LOST // Smoke monster revealed, bizarro timeline, and Man in Black is very disappointed

So first, it's Damon not David. I only say this because I don't want to find out that the smoke monster visited your house. He's a pretty powerful guy!

But seriously, in hindsight I think the 'message in a bottle' leak makes perfect sense. For one, it made me seriously concerned about the new direction of the show only because it appeared that Jughead worked...and I wasn't convinced that it should work out so easily. It appears that Jughead, in some capacity, may have actually worked...but there is a story there and it looks like the split timelines will serve that story.

Lastly, I firmly believe that they embargoed all footage BECAUSE they wanted to pull off this ruse, and for that I applaud. Having fun with your fanbase is always a good thing.

2 in 1: Darlton did make reference to something along these lines in a season 5 podcast. Something about "jamming so much into season 6 that it really feels like 2 seasons in 1." I took it to mean that they have so much to wrap up and so little time, but here it looks as though we might actually have two linear threads that interweave, as opposed to jumping back and forth through time.

Good point about manipulating physics, space, and time. Interesting.

Someone mentioned that Desmond may actually be the constant for all of the Losties. This deviates a bit from my "Bizarro LOST" is actually AFTER the resolution of the Jacob/Man in Black story, but imagine that Jughead created a rift in time...two distinct timelines with similarities, but somehow tied to one another at an intersection point (the incident).

In that scenario, just as Penny did for Desmond, Desmond provides the only implausible link back to the old timeline for those on the plane. It's just a thought...

My vote for Adam and Eve (for some strange reason) is Sawyer and Kate. First, I think Sawyer is pretty broken up over Juliet, and he was content to stay on the island before she died. Kate doesn't really want to go back (she was on the run, right?), so I perhaps they have some sort of common ground there.

Esau's home...who knows. The bigger question is whether or not he is even human...and if he isn't, then what is he? And what about Jacob, what is he?

I think the answer to question ratio is going to more like 2:1 this season, where as in the past it was the reverse. If you look at last night's episode, they answered the questions we all had going in, and that seemed to work...sort of.

Is it next Tuesday yet?

Hmmm...that is interesting about Adam and Eve, and makes sense.

Also, since Esau can take the form of dead people that currently reside (six feet under) on the island, could he take advantage of Sawyer by taking the form of Juliet? Maybe make him do something by having "her" convince him?

Ohh, the implications are vast! Yes, this could happen, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen.

So that's pretty interesting. My wife has a theory, and I think she may be onto something. Basically, she thinks the Bizarro timeline represents the end of the show. We're basically watching what happens to these characters after they've successfully untangled the web of time. Perhaps a mind wipe is involved here?

Totally agree: The CGI underwater scene was super duper lame.

Side note: If Mrs. A is right,and I think she is, it nice to see that we didn't kill off all the sharks before the glaciers all melt!

Speaking of the shark, it was nice to finally see the Dharma shark show up again! So many cameos!

I'm fascinated with the intersection of Hurley, Miles, and Walt -- specifically in regards to their powers and their relationship to death. When it comes to interacting with the dead, Miles is like the ears and Hurley is like the eyes.

Now consider Walt. He's had an affinity for the island, saw dead people, and appeared to have powers. But, all of these things happened ON THE ISLAND. There is an important reason why we witnessed Locke's visit as Jeremy Bentham with Walt off of the island -- we were supposed to see that off-island Walt is just a regular kid.

Now, consider Miles and Hurley off-island. Both see/hear dead people, which means they actually have true powers with regards to the dead. But why? Is it Jacob's doing?

But Walt's the only kid, right? Other than the ones that were taken, and we don't really know what their experiences were. Maybe there's something about being a child that allows him to experience things more easily there--a kind of openness that adults have had rationalized and trained out of them.

I think Walt has powers off the island too. Remember in about the first or second season when Walt's mothers new boyfriend in Australia says there is something weird about Walt. I think he said "weird things happen around him". I don't remember exacts but I remember trying to remember that cause I thought it would be important. And it was... It was the reason he was captured... I'm sure he'll come back

Oh wait, you're right. The whole bird thing happened while they were off of the island too. OK, I'll need to rework that theory.

Exactly. My theory is that the Man in Black (aka Faux-Locke) is Esau, which in biblical sense was Jacob's brother. I suspect he can assume the shape of any dead person as long as the body is on the island (read: in proximity). Here's a list of people I think he's embodied to date:

- Christian (Jack's dad)
- Ecko's Brother
- Boone
- Shannon
- Vincent (the dog)
- Mikhail (the Russian)

Any others I'm forgetting that are worth mentioning?

Yep I completely agree! I think you left out Ben's "daughter", Alex, who convinced Ben to follow ALL of John's orders. But who knows.. this seems like a good theory for now and next Tuesday this whole theory could change!

Oh, good point! I forgot about Ben's daughter. Noted!

This may be a totally crazy theory--but what about Rosseau? What if she had died prior to the Oceanic crash, but when the survivors picked up the loop, the Man in Black became her. Think about it--she was the one responsible for making the survivors distrust the Others, and led them to a lot of information. Maybe Alex wasn't kidnapped--maybe she was never Rosseau's daughter at all, or maybe the Others raised her after Rosseau's death.

I've been thinking about this, and it may be a possibility. The only thing I question is that Jin met Rousseau just after she landed. Perhaps a test is whether or not modern day Rousseau remembers Jin from the past.

Which brings up the question--how much of someone's personality does the man in black have access too? In order to be convincing, he must have some. Does that include memories?

Well, it's a question of whether or not you believe him, but based on what he told Ben about the real John Locke beneath the Tawaret, it sounds like he has full access.

BTW -- The Real John Locke is a great band name. Someone want to get on that one?

And...who might those two co-workers be? ;)

Gee, I can't imagine...surely no one around here would do a thing like that...

+^d for cultural overview and literary reference. and the Count in particular,...the Count is kewl.

+^d that comment to. I refuse to accept the premise that people are incapable of acting responsibly and the forum is invalid.

Sorry for the confusion. Production-wise there has only been three seasons worth of "unfortunate events" -- I'm referring to real-world events that hindered the progression of the show. If you recall, seasons 1 & 2 went off without a hitch production-wise.

I'll revise the story to make that clearer.

I am not going to -v this,...because I respect the intent. People have the right and in fact a social need to discuss theatre. That is ultimately all lost is. Cut the arts some slack.

Oh hell,...+^ d. ( I am going to get to hate the lil arrows ) because YOU MEAN WELL. But have mercy,...please,...on the arts.

Really? You aren't going to zap me for giving an on topic opinion? Oh, thank you! I can see where this cliquish comment rating scheme is going already.

No. Not only am I not going to "zap" you,...I am voting your comment +^ d because I do respect where you are coming from, though I do not in this case place the priorities of the matter in the same order. And hey,...I am not a big fan of "arrows arrows everywhere" either. Don't take it out on me,...I certainly didn't field the notion.Personally,...I am still trying ways to adapt to it. I like "+^d",...and "-vd" as a way of "owning up" to what you did with the f-ng stupid arrows. People ARE going to use these stupid pieces of "anonymous vote" cowardly mob rule,...those with any integrity will simply hold themselves accountable FOR WHAT THEY DO. Don't be pissed at me,..(for this). If you, or ANYONE ever has a +^ od -v on my account,...I will sign the act. Cant do anything about the "hit n run"crowd.

+^d it.

I think about this subject quite a bit.

Politics follow me wherever I go: work; home; the neighborhood watering hole; the Ball Park; you name it.

My conclusion: Not everyone is like us.

I can remember recently being disturbed by an article I saw on Current calling for people in an impoverished country to dance away their pain and suffering. Maybe disturbed is the wrong word. Agitated, upset and aghast all are a lot closer to the truth.

I only hope that I am wrong, and that people's happiness - even if it is for things like LOST - helps the world more than it hurts it.

I do know, however, that I have felt (and seen) the power of positivity at work. Perhaps there is something in social networking that reminds us all that we are in this together. Until then, just know you aren't alone.

-Derk