Re:
Wow, I was seriously...sad about that episode.
You don't realize how much of a focal piece the Island has become in the show until the idea they could leave it becomes reality.
My thoughts...
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If they remain OFF the island, the show tanks. Personally, I won't watch it. What I think happened regarding that...
- Either jack is having flash forwards before making some move on the beach, or they somehow return, much like Desmond did time after time to "get it right." Maybe it's a flash back, and he, and they, have to get back to have "lives" again, or protect the island.
- Once the show concluded, the magical properties were evident between ON-the-island-Jack vs OFF-the-island-jack. Jack on the island was controlled, off booze, off drugs, found 2 possible loves, made progress, saved people, and was collected. Jack OFF the island was a mess. Period. The island didn't care who they were BEFORE. It only cares and exudes what they ARE or CAN be on it. Sawyer was someone better. Kate was someone better. Locke could walk, and lead people, and was a survivalist. BUT OH NO. "HAVE TO GET OFF THE ISLAND."
After reading a few sites, some "theories" began gelling for me...
- Is it possible the first 3 seasons were merely FLASHBACKS for Jack, since he is credited with saving them, and played the most central part in the whole storyline? And going forward, somehow, Jack does return, but has to round all the remaining losties to accomplish that? As Locke put it, they were there for a reason. Too many things in common. Perhaps they are meant to be protectors and progenators of the island, and that was why they shouldn't have gotten off?
- It appears Charlie died in vain. Perhaps it's like the Dark Tower, where they have to do it differently, and do it again. There's only a few places to go from here...
A) IT was a flashback from Jack's perspective, and they will have to return to the island somehow.
B) It's one of many possible outcomes, and like Desmond, Jack has to go back or remember what happens and stop it before it does.
C) It was a flashforward. You don't see them actually rescued, you assume it. Perhaps at the end, the more hostile attackers do attack, and the Losties and Others band together for 1 final push, spewing ALL the secrets out for everyone. I have read that both Ben and the Losties group up, and that there is a more hostile force trying to reclaim the island.
This more hostile force COULD be a corporation, perhaps Penelope's father, in conjunction with the Hanzo Corporation and Dharma Initiative? Penelope may not KNOW what her Dad does, but it would explain why she has some near immediate communication with that channel on that island. The coincidences in this show are meant to serve a purpose, and its no coincidence Penelope had a lock on the Looking Glass the minute the Jammer went down.
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That ending theme is a big one, for all people. Jack, and all the Losties, HAD WHAT THEY needed. So funny how they were FIGHTING and DYING to return to their "prisons", when on the island, they initially FELT it to be a prison. Every person who was once "broken" was made whole and useful on the island, despite the attemps of Ben and the Others to thin their ranks and use them for testing. This seems to be a theme in our lives, too, where the grass is greener, and we fight tooth and nail for what we "expect" to be better circumstances only to ruin the paradise we had because we're too naive and stupid to see that. The Dark Tower books had the same theme, as well as never giving up, and that you may not succeed on your first try, but as long as you make progress each time, you'll get there. It's funny how we see symbols when we need to see them.
There's alot going on, but evidently the Island means ALOT to the Losties, and were they sure to prevent them from returning, or just tell events backwards in time, much like the short-lived show called "The Nine" told the events of 9 survivors of a bankrobbery and was soon cancelled, then the show we take a DIVE. People love the cast as much as they love the island. And in the end, I think we all want to see the people we rooted 3 seasons for heal as people, and also disclose the mysteries of the island, and ALL the people, even the dead "others."
Too many theories floating around right now. There's nothing concrete. Some people say it is Locke in the box, and perhaps that's the case. Perhaps not being on the island weakended him, whereas being on the island strengthened him, and he died upon return. Or, perhaps Locke ran back to lead the Others and notify them of the New group coming to play. Simply by the fact that Locke survived that shooting he would garner their favor and be worthy of their leadership. Whereas, Ben may have been kicked off the island or killed when the New Group came and can't lead them, or wasn't allowed to lead them. Season 4 could possibly see Locke and the others trying to "bring" back the Losties to regain the island the their rightful homes. (Which was evident).
My head is spinning, and much of the occurrences were actually sad and to me, only lead to drag the story with many questions into next season:
1) What actually happened? Flashforward, flashback? DO they return to the island, or is it all about how they live off the island now?
2) Where did Locke go?
3) Who was in the coffin?
4) Is Charlie dead if no one got off the island and Jack goes back through time to fix the events?
5) Why was Penelope the 1st person on the monitor when Charlie opened communication?
6) What IS the island?
7) Why were those people called there and why was there such a deep link between all of them?
8) Who is Richard?
9) Who is Jacob?
10) Who installed all the fancy technology and why? Initially the dharma initiative was a funded science mission seeking to explore the properties of the island. How did they fund it?How was Ben able to Jam communication thereafter?
11) Where does the island exist, in time and location?
12) WHo actually rescued them? Who was naomi?
We need answers.
A-Unit