I’m gonna leave the same comment I do on your post. This is absolutely incredible. The breakdown, the analysis, and the content is truly remarkable. I can’t imagine how much time and effort goes into each one of these productions, but it’s truly an amazing watch every time. Great work.
There are videos for every series but no one pays much attention to the one series that started group theorizing. They just usually either joke on Lost on question if it was good or bad. But this is a channel just for those who love Lost. I'm so glad I found someone who loves Lost as much as I do.
Star Trek & Dr Who had groups theorizing about their shows. Lost came out when 90% of Americans used the internet & social media.. so I know what you mean.. since it became MUCH easier for fans of shows to come together. I'm just putting it out their bc my older cousin was one of those "Trekkies" who was in Trek Groups & they would meet up & share their fan fiction & theories. They would even snail mail the writers & directors their edits & ideas..lol
I kind of feel sorry for people who are unable to let go of their own preconceptions and enjoy a story for what it is, whether you subscribe to the premise or not. How much do you lose out on by closing your mind to fictions you can't believe in? There's something to be gained in every story, even if there's only a grain of it you take with you. And LOST had so much to offer. Thanks for the work you're putting into this series. It looks like the algorithm is noticing our interest in this show.
Of course he did. Just like Walt. But once viewers guess it in JJ fashion, he nixed it. That's why things don't line up with certain plots in this series.
@babytoshiro7014 Respectfully, I don't think that has anything to do with why Walt's story changed. I also don't think they nixed Locke's story when people realized he was "special", etc.
Just completed my 15 viewing of the entire series. For me, Lost is the greatest series I’ve ever watched. The pairing of science and faith through the arc of the main characters and their journey from being Lost to complete understanding of their destiny is the what is so satisfying to the viewer. Every subsequent viewing of this series always seem to unlock a new little Easter egg. Ultimately Lost reminds each of us that no one is irredeemable and that none of us “does it alone”.
One Question that is worth Considering is did Desmond know about The Smoke Monster as he never acknowledged this fact in Lost ?????? Hope to know your thoughts on this :) Many thanks once again & great content on a great TV show:)
@@giuseppefalisi5945 I think it's established that Desmond didn't get out much. When Kelvin was with him, he was never allowed to go outside. By the time he finally caught onto Kelvin's deceptions, he accidentally killed Kelvin and spent the next month alone in the hatch having to push the button every 108 minutes. So, I don't think he knew about the smoke monster until he was relieved by Locke and got out of there.
I think ive watched it right through 4/5 times and im rewatching now but gotta be honest , im struggling to focus , i think i know it too well now , im not sure if i can stick with it to the end again ... I envy those who are watching on netflix for the first time , think i might leave it now till im old , hopefully ile forget most of it 😂
1:48:00 I found Ben's choice more profound in the finale. Ben's connection to the island & the people in the church allows him to find the peace to remember & move on - but Ben's growth as a person enables him to recognize he is being gifted a final chance to choose his daughter over the island, which he does without hesitation. Being presented this gift in the form of a choice seems like a final message from Jacob, who likely had far more compassion for Ben than he ever imagined.
You are literally the only person attempting to give answers to a show that did not explicitly answered any of these subjects. And even though these are all ur interpretations, I do accept them, and they do make sense. Hence why I said the "only person", cause many that do try, fail on connecting the overall points, or have huge flaws on their arguments. After all these years, and after re-watching the show 3 or 4 times to see if I had missed something, I was still frustrated and angry that the show did not answer shit about the big mythology subjects, the writers lied and did not reveal anything substantial. So, Im VERY THANKFUL of these amazing videos u are making. GOOD JOB !!
@@Choekaas Never seen that happen ever. Most people still deflect with the mysteries were not important at all, and the show was about the characters. Fully denying there was ever anything to answer. But do send me some of those youtube people that do answer to the mythology, would love to see some different perspectives.
@@7grims Thanks for getting back to me. I think HuthTruth (GettingLost) is quite good. And I hate to shamelessly promote myself, but I publish Lost analysis videos too if you're interested :)
@@Choekaas Huth Truth doesnt seem to have any tittle directly referring to the big mysteries, but ill check them out. And yah promote urself, I want to see more lost content :) ive put some of ur videos also on my watch list, i hope someday ull get to s06 and answer too the great mysteries regarding the mythology. Thanks.
2023 and I'm STILL watching these videos! Why? Because LOST still is that deeply embedded in my mind. Name another show that is THIS fascinating 13 years after it ended.😊
I was waiting for this! When a video of yours appears, I know it's going to be a masterpiece on the best TV show ever, so my weekend will have at least 2:25:35 hours of total bliss, and I'll never be able to thank you enough.
YES! Something to watch after work today. I already hit LIKE because I know it will be great! Thanks! UPDATE: Brilliant as always. I really appreciate the amount of work you put in to these things. And every time I think I have thought about this show from every angle, you come along with a bunch more. Well done!
Watching your videos for multiple time. You really captivate the moving energy of the show. I can only imagine how much hard work goes into these. Your videos are just as wonderful as the show itself. Lost and your channel are always my go to when I myself are feeling Lost. I watch it once in awhile, when I finish it, I start it over and go again about once a year. Namaste
Thank you for such a kind comment. I'm really flattered that you would return to these videos to watch them more than once. That means a great deal to me 🙏
Like the series itself, these videos are a precious vessel that encourages reflection while simultaneously entertaining & informing on grand concepts which are enrichedby multiple viewings. Thank you for your THIS labor of Love. @LOSTEXPLAINED108
Some people might think it deromanticizes these concepts like the spiritual world, showing how they work in a mechanical sense, but to weirdos like me it only strengthens the emotional impact. Time especially could have used more clarification in how it works, both inside of it and outside. It was all put very well and artistically, and I'm not saying it should have been made differently, but I'm glad this series exists as well. An excellent companion piece.
20 years later... One thing is clear... The island isn't done with us yet... We have to go back! In all seriousness, I love intricate content like this that dives deep into the lore of not only this show, but oddly ourselves too... That's the beauty of this show... We connect with the characters because of their struggles and their journey in mending those struggles and we just have to believe in taking the right path and continue to better ourselves and learn to let go at the same time... That is why they call it a leap of faith.
Wow this had me crying at the end. I’ve had a couple of experiences and I’m sure many have that are shown in the show. I had a premonition as a child that we would have a house fire and I even said out loud “please don’t let us have a house fire” while I was riding my trike when I was about 3. When I was 6 we did have a house fire where my sister nearly died - we were both badly injured. And I was 30 before I was thankful that we both were injured otherwise she would have had to go through life bearing scars by herself. I have no idea how I knew this was going to happen. I also have a soul mate that I was engaged to, I called it off, we both married the same year to other people, both had children in the same years and were not in contact for 18 years. Then he got back in touch with me when I happened to be suicidal and just by a phone call, I felt my feet land back on earth and when I looked around everything had changed. It was like the world had reset.
2:19:17 to be frank, most people were not intelligent enough to understand the whole story, myself included. I never understood the essence/core of the story until you explained it to me. So many small details I saw meant nothing, until you linked them all together and made it clear. At the time it was aired everyone said they were in Purgatory, everyone mocked the creators thinking they’d created a story which they had no idea what the story was. They’d started something to make money with no idea where it was going, and then they were scrabbling to make it all work. Due to the time between seasons, and subtle things in early seasons linking to subtle things in later seasons which were years apart for us viewing, much of the genius was missed and subsequently everything was mocked and belittled. However nearly 20 years later you have patiently and eloquently informed us what we missed. You have done so without hubris or ego, instead showing great understanding and care when presenting your opinions. You’re clearly a man with good scientific/physics knowledge and have applied a methodical approach to Lost and in turn your videos and explanations. I feel from watching your content that there should’ve been a narrator each season explaining and helping the viewer, as most people who invested in Lost were unable to understand how clever it was (I speak for myself only here, but consider myself to be the average person) thank you so much for the huge effort you have made with your channel, I have so much respect for you sir!
Such an excellent comment my friend! And remember we were 20 years younger too watching this - I was a young mum and it was just entertainment - now I am nearing middle age and have experienced many challenges, losses and victories in my life and so this show means so much more to me now. So in a way, like the losties, I had to be patient too 😂. As I wouldn’t have understood this channel 20 years ago just like I misinterpreted the ending of the show. It’s a true gift and it’s life mirroring art. My kids are young adults now and I can’t wait to watch this with them.
Wow. Just, wow. I can't believe I just spent 2+ hours watching this entire video. I was transfixed. The analysis and explanation is just as riveting as the show. Thank you for all your hard work in making this, you have made all the time I've already spent watching and re-watching the series that much more enriching.
That’s so awesome to read! Thank you so much for letting me know that you have found the videos both useful and entertaining. You found them just as riveting as the show? Extraordinarily high praise indeed! 🙏
I was thinking about that scene where Hugo and Jack were sitting on the beach and moonlight serenade was playing and Hugo mentioned that it was a song from a different time. I guess I am wondering was the island in the 1930s or 1940s when they were listening to that song?
I have seen every one of your videos and have never disagreed with a single thing you’ve put forward. Your insight and command of knowledge is amazing and you have enhanced my appreciation of this series. Thank you!
I just finished lost for the first time and then this video exists the day I end the show. It must be destiny, it must be my destiny, I'm supposed to watch this damn it!!
Perfect timing! I'd recommend you watching this video series from the start to get the full context. The whole playlist is here if you want to take a deep dive: ua-cam.com/play/PL5iTj9psbPrNovFOg4pJJIyxiLAv2WAKB.html
@LOSTEXPLAINED108 I absolutely will. I was happy to hear someone had the same thoughts as me regarding the dreams being caused by the island and not the mib. I think if the latter were true, it would tarnish the depiction of the islands influence and also John Locke's destiny story
So after two and a bit months of rewatching this as well as the other parts (purely just because I love your explanations and narrations) though I feel I must ask... what's next Mr. Lost explained? I'd love even more deep dives and exploration of the lore. Don't worry you take some time off as it's well deserved. Just don't forget about your lost friends 😊
Thank you! 🙏 I have one more Theory of Everything video to release (which will be soon!) then I will release an addendum video all about how the show was written. In the new year I plan to launch an episode guide going through the show episode by episode, which will become the main focus of the channel going forward.
I absolutely adore your videos. Lost meant and still does mean a lot to me. You’re amazing. This show found me when I was lost in my life and gave me some sort of purpose, I know that sounds stupid of a tv show, but it helped me through a difficult chapter of my life.
Thank you! I feel the same way about the show. I watched it at a really critical juncture in my life when I was in my late teens and it helped me through a very tumultuous period. I think that is one of the reasons that I became so obsessed with it back then. It was both a form of escapism and a cathartic experience at the same time.
What an absolutely superb breakdown of the John Locke character. Totally nailed his arc and purpose in the story. Might be the most succinct and meaningful analysis of his character that I've ever seen and heard. I'm still watching this video BTW, I just wanted to comment on the Locke bit before I get lost in the rest < pun intended!
Honestly, thank you so much. This series has given me so much peace. I had so many theories floating around in my mind throughout the show, and this youtube breakdown helped me piece it all together in a way that is actually logical for me 😅 just wanted to share my appreciation 💞
That’s amazing! I’m so pleased to hear that these videos have been useful for you. My hope has always been to enrich people’s understanding of the show and its various meanings, so comments like this are very validating to read. Thank you 🙏
These videos are MUST SEE for anyone who like LOST at any point-especially those who hated the ending and thought they were dead the whole time. Theres so many details in this and previous videos that I missed while watching it. Its all explained in a way anyone can understand. Some who hated the last couple of seasons often claim there was no plan and they just made it up as they went along. Sure there were changes to the original plan along the way -like the Cave instead of a Volcano where the Source was located, due to budget constraints-but there was so much in Season 1 that was key to seasons 2-6. Those who wanted the explanation for what went on being 100% scientific will never change their minds. The more SCIENCE learns about the nature of the universe and reality itself, the more mysterious it becomes and the line between religion and science become blurred. Was this universe CREATED by an intelligence as far above us as we are above insects? Increasing numbers of scientists are speculating our existence is not a cosmic accident. LOST is about exploring questions of science and faith and destiny. It will always be too deep for those who wanted simplistic scientific answers.
Yes this reminds me of a quote I read years ago… it goes “For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance, he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.” Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers
I’ve heard a pretty compelling theory that David Shepherd is in fact Aaron… this is the person Jack would’ve had memories of being a father to in his life, however briefly… David is told to wait with his “aunt” Claire and rather conspicuously isn’t seen again after Aaron’s “birth” in the flash-sideways.
👀 Wow. Something to think about. I absolutely love these videos and the comments. They're full of different interpretations and I've been having so much fun opening my mind up to different scenarios. This is something I would've never thought of on my own. Great comment. ❤
I Have Enjoyed all of your deep analytical Perspectives on Lost & I Totally Agree with you regarding John Locke & his Destiny & Potential which Sadly was Cut Short by Ben Linus : Jacob should have immediately have Chosen John Locke as his Replacement as he was the only one who didn't want to leave the island : I find The Character of John Locke in Lost to be one of Tragedy & Injustice as everything worked against him but yet his intentions were good & pure : Great Insight on this Great TV Series which I can watch again & again due to its Story Arc & its brilliant Characters which made this show so Special:) Many Thanks for your awesome Videos on all thngs Lost & Please Continue to Produce more of Lost Explained: )
I just screamed when you mentioned the Dark Tower! My Favorite Show and my Favorite Book Series in the same Video just resonated with me in a way only the Island or the Tower can explain!
okay two things : 1- You deserv 20 time more subscribers. 2- im almost sure you work harder on your videos than lost writers worked on some part of the plot of the show :D please keep going !
Thank you so much for this video. I love it. I've rewatched Lost a couple of times and watched many UA-cam videos about it, but this video made me realize some new things again.
When Sawyer and Juliet meet in the flash sideways and she asks him on a date and they remember who they are I lose it. Sawyer is by far the most impactful character for me and he influenced me so much my son is named Sawyer. Reminds me so much of me when I was younger. Anyway, thanks again for another banger. Can’t wait till part 6
A couple things: I like a lot of what you're saying here on the Walt appearances and think you're right on with pretty much most if not all of it, however what still doesn't make a ton of sense to me is the one particular warning he gives about not pressing the button. Like I get on the initial touch with Locke in s1 that he'd suggest to just stay away from the hatch altogether, but once toothpaste's out of the tube in s2, so to speak, and they're fully in the hatch, his want for them to ignore the button we know would bring them major calamity. Since we learn eventually it was genuinely necessary. Yeah it helps the narrative for the audience's POV at that point in the story because it's entertaining for us to think interacting with the button at all is dangerous, but it's a net good (at least for the time being) for the island for the button to get pushed. On Malkin the psychic, I respectfully disagree :) That is, I think what he's telling Eko is the truth, in general he makes his living by way of fraud (in other words, a real world psychic lol) but that everything that happens with Claire is in fact completely real. That's part of WHY he goes so hardcore with it, he knows he's usually just doing a song and dance, and so the fact he's accidentally tapped into something legit supernatural, it scares him and he takes it very seriously. Mind you, whether this was something that Malkin was tapping into thanks to Jacob or just the island itself to convey all this info, I think it's just him at first because he's the psychic Claire happened to go for the initial reading. If it was just some other local quack that Claire's friend suggested to go to, the same process would've happened with that person too.
I interpreted the whispers coinciding with The Others as simply being the trapped dead trying to warn the living of the pending danger.ED Edit: Just finished (another great video essay, btw) and had a not so random thought. Mira Furlan (Danielle) was also in Babylon 5, portraying a member of the Minbari Religious Cast. It was the Minbari believe that people were the Universe's attempt to understand itself. I can see some parallels here with Lost. Perhaps everything that has happened in Lost was simply The Light/Source/Whatever doing something similar, and that the flash sideways is simply a necessary part of those little pieces of Light realizing that it's time to return to the whole.
Excellent video yet again sir 🙂 I wanted to take my time watching this one as it contains many of my favorite aspects of the show, and you truly delivered an eye opening presentation. The bit on the different stages of afterlife was very enlightening, especially in regards to Michael and Ben’s eventual fates, and I’d like to share with you some of my takeaways on that here. Michael had his life cut short of the opportunity to grow, and being able to reflect back on his actions robbed from him. He killed two innocent woman and carried that for the rest of his life into his death. Even after his death, he still holds onto it and thus doesn’t allow himself to move on from it. Tragically, after wanting to die and making many attempts to, he successfully dies, but even after dying, he refuses to let go of his life. Ben being given the opportunity to live the life he wanted, finally being accepted, being relied upon and serving a higher purpose, being able to look back and understand how gravely his actions negatively impacted many lives. He dies having lived a fulfilled life, but in the sideways, he is not yet able to come to terms with the evil acts he committed in his selfish pursuit of power. One is a dead man anchoring himself to the world of the living, unable to let go. The other is a dead man “living” in the realm of the dead being unable to let go. Ben is someone who did everything for himself, contrast to Michael who did everything he could for his son. Both men are strongly linked through their actions, Ben arguably (certainly mostly) being the biggest reason Michael is in this position in the first place. Ben orchestrated Walt’s kidnapping, leading to Michael’s desperation and murder of two women. He even killed Keamy which lead to the bomb being triggered, indirectly killing Michael by blowing up the freighter. Even having been a victim of cruel circumstance, Michael’s actions were still his own, making the choice to kill, and he’s aware of this. Both men are left behind, Michael unknowingly making the choice to do so and pinning it as punishment for his actions, Ben openly choosing not to go beyond the threshold. Lot of reiteration of your points, but it’s something I hadn’t considered before! Very excited for the next video, I’m glad this channel exists and you continue to produce content on this amazing show 🙂
Wow, this is an amazing post! You have very eloquently summed up the difference between Ben and Michael's afterlife experiences. Thank you for sharing and for the kind words. Also, thank you for join the members section of the channel! 🙏
@@LOSTEXPLAINED108Thank you very much! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Lost has been one of my strongest fixations ever since I finished it the first time around early last year. It’s so rich and there’s always something new to learn, and I’m always excited to share my thoughts on it to others who feel the same 🙂
Have you ever considered doing an episode by episode break down? There is a youtuber who does that for Buffy, Angel and Firefly and I think its a really cool structure. Its quite an endevor, though.
That is the plan once I wrap up the "Theory of Everything" series. One more part to go, plus an addendum about how the show was written. And then I'll be launching an episode guide.
What I have found really interesting having watched your videos is my realisation that the creators of lost did something really interesting, which is they created a show that had incredible depth and was pretty complex right from the get go but it was packaged in a very accessible 'simple' format, I think what this did was mean it was hugely popular to a massive audience and particularly the first couple of seasons the masses loved/love. However because the audience was so wide I think as the complexities of the series came to light and the seasons continued, alot of those viewers were left feeling confused and frustrated, basically because they were 'lost' but really this show was too complex for a massive audience, many of who would not of got through the early seasons if they had not been presented the way they were. I would also like to say that I 100% include myself in the audience the 'didn't get it', sure I really enjoyed the show and reached the end but it has not been until the discovery of this incredible UA-cam channel that I have been blown away as to how much I had either not understood at all, misinterpreted or just straight up missed completely. Thanks again for your content, its amazing 👏 ❤️
I think that is a very eloquent and succinct description of how the show split opinions. It was incredibly ambitious for its time and for a network TV show, and I absolutely agree that it went beyond what the average/casual viewer would have expected from a serialised story. In fact, serialised stories on network TV were still a fairly new phenomenon in 2004, there had only been a handful of really famous and successful ones like Twin Peaks in the 1990s and 24 in the early 2000s. HBO had been doing it for a while of course, but HBO wasn’t as accessible to the mainstream. Most audiences were used to cop/legal/medical dramas and sitcoms that reset every week to tell new stories. LOST took things to a whole new level and really required its audience to engage with the details and complexities, which would have felt particularly challenging to anyone who mainly watched the show for the human drama and romantic relationships; people who were used to shows such as E.R. or Law and Order. While there were fans who relished seeing complex concepts like time travel play out on the show, there were also fans who just liked to see Sawyer with his shirt off, and wanted to know if Kate would end up with him or Jack. The audience was a broad-church of tastes, and some of them got frustrated and whittled down as the show became more ambitious with its ideas and storylines. Totally agree with you there! Thank you for your comment and the kind words 🙏
Another theory I have with the flashside ways is that it’s not just a Tibetan reincarnation. I believe that when you renter the light you are granted the afterlife of your own religion. Why I think this is because when Jack walks into the back room of the church it’s filled with items from tonnes of other major religions, like Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Taoism. And the only reason they are all in a church is because it's a place they were connected to in real life. If another group of soulmates rejoined the light they might all go to a synagogue or a mosque instead. Even if they aren’t part of the respective religions. But if that building contributed to their destiny in life they will all go to it in death. And inside the building will have religious ornaments and texts from all major religions. Perhaps to comfort people who are of a certain faith before they rejoin the source. And since we see ghosts I don’t like everyone gets reincarnated, unless they want to. The source might even manifest as a god and ask what kind of afterlife each person wants. Some may want heaven, some may want reincarnation, some may just want to cease to exist. Or and imo the sweetest, the source may grant you something that you wanted but never could have in the real world.
Excellent video, thank you. I was in tears at the end. But if the Man in black wanted to go home and his only home was on the island, and if he had left the island the whole world would have collapsed, where was he going to? The purpose of the Man in black was obscure, that's why it was frustrating..
The Man in Black didn't believe that the death of The Island would lead to the end of the world. He was a cynic. However, had he been proven right and the world kept on turning, I think he would have gone to the nearest available landmass. When he said "I want to go home" I think he simply viewed the outside world as being his real home, where his "people" came from. The place that he should have grown up; the life that he should have had. He never viewed The Island as anything other than a prison. Home was basically anywhere else but there.
I just finished watching LOST. I never watched it when it was on & from what I'm learning.. I'm happy I didn't watch from 04 to 10 & it was great being able to binge it over 2 weeks. Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul are still my #1 but LOST definitely catapulted itself to #2. Now, I'm doing what everyone has done... looking for answers to keep the fun going. Why is it so difficult to see "Lost: The New Man In Charge" ? I can't find it anywhere.. Anyways, I very much dislike the plot holes & loose ends this show leaves us with. I would love a 3 episode mini-series continuing the story while explaining all of the unanswered questions. Great Video BTW
Ashton, remember you had two accounts with me. One of them is defunct and no longer works (the liberty.rdu one), but the other should be working just fine (the gmail one). Try resetting your password with that email address. Should get you back in. Don't want you to miss out on the Patreon first looks and AMAs.
I have two questions that hopefully someone can answer 1. Why are people given sedations when going and leaving the island on the sub 2. Jacob told Hurley in season 6 that he needed his ashes to be burnt for him to fully move on. Wouldn’t that mean that in order for people to move on to the flash sideways, their bodies would need to be fully biodegraded? (Which would take a very long time)
1. Ethan describes the journey to The Island as being “intense”, which is something we get a sense of when we see the chopper crossing the time dilation barrier with Desmond in Season Four. It’s a bumpy ride. So, sedation is something they use for newbies in general. Also, anyone who has been exposed to high levels of radiation or electromagnetism in their lives are at risk of becoming “unstuck” and suffering from a sort-of time dementia. Juliet has worked around radiation in her medical field as well as with her sister’s chemotherapy, so she was at risk of side effects like Desmond if the bearing was even slightly off. 2. This one is more ambiguous. It could just be that Jacob’s ashes were unique in that he was a protector, hence the specific rules around his remains. We see that a body can be used as a conduit to commune with the dead, as evidenced with Miles. I think LOST views the human body like an anchor for a soul. So, it could very well be that Jacob was only able to still be seen and heard by non-psychics - aka to come back from the sideways to influence events - because he still had his anchor on the physical plane in some form and he needed to talk to those who weren’t gifted in the same way Hurley was. It was like an access point. It’s perfectly plausible as an idea but I don’t think it’s a prerequisite. Because then we would have to get into the grim minutiae of such logic with other ghosts. We see Michael still appearing as a ghost and able to communicate with Hurley even though his body was obliterated on the freighter. So, does that mean that as long as little pieces of Michael are still floating around the ocean that he will be trapped? What about Isabella, who died 160 years ago? Surely her bones are close to dust by now? What stage of decomposition does one have to be at? Jacob’s remains are ashes already. It gets tricky and icky lol! So, I think it is too complicated and the logic far too esoteric when we break it down like that. A normal person’s ghost isn’t necessarily tied to what happens to their body. Ghosts stay behind based upon their own internal sense of self. Michael couldn’t move on to the sideways because of his own guilt, which is what trapped him inside The Island’s bubble. Which is also why Walt was going to come back to help him in the epilogue. I think ghosts tend to linger because of self-imposition. They can’t accept the outcome of their life or their death. However, Jacob’s ghost was manifesting out of necessity. The Island still needed him. Because a new protector had not been chosen and the line of succession could not be continued without Jacob’s presence, so he was coming back to do his bit and his remains mattered in this particular case. So, my very long winded way of saying: Ghost Jacob was a special case haha!
Okay so the Island chooses who to heal, which means there's a motive. So what was the motive for the Island to heal/cure Rose? Was it just so that the scene between her and the fake Locke could happen?
Once again, you eloquently phrase so much I agree with and the presentation is so much cleaner and wonderful than the first videos 2 years ago. One thing I think could be dangerous is the inclusion of the author and not. We've discussed it before and both of us agreed that it's troublesome since the showrunners and writers have forgot/changed directions/contradicted each other. So I have mixed when you add in the writers and the showrunners. For instance, adding a quote by writer David Fury can be troublesome since he wasn't part of the first original think tank and butted heads with the other writers. Although I don't think it was anything wrong by adding voices from the writers and showrunners in this particular episode. For instance, I liked that you added Lindelof's comment about the Bardo. But additionally, like you mentioned in a previous video, when Lindelof confirmed what David was, then that stripped it a little bit of its magic and the interpretative qualities of his character in the final season. As for my points. 21.00 Agree on the dreams. For instance, if MIB had more control of the dreams, then I think the show would suggest more of that in later seasons. Especially in season 6, I would imagine him trying to influence certain situations. Especially Ben. Ben says that he "used to have dreams". Wouldn't it be more fruitful for MIB to further influence Ben's dreams to help him in his loophole plan? 44:00 I see that you also came to the Danny Torrance conclusion like I did. I do think that there could be several explanations to him being wet such as him astral projecting while in the water or having been in the water, for instance if he jumped into the ocean trying to escape the Others. Or if he was in the Pool at the time. That is in addition to this being a foreshadowing. Most likely this was added in since creepy wet children was a popular horror trope at the time of writing the show (The Grudge and The Ring franchise), as well as backwards speech being a horror trope as well. 58:00 Good point about Walt's warning and potentially sensing that his father was also in danger by being on the freighter and the contact with them would be dangerous. 01:00:00 Malkin: I don't think it's farfetched that he acquired the information that she was pregnant through her friend, but I agree with the rest of your points. I do believe that Malkin sensed and acquired everything from Claire. And that he was so shook up by it due to Claire (and her baby's) strong connection with The Island. Absolutely good point about the phone call at night. I also like that they didn't include that deleted scene in the show. It's interesting that they further hid it. It's not part of the deleted scenes selection in the seasn 2 DVD set, but you need to navigate through the character connections maze. Asking the audience to further investigate to find the scene 01:14:00 About the questioning whether or not it's real or not is a great detail to have in the episode "?". The flashback sequence happens right after John Locke wakes up and tells Eko about Yemi and that it was just a dream and dismissing any meaning of the Yemi appearance. So we go from Locke dismissing the importance of this vision to Malkin dismissing anything special about Charlotte's reawakening. So when he have passed halfway into the episode we as a viewer think this is all DHARMA, all fake, all a scam and so on. So the culmination of the episode is that there is something real/magical/supernatural going on. The final flashback sequence has Charlotte telling about Yemi and the end of the episode, being an Eko-episode, having him accepting the button pushing as riddled with grand meaning. 01:26:00 Good points about Dave in the FB. If he was Libby's David in the flashbacks, surely he would've appeared in his own clothes? We don't know much what he did, but he was a sailor, so maybe they would've included something related to that to further illustrate the connection instead of Santa Rose robes. Charlie appears to Hurley in his regular rock'n'roll wardrobe. 02:14.00 One perspective I have for the audience that it's not only from the perspective of characters, and that Jack is seeing the characters as he remembered them. But the FS also partly breaking the 4th wall. It's the show telling us that the "most important part of this show was the time you spent with these characters". And it also further cements some relationships that gained a lot of screen time. For instance we spent more screen time with Sayid's relationship with Shannon, hence why it is enhanced in the church scene. We spent more screen time with baby Aaron, even though Jack spent more time with Aaron as a toddler. All the remembering flashes are seen from the perspective of the audience, not from the characters. Like Locke remembering the time he saw the Monster in "Walkabout", we see it from our POV/Monster's POV zooming down on him. So it's a dimension that exists outside the show too. Additionally, I love your fan casting of future Lost children. I smirked at Barry Keoghan as Charlie Hume! 02:17:00 One problematic thing is that Roger Linus was very abusive to Ben pre-1977. Even before 1974 when the time-travellers came there. So they wouldn't have the chance to influence that particular relationship. One way I can still see the removal of the time-loop work in their favor is that them being there in the 50's created a butterfly effect? For instance, with the time-travellers not being there in the 50s in this "Bardo reality", the guy Cunningham (who wouldn't have been killed by Widmore when they were captured by Locke, Juliet and Sawyer) might've left the Island and built a hospital in Portland where Emily Linus would've been rushed to and she would've survived, creating a better bond between Ben and his father. But ultimately divorced him, but still kept contact with them. Because even though Sayid shooting Ben was a dramatic change in Ben's life, he was already broken and had a horrible relationship with Roger prior to the time-travellers being there in real life. 02:20:00 Absolutely! The show was always interested in the supernatural. I love the conversation in "White Rabbit" too, which also for the first time in the show says the word MAGIC, in reference to the Island. "I'm not a big believer in magic. But this place is different. It's special. The others don't want to talk about it because it scares them. But we all know it. We all feel it. Is your white rabbit a hallucination? Probably. But what if everything that happened here, happened for a reason? What if this person that you're chasing is really here?" In the next episode Locke talks about the Island as an entity. That you have to give the Island something to get something you want in return. And in the episode after, even the logical skeptic guy Sayid hints at something grander when explaining the plane crash. "The tail section broke off while we were still in the air. Our section cart wheeled through the jungle and yet we escaped with nothing but a few scrapes. How do you explain that?" KATE: "Blind, dumb luck?" SAYID: "No one's that lucky. We shouldn't have survived." I love the small drops of the unknown and magical in the first season. And like you've greatly explained in a video before. The Numbers. I can't understand how people looking for a normal scientific explanation were still expecting that after that episode? As if there would be a secret team of ex-DHARMA members placing 4,8, 15, 16, 23 and 42 all around the world, following our characters? That's about it. Great video!
I've come a looooong way since those early videos. There will come a time when I will get rid of those bad boys, as I feel they detract from the overall experience of the channel (and sometimes the traffic ends up watching those first!). It’s tricky when it comes to writer quotes, I agree. We cannot exclusively rely on their soundbites as our gospel because they gave some contrary information over the years. I tend to only use quotes for context purposes, usually on the more divisive mysteries to demonstrate that I am not simply pulling ideas out my ass 😆 In this particular case, Fury’s quote was absolutely relevant based on what Lindelof claimed years later, that the whispers were in flux and they struggled to settle on a singular origin. For many fans, the whispers being confirmed as ghosts on The Island created issues for them. It's one of the most direct answers that the show gave us and it didn't stick the landing. I think it was the way in which they delivered it. Anyway, I wanted to explain that this is why some viewers might find the answer a little inconsistent, and we have clear external evidence that the writersroom changed their minds about the whispers as they went through the story. Which is fine, but if I’m going to talk about to this subject then it wouldn’t feel complete without acknowledging those behind the scenes quotes. Using that Season One quote from Fury juxtaposed against a post-season six quote from Lindelof felt right. But I am very selective over when I invoke commentary and interviews, although that might change after I finish this Theory series because I do want to start engaging more critically with the show, and analysing it as a story that has various ups and downs, and hits and misses, and creator/writer interviews will factor into that. So, consider this the gentle transition from mythology analysis to critical analysis. Thanks for your takes, as always. I think we're fairly aligned on a lot of these points from the looks of it. The dreams part is something that has been a real point of contention for some. And, I think, they usually ascribe the dreams to MiB because they don't believe that The Island is playing an active role in events, even though the show wouldn't make nearly as much sense without that prime mover behind everything. But when you really break down those dreams in terms of logic, motive and outcome, they make little sense coming from MiB. Yes, the Danny Torrance comparison is clear. The showrunners loved Stephen King. There are many King-like elements in the show. Kids with weird powers is a staple of many of his stories. To me, it's a no-brainer that they took inspiration for Walt from Danny. The Malkin thing. See, I do think it is farfetched to assume that Claire's friend was in on the scam. Nothing suggests that, especially when we look at her facial reactions. What could possibly be her motive for setting up her BFF? If it was implied somehow, like seeing the friend with Malkin before Claire turns up a second time, then I'd say there is a precedent for that theory. But this is one of those theories that requires making up all sorts of backstory/plot machinations that are never once implied or demonstrated. Even if it was innocent and she simply dropped that nuggest of info to Malkin when she s-up the visit, she would tell Claire afterwards that "Oh yeah, I mentioned you were pregnant, so that's how he knew." But she looks just as surprised to hear him "guess" that as Claire is. And it still wouldn't explain how Malkin fumbles his way through such a crazy, nonsensical scam lol. It's true that Roger Linus was already a horrible father to his son, but because of the lack of the time loop in this recreated alternate sideways universe, it does mean that they would have been evacuated with everyone else. And perhaps that was the turning point that was needed in their relationship. Going back to the real world. Ben going to a normal school that gave him a balanced education and social life (clearly he did because he became a teacher!) and Roger getting a better job that made him feel some self-worth. Any number of things could have righted that ship. We also cannot discount the butterfly effect that you mention, mainly starting in the 1950s due to the absence of Team Locke. The sideways alternate history for everyone clearly created many anomalies in our Losties' lives. I think the logic behind the creation of the sideways in the writersroom was to simply bring these characters full circle by going back to the fundamentals of Season One. Even the on-island storylines try to follow those original beats (the initial episode ordering and the slower pace). And I think that's really why Sayid is with Shannon in 'The End'. They were trying to echo where the show started. Although I do take the view that Shannon was absolutely the right person for Sayid to be coupled up with for that final moving on sequence, for various reasons, but mainly because Shannon was about Sayid's time on The Island and letting go of his violent, tragic past (most of which revolved around his obsession with finding with and being with Nadia). That always made sense to me. But I think you're right in that there is a metatextual reading of the flash sideways, whether they intended it or not, especially with those flashcuts. I see it less as the audience's POV though and more like The Island's POV. I prefer to think that what we saw on the show was how The Island viewed events in some form, and when our characters get woken up, they finally see through the eyes of The Island/The Source. Like an out-of-body spiritual experience that helps them to realise they were never really alone. The Island was always with them.
As a roughneck, that whee little drilling rig baffles me, what are those silly gauges for? No rotary gauges? No hold back? Pull-down? Just engine rpm and temp? Man. Now that’s drilling by instinct.. and a good way to fuck shit up lol oh yea, plus, where’s all the drill-pipe? Water? Are they running mud because they’re on a sandy island? Well where’s the Mud Dog or Mud Puppy? Who’s the mud man? Anyone check viscosity? Where’s the diverter? The cuttings? Did anyone reference ANY kind of drilling rig before setting all that up, or just a power line tower? Sheesh. Those scenes always pull me out of the illusion so incredibly fast.
It’s go time, fellow Losties, let’s gooooo
I’m gonna leave the same comment I do on your post. This is absolutely incredible. The breakdown, the analysis, and the content is truly remarkable. I can’t imagine how much time and effort goes into each one of these productions, but it’s truly an amazing watch every time. Great work.
There are videos for every series but no one pays much attention to the one series that started group theorizing. They just usually either joke on Lost on question if it was good or bad. But this is a channel just for those who love Lost. I'm so glad I found someone who loves Lost as much as I do.
Star Trek & Dr Who had groups theorizing about their shows. Lost came out when 90% of Americans used the internet & social media.. so I know what you mean.. since it became MUCH easier for fans of shows to come together.
I'm just putting it out their bc my older cousin was one of those "Trekkies" who was in Trek Groups & they would meet up & share their fan fiction & theories. They would even snail mail the writers & directors their edits & ideas..lol
This is the best channel on UA-cam. Thank you so much for all of the time and effort you put into these
And thank you so much for supporting it! 🙏
It's criminal that there are so many lost fans and this channel only has 17.2K subs. I don't get it.
It really is incredible
I kind of feel sorry for people who are unable to let go of their own preconceptions and enjoy a story for what it is, whether you subscribe to the premise or not. How much do you lose out on by closing your mind to fictions you can't believe in? There's something to be gained in every story, even if there's only a grain of it you take with you. And LOST had so much to offer.
Thanks for the work you're putting into this series. It looks like the algorithm is noticing our interest in this show.
I always felt that Locke had such a big role in the show and his character honestly was my favorite in just about any television series.
I am inclined to agree with you! One of my favourite characters on TV too 👍
Of course he did. Just like Walt. But once viewers guess it in JJ fashion, he nixed it. That's why things don't line up with certain plots in this series.
@babytoshiro7014 Respectfully, I don't think that has anything to do with why Walt's story changed. I also don't think they nixed Locke's story when people realized he was "special", etc.
He's on my "favourite TV characters list" next to Dale Cooper, Paulie Walnuts, Fox Mulder & Dana Scully, Elliot Alderson and Stig Helmer
Just completed my 15 viewing of the entire series. For me, Lost is the greatest series I’ve ever watched. The pairing of science and faith through the arc of the main characters and their journey from being Lost to complete understanding of their destiny is the what is so satisfying to the viewer. Every subsequent viewing of this series always seem to unlock a new little Easter egg. Ultimately Lost reminds each of us that no one is irredeemable and that none of us “does it alone”.
One Question that is worth Considering is did Desmond know about The Smoke Monster as he never acknowledged this fact in Lost ?????? Hope to know your thoughts on this :) Many thanks once again & great content on a great TV show:)
@@giuseppefalisi5945 I think it's established that Desmond didn't get out much. When Kelvin was with him, he was never allowed to go outside. By the time he finally caught onto Kelvin's deceptions, he accidentally killed Kelvin and spent the next month alone in the hatch having to push the button every 108 minutes. So, I don't think he knew about the smoke monster until he was relieved by Locke and got out of there.
@LOSTEXPLAINED108 Thank You for Answering this question 🙏 Appreciate very much indeed :)
I think ive watched it right through 4/5 times and im rewatching now but gotta be honest , im struggling to focus , i think i know it too well now , im not sure if i can stick with it to the end again ... I envy those who are watching on netflix for the first time , think i might leave it now till im old , hopefully ile forget most of it 😂
opened the video and IMMEDIATELY checked if it ended with a “what’s next” segment. honestly, can’t get over this series dude. incredible work!
1:48:00 I found Ben's choice more profound in the finale. Ben's connection to the island & the people in the church allows him to find the peace to remember & move on - but Ben's growth as a person enables him to recognize he is being gifted a final chance to choose his daughter over the island, which he does without hesitation. Being presented this gift in the form of a choice seems like a final message from Jacob, who likely had far more compassion for Ben than he ever imagined.
You are literally the only person attempting to give answers to a show that did not explicitly answered any of these subjects.
And even though these are all ur interpretations, I do accept them, and they do make sense. Hence why I said the "only person", cause many that do try, fail on connecting the overall points, or have huge flaws on their arguments.
After all these years, and after re-watching the show 3 or 4 times to see if I had missed something, I was still frustrated and angry that the show did not answer shit about the big mythology subjects, the writers lied and did not reveal anything substantial.
So, Im VERY THANKFUL of these amazing videos u are making. GOOD JOB !!
There's several people online that answer the show with convincing arguments, both online and UA-cam.
@@Choekaas Never seen that happen ever. Most people still deflect with the mysteries were not important at all, and the show was about the characters. Fully denying there was ever anything to answer.
But do send me some of those youtube people that do answer to the mythology, would love to see some different perspectives.
@@7grims Thanks for getting back to me. I think HuthTruth (GettingLost) is quite good.
And I hate to shamelessly promote myself, but I publish Lost analysis videos too if you're interested :)
@@Choekaas Huth Truth doesnt seem to have any tittle directly referring to the big mysteries, but ill check them out.
And yah promote urself, I want to see more lost content :) ive put some of ur videos also on my watch list, i hope someday ull get to s06 and answer too the great mysteries regarding the mythology. Thanks.
@@7grims Considering what you expect to be EXACTLY explained, I doubt you will be satisfied, lol.
Unmatched talent, my friend. Well done as usual!
Thank you for your support, Christian! 🙏
2023 and I'm STILL watching these videos! Why? Because LOST still is that deeply embedded in my mind. Name another show that is THIS fascinating 13 years after it ended.😊
Indeed, but give The Leftovers some time, it will be just as relevant.
2024
For me, The Walking Dead. I want to watch all 11 seasons again.
This series is freakin’ amazing. Great work!
I was waiting for this! When a video of yours appears, I know it's going to be a masterpiece on the best TV show ever, so my weekend will have at least 2:25:35 hours of total bliss, and I'll never be able to thank you enough.
Brilliant as always. I found the segment where you discuss Jack and David in the Flash Sideways incredibly moving!
Thanks man this is great content.
I’ve been so excited for this! Let’s goooooo
YES! Something to watch after work today. I already hit LIKE because I know it will be great! Thanks!
UPDATE: Brilliant as always. I really appreciate the amount of work you put in to these things. And every time I think I have thought about this show from every angle, you come along with a bunch more. Well done!
Watching your videos for multiple time. You really captivate the moving energy of the show. I can only imagine how much hard work goes into these. Your videos are just as wonderful as the show itself. Lost and your channel are always my go to when I myself are feeling Lost. I watch it once in awhile, when I finish it, I start it over and go again about once a year.
Namaste
Thank you for such a kind comment. I'm really flattered that you would return to these videos to watch them more than once. That means a great deal to me 🙏
Like the series itself, these videos are a precious vessel that encourages reflection while simultaneously entertaining & informing on grand concepts which are enrichedby multiple viewings. Thank you for your THIS labor of Love. @LOSTEXPLAINED108
Some people might think it deromanticizes these concepts like the spiritual world, showing how they work in a mechanical sense, but to weirdos like me it only strengthens the emotional impact. Time especially could have used more clarification in how it works, both inside of it and outside. It was all put very well and artistically, and I'm not saying it should have been made differently, but I'm glad this series exists as well. An excellent companion piece.
It's finally here!!!
I was so into this show that after the end I used to write a terrible fanfiction sequel. "Protector: The Adventures of Ben & Hurley"
I absolutely loved your break downs so far. You unlocked something, and helped me understand season 6...finally!
Just watched it again and I love this damn show so much I wish another one would come out
20 years later... One thing is clear... The island isn't done with us yet... We have to go back! In all seriousness, I love intricate content like this that dives deep into the lore of not only this show, but oddly ourselves too... That's the beauty of this show... We connect with the characters because of their struggles and their journey in mending those struggles and we just have to believe in taking the right path and continue to better ourselves and learn to let go at the same time... That is why they call it a leap of faith.
Sorry I’m late! Love your videos, and I love Lost!
Wow this had me crying at the end. I’ve had a couple of experiences and I’m sure many have that are shown in the show. I had a premonition as a child that we would have a house fire and I even said out loud “please don’t let us have a house fire” while I was riding my trike when I was about 3. When I was 6 we did have a house fire where my sister nearly died - we were both badly injured. And I was 30 before I was thankful that we both were injured otherwise she would have had to go through life bearing scars by herself. I have no idea how I knew this was going to happen. I also have a soul mate that I was engaged to, I called it off, we both married the same year to other people, both had children in the same years and were not in contact for 18 years. Then he got back in touch with me when I happened to be suicidal and just by a phone call, I felt my feet land back on earth and when I looked around everything had changed. It was like the world had reset.
2:19:17 to be frank, most people were not intelligent enough to understand the whole story, myself included. I never understood the essence/core of the story until you explained it to me. So many small details I saw meant nothing, until you linked them all together and made it clear. At the time it was aired everyone said they were in Purgatory, everyone mocked the creators thinking they’d created a story which they had no idea what the story was. They’d started something to make money with no idea where it was going, and then they were scrabbling to make it all work. Due to the time between seasons, and subtle things in early seasons linking to subtle things in later seasons which were years apart for us viewing, much of the genius was missed and subsequently everything was mocked and belittled. However nearly 20 years later you have patiently and eloquently informed us what we missed. You have done so without hubris or ego, instead showing great understanding and care when presenting your opinions. You’re clearly a man with good scientific/physics knowledge and have applied a methodical approach to Lost and in turn your videos and explanations. I feel from watching your content that there should’ve been a narrator each season explaining and helping the viewer, as most people who invested in Lost were unable to understand how clever it was (I speak for myself only here, but consider myself to be the average person) thank you so much for the huge effort you have made with your channel, I have so much respect for you sir!
That’s incredibly kind for you to say! Thank you 🙏
@@LOSTEXPLAINED108 it’s the least I could do to reciprocate.
I couldn't have said it better, myself. ❤ Amazing comment
Such an excellent comment my friend! And remember we were 20 years younger too watching this - I was a young mum and it was just entertainment - now I am nearing middle age and have experienced many challenges, losses and victories in my life and so this show means so much more to me now. So in a way, like the losties, I had to be patient too 😂. As I wouldn’t have understood this channel 20 years ago just like I misinterpreted the ending of the show. It’s a true gift and it’s life mirroring art. My kids are young adults now and I can’t wait to watch this with them.
Wow. Just, wow. I can't believe I just spent 2+ hours watching this entire video. I was transfixed. The analysis and explanation is just as riveting as the show. Thank you for all your hard work in making this, you have made all the time I've already spent watching and re-watching the series that much more enriching.
That’s so awesome to read! Thank you so much for letting me know that you have found the videos both useful and entertaining. You found them just as riveting as the show? Extraordinarily high praise indeed! 🙏
Just started another rewatch today so this is great timing
I was thinking about that scene where Hugo and Jack were sitting on the beach and moonlight serenade was playing and Hugo mentioned that it was a song from a different time. I guess I am wondering was the island in the 1930s or 1940s when they were listening to that song?
More like they accidentally tuned into a radio station playing 30s/40s big band standards with their radio that night.
The ‘Moonlight Serenade’ scene wasn’t Hugo and Jack.
It was Hugo and Sayid.
@@davidolden971 True, thanks for correcting.
Cannot speak highly enough of this channel and these videos. I'd just be repeating myself. Thank you!
We don't mind you repeating yourself because we all agree.
Great analysis once again.
I see you upload i click, very simple.
Thank you for these great videos packed with fantastic insight. Can't wait for each new installment.
I have seen every one of your videos and have never disagreed with a single thing you’ve put forward. Your insight and command of knowledge is amazing and you have enhanced my appreciation of this series. Thank you!
I just finished lost for the first time and then this video exists the day I end the show. It must be destiny, it must be my destiny, I'm supposed to watch this damn it!!
Perfect timing! I'd recommend you watching this video series from the start to get the full context. The whole playlist is here if you want to take a deep dive: ua-cam.com/play/PL5iTj9psbPrNovFOg4pJJIyxiLAv2WAKB.html
@LOSTEXPLAINED108 I absolutely will. I was happy to hear someone had the same thoughts as me regarding the dreams being caused by the island and not the mib. I think if the latter were true, it would tarnish the depiction of the islands influence and also John Locke's destiny story
ayyyyyy! was waiting on this one, fitna order some food and have a blast, thank you for uploading
So after two and a bit months of rewatching this as well as the other parts (purely just because I love your explanations and narrations) though I feel I must ask... what's next Mr. Lost explained? I'd love even more deep dives and exploration of the lore. Don't worry you take some time off as it's well deserved. Just don't forget about your lost friends 😊
Thank you! 🙏 I have one more Theory of Everything video to release (which will be soon!) then I will release an addendum video all about how the show was written. In the new year I plan to launch an episode guide going through the show episode by episode, which will become the main focus of the channel going forward.
@LOSTEXPLAINED108 can't wait for it all my brother!!!
I was just looking the other day for a new vid. Thanks bro.
Just want to make sure I thank you for your content!!
Thanks for your videos, you are doing an epic work!
Tried a couple of times but never made it through the show. I just found your series today and might try again after seeing a few.
Have you watched it yet? 👀
It's amazing how your videos make the series even better. You give insights I would never think of. Thanks for making me love Lost even more
I absolutely adore your videos. Lost meant and still does mean a lot to me. You’re amazing. This show found me when I was lost in my life and gave me some sort of purpose, I know that sounds stupid of a tv show, but it helped me through a difficult chapter of my life.
Thank you! I feel the same way about the show. I watched it at a really critical juncture in my life when I was in my late teens and it helped me through a very tumultuous period. I think that is one of the reasons that I became so obsessed with it back then. It was both a form of escapism and a cathartic experience at the same time.
Not stupid at all. I can relate.
Please don’t stop making these videos 🙏
Hell yeah I’ve got a long drive ahead and now I’ve got something to listen to ❤
Well, you just made me, on this sixth day of October, 2024, start another re watch of the show!
I love when I clicked “like” I was like number 815
That's awesome! Those numbers are everywhere...
What an absolutely superb breakdown of the John Locke character. Totally nailed his arc and purpose in the story. Might be the most succinct and meaningful analysis of his character that I've ever seen and heard. I'm still watching this video BTW, I just wanted to comment on the Locke bit before I get lost in the rest < pun intended!
Honestly, thank you so much. This series has given me so much peace. I had so many theories floating around in my mind throughout the show, and this youtube breakdown helped me piece it all together in a way that is actually logical for me 😅 just wanted to share my appreciation 💞
That’s amazing! I’m so pleased to hear that these videos have been useful for you. My hope has always been to enrich people’s understanding of the show and its various meanings, so comments like this are very validating to read. Thank you 🙏
Woop, woop. Been waiting for this bad boy. Two and a half hours, I've got some serious viewing to do. Thaks, mate
These videos are MUST SEE for anyone who like LOST at any point-especially those who hated the ending and thought they were dead the whole time. Theres so many details in this and previous videos that I missed while watching it. Its all explained in a way anyone can understand. Some who hated the last couple of seasons often claim there was no plan and they just made it up as they went along. Sure there were changes to the original plan along the way -like the Cave instead of a Volcano where the Source was located, due to budget constraints-but there was so much in Season 1 that was key to seasons 2-6. Those who wanted the explanation for what went on being 100% scientific will never change their minds. The more SCIENCE learns about the nature of the universe and reality itself, the more mysterious it becomes and the line between religion and science become blurred. Was this universe CREATED by an intelligence as far above us as we are above insects? Increasing numbers of scientists are speculating our existence is not a cosmic accident.
LOST is about exploring questions of science and faith and destiny. It will always be too deep for those who wanted simplistic scientific answers.
Yes this reminds me of a quote I read years ago… it goes
“For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance, he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”
Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers
2:14:47 "little Charlie" made me genuinely laugh, all I can think of is Saltburn and him dancing at the end
Oh hell yeah so glad.youre still going, excited for this one!
AAAAHHHHHHHHHHH yayyyyy!! I'm so so happy!!!! Was looking forward to more from you! Thank you!
These are always SUCH A GIFT, THANK YOU!!!!
I’ve heard a pretty compelling theory that David Shepherd is in fact Aaron… this is the person Jack would’ve had memories of being a father to in his life, however briefly… David is told to wait with his “aunt” Claire and rather conspicuously isn’t seen again after Aaron’s “birth” in the flash-sideways.
👀 Wow. Something to think about. I absolutely love these videos and the comments. They're full of different interpretations and I've been having so much fun opening my mind up to different scenarios. This is something I would've never thought of on my own. Great comment. ❤
Whoohoo new content!! A perfect Sunday diversion!
I Have Enjoyed all of your deep analytical Perspectives on Lost & I Totally Agree with you regarding John Locke & his Destiny & Potential which Sadly was Cut Short by Ben Linus : Jacob should have immediately have Chosen John Locke as his Replacement as he was the only one who didn't want to leave the island : I find The Character of John Locke in Lost to be one of Tragedy & Injustice as everything worked against him but yet his intentions were good & pure : Great Insight on this Great TV Series which I can watch again & again due to its Story Arc & its brilliant Characters which made this show so Special:) Many Thanks for your awesome Videos on all thngs Lost & Please Continue to Produce more of Lost Explained: )
Wow so well done ! 🎉 glad im not the only one still obsessed with this show
The obsession runs deep!
This is a special end to a very stressful special tv series . Thankyou so much
I would love to see a video on the blast door map.
I just screamed when you mentioned the Dark Tower! My Favorite Show and my Favorite Book Series in the same Video just resonated with me in a way only the Island or the Tower can explain!
Incredible awesome!!!! Thank you.
Binged the rest of the series just in time for this 🙏 Thank you
okay two things :
1- You deserv 20 time more subscribers.
2- im almost sure you work harder on your videos than lost writers worked on some part of the plot of the show :D
please keep going !
Thank you for another extraordinary video. I can’t wait for part 6!
i’m here for that sweet silky voice
😆
You've done a fantastic job putting all this together, some stuff I never heard of! Well done! 😊
everytime this channel uploads i know im gonna have an amazing day
yes!!! you've made my day!
Great content. Keep it coming. 👍
Thank you so much for this video. I love it. I've rewatched Lost a couple of times and watched many UA-cam videos about it, but this video made me realize some new things again.
The number of times I clicked on the channel hoping a new content I missed it.
Gonna sip it ❤❤❤.
Perfect friday upload.
Just finished the episode. Great job. I cried a few times, as I do, going through of the more emotional moments. This show gets me every time.
When Sawyer and Juliet meet in the flash sideways and she asks him on a date and they remember who they are I lose it. Sawyer is by far the most impactful character for me and he influenced me so much my son is named Sawyer. Reminds me so much of me when I was younger. Anyway, thanks again for another banger. Can’t wait till part 6
I feel like this whole show was a subconscious way of conveying serious messages
Yh
Letting go
What happened happened
All is one
We are the cause of our own suffering
Morality is objective
Absolutely amazing as always! Thank you so much!♥♥♥
A couple things: I like a lot of what you're saying here on the Walt appearances and think you're right on with pretty much most if not all of it, however what still doesn't make a ton of sense to me is the one particular warning he gives about not pressing the button. Like I get on the initial touch with Locke in s1 that he'd suggest to just stay away from the hatch altogether, but once toothpaste's out of the tube in s2, so to speak, and they're fully in the hatch, his want for them to ignore the button we know would bring them major calamity. Since we learn eventually it was genuinely necessary. Yeah it helps the narrative for the audience's POV at that point in the story because it's entertaining for us to think interacting with the button at all is dangerous, but it's a net good (at least for the time being) for the island for the button to get pushed.
On Malkin the psychic, I respectfully disagree :) That is, I think what he's telling Eko is the truth, in general he makes his living by way of fraud (in other words, a real world psychic lol) but that everything that happens with Claire is in fact completely real. That's part of WHY he goes so hardcore with it, he knows he's usually just doing a song and dance, and so the fact he's accidentally tapped into something legit supernatural, it scares him and he takes it very seriously. Mind you, whether this was something that Malkin was tapping into thanks to Jacob or just the island itself to convey all this info, I think it's just him at first because he's the psychic Claire happened to go for the initial reading. If it was just some other local quack that Claire's friend suggested to go to, the same process would've happened with that person too.
I interpreted the whispers coinciding with The Others as simply being the trapped dead trying to warn the living of the pending danger.ED
Edit: Just finished (another great video essay, btw) and had a not so random thought. Mira Furlan (Danielle) was also in Babylon 5, portraying a member of the Minbari Religious Cast. It was the Minbari believe that people were the Universe's attempt to understand itself. I can see some parallels here with Lost. Perhaps everything that has happened in Lost was simply The Light/Source/Whatever doing something similar, and that the flash sideways is simply a necessary part of those little pieces of Light realizing that it's time to return to the whole.
Here we go!
Excellent video yet again sir 🙂 I wanted to take my time watching this one as it contains many of my favorite aspects of the show, and you truly delivered an eye opening presentation. The bit on the different stages of afterlife was very enlightening, especially in regards to Michael and Ben’s eventual fates, and I’d like to share with you some of my takeaways on that here.
Michael had his life cut short of the opportunity to grow, and being able to reflect back on his actions robbed from him. He killed two innocent woman and carried that for the rest of his life into his death. Even after his death, he still holds onto it and thus doesn’t allow himself to move on from it. Tragically, after wanting to die and making many attempts to, he successfully dies, but even after dying, he refuses to let go of his life.
Ben being given the opportunity to live the life he wanted, finally being accepted, being relied upon and serving a higher purpose, being able to look back and understand how gravely his actions negatively impacted many lives. He dies having lived a fulfilled life, but in the sideways, he is not yet able to come to terms with the evil acts he committed in his selfish pursuit of power.
One is a dead man anchoring himself to the world of the living, unable to let go. The other is a dead man “living” in the realm of the dead being unable to let go. Ben is someone who did everything for himself, contrast to Michael who did everything he could for his son.
Both men are strongly linked through their actions, Ben arguably (certainly mostly) being the biggest reason Michael is in this position in the first place. Ben orchestrated Walt’s kidnapping, leading to Michael’s desperation and murder of two women. He even killed Keamy which lead to the bomb being triggered, indirectly killing Michael by blowing up the freighter. Even having been a victim of cruel circumstance, Michael’s actions were still his own, making the choice to kill, and he’s aware of this. Both men are left behind, Michael unknowingly making the choice to do so and pinning it as punishment for his actions, Ben openly choosing not to go beyond the threshold.
Lot of reiteration of your points, but it’s something I hadn’t considered before! Very excited for the next video, I’m glad this channel exists and you continue to produce content on this amazing show 🙂
Wow, this is an amazing post! You have very eloquently summed up the difference between Ben and Michael's afterlife experiences. Thank you for sharing and for the kind words. Also, thank you for join the members section of the channel! 🙏
@@LOSTEXPLAINED108Thank you very much! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Lost has been one of my strongest fixations ever since I finished it the first time around early last year. It’s so rich and there’s always something new to learn, and I’m always excited to share my thoughts on it to others who feel the same 🙂
Have you ever considered doing an episode by episode break down? There is a youtuber who does that for Buffy, Angel and Firefly and I think its a really cool structure. Its quite an endevor, though.
That is the plan once I wrap up the "Theory of Everything" series. One more part to go, plus an addendum about how the show was written. And then I'll be launching an episode guide.
@@LOSTEXPLAINED108 … “DON’T TELL ME WHAT I CAN’T EXPLAIN!” 😏
@@davidolden971😂 brilliant
What I have found really interesting having watched your videos is my realisation that the creators of lost did something really interesting, which is they created a show that had incredible depth and was pretty complex right from the get go but it was packaged in a very accessible 'simple' format, I think what this did was mean it was hugely popular to a massive audience and particularly the first couple of seasons the masses loved/love. However because the audience was so wide I think as the complexities of the series came to light and the seasons continued, alot of those viewers were left feeling confused and frustrated, basically because they were 'lost' but really this show was too complex for a massive audience, many of who would not of got through the early seasons if they had not been presented the way they were. I would also like to say that I 100% include myself in the audience the 'didn't get it', sure I really enjoyed the show and reached the end but it has not been until the discovery of this incredible UA-cam channel that I have been blown away as to how much I had either not understood at all, misinterpreted or just straight up missed completely. Thanks again for your content, its amazing 👏 ❤️
I think that is a very eloquent and succinct description of how the show split opinions. It was incredibly ambitious for its time and for a network TV show, and I absolutely agree that it went beyond what the average/casual viewer would have expected from a serialised story. In fact, serialised stories on network TV were still a fairly new phenomenon in 2004, there had only been a handful of really famous and successful ones like Twin Peaks in the 1990s and 24 in the early 2000s. HBO had been doing it for a while of course, but HBO wasn’t as accessible to the mainstream. Most audiences were used to cop/legal/medical dramas and sitcoms that reset every week to tell new stories. LOST took things to a whole new level and really required its audience to engage with the details and complexities, which would have felt particularly challenging to anyone who mainly watched the show for the human drama and romantic relationships; people who were used to shows such as E.R. or Law and Order. While there were fans who relished seeing complex concepts like time travel play out on the show, there were also fans who just liked to see Sawyer with his shirt off, and wanted to know if Kate would end up with him or Jack. The audience was a broad-church of tastes, and some of them got frustrated and whittled down as the show became more ambitious with its ideas and storylines. Totally agree with you there!
Thank you for your comment and the kind words 🙏
so... it's time to return to the island 😁👍
We have to go back!
Another theory I have with the flashside ways is that it’s not just a Tibetan reincarnation. I believe that when you renter the light you are granted the afterlife of your own religion. Why I think this is because when Jack walks into the back room of the church it’s filled with items from tonnes of other major religions, like Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Taoism. And the only reason they are all in a church is because it's a place they were connected to in real life.
If another group of soulmates rejoined the light they might all go to a synagogue or a mosque instead. Even if they aren’t part of the respective religions. But if that building contributed to their destiny in life they will all go to it in death. And inside the building will have religious ornaments and texts from all major religions. Perhaps to comfort people who are of a certain faith before they rejoin the source. And since we see ghosts I don’t like everyone gets reincarnated, unless they want to. The source might even manifest as a god and ask what kind of afterlife each person wants. Some may want heaven, some may want reincarnation, some may just want to cease to exist. Or and imo the sweetest, the source may grant you something that you wanted but never could have in the real world.
Eccoloooo❤😊 non dire che nonn lo posso fareeee❤ed io posso solo dire... grazie ❤ che lo fai. Tu ci porti...li. grazie ❤
the vast knowledge of lost that you have is crazy. You explain it very well. You seem like a very bright human. How old are you?
I'm pushing 40 these days brutha!
@@LOSTEXPLAINED108 a wise man love your contetn
Thank you once again for a fantastic video!
Excellent video, thank you. I was in tears at the end. But if the Man in black wanted to go home and his only home was on the island, and if he had left the island the whole world would have collapsed, where was he going to? The purpose of the Man in black was obscure, that's why it was frustrating..
The Man in Black didn't believe that the death of The Island would lead to the end of the world. He was a cynic. However, had he been proven right and the world kept on turning, I think he would have gone to the nearest available landmass. When he said "I want to go home" I think he simply viewed the outside world as being his real home, where his "people" came from. The place that he should have grown up; the life that he should have had. He never viewed The Island as anything other than a prison. Home was basically anywhere else but there.
@@LOSTEXPLAINED108 Thanks, you should definitely make a video on this , waiting eagerly!
I just finished watching LOST. I never watched it when it was on & from what I'm learning.. I'm happy I didn't watch from 04 to 10 & it was great being able to binge it over 2 weeks.
Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul are still my #1 but LOST definitely catapulted itself to #2.
Now, I'm doing what everyone has done... looking for answers to keep the fun going.
Why is it so difficult to see "Lost: The New Man In Charge" ? I can't find it anywhere..
Anyways, I very much dislike the plot holes & loose ends this show leaves us with.
I would love a 3 episode mini-series continuing the story while explaining all of the unanswered questions.
Great Video BTW
Phenomenal video, thank you so much for your work 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I hope the writers of this show have found this channel, as if they do, I expect even they will learn something new!
Can’t wait to watch this! Still can’t login to my patreon lolol.
Ashton, remember you had two accounts with me. One of them is defunct and no longer works (the liberty.rdu one), but the other should be working just fine (the gmail one). Try resetting your password with that email address. Should get you back in. Don't want you to miss out on the Patreon first looks and AMAs.
I know but I can’t remember the email lololol 😂
@@LOSTEXPLAINED108I remembered it… let’s go!
I have two questions that hopefully someone can answer
1. Why are people given sedations when going and leaving the island on the sub
2. Jacob told Hurley in season 6 that he needed his ashes to be burnt for him to fully move on. Wouldn’t that mean that in order for people to move on to the flash sideways, their bodies would need to be fully biodegraded? (Which would take a very long time)
1. Ethan describes the journey to The Island as being “intense”, which is something we get a sense of when we see the chopper crossing the time dilation barrier with Desmond in Season Four. It’s a bumpy ride. So, sedation is something they use for newbies in general. Also, anyone who has been exposed to high levels of radiation or electromagnetism in their lives are at risk of becoming “unstuck” and suffering from a sort-of time dementia. Juliet has worked around radiation in her medical field as well as with her sister’s chemotherapy, so she was at risk of side effects like Desmond if the bearing was even slightly off.
2. This one is more ambiguous. It could just be that Jacob’s ashes were unique in that he was a protector, hence the specific rules around his remains.
We see that a body can be used as a conduit to commune with the dead, as evidenced with Miles. I think LOST views the human body like an anchor for a soul. So, it could very well be that Jacob was only able to still be seen and heard by non-psychics - aka to come back from the sideways to influence events - because he still had his anchor on the physical plane in some form and he needed to talk to those who weren’t gifted in the same way Hurley was. It was like an access point. It’s perfectly plausible as an idea but I don’t think it’s a prerequisite.
Because then we would have to get into the grim minutiae of such logic with other ghosts. We see Michael still appearing as a ghost and able to communicate with Hurley even though his body was obliterated on the freighter. So, does that mean that as long as little pieces of Michael are still floating around the ocean that he will be trapped? What about Isabella, who died 160 years ago? Surely her bones are close to dust by now? What stage of decomposition does one have to be at? Jacob’s remains are ashes already. It gets tricky and icky lol! So, I think it is too complicated and the logic far too esoteric when we break it down like that.
A normal person’s ghost isn’t necessarily tied to what happens to their body. Ghosts stay behind based upon their own internal sense of self. Michael couldn’t move on to the sideways because of his own guilt, which is what trapped him inside The Island’s bubble. Which is also why Walt was going to come back to help him in the epilogue. I think ghosts tend to linger because of self-imposition. They can’t accept the outcome of their life or their death.
However, Jacob’s ghost was manifesting out of necessity. The Island still needed him. Because a new protector had not been chosen and the line of succession could not be continued without Jacob’s presence, so he was coming back to do his bit and his remains mattered in this particular case. So, my very long winded way of saying: Ghost Jacob was a special case haha!
Okay so the Island chooses who to heal, which means there's a motive. So what was the motive for the Island to heal/cure Rose? Was it just so that the scene between her and the fake Locke could happen?
Once again, you eloquently phrase so much I agree with and the presentation is so much cleaner and wonderful than the first videos 2 years ago. One thing I think could be dangerous is the inclusion of the author and not. We've discussed it before and both of us agreed that it's troublesome since the showrunners and writers have forgot/changed directions/contradicted each other. So I have mixed when you add in the writers and the showrunners. For instance, adding a quote by writer David Fury can be troublesome since he wasn't part of the first original think tank and butted heads with the other writers. Although I don't think it was anything wrong by adding voices from the writers and showrunners in this particular episode. For instance, I liked that you added Lindelof's comment about the Bardo. But additionally, like you mentioned in a previous video, when Lindelof confirmed what David was, then that stripped it a little bit of its magic and the interpretative qualities of his character in the final season.
As for my points.
21.00 Agree on the dreams. For instance, if MIB had more control of the dreams, then I think the show would suggest more of that in later seasons. Especially in season 6, I would imagine him trying to influence certain situations. Especially Ben. Ben says that he "used to have dreams". Wouldn't it be more fruitful for MIB to further influence Ben's dreams to help him in his loophole plan?
44:00 I see that you also came to the Danny Torrance conclusion like I did. I do think that there could be several explanations to him being wet such as him astral projecting while in the water or having been in the water, for instance if he jumped into the ocean trying to escape the Others. Or if he was in the Pool at the time. That is in addition to this being a foreshadowing. Most likely this was added in since creepy wet children was a popular horror trope at the time of writing the show (The Grudge and The Ring franchise), as well as backwards speech being a horror trope as well.
58:00 Good point about Walt's warning and potentially sensing that his father was also in danger by being on the freighter and the contact with them would be dangerous.
01:00:00 Malkin: I don't think it's farfetched that he acquired the information that she was pregnant through her friend, but I agree with the rest of your points. I do believe that Malkin sensed and acquired everything from Claire. And that he was so shook up by it due to Claire (and her baby's) strong connection with The Island. Absolutely good point about the phone call at night. I also like that they didn't include that deleted scene in the show. It's interesting that they further hid it. It's not part of the deleted scenes selection in the seasn 2 DVD set, but you need to navigate through the character connections maze. Asking the audience to further investigate to find the scene
01:14:00 About the questioning whether or not it's real or not is a great detail to have in the episode "?". The flashback sequence happens right after John Locke wakes up and tells Eko about Yemi and that it was just a dream and dismissing any meaning of the Yemi appearance. So we go from Locke dismissing the importance of this vision to Malkin dismissing anything special about Charlotte's reawakening. So when he have passed halfway into the episode we as a viewer think this is all DHARMA, all fake, all a scam and so on. So the culmination of the episode is that there is something real/magical/supernatural going on. The final flashback sequence has Charlotte telling about Yemi and the end of the episode, being an Eko-episode, having him accepting the button pushing as riddled with grand meaning.
01:26:00 Good points about Dave in the FB. If he was Libby's David in the flashbacks, surely he would've appeared in his own clothes? We don't know much what he did, but he was a sailor, so maybe they would've included something related to that to further illustrate the connection instead of Santa Rose robes. Charlie appears to Hurley in his regular rock'n'roll wardrobe.
02:14.00 One perspective I have for the audience that it's not only from the perspective of characters, and that Jack is seeing the characters as he remembered them. But the FS also partly breaking the 4th wall. It's the show telling us that the "most important part of this show was the time you spent with these characters". And it also further cements some relationships that gained a lot of screen time. For instance we spent more screen time with Sayid's relationship with Shannon, hence why it is enhanced in the church scene. We spent more screen time with baby Aaron, even though Jack spent more time with Aaron as a toddler. All the remembering flashes are seen from the perspective of the audience, not from the characters. Like Locke remembering the time he saw the Monster in "Walkabout", we see it from our POV/Monster's POV zooming down on him. So it's a dimension that exists outside the show too.
Additionally, I love your fan casting of future Lost children. I smirked at Barry Keoghan as Charlie Hume!
02:17:00 One problematic thing is that Roger Linus was very abusive to Ben pre-1977. Even before 1974 when the time-travellers came there. So they wouldn't have the chance to influence that particular relationship. One way I can still see the removal of the time-loop work in their favor is that them being there in the 50's created a butterfly effect? For instance, with the time-travellers not being there in the 50s in this "Bardo reality", the guy Cunningham (who wouldn't have been killed by Widmore when they were captured by Locke, Juliet and Sawyer) might've left the Island and built a hospital in Portland where Emily Linus would've been rushed to and she would've survived, creating a better bond between Ben and his father. But ultimately divorced him, but still kept contact with them. Because even though Sayid shooting Ben was a dramatic change in Ben's life, he was already broken and had a horrible relationship with Roger prior to the time-travellers being there in real life.
02:20:00 Absolutely! The show was always interested in the supernatural. I love the conversation in "White Rabbit" too, which also for the first time in the show says the word MAGIC, in reference to the Island. "I'm not a big believer in magic. But this place is different. It's special. The others don't want to talk about it because it scares them. But we all know it. We all feel it. Is your white rabbit a hallucination? Probably. But what if everything that happened here, happened for a reason? What if this person that you're chasing is really here?" In the next episode Locke talks about the Island as an entity. That you have to give the Island something to get something you want in return. And in the episode after, even the logical skeptic guy Sayid hints at something grander when explaining the plane crash. "The tail section broke off while we were still in the air. Our section cart wheeled through the jungle and yet we escaped with nothing but a few scrapes. How do you explain that?" KATE: "Blind, dumb luck?" SAYID: "No one's that lucky. We shouldn't have survived." I love the small drops of the unknown and magical in the first season. And like you've greatly explained in a video before. The Numbers. I can't understand how people looking for a normal scientific explanation were still expecting that after that episode? As if there would be a secret team of ex-DHARMA members placing 4,8, 15, 16, 23 and 42 all around the world, following our characters?
That's about it. Great video!
I've come a looooong way since those early videos. There will come a time when I will get rid of those bad boys, as I feel they detract from the overall experience of the channel (and sometimes the traffic ends up watching those first!).
It’s tricky when it comes to writer quotes, I agree. We cannot exclusively rely on their soundbites as our gospel because they gave some contrary information over the years. I tend to only use quotes for context purposes, usually on the more divisive mysteries to demonstrate that I am not simply pulling ideas out my ass 😆 In this particular case, Fury’s quote was absolutely relevant based on what Lindelof claimed years later, that the whispers were in flux and they struggled to settle on a singular origin. For many fans, the whispers being confirmed as ghosts on The Island created issues for them. It's one of the most direct answers that the show gave us and it didn't stick the landing. I think it was the way in which they delivered it.
Anyway, I wanted to explain that this is why some viewers might find the answer a little inconsistent, and we have clear external evidence that the writersroom changed their minds about the whispers as they went through the story. Which is fine, but if I’m going to talk about to this subject then it wouldn’t feel complete without acknowledging those behind the scenes quotes. Using that Season One quote from Fury juxtaposed against a post-season six quote from Lindelof felt right. But I am very selective over when I invoke commentary and interviews, although that might change after I finish this Theory series because I do want to start engaging more critically with the show, and analysing it as a story that has various ups and downs, and hits and misses, and creator/writer interviews will factor into that. So, consider this the gentle transition from mythology analysis to critical analysis.
Thanks for your takes, as always. I think we're fairly aligned on a lot of these points from the looks of it.
The dreams part is something that has been a real point of contention for some. And, I think, they usually ascribe the dreams to MiB because they don't believe that The Island is playing an active role in events, even though the show wouldn't make nearly as much sense without that prime mover behind everything. But when you really break down those dreams in terms of logic, motive and outcome, they make little sense coming from MiB.
Yes, the Danny Torrance comparison is clear. The showrunners loved Stephen King. There are many King-like elements in the show. Kids with weird powers is a staple of many of his stories. To me, it's a no-brainer that they took inspiration for Walt from Danny.
The Malkin thing. See, I do think it is farfetched to assume that Claire's friend was in on the scam. Nothing suggests that, especially when we look at her facial reactions. What could possibly be her motive for setting up her BFF? If it was implied somehow, like seeing the friend with Malkin before Claire turns up a second time, then I'd say there is a precedent for that theory. But this is one of those theories that requires making up all sorts of backstory/plot machinations that are never once implied or demonstrated. Even if it was innocent and she simply dropped that nuggest of info to Malkin when she s-up the visit, she would tell Claire afterwards that "Oh yeah, I mentioned you were pregnant, so that's how he knew." But she looks just as surprised to hear him "guess" that as Claire is. And it still wouldn't explain how Malkin fumbles his way through such a crazy, nonsensical scam lol.
It's true that Roger Linus was already a horrible father to his son, but because of the lack of the time loop in this recreated alternate sideways universe, it does mean that they would have been evacuated with everyone else. And perhaps that was the turning point that was needed in their relationship. Going back to the real world. Ben going to a normal school that gave him a balanced education and social life (clearly he did because he became a teacher!) and Roger getting a better job that made him feel some self-worth. Any number of things could have righted that ship. We also cannot discount the butterfly effect that you mention, mainly starting in the 1950s due to the absence of Team Locke. The sideways alternate history for everyone clearly created many anomalies in our Losties' lives.
I think the logic behind the creation of the sideways in the writersroom was to simply bring these characters full circle by going back to the fundamentals of Season One. Even the on-island storylines try to follow those original beats (the initial episode ordering and the slower pace). And I think that's really why Sayid is with Shannon in 'The End'. They were trying to echo where the show started. Although I do take the view that Shannon was absolutely the right person for Sayid to be coupled up with for that final moving on sequence, for various reasons, but mainly because Shannon was about Sayid's time on The Island and letting go of his violent, tragic past (most of which revolved around his obsession with finding with and being with Nadia). That always made sense to me. But I think you're right in that there is a metatextual reading of the flash sideways, whether they intended it or not, especially with those flashcuts. I see it less as the audience's POV though and more like The Island's POV. I prefer to think that what we saw on the show was how The Island viewed events in some form, and when our characters get woken up, they finally see through the eyes of The Island/The Source. Like an out-of-body spiritual experience that helps them to realise they were never really alone. The Island was always with them.
Fantastic
As a roughneck, that whee little drilling rig baffles me, what are those silly gauges for? No rotary gauges? No hold back? Pull-down? Just engine rpm and temp? Man. Now that’s drilling by instinct.. and a good way to fuck shit up lol oh yea, plus, where’s all the drill-pipe? Water? Are they running mud because they’re on a sandy island? Well where’s the Mud Dog or Mud Puppy? Who’s the mud man? Anyone check viscosity? Where’s the diverter? The cuttings? Did anyone reference ANY kind of drilling rig before setting all that up, or just a power line tower? Sheesh. Those scenes always pull me out of the illusion so incredibly fast.
I guess they didn't hire a technical consultant for the drilling part! 😂 (good to know the opinion of an expert in that field.) ☺️