This latest podcast focuses on season 3, episode 12 of LOST, Par Avion. In this podcast, we talk about Claire's backstory, her scheme to get the losties off the island, Desmond & Charlie, the "search party" and much more. We also have a special mini "theory" podcast, with a special guest... you remember Brian, right?
Links related to the podcast:
The Tempest theory
The Fuselage: General reactions
LOST links:
Cuse and Lindelof KCRW interview
Post on LOST class at Tufts
LOST "Halostyle" video
The plot gets "Thicke" on LOST
More on LOST jigsaw puzzles
Spoilers: Nextweekonlost.blogspot.com
Don't forget to fill out this survey to help us sell advertising to upgrade our equipment and cover costs associated with the podcast. Thanks!
Stay LOST.
There was more going on with Locke between when Marvin Candle talked about entering 77 and when it blew up. Next week there will be mixed island and pre-crash flashbacks with John Locke where we see a few more things that give his actions more motive.
Posted by: AdamLogan | March 18, 2007 at 02:10 PM
Thanks for the great podcast, as usual!
Posted by: Sobaika | March 18, 2007 at 02:37 PM
3rd comment! Downloading the podcast as I type. Can't wait to listen to it.
Posted by: Sarah | March 18, 2007 at 02:45 PM
Gotta save podcast for work in the morning, it helps me get thru to lunch.
Posted by: theandrew | March 18, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Wow you're getting these up earlier by the week!
Thanks as usual. Stay Lost.
Posted by: Lance | March 18, 2007 at 03:29 PM
Nice Mikhail intro, and nice to have Brian in the discussion. A whole bunch of cool thought-provoking theories, which always make me wonder how the show would present them to a mainstream audience without dumbing them down.
Posted by: Cihan | March 18, 2007 at 03:45 PM
GREAT freaking podcast.
Humbled to hear Brian again.
Posted by: Tahir | March 18, 2007 at 04:55 PM
woohoo
got a top ten!!
cool podcast.. so far!
Posted by: sam | March 18, 2007 at 07:48 PM
Excellent podcast!
I listened to another podcast this weekend, and can't remember which it was, but a really interesting theory was brought up on there that I was hoping would make it into your podcast, but it didn't. It goes something like this...
Nikki and Paolo first appeared on the show in the episodes after the hatch imploded (Is that true? I don't have previous episodes to go back and check). In Season 1, in a flashback episode about Shannon and Boone, Shannon nagged Boone to get them first class seats and bump another couple from the flight, which he did. But, when time was re-set by Desmond changing history (don't think we've been shown this, but maybe it will be in an upcoming epi) Boone and Shannon weren't able to get on the flight and the previously bumped couple, Paolo and Nikki, were actually on the flight in their seats.
All of the people that were on the beach when the hatch imploded know them, because they too were "reset" and always knew P&N, but because Hurley, Sawyer, Kate, & Jack had been kidnapped by the Others, and were far away from the Hatch, they weren't "reset". This is why Sawyer asked Nikki during Tricia Tanaka, "Who the hell are you?". He's actually never seen her before.
It actually hurts my head to think this one through, but I'm throwing it out there for debate.
Posted by: SMKGrl | March 18, 2007 at 08:06 PM
Thoughts:
There seems to be this idea that the Losties aren't considered "good" if they're not on The List. Now what would make them bad? I don't think its that they killed people since, Eko was on the list and he had one of the bloodier flashbacks of all. I'm not so sure if our conventional ideas of what is good or bad apply here.
Eko, Claire/Aaron, the kids, Walt, and Cindy are the ones they were after. Claire/Aaron being on the list is questionable, since Ethan seemed more invested in them than the Others in general. Or maybe the baptism actually did "save" Claire and Aaron by making them undesirable to the Others. Walt is also a gray area since they went to great lengths to capture him but were willing to let him go since he was more than they bargained for. By this did they mean his powers? If so, it doesn't look like his abilities weren't their reason for going after him in the first place.
Children are thought to be uncorrupted, and universally good - explaining the Others' interest in them. As for Claire and Eko, any ideas about what sets them apart? And what about Hurley? A good guy if I ever saw one, but not appealing to the Others.
Posted by: Sobaika | March 18, 2007 at 08:07 PM
holy shnikies!!
I just had a huge revalation!
ok, so if the people are not on the list because they are "flawed". And you guys mentioned that maybe being flawed means you killed someone. So, Patchy killed Ms. Klugh, and then became flawed. So he knew that if he was brought back to Othersville, then they would find out. And an Other, don't remember who, said that they believe in the idea of an eye-for-an-eye. So he knew that if he went back, he was going to die. And when Locke pushed him into the deadly security system of doom, he looked at Locke and said "thank you." So now, he died, and it wasn't at the hands of Ben. Just a thought!
Stay LOST
-Sam
Posted by: sam | March 18, 2007 at 08:35 PM
@Sam: Maybe Patchy just didn't want to lose his other eye?
Posted by: idjpg | March 18, 2007 at 08:57 PM
Maybe the people they consider good are the ones they feel they can turn. Most of the good people seem like they could be convinced to turn ie kids, use claires baby to turn her etc.
Posted by: Frankmagnet | March 18, 2007 at 09:46 PM
Some good attempts at a grand unified theory.
I like the 'adopted rich kids/fathers of losties' theory & I don't see why the time frame would debunk it. After all, only fools are enslaved by time & space.
Good to hear Brian again.
Posted by: Joop | March 18, 2007 at 10:38 PM
Sneak peek #1 for this week is at ....
http://spoilerslost.blogspot.com/
Posted by: waitingforlost | March 18, 2007 at 10:43 PM
I have to debunk one thing in the podcast. When it was mentioned that Jules was an old Darmha scientist and was converted. It was mentioned that Dharma failed in 1987 (I think). It seems that most of Dharma has been gobe alot longer than 3 years. Jules recruitment was deffinitely recent. Many clues like the small cell phone she had and such show it to not be in the 80s.
She was recruited by Middleton. Could there be a relation to Hanso #2 Middlewerk? not sure.
Posted by: Loney Childress | March 18, 2007 at 11:44 PM
Hey all. Just wanted to say I am a new listener but I love the podcast! I have downloaded most of the old casts and find the theories to be still relevant today. But since I'm kinda of a newbie to the podcast, I just wanted to know why has Brian stopped pcasting?
Love you guys. Keep up the fantastic work.
Posted by: Val | March 19, 2007 at 12:30 AM
Nice podcast,
But I want to debunk your theroy. You said that Mikial was the leader of a resistince, and Bea Klugh was his "protoge".
It was clear that Ms. Klugh was incharge. It was not his idea to kill her. She said "it's an order".
So I am right and you are wrong
Posted by: noodles | March 19, 2007 at 01:27 AM
@SMKGrl
Wow! That theory is awesome. I think it might explain why they ended up dead. The island didn't have them as part of its plan.
If it turns out to be true, that's the part of Lost that I love.
Posted by: Lorne | March 19, 2007 at 08:25 AM
@ Lorne and SMKGirl--
I heard that theory on a board somewhere too, but if N&P replaced S&B somehow than what was the point of Locke's sweatlodge dream in further instructions? He saw Boone and even made reference to Boone being "a sacrifice the island demanded." And that was clearly AFTER the hatch implosion which may or may not have reset time. If that's the case than Boone never would have made it on the island for Locke to sacrifice with his crazy plans...
Posted by: alex's slingshot | March 19, 2007 at 08:45 AM
Great Podcast as usual.
I could tell John really had to tighten the reigns at the beginning. (maybe crack the Corona's as you start the Podcast not before. I do hope beer is invoved in your endevor)
Brian, ".. any Sunday...I'll be here". Should I now plan on Sunday Podcasts as the rule? Then...I won't obsessively check my computer on Saturdays
"I wish I had tenure", classic Matt Jones.
Thanks
jg
Posted by: jg | March 19, 2007 at 08:49 AM
You guy's seemed pretty interested in the sequel to Trainspotting, the book has been out for a while now - Porno by Irvine Welsh. It's an awesome read - if you liked Begbie in Trainspotting, you'll love him in Porno; imagine him fresh out of prison, loaded up on cocaine and out for revenge - the best bad guy since Iago.
And if you haven't read the book of Trainspotting I'd recommend that too. It's written in a Scottish dialect though, so you have to read it in your head in a Scottish accent for it to make any sense. Read them both back to back and you'll find yourself thinking in Scottish for a couple of weeks afterwards!
Great podcast by the way, keep it up.
Posted by: Burns | March 19, 2007 at 10:19 AM
@ Lorne and SMKGirl and alexs slingshot,
Also Jack, Kate, Sawyer and Hurley also saw the sky go purple. As did Ben et al in the S2 finale. So surely they would be re-set too.
I suspect this is just a shout-out to the fans and N&P were there all along, probably as survivors and Sawyer just hadn't paid much attention to Nikki before. OK knowing Sawyer this is unlikley but he has been off on a few expeditions and on the raft then he was away with the tailies and then he was taken by the Others.
Posted by: Mark B | March 19, 2007 at 10:23 AM
I missed Brian! Either way, you guys are awesome, keep it up, thanks.
Posted by: Olivia | March 19, 2007 at 12:07 PM
@ Mark B...
Could it be though that Kate, Sawyer, Jack, Hurley and the Others weren't reset because they weren't in close enough proximity?
As for Sawyer not noticing Nikki in 60 days, I ran this one by my husband and he said emphatically, NO. For a man like Sawyer and a woman like Nikki, stuck on an island...not possible.
I certainly hope this isn't what's going on because we'd spend a lot of time poking holes in the theory. There's just too much that has happened (Ana Lucia shooting Shannon, Shannon and Sayid's relationship, etc). But, I still think it's an interesting theory.
Posted by: SMKGrl | March 19, 2007 at 12:21 PM
WARNING THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS AT THE END
@ SMKGrl
I have to agree with your husband -- there is no way you'd not notice Nikki in a group of 48 people who you were living with for 70 odd days. However I'm sure she is there all along.
As I've said before don't think that TPTB will go down the time travel road. If they do there will be too many loopholes and inconsistencies and any resetting of who was/wasn't on the island originally would create havoc with what exactly happened in S1 and S2. It'd be like Bobby in the shower again, only worse.
Of course the killer is that Boone appeared in Lockes hut dream sequence and made reference to his time on the island so must have been on the island.
SPOILER WARNING:
Allegedly we should find out more about N&P not this Wednesday but next when they get their very own flashback.
Apparently the N&P flashback goes right back to the crash like "The Other 48 Days". It's called "Expose".
Posted by: Mark B | March 19, 2007 at 12:45 PM
To answer the question, "Why were Claire & Eko on the list?" ...
Claire - We do not know that she was on (Ethan's) list ... Back in S1, remember that Ethan kidnapped Claire before he was able to complete his list ... IMHO, Claire was not on the list b/c (1) The Other kidnapped her to get Aaron, and (2) They were gonna kill her and take newborn Aaron.
Eko - I think that Eko was on the list b/c Goodwin thought he was a priest.
Posted by: ebonX | March 19, 2007 at 12:54 PM
This list is frustrating me. Nevermind the glaring fact that these so called 'flaws' Mikhail mentioned are evident in all of our Losties, what Jacob wants with the people on the list, who he either already knows personally or had background checks done off-island, is making me rock back and forth in a dark room while biting my thumb nervously.
Or something.
Posted by: Cihan | March 19, 2007 at 12:54 PM
In regards to "Juliet's Others Rebellion theory", I think you are onto something ... What if the Others' Bookclub are the rebels? Juliet & Bea were both in attendance ...
Posted by: ebonX | March 19, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Back to the Dark Tower:
Someone mentioned "The Stand" as a cornerstone of the series, and I remembered that it was more of a "Dark Tower" connection.
I started thinking - who does Radzinski remind me of... then I thought - the clown!
** Dt Spoilers I guess **
The one that Roland, (name blank, the dual-personality woman) and Oy make it to in the Blizzard. It's the small house before they get to Othersville.. oops, I mean psycicville.
The clown starts really nice and kind and offers the travelers some snacks. He then proceeds to drug them, and try to kill them.
There is a hidden basement where the artist is hidden (no artist in Lost, but lots of C4 :) )
However, before the killing part, he also gives the travelers alot of useful info.
**end spoiler**
Just some more food for thought.
Posted by: Lorne | March 19, 2007 at 01:15 PM
@Lorne,
the dual-personality, leglass woman is Susannah (formerly detta and odetta).
The guy you're talking about is Dandelo.
Posted by: Justin | March 19, 2007 at 01:18 PM
Thanks Justin. Does the comparison make any sense?
Posted by: Lorne | March 19, 2007 at 01:48 PM
Actually, that encounter would have been after psychicville, wouldn't it... oh well.. overall theme still seems to stand.
Posted by: Lorne | March 19, 2007 at 01:49 PM
Regarding the list … perhaps there are three lists;
List 1: Bens list. The one that he sends Goodwin and Ethan to make. This is just a list of ALL the survivors names.
List 2: Klughs list. This is the only list we know the contents of for sure. Jack, Kate, Sawyer and Hurley. All thse people on this list are flawed. This list was made so that Jack would operate on Ben. Kate and Sawyer were pawns to be used as bartering tools if Jack refused to operate. The Others prefer to use subtle techniques first (such as trying to get Jack to switch sides) rather than the "We'll kill Kate if you don't operate". It would have been better for Ben if Jack wanted to do the operation (as he could deliberately screw up -- which he did) but they'll revert to more direct techniques when needed (which they did). Hurley was on the list just as Klugh said, to go back and warn the rest of the Losties not to come looking.
List 3: This is THE LIST, Jacobs list. This is a sub-set of Bens list and contains the names of those deemed worthy to be 'asked' to join the Others. This list could have been generated using off island searches after the crash. I don't recall who was taken first. If it was the kids were taken but it maybe that they were taken first as they were top of the list as they were easier to coerce/brainwash/reset. If it was unknown adults then they could have been obviuos targets, people who have done nothing too bad. Eko could have been taken because he was using a false passport. I'm sure he was using a fake passport in London. That person may have been worthy. Or perhaps Eko was mistaken for Yemi.
We have been assuming that the Others are not Dharma but are simply (only) using Dharma technology to communicate with the outside world. Furthermore we have assumed that the Others and Dharma are separate and do not see eye-to-eye (hence the purge). So Ben sends his list of crash survivors off to island to have them checked out on Google or some Dharma database (assumption is Dharma get the list not Mittelos). Dharma sends back the info on all the people and Jacob has a look at the files and deems who is worthy.
But how do you tell from a personal history profile who is a worthy person, unless it's on eharmony.com of course 8-), all our Losties seem to be flawed. Not knowing anything about the people who were taken (other than Eko who may have been a mistake) it's hard to know what makes you unworthy. Can Jacob define your 'worthiness factor' using some power he has ? Is he psychic ? Does he have some power like the woman in Medium to see people as they really are just be seeing a photo or reading about them ?
Is he the pychic Claire visited ? Having rewatched 'Raised by Another' the psychic tells Claire to go on 815 and leave the baby with the people in LA as they are "good people". I don't think this meant anything though.
Posted by: Mark B | March 19, 2007 at 02:51 PM
I agree that last week's episode brought back some of the mysterious qualities that made LOST so irresistible in S1 and S2. Thank you, directors & writers, for getting us back on track.
Can't wait to learn more about Locke's past. I agree with what you said in the Podcast regarding Locke's willingness to stay on the Island. I think he knows more than he's letting on. He's putting pieces of the puzzle together in his head, from his past, and holding onto them. he has a deep, dark secret. Is it more betrayal? death? love? I want to know more about what drove him to Oz and got him on that plane.
Also, someone besides Mikail knows about Locke's paralysis...Remember Rose? Whatever happened to Rose and Bernard? The island healed her and she confronted Locke about his paralysis on the beach. What gives? Has this admission caused Locke to question the motives of all of the other Losties? Will we see Rose again in a later episode; maybe in an effort to convince Locke not to blow something else up...Like the Sub???
Posted by: Brian | March 19, 2007 at 02:56 PM
From previews showing Locke interact with Ben, I think the story of how Locke got into a wheelchair will reveal something unexpectedly sinister about him. With all his pent-up anger, maybe he wasn't always content to be the victim. I think Locke may be responsible for killing someone too - maybe his father (Cooper) or his ex-girlfriend - in a traffic collision or similar murder-suicide attempt involving an explosion. Somehow he survives and escapes scrutiny from the law. He recovers in the same hospital where a younger Bakunin is being treated for trauma to his eye. Locke then blabs to Bakunin (while semi-conscious) about having murdered someone important. Ben's ominous revelation to Locke also recalls Ben's warning Michael not to return to or tell about The Island because he'd be exposed for betraying his friends. So, maybe Locke doesn't want people to know who he killed. He wants to shut off a painful past at all costs, as he did by killing Bakunuin. Maybe Locke was set off by discovering that his ex-girlfriend & Cooper had conned him together the whole time or maybe even had an affair. (Wasn't she the one that conveniently spotted Cooper's obituary in the paper?) This would be the same rage Jack experienced when he believed his wife had an affair with his father. The upcoming flashback may be the watershed moment to explain how Locke is so comfortable solving his biggest problems using explosives (both hatches, his-ex, his dad, a vital submarine, etc). Locke's only solace to this deep pain of betrayal comes from serving the interests of The Island by weakening or destroying the Others or their mission. Aside from his gut, Locke trusts no one except this Island force that has touched his core like no human pretender ever has.
my-2-cents
Posted by: my-2-cents | March 19, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Mark B, you are the best at summing up stuff. See, the method for determining who is worthy is bugging me and your suggestion of psychic ability is interesting. Your other suggestion of the difficulty in gaining relevant information from a personal history profile is slightly more interesting to me because its more of a challange to figure out what statistic could be relevant for Jacob. I think it would be in the vein of Lost to go with some extremely obscure detail in everyone's profile being relevent as opposed to full blown psychic ability. Any special powers we've seen have been very subtle and only hinted at, maybe Lost's gamechanger next season is to change the genre to full blown fantasy with an Akira-like nemesis, but I'd prefer to see some amazingly elaborate yet logically possible planm and enemy instead.
For some reason while you were brainstorming about Jacob I got a 'The Prisoner' vibe for some reason. We know Lost and The Prisoner share nice similarities (white ball / black smoke, same thing!), but I would especially love a psychedlic battle of wills between Jack and Jacob in the finale.
Posted by: Cihan | March 19, 2007 at 03:37 PM
If you want to finish the Prisoner analogy.. and I'm sorry to ruin the Prisoner here, but...
Jacob is Jack's bad twin.
As long as there isn't weird Beatles music in the finale, we should be ok.
Posted by: Lorne | March 19, 2007 at 03:41 PM
Oh, and everyone's assuming that the lists are static. It's possible that as people do certain things on the island, they are either added or removed from the list.
Posted by: Lorne | March 19, 2007 at 03:42 PM
@Cihan -- thanks for the props.
An off the wall theory (which I think I read/heard parts of before) on who Jacob is .....
Some people are saying Locke was on the list when Ben came to the hatch and Ben was not playing Locke and Ben really was there to recruit Locke and only Locke as the rest of the Losties are flawed. I'm not sure I agree or not but ....
At that stage what is the differece between Locke and the rest of the Losites ?
Well Locke saw inside the Smoke Monster as "a white light and very beautiful" or words to that effect. Everyone else seems to have seen it as either a manifestation of something (horse, cat, dead people etc.) or black smoke.
So do worthy people see smokey as white light and flawed people see it as something else ? If Locke saw it now would he still see it as white ? I agree with Lorne that the list may not be static and you can move off the list. However I don't think you can move back onto it, once you've done something to make yourself flawed you can't "unflaw" yourself. Kind of like the island in that respect, you can leave but you can't come back.
What if the Smoke Monster is Jacob ? Perhaps the spirit/ghost/some projection of Jacob and this is how he finds the worthiness of each person.
Posted by: Mark B | March 19, 2007 at 04:14 PM
Okay - many things -
1. Yay, Brian was back.
2. I think you're looking at the beacons the wrong way. Instead of thinking of them as powered by the electricity of the electromagnatism, think of them as just being relays. The electromagnets of the island give off a unique signal so subs can find them, but that might need to be filtered through a beacon that maybe the sonar can read.
3. I'm not on the whole Christian is involved thing because the creators said that they had the end game before they wrote the pilot. Jack's character was supposed to die in the pilot. Therefore, Jack can't be important to the end game. Same is true for Ben. Ben was only supposed to be in a handful of episodes. Therefore, Ben cannot be apart of the end game. So, believing Jack's dad is the big bad just doesn't hold any water for me. Plus I have to agree, that character doesn't seem to have enough strength to pull the whole thing together. Not to mention the writers saying anyone who dies or is dead on the island stays dead...until season 7 when the zombies come into play.
4. Nikki and Paulo showed up and Rose and Bernard disappeared entirely. Coincidence? (or ABC marketing saying we need younger hotter people?) I think Sawyer's "who are you?" was more to the "what is your place in this" than a "i've never seen you before" tone.
5. And Hey! Girls who took Human Sexuality weren't all easy. I took the class because it was a total slacker course at my college. The mid-term was to bake a part of the female or male anatomy for class. I made m&m cupcakes as ovaries. :)
Posted by: Kathy aka Fangirl | March 19, 2007 at 05:39 PM
Hey guys,
great cast this week, you guys never dissapoint but having brian back was a cool suprise...
anyway....
I've been hearing alot of stuff about how Danielle is an other and she knows more than she is saying
I think SHE IS AN OTHER, or at least WAS, based on a few very small pieces of evidence that go back to season one...
Now, in 'Par Avion' Danielle says "They will not trade his life for your friend's, you should shoot him."
and Danielle has expressed other times where she knows things about the Others, such as knowing Ben would lie and couln't be trusted...
but if we go back to the 1st episode where Danielle captures Sayid
Danielle says she has never seen these "Others" but only hears them whispering in the jungle...
so until our Losties came along Danille never saw the others, even when they took Alex it seems....
also in "Enter 77" Danielle says she has avoided all situations like this this one, why could you avoid these places if you have NEVER seen anyone else on the island to be combative with?
The Only OTHERS Danielle has ever come across are Ben and Mikhale, she only knows everything else from what our Losties have told her.....
for someone who has NEVER seen the others, or the hatches, or the barracks, she seems to know alot about them...how is that possible?
and why does Sayid not know she is lying...
well they met Danielle before there was a threat of Others and Sayid just assumed she was crazy...
If danielle has been lying this whole time Sayid would have no reason to think she was one of the Others due to the fact that they have known danielle far longer than they have known there are in fact Others...
Danielle did try to take Aaron just as Ethan did...
I think Danielle is a cast out other and that she has been 'marked' just as Juliet, but Danielle is trying to get back in with them...
I think that she may have indeed been part of a research group and pregnant before she came to the island, like Claire...
but also like Claire she was taken, and assimilated into the other's camp and when she gave birth to Alex, the was cast out of their camp to fend for herself and ever since she has been trying to get get back in with them...
Danielle's loyalties I think will play a huge part in how this season ends...
Posted by: David Ryan | March 19, 2007 at 05:58 PM
An absolutely stellar podcast again, guys, and a much improved spoiler section this week (if I may say so myself lol). You all about made my week when my blog was mentioned. anyway, I have one correction to make about a spoiler:
SPOILER WARNING:
I said Jack PRETENDED to enjoy himself, what I meant wasn't that he was actually having an aweful time (who would in his situation?) what I meant to say was that Jack was just playing along with the others, as seen in the Jack/Kate promo for next week's episode.
END SPOILERS.
Posted by: Painki11er | March 19, 2007 at 06:12 PM
the podcast was legendary as always - you guys should enquire about getting some kind of commentary done which would feature for about 20 minutes on the official lost season 3 and 4 dvds.
Posted by: mohinder | March 19, 2007 at 07:31 PM
@whoever said Mikhail knows Locke from off the island,
Sorry I don't buy into Mikhail knowing Locke off the island. He was just messing with Locke. Mikhails "fleeting memory" was nothing more than a way for him to get a line into that fact that Locke was paralyzed. He no more knows John Locke than he does Kate Austen or Sayid Jarrah. All he's done is read the reports and found out that Locke was in a wheelchair and wanted to expose him to the Losties. He could have said "But you, Sayid Jarrah, you I have a fleeting memory of, but you were a tort …." but as the Losties know that already it wouldn't have carried as much weight (for us the viewers). He could have mentioned Kate murdering her father but that would have been a harder interupt for the writers to write for us to know what he was going to say but not Sayid and Locke. Also it's a good tie in to next weeks episode. If Mikhail appears in a Locke flashback I'll eat my hat.
So what are the prophecies for the accident that led to Lockes paralysis ?
SPOILER IF YOU DON"T WATCH THE PROMOS KNOW WHO IS IN THIS WEEKS EPISODE ......
From the promo it looks like the paralysis is not purely psychological and he was in an accident of some kind. However it may be psychological as he may believe that he was paralysed in the accident when he wasn't. I'm still holding out hope that in a flashback Jack (or Christian) gets to see Lockes x-rays and says there is nothing wrong with him or that there is nothing anyone can do for him but that's a long shot.
It would be so Locke-ian for him to be told by a (Dharma plant) doctor that he was paralysed when he really wasn't them have him go to the island and believe he was cured and he's this special person when, yet again he isn't. Maybe that is why Alpert is in this weeks episode to tell Locke the bad news. Heck that's a good idea -- a real long shot mind. I mean who wouldn't try to use their legs even if a Dr told them they couldn't. I'll eat my other hat if that's what happens !
At the very least I'm sure there will be some connection to one of the other Losties. Either they'll be driving or in a car that hits him or they'll be in a car chase and he gets hit by a cop car that is chasing them -- maybe Kates husband knocks him down in pursuit of Sawyer. Perhaps Lockes Dad knocks him over as he's running from those bad dudes he ripped off. Then again Locke could shoot himself in a hunting accident.
Posted by: waitingforlost | March 19, 2007 at 08:09 PM
I'm sure someone else has mentioned this before .... remember John Locks fathers name is Anthony Cooper.
Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Ashley_Cooper%2C_1st_Earl_of_Shaftesbury
In 1666, he met John Locke. Cooper had come to Oxford seeking treatment for a liver infection. Cooper was impressed with Locke and persuaded him to become part of his retinue. Locke had been looking for a career and in 1667 moved into Shaftesbury's home at Exeter House in London, ostensibly as the household physician. Shaftesbury's liver infection became life-threatening. Locke coordinated the advice of several physicians and was probably instrumental in persuading Shaftesbury to undergo an operation (then life-threatening itself) to remove the cyst. Shaftesbury survived and prospered, crediting Locke with saving his life.
Posted by: Tony Cooper | March 19, 2007 at 09:16 PM
You guys are usually good about this but you slipped up this week: PLEASE be more careful about keeping spoilers out of the main cast!!
Posted by: rj | March 19, 2007 at 10:41 PM
this may be a little too out there, but...
patchy seemed like he was going to reference locke's paralysis before rousseau cut him off, right? so either patchy knew locke off-island or had access to his file (a la juliet's file on jack). well the only time on the island that locke actually did NOT have the use of his legs was when he made boone climb into the nigerian plane. and where was that plane located? above the pearl station. which is where patchy is first encountered. i know there probably isn't a significant connection, i've been trying to figure it out in my head how could patchy have known locke's legs gave out on him when the pearl was buried under ground... although it certainly seemed possible in "Further Instructions" that Mikhail could see into the Pearl station when he approached the camera and Locke said "i guess he'll be expecting us." So I don't know if that implicates anything, but I'm still perplexed by why and how Locke lost the use of his legs on the island there and only for that time. Was it just psychosomatic? He went back to that area and he was fine. Maybe this week's episode will give us more insight. I just thought it was interesting.
Posted by: one trick pony | March 19, 2007 at 11:06 PM
Wouldn't it be great with all the themes about connections that we finally meet Jacob and we see Kevin Bacon?
Posted by: Lost Wookiee | March 19, 2007 at 11:53 PM
I'm betting it's Michael Cain. That guy is in everything.
Posted by: Matt Jones | March 20, 2007 at 01:34 AM
I wish Brando was still around. He would have been perfect.
****Beyond here there be spoilers****
@ SMK grl & Mark B
Sayid was as far (if not farther) from the implosion as the captives & seemed to be familiar w/ Paulo & Nikki on the trip to the pearl. Of course we never saw his return w/ Jin & Sun so he could have possibly asked 'who the hell are you?'.
It's probably the writers just being cute (w/ a blatant disregard for the hardcore theorists).
Ian Somerhalder (Boone) & Maggie Grace (Shannon) star in the Nikki & Paulo centric episode so we'll see if they're able to share the same reality.
Posted by: Joop | March 20, 2007 at 02:08 AM
Thats a great catch about Anthony Cooper.
Kevin Bacon as Jacob would be hilarious, but too self-referential I think. I'd prefer a heavyweight actor but not a major A-lister, more of a 'characte-actor'.
Back to Mikhail though, I still think he actually knows Locke, there's simply no reason why he would single Locke out with 'but I have a fleeting memory of you, the Locke I know was...'. This simple statement reflects recognition and past tense. You wouldnt say that if you'd just read about him on a piece of paper. If he really hasnt seen Locke off or on the island before (Pearl not included) then I think the writer's have messed up.
Unless they're completely screwing with us and he wasnt going to say 'paralyzed', but 'pirate in the Carribean' in which case we dont know Locke as well as we thought. Or something.
Posted by: Cihan | March 20, 2007 at 06:56 AM
@Cihan
I'm sure Mikhail does not know John. I agree with waitingforlost in that Mikhail could have said something about Sayid or Kate but the writers chose Locke because of the mystery that surrounds his paralysis and his apparent ability to walk on the island thus adding to the dramatic nature of the scene. None of the other Losties but Rose know that Locke was in a wheel chair and only Locke knows how he got in it. We know Sayid was a torturer and Kate killed her father and we know how and why both Kate and Sayid did what they did to become what they are. If I remember right all the Losties know Sayid was a torturer and many know of Kates situation. The comment by Mikhail to Locke is the writers forshadowing the events to come in tomorrows episode.
As for speculation about how Locke got in a wheelchair my guess is that he does something heroic that goes totally bad. Like he tries to save someone he thinks is getting mugged but the person he saves is a mugger and he/she beats up Locke and leaves him paralysed. I think it's got to involve some connection with another Lostie but neither Locke nor that other Lostie knows.
Posted by: Mark B | March 20, 2007 at 08:56 AM
I agree its foreshadowing preparing us for Locke's flashback, but Mikhail's dialogue is said in a way with actual familiarity in my opinion.
When I say Mikhail knows Locke, I meant that he's briefly encountered him, like maybe shook his hand or walked past, or something in a manner akin to us seeing Ethan in Juliet's flashback. I'll stick with this viewpoint until we get more info.
I'm really hoping we see him in Locke's upcoming flashback so I can go "told you!!!". When I'm proven wrong though, I'll simply not mention it at all and pretend I dont know what you're all talking about when you show me screenshots of this talkback.
Posted by: Cihan | March 20, 2007 at 10:16 AM
I like to think of Locke's interaction with the computer to be in the same vein as Michael's interaction with the Swan hatch's computer when he "spoke" with Walt. In other words, there was some text/interaction that we, as the audience, were not exposed to, but it will be revealed later on when the story requires that loop to be closed.
Posted by: Rok | March 20, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Great episode! My thought on Jacob / the power of the island is that it seems that either Jacob or the island or both have a power similar to that of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy mark 2. In "Mostly Harmless" the guide controls the actions of all the people in the story and brings them together for a specific reason.
Posted by: Richard | March 20, 2007 at 01:21 PM
Great podcast again guys. Looking forward to this week's Lost and the next podcast.
Posted by: Elias UK | March 20, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Lost is really picking up! There haven't been any episodes I disliked this season, but damn it's really picking up!! :D Decent reveals, and the others, for me anyway are not seems so unmysterious as they were after being portayed since the start of the season. Things not considered like the sonic fence and the details within the Flame are really bringing back the mysterious, suprisingly advanced feel for the opposition of our losties, for me.
Like I said FANTASTIC episodes! Great podcasts guys! Loving the Mikaal impressions and you can tell from the podcast Lost is really picking back up!
Also, just to throw it otu there, Jacob's presumed as being a man.. how about a few (unlikely I know) but other possibilities, it could stand for the name of a group of people/company/system/law/something completely bizaare! Not overly likely I know but hey wanted to throw it out there!
Keep up the good work guys! Really appreciate it!
- Pete
Posted by: TTD | March 20, 2007 at 04:06 PM
I think the others have all the losties sized up and just assimilating them into the collective in a particular order.
Anyone else thing the FLAME was a farm? Still cant get that one shot out of my head when Kate was snooping around and open the refrig only to find a LOT of fresh meat. Wondered if it was a farm for the others or the revolutionairies or??? random thoughts....love the podcast...John Locke is going postal....
Posted by: mauiwauii | March 20, 2007 at 05:26 PM
Five promo shots from this weeks episode. One is from the trailer..... one is spoilery but the others aren't unless you don't know who's flashback epi this is and who is guest staring.
http://www.thetailsection.com/gallery/thumbnails-34.html
Don't play too much on the site though cause there are some spoilers there.
Posted by: waitingforlost | March 20, 2007 at 06:20 PM
Hey guys,
Long time listener, first time poster, here.
Really enjoyed the new opening along with some of your own personal theories. While I appreciate and can tell the amount of work you podcasters put into each episode, I do have one comment concerning the cast. Now, I know I'm going to get an eyeful of remarks about what I'm about to say, but I thought I'd just put this out there. For the length of the podcasts and the length of time you request an audiences attention, I have one request. Please, please try to stay on topic. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all your insights yet, I think it would be an overall better production if things stayed on LOST and not moving off direction on to Kirsten Dunst's snaggle (just an example). I'm thankful that John tries to keep the conversation on point but it's hard when there are other distractions pulling away from the show itself. This is a LOST podcast, after all. ;)
I won't stop listening as I'm equally enthusiastic about the show and your work. This is just a thought and an opinion to maybe improve upon the overall production.
Posted by: Carin | March 20, 2007 at 06:34 PM
Carin.
I disagree. I find the OT conversations "interesting" and besides, they tend to add a certain "personality" to the podcast.
Relax and enjoy it.
Col Mustard
Posted by: col_mustard | March 20, 2007 at 06:49 PM
Excellent! Awesome podcast. I think that this was the best podcast this season. Thanks for this!
I agree with every one of you - even when you disagree with each other!
Posted by: Kane | March 20, 2007 at 07:14 PM
They are pretty good about balancing the on and off topic. A little off topic every now and then is a good thing. The last few podcasts have been under an hour so this all just balances everything out.
I think the whole "interesting" thing is just funny now. I personally think it's less annoying and distracting for him to say it than for him not to.
This is still my favorite podcast and the only one I listen to as soon as I can.
Posted by: Kathy aka Fangirl | March 20, 2007 at 07:24 PM
NO SPOILER HERE ...
Bugger crap bollocks wank shite I just read a spoiler that told me how John gets in a wheelchair. I didn't mean to do it, no really I didn't. If anyone has a failsafe key can I borrow it as I need to change the timeline.
Bit of a bummer for Locke if it's true.
Posted by: i'mspoiled | March 20, 2007 at 07:33 PM
Sorry about double postin but.
Of course the parameter can't inform every time a mouse gets killed... there prolly would be hundreds of alarms in a week... think about it. Thanks.
Posted by: Kane | March 20, 2007 at 07:43 PM
@Carin
If you think the Lostcast clan drift off for a while don't try any other podcast. They are dreadful in comparison and/or drift off continually. You will go nuts.
Jay and Jack are good but have a tendency to waffle mind.
This is the best LOST podcast out there. I've tried most others but have given up.
Someone once described it as something like "The LOST podcast for clever people" or "The Thinking Persons LOST podcast" or "The Degree level LOST podcast" or something like that.
After all it's required listening for the Tufts course !
Posted by: Mark B | March 20, 2007 at 07:45 PM
I think the parimeter is mainly for animals because it took them all of what 5 seconds to figure out a way around it.
Posted by: Kathy aka Fangirl | March 20, 2007 at 09:47 PM
I was just waiting for Claire's released bid to fly right into the fence and zap itself... I would have cried laughing...
Posted by: Lorne | March 21, 2007 at 12:22 AM
I actually kind of agree with Carin - your little side convos are amusing, but there are way too many. Especially when one of you (I think it's John?) tries to get things on track and the others don't exactly comply. Compare it to last year's podcasts or even some from a few months ago. There was more of a tendency to stay on topic, which results in a better and more focused podcast.
All in all, this is still my favorite podcast. Great job!v
Posted by: Sobaika | March 21, 2007 at 01:20 AM
Let me weigh in and confess that I am a less-than-stereotypical listener in that I am a 'Uge Sports Fan.
I know who Ian Kinsler (TEX 2b) is and I know who Bobby Bowden ("Wide Right") is. Don't stop the OT stuff. It makes you guys more personal. IMHO, your collective personality is one of the things that works on this 'cast.
I just had coffee and some recent head trauma, let me continue:
Has anyone coined a term for Hurley's Curse? How about "Dharma Karma"?
Was anyone else perturbed that when Kate was examining Patchy's corpse that she didn't remove the eye patch to see if his glass eye was missing? Is it too much to ask TPTB to wrap up that mystery?
BTW, which episode was the landmark 'Blast Door' episode?
Posted by: Lost Wookiee | March 21, 2007 at 01:25 AM
The 'Blast Door' episode was 'Lockdown' season 2 episode 17, & was discussed in Loscast #23.
Posted by: frankmorris | March 21, 2007 at 02:23 AM
NOT A SPOILER! I'll simply relate that I just encountered the MOST detailed Insider Scoop spoiler (for the new Locke-centric episode) I've ever come across by way of a link already posted somewhere above here. So be careful. I'm afraid to put up the extended link because it will truly spoil the episode. However, what I read makes this possibly the best LOST episode to date. The revelations in this one will blow your mind! Talk about game-changers! One tantalizing puzzle tidbit (not a spoiler): you may want to read up on "The Third Policeman" and a certain multi-faceted object mentioned therein, to which Locke is not a stranger because of a previous vocation. You may also want to start recalling every cryptic remark Ben has ever uttered in this series. Pull out that 'leftover chicken in the fridge' and hunker down. Grab a blanket when you see this one 'cause you're gonna get those Steven King chills! Holy Baba Ram Dass!
Posted by: my-2-cents | March 21, 2007 at 03:43 AM
Have we ever seen a bare foot of one of the others? Now that we know that they are not Dharma, but have been there for a long time, maybe they are the natives, and maybe they have only four toes? Just a thought.
Keep up the good work, Tom
Posted by: Tom | March 21, 2007 at 04:46 AM
@Tom
In the S2 finale we saw the Bens feet, it was only for a few seconds and at the time people did try to count toes, some claimed Ben had four. Also I think we may have seen their feet in The Other 48 Days and the "Teddy Bear" episode -- the one where Eko and Jin hide in the bushes as the Others walk by if that's not in the Other 48 Days. Not sure about that though.
@Everyone
New Official Podcast is out. Damon and Carlton are back.
Posted by: Mark B | March 21, 2007 at 06:10 AM
"America would be really angry and they'll get struck by lightning."
I love Carlton and Damon.
I also love LostCasts and how they go on random off-topic tangents. I am a bit greedy though and would like it if the podcast was longer than it has been the last couple months or so.
Posted by: Cihan | March 21, 2007 at 07:25 AM
A few little tidbits...
As I was making a grocery list, I started thinking about The Lists, and have this thought to throw in for debate.
Maybe when Ben sent Ethan and Goodwin out to the crash sites, and told them to get lists, they got lists of all of the crash survivors. They brought those lists back to Ben and they pulled up all relevant data (having access to the outside world) they could about each survivor. They studied the data, prepared files on each one (Jack's file that Juliet had) and gave the information to "HIM" (which Carlton and Damon just confirmed was Jacob on the OLP). Jacob decided of all of the people on Ben's list, who made it to his list, The list-to-trump-all-lists List. The one that matters. This helps to sort out the different lists being referred to at different points in the show.
Another thing...
The Jay and Jack website has a link to a survey about the best websites/podcasts/etc about Lost. Go there and vote for LostCasts - the absolute best in my opinion!
Posted by: SMKGrl | March 21, 2007 at 11:25 AM
Would that guy who made one of you drink the kool aid have the first name of Stan?
Posted by: Mike | March 21, 2007 at 11:55 AM
@SMKGrl
Check back about 50 posts and you'll see you and I think exactly the same thing about the one list to rule them all. But to quote a great man "Great minds think alike but fools seldom differ".
@Everyone
OK here's my take on why Locke is a man behaving badly. I'm sure I've ripped off other peoples ideas .....
We know Des can now see the future due to 'exposure' from the implosion. Locke was inside the blast doors when the failsafe key went off but further away from the actual failsafe location so can Locke see the future but not as clearly as Desmond does?
Has Locke seen only one future, is he stopping the Losties getting off the island because he knows what will happen if they do ? He's not being a total git but is actually saving them.
Eko was outside the blast doors so may have been somewhat protedted. I don't think he had a power. Unless it was the power to get caught by a polar bear, have bad dreams, miraculously recover for being comatose, see dead people, and get killed by the smoke monster.
Posted by: Mark B | March 21, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Hey guys,
there's new promo video of tonight's episode on ABC.com
thought you might wanna check it out
Posted by: black_eyed_dog_90 | March 21, 2007 at 12:14 PM
@frankmorris
Thank you, sir.
Posted by: Lost Wookiee | March 21, 2007 at 02:32 PM
@ Lost Wookiee - “Was anyone else perturbed that when Kate was examining Patchy's corpse that she didn't remove the eye patch to see if his glass eye was missing? Is it too much to ask TPTB to wrap up that mystery?”
I was waiting for her to do something with the patch. Obviously TPTB wanted that to be left to eye-dole speculation. (ar ar)
Posted by: Jamie (c) | March 21, 2007 at 02:48 PM
@ Mark B
Sorry... I wasn't trying to steal your theory. If I do say so myself though, nice thinking!
I just can't wait to see who they cast for Jacob! For some reason I keep envisioning the journey up the river in Apocalypse now and Colonol Kurtz as Jacob. Frightening. Truly.
Posted by: SMKGrl | March 21, 2007 at 02:50 PM
Happy Lost Day!
Posted by: Sobaika | March 21, 2007 at 03:16 PM
Not that anyone was worried, but "ABC Television Network today announced fourteen early pick-ups for the 2007-08 season for new breakout series Brothers & Sisters, Men In Trees, and Ugly Betty, as well as returning hits The Bachelor, Boston Legal, Dancing with the Stars, Desperate Housewives, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Grey's Anatomy, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Lost."
Posted by: Nash | March 21, 2007 at 04:12 PM
@SMKGrl
No worries I didn't think you were trying to steal my idea. I'm sure I borrowed it off someone else but I'd not heard it before.
As for who will play Jacob. If it's going to be a major character then it may not be a major actor. Most of the cast (Matthew Fox and Domonic excepted) were not exactly mainstream before LOST. I heard a rumour that Billy Dee Williams is going to have a role in the show.
Posted by: Mark B | March 21, 2007 at 04:41 PM
Jacob is really Ed Harris and the last 5 sec of the show will be a light falling from the sky. =)
Happy Lost Day!
Posted by: Kathy aka Fangirl | March 21, 2007 at 06:23 PM
@ Kathy AKA Fangirl:
was that an obscure reference to the Truman Show?
Posted by: Mike in the Box | March 21, 2007 at 07:02 PM
Yes. Although, I didn't think it was that obscure. :)
Posted by: Kathy aka Fangirl | March 21, 2007 at 07:10 PM
maybe not that obscure, just random. i just have that image of harris in the moon looking down on the island.
if anyone has not listened to the official lost podcast yet, just wait until after the episode. they reveal a lot that might be spoilerish regarding tonight's episode.
Posted by: Mike in the Box | March 21, 2007 at 07:14 PM
Happy LOST Day!
Just a couple comments before tonight's episode ...
LOSTcast Tangents - Love Em! Keep them going ... Bobby Bowden ... Snaggle Tooth .... LOL!!! I too (like some other posters) am a huge sports nut (anything except baseball) and actually enjoy the sports/pop culture references, etc. that you guys will mention.
Locke's Accident - I have yet to hear Hurley's accident (deck collapse) mentioned as a possible cause of Locke's paralysis ... Just thought I'd just put it out there.
Othersville Perimeter - Why is everyone calling it a "Sonic Fence"? When I saw it I thought Microwave (which is a type of ElectroMagnetic wave) or something EM-based ... IMHO, the sound made was like a generator. Also, the ears bleeding and foaming from the mouth, made me think of electro-shock torture ... In any case, just wanted to put out another idea.
Posted by: ebonX | March 21, 2007 at 08:02 PM
Has anyone seen the new player on ABC.com? The damn thing looks like HD even on a 30" screen. I can't imagine what their bandwidth costs are gonna be if they have a lot of viewers. Now they just have to let it play without clicking continue after every damn commercial.
Posted by: Nash | March 21, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Will Locke finally get revenge on his "dad"???
Posted by: col_mustard | March 21, 2007 at 09:15 PM
well, the episode just aired here in canada (it comes on at 8 p.m. EST). no spoilers, but i just want to say that you won't be disappointed. well, i wasn't disappointed, anyway. ;-)
Posted by: Rok | March 21, 2007 at 09:15 PM
Remember to go to
http://go.yaplet.com/?url=http://www.lostcasts.com
for an informal live chat during the episode tonight. Should reduce the "spoilers" posted here.
Posted by: Nash | March 21, 2007 at 09:20 PM
TWO GIANT HAMSTERS! I've never laughed so hard!
Posted by: Nash | March 21, 2007 at 10:37 PM
so anthony cooper is from tallahassee. now everything makes sense
Posted by: alex's slingshot | March 21, 2007 at 11:05 PM
this won't make sense to anyone who hasn't seen Man From Tallahasee. But was anyone else thnking "Lockbox" during this episode?
Posted by: Sobaika | March 21, 2007 at 11:05 PM
okay question:
when did locke plan to blow up the submarine? it couldn't have been until he met mikhail and found c-4 in the flame as he didn't know about the submarine before then...
so... why would ben wait until the night before jack and juliet were to be set free before he figured out a way to get himself out of it? did he have one of desmond's visions that indicated locke was on his way to save the day? that whole thing seemed way too convenient.
Posted by: alex's slingshot | March 21, 2007 at 11:11 PM
SPOILERS BE HERE .....
OK five things;
1. Did anyone catch the other name Lockes Dad used ? Not Anthony Cooper the other one.
2. No way Locke would have survived that fall. Talk about Daddy issues. The guy steals his kidney then tries to kill him.
3. The thought box to make things ... eh ? I'm sure I've heard that before but where ?
4. No way they could have got Lockes Dad from anywhere to the island in that length of time unless they have teleportation. He must have been on the island for some time. Did the Others bring him to use against Locke. Have they got other people from other Losties past hidden on the island. So what odds now on Lockes Dad being Jacob ?
5. Alpert is an Other. Still not sure that means Juliet was recruited by the Others for sure but it's looking very likely. Unless Ethan and Al;pert joined the Others post-purge.
Posted by: Mark B | March 21, 2007 at 11:21 PM