LDQA -- 4/3
Ok, a few quick things I want to get off my chest before we get started:
-- I am finally all caught up on "Battlestar Galactica." It's good, for sure. Great? I don't know if I can go that far. I was a HUGE fan of the show as a kid, and what they have done with it is amazing -- but sometimes I feel like the show tries a little too hard.
-- I feel like I did you all a disservice by not bringing this up sooner, but "In Treatment" is just beyond phenomenal. It's certainly not for everyone (it's essentially two people talking for 25 minutes) but the writing is amazing and every performance in it is top notch. The girl who plays Sophie deserves an Emmy now for sure. If you can On Demand it, I suggest you give it a shot.
-- If you want to see a totally f'ed up movie that is incredibly good, go see "Funny Games." It's about two yuppy kids who hold a yuppy family hostage and torture them. Is it a downer from start to finish? Absolutely. Is it a superbly-directed, amazingly well-acted movie? Definitely. Not for the faint of heart though, that's for sure.
-- I read every question that comes in. Some I include in the column, some I don't. What makes me pick some over others? I don't know -- I am just looking for the ones that sparks something in me. Most of the time I don't pick a question simply because I don't have a good answer. But keep 'em coming, please. They're all great.
Let's roll:
Q: Now that we know who the Oceanic 6 are, does it make sense to assume that the two other survivors who "died on the island" would have to be Claire (because she birthed Aaron) and Jin (because he had to have impregnated Sun)? -- Jenny
A: Yes. With everything we know now, that would make the most sense to me. But I don't think we know everything there is to know yet. I reserve the right to change my answer on this one.
Q: There is a spot for you on my couch! Of course my couch is in NH, so you'd have quite a distance to travel, if Ari and Lauren ever come back they are welcome too. My question for you is this. If Ben and Jerry's created a Lost Ice Cream flavor what do you think it would be? -- Kelly
A: Thanks for the offer. After my plea for new places to watch "Lost," I have plenty of options across the continental U.S. Good to know if I ever have to travel, I am never hard up for a place to crash. The answer to your question is easy: Chunky Hurley.
Q: I'm new to your posts and site, however, My first visit was last week - you didn't like the episode. I return this week - you didn't like the episode. I know criticism and detail are what you do for this site, but let it go and enjoy the show. There is no other show that grabs me emotionally like this show - from the first frame to the last logo. Remember how you used to enjoy it - and love it for what it is: One of the best shows television has ever had to offer. -- JD
A: Every time I dislike an episode, the majority of the fan reactions fall into one of two categories: totally with me or totally against me. Look, I write down what I think of "Lost" as I am thinking it. I write my summary up as close to when I am done watching as possible. If I don't like, I'm going to say so. I've had people tell me I was too easy on episodes I liked and too hard on ones I hated. Just think of my opinion as a springboard for discussion.
Q: Do you think that you are a little pessimistic this season because you have no one to watch it with and therefore no one to remind you how horrible the show really has been before. I think you are losing a little bit of focus. -- Anna
A: This season I have watched more episodes alone than before. And even when I watch with people, it's fewer people than previous years. The show is on late, I have to wake up early, I've been playing basketball on Thursday nights -- everything has conspired against my "Lost" experience this year.
And when was "Lost" horrible before? Season 3 started off slow, but that's really it to me. I am looking forward to re-watching season 2 this summer because that's the one season that seems to get bashed, when I don't think it should have been.
Q: You grade each episode. What’s your overall grade for Season 4’s first eight episodes? I say B+ -- Matt
A: I'd say a strong B. Every episode has been solid, but it's really lacked those big moments that just knock you on a loop. The Desmond episode was an A+ one for sure, but it wasn't enough to bump the season up for me as a whole. But the season has not been a disappointment to me at all, save for the Michael ep, which could have been better.
Q: First, Did we know that Tom was Gay?! I was suprised by that. Second. If there is a time-warp idea on the island, couldn't the flash-forwards be contingent on what people Choose to do now on the island? So if they end up making different decisions (eg joining locke, turning ben over) the future would also change. Thus, what we are seeing as flash forwards now, might not mean that is how it will actually turn out if and when they get off the island. What do you think?
A: Yes, we knew Tom was gay in season two when he said Kate "wasn't his type." And if the flashforwards aren't real somehow, I will kill someone. That would be stupid.
Q: What do you think happens to Desmond, will anyone have a happy ending? -- Denise
A: Speaking of killing people -- if Desmond and Penny don't get together, a certain short Mexi-Jew I know is going to go on a rampage. No one wants to see that happen. She may be little, but she's feisty.
Q: You wrote "And they did give him a pretty good reason for working for Ben, when really I never thought they'd have a real good one. But I can't shake the feeling that we missed a good opportunity (but I understand that they pretty much can't show Walt ever again)." Why can't they show Walt ever again? I must have missed something. -- Megan
A: Walt is pretty much done for, except for when he shows up as "taller, ghost Walt." Only three months have gone by on the show, but three years in real life. Walt looks older than me now and he seems like he grew three feet. They can't explain that one away.
Q: Do you ever panic in the middle of an episode that isn't going well and think that all these years might have been wasted? Sometimes, my enthusiasm for the show makes me a bit paranoid that it could never come out with as cool an ending as I hope. For example, when things get uber-predictable, like with Michael this past week. If this has ever happened to you, what are your "LOST panic" moments (besides the obivously heart-stopping possibility of a Charlie resurrection)? -- Lindsay
A: I don't worry about the show as a whole at all, but I worry about little things. For example, if Charlie is alive, that would be stupid. He's dead, please leave him dead. Leave Eko dead. Leave Ana Lucia dead. Please.
Q: I thought the Oceanic 6 would be revealed last night. I only count 5. Kate, Jack, Hurley, Sayid and Sun. Who is the 6th? Thanks for taking the time to respond so I can stop obsessing about it!
A: I got a lot like this one, and I am sure you all put it together by now -- it's Aaron.
Q: I watch TMZ on TV also and wonder who ypu are, do you ever have speaking parts or so they keep you in the back?
A: I sit in the cubicle right in front of Harvey. More often than not, the top of my head is in every show. But yeah, I also have plenty of "speaking parts" -- I even hosted once.
Q: Hi! Love the Diary and appreciate your thoughts and humor. Have you noticed how being a Lost Fan is a lot like being a Scientologist? Its life-consuming, only fellow watchers "get it", you constantly "convert" people into watchers, and when you try to explain it to anyone, it (and therefore *you*) sound completely crazy. =) -- Cheryl
A: So does that make me Tom Cruise?
Q: I love your recaps and read them every week. I too watch Lost with a fluctuating group of friends here in Atlanta and our weekly comments are pretty similar to your own. I was hoping you’d mention the ham that Ben cooked for his date, and you did not disappoint. Anyway, my question for you is, what are your personal theories about Annie? There are a lot of crazy ones out there, and we know that she's of some "seismic" importance, which will apparently be revealed to us, but I wanted to know your own thoughts. -- Haley
A: I don't have a good answer except to say this -- it would SHOCK me if we didn't see Annie again.
Q: My, sister, we'll call her Stupid, got me watching "Lost," by getting the 1st season and lending it to me. She watched the first and second season only and sworn off "Lost," basically saying all the characters are self absorbed and not worth watching. She is soooooooooooo pulling a Jack by being stupid, hence her name. My question is, how do I make her realize her own stupidity without putting a grenade in her mouth and making her watch the third, and so far the fourth and greatest season ever of "Lost"? If a grenade is needed, where do I find one? -- Mary Ann
A: First off, the Lost Diary does not endorse violence in any way. Secondly, I think you need to use the carrot and the stick -- give her incentive to watch. Offer to babysit her kids or take her out to dinner. Once she gets lured back in, you'll be all good. If that doesn't work, do the opposite -- start withholding favors and sisterly love.
On the flip side, how could you let this happen? This is the woman that got you into "Lost" and you let her fall off the wagon? I think you need to admit your own culpability in this. You've got work to do, my friend.
Q: I know this is the "Lost" diary, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the final season of the Wire.... so sad it's ending. -- Kristin
A: I was very satisfied at the ending of "The Wire." I thought the 5th season, as a whole, was one of the weaker of the bunch. That said, it ended strong and the finale was great. I definitely need to sit down and watch all five seasons again this summer.
Q: Since Lost premiered in 2004, I have been blessed with two sons. The first one we named Henry, the second one is Ben. In truth this has nothing to do with the show; they're both family names. But, I'm starting to think I might be Jacob. Thoughts? -- John
A: Does your house magically appear and reappear in different places. If so, yes.
Q: Daniel,
I am going to graduate from High School this May, and would like to have the quote under my senior picture be associated with LOST. I'd love your advice as to what LOST quote I should use. The quote doesn't have to have anything to do with high school - heck, it doesn't even have to have anything to do with me for that matter. My goal with this is for someone years from now to see the quote in my yearbook and think, "This kid must have been a fan of LOST".
Here are the lines I'm considering now, but I am open to yours (and your reader's) suggestions.
My favorite quotes so far, in descending order:
10) "Actually, we're not quite in Portland."
9) "Picture a box. You know something about boxes, don't you, John? What if I told you that somewhere on this island there is a very large box, and whatever you imagined, whatever you wanted to be in it -- when you opened that box, there it would be. What would you say about that John?"
8) "There is no curse. You make your own luck."
7) "Welcome to the wonderful world of not knowing what the hell is going on."
6) "Guys, where are we?"
5) "I've made the biggest mistake of my life. And the worst part is I am pretty sure I made it before." (By the way, this is a line from Desmond in last year's "Flashes Before Your Eyes". Kind of has a whole new meaning now, huh?)
4) "He walks amongst us, but he is not one of us."
3) "I want you to bring me the man from Tallahassee."
2) "Same way I get anyone to do anything. I find out what he's emotionally invested it and then I exploit it."
And here's the quote I'm leaning towards using now. I just think this would be so cool.......
1) "If anything goes wrong, Desmond Hume will be my constant."
What do you think? Are there any more you recommend?
Thanks,
Rich
A: This is the best question ever, hands down. I thought about this long and hard and here is what I came up with.
For me, the quote needs to accomplish two things -- it needs to totally confuse anyone who is not a "Lost" fan and immediately draw the respect of any hardcore fan. For example, I am a Prince fan (have I mentioned that before?). If I were to use a Prince quote, would I take one from "Purple Rain" or "When Doves Cry"? Hell no! I'd reach into my bag of tricks and pull something from a 20-year-old, unreleased song that only a real Prince fan could ID.
So the choice is completely and utterly clear to me ...
"If anything goes wrong, Desmond Hume will be my constant."
This quote satisfies the first requirement, plus it's actually a great yearbook quote because it alludes to the future. No one who watches "Lost" will have any clue what it means on any level at all (Who is Desmond Hume? What's a constant?"). But an actual "Lost" fan will immediately know it and give you props for life.
Rich, if you do this, be sure to scan it in for me.
Comments
Hey Daniel - Do you really think Walt is done? Do you think it's Walt in the coffin then?
(I can't connect to send you a question with the link you provide so hope you're reading :)
Posted by: kat | April 3, 2008 02:03 PM
Q: So does that make me Tom Cruise?
A: No. That would make you David Miscavige.
Posted by: kat | April 3, 2008 02:20 PM
geez - for all those people hounding Daniel for the LDQA it sure is slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww here tonight.
Posted by: us | April 3, 2008 05:14 PM
daniel..thanks for the ldqa. okay questions, i'll give it a B. lol
i luv the diary, really happy i found this site thru tmz.
do you read the posts on each week's diary? there are some really great theories and some funny stuff. i've gotten hooked to trolling the comments, i must admit
off topic, i've got to know, how are your brackets holding up? i picked the final four by going w/ my gut & playing it safe w/ #1 seeds. got alot of flack for that but we'll see who is laughing in the end.
GO HEELS...
Posted by: tarheellostie | April 3, 2008 05:34 PM
daniel...love the diary, love the ldqa
i agree penny & des are THE love story on LOST. 2 seasons ago i would i wouldn't even know them, but now...they seem to be the heart of the show. Des must make it off the island, right? unless Whidmore had a hand in the whole thing to keep des from penny...sounds farfetched, yes, but she is his only daughter, right?
my suggestion for the yearbook quote:
live together, die alone
Posted by: monkeyface | April 3, 2008 05:48 PM
btw, i cannot use the link, either. hope you are reading
Posted by: monkeyface | April 3, 2008 05:51 PM
i love "In Treatment". Great Show, great cast. i got sucked in and now i can't look away. gabriel byrne and the entire cast is incredible. diane weist, she can act.
Glad to see others are watching and getting it, too.
thanks for the lost diary. read it each week.
any theories on the whispers and the relation to the travel of the others? i think they go hand and hand
Posted by: Anonymous | April 3, 2008 05:58 PM
"In Treatment": Alex & Lauren are my favorite patients. I also like when Paul goes to his shrink (I forget her name but played by Diane Wiest) especially when he goes with his wife! It's so uncomfortably riveting. That's the best way to describe it I think.
Posted by: kat | April 3, 2008 06:11 PM
Laura not Lauren
Posted by: kat | April 3, 2008 06:13 PM
i love In Treatment! will there be a second season?
i don't like laura! she is a manipulator..even in treatment.
Posted by: monkeyface | April 3, 2008 06:28 PM
LDQA...anyone, hello?
Posted by: tarheellostie | April 3, 2008 06:30 PM
woo hoo!!!! my LDQ made the cut!!! YAY! I feel happier than Hurley cruising in a VW filled with beer!
...Now I just wish I still had friends to share this glorious moment with. I guess this comment board will have to do. DARN YOU all-consuming black hole that is LOST!!! (I hate you.... but I loooooooooove you!)
And yes, Daniel you are Tom Cruise. So does that make this blog your couch? :)
Posted by: Lindsay | April 4, 2008 04:52 AM
no one is here because they only come when new episodes of Lost are on. this is how it is in the off season.
Posted by: sarah | April 4, 2008 05:19 AM
off season??? haha, that's funny Sarah. Well, I don't mind the drop in membership... it makes it much easier to read! I still can't get over the 1000+ comments from the last post!
Posted by: Lindsay | April 4, 2008 05:26 AM
Only 20 more days til the next episode!
Posted by: Rachel | April 4, 2008 05:31 AM
What would be in the Chunky Hurley ice cream? Peanut butter of course, but what else?
Posted by: Jenz | April 4, 2008 06:34 AM
This LDQA did not show up yesterday evening. I got on to check and it was still the question Daniel posted to us regarding the quote for Rich's yearbook. Weird....
I thought they had filmed some of the scene's with Walt for future episodes. I'm not sure where I heard that, but I'm pretty sure I did. I think it came from Carlton. It may just be wishful thinking.
Posted by: TeresaLynn | April 4, 2008 06:46 AM
Here is a question that has been on my mind for some time...how is it that the helicopter pilot Frank was all battered and bloodied when he got to the island, but the helicopter was in perfect condition right behind him? Did he just fall out once he made a perfect landing? Doubtful. And whose cows are those?
Posted by: Nate | April 4, 2008 07:11 AM
Lindsay, that is why i read the episode recaps, but i do not comment. its like Animal House.
Posted by: sarah | April 4, 2008 07:41 AM
Daniel: Typically I agree with your logic, but in the case of your argument that they can't bring Walt back, I 100% disagree. I'm surprised the "David Miscavige" of Lost would even utter the line..."They can't explain that one away." Has all this b-ball watching fried your brain? Did you forget what writers we're talking about?? I think there are endless possibilities to explain this one, especially when considering the possibility of time travel/loops. I guess I'm going to have to rethink my secret crush on you.
One other thought on the mystery of who the other 2 survivors might be that Jack mentioned in his testimony during Kate's trial...I read a recent interview with Damon or Carlton and they said that we're placing too much importance on these other 2. They basically indicated that this part was fabricated simply because it seemed more realistic to say a few people survived the crash, but died from injuries. So, personally, I think we may never find out who these other 2 are because it's irrelevant. The bigger question really is: what the heck happened to ALL the other Losties?
Posted by: ShamelessAddict | April 4, 2008 08:20 AM
I agree with you guys(Daniel & Rich) completely!
"If anything goes wrong, Desmond Hume will be my constant" is the best quote to use, hands down.
Perfect idea, Rich. Hope you follow through on it!
Posted by: Michele | April 4, 2008 09:25 AM
yeah, i agree with the quote. it wasn't even actually SAID in the show, we just saw it written down (right?), so that makes it even more elusive. great choice.
Posted by: hh | April 4, 2008 10:12 AM
nate - the cow was from mikhail's house that blew up. and lapidus was probably beat up because the landing was rough. just because he got the helicopter on the ground doesn't mean it wasn't a bouncy landing - he could have hit the wheel, the dash board, the window, anything. it was still a crash landing, just not one that banged up the helicopter.
Posted by: hh | April 4, 2008 10:14 AM
oh, and sayid said something was damaged, but it would still fly.
Posted by: hh | April 4, 2008 10:15 AM
this is the coversation between Daniel & Desmond in 1996.
Just thought I'd post it for fun. Plus I really like the last line.
"I don't know. I think Eloise's brain short circuited. The jumps between the present and the future, she eventually, she couldn't tell which was which. She had no anchor."
"What do you mean 'anchor'?"
"Something familiar in both times. All this, see this," he points to the chalkboard, "it's all variables. It's chaotic. Every equation needs stability, something known. It's called a constant. Desmond, you have no constant. When you go to the future, nothing there is familiar. So if you want to stop this, you need to find something there. Something that you really, really care about, that also exists back here in 1996."
"This constant, can it be a person?"
"Yeah, maybe, but you'd have to make some kind of contact."
Desmond picks up Daniel's phone and starts dialing.
Daniel says, "Didn't you say you were on a boat in the middle of nowhere? Uh, who you calling?"
"I'm calling my bloody constant."
Posted by: kat | April 4, 2008 10:54 AM
Hi Kat,
Thanks for the recap, but the quote Rich is talking about for his yearbook was SHOWN at the end of the show, not spoken:
http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Image:4x05_Journal_end.jpg
Posted by: Jim | April 4, 2008 11:49 AM
Yes Jim, I know. I wasn't arguing that :)
Posted by: kat | April 4, 2008 12:34 PM
depending on how far the flash forwards are into the future, wouldn't they be able to bring Walt back for the episodes where Jack and co. try to return to the island. It could easily be happening several years after the crash.
Posted by: jayputter | April 4, 2008 03:21 PM
After just buying a business and being currently eeeeeextremely stressed out, I am having serious withdrawals from LOST. I am taking a trip to Hawaii to get in some much needed R & R. I will feel a little more at home, with those island surroundings. Unfortunately, airlines are going under, ALOHA, ATA, Oceanic... hmmmm, I'll try Hawaiian.....
Posted by: LOSTinSD | April 4, 2008 07:30 PM
wow LOSTinSD! Have a wonderful time! Went to Maui for my honeymoon. We love Hawaii!
Posted by: kat | April 4, 2008 07:47 PM
That's it!! I have been wanting to get a tshirt made that says
Penny
+
Demsond
Now I am going to need to have two made!!
If anything goes wrong, Desmond Hume will be my constant
I am doing it now for sure.
Rich, do it, it is perfect.
Posted by: brandi | April 4, 2008 08:01 PM
I agree that Claire is probably one of the 8, but am unsure on Jin. The gravestone said he died the day of the crash. Some say that maybe everyone on the flight got a tombstone like that when they were missing, but since his headstone is shared with Sun wouldn't she have a false death date too? I think this date will be important. Perhaps the fact that the math on Jin's death date and Ji Yeon's birth date doesn't work is what makes Abaddon and his people realize that the Oceanic 6 story is a lie, which leads them to start stalking/harassing the survivors and driving Hurley and Jack to the brink as we've seen in some flashforwards?
Also, since Jack says on the stand "8 of us survived the crash," shouldn't we not count Aaron in this group of 8? He would be born later to make 9, leaving 3 "survivors" unaccounted for in the cover story to get us to an Oceanic 6 that includes Aaron.
As ShamelessAddict said we're probably reading way too much into these other missing people. But if there's enough demand, maybe Damon and Carlton will throw us a bone to satisfy our curiosity.
Posted by: LBDG | April 5, 2008 09:28 AM
So, like you, I watched seasons 1-3 of BSG in the past couple months. I was a major latecomer to this. BSG is a great show. You should consider writing a diary about it too.
Posted by: D.E. | April 5, 2008 09:58 AM
On the lost podcast Damon and Carlton promised that the flash forwards are indeed going to happen they aren't going to trick us like that otherwise no one could take the show seriously and it gets too confusing. Also I just have to say In Treatment is the most amazing show, since I am a psych major myself, and I really hope it gets picked up for a second season..do you know the likelihood of it happening? Awesome yearbook quote...I wish I would have thought to do that
Posted by: Heather | April 5, 2008 01:01 PM
so does anyone think Juliet gets off the island?
Posted by: kat | April 5, 2008 05:59 PM
Ok - I haven't even read the Lost question/asnwer part yet.
Just had to stop and say I totally agree with you about In Treatment. And the girl, Sophie is phenomenal. Also, Alex's father does an amazing job.
I've been telling everyone I know to start watching this.
Posted by: Miss Scarlett | April 6, 2008 12:04 AM
"So does that make me Tom Cruise?"
I thought Suri was their new leader?
Posted by: Miss Scarlett | April 6, 2008 12:10 AM
Also agree about In Treatment. The Laura storyline was irritating, but the other three (or four including the doctor) were great. I really hope its coming back.
Posted by: Juan | April 6, 2008 03:49 AM
I must agree with Daniel that Rich's question is the best ever! Now I am looking forward to two things in May: 1) the last episode of Season 4 and 2) seeing a picture of Rich in his yearbook with the Desmond quote underneath!
Best of luck Rich!
Posted by: Linda | April 6, 2008 03:12 PM
How can you consider Aaron one of the Oceanic 6??? He wasn't a part of the manifest of the plane. I still think we are missing one more person.
Posted by: Jess | April 7, 2008 12:41 PM
Ok, so looking back on one of the first season episodes (Claire's flashback), the psychic told Claire that she can be the only one to raise her baby, no one else under any circumstance. If someone else did great danger and evil would surround the baby. So now that we know Kate is raising Aaron, do you think they will come back to that. What do you imagine will happen?
Posted by: Eddie | April 7, 2008 01:34 PM
Jess, Probably because it's a great little sound bite for the press to say the Oceanic 6 survived....blah, blah, blah... It would be kind of weird to say the Oceanic 5 and the little baby who belonged to one of the passengers....
Even though Aaron was not on the manifest, he was in the womb of a person who was on the manifest and he was rescued off the island with the other 5.
Posted by: TeresaLynn | April 7, 2008 03:19 PM
Rich, congrats to you and we totally want to see the yearbook pic and quote. That is definitely the best quote to use!
Off topic, next week I am going to Disney World with my husband for my birthday and does anyone have suggestions of favorite things to do while I'm there?
And congrats to the Jayhawks! I am a Sooner, but it's the smae conference so I was pulling for them when we bit it in the tourney.
Posted by: cathead67 | April 8, 2008 08:18 AM
I meant same. I suck at typing!
Posted by: cathead67 | April 8, 2008 08:20 AM
cathead67:
here's a link for 10 things NOT to miss at Disney World.
http://themeparks.about.com/cs/disneyparks/a/wdw10best.htm
I know what we love to do at Disneyland, but we've never been to Disney World...hope this helps.
:)
Have fun & happy birthday!
Posted by: kat | April 8, 2008 10:40 AM
Love the diary as always. you have a couch to watch on in nyc anytime!! And In Treatment- oh my god. The only one I watch religiously though is sophie because that girl has me captivated.
Can't wait till next Thursday!!!
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