My New L O S T Theory

I haven’t heard anyone say this but I’d like to know if anyone is thinking it.

Chew on this LOST fans. SPOILER ALERT. DON’T READ UNLESS YOU ARE ALL CAUGHT UP ON LOST.

This week on LOST, Allison Janney was introduced as the “mother” of our two twins with the black and white wardrobe.

Allison kills the real mother of the twins when she works as a midwife and bashes her head in with a rock. Dead mom appears later in the episode to reveal the true lineage to the boy in black.

Early in the episode, faux momma introduces Jacob to a tunnel with incredible light pouring forth. She guards it. One day, he will guard it.

No one can enter the light because something way worse than death would happen. That something is revealed when Jacob throws his brother into the light and * poof * out comes the smoke monster.

Could the light be coming from Eden’s forbidden tree? The knowledge of good and evil?

In Jewish folklore Lilith is the name of Adam’s first wife, who was created at the same time and same earth as Adam. She left Adam after she refused to become subservient to Adam and then would not return to the Garden of Eden. Some say she was banished. She is most often described as a demon-lady. She has even appeared as a screech owl in stories of old.

A screech owl—you know, like a giant bird that flies at night making strange noises.

Other stories say Adam had a second wife before Eve. Stories describe her as being rejected by Adam because he watched her creation out of dust and couldn’t bear to look at her. She was sent away—unnamed. She became the caretaker of rejects and outcasts.

Any of this sounding familiar?

The Lilith myth is crazy fascinating. It is also said Lilith mated with the archangel, Samael. Samael is a seducer but he is also described as both good and evil. He is also said to be the guardian of Esau. You know, Esau, the brother of . . . Jacob. He is also said to be the angel who wrestled Jacob.

Is this new character, Lilith?

Is this new character Adam's second unnamed wife?

Is the island where she was banished?

Is she forbidden to enter the light much like the edict of Eden?

Is she upset about those who have come to the island because they have been birthed of Adam and Eve?

Did she murder a daughter of Eve and claim the children as her own to get back at Eve?

Do mothers die in childbirth on the island and do babies not survive because they are born of Eden and children of Adam and Eve?

Is the only way off the island for the Man in Black to inhabit the body of a son of Adam?

Do all mothers die in childbirth because Lilith/or the second wife cursed the island after the murder of the boys’ real mom?

My Daughter's L O S T Trinity Theory

My 9-year-old (almost 10) daughter, Kasidy has a theory on L O S T. And, quite frankly, she blows my mind. Her theory is a Trinitarian island theology. If you are a fan, please read on. If not, this will make no sense and you may be bored.

Now, after she came up with her theory, I checked around on line to see if anyone else had blogged about similar things. I found a couple but, her insights are even better than what I found.

THE FATHER
The Island is the Father. The island is also known as “Jacob.” The island has a will. A plan. The island is living. The island is eternal.

THE SON
The Son is the physical representation of the island. Richard Alpert is the Son. Richard doesn’t age, he understands the island, and he is part of the island. Richard could also be a “John the Baptist” figure talking about and searching for the one who is to come. This could also mean that John Locke is a possible Jesus figure. John rose from the dead or, in fact, the island (Father) raised him from the dead. He also seems to exhibit some healing powers. It is possible others have been healed simply by being around John Locke.

THE HOLY SPIRIT
The smoke monster. Mysterious. Truth teller. Judge/One who convicts.

This theory plays out in so many ways. No one has “seen” Jacob (at least not yet). Jacob may only be known through those who do his will.

The Others (disciples of John?) have been looking for “the one” to come and had hopes that John Locke was “the one.” Their test for John Locke was to see if he would kill his father. He refused. So, they abandoned their hope of him being their “messiah.” The “one” the Others have been looking for seems to be someone who will finally settle their battle with those who don’t belong on the island. Isn’t this much like the biblical account? The Jews believed their Messiah would come to be a conqueror who wielded a sword and set things right with their enemies. The real Messiah came to “conquer” through peace.

The smoke monster convicts Ben of his sin and makes him face his demons. It is also a protector—though it is a bit scary.

Ben is a bit of an anti-Christ figure. He is likeable to an extent yet highly manipulative, a poseur, and thinks too highly of himself. He wants to be “the One” but knows he isn’t. Still, he presses forward consumed by his addiction to power.

And, John Locke . . . who is his father? We know who his mom is. We thought we knew his dad but, it wasn’t “really” his dad. There’s really no father in the picture. Unless . . . there was some sort of immaculate conception for him who always seems to know his job is to do the will of the island, even when it doesn’t make sense to everyone. Father knows best.

As we teased this out a bit more, the possibilities are endless for this theory. In what other ways can you see a Trinitarian model in L O S T?

L O S T is Like Doing my Taxes

Tonight I am doing tax prep for an appointment this week. I wish I was watching LOST. However, it isn't on tonight. Rerun. Uhhh. Here are some similarities (if you aren't a fan, you may not get it--that's okay):

1. Mystery
2. Unexplained losses
3. Feel like I've been here before
4. The numbers don't make sense
5. There's no way out of here
6. Tension.
7. I've come up with a lot of Sawyer nicknames for Uncle Sam.
8. We're screwed.
9. The "others" took Walt. Some others are taking my Wallet.
10. They have the guns!
11. Faith may have something to do with it, but there sure seems to be a lot of chance.
12. Some documents are missing
13. We have to claim our cruise as extra income from Tahni’s company. I want to go back to the island. It is my destiny.
14. I lost a child this year. Well, kinda. She got married. No more deduction.
15. It feels like one big con.
16. I’m getting a bloody nose.
17. This is like being tortured on some level.
18. I may have to lie to save us all.
19. I am thinking about claiming a child that is not my own.
20. The pain is so great, I have taken to drinking.
21. One minute it was all here. The next it was gone.
22. I’ve thought about hopping on a plane to nowhere.
23. I’ve thought of changing my name.
24. If I don’t enter these numbers, will the world “really” end?
25. I really didn’t anticipate this much math.
26. I’m hoping for a second chance. Or retribution.
27. I’ve never seen Uncle Sam. Jacob?
28. Not a lot of answers.
29. I’m tired of repeats.
30. More questions. More questions.
31. I have to keep referring to the forums.
32. Is that hieroglyphics?
33. John Locke gave up a kidney. I may sell mine.
34. I’m kinda losing my tail section.
35. I keep saying, “What?”
36. I’m pretty sure there’s one rich guy pulling the strings.
37. Some have suggested this is purgatory but it isn’t.
38. I’m going crazy and hearing voices in my head.
39. “You all everybody” have to do yours as well.
40. I wish I still had my VW bus. I did a 1040ez back then.

Sayid Bombs at Standup

To watch or not to watch. Choose wisely.

If you aren't a L O S T fan, you probably:

(a) won't get this
(b) won't think it's funny
(c) will wonder why I wasted five minutes to post it

If you ARE a L O S T fan, you probably:

(a) will pee your pants
(b) will once again be thankful you are in the secret club
(c) will thank me for posting this

LOST Another Sneak Peek

LOST Book Club

Looking for a good read? Fan of LOST?

One of the things I love about LOST is how smart it is. Not only is the plot smart, there are a ton of references to history, historical figures, philosophy, philosophers, and literature.

ABC has done a very cool thing by listing the books that are mentioned, sighted, referenced, and that share the same name as an episode. A partial list is here below but, you should check out the site to get the whole list.

No promises of any hints or solved mysteries, but if you read everything in the book club you'd certainly be well read in some classic books.

Can't wait for the season premier! Wednesday, January 21st.

On the Road
Jack Kerouac
Episode #403, “The Economist”
The alias Ben uses in the episode, Dean Moriarty, is a character from On the Road.

The Invention of Morel
Adolfo Bioy Caseres
Episode #404, “Eggtown”
Sawyer is seen reading this book in the Barracks.

Valis
Philip K. Dick
Episode #404, “Eggtown”
Locke offers this book to Ben

Slaughterhouse Five
Kurt Vonnegut
Episode #405, “The Constant”
This episode bears some resemblance to the “unstuck in time” theme of the book.

Survivors of the Chancellor
Jules Verne
Episode #407, “Ji Yeon”
Regina is seen reading it

A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
Episode #301, “A Tale of Two Cities”
Obviously, the episode shares a title

Carrie
Stephen King
Episode #301, “A Tale of Two Cities”
Members of the Others’ book club discuss the novel when 815 crashes.

Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Episode #304, “Every Man for Himself”
Sawyer reads the book in prison

A Brief History of Time
Stephen Hawking
Episode #307, “Not in Portland”
Aldo reads the book while guarding the building in which Karl is being held captive.

Laughter in the Dark
Vladmir Nabokov
Episode #308, “Flashes Before Your Eyes”
Charlie takes the book from Sawyer’s stash, Hurley later takes the book from Charlie and begins to read it.

Stranger in a Strange Land
Robert A. Heinlein
Episode #309, “Stranger in a Strange Land”
Obvious shared title of book and episode

The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand
Episode #312, “Par Avion”
Sawyer reads the book while noticeably missing Kate.

Evil Under the Sun
Agatha Christie
Episode #314, “Expose”
Sawyer is reading the book while interrupted by Nikki.

Jurassic Park
Michael Crichton
Episode #314, “Expose”
Nikki references the book as she debunks Paulo’s theory on the Monster by telling him “it’s not Jurassic Park, Paulo.”

Catch-22
Joseph Heller
Episode #317, “Catch-22”
Desmond finds Naomi’s Portugese edition of the book

The Oath
John Lescroart
Episode #320, “The Brig”
The book can be seen in Ben’s tent when he is talking to Locke.

Afro-Asian World: A Cultural Understanding
Edward Kolevzon
Episode, “The Man Behind the Curtain”
Seen on the shelves in the Dharma classroom of Ben’s flashback.

The Coalwood Way
Homer Hicklam
Episode, “The Man Behind the Curtain”
Seen on the shelves in the Dharma classroom of Ben’s flashback.

The Stone Leopard
Colin Forbes
Episode, “The Man Behind the Curtain”
Seen on the shelves in the Dharma classroom of Ben’s flashback.

Through the Looking Glass
Lewis Carroll
Episode, “Through the Looking Glass”
Title of episode

Bluebeard
Charles Perrault
Episode, “Adrift”
Sawyer calls Mr. Friendly, “Bluebeard.”

An ECG Workout: Exercises in Arrythmia Interpretation
Jane Huff
Episode, “Orientation”
On the Swan Station’s bookshelf

Dirty Work
Stuart Woods
Episode, “Orientation”
Seen in the Swan Station by Sawyer’s bed as he is recovering from the injuries caused as a result of the raft incident.

High Hand
Gary Phillips
Episode, “Orientation”
On the Swan Station’s bookshelf

Before LOST there were "others"

Epic. For a guy who grew up with Gilligan and who is now addicted to LOST, this is amazing. Apparently, over 12,000 people have seen this so far but it was my friend Bobby who brought it to my attention. If you are not a LOST fan, you may not appreciate this as much but . . .

P.S. Kate is the new Mary Ann

What the . . .

Many people are wondering what will happen next on LOST. The show boggles my mind. I love it. I love the conversation it sparks. I love the storyline and the creativity. I often end an episode shaking my head and looking at my son : : : both of saying in unison . . . "what?" What just happened? What did I just see?

Apparently, we are not the only ones.

LOST Philosophy

Tomorrow is the night. A new episode of LOST.

I have a few questions and observations going into it . . .

A couple of weeks ago we learned that one of the freighter-four newcomers to the island is named Charlotte Staples Lewis. I’m sure for most of us there was an immediate connection to C.S. Lewis (Clive Staple Lewis). I chuckled to myself thinking, “that is very intentional.”

The other obvious connection for me is in the character John Locke. The famous philosopher John Locke proposed the epistemological thesis Tabula Rasa (translated: scraped tablet/clean slate; btw Tabula Rasa is also a computer video game). Locke is also known as the philosopher of freedom. Tabula Rasa was also the name of one of the first season episodes.

In college, I was very interested in my study of Jean-Jacques Rousseau—the father of Romanticism. It was my favorite part of Ed Psych. Naturally, my mind went there right away when introduced to the character of Danielle Rousseau.


A latecomer to LOST (I watched 70+ hours of LOST since January 3rd to get up to speed), I realize many of you may already know the philosopher/thinker-character name association. (Although even if you were dedicated the last three years, CS Lewis is a new revelation to all of us).

I am pretty excited to find this all out. It has put me on a new path of discovery and a new obsession for tracking down LOST clues and trivia.

Thinking that these two were not the only people with namesakes, I did a little research. Yes, my discovery is not a new one. Now that I have read about it, I encourage you to do some Google searches and read other people’s homework on the philosopher/thinker connection.

Check out these other character : : : philosopher/thinker connections.

Desmond Hume : : : David Hume

Juliet Burke : : : Edmund Burke (fun fact—Juliet’s ex-husband is named Edmund)

Mikhail Bakunin : : : Mikhail Bakunin

Daniel Faraday : : : Michael Faraday

Richard Alpert : : : Dr. Richard Alpert (Ram Dass)

Can you think of any others?