March 30, 2006 2:30 PM

the parcels of food might be dropped over the island so in locations so people like desmond and zeke could mesmerize the location of the dropoff and survive

→ 80. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 2:31 PM

You can see far more decrypted messages on the image of the map at the bottom of the site I previously mentioned, except the translation of the latin term.

Googled it and found on

http://www.yuni.com/library/latin_4.html

→ 81. Posted by: brich at March 30, 2006 2:32 PM

May be off topic a little, but one thing keeps bugging me. Why haven't Kate or Claire told anyone about the medical hatch? That was a hugely significant discovery. Particularly the fake beard and ragged costumes she found proving that the others are not the primitives they appear to be.

→ 82. Posted by: diamondgirl at March 30, 2006 2:35 PM

Joe, as I mentioned in last week's blog, if you're interested in what the black smoke may be, I highly recommend reading Michael Crichton's PREY. The black smoke in LOST is very very very similar in appearance and behavior to the black "smoke" in PREY. Plus, it's a very good book. Guarantee you'll finish it within a few days.

→ 83. Posted by: KG at March 30, 2006 2:38 PM

What I'm most curious about is what the varous "CV's" on the map refer to.

→ 84. Posted by: SthrnMstKGirl at March 30, 2006 2:39 PM

One of the scribbled notes on the Hatch wall is "Known final resting place of Magnus Hanso / Black Rock". Could this be Alvar Hanso's son?

→ 85. Posted by: dknight at March 30, 2006 2:40 PM

Well, what makes you think Kate hasnt told anyone about the medical hatch, diamondgirl? Everybody thought that people didnt talk about Walt appearing in the woods until Charlie off-handedly brought it up several episodes later. Things go on behind the scenes that we dont get to see.

But like Jack said: There is no loop. Even if it's true that Kate hasnt told anyone, it's not entirely outside the realm of possibility since they all have severe trust issues.

PS: Im really pissed and disappointed that the whole "jack starting an army" thing was completely disregarded. Piss poor in my opinion.

→ 86. Posted by: jraw at March 30, 2006 2:41 PM

maybe were the others train and maybe 'apply' 4 a job (CV- curiculum vitae)

→ 87. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 2:42 PM

well like u said jraw pheraps they are behind the scenes.

→ 88. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 2:45 PM

Dknight - I hadn't given the year any thought before now. Quite honestly, I had assumed all along that it was 2004. However, I went to Oceanic's website, and the little mini calendar they have to show the date of the flight, shows Sept. 22nd, but no year. However, the red dot over the date on the calendar indicates a Tuesday. Now bear with me, but since Australia is a day ahead of the states (which is my main frame of reference), that matches with 2004. Because 9-22-04 was a Wednesday in the US. (Sydney is 16 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time.)

→ 89. Posted by: hookedonlost at March 30, 2006 2:45 PM

For all those who are dissapointed with the progress of Lost, get over it ! This is the best entertainment ever.

→ 90. Posted by: thinng at March 30, 2006 2:46 PM

I don't think the timer has anything to do with the food shipment. Wouldn't Desmond have told Jack and Locke that if you skip entering the numbers, you'll get more food? Seems to make sense to me.

→ 91. Posted by: schiano at March 30, 2006 2:47 PM

I noticed the movie Executive Decision with Kurt Russell also flies Oceanic. What's up with that ? Is that the official airline of the Hollywood disaster scenarios ?

→ 92. Posted by: thinng at March 30, 2006 2:49 PM

Could someone describe the preview for next week? I missed it. Thanks.

→ 93. Posted by: John at March 30, 2006 2:49 PM

So on the topic of the Black Smoke monster. Someone just referred to it as a data collection device, a security system, also the references to "Cerberus" on the map are hinted to be the monster, and there are references to the monster as being a product of "the incident". Which is it? We need to remember that this monster can brutally kill people (pilot in season 1).

Other points of interest, the Cerberus station was abandoned due to the AH/MDG incident of 1985, what do you think that stands for?

→ 94. Posted by: brich at March 30, 2006 2:50 PM

BRICH
Alvar Hanso/

→ 95. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 2:52 PM

wow - I think I just contradited myself! That's what I get for trying to hold down a full time job and post on the blog at the same time. However, the point is even more interesting because I was wrong. If it was a Wednesday in the states, then 9-22-04 was a THURSDAY in Australia. But Oceanic shows the flight on a Tuesday. So, maybe it really wasn't in 2004!!!! Maybe it was a few years ago (whenever the last time Sept. 22nd landed on a TUESDAY in Australia.) Obviously I suck at figuring that out, but what year would that have been? My brain is fried, but anyone have any ideas?

→ 96. Posted by: hookedonlost at March 30, 2006 2:52 PM

BRICH
maybe Alvar Hanso/Magnus De-Groot its a strech but i reckon at least Alvar Hanso is correct

→ 97. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 2:57 PM

Alright, my ignorance is going to show, but here goes anyway...

The ship at the Black Rock is a really old ship isn't it? Or is it the ship that Rosseau's team was on? If it's old, then the "Last know resting spot of Magnus Hanso" would mean a father of Alvar. If that's the case, maybe provides reasoning for Hanso choosing this island?

Also, any chance the photo of Gale on the MN driver's license is Eko?

And "recreation area for DIHG" on the map? Recreation? Picnics, skipping rope, long walks looking for rainbows? And DIHG = ?? Dharma Initiative?

→ 98. Posted by: SthrnMstKGirl at March 30, 2006 2:57 PM

I dont think the whole unveiling of Henry Gale was too suprising. I think everyone knew that he was an Other, no way the producers would throw some random "good guy" on the show for 6 weeks. His body language gave it away in episode where Sayid beat the crap out of him.
None the less, i still have no idea whats going on on the island.

→ 99. Posted by: Yale Reardon at March 30, 2006 2:58 PM

Did I notice Claire eyeing Jack like a steak after he checked her baby?

Why has nothing been done with the "Maternity Ward" (possibly location marked "staff" on the door-map) since it was discovered. You would think they would've told Jack or Sayid...
Just a thought.

Great site Mac, long time reader, first time poster. Keep up the good work.

→ 100. Posted by: chappy at March 30, 2006 2:58 PM

Dharma initive - Henry Gale

he might be dead but he might of played a major role in dharma

→ 101. Posted by: ACE at March 30, 2006 2:59 PM

There's going to be some conflict between Locke and the Lostaways when he tries to intervene to stop the torture/killing of 'Henry'. He gave 'Henry' his word...which may be null and void since 'Henry' lied right to Locke's face before Locke gave his word. But Locke is still very appreciative that 'Henry' didn't leave him, so will probably try to help him.

→ 102. Posted by: JoePike at March 30, 2006 3:04 PM

Thanks KG for the Crichton reference. I missed that last week.

Okay, I have very little (no?) empirical evidence for this one... but I think that the end of Lost will go something like this: our "heroes" (who really aren't heroes, 'cos they're so flawed, they're human, like anyone else) ultimately take over the experiments, perhaps overthrowing the current experimenters, being integrated amongst them, etc. The very last episode shows another plane crashing and the whole thing starting all over again - this time with our protagonists as the "Others."

Everyone's probably already thought of this - I'm sure it's not novel, but I just wanted to throw it out there in case it is.

→ 103. Posted by: Joe at March 30, 2006 3:04 PM

hookedonlost:

The date is the same no matter what part of the world you're on - you'll just get to it sooner or later depending on location. The day of the week won't change separately from the day of the month.

Thanks, mac. I love reading this every week.

Has anyone mentioned that perhaps the real Henry Gale is Rose's brother? The ABC diary hints that one of the Losties thinks that the person in the hatch is their brother and even confronted Locke about it.

→ 104. Posted by: t-code-j at March 30, 2006 3:08 PM

The Henry Gail-brother thing in the diary is VERY interesting. I wonder where they're going with that.

→ 105. Posted by: mac at March 30, 2006 3:12 PM

Or is it possible Eko had more than one brother and one of them emigrated to the US and changed his name to something American?

→ 106. Posted by: Trinity at March 30, 2006 3:13 PM

I was wrong, it is AH/MGD incident not MDG on the map. But Definately Alvar Hanso, (right on ACE.) Possibly acronym for one of the "projects on the island". Magnetic .....? I think D.I.H.G is Dharma Initiative Hanso Group, and it is interesting that one of the writings says "The SWAN" is HOME of the HG Delegation Inspection. Many of the notes on the map appear to be made by someone in the know (Dharmatel Intranet issues, failures, blocked routes, present cerberus nexus of activity...) Definately not written by Desmond, and obviously written during a lockdown that lasted a while...

→ 107. Posted by: brich at March 30, 2006 3:18 PM

warning, this link brings you to spoilers: http://www.spoilerfix.com/lost.php

go down to "General Season 2 Spoilers." anybody have any ideas regarding the one that references rose/locke/jin? i'm stumped by this.

→ 108. Posted by: madiera at March 30, 2006 3:21 PM

t-code-j:

Wow - do I feel stupid. Good point you raise about the whole day/date thing. Again, that's what I get for trying to talk intelligently on the phone at work, while attempting to post to this blog simultaneously. Nonetheless, though, 9-22-04 was a Wed. and the Oceanic site seems to indicate that 9-22 was a Tuesday when that flight took off. So would that have made it 2003? I don't remember when Leap Year happened last....

→ 109. Posted by: hookedonlost at March 30, 2006 3:22 PM

hookedonlost - the last time September 22 fell on a Tuesday was in 1998. Hmmmm . . . I don't think that works with the things we know about the characters and their ages, the years certain events in their lives occurred, etc. The mystery deepens.

→ 110. Posted by: lostgal at March 30, 2006 3:25 PM

Wanna see the preview for next week:

http://lostlinks.net/

Plus other good stuff.

→ 111. Posted by: Zeppo at March 30, 2006 3:32 PM

Did the clock re-set to 107? I am trying to catch up with lost. Doesn't the clock reset to 108 usually. If I am way off I apologize.

→ 112. Posted by: mike at March 30, 2006 3:35 PM

Please, no spoiler talk here! I've gone to great lengths to avoid them for this long, and I'm worried that somebody will accidentally spill the beans on this site. I'd prefer to not even know at this point that there will be a Rose/Jin/Locke connection.

→ 113. Posted by: KG at March 30, 2006 3:35 PM

I still don't see how they are going to rationalize how connected the Lostaways lives off of the island are. Some of it might be mere coincidence (like Locke and Nadia this week) but there's WAY too much for it ALL to be coincidence. I just don't see how it's going to ever make sense, and how they got all these people- who's lives are so unknowingly connected, on a single plane at the same time. There are just so many mitigating factors. Like there's no way anyone could have predicted that Sun was going to choose to get on the plane instead of leaving Jin at the airport like she had planned for so long.

That's why this show is so good. They've sucked me in so far that I HAVE to know all the answers. Even though it'll take years!

→ 114. Posted by: JoePike at March 30, 2006 3:36 PM

Mike, I believe the clock reset to 108, but it took Locke about a minute to recover from the pain of the door dropping on his leg and then start dragging himself in to where the counter is.

→ 115. Posted by: Zeppo at March 30, 2006 3:41 PM

Good one Mac!!!!

Did anyone notice when the speakers started going crazy, John looked at the computer screen and the cursor was blinking. I think the faux HG probably sent a message of some kind to his buddies. It took him a few minutes to reappear after everything opened up didn't it.

As for the food drop, it was a blinking light that attracted Jack/Kate to the drop. It looked like some kind of homing beacon. If the drops are always in the same place, whey would this be needed. Also, was it a parachute. Idon't have TiVo, but it looked more like a hot air balloon. If so, then that's why no one heard a plane.

Last - I bet 5 mangos and a coconut that Locke's father is the original Sawyer. Any takers

→ 116. Posted by: DB IN BC at March 30, 2006 3:49 PM

Good one Mac!!!!

Last - I bet 5 mangos and a coconut that Locke's father is the original Sawyer. Any takers

→ 117. Posted by: DB IN BC at March 30, 2006 3:49 PM

KG, my apologies, and i wholeheartedly agree. however, the link implies that the connection should already be evident, so i was hoping for speculation more than anything else.

→ 118. Posted by: madiera at March 30, 2006 3:52 PM

Crazy Danielle said to Sayid about the fake Henry, "... But know this: He will lie. For a long time. He will lie."

How right she was. The writers put it right in our faces from the get go. Maybe Crazy Danielle isn't so Crazy afterall!

→ 119. Posted by: JoePike at March 30, 2006 4:09 PM

So, while all of the attention is rightly focused on the map and 'Henry Gale', one thing occurred to me that no one else is focusing on: was there anything interesting in the balloon gondola? A radio perhaps? One of those handy EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)? Of course, Sayid and co. were more interested in the grave, and the gondola was hanging up in the air, but I'd want to check it out.

→ 120. Posted by: Mehdron at March 30, 2006 4:22 PM

No worries, madiera. It just takes all of my strength to not follow spoiler links, so I prefer to not see them at all!

As to a Jin/Rose/Locke connection, I'm drawing a blank except for all 3 of them have had their most important relationships in their lives severely tested (w/Sun, w/Bernard, and w/Daddy).

→ 121. Posted by: KG at March 30, 2006 4:24 PM

Maybe the connection is that the island has "healed" all three of them in some way. Locke's legs were healed, Jin fathered a child and maybe Rose had some medical issue before the crash that has been resolved?

→ 122. Posted by: ciscokid at March 30, 2006 4:38 PM

Sarah White, you can also download episodes that other people recorded and uploaded for free by downloading a bit torrent program like bitlord, www.bitlord.com, and going to a site like www.isohunt.com and searching for lost... I watched the entire first season that way :)

→ 123. Posted by: Krissy at March 30, 2006 4:46 PM

In answer to the question about the clock resetting to 107 and not 108, I noticed that when Locke looked at it the 7 was moving just a little, which would mean it had probably just change to 107. If you watch the clock change you will the numbers move a little when they change.

→ 124. Posted by: mad about lost at March 30, 2006 4:46 PM

Henry Gale is the replacement member for the hatch and the man claiming to be Henry Gale is his "hatch partner". That's what I think anyway.

→ 125. Posted by: Matthew Thomas at March 30, 2006 4:58 PM

My name ia Adam, and I'm from Minnesota...so really, I'm from Minnesota...

Anyway, Wayzata is a well-to-do Western Suburb of Minneapolis. It's pronounce why-zeta. Just thought you crazy kids would want to know.

→ 126. Posted by: Adam at March 30, 2006 5:24 PM

Adam, I'm gonna need you to draw me a detailed map to Wayzata ;)

Thanks for the info!

→ 127. Posted by: mac at March 30, 2006 5:26 PM

Adam is posing as a guy from Minnesota, he really is an other.

→ 128. Posted by: Bryan at March 30, 2006 5:29 PM

brich and SthrnMstKGirl:

thanks for posting that site again for me!! I had to be away from the screen for a while and somehow missed the earlier posts! Man, you miss a lot if you have to be gone for a bit!!! I guess that happens when there's just so much great info to go over!!

→ 129. Posted by: karen at March 30, 2006 5:46 PM

CMW i agree with your magnetic theory the polar bears could also of been sucked in.I was lookin at da door map and i saw something about a zooology center.Another thing about the scribbled out hatch somthing said about "Heavy Water" heavy water is somthing used to produece ATOMIC material. Also many things on the map say C4,CV1,CV2,CV3,CV4 ect. I wonder wat thats about?? Also lots of refrences about the "CURSED" numbers. Lots of writing in Latin but i have yet to see any sings of Latin influence on the island. Another thing says "Activity minimal during lockdown and restocking procedures." Restocking and Lockdown? Sounds familiar doesnt it?? Also lots of writing about weather. Maybe somthing about when "The Monster" comes around it starts to rain?? Another thing is it says "Mulpiple excape conduits blocked after incident". Incident? Mabey somthing abot atomic stuff? O and if any1 can find out wat excape means and post it id appreciat it. If i find any more i will post it. :)

→ 130. Posted by: Cam at March 30, 2006 5:47 PM

Mac, as always - great review.

Wow, what an episode - Top 5. Anyway, can someone clear something up for me. What exactly did Kate & Jack stumble upon in the jungle toward the end of the episode? I know it was a blimp/parachute of some kind, with Dharma food ... but is this *different* than the balloon faux Henry described, the one found by AL/Sayid?Charlie? Or is it the same? I didn't quite catch that.

One last thing - I think this episode solidified Locke's character as the most dynamic, intriguing, and in-depth. And man, can that Terry O'Quinn dude act.

→ 131. Posted by: Mike at March 30, 2006 5:47 PM

Bryan...that's funny...

I thought the man in the license was somehow related to Rose. It wouldn't be the first time a survivor ran into a relative in a strange way on this island (Eko...)

And I certainly hope that Locke doesn't defent the Wanna-Be-HG because he clearly paralleled the many people in Locke's backstory who let him down as well....I had the same gut wrenching feeling for Locke watching Helen leave as I did when it was revealed that Wanna-Be-HG was lying the whole time...he really pulled one over on John Locke....I thought Locke was smarter than thaat...come on now!

→ 132. Posted by: vikki at March 30, 2006 5:53 PM

I've never seen a TV show where information is presented in ways that only technology can show, who could POSSIBLY be expected to get more than a fraction of the content that was shown on the door once the blacklight came on? Surely there is a large segement of the audience that does not have the luxury of reading blogs, examining high resolution captures of the door for details, etc.

*I* don't mind it myself, since I have the access and capability to participate, but for those who don't, it seems... maybe a little unfair?

Opinions?

→ 133. Posted by: The Duf at March 30, 2006 6:03 PM

Interesting point, the Duf. However, if you think about it, those without tivo or screen shots got to see it for about as long as John Locke did. Maybe that's the point. It was such a fleeting glance, but he knows it's full of so much information. He must feel compelled to figure out a way to get that door back down again.

→ 134. Posted by: hookedonlost at March 30, 2006 6:05 PM

I've been thinking the same thing. It should be interesting to see how he attempts to get to it.

→ 135. Posted by: The Duf at March 30, 2006 6:07 PM

One of the Map pics I saw, showed this information very bottom center

"04.08.00, 08.15.01, 01.06.03-Complete shutdown in effect"
so that seems to place current "Lost" time at least after Jan 03.

→ 136. Posted by: Jim at March 30, 2006 6:11 PM

One part of the map says “Rev. 4.2.02 Possible location of the zoological facility”. If you look this up in the Bible it reads, “At once I was caught up in spirit. A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat. (Rev.Ch 4.2). I guess this references other imagery in Ezekiel, “Their faces were like this: each of the four had the face of a man, but on the right side was the face of a lion, and on the left side the face of an ox, and finally each had the face of an eagle. (Ezekiel Ch 1.10) Maybe there was some Island of Doctor Moreau (H. G. Wells) type genetic research imagery going on here as well. More food for thought.

→ 137. Posted by: CMW at March 30, 2006 6:23 PM

The idea that the numbers are tied to the food delivery seems ever so slightly off... while it does make a certain sense, does anyone believe that Desmond ever 'skipped' his responsibility?

And why would you have to confirm whether or not you needed supplies every 108 minutes? Hmm...

→ 138. Posted by: The Duf at March 30, 2006 6:30 PM

vikki
what makes you think that rose and the real henry gale are related? because they're both black? that would be like saying I think jack and lock are related because they're both white. maybe you didnt mean to come off like that but thats how it came out.
aside from that this was a terrific episode. in reference to the revival of jack and kates romance, I don't think the writers ever wanted it to die. sawyer and kate have alot in common (scrapes with the law etc.) which will spark an interest between them. but lets remember there have been points where kate has been utterly repulsed by sawyer. jack and kate have a genuine attration to each other. i believe the writers just put this on the back burner for a while to move the story along without the romantic distractions. remember jack has had a prisoner in the hatch for about 4 days. however in real time it has been about 2 months for us (the viewers). so many people may feel like this attraction faded long ago. Total time on the island is still only about two months also.
Lastly, the writing on the wall was the best part of the entire series thus far. I love this show.

→ 139. Posted by: JAC at March 30, 2006 6:30 PM

Does anyone think there is any significance to the name Henry Gale, i.e., Dorothy Gale's Uncle Henry in "The Wizard of Oz"?

→ 140. Posted by: Raenell Silcox at March 30, 2006 6:34 PM

Ask again after he encounters the Sayid tornado.

→ 141. Posted by: The Duf at March 30, 2006 6:35 PM

The Duf -- Interesting point regarding the technological limitations of certain viewers. I've actually considered this angle before because I'm spoiled with both the HD feed and a TiVo, so I get an opportunity to experience all the hidden nuances.

However, I think the genius of this show lies in its layering of experience. For example, a casual viewer could simply enjoy the characters, or the scenery or the plot developments. More involved viewers can immerse themselves in the mythology and clues.

Along these same lines, I believe there are layers of technological experience with this show as well. Folks who don't have HD or TiVo (and I realize this represents roughly 95% of the audience), can enjoy the show for its pure entertainment value. I think it functions quite well as a normal "show." But those of us who are tech geeks and absolutely love HD and TiVo (I won't go back to anything else -- I just won't), can take it a step further and dive into the small details.

The map we saw in this episode is a fantastic example of these techie layers. Viewers without the technology could clearly see that it's a map, and the fact that a sneaky new map randomly appeared is an interesting and intriguing plot development on its own. But those of us who with HD, TiVos and the like (and those of us who absolutely eat up all these little clues) can pour over the details.

Just my two cents. Personally, I think this is a fascinating topic -- thanks for bringing it up!

-- Mac

→ 142. Posted by: mac at March 30, 2006 7:06 PM

JAC, vikki (and others) mentioned a possible familial relation between Rose and Henry because ABC has posted a diary entry containing a Lostie writing about "my brother" being locked in the hatch.

→ 143. Posted by: KG at March 30, 2006 7:16 PM

I want a set of Dharma playing cards! They should definitely sell those babies. I'd buy them.

I just saw the preview for the next episode. Do you think they're going to kill Hurley? I sincerely hope not, 'cause he's my absolute fave. (after Locke and Eko... and Sawyer)

→ 144. Posted by: SnakeJake at March 30, 2006 7:24 PM

Personally, I hate to say this, but if a main character has to be killed off, I wouldn't mind if it was Hurley. I love him and all, but to me he is the least real. He's a bit too much of a stereotypical slacker, you know? One too many "dude" comments for me, I guess. Who the hell would call Sun "dude"?! The next least real character is Ana Lucia (nobody is that much of a snarling bitch in real life), but they're certainly not going to kill her off at this point.

→ 145. Posted by: KG at March 30, 2006 7:27 PM

I certainly did not mean to imply that the connection between Rose and the man in the license was simply because they are black. I am not an idiot, thanks JAC.

Perhaps I should have been more clear in making my connection between the ABC diary entry, as KG mentioned, and what I wrote. It made sense in my head but clearly didn't come out that way in what I wrote. For anyone to imply that a connection between them existed only because of skin color really doesn't do justice to the intelligence level that everyone displays here on a weekly basis.

I am truly sorry if I have offended anyone.

→ 146. Posted by: vikki at March 30, 2006 7:30 PM

"vikki
what makes you think that rose and the real henry gale are related? because they're both black?"

***Mild SPOILER alert***

according to someone on this blog, rose supposedly has a brother named henry gale, or so we find out later

→ 147. Posted by: alex at March 30, 2006 7:32 PM

Vikki, I don't think you offended anyone. Personally, I think JAC overreacted just a bit.

Anyway, Hurley's not going anywhere. If a main character is going to die, it's either going to be AL, or Charlie - both of their backstories are either dead-end, or too boring. Though I guess you could say the same for Sun & Jin, too.

→ 148. Posted by: Mike at March 30, 2006 7:34 PM

Duf, You really don't need Tivo or HD to enjoy it though and immerse yourself like this. I don't have HD, i'm lucky enough to have tivo, but i only use it in the moment real quick, i don't go back and rewatch episodes.

There are many posters on here that don't have TiVo, and they get the same out of all this research as me. I think the only technology hinderance would be, do you have internet access? which is a pretty high percentage of America. I wouldn't know 95% of the hidden connection stuff if i didn't come on here, tivo or not.

→ 149. Posted by: alex at March 30, 2006 7:41 PM

I am starting to think that there has been a disaster on the island, thus the map on the door and a lot of the writing. I think that the others are trying to peice everything back together and the only support that they get is the food. This would explain a lot of the map (ie possible x and possible y).

→ 150. Posted by: db at March 30, 2006 7:52 PM

the arrow, flame, swan, staff and one unknowed (closed down) does this have anything to do with the hieroglyphics? Just a thought....

→ 151. Posted by: starserpent at March 30, 2006 7:54 PM

Great review as always, Mac!
A few points:
1: Mac, you're comment about how no one on the beach is complaining about the fact that Jack and Locke are getting all the comforts of home in the hatch and the beach people aren't being allowed in, I've been wondering about that, too. Seems more likely that people would be storming the hatch and demanding to be let in (for showers, a comfy place to sleep, etc.)
2: Maybe I missed something back in Confidence man, and if I did, will someone please help me out...as to the theory about Locke's father being Saywer's father: I thought that Sawyer's dad was the one that was conned (by the original Sawyer), NOT the conman. Locke's dad WAS the conman. Also, I don't see how the timeline fits. Sawyer's dad killed himself in 1976, but Locke's dad was around after that (in Locke's flashback, it didn't look like the 70's, take the silver car, for example.) Again, if I'm missing something, please tell me!!
3: Wonder how long it will take Locke to tell anyone about the map? It took him long enough to tell about the hatch..."his" hatch! Maybe it will be "his" map! LOL
4: SOmeone mentioned the name Cerberus on the map )I haven't looked at the detailed pic of the map yet), but Cerberus was the dog guarding the gates of Hell in Greek mythology, am I right?

Thanks again, for your reviews, Mac!

→ 152. Posted by: Christina at March 30, 2006 8:18 PM

Hey, first posting, finally something to contribute:

One of the latin quotes reads: "Hic sunt dracones" - "Here be dragons". This phrase is written on a map of Middle Earth in either the Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit...I can't remember which.

This leads me to believe it was drawn by one of the people stationed at the Swan for two reasons: One, as stated by someone already, this person has intimate knowledge of the Dharma projects and two, they are scribbling quotes from scripture and literature in Latin - both signs of someone who has been locked up for a long time and has started to come undone. Perhaps the map itself was a long work in progress and as teh artist's sanity deteriorated, so too did the information put onto the map.

Finally, the fact that there was a supply drop tells me that the island is still being actively monitored from somewhere else: Even if the process is automated, someone, a live person, still has to load the supplies, fly the plane, and deliver the drop.

Thanks for everyone's ideas, I don't find any of them 'stupid' or insignicant' - the whole thing just enriches the process.

→ 153. Posted by: scar at March 30, 2006 8:19 PM

JoePike said: "I still don't see how they are going to rationalize how connected the Lostaways lives off of the island are. Some of it might be mere coincidence (like Locke and Nadia this week) but there's WAY too much for it ALL to be coincidence. I just don't see how it's going to ever make sense, and how they got all these people- who's lives are so unknowingly connected, on a single plane at the same time. There are just so many mitigating factors. Like there's no way anyone could have predicted that Sun was going to choose to get on the plane instead of leaving Jin at the airport like she had planned for so long."

Yes, especially since a few of them almost didn't make the plane...not only Sun, but Hurley, and Locke...anyone else?

→ 154. Posted by: Christina at March 30, 2006 8:20 PM

I agree that the alleged connection between Rose, Locke and Jin has to do with the island "healing" them. I think that fits with how the hint is qualified (i.e., whether the connection extends to Jin depends on how you interpret last week's episode - do you believe he was "healed" while being on the island, or do you believe Sun got pregnant in some other way?).

→ 155. Posted by: D at March 30, 2006 8:28 PM

I can see Gale and Rose being related. First, after the swerve that Rose’s hubby was white. Second, nothing happens on the island for nothing. It makes sense that the departed Mr. Gale would have a connection to someone on the island and I think it’s Rose.

PS – You’re right about Locke’s Dad being the CONMAN Christina

→ 156. Posted by: starserpent at March 30, 2006 8:32 PM

Mark - ALL THINGS SERVE THE BEAM! The map does look like the Dark Tower/beam/stations as described by Roland to Eddie and Susan. Now, if the stations on the island had the same names as the stations in Roland's world, that would be interesting. The DT is a portal to all parallel worlds and let's not forget about the 'Rose'. There are some other parallels between Lost and the DT series, but I don't think there are enough that the two are related. Too bad, huh. I do remember reading a link that paralleled two, but I don't remember where it was.

As for Locke, after seeing how greatful he was to HG the perpetrator for not deserting him like everyone else in his past had, I think he has placed too much trust in him and it will be his downfall, assuming he has a downfall that is. HG is playing Locke better than Mozart would play a baby grand piano. Throughout the whole series, Locke has never been phased even slightly by what anyone says to him, he just takes it in stride. But, one sentence from HG and Locke goes into an emotional meltdown. Hmmmm...

→ 157. Posted by: curtis at March 30, 2006 8:37 PM

To add to Christinas comment Charlie almost didnt make it on the plane cause he woke up after a FIX of heroin.

→ 158. Posted by: Cameron at March 30, 2006 8:40 PM

About the tatoo, the four characters on Jack's arm are in fact Chinese characters, not Thai, which looks more like Arabic.

→ 159. Posted by: Endo at March 30, 2006 8:41 PM

To me, I thought it was pretty obvious that Locke was crawling into the hatch a minute late as the timer was switching to 107... from 108.

I just wonder how long it will be until we find out how Locke became paralyzed before the plane crash. I figure that's when he we tell Jack about his recent condition. WHY HASN'T HE TOLD ANYBODY OTHER THAN THE LATE BOONE?!?!?!?!?!

→ 160. Posted by: Middies at March 30, 2006 9:07 PM

Did anyone see My Name is Earl tonight? Walt (forgot the actor's name) is a guest star...doing a pretty good job too, I must say. Buuuut, if the LOST writers plan to ever bring him back, they are going to have an awfully tough time explaining how he suddenly aged because he seriously looks like he is about 15 right now on this show....I wonder how the heck they plan to do this?

Another note...as far as Cerberus goes, yes he is the guard of the gates of hell in Greek mythology, Christina. Here is some info on him:

Cerberus

The most dangerous labor of all was the twelfth and final one. Eurystheus ordered Hercules to go to the Underworld and kidnap the beast called Cerberus (or Kerberos). Eurystheus must have been sure Hercules would never succeed at this impossible task!

The ancient Greeks believed that after a person died, his or her spirit went to the world below and dwelled for eternity in the depths of the earth. The Underworld was the kingdom of Hades, also called Pluto, and his wife, Persephone. Depending on how a person lived his or her life, they might or might not experience never-ending punishment in Hades. All souls, whether good or bad, were destined for the kingdom of Hades.

found at: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/cerberus.html

I wonder what the heck this too has to do with the map....if anything....I am beginning to think our boy Desmond had some serious issues...

→ 161. Posted by: Vikki at March 30, 2006 9:18 PM

Hey guys, I think we got a nice shot of the characters on Jack's arm during the poker scene. Has anyone tried to identify them? I can check on my pvr (its what we call tivo in canada) but I wouldn't know where to even look for a comparison.

→ 162. Posted by: db at March 30, 2006 9:19 PM

Another question I have...

About the panic door opening again and freeing Locke....was this a result of the food drop going successfully or did Wanna-Be-HG know how to get it retract? B/c if we agree that he knew the numbers a little too well, who's to say that he didn't possess other knowledge about the hatch, like how to free Locke? Maybe Wanna-Be-HG turned on the blue ligts for some other reason without realizing it would reveal the map to Locke...

→ 163. Posted by: Vikki at March 30, 2006 9:21 PM

I would really like to know wats up wit those DAMN NUMBERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean somthing is really strange with them!!!!!! They keep popping up everywere ever since that First EP. with Hurleys back story. They came up in the map on the door and on the safe deposit box from Lockes father. (Thanks to Mac for pointing that out) And if you pay attention in the Season finale for Season #1 when they show hurley getting up late and hes rushing around those damn numbers keep poopin up everywere!!! Also i would just like to add there has to be some reason for these certain people to be on this certain island. I mean Locke running into NADIA!! Of all the people in the whole friggin worlsd it was her. And all of them have to have something in common that we havent seen yet. If u think u have any idea plz post it. O and 1 more thing Sawyer running into Jacks Fathe just before he died in that bar in Seas. #1. SEE WAT I MEAN!!! :)

→ 164. Posted by: Cam at March 30, 2006 9:21 PM

"2: Maybe I missed something back in Confidence man, and if I did, will someone please help me out...as to the theory about Locke's father being Saywer's father: I thought that Sawyer's dad was the one that was conned (by the original Sawyer), NOT the conman. Locke's dad WAS the conman. Also, I don't see how the timeline fits. Sawyer's dad killed himself in 1976, but Locke's dad was around after that (in Locke's flashback, it didn't look like the 70's, take the silver car, for example.) Again, if I'm missing something, please tell me!!"

just because the island sawyers dad died in the 70s doesn't discount the fact that lockes dad was involved, he was an old man, it doesn't have to mean that his 'retirement scam' was the one that was involved with island sawyers dad.

and btw people, you have to remember, EVERYTHING we are shown, is shown for a reason

lockes dad/sawyer = both conmen?
rose/gale connection?

if we are shown it, it was for a reason, everything down to book titles and record titles that we only see on tv for fractions of a second is shown for a reason.

→ 165. Posted by: alex at March 30, 2006 9:30 PM

Another great show. Aside from the advancement of the island mythology (lots of juicy stuff in this episode!), I really love the Locke backstory, how he's such a loser. He gets caught in a huge lie by Leela, and he reponds by proposing?!? Idiot.

I also think that while it is fun for us to examine every little detail of the map and learn as much as we can about the island and/or Dharma, only some of the map is really going to end up being significant to the overall story. I agree with hookedonlost, that they will probably find a way to get another look at the map, at which time the really significant part of it will be fairly presented to the general audience.

Mac, your review mentioned that someone else from Lost is from Wayzata. I must have missed that. To whom were you referring?

→ 166. Posted by: Bees at March 30, 2006 9:40 PM

"just because the island sawyers dad died in the 70s doesn't discount the fact that lockes dad was involved, he was an old man, it doesn't have to mean that his 'retirement scam' was the one that was involved with island sawyers dad."
Sorry if you misunderstood, but thats not what I meant. I meant Locke's Dad could not be Sawyers dad as everyone is saying, because, as you pointed out, Lockes dad was past middle-aged, and Sawyers dad died (killed himself) in 1976, in his 30's.
Maybe you're saying that Lockes dad was INVOLVED with Sawyers dad? That's more likely. But Sawyers dad was conned, not the con-man, so maybe Lockes father was the con-man to Sawyers dad (i.e. the "original" Sawyer, who Sawyer (James Ford) is looking for, to kill.

→ 167. Posted by: Christina at March 30, 2006 9:54 PM

"I would really like to know wats up wit those DAMN NUMBERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean somthing is really strange with them!!!!!! They keep popping up everywere ever since that First EP. with Hurleys back story. They came up in the map on the door and on the safe deposit box from Lockes father. (Thanks to Mac for pointing that out) And if you pay attention in the Season finale for Season #1 when they show hurley getting up late and hes rushing around those damn numbers keep poopin up everywere!!! Also i would just like to add there has to be some reason for these certain people to be on this certain island. I mean Locke running into NADIA!! Of all the people in the whole friggin worlsd it was her. And all of them have to have something in common that we havent seen yet. If u think u have any idea plz post it. O and 1 more thing Sawyer running into Jacks Fathe just before he died in that bar in Seas. #1. SEE WAT I MEAN!!! :)"

Cam, no offense, but do you watch this show alot? If you have watched all of season 1 and 2 and are on here with the same determination the rest of us have, you should know that EVERY's backstory connects to someone else, has something to do with dharma, all the numbers amoung other things are thrown in front of us all the time.

nothing is coincidence, ever.

→ 168. Posted by: alex at March 30, 2006 9:55 PM

someone already caught this: malcolm david kelley, aka walt lloyd, was just on my name is earl and looking a lot older, what will the producers of lost do with him now? kudos vikki.

→ 169. Posted by: maglock at March 30, 2006 9:55 PM

This whole Sawyer/Locke thing is getting confusing couse #1Thers to many sawyers #2 Come on that is just stupid. Its also getting pretty boring

→ 170. Posted by: Cam at March 30, 2006 10:00 PM

Bees -- The Wayzata stuff was just a joke. I figured that for such a random place to be mentioned it *had* to be someone's hometown ;)


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