LOST – The TV show that has captivated us all!
I’ve stated before that the reason I love the TV show LOST so much is the deep characterization that the writers have managed to weave into an interesting (READ: keep- you-guessing) storyline. In this “gotta have it all and gotta have it now” society we live in, the LOST producers have basically given us what we want–3 plot lines to follow at once and with 15 main characters’ lives to keep up with. Yeah, it’s a lot to take in and yet we can’t seem to get enough of it! So you’re wondering…3 plot lines? Yep, 3. First there’s the characters’ lives on the island…their basic learning to survive while trying to get along with total strangers, not to mention the paranormal happenings they’ve experienced on the island itself (killer polar bears, murderous black smoke and of course, the OTHERS). Second there’s the interaction of the characters themselves…ie, the constant tug and pull of trust and mistrust, the rise of leadership as well as who-will-follow and who-will-question the leadership…all of this is going on while we THINK we know these characters’ personalities. But in truth, we know very little, hence the 3rd plot line which takes us back in time through each character’s life a bit at a time…and NOT necessarily in a “past to present” sequence, it would seem.
So, the producers have given us a LOT all at once…while leaving us with many questions like: What IS The Dharma Initiative? Why does the island seem to have a “life” of its own? Why have all the characters lives interconnected at some point in their past?
As the LOST writers have peeled back another layer about each character, we’ve learned more and more about each of the characters. What have we learned? In many cases where we thought a character was very black and white, we learn there is a lot of “gray” in their past, too.
This is why I think LOST is SO popular because it touches on many themes we’ve all experienced or subjects we’ve all discussed and agreed upon. Themes like: 1) No person is 100% good…everyone has something in their past they’ve done they aren’t proud of. 2) What about the whole “seven degrees of separation” theory. You know the theory that basically states: I’ll bet you can meet a stranger and after a few minutes of conversation realize that you have a connection to that person through someone you both mutually know. LOST touches on that theme, too, by showing how each of the character’s lives have crossed paths. 3) Another theme we’ve seen in real life time and time again; helping fellow man in times of crisis…the Oceanic plane crash drew on that theme. I could go on and on because the writers have done a great job of touching on so many themes we can all relate to, but suffice to say…they’ve done a great job of holding our interest.
MY THEORY:
So…finally…here’s my theory as to what is ultimately going on with the characters on the show LOST.
As we know, each of these characters have something in their past, some unresolved issue they need to deal with. My theory is that each of these people went to the institute for help to overcome their issues in life. And Dharma is the institute that is helping them with their problems. But at the same time Dharma is doing so by running their own experiment…ie, they have “connected” each of their patients together mentally.
Think of it like the Matrix where the characters’ consciousnesses are interconnected and what they are experiencing is all in their mind. What Dharma did is “create” the crash to bring them all together as well as the “island” as a backdrop. The patients’ are basically “healing themselves” by working together on the island. Hence the “therapy” is kind of a group therapy without the group’s knowledge. LOL! The OTHERS are really people who work at the Dharma institute and they are constantly introducing new obstacles to spur on another crisis and by doing so initiating interaction between the characters and in the end hopefully “healing” another person.
Here’s why I think this is what is going on. First off, remember the polar bear that was in Walt’s comic book? Then suddenly a polar bears show up on the island. And Kate’s black horse from her past…shows up on the island. Each of these things could be the characters “minds” manifesting familiar things onto the island. Then there’s the theatrical makeup Kate found which tells us that the Others aren’t who they are leading the survivors to believe they are. And most importantly, every time each of the characters seems to resolve his or her past issue, they die. Boone resolved his issue with his sister Shannon when he finally realized he didn’t have to always be there to help pick her up. When he did this…he died. Shannon resolved her past issue via the progression of her relationship with Savid. Then she died. Mr. Eko seems to have solved his issue, but I think his ultimate goal is to become a minister and every minister needs to build his flock…so he’ll be around a bit longer. Sawyer definitely has LOTS of issues to work through so that poor guy is stuck on that island for a while yet. LMAO! Obviously Kate, John and Jack haven’t resolved their past…heck, I don’t think we’ve even SEEN all their past yet to know what their true issue is. So I believe for the others on the island there are a lot more layers we haven’t seen yet, hence the reason they are still on the island.
I was discussing my theory with another LOST watcher and that person asked me about Jin and Sun, saying, “If your theory is true, why are Jin and Sun still on the island since it appears they have resolved their past problems?” My response: Well, she may be pregnant, right? What happens to the children on the island? The OTHERS take them. So, we either haven’t seen other bits of Sun and Jin’s past that still need to be resolved OR the OTHERS will eventually take Sun and Jin and they’ll be gone from the show, too. Claire seems to have resolved her issue with her baby. She realized she was meant to be his mom and she shouldn’t give him up for adoption. Does that mean she’s next to go?
Well, that’s my far-fetched theory. As an author of paranormals, I love the TV show LOST and how the paranormal happenings in an otherwise “normal” world can contort, contrive and, of course, captivate!
Bring on the next episode!
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Lost indeed is a very popular show, and I can understand why. I like your theory, and let’s see if it’s going to be confirmed with time!
by Olga
on March 4th, 2006 at 11:40 pm
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I love LOST!!!!!!!
Saw the whole first season on DVD - now am waiting for season 2 to come out (they don’t show it here in France so I have to wait for the DVD) (ARGH!!!)
Great premise and Great characters. Can’t beat it.
by Sam
on March 5th, 2006 at 1:03 am
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Good grief. You must love Lost. LOL. I’ve never seen it, but it sounds good.
Am I spam again? :-)
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I’m not spam! I’m not spam!
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Hi Olga, I’ll be interested to see how LOST plays out too!
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Hi Sam!
Yep, that’s exactly what I did for the first season. I missed it all, then there was so much talk about it I bought it on DVD. Now, I TiVo it everyweek and keep up! LOL! Sorry if I gave some spoilers away. Hopefully you didn’t read too far down. 
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Hey Chey,
No, you’re no longer spam…you’ve passed snuff! LOL!
And YES, I LOVE lost. There are only a few TV shows I watch every week: LOST, Battlestar and Invasion. That’s it! I’m not one to stay glued to the TV watching for hours on end. There are just too many other things that have to get done.
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Good theory. I haven’t been following the show this year, but I plan to get the DVD’s. It is a TERRIFIC show. One of the best on television in my opinion.
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Hey Jordan,
Oh, I agree! I think LOST is one of the best shows on TV! The great thing about the DVD is the ability to watch them all back to back. NO WAITING ’til the next week! *g*
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Tag! You’re it! Describe your Perfect Partner!
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[…] A new LOST episode was on tonight and I’m STILL sticking with my same theory! […]
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[…] Okay, after watching all three hours (Man, that’s the way to go…back to back! What can I say, I’m so addicted!) I’m STILL sticking with my originalTHEORY (it’s halfway down the post) as to what’s going on with this TV show. […]
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[…] • Caffeine while I write. I don’t know why, but my muse just luvs the stuff! • Writing - Well, duh! • Bookstores - I love to browse the isles, and if I do so with a coffee in hand, I’m in heaven! • LOST: My THEORY still holds water, even after the premier episode this season. I’ve got to watch the lastest one this weekend. I’ve dedicated an entire category on my blog to my musings on LOST episodes. I’ll have to start blogging about it again this season and will after this weekend. Stick with me, ya’ll! • Battlestar Galactica - I adore this world! […]
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I am so hooked on this show!! My husband and I watch it together and just keep looking at each other during each episode thinking…what the heck?…they’ve done it again, we have no idea where this is going to go! Patrice, you sure may be onto something there, especially after watching last weeks episode where Jack seemed to only care that Sarah was happy. Sawyer is major eye-candy! Did I mention that I love this show? LOL
by Vicky
on October 18th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
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Hi Vicky,
I watch it every week and am just as hooked! I’ll have to do another blog entry on the most recent episodes but it does seem to still follow the same pattern of my theory so far. Sawyer…yum!
by Patrice
on October 18th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
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Hi Michelle, I like your theory, actually it’s the best one I’ve heard that makes sense. Except if they die when there issue is solved,what about the two girls that Walt’s dad killed?[I am totally doing a mind blank on there names]There issues didn’t seem to solved? Also wouldn’t it create more issues with Walts dad since he killed two people? With them being reunited I know it would seem to resolve there problems but I’m not so sure.Well I love Lost too obviously and I don’t know what I would do if I missed an episode,lol. I taped the show so I haven’t seen this week’s yet but I am hoping they finally show the other castaways.
by Dena
on October 19th, 2006 at 5:53 am
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Hi Dena,
You have some great questions. Remember that Ana Lucia’s issue WAS resolved right before she was murdered by Michael (Walt’s father). Her main issue was her pentup anger and the fact she’d killed the man responsible for her unborn baby’s death…ie, killing seemed to come very easy to her. So remember when she put the gun down on the island and said, “I can’t do this anymore???” THAT was her resolution. Also, Libby’s death did seem like she hadn’t resolved an issue, BUT remember we didn’t know what her issue was. The only thing we saw of her was a past connection to Hurley (remember she looks just like a patient that was in the psyche ward with Hurley) and her past connection to Desmond (she’s the one that gave him the boat so he could go win his “honor” back). That’s all we know about her that I remember. I do believe some of the “people” that are part of the LOST group are Dharma institute plants to help keep things interesting/going when the survivors get too settled in their life on the island. As for Walt’s dad,Michael..man, that’s a heck of a load to carry around..ie, he KILLED people. But consider his biggest issue was never being there for his son while he was growing up and NOW he’s murdered people to save his son. You can’t get more committed than that. I don’t think Michael is truly gone. I think he’ll come back and save Sawyer, Jack and Kate. In his mind, he needs to redeem himself for his past sins…and maybe by doing so he can forgive himself for the murders he committed while trying to save his son’s life.
They did show the other castaways last night.
by Patrice
on October 19th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
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WOW! Your THEORY sounds sooooo logical! I was still stuck on the possibility that they were all victims of some “mad” billionaire that crashed the plane on the Island just to “watch via a special Island Camera” the group play out a TV Survivor theme (unbeknown to them, of course). I like your theory better!
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Hi Kari! I’m glad my “theory” works for you. I’m sticking to it as long as I can. LOL!
by Patrice
on October 21st, 2006 at 12:15 am
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Wow, you really went deep with your theories, Patrice, and reading them makes me see LOST in a whole new light now. I’m still watching it because I don’t like to be a quitter (that and the deep characterizations, what grabbed me from the beginning, are keeping me on). Of course, I have favorite characters, and I tend to enjoy the show more when they focus on those characters (Locke, the Asian couple…). I used to enjoy the triangle with Jack, Sawyer and Kate, but the constant back-and-forth makes Kate seem flighty and indecisive to me. This and the whole mytery of the OTHERS are the show’s Achilles heal for me. But like you said, there is no all black or all white, or all good and all bad, and thinking about the show and characters this way helps me to keep it in perspective.
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Hi Gracie! Thanks for checking out my theory on LOST. I went pretty deep because there’s so much about the show to discuss. I think we all have our favorites, but I do enjoy visiting each of the characters’ past lives just so I can get a glimpse of those “gray” areas. *g* I’m glad I could help give you another reason to stick with the show.
by Patrice
on October 21st, 2006 at 11:21 pm
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Hi Patrice, Well I got to see LOST yesterday and am glad they showed the other castaway’s and what’s going on with them,but of course it was a bit confusing, and it gave me more questions than answers,lol.I’m glad they had Desmond back[he’s another hotty in my book]but he is a huge mystery.It was nice seeing Boone too,he is so cute.They also shown a few other castaway’s never before seen upclose.
I think your theory work’s with Ana Lucia,but with Libby so far it doesn’t. Like you mentioned she was connected to Desmond and she sure wasn’t a doctor where Hurley was committed,she was a patient too. I was sad they killed her because of the love connection she was growing with Hurley.It seems like there is more that could be done with her charater and who knows might-hopefully-in the future?
by Dena
on October 23rd, 2006 at 8:00 am
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Hi Dena,
I’m with you on Desmond. He’s a cutie! As for Libby…I guess we’ll have to wait and see how she ties into it all. I have a feeling she’ll show back up again…maybe like Boone (in a kind of dream-like experience).
by Patrice
on October 23rd, 2006 at 3:05 pm
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Hi Patrice, Well another crazy and mysterious episode that left me with more questions?damnit! I knew there wasn’t a pacemaker put in Sawyer.There wasn’t a big enough scar let alone lack of equipment. The other’s are playing big mind games and I want to know why???? Yeah for Desmond seeing the danger and saving the baby too.
by Dena
on October 29th, 2006 at 10:34 am
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Hi Dena,
Heh, I’m still sticking with my theory…the OTHERS are playing mind games because they are trying to heal every one of the main characters on LOST. As for Desmond, it appears that the explosion has given him the ability of “sight” or seeing into the future.
by Patrice
on October 29th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
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Hi Patrice,I think your theory is workable for what’s going on with Jack,Sawyer,and Kate. I am just sick of the way there doing it. They beat the crap out of Sawyer constantly.What do you think about the other lady wanting Jack to mess up on the operation. I figure it’s a test like your theory or there might be a mutiny with the other’s? Also I think it was really dumb to save Echo from the Polar bear just to let the weird black smoke to beat him to death.Well tonight will see some more crazy action I’m sure.I’m not happy there going to interupt the show for a while then bring it back later either.
by Dena
on November 8th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
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Hi Dena,
I think my theory still holds water for most of the characters. Well, Sawyer is getting the heck beat out of him and I admit that it’s tiring to watch what’s been happening to Kate, Jack and Sawyer, but if my theory is right, then Sawyer has learned a lesson or two during his stay with the Others. I DO believe that the whole “please screw up the operation” plea is just another mind game they are playing with Jack.
As for Eko, per a comment made from another LOST watcher, I “rewatched” that final scene with his death, and actually there WAS a change in him. Go back and watch it again. Remember in the past Eko faced the Black Smoke without fear and it left him alone. Then in this final episode after Eko refused to repent to Yemi (or the vision of Yemi), he was attacked and killed by the black smoke shortly thereafter. This time, right before Eko was attacked by the black smoke, he starts praying Psalm 23. Was that the resolution he sought/needed–to finally seek his death and accept it through his faith? If so, then his death makes some strange kind of sense. Oy! I’m beginning to wonder if the writers are winging it. LOL!
I think tonight’s episode will just as full of can’t-guess-them twists and turns.
My understanding as to why LOST is taking a break is because viewers got really angry that they were just showing repeat episodes during their “off time”. This time, they’re just going to take the time off without repeats. Wonder which way will drive us LOST fans crazier…the old “repeat” method or this new “high and dry” one? 
by Patrice
on November 8th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
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Hi Patrice, It’s taken me awhile to get back to your blog.There’s never enough time to get my stuff done online since I started reading blogs,lol.I have 18 blogs on my favorite list and out of them I visit 10 regularly.The others more sporatically. I don’t know how some people go to tons,I guess if I read faster.
So who did you want Kate to hook up with? I wanted her with Jack,so I knew that wasn’t going to happen but maybe down the road. Sawyer already got some island love so it was Jack’s turn darn it,lol. I love Kate,there’s so much to her and of course she’s beautiful to boot.I’m sure you noticed there showing more of the other crash victims.They have to keep introducing new characters since they keep killing off the ones we get to know.[I think the new guy is cute].There are so many more that the show could go on a long time?
I think the Lost break is stupid any way they do it[repeats or no show]they should just air the show and when all the episodes are done for the season then air some other show they have lined up. Also I don’t like how there are fewer episodes made of shows nowadays. It seems to me there used to be a lot more episodes. Not sure why,unless they are using the excuse that it’s too expensive to make more?
Have a great day.hugs,Dena 
by Dena
on November 18th, 2006 at 11:09 am
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Hi Dena,
I want Kate to be with Jack. I’m an opposites attract kind of romance reader so I love stories like that. I think they’ve brought in other crash victims to keep the story alive, especially since Eko died. Yes, the show could go on for a long time considering the number of surviors, but part of the lure (at least for me) is the fact I’m “vested” in the characters who we’ve followed for three years now. I have a theory that I think would be super cool if they did have to kill off characters we’ve come to love…ie, in relation to the characters overcoming their problem on the show (remember in my theory, they would die on the island and wake up in real life). I think once the new episodes get going I’ll post my thoughts on that!
I SO agree with you on the break. I’d prefer them to show all the episodes and end the season earlier! It seems that now days, shows are bought in chunks, executives see how that ‘chunk’ does and decides if they want to buy more, otherwise the show is cancelled. Don’t get me started on the fact they cancelled INVASION.  I want to know what happened, dang it!
by Patrice
on November 27th, 2006 at 12:11 am
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Hi Patrice,
I’m totally invested in the main characters too, and I would HATE for any of them to die!!! If your theory is correct then they will. I can’t wait to hear your new thoughts when the show resumes.I’m not very patient though. 
I was so mad they cancelled Invasion too. Not just because Eddie is gorgeous,it was a different show that isn’t on any other channel.I think Threshold had a lot of potential too. I hate to get into any new shows anymore because just when I do they cancel it! Have a great week. Dena
by Dena
on November 28th, 2006 at 10:00 am
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Hey Dena. I think my thoughts on how to keep those characters we love so much would work! I promise to post it once the new episodes start.
by Patrice
on November 30th, 2006 at 7:50 pm
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