The Economist
Hey, it's Daniel here, back with another edition of the "Lost" Diary.
I believed in my heart of hearts that last night's episode of "Lost" was going to be epic. I even told someone at work as much. Now, mind you, this is based on nothing. I haven't seen one commercial, read one article, or heard one thing to make me believe this. But I had two "reasons" for believing it anyway. First, the first two episodes of the season were appetizers. They were good, but I am far from full. Second, tonight's episode is called "The Economist." WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!? It's a perfect 10 on the creepy scale.
I believed in my heart of hearts that last night's episode of "Lost" was going to be epic. I even told someone at work as much. Now, mind you, this is based on nothing. I haven't seen one commercial, read one article, or heard one thing to make me believe this. But I had two "reasons" for believing it anyway. First, the first two episodes of the season were appetizers. They were good, but I am far from full. Second, tonight's episode is called "The Economist." WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!? It's a perfect 10 on the creepy scale.
For all you "Lost" Diary newbies, here's how it goes: I gather with a group of friends watching "Lost," writing what happens on the show as it happens, and throwing in my two cents along the way. Ari and Lauren are joining me on this special Valentine's Day edition -- they have each other and I have Ben.
Let's roll:
9:01 -- After a little introspection, Sayid examines Naomi's body and finds a bracelet with the inscription, "N, I'll always be with you. R.G."
9:02 -- "You bring Charlotte back safe, and I will take you off this island." -- Lawnmower Man, I mean Frank.
9:03 -- It's Sayid flash ... s**t, I don't know what it is. This has become my new favorite "Lost" game -- flashback or flashforward. Sayid looks clean, so I'll go flashforward.
9:04 -- "Actually, a plane crash." -- Sayid. Flashforward it is!
9:05 -- Sayid tells his new golfing pal that he is one of the Oceanic 6, and the guy seems a tad shaken. In my opinion, and I'll explain it later, I think Sayid is only the THIRD member of the Oceanic 6.
9:06 -- Sayid lost his golf bet, so he shot the guy. Sore loser if you ask me.
9:08 -- I can't speak for anyone else, but I hope future Sayid is with Nadia.
9:09 -- Sayid's new friend, Elsa, works for an economist -- or should I say, the economist. Every time I hear that word tonight, it will give me goosebumps. Lauren thinks Sayid looks good with his hair like that. Amazing what showering will do.
9:10 -- Future Sayid is quite the smooth talker, but it's not Elsa he's really after.
9:12 -- Locke and his group are walking through the jungle and Ben is looking, well ... beaten. I don't like seeing my Valentine all bloody and bruised.
9:13 -- Jacob's cabin isn't where Locke thought it was. And in episode one, Hurley saw the cabin somewhere completely different ... twice!
9:15 -- Kate jokes with Jack that it sucks not to be brought along on the mission. Who will fill the role of "person who gets held at gunpoint and ruins the plan"?
(Side note: I just got an e-mail from a Diary reader that just said, "OH MY GOD" ... and nothing else.)
9:16 -- Oh wait, Kate is going! Now we know the plan will fail.
9:20 -- Sayid and Miles have a spirited discussion as they walk through the jungle. I think Miles, as times goes on, will become an ally to the Losties. I can't remember where I read this prediction and I take no credit for it -- Miles is there to talk to Jacob.
9:21 -- Sayid and Elsa are headed to the opera, but Sayid is just biding his time 'til he gets to meet the economist.
9:22 -- "Everyone has a boss, Elsa." -- Sayid. I don't know why, but this line creeped the hell out of me. As a matter of fact, it's prediction time: I don't think the economist is all that important; it's who Sayid is working for that is.
9:23 -- Daniel the physicist is all worked up, perhaps over his whole "the light is weird here" thing from last week. The "if Minkowski gets on, you hang up" line from Frank is worth noting.
9:25 -- Daniel's "experiment" was "far more than weird," as he might say. I'll be curious to find out what he learns.
9:26 -- Watching Sayid, Kate and Miles look for Locke and company -- with guns drawn!!! -- is just weird.
9:27 -- I don't want to sound mean or anything, but how many people does it take to tie up Hurley and shove him in a locker? At least five, right?
9:31 -- "Dude, don't ask!" -- Hurley, after he explained to Sayid that Locke thinks Walt told him to kill Naomi.
9:32 -- I've been wondering how time is different on the island versus off for awhile now. Daniel's little "experiment" yielded two clocks that are 31 minutes apart. Mildly significant, no?
9:33 -- If Kate gets taken at gunpoint while searching this house, I swear I will lose my mind. I am almost rooting against it because I don't think I will stop laughing for at least 20 minutes after it happens.
9:34 -- Sayid has seemingly found Ben's secret bookcase room. Along with a panic room, it's one of the two things I want my first house to have.
9:35 -- Team Locke 1, Team Sayid 0.
9:36 -- "Sorry, dude." -- Hurley. I didn't think he had it in him.
9:41 -- "I bet John you wouldn't be stupid enough to fall for your friend as bait." -- Ben to Sayid
9:43 -- Two things about Sawyer's romantic, but uncharacteristic speech to Kate. First, people are FINALLY starting to realize they are better off on the island -- though Kate should have been one of the first to catch on, but wasn't. Shocker. And secondly, I don't think Kate is one of the Oceanic 6. Sure, she's off the island, but shouldn't she be in jail? I think the Oceanic 6 are only the six people that got off the island that the rest of the world knows about. Kate got off another way and she's with someone -- the "him" she mentioned in last season's finale -- that made that possible. Just a thought ...
9:44 -- I reiterate my theory to Lauren that there is no way Sawyer lives to make it off the island. She was as close to strangling me as anyone has ever come.
9:45 -- Sayid, Locke and Ben need to be alone in a room together more often. I have no idea what Sayid is planning, and if I had to pick whose plan I trust more ... ahhhhh! I'm torn. I've got to go with Locke, since, in a way, he is following Ben's word.
9:46 -- Sayid is back in bed with Elsa and she's in love with him. This probably won't end well for her.
9:47 -- THE ECONOMIST IS HERE!!! THE ECONOMIST IS HERE!!! THE ECONOMIST IS HERE!!!
9:48 -- Sayid is trying to get Elsa to leave before he kills the economist. Why do hitmen always fall in love with their targets and then try and save them? A little stereotypical for my tastes. If he cares about her, he should have just killed her quickly, twisted as that is.
9:49 -- See??!?!? What did I just say?!?!?!? Sayid should have shot her before SHE SHOT HIM!!! Idiot.
9:50 -- Now he had to shoot her anyway. Could have saved himself a gunshot wound.
9:54 -- Desmond is just a little pissed at Frank for not telling how about Penny. Still not sure how she factors into this.
9:55 -- Sayid returns ... with Charlotte. What did he offer Locke in exchange?
9:56 -- Daniel implores Frank to stay on the exact same heading back to the freighter -- no matter what.
9:57 -- Frank is gathering up everyone to get on the helicopter. Does anyone actually believe that helicopter is getting off the island tonight?
9:58 -- Well, there it goes ...
9:59 -- WHO IS SAYID WORKING FOR?!?!?!
10:00 -- Ben!!!!!!
All along I was more interested in finding who Sayid's boss was rather than Elsa's. The fact that it was Ben was a surprise of sorts, sure. But was it really surprising?
As soon as Sayid told his golf buddy, Mr. Avellino, that he was from the Oceanic 6, the man's expression changed immediately. And Mr. Avellino's quick exit was telling as well -- he knew he had to get away. He knew people were after him and he knew it had to do with Oceanic Flight 815. He acted more out of guilt than fear. Mr. Avellino and the economist did something and they are paying for it -- at the hands of Ben and Sayid. As Ben said, "Remember what happened last time you thought with your heart and not with your gun."
And who else but Ben would lead an attack against the people that did harm to the island and the Losties? Whatever happens on the island between "now" and Sayid's flashforward, one thing is clear -- not everything turns out peachy keen. Ben and Sayid (and maybe others) obviously feel someone has to pay for what they have done there.
I give this episode a B. Watching the Losties grow further and further apart is particularly interesting, and I am really digging the flashforwards. I love the idea of knowing a lot about what happens, but not knowing how they get there.
But here is my question to you this week: Are we learning too much about what happens off the island? Is it ruining some of the show for you?
I am now two weeks and over 200 questions behind, but I promise to to do the LDQA this week. Click here to send me a question.
Let's roll:
9:01 -- After a little introspection, Sayid examines Naomi's body and finds a bracelet with the inscription, "N, I'll always be with you. R.G."
9:02 -- "You bring Charlotte back safe, and I will take you off this island." -- Lawnmower Man, I mean Frank.
9:03 -- It's Sayid flash ... s**t, I don't know what it is. This has become my new favorite "Lost" game -- flashback or flashforward. Sayid looks clean, so I'll go flashforward.
9:04 -- "Actually, a plane crash." -- Sayid. Flashforward it is!
9:05 -- Sayid tells his new golfing pal that he is one of the Oceanic 6, and the guy seems a tad shaken. In my opinion, and I'll explain it later, I think Sayid is only the THIRD member of the Oceanic 6.
9:06 -- Sayid lost his golf bet, so he shot the guy. Sore loser if you ask me.
9:08 -- I can't speak for anyone else, but I hope future Sayid is with Nadia.
9:09 -- Sayid's new friend, Elsa, works for an economist -- or should I say, the economist. Every time I hear that word tonight, it will give me goosebumps. Lauren thinks Sayid looks good with his hair like that. Amazing what showering will do.
9:10 -- Future Sayid is quite the smooth talker, but it's not Elsa he's really after.
9:12 -- Locke and his group are walking through the jungle and Ben is looking, well ... beaten. I don't like seeing my Valentine all bloody and bruised.
9:13 -- Jacob's cabin isn't where Locke thought it was. And in episode one, Hurley saw the cabin somewhere completely different ... twice!
9:15 -- Kate jokes with Jack that it sucks not to be brought along on the mission. Who will fill the role of "person who gets held at gunpoint and ruins the plan"?
(Side note: I just got an e-mail from a Diary reader that just said, "OH MY GOD" ... and nothing else.)
9:16 -- Oh wait, Kate is going! Now we know the plan will fail.
9:20 -- Sayid and Miles have a spirited discussion as they walk through the jungle. I think Miles, as times goes on, will become an ally to the Losties. I can't remember where I read this prediction and I take no credit for it -- Miles is there to talk to Jacob.
9:21 -- Sayid and Elsa are headed to the opera, but Sayid is just biding his time 'til he gets to meet the economist.
9:22 -- "Everyone has a boss, Elsa." -- Sayid. I don't know why, but this line creeped the hell out of me. As a matter of fact, it's prediction time: I don't think the economist is all that important; it's who Sayid is working for that is.
9:23 -- Daniel the physicist is all worked up, perhaps over his whole "the light is weird here" thing from last week. The "if Minkowski gets on, you hang up" line from Frank is worth noting.
9:25 -- Daniel's "experiment" was "far more than weird," as he might say. I'll be curious to find out what he learns.
9:26 -- Watching Sayid, Kate and Miles look for Locke and company -- with guns drawn!!! -- is just weird.
9:27 -- I don't want to sound mean or anything, but how many people does it take to tie up Hurley and shove him in a locker? At least five, right?
9:31 -- "Dude, don't ask!" -- Hurley, after he explained to Sayid that Locke thinks Walt told him to kill Naomi.
9:32 -- I've been wondering how time is different on the island versus off for awhile now. Daniel's little "experiment" yielded two clocks that are 31 minutes apart. Mildly significant, no?
9:33 -- If Kate gets taken at gunpoint while searching this house, I swear I will lose my mind. I am almost rooting against it because I don't think I will stop laughing for at least 20 minutes after it happens.
9:34 -- Sayid has seemingly found Ben's secret bookcase room. Along with a panic room, it's one of the two things I want my first house to have.
9:35 -- Team Locke 1, Team Sayid 0.
9:36 -- "Sorry, dude." -- Hurley. I didn't think he had it in him.
9:41 -- "I bet John you wouldn't be stupid enough to fall for your friend as bait." -- Ben to Sayid
9:43 -- Two things about Sawyer's romantic, but uncharacteristic speech to Kate. First, people are FINALLY starting to realize they are better off on the island -- though Kate should have been one of the first to catch on, but wasn't. Shocker. And secondly, I don't think Kate is one of the Oceanic 6. Sure, she's off the island, but shouldn't she be in jail? I think the Oceanic 6 are only the six people that got off the island that the rest of the world knows about. Kate got off another way and she's with someone -- the "him" she mentioned in last season's finale -- that made that possible. Just a thought ...
9:44 -- I reiterate my theory to Lauren that there is no way Sawyer lives to make it off the island. She was as close to strangling me as anyone has ever come.
9:45 -- Sayid, Locke and Ben need to be alone in a room together more often. I have no idea what Sayid is planning, and if I had to pick whose plan I trust more ... ahhhhh! I'm torn. I've got to go with Locke, since, in a way, he is following Ben's word.
9:46 -- Sayid is back in bed with Elsa and she's in love with him. This probably won't end well for her.
9:47 -- THE ECONOMIST IS HERE!!! THE ECONOMIST IS HERE!!! THE ECONOMIST IS HERE!!!
9:48 -- Sayid is trying to get Elsa to leave before he kills the economist. Why do hitmen always fall in love with their targets and then try and save them? A little stereotypical for my tastes. If he cares about her, he should have just killed her quickly, twisted as that is.
9:49 -- See??!?!? What did I just say?!?!?!? Sayid should have shot her before SHE SHOT HIM!!! Idiot.
9:50 -- Now he had to shoot her anyway. Could have saved himself a gunshot wound.
9:54 -- Desmond is just a little pissed at Frank for not telling how about Penny. Still not sure how she factors into this.
9:55 -- Sayid returns ... with Charlotte. What did he offer Locke in exchange?
9:56 -- Daniel implores Frank to stay on the exact same heading back to the freighter -- no matter what.
9:57 -- Frank is gathering up everyone to get on the helicopter. Does anyone actually believe that helicopter is getting off the island tonight?
9:58 -- Well, there it goes ...
9:59 -- WHO IS SAYID WORKING FOR?!?!?!
10:00 -- Ben!!!!!!
All along I was more interested in finding who Sayid's boss was rather than Elsa's. The fact that it was Ben was a surprise of sorts, sure. But was it really surprising?
As soon as Sayid told his golf buddy, Mr. Avellino, that he was from the Oceanic 6, the man's expression changed immediately. And Mr. Avellino's quick exit was telling as well -- he knew he had to get away. He knew people were after him and he knew it had to do with Oceanic Flight 815. He acted more out of guilt than fear. Mr. Avellino and the economist did something and they are paying for it -- at the hands of Ben and Sayid. As Ben said, "Remember what happened last time you thought with your heart and not with your gun."
And who else but Ben would lead an attack against the people that did harm to the island and the Losties? Whatever happens on the island between "now" and Sayid's flashforward, one thing is clear -- not everything turns out peachy keen. Ben and Sayid (and maybe others) obviously feel someone has to pay for what they have done there.
I give this episode a B. Watching the Losties grow further and further apart is particularly interesting, and I am really digging the flashforwards. I love the idea of knowing a lot about what happens, but not knowing how they get there.
But here is my question to you this week: Are we learning too much about what happens off the island? Is it ruining some of the show for you?
I am now two weeks and over 200 questions behind, but I promise to to do the LDQA this week. Click here to send me a question.
Comments
OK, so I watched lost Last night. And Sayid is one of my favorite characters so it's nice to see him involved in a flash-forward.
BUT........
1) I feel as if the show is slowly slipping away from what everyone loved about it. I think it appealled to everyone (or maybe just me), when you were discovering things about the people, and how they intertwined with others on the island. the flash-forwards seem a little too unrealistic at the moment. Sayid killing 2 people? I have a feeling this will all be explained by the end of the season or the end of the series, but right now I don't like the direction they're heading
2) it's becoming too predictable. I totally knew Hurley was setting those guys up, and knew it was Ben in the end with Sayid.
Hopefully it was just a bad episode and they redeem themselves next week, but it all seems a little too scattered right now.
What did you think?
Posted by: Ana (the original) | February 15, 2008 07:52 AM
Ok...maybe I'm naive...I was surprised it was Ben. My boyfriend kept saying, "Is that Ben?" and I kept saying..."no...why?"
I find your theory particularly interesting in that Kate is NOT one of the 6...but instead managed to get off the island in other means. My thought for who she had to get back to was either Sawyer (not doubtful from last night's episode) or...a baby that she had because of Sawyer. Though I am confused at why she is famous and not behind bars...hmm...perhaps she managed to make a deal of immunity to get off the island (making her one of the 6) in exchange, she keeps quiet. Afterall, people seemed to have gained something after leaving. Jack was able to return to work thought he was on probation. Hurley was a millionaire, so he just had to go back to his life anyway. Kate...she gets to leave freely and be famous...Sayid...did he really receive money from Oceanic 815? Perhaps...but he could always be getting paid in another way.
Thanks for the post :-) I love reading other peoples' thoughts on the show.
Posted by: Natalie | February 15, 2008 08:04 AM
This episode was GREAT!!!. I was neither here or there after the first two episodes for my expectations were high, and I was not feeling the flash forwards; but last night, it ROCKED!!!! Loved, Loved, Loved the ending that was after I survived near heart failure. I give it an A+
Posted by: Peachy | February 15, 2008 08:06 AM
Damn Sayid looks good in a tux!!!!!!!! Wasn't expecting the Ben at the end though. Love the flashforwards, I agree with you , it's fun trying to figure out how they got there. Vincent is one of the 6 - cause they always have to save the dog
Posted by: mo | February 15, 2008 08:08 AM
Those LOST writers deserve some awards man - I've always liked the small details; the similar bracelet on Elsa and Naomi, the way the light doesn't scatter ... the little twists make it what it is!!
Posted by: NiKo | February 15, 2008 08:09 AM
I LOVED this episode! The clocks being off time... Sayid working for Ben in the ff... The secret room in Ben's house... Them leaving on the helicopter... Locke losing Jacob's cabin and Ben calling him out on it... so many interesting and great things.
Did anyone notice Elsa was wearing the same bracelet as Naomi? How did Desmond get a ride on the heli? Curious to know what name was on Ben's passport...
I give this episode an A+... It made me wish the hour wasn't up.
Posted by: Lissy | February 15, 2008 08:09 AM
I liked the episode. I also like the Flash-forward & flash-backs. I keep changing stuff in my head as to how the "Oceanic 6" got to where they are in the future.
I, too, knew it was Ben that was Sayid's boss. I wasn't sure about Hurley, though. I thought maybe that's how he got OFF the island, is by "switching teams".
Posted by: Kristen | February 15, 2008 08:10 AM
Loved the episode! As much as I love the flashforwards, I have to say, there's something really unsettling about watching the characters we've grown to love become such different people off the island.
Here's my latest theory...Sayid is Ben's "man on the boat"!! now that we actually have confirmation that there is some sort of time travel/time distortion thing going on. is it not plausible that in the outside world, sayid has already arrived on the boat, even though in island time, he was just leaving for it?
Posted by: Jen in Jersey | February 15, 2008 08:11 AM
I think that it is awesome that we get to see what is happening off of the island. It is like a little taste of the end of a novel, but you have no idea what happened in the middle. I think us seeing what is happening off of the island in the future will be so important to what is happening on the island now and why all of the people are there - especially the "rescuers". I LOVE THIS SHOW!!
Posted by: Rocky & Sunny | February 15, 2008 08:15 AM
Lissy: Ben's name on the passport was "Dean Moriarty"
Posted by: Bandirun | February 15, 2008 08:15 AM
Miles was left with Locke who is in search of Jacob so that could make that prediction of Miles being there to talk to Jacob true... Seeing Hurley pull a fast one on Team Sayid makes the dynamics of his flash forward with Jack in the gym even more significant. This story is turning out to be HUGE!!! There is so much of the story left to tell. I'm thinking with these final seasons no episode will be less than a "B".
Posted by: Bec | February 15, 2008 08:16 AM
OMG! First and foremost, Sayid is HOT!!!! OK, just had to get it off my chest. I loved the episode until the very end. How nicely it tied in to Daniel's last week's "Leave it to Sayid" show :-). I was like, "yeah, Sayid came back from the island with a vengence and he means business!", but him working for Ben totally ruined it for me. It kind of put him back into the killing/torturing machine from Iraq. I'm assuming there has to be a darn good reason for him to stoop so low to be under Ben's thumb.
He's still hot though!
Posted by: Hot for Sayid | February 15, 2008 08:16 AM
Jen in Jersey .... that is an AWESOME theory. Very interesting!!!
Posted by: Little Billy | February 15, 2008 08:18 AM
Jen in Jersey: How is it possible that Sayid could be Ben's man on the boat? The time difference is only 31 minutes between the boat and the island??
Posted by: NiKo | February 15, 2008 08:19 AM
"...is it not plausible that in the outside world, sayid has already arrived on the boat, even though in island time, he was just leaving for it?"
Ooooooooh! I like it.
Posted by: Shelllley | February 15, 2008 08:20 AM
I also think we're missing the significance of Desmond being one of the ones who gets to go to the boat first. Nothing is random on that show. And Desmond has some sort of clairvoyant powers. Maybe something, maybe nothing.
Posted by: bec | February 15, 2008 08:21 AM
I think that the episode was great! And in anwsering your questions I don't think we are learning to much because even though it seems we are. The flash fowards are almost like mini episodes the tell a little but no all. One prediction I have and don't know if it was stated but I think that the guy Jack was all ate up over in the first flas foward ever is Ben and at this point in the series I will be through a party for his death he has caused the losties to much grief.
Posted by: Melissa | February 15, 2008 08:23 AM
I agree that Lost is getting a little predictable at times. But, for every predictable aspect, there are at least two unpredictable things that happen.
I too have thought that there was no way Kate was part of the Oceanic 6. I mean, why would they let her off the hook for murder, just for being in a plane crash, unless the government feels guilty or something. Interesting that Locke couldn't find the cabin. Perhaps you don't find the Jacob, the Jacob finds you!!!
I'm becoming more and more convinced of the "Vile Vortices" theory with every episode. It just makes the most sense, and Daniel's experiment sort of plays into that. That being said, I wonder where the "freighter" is actually located. If the Vortex thing is true, then the ship could be anywhere in the world!
If Ben is a good guy, as has been previously talked about, then why is he always caught up in bad things? What is his purppose? What is he doing when he is globe hopping, using all of his passports? Is he the real Jason Bourne? "The Ben Identity?"
The writers can't do anything for me to stop watching either. I will be there until the end, for sure. I just hope we get some really good insights coming up. The next episode may be a let down, but I assure you that by the end of the season (strike shortened or not) we will have so much to think about our heads will be aching!
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2008 08:27 AM
Alrighty, this sounds much better in my head than when I put it in writing. I think the new team (Miles and Co.)unleashes something bad by trying to contact Jacob, the black smoke or just the real natives of the island. That bad something causes really bad (can't think of a better way to describe it) things to occur and the "Oceanic Six" flee the island with a promise to not reveal what has occurred. Better to let the world believe they died in the crash. Due to the Oce6 abandoning their friends to the bad something with no defenses, they feel supreme guilt and begin to feel they must return to the island. It must be a really bad situation on the island because the Oce6 begin to fall apart the longer they have to dwell on what they've done. (as evidenced by the flash forwards) Like I said...sounds better in my head. Can't wait for the rest of the episodes!!!!
Posted by: Pinxslip | February 15, 2008 08:35 AM
NiKo: I think what Daniel's little experiment was showing us is that time moves a lot faster in the real world than on the island. Which means that the distance between the time on the island and real world time is growing exponentially...so who knows what real world time actually is and how long Sayid could have been on the freighter by now.
Posted by: Jen in Jersey | February 15, 2008 08:35 AM
maybe kate has to get back to BEN!
Posted by: T | February 15, 2008 08:36 AM
At first glance, I didn't like the episode. However, I couldn't sleep, rehashing it over and over in my head, so I guess it was better than I thought.
Particularly intersting is your mention of Kate nd not being of the Oceanic 6. Remember in the first flashforward and she meets Jack and says, "He's going to wonder where I am"- she says that much like Juliet used to speak of Ben. From last night we know that Ben gets off the island, do you think that Kate is working for Ben in exchange for immunity of some kind? This also brings back a lot of speculation from last season that somehow, some way, Kate is the daughter of Annie. We never knew for certain that Annie was killed and Ben kept her doll... aside from Alex, she has been the only one for whom Ben has loved...
Other ideas I've tossed around. When Sayid is first shown golfing in Seychelles with Mr. Avellino, he killed him. Then we meet Elsa in the cafe who works for the Economist that Sayid is off to kill. Could Mr. Avellino have been in The Economist and that golf scene was a FF and the Elsa stuff was a flashback of what happened before he found The Economist? Just a thought-
Also worthy of note: all the passports, and secret rooms and business suits. Ben is a spy. Elsa and The Economist were speaking Russian. Russians drink vodka. Widmore produces vodka. People start making connections for me please, there is SOMETHING here. Ben is a KGB spy?
Remember how Ben was tortured and emprisoned in the armory when he was 'Henry Gale'? Despite being beaten and manipulated by even the best (Sayid) he didn't divulge anything, in fact, he was still pitting people against one another and playing on their weakest traits. Sayid was the one to figure out the Henry Gale thing... which leads me to this...
When Ben says "I've got a man on the boat", that scene may have been a flashforward (like a flashforward within the present storyline). He might mean Sayid. Sayid works for Ben to protect the left behind Losties...
Having said that, it would stand to reason that Kate would work for Ben too... the Losties are still on the island, don't want to be found and Kate is protecting Sawyer.
One more thing that has nagged me for the past few episodes. Where are the Others? Richard? Aren't they wondering what has happened to Ben & Locke? Why haven't they returned to the barracks? How big IS this island? Where are they?
Posted by: LOST in TEXAS | February 15, 2008 08:36 AM
Anyone else think that the "he" that Kate has to get back to could be Ben? Could Ben be her boss too?
Posted by: Kate | February 15, 2008 08:37 AM
Larry, thanks for making my day! "The Ben Identity?" might be the funniest thing I have heard in 2008! Cheers!
Posted by: Ana (the original) | February 15, 2008 08:37 AM
I forgot one thing that is HUGE!!!
When Ben sent Michael and Walt off the island in the boat, he gave them coordinates and told them they HAD TO STAY ON THOSE EXACT COORDINATES to be rescued.
Last night, Daniel said that Frank HAD TO STAY ON THE SAME BEARING THEY CAME IN ON (meaning coordinates) and it was really important.
Daniel knows that one wrong latitude or longitudinal line will not get them out.
This, along with the 31 minutes difference plays into the vortices theory (Bermuda Triangle) and the island being some sort of portal.
Posted by: LOST in TEXAS | February 15, 2008 08:39 AM
I think the person that Kate had to get back to in her FF was Ben. He obviously has some kind of hold on Sayid, so why not on Kate too?
Posted by: aselb | February 15, 2008 08:39 AM
i thought the weirdest thing was when sayid was looking at naomi's bracelet, he seemed so interested by it. and then later we see the same one on elsa, it was almost like he already thought naomi's bracelet looked familiar. and it seemed like he really cared that naomi was dead, when he closed her eyes and brought her on the helecopter and covered her up...he's seen tons of dead bodies, why should he care about her? he doesn't trust those people anyways. i don't understand!!!
Posted by: cammies | February 15, 2008 08:40 AM
My two cents: The Economist is Penny's father. The bracelet that Sayid noticed on Elsa's hand (that matched the one on Naomi) is of some significance. I think both were working for Penny's father. I agree with Daniel that Kate is not counted in the "Oceanic Six" - she obviously gets off the island, but either not as her true identity of Kate, or not with the "6" known to the general public. Charlotte very well may be Ben's "man" on the boat - the shooting thing from the previous episode looked like a ploy with Ben aware of her bullet proof vest. More thoughts... but too many to mention quickly here now. GREAT EPISODE!!!
Posted by: Michele | February 15, 2008 08:42 AM
One completely irrelevant thing to say:
Sayid, you sexy, sexy, ridiculously HOT man.
Posted by: someGirl | February 15, 2008 08:42 AM
Did anyone notice that ELSA was wearing a similar bracelet to Naomi?
Posted by: katie | February 15, 2008 08:42 AM
again...lots of "what the?!?!" moments...i'm really diggin sayid right now...
I AM TOTALLY ON BOARD WITH KATE NOT BEING ONE OF OF "OCEANIC 6"....
i was counting last night going...wait..that's 5 people off the island...but my bf was all "ben wasn't on the plane..." and considering that kate isn't in jail etc....so BRILLIANT! i can't wait to see what happens...
Posted by: shanners | February 15, 2008 08:43 AM
I'm just not sure how they are going to tie all of this up in the end, and I am hoping that they don't "forget" to explain little mysteries that we still haven't had solved from like 2 seasons ago.
Last night's episode was pretty good, I guessed that Sayid was working for Ben, but I didn't see Hurley double crossing them. I was kinda sad about that actually.
I'm curious to find out how Kate gets off the boat and goes free when she's a felon. And I do hope that Sawyer is one of the people who get off, he's my absolute favorite and I think I would have a really hard time watching if he died.
I think the time difference stuff is going to start playing more of a part in future episodes. I'm also still reeling about the polar bear remains from last week. That was my biggest "WTF!" moment so far this season.
Posted by: Christina | February 15, 2008 08:43 AM
I was definitely buying into the theory that Kate might not be one of the Oceanic 6, and that she's off the island working for Ben in the future. but then i just remembered...in the preview for next week, didn't they show Kate walking through some sort of media frenzy with sunglasses on? which would imply that she was part of the Oceanic 6 celebrity frenzy. the preview flashes by so quickly though, so I could be wrong.
Posted by: Jen in Jersey | February 15, 2008 08:43 AM
Great post Daniel! I, like Daniel, believe Ben will turn out to be a good guy. As to how Kate could be walking around free or how a plane full of people could be found at the bottom of the ocean, we have got to be dealing with some very powerful people here. With unlimited resources and money, almost any thing is possible. I also think the writers have the whole story already written and worked out so I'm sure everything is going according to plan. See ya!
Posted by: shell | February 15, 2008 08:44 AM
I think maybe Kate said she was someone from the crash who didn't survive, yet had no relations left in the "real world." Or she is claiming to be someone like Juliet, who wouldn't be considered part of the Oceanic 6.
I definitely noticed the 2 bracelets and am so curious what that was about. Do we think The Economist is Abbadon, who we've seen in the first 2 episodes and who seems to be very important this season?
I liked the flash forwards at first, but I really miss finding out how they each got there, and I don't want to know everyone who gets off the island. It sort of ruined it for me last night because I kept thinking "something is going to happen to the helicopter" when it took off, but then I thought "well, no, Sayid lives, so it can't be anything bad."
Posted by: Jenn | February 15, 2008 08:45 AM
What if Kate is also working for future Ben? He could be the "he" she has to get back to.
Posted by: JLM | February 15, 2008 08:46 AM
Oh man! I have a headache from all that we learned in the episode. First, Sayid is freakin' hot! Hello! And still a badass. I always want to be on his good side, but I'd still be on his team. Second, Ben's secret room had me all giddy. He travels off the island. Hee hee! Third, Hurley is increasingly growing some balls, you know? Costs him in the end, though. Third, I still hate Jack and had to laugh when he lost Kate yet again. Finally, just when I was worried that Ben wasn't running the show anymore, he confirms that he's still running the show. You are the man! Daniel, you picked the right Valentine.
Posted by: cathead67 | February 15, 2008 08:47 AM
"Everyone has a boss, Elsa." -- Sayid. Is similar to Ben telling Locke "We all answer to someone..."
Posted by: someGirl | February 15, 2008 08:47 AM
Jen: Thanks for the explanation, but I still see some loopholes. I agree that the theory that time is different in both places, however ...
If Sayid is on the boat, it is an assumption that he would have come from the future (Future Sayid); so how will Ben know that Future Sayid is on the boat, when he has just encountered Past Sayid?
Sayid on the boat seems too easy for our beloved Lost writers ...
Posted by: NiKo | February 15, 2008 08:48 AM
If Kate is not one of the Oceanic 6, why in the promos for next week, is she surrounded by paparazzi and called one of the most famous (or maybe recognizable) people in the world?
Posted by: aselb | February 15, 2008 08:49 AM
hey folks. long time blog-stalker, first time commenter. i thought last night's episode was an A, for sure. i'm wondering what could be powerful enough to make sayid agree to do ben's bidding... sayid seemed uncharacteristically weeny at the very end. and did anyone else expect to suddenly see rabbits with numbers on their sides in the cages at the vet? hehe.
Posted by: tree | February 15, 2008 08:51 AM
Math time!
Okay, being the nerd I am, and not posting before, I thought about the time difference.
In around 3 hours averaging out the times, the difference between the clocks was 31 minutes. So I'll just go with easy stuff cause it's still early. 10 minutes an hour goes by faster on the outside.
Jack mentions not seeing a game in 90 days. That's a total of 2160 hours on the island. If for every hour, an extra 10 minutes goes by on the "outside", this would mean that in 2160 hours, an extra 21600 minutes went by. In other words, 360 hours, or a total of 15 days so far.
No idea what this means yet, but that's 2 weeks of extra time - and anyone else notice Aaron (Claire's baby) looks ALOT older than just about 2.5-3 months old? He looks closer to 9 months. I know that babies often look a bit older in showbiz - BUT the baby was born on the island, the first one.
This kid looks about ready to walk...
Posted by: Mary P. | February 15, 2008 08:55 AM
i wonder if sayid working for ben has anything to do with nadia? it seems like if sayid got off the island and nadia was alive and well, they would be together and sayid would be happy. and maybe that's ben's reference to sayid's heart getting in the way before.
Posted by: cammies | February 15, 2008 08:55 AM
The bracelet has to be of some importance. "N-I'll always be with you-RG" Could Sayid's Nadia be the N?, RG-could be a nickname for Sayid? If Ben has Nadia, Sayid would certainly do his bidding! Also to "Tree"-I was looking for the white rabbits too!
Posted by: Tootsie1 | February 15, 2008 09:01 AM
Interesting point Tree makes. The fact that Ben is in a vet clinic to treat Sayid is important. Brings up thoughts of rabbits for sure...
Also, Sayid was shot in Berlin. Is Ben in Berlin? It sure seemed unlikely, I got the impression that Sayid's boss was elsewhere, considering he had been seen golfing in the Seychelles.
Also thought it was interesting that Ben sought out the advice of Juliet, a genetic specialist but not a surgeon and Jack a back surgeon and listened to everything they said as if he knew nothing about medicine himself. Last night when he extracted Sayid's bullet, he certainly seemed familiar with medical procedure and bed side manner.
My question is this:
JUST WHAT EXACTLY IS REAL ABOUT BENJAMIN LINUS?
-now he's got a zillion passports and the Swiss one we saw has the name Dean Moriarty
-he knows medicine but acted like he didn't on the island
-he fabricated the whole Henry Gale story as if it were real
-told Alex she was his daughter
-SO MUCH MORE!
Is Benjamin Linus even his real name?
Posted by: LOST in TEXAS | February 15, 2008 09:02 AM
After a little introspection, Sayid examines Naomi's body and finds a bracelet with the inscription, "N, I'll always be with you. R.G." - i copied that part from you
NOW this is what im thinking...
in the secret room sayid found the initials on one of bens passports was ryan with a with a last name that started with g. ben said he had someone on the boat who could have been naomi. i mean, he hasnt said yet who and just because he said he has someone on the boat doesnt say whether they are dead or alive right now...
far fetched a little bit maybe, but worth a shot
Posted by: sarah badara | February 15, 2008 09:03 AM
I'm not enjoying seeing how our losties turn out in the flashfowards. Would love if at the end of the series they all find some kind of peace.
Posted by: T | February 15, 2008 09:03 AM
After a little introspection, Sayid examines Naomi's body and finds a bracelet with the inscription, "N, I'll always be with you. R.G." - i copied that part from you
NOW this is what im thinking...
in the secret room sayid found the initials on one of bens passports was ryan with a with a last name that started with g. ben said he had someone on the boat who could have been naomi. i mean, he hasnt said yet who and just because he said he has someone on the boat doesnt say whether they are dead or alive right now...
far fetched a little bit maybe, but worth a shot
Posted by: sarah badara | February 15, 2008 09:04 AM
sorry for my thing coming up twice oops...
i could be wrong about the name thing. im in class right now so i cant check the play back, but i really could have sworn the name on the passport was a r.g. name.
Posted by: sarah badara | February 15, 2008 09:06 AM
I didn't know it was Ben until he started talking, then I knew. When he asked Sayid if he wanted to protect his friends or not...do you think he's talking about the other Oceanic 6 or the friends that are perhaps still on the island? Also, did you notice that Elsa had on the same bracelet as Naomi?
Posted by: mandi | February 15, 2008 09:08 AM
Great post as usual Daniel!
I love the flash forwards. This show is able to evolve constantly, and we never know what's going to happen next!
I love the theory stated above that Kate is speaking of Ben in her famous quote. Wouldn't it be great if all our Losties that make it off island (Oceanic 6 or not) are under Ben's control. He is the mastermind! Ben is the most awesome bad guy ever!
Small point to LOST in TEXAS above: Elsa and her boss were not speaking Russian, but German. Sayid was in Berlin when he met Elsa. He was probably still in Berlin when he went to see Ben, his wound was fresh.
Posted by: anniea in Quebec | February 15, 2008 09:08 AM
Naomi couldn't be the 'man on the boat', Ben knows she's dead. Maybe Abbadon?
Guys do you have any idea why Frank told Dan to hang up if he got Minkowski and not Regina when using the phone? This must be significant but I can't figure out why
How did Desmond just waltz up and decide he was going on that chopper so easily and it was accepted? Seemed sorta weird.
Posted by: LOST in TEXAS | February 15, 2008 09:08 AM
Good catch Anniea, thank you-
Posted by: LOST in TEXAS | February 15, 2008 09:10 AM
Ben has a twin brother...
Posted by: Bunz | February 15, 2008 09:12 AM
another thing that just popped up.
remember in the flash forward last week when jack when to see hurley and he said he was thinking about growing a beard?
okay now go back to the first flash forward ever...jack had a beard, went to funeral, called kate...kate asked why would i go?
that explains whos funeral (hurley). and she is definitely with ben, there is not a doubt in my mind.
id like to throw this out there...any thoughts on christian (jacks dad)? im positive he is not dead and he is definitely a major player in ALL of this!
Posted by: sarah badara | February 15, 2008 09:16 AM
Puzzled as well, I thought the twist was different last night. I thought the 'economist' was Ben not Sayid's boss.
I'm also very curious as to what the hidden room was about. Ben had multiple passports, money etc. Why? Is he a secret agent of some sort. I would also assume he can leave the island easily when necessary.
Posted by: cmc | February 15, 2008 09:18 AM
ben does know that naomi is dead, but do you really think he is going to admit that his "informant" is dead? its ben! he will try to fool everyone as long as he can. just because she may be dead doesnt mean he doesnt already have all this information on whats going on.
Posted by: sarah badara | February 15, 2008 09:21 AM
Anybody notice that in last week's episode (season 3, ep 2), when Hurley goes into Jacobs cabin that the figure (Jacob) inside LOOKS A HELLUVA LOT LIKE JACK'S DAD, DR SHEPPARD?!?!?!?!?!?
(I love the theory that Jack's boozebag dad refuses to die - remember him steppin out behind the bush?)
Anybody else have Jacob/Jack's dad ideas?
ps: I want Sayiid to torture Jacob so bad ...
Posted by: BooRadley47 | February 15, 2008 09:27 AM
I googled the name on the passport and go this - "Dean Moriarty is a fast-talking, womanizing product of Denver reform schools who came to New York, improbably enough, to learn to be a writer. Sal idolizes Dean for his cowboy style, his ease with women and his exuberant joy in living. (Dean Moriarty is Jack Kerouac's real-life crazy friend Neal Cassady, and almost everything in this book, as in all Kerouac's books, really happened.)" hmmmmmmm
Posted by: aselb | February 15, 2008 09:34 AM
Yes, Naomi and Elsa had on the same bracelet, so they must work (must have worked) for the same organization, i.e. the people that want Ben. Ben is somehow globe hopping, causing all kinds of inconvenient things to happen for these Economist/R.G./Abbadon people.
To Lost in Texas, they didn't really say it, but because Naomi had a picture of Desmond with her, then I would say that Jack, Sayid, etc. probably felt like he should be one of the firsts to go to the boat. He's also pretty good at kicking butt and handling situations, which will help on the boat. But, that being said, why hasn't he had any "visions" lately about the boat?
Ten bucks says that Frank doesn't stick to the coordinates, and they don't make it to the boat yet. Who knows, I've been wrong plenty of times. It just seems too early to find out who's on the boat. They don't have much fuel in the chopper, but there's probably some on the island somewhere.
One more thing, anyone remember when Dharma dropped all of those supplies on the island during Season 1? How come they haven't done that again? Maybe they only do one drop a year or something. Plus where, and when, did those supplies come from?
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2008 09:36 AM
I googled "Moriarty" and this was the first link:
Professor Moriarty is a fictional character who is the best known antagonist (and archenemy) of the detective Sherlock Holmes. Widely considered to be the first true example of a supervillain, Moriarty is a criminal mastermind...
his first name is James though. It seems like all the names have some hidden meaning, wonder if this one is important?
Posted by: vincent | February 15, 2008 09:37 AM
So, here's some of my thoughts...I like the direction the show is going, I have faith in the writers, they are brilliant..After this last episode, I definately think Ben is the one in the coffin and that is why Jack is so tore up. Ben is the only one that knows how to get back to the island, and with him gone, Jack can't get back like he wants to. I think Ben will end up as a good guy in all this. We can't see it now, but there is a method to his madness and that's why I think Sayid ends up working for him. I think that the people that came on the island to "rescue" the Losties were there to find Ben and the fact that they happened upon survivors is a coincidence. I don't think they are bad. Obviously they are being kept in the dark about some things. I really hope that Locke doesn't lose it and turn into a complete psycho. He is still my favorite. All you out there that seem surprised at how hot Sayid is...umm hello? Where have y'all been? Personally, I prefer messy, scruffy, island Sayid..Either way though, that man is FINE and always has been..yum
Posted by: kirstie | February 15, 2008 09:42 AM
I like that he has a thing for blondes! ; )
Posted by: cathead67 | February 15, 2008 09:45 AM
Oceanic 6: Jin, Sun, Kate, Sayid, Jack, Hurley. Mark my words. It'll be them.
Kate's "him" from last season in the flashforward is Claire's baby Aaron (why not?). Kate returns, has a trial, Jack helps get her accquitted by testifying that she is a heroine. May not make sense now, but be patient. There's something there.
Remember that Desmond and Juliet, if they come back, were not on Oceanic 815. So 8 could return but we'd still have the 6.
If you recorded The Economist, go back and turn up the volume in the beginning when Sayid is meditating. A little "snore" sound happens right before he opens his eyes and stares at Naomi. Is she really dead? Remember Nikki & Paolo? They weren't really dead, but everyone thought they were.
Naomi's bracelet is a tracking device. Hence the inscription "I'll always be with you." My guess is that this is why Elsa is wearing it later.
Another thing worth noting from last night's ep were two comments between Ben and Sayid. First, remember when Sayid, Locke and Ben were in the barracks together and Sayid said about Ben, "the day I start trusting him is the day I've sold my soul." Well, that's interesting given the ending. Secondly, at the end of the show Ben tells Sayid, "I have a new name for you." Could it be John Latham? the name of the gentleman who died in Jack's flashforward during last season's finale (got the name courtesy of a screencap). The name thing is significant, just don't know how yet.
Posted by: pennysboat | February 15, 2008 09:45 AM
Has anyone thought that the "HIM" that kate talks about in the first flashforward is Ben? Could it be that she is still on the island but she got preggers and needed to come back to the real world to have her baby??? I mean if the kid was James's kid im sure he would beat ben until he let kate back into the real world ? just a thought
Posted by: Ashleigh | February 15, 2008 09:45 AM
A Couple of New Theories
1. Who are the Oceanic 6? (and who else got off the island). This is highly repetitive of many comments here, but Ben is not one of the Oceanic 6, b/c he wasn't on the plane. Also, Kate may not be one of the Oceanic 6 if she was still on the run and got off with (maybe) Ben's help. This brings up a very interesting quandry. Who else may have got off the island that are not part of the Oceanic 6?
For starters, it could be anyone who was not on the plane. This obviously included Ben, but could also include Juliette, Desmond and any of the Others. Further, if Kate got off but is not one of the "Oceanic 6", who is to say that even more get off the island, but for whatever reason are not identified as a survivor. I personally don't see this happening, at least not a lot, but the writers have given themselves a lot of slack here.
2. The Flashforwards are in the future but do not represent the end (i.e., Season 6) of the show. My guesses not based on anything: I think we are going to see people getting off the island sooner (as in this season), rather than later. That would most likely take us through the end of Season 4. Then Season 5 will focus on off island struggles of the Oceanic 6 and others that get off the island. The theme is shaping up to be those who got off had to make some really bad choices and had to leave some behind, damned to stay on the island. This sets up for a return to the Island to rescue the left behinds and/or to all perish for Season 6.
Posted by: Dude! | February 15, 2008 09:45 AM
I think you are wrong about Kate. Kate is one of the Oceanic 6, because somewhere in last nights episode, the showed her getting out of a car, and the someone was saying something like "recoginized everywhere" and then I heard "Oceanic 6". I think it might have been in the previews for next week.
Posted by: Melody | February 15, 2008 09:47 AM
Considering the fact that I just got a masters degree in intelligence and am a total spy nerd, I'm loving every minute of the crazy covert world of "off-the-island." Covert missions to find the island, sayid becoming and international man of mystery... it keeps getting better!! At first I was wary of where the story would go, but I don't think that they are giving too much away. Think about how much more there is to know - yeah they have departed from telling the stories of the Losties, but we know their stories - now we can learn how they all ended up on the plane together - was it by design that they all happened upon the island? How are they connected to the people who came looking for ben? There are so many mysteries still out there and I think the fact that so many huge things are being revealed, i.e. sayid working for ben, means that in reality just the surface is being shown to us now. The inner workings of all these things will slowly unravel I think.
I love it!!!
Posted by: Erin | February 15, 2008 09:49 AM
Minkowski(guy not to talk to on the phone) must be Ben's spy, those helicopter folks know or suspect this
Posted by: cmc | February 15, 2008 09:58 AM
I completely agree with the theory that Jacob finds you, you don't find Jacob. Something my boyfriend brought up that I really liked was I wonder if we go back to the episode where Ben takes Locke to see Jacob, if Ben is just wandering around looking for it (as in he doesn't find it himself) but that Locke actually stumbles on it. I don't remember that episode as well as I should, so I'm wondering if someone remembers how they find Jacob's cabin.
I think the thought that everyone is working for Ben in the outside world is a nifty idea.
For a little bit, I was thinking that Ben is making Sayed kill all the Dharma people who are trying to get back to the island to take advantage of its special nature. Obviously something is cool about the island, but we already know that. I'm still not sure about this, but it does make a lot of sense.
The big problem with Ben having a twin brother is we've seen Ben's birth scene. There was only one baby. And why would the dad abandon the other twin while he brought Ben to the island? Doesn't make sense.
Ok, so the bracelet that Naomi was wearing said "N." Why can't that be Naomi? We only saw that Elsa was wearing the same bracelet, not necessarily the same engraving. Sometimes men with many wives give the same gift, but make the personalization slightly different, it seems special, but you can remember the gift. Or maybe the bracelet signifies some organization they are both a part of. Some awesome hitman organization.
Yeah, they were definitely speaking German.
At first, the main thing that upset me was that Sayed was not with Nadia (one of my favorite love stories ever presented in LOST). But, if time travels faster, WAY faster off the island, could it be so that Nadia is old or even not alive anymore? Maybe it's like the Fountain of Life, this island. Once you're on it, you don't age as quickly. Maybe the reason that it was a 31 minute difference was just because of how little it went off of the island. Maybe the further you go off the island, the most time difference it is. Which explains why the freighter isn't constantly calling them, asking where the heck they are. If they knew going in this weird time difference, it wouldn't weird them out they've been gone.
P.S. If they don't explain the four toed statue, I'm going to smack someone.
Posted by: Blair | February 15, 2008 09:59 AM
love the blog as always, and loved the show last night!! i sort of had a feeling sayid would wind up reporting to ben at some point, although i thought it would happen on the island as opposed to in the future off the island. remember sayid said something along the lines of "the day i trust ben is the day i sell my soul"? that was major foreshadowing for me. perhaps that explains why he is so sad-looking (yet still amazingly hot!!) at the end of the show? he is going back to his torturing/murdering ways to protect his friends (although i'm not sure if it's the oceanic 6 or the people still on the island)... and probably also to protect himself.
Posted by: lynn | February 15, 2008 09:59 AM
The real question about he passports and money in Ben's secret room is "when" are they from. Ben is a time traveler. He's been using a time machine on and off the island for years......
Posted by: MyNugget | February 15, 2008 10:00 AM
I like the losties pitting themselves against each other. Very "Lord of the Flies" ish. The whole Ben is boss protecting the island was no surprise. In fact, I thought the whole episode was very predictable and somewhat of a letdown. Flash forwards are the new flashbacks, obviously. Gotta say, the flash forward of Sayeed blowing out people's guts sure did beat the flashback of Kate crying over a toy airplane. I wish we could get some answers to the mysteries of the island before we chase more Oceanic 6 rabbit trails. What the heck is the black smoke? Who/what is Jacob?
Posted by: JJ | February 15, 2008 10:00 AM
I noticed Kate in the preview for next week as well...it always seemed that the only one really out to get her was the agent on the plane who died after the crash. This may help explain why she's free in the future. But the theme here seems to be that the Losties lose their redemption and things go downhill when they leave the island, and I have a feeling that when we see a Kate FF, we'll see she's dealing with problems of her own...
I hadn't considered it before, but it makes so much sense that Ben is the one Kate has to get back to...
And I'm jumping on board with Daniel's theory that Ben is really not one of the bad guys. Sayid has too much sense to go to the lengths he's gone to for Ben without good reason. I'm also considering the theory that Sayid is the one on the boat...aside from the obvious questions about whether the Sayid we've seen so far is "future" or "past" or "present" Sayid, it seems possible. Especially since when he saw Naomi's bracelet, it seemed to have more significance to him than when he saw Elsa's, as though he'd seen it before...
Posted by: Jamie | February 15, 2008 10:07 AM
i believe Kate is one of the Oceanic 6 because last season's finale, when Jack and Kate meet up in the end and Jack said something like, "you know the golden tickets they gave us to fly anywhere, i have been using those" that means she got those too plus the next week's epi promo shows her as one of the most recognizable people in the world..
oh and anyone considered Elsa working for Mathew Abbaddon?? Naomi and Else both had the same bracelets??
Posted by: bpk | February 15, 2008 10:08 AM
Kate has to be one of the Oceanic 6 bc in the previews for next week you see her surronded by Papparazzi and deemed one of the most recoginzable people in the world.
Also, since now we know that Ben is off the island, maybe he is the guy in the coffin? If he's on and off the island with what we found out about his panic room with all of this identities then what was said about the person that died in the newspaper article is all irrelevant, could be any of his identities.
Posted by: Danielle from VA | February 15, 2008 10:11 AM
The Island has a very strong giant magnet...........Does anyone remember the Philadelphia Experiment? How the Navy made the boat disapear by using electricity and magnatism, making the boat disapear.
Posted by: Brett | February 15, 2008 10:15 AM
I was hoping Ben was the one in the coffin that no one went to see :)
Posted by: MELODY | February 15, 2008 10:18 AM
I heart Sayid and now everyone knows why!!! OMG! How great was Naveeen in last night's show? This episode was amazing! And not just because of a smoking hot Sayid. I'm starting to love the flash fowards. Pish Posh at all you people who feel the writers are giving too much away. I like it. How many times have you watched a movie or a show only to wish you'd gotten more than a glimpse into the chartacter's lives?
Okay so back to the economist---When Sayid told Elsa her boss was not an economist, I kept thinking of Alvar Hanso. Dunno why, just first name that popped into my head.
At 9:49, you should've seen how wide my mouth was gaped open, and heard the gasp I let out! I was so sure my beloved Sayid had been killed. Also, did anyone find it intersting Ben is operating out of either a vet's office or some type of place that conducts animal experiments.
My favorite moment last night: When Locke brings in the iced tea and says to Sayid, "I thought you might be thirsty." I loved it when Ben replied, I'm thirsty", and Locke completely ignored Ben, poured a glass of tea, sat down and drank it himself. Golden!
Posted by: I _heart_Sayid | February 15, 2008 10:18 AM
and hoping Sawyer was who Kate had to get back too!!!!
Posted by: MELODY | February 15, 2008 10:18 AM
I'm wondering how Sam from find815.com fits into all of this? Is he Ben's guy on the boat? Just a thought since Ben has his girlfriend and could've recruited Sam. Since find815.com has been out for weeks now, I'll post the season 4 clues I found.
1. Oceanic phone number, 888 548 0034
2. Penny's phone number, 020 7946 0893
3. Tunisian Newspaper Vol 815
4. Santa Rosa pill bottle
5. Queen's College
Yeah, I don't follow what they are getting at, lol.
Posted by: ambrosia | February 15, 2008 10:33 AM
Here's something for ya to gnaw on... in a quick run to the grocery store I started thinking about how everyone here thinks the guy in the coffin is Ben. The obituary from last season stated he was some guy with a normal name and no one showed for the funeral.
After seeing Ben's stash of passports last night, its very possible it IS Ben in the coffin. But the coffin is closed. No one attends the service. Is it possible that the service is indeed for Ben, but he's not really dead? He's not in the coffin!?!??!?
Posted by: LOST in TEXAS | February 15, 2008 10:33 AM
Re: Dean Moriarty on Ben's passport... Wikipedia says: "Dean Moriarty is one of the protagonists in Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road. Dean grew up in Colorado with a hobo/bum for a father for whom he searches on many occasions. Dean's fanatic personality races from journey to journey and pulls other people along. His various fixations include drugs, women, intellectualism and finally, his father and family life.
It seems to describe Ben quite well.
Posted by: overlytired | February 15, 2008 10:34 AM
I'm at work so I can't check my DVR, but I'm very curious to know if the newspaper that Sayid is holding in the cafe in Berlin has a visible date on it...
Also, some comments on comments:
If Sayid were Ben's "man on the boat", wouldn't the people from the helicopter have recognized him immediately and been like "what are YOU doing here??" I much prefer the idea that it could be Michael, although I doubt that will actually happen...
I love the idea of the Bermuda Triangle vortex! I can see this happening. It would explain so much! And I love the time travel, too.
All this talk of twins is a little ridiculous, I think, and too easy an answer for the writers to fall prey to. Naomi could not possibly have a twin sister on the boat - Miles acknowledged that she doesn't have a sister. Even if she did have one, if she was on the boat he'd know. And Ben's birth was shown, so no twin there. Whoever suggested Kate had a twin, I think you're just getting a little too amped up on twin talk.
If Kate were taking care of Aaron in the flash forward, wouldn't Aaron be one of the Six?
I like the idea that Kate's carrying Sawyer's kid and that this kid is the one she has to get back to.
It couldn't be Hurley's funeral, honestly he wouldn't fit into that size casket. And to whoever said it could be Jack's funeral, hello, Jack is the lone visitor at the funeral. I think it might be Locke's funeral, but I can't explain why. But Jack would definitely have to go to Locke's funeral, if only to make sure he's dead. Which he didn't, since he never opened the casket, but still. And since Locke is so desperate to stay on the island I think it's fair to guess he doesn't get to stay there.
I miss Ecko.
And finally, on a minor note, I think the reason they've been hiding Sun is so when she shows up again next week they can make her look significantly more preggers and pass it off as "time." At least I hope so because I miss Jin and Sun and they'd better not be demoting them to the B team.
Posted by: Sarah | February 15, 2008 10:35 AM
to "Lost in Texas", stay w/us man!! You're way more appreciated over here!!!
Posted by: Tootsie1 | February 15, 2008 10:40 AM
Oh and one more thing:
If the helicoptor pilot guy whose name I forget managed to land the 'copter perfectly (i.e. "what kind of pilot do you take me for??") then how in sam hill did he get all messed up and bloody? Bad editing?
Posted by: Sarah | February 15, 2008 10:42 AM
re: Dean Moriarty. Yes I know that Wikpedia lists the Kerouac reference but plunge alittle deeper and you get this too:
Professor Moriarty is the grandfather of Dean Moriarty. Professor Moriarty is Sherlock Holmes arch-nemesis. Read what else I found...
Holmes described Moriarty as follows:
"He is a man of good birth and excellent education, endowed by nature with a phenomenal mathematical faculty. At the age of twenty-one he wrote A Treatise on the Binomial Theorem, which has had a European vogue. On the strength of it he won the mathematical chair at one of our smaller universities, and had, to all appearances, a most brilliant career before him.
But the man had hereditary tendencies of the most diabolical kind. A criminal strain ran in his blood, which, instead of being modified, was increased and rendered infinitely more dangerous by his extraordinary mental powers. Dark rumours gathered round him in the University town, and eventually he was compelled to resign his chair and come down to London..."
In addition, it also says of Moriarty:
Moriarty is something of a Mafia Godfather; he protects nearly all of the criminals of England in exchange for their obedience and a share in their profits. Holmes, by his own account, was originally led to Moriarty by the suggestion that many of the crimes he perceived were not the spontaneous work of random criminals, but the machinations of a vast and subtle criminal ring.
Sounds a lot like the Ben we know, doesn't it?
Posted by: LOST in TEXAS | February 15, 2008 10:45 AM
Reagrding people not aging on the island, I just don't know where to go on this. On one hand, Richard Alpert (Nester Carbonell), who we really know nothing about except for Ben calling him one of the islands "original inhabitants," doesn't age at all. However, Ben has aged, Alex has aged, and Sawyer's hair has grown incredibly for only a three month span. So, I'm not sure where to go with the time passing slower on the island idea. Unless there's a fountain of youth that Alpert knows about, or he's Jacob, dead, or some other "not real" person.
I know, I know, this doesn't have much to do with this last episode, but I still wonder!!!!
Posted by: Larry | February 15, 2008 10:46 AM
I am sure someone else has said this before, but Sun & Jin are 2 of the Oceanic 6. They were on the flight sitting behind Jack in the finale last year during Jack's flash forward.
I loved last night's episode - it blew me away that Sayid was working for Ben.
Posted by: LoveMyTiara | February 15, 2008 10:46 AM
The next Lost is Kate-centric so its prob her flashforward of how she got off the island. I think the he she was talking about his her son from her and Sawyers "realtions". I think thats why she HAD to leave the island because if she didnt she would die like every other woman that got pregnant on the island. Juliet and Ben both thought "Austin" was pregnant. Ben is usually right
Posted by: Shawn Coalley | February 15, 2008 10:47 AM
I agree with Jen in Jersy and Melody- Kate is at the center of the paparazzi storm in previews for next week so one can assume she is part of the Oceanic 6. I noticed the bracelets and Ben. Did you guys think, when Desmond mentioned Penny Widmore Frank looked at Daniel and then said no that they know more than they are saying- like they know daddy Widmore? And I'd really like to hear what Jack was saying to Milo in the background at the beginning when we were focused on anther conversation. Bummed about Hurley setting up Sayid and Locke is going off his rocker. Sorry I know Locke is sacred around here. I really liked the episode, all this season actually. Can't take much more WTF.
Posted by: jen in ca | February 15, 2008 10:48 AM
Lost in Texas - if Ben was a KGB spy my life would be complete. haha. I love that idea!!
Also - person who said that Kate was getting back to Ben - LOVE IT.
Posted by: Erin | February 15, 2008 10:49 AM
I don't think Kate would have to get back to Aaron or another baby/kid. Why would she leave it alone and not bring with? I believe it's someone that has some kind of hold over her.
Posted by: T | February 15, 2008 10:50 AM
Got this on Lostpedia. Interesting:
# Elsa's employer may prefer to use a pager because they are more reliable than cell phones, e.g. why Doctor's still use pagers.
# The english translation of her german telephone call is: "Hi! What are you doing?You were supposed to call me at 10:30 not at 10:00." In the subtitles the "not at 10:00" was removed. Obviously the intention of the authors was that the pager rang 30 minutes too early, not as mentioned by several people too late.
* Could the call coming 30 minutes to early have to do with the 30 minute time difference from the island? If the call was from the island, the callers time might be 31 minutes ahead of actual time?
Posted by: LOST in TEXAS | February 15, 2008 10:51 AM
Please oh please don't let this all boil down to time travel mumbo jumbo that lets people be in two places at once. Puke my guts out. I can play along with the island being slower than the rest of the world, but that doesn't equate to "time travel" and being able to run into yourself. If Sayid leaves the slow island and catches up to the world, how does he arrive before himself? C'mon.
Posted by: John | February 15, 2008 10:52 AM
I think the "HE" Kate had to get back to in the season finale was BEN! Ben is somehow able to hide the people who do not want to be known as alive when they return; in other words, he now controls many of their lives both on and off the island.
Posted by: kathy | February 15, 2008 10:56 AM
Does anyone else hope that, after everything happens in the flash forwards, at the very end of the series, they all go back to the island and live happily ever after?
Posted by: LoveMyTiara | February 15, 2008 11:02 AM
The island is slower time. Might help explain why Walt was bigger, especially if he left and came back some how. May somehow help explain why Richard didn't appear to age. but doesn't explain why/how Ben aged.
Someone help explain Desmond's visions in all these new theories????
Posted by: T | February 15, 2008 11:05 AM
Kate has to be one of the "6" b/c in the preview for next week's episode, they show her trying to hide her face from the paparazzi, and they say "she has the most recognizeable face in the world"..... Why does no one else think that Micheal is Ben's "man on the boat". He obviously had to repay Ben for letting hima nd his son go... Am I crazy?
Posted by: Shan | February 15, 2008 11:05 AM
Hahaha, I could agree more with you, 'i_heart_sayid', the ice tea scene was the best moment of the show, "i'm thirsty!" Ben was suprisingly sassy for a badly beaten, possibly dehydrated man.
Posted by: phineasgage | February 15, 2008 11:06 AM
If Ben is a time-traveler, then he would know a way to take others with him - like Sayid. It could be that the "Oceanic 6" WERE the only survivors on the island - everyone else dies. However, if Ben can take Sayid back in time, to before the freigher even left the mainland, maybe this was actually a flashback of a flashforward. Sayid is killing those responsible for the attack and killing of his friends. By killing the bad guys before the attack, the Losties are not killed. Nah, too obvious. God, I love this show.
Posted by: Nan | February 15, 2008 11:07 AM
My husband thinks the people from the helicopter (minus the pilot) are children of Jack, Sun & Jin and one other person (from the future). The guy with the power to hear ghosts has the power becuase he was conceived by Sun & Jin on the island. He thinks that is how they are tied in and it has to do with the time travel thing. Hmmm....
Posted by: Angela | February 15, 2008 11:09 AM
To LOVEMYTIARA- I believe that they will all go back to the island. I believe that all other losties (except for the 6) are on the island and the 6 will figure out that they have to go back. I think by the time the show shows them being rescued, they will have all figured out in the flash forwards that they have to go back, and they have to go back together. (Which is why Jack can't seem to be on a plane crash no matter how hard he tries)
Posted by: MELODY | February 15, 2008 11:12 AM
Nan, something you said caught my attention, "everyone else dies." Charlie's visit to Hurley in a flash forward came to mind immediately. When Hurley said "you're dead" Charlie said "yes, but here I am." I am totally paraphrasing but....hmmmm....
Posted by: LoveMyTiara | February 15, 2008 11:14 AM
I'm a broken record, but I'm convinced Michael is Ben's man on the boat.
I also think the vortex concept is the most likely, and that the island is a portal. It explains A LOT, including possibly how Locke's dad was brought to the island.
I have a feeling Ben, and Ben's cause, will become more sympathetic as time goes on. We'll realize that his methods really were to protect. I think think he's easily characterized as "good" or "evil", just like the other losties.
My prediction is that Kate is one the Oceanic 6, and that in exchange for her silence (and possibly skill as a killer??), a deal is made to allow her to avoid jail time.
Remember the 2nd episode ever, where Locke explains backgammon and how one side is "light" and the other "dark"? I think that will turn out to be a major theme, and a big clue as to who people are. No one is a