LOSTCasts 33: Watership Down

The third installment of our summer book review podcasts, covering Watership Down is ready! In this podcast, we provide a summary of the book, as well as parallels to LOST. Special thanks to Holli in Memphis for providing us some great material, again. In addition, we have a summary of recent developments in the LOST Experience, some season three spoilers, as well as a few plans for the podcast as we get closer to season three, including a "live" skypecast that involves you!

In addition, we cover recent Wikipedia issues. One of our listeners started a LOSTCasts entry, and some clueless users are trying to get it deleted! Help save our Wikipedia entry by visiting this page and telling them to "keep" the entry!

Download podcast #33 here

Watership Down links
Watership Down Spark Notes summary
Themes and Motifs from Spark Notes

LOST Experience links
Apollo Candy website
Where is Alvar website
Locations and dates for Apollo Candy giveaways
Compiled clips for Sri Lanka orientation video
Video of Rachel Blake at Comic Con
Entertainment Weekly interview with Rachel Blake

LOST Links
Official LOST podcast Comic Con audio
Details on Mobisodes from USA Today
LOST "Grand Theory"

Don't forget to visit our MySpace page and add us as a friend. Our next podcast will be happening after the season 2 DVD release, and will center around the extras included in the DVD, as well as a recap of where we left off in preparation for the season 3 premiere on October 4. Make sure to send us your comments!

Stay LOST.

Comments

[adam!]

finally! thanks, guys!

[Painki11er]

Hey, I first heard about this in the Black Rock Podcast and immediatly checked my disc 6, episode Born to Run (Kate) and confused by what I saw. I found a screen cap of it on the internet but hadn't seen it in the fuselage(like the only forum I go to, so sorry if everyone have been over this a million times). SO look at the below screen-cap and look closely at any writing you see.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f43/adverseeventsmusic/MRI.jpg

[Painki11er]

The new character's name (I forget the actress's name, it's in the article) who is a background survivor who takes charge when Jack Kate and Sawyer are taken captive is Juliet.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0593310/

[Owen]

I am disappointed that you would call the editors who have struggled to create a quality encyclopedia article about lost clueless, this is a very negative example of interaction in the lost fan community.

As a longtime listener I greatly enjoy the program but I don't think it warrants an article in an encyclopedia, it's hardly going to be significant in ten years time once the show has finished. For this reason I have voted to delete the lostcasts article. If you can prove that the podcast is notable and has been discussed by reliable sources that meet wikipedia's citation guidelines I would happily alter my vote.

[rubycalaber]

Sorry guys, I'm a fan and I dont know where I'd be without Lost podcasts, but I dont see why this podcast needs a wiki article at all.

[Eric VKX]

I went to bat for you guys on wikipedia. You should join the discussion and try to cite some traffic. I did the best I could with the little amount of information I had!

-Eric VKX from AwesomeStart.com/Lost

[static]

I love your podcasts, first of all. Definately going to vote to keep your wiki entry!

Now.. in the interview with Michael Emerson, at the very end, there are some questions he answers that are somewhat spoiler-ish and I think might be a good idea to mention in a future podcast. When asked, "Are the polar bears real?" Michael replies, "No." And when asked, "Is the smoke monster real?" He replies, "...Maybe." Just a thought, something to talk about. :)

Did you ever make a complete list of all the literary references? I'd like to see all of the books, and forgive me if you've already posted a list, but I was unable to find it.

Stay LOST guys! <3

PS- Maybe I'll see you in New York, I'm hoping to go on the 6th. :P

[Phil]

Just finished listening to the podcast, good work as usual.

Just wondering about the Irish guy talking about Lost having finished season 2 over there and the 2 half boxsets. Im in England and Lost is only about half way through season 2 so far but I dont know if its different but the half season boxsets are only £25 here and the full boxset is out in October not in a years time. To be honest I cant see there being a massive difference between England and Irelands release dates so there may have been a mixup for him there.

[PKtm]

Your campaign on Wikipedia is going to backfire on you, I'm afraid. This is a great podcast, but it alone doesn't deserve an article on Wikipedia. The podcast fans who are "voting" (and of course, it actually isn't a "vote") on Wikipedia are the ones who are coming across as clueless, I'm afraid, in that they obviously don't understand the purpose and goals of Wikipedia. Wikipedia is not another fan site; it's meant to be encyclopedic.

[John]

It's pretty clear that a number of the comments above are from Wikipedia users, not our listeners.

Look guys... we didn't create this Wikipedia article for ourselves. A listener created it for us. But for some rogue Wikipedia member to say we are a "non-notable" podcast is total BS. Our podcast, along with the Jay and Jack podcast, are the two biggest LOST fan podcasts out there. What will satisfy calls for backing up "notability?"

[Jon W]

I agree totally, and what harm is it doing to Wiki, not like the entire server will implode because of 1 article. Its insulting that they call you "non-notable". LOSTCasts is the best Lost podcast around.

But guys dont let this get to you, they are clearly not Lost fans and cannot possibley respect the great job you do.

Jon

[Cameron]

Great podcast, once again, but where was Matt Jones? I am sure he was promised for this episode. I hope he is back soon.

Re the Wikipedia thing: after perpetrating one or two Wikipedia drive-bys on that page to vent my anger at the lack of respect, I added a more reasoned entry about the uniqueness of LOSTCasts and a suggestion for deferral of a decision pending development of the entry. I hope that helps the cause in some small way. I get the feeling that some of the Wikipedians are, to quote a phrase, 'not good people'.

Also: static - that interview with Michael Emerson was great - I was sure he would get into trouble for answering those questions. He seemed to give a lot away. I recall that when asked if he (i.e. his character) was surprised when the flash and weird noise happened just before the end of the finale, he said 'No'. I thought that was very telling.

[Matt Jones]

Matt Jones was working his ass off for the man and couldn't make the podcast. Plus, I didn't do my summer reading. I'll be back when I can just passively watch something and comment on it while cribbing off John's prep work.

It’s flattering that a fan would take the time to post it, but I’d agree that we’re probably not Wiki-worthy. But, then again there is an entry for navel lint, so sever space can’t be at that much of a premium.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navel_lint

The non-notable thing stings a bit. When someone who calls them self Wildthing61476 says it how could it not?

I will say that debating whether or not your Lost podcast deserves it's own Wikipedia entry could possibly be the nerdiest debate of all time. If we where in high school right now we'd all be prime candidates for a swirly.

[Loren]

Wow guys,
I am so sorry about this wikipedia thing. I really did not mean to stir up a big debate. I've seen some other podcasts with pages on wikipedia and thought it was just a nice idea. Now everyone's worried about whether LostCasts is notable, what the true purpose of wikipedia is, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I love LostCasts and, personally, think they're very notable, but I didn't think that wondering about these issues would ever take away from the great Lost-focused discussions that usually fill the comment boards.
So, again, Im sorry but I know whether the wiki entry is deleted or not, I know everyone will keep doing an awesome job, both with the podcasting, and with the feedback.

[David Johnston]

Just for note, it's Deux Ex Machina, pronounced Dayus Ecs Mackina. :)

[Paul]

In answer to Phil, we have the episodes months before the UK but still behind the US. The series finished in early July but is still running in the UK. The half set DVDs are 49 Euro which is 25 pounds sterling. The second half set will be available here on October 1 and the full set in time for Christmas. If Phil wants to get the series early he can get an Irish Sky card and watch the new series in Jan.

[Joni]

Hey guys!! Really enjoyed the podcast once again! As you were discussing books of interest here is another one. It is much too long to read before Season 3 and I don't think it has a real big plot line connection. I am in the middle of it so I can't tell you the ending.

Stephen King's The Talisman

So far, it is about a young boy named JACK SAWYER

On a quest to save his mother from an illness, Jack travels between this world and an alternate world where he has to find the talisman that will save his mom.

He is being pursued by his deceased father's business partner who also goes between the worlds.

I guess the biggest connection is JACK SAWYER but the alternate world idea has been brought up a time or too in past podcasts.

[DrVoodoo]

Hey I got a nod in your podcasts thanks guys!!! I am somebody now. Anyway keep up the good work.!!! I will keep sending you stuff that I come accross in the local Hawaii Newspapers.... And yes I have seen some of the actors.

Whats up money!!!!!

Aloha!!!

DrVoodoo

[Rob]

Sorry guys but: MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ISN'T RELEVANT TO LOST?! ARE YOU NUTS?! Unless you believe the Lost Experience is not relevant, you can't get much more of a direct reference than Joop. In Verne's novel, there is a monkey that is domesticated by the castaways and named Joop. Joop has been present in the Lost Experience since day one!

DO NOT MISTAKE THE MOVIE VERSIONS FOR THE BOOK! Unlike the 2005 and 1951 movies, there are no giant animals in Verne's work. I should know since I read the entire 600 page book. It is a great read and I think it's Verne's best work. There are plenty of parallels between the book and the TV show and I bet we will see more of them in season 3. Check out the Lostpedia entry for the book for some of the theories. I put a bunch of content on there recently.

[AndyH]

I have to agree with Rob here. I spent most of my summer reading Mysterious Island and virtually every day I saw some parallels.

Joop springs to mind - clearly some inspiration there, how else to you explain an orangutang with the same name?
The dog with almost supernatural abilities to be in the right place at the right time.
The savage castaway who had been there 16 years (it was 16 years in my version Rob - not 12), just like Danielle.
The volcanic nature of the island.
The cable running down into the sea and into an underground grotto - could this be something which is followed up in season 3?
The seaside home (the chimneys) which is vulnerable to swamping by the sea, and the cave home which is more secure.

Oh, and how exactly does Jack land in the woods and survive? In Mysterious Island Cyrus Harding is found inland after the crash with no memory of how he got there.

[Nathan T-Smith]

Hey guys just finish listening to your podcast and was intrested in the Lost Grand Theory you mentioned. I read it staight away and its probably the best theory I have read, although its not really that much of a theory its kind of a history lesson about lost explaining where we are now. The people who wrote this really know what they are talking about. It combines elements of the show and the lost experience and despite there beng lost of questions about lost that they dont really tackle, I think it tells us everything that we know at this point in time. Definetly something I would recommend reading to anyone who wants to know how deep the rabbit hole goes. One thing I thought was really interesting is the idea of making a utopian society with persific gene pools to eliminate inherited desiese. Could it be possible this is the reason for the quarentine sign and not the sickness. Just a thought I had while reading it, anyways keep up the good work. Nathan from UK.

[Nathan T-Smith]

Hey guys just finish listening to your podcast and was intrested in the Lost Grand Theory you mentioned. I read it staight away and its probably the best theory I have read, although its not really that much of a theory its kind of a history lesson about lost explaining where we are now. The people who wrote this really know what they are talking about. It combines elements of the show and the lost experience and despite there beng lost of questions about lost that they dont really tackle, I think it tells us everything that we know at this point in time. Definetly something I would recommend reading to anyone who wants to know how deep the rabbit hole goes. One thing I thought was really interesting is the idea of making a utopian society with persific gene pools to eliminate inherited desiese. Could it be possible this is the reason for the quarentine sign and not the sickness. Just a thought I had while reading it, anyways keep up the good work. Nathan from UK.

[Painki11er]

I have found the next best thing to proof that my underwater hatch theory is correct. I have a person who posted on my thread on the fuselage who goes by the name Lavinder who sent a link to a season 3 preview which i think prooves there is an underwater hatch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LNbfJhfTjg&eurl=

My Theory Thread:
http://thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?t=55793

[Steven Peters]

I figured it all out - Walt is Eko's long lost son. They both have powers.

[Matt Lafferty]

I just wanted to thank everyone in advance for this particular podcast, which I'm about to listen to (I know, it's poor form to have waited so long!). I'm usually one to download the show within a few hours of it being posted, and I have lots of fun sharing my thoughts on here, sometimes getting them read on the show, etc. What's delayed me this time is that I teach middle school and I've been getting ready for the school year.

I mention all of this because an excerpt from Watership Down is part of our reading book. Last year, I had introduced the story with a slight Lost angle for fun, but I'm very much looking forward to using the view about the book in my classes. Please know that beyond the usual conversations online, somewhere some middle school kids will be that much smarter from the LostCasts sandbox that our kind hosts so graciously provide.

Many thanks!

[Joni]

Hey painki11er!!

I have to agree with you. That water rushing in does kinda hint at an underwater hatch. I don't frequent the forums but have heard other details pointing to it also.
The cable running off into the ocean . . .something on the mural . .another something on the lockdown map. . .and the others coming from the water when the killed steve/scott.

I am so excited after seeing that preview!!!!

[Will]

In regard to comparing the Losties with "democracy".... the Fuselage camp specifically resembles a PARLIAMENTARY government. "Prime Minister" Jack gets to set policy only as long as they either need the resources he controls (medical training) or he can rally the support of enough "voting blocs". Locke is a competing power center, sometimes cooperating, sometimes in tension. (Notice the vehemence of his insistence to "Gale" that they are equal partners.) Sayid acts like a minor party, voting with the "coalition" as long as they get to run the Ministry of Security. Sawyer, following his seizure of the guns, takes another strategy... the one that forces his party into the cabinet because they threaten to make things unbearable for the government otherwise. The closest thing to an "opposition" that has shown up was Bernard, who tried to force a "confidence vote", but saw his attempt to assemble a new majority fall apart.

[Joni]

Did anyone catch that the dharma logo on the shark wasn't supposed to be so visible and that basically it was just put on there for the creators amusement? At least that's how I took it.

I am utterly amazed at all the work that goes into one episode. 24 days for 1 hour of television! I don't think I will complain as much about the break. They are so attentive to detail!!!

[Will]

I got my Apollo bar at Times Square Studio yesterday. They would not answer any question about the whereabouts of Alvar Hanso... very suspicious.

I am "experiencing" DVD 2-7. I find that in the "Lost Connections" game, the "wires" lead from Jack to Sarah to Shannon's father. Does this mean that he is the unknown "other man"?

[Loney Childress]

I got the DVDs and they have an interesting connection game. First off, it pretty much confirms what I believed, that Jack and Clare are half brother and sister (they both have a broken connection that shows the same staticy image). Second Desmond has a connection to a computer and if you enter the numbers with your DVD remote i shows the numbers and their connections with the show. On #8, it quickly flashes a book with 'Vallenzetti Equation' written on it.

[Loney Childress]

I got the DVDs and they have an interesting connection game. First off, it pretty much confirms what I believed, that Jack and Clare are half brother and sister (they both have a broken connection that shows the same staticy image). Second Desmond has a connection to a computer and if you enter the numbers with your DVD remote i shows the numbers and their connections with the show. On #8, it quickly flashes a book with 'Vallenzetti Equation' written on it.

[Loney Childress]

Sorry for the double post.

To the comment above mine, The connection is that Shannon's father was in an accident with Sarah. He couldn't be the other man because he was dead while Jack and Sarah were first meeting.

[DUDE]

If you watch the movie, there is one scene that opens with fiver's eye. Smae with Lost. But with Locke's eye.

[DUDE]

If you watch the movie, there is one scene that opens with fiver's eye. Smae with Lost. But with Locke's eye.

[DUDE]

If you watch the movie, there is one scene that opens with fiver's eye. Same with Lost. But with Locke's eye.