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[Dead]

But there is no mystery, they've gave you more than enough pieces to produce an answer. Dharma were training Polar Bears to turn the frozen donkey wheel so that a person isn't transported through time to Tunisia. That is pretty much a fact at this point; the Polar Bear Charlotte found in Tunisia had a Dharma collar on, and it lay in the same position the donkey wheel (a cold environment, hence Polar Bears) moved Ben and Locke to.

Well, they were probably doing tests on Polar Bears first, seeing how they acclimatize to warm climate or some crap, and then decided to use them for the wheel, since the Polar Bears were already on Hydra Station before the Wheel was discovered.

 

[InaudibleWhispa]

Well, they were probably doing tests on Polar Bears first, seeing how they acclimatize to warm climate or some crap, and then decided to use them for the wheel, since the Polar Bears were already on Hydra Station before the Wheel was discovered.

Yeah, the hydra station had an aviary and a Dharma shark area (found in Via Domus) so they were probably experimenting on them before deciding to use them in the donkey wheel room.

 

[dave is ok]

As for the pregnancies, I'm just going under the assumption, "Jughead detonating damaged the island in some profound way." In our timeline, the only real problem is that it pumped immune systems into overdrive, but in X land it terminally fucked the island.

Claire is a bit of a weird case, because she was over eight months pregnant at the time and was kidnapped a few days into the stay and pumped full of medicine.

My guess is that the islands electromagnetic properties always made it so babies could not be born on the island. At some point hundreds of years ago, the natives built the Tawaret statue which fixed that - when the bomb went off the statue was destroyed and pregnant women started dying again.

 

[Yaweee]

And that raises the question of why the DI turned the donkey wheel, and who was the poor schmuck that tried turning the wheel before they realized they should get something else to turn it for them.

My guess is that the islands electromagnetic properties always made it so babies could not be born on the island. At some point hundreds of years ago, the natives built the Tawaret statue which fixed that - when the bomb went off the statue was destroyed and pregnant women started dying again.

Supposedly the statue was gone by the time Ben arrived on the island (assuming he wasn't lying at that point, which is a stretch). I think we might eventually see the destruction of the statue.

 

[Master Z]

:lol Don't get your panties in a bunch, geez. Sure, stuff happened, but I wasn't exactly on the edge of my seat, unable to wait for what to come next. Most of this season's shows have been that way. I just didn't get that this week at all.

If you're not really into character development you're watching the wrong show, man. It's pretty obvious that exposition is secondary to character development with LOST and that's just the way I like it.

 

[TheGreatDave]

Supposedly the statue was gone by the time Ben arrived on the island (assuming he wasn't lying at that point, which is a stretch). I think we might eventually see the destruction of the statue.

We know it was gone by 1974 or so, based on the scene where the final flash happens and the statue is no longer visible by Sawyer and co. after Locke fixed the Donkey Wheel.

 

[Yaweee]

We know it was gone by 1974 or so, based on the scene where the final flash happens and the statue is no longer visible by Sawyer and co. after Locke fixed the Donkey Wheel.

Ah, that's correct.

 

[MarkMclovin]

But there is no mystery, they've gave you more than enough pieces to produce an answer. Dharma were training Polar Bears to turn the frozen donkey wheel so that a person isn't transported through time to Tunisia. That is pretty much a fact at this point; the Polar Bear Charlotte found in Tunisia had a Dharma collar on, and it lay in the same position the donkey wheel (a cold environment, hence Polar Bears) moved Ben and Locke to.

OK, why train bears to turn a wheel that transports the turner, to a desert?

 

[BreakyBoy]

I think more people need to heed my pitch for newcomers to Lost.

"Come for the mysteries. Stay for the characters."

It's what I've been telling everyone who asks me about getting into the show, and as the seasons went on, and the interviews came out, I knew more and more I was right.

All the mysteries are intriguing, but ultimately any story lives and dies on the strength of its characters and their development. Even then, I'd say that they've put way more thought into the mythology/mysteries than 99% of the shows I've ever seen. This isn't Star Trek or Back to the Future where they just make words up to sound authoritative. They give just enough information to make it somewhat plausible in a sort of pseudo-science way. Just enough for anyone who cares to look at the puzzle pieces and go, "mmmmmmmmm maaaybe".

Really though, the show is about the characters and that much was obvious from the first season. It's only become more and more true since then, and in all their recent interviews, Lindelcuse seem damn near desperate to drive this point home.

 

[BreakyBoy]

OK, why train bears to turn a wheel that transports the turner, to a desert?

To see what it does. They didn't know what the wheel did. They didn't want to send a human test subject, so they sent a bear.

Or, maybe they did send a human subject, and they disappeared, and figured, fuck let's not do that again. So they stuck a tracker on a bear and sent him off.

Is it really that hard to put together?

 

[ZAK]

I keep seeing this "100 days" thing thrown around a lot here in regards to pregnancy deaths. Where does this information come from, exactly? I don't remember something like that ever being mentioned.

OK, why train bears to turn a wheel that transports the turner, to a desert?

For science?

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

An anagram of the principal's name, "Donald Lawrence Reynolds" is "A cloned world nearly ends"


...
:lol :lol

 

[TheGreatDave]

I keep seeing this "100 days" thing thrown around a lot here in regards to pregnancy deaths. Where does this information come from, exactly? I don't remember something like that ever being mentioned.

Think Juliet told Sun.

 

[Yaweee]

An anagram of the principal's name, "Donald Lawrence Reynolds" is "A cloned world nearly ends"


...
:lol :lol

If that was intentional, holy goddam shit that is the greatest anagram in Lost history.

EDIT: Also, they showed Ben picking up the name plate so we saw exactly which spellings they used for the middle and and last names.

 

[Minamu]

If you're not really into character development you're watching the wrong show, man. It's pretty obvious that exposition is secondary to character development with LOST and that's just the way I like it.

I am, but some characters are far more interesting than others. Seeing Richard for a minute or two & a lot of Arzt was more rewarding than a whiny Ben, for me

 

[Tim-E]

An anagram of the principal's name, "Donald Lawrence Reynolds" is "A cloned world nearly ends"


...
:lol :lol

 

[NimbusD]

I've revised my theory as to what exactly caused the island to fuck up and skip through time.

I think everyone(or at least I did) assumes that it's because a bunch of people left the island who weren't supposed to. I never though that ever made sense by any stretch of the imagination. But I do think it's because Ben moved the Wheel and not Locke. With what we know now, it's because Ben at that point was no longer a candidate... and most likely never touched by Jacob (assuming it was the pool that revived him, not Jacob's touch).

I'm much more satisfied with that answer.

 

[Dead]

I've revised my theory as to what exactly caused the island to fuck up and skip through time.

I think everyone(or at least I did) assumes that it's because a bunch of people left the island who weren't supposed to. I never though that ever made sense by any stretch of the imagination. But I do think it's because Ben moved the Wheel and not Locke. With what we know now, it's because Ben at that point was no longer a candidate... and most likely never touched by Jacob (assuming it was the pool that revived him, not Jacob's touch).

I'm much more satisfied with that answer.

I thought that was pretty much confirmed when Locke went to the wheel and saw that it was dislodged from its axis, just like the Island itself was.

 

[C.Dark.DN]

I've revised my theory as to what exactly caused the island to fuck up and skip through time.

I think everyone(or at least I did) assumes that it's because a bunch of people left the island who weren't supposed to. I never though that ever made sense by any stretch of the imagination. But I do think it's because Ben moved the Wheel and not Locke. With what we know now, it's because Ben at that point was no longer a candidate... and most likely never touched by Jacob (assuming it was the pool that revived him, not Jacob's touch).

I'm much more satisfied with that answer.

It was confirmed Locke was supposed to turn it. Him being a candidate as the reason is a good addition after this season.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

Oh and one more thing, just seeing Illana take in Ben has really made her quite a great character.

OP GAG REFUTED!

 

[NimbusD]

I thought that was pretty much confirmed when Locke went to the wheel and saw that it was dislodged from its axis, just like the Island itself was.

Ah, ok. There's so many theories to keep track of, some things I wind up accidentally skipping over

 

[Merguson]

Spoiler

Yes, lame.

 

[G-Fex]

...and then widmore and co get killed immediately as soon as they set foot on the island by smokey and friends who hijack the sub.

Wouldn't that be soooooo dissapointing?

also this thread needs more jack faces.

 

[Master Z]

I am, but some characters are far more interesting than others. Seeing Richard for a minute or two & a lot of Arzt was more rewarding than a whiny Ben, for me

Well to each their own but for me Ben has become one of the most interesting and layered characters on the show...and I used to hate him. One of the reasons why I like this show so much is because they take the time to develop the characters (most of them anyway) and I've never watched a TV series before LOST where I've done a complete 180 and ended up really liking characters that I initially thought were annoying or uninteresting. First with Charlie, then Sawyer and now Ben.

 

[G-Fex]

Well to each their own but for me Ben has become one of the most interesting and layered characters on the show...and I used to hate him. One of the reasons why I like this show so much is because they take the time to develop the characters (most of them anyway) and I've never watched a TV series before LOST where I've done a complete 180 and ended up really liking characters that I initially thought were annoying or uninteresting. First with Charlie, then Sawyer and now Ben.

I always liked Ben just for how damned villainous he seemed to be betraying and murdering at a whim, scheming and always with the secrets. Now...I really believe he's a good guy and is redeemed.

 

[Keylime]

An anagram of the principal's name, "Donald Lawrence Reynolds" is "A cloned world nearly ends"


...
:lol :lol

What the dick...

...fucking LOST! :lol

 

[Master Z]

I always liked Ben just for how damned villainous he seemed to be betraying and murdering at a whim, scheming and always with the secrets. Now...I really believe he's a good guy and is redeemed.

I hear ya. I actually started liking Ben in season 4 when he went from slimy, manipulative asshole to just plain bad ass. And then they started fleshing him out in season 5 and now I actually care for him.

 

[beelzebozo]

ANAGRAM BLOWS MY MIND

 

[bionic77]

I always liked Ben just for how damned villainous he seemed to be betraying and murdering at a whim, scheming and always with the secrets. Now...I really believe he's a good guy and is redeemed.

This show is awesome at doing that to characters. I hated Charlie for the longest time and all of a sudden in the span of 4 episodes they made him likable at the end of season 3.

I was watching the Constant again the other day and I never could have guessed that Sayid would end up being so evil, but they really built up so well to that moment when he crossed over and when you look back at his character it made a lot of sense.

Now the same thing is happening to Ben.

 

[Plinko]

An anagram of the principal's name, "Donald Lawrence Reynolds" is "A cloned world nearly ends"


...
:lol :lol

So it's a clone world confirmed? The other ones are Hoffs/Drawler = Flash Forward & the anagram about

Spoiler

Rose and Bernard being the skeletons in the cave

.

 

[Jeff-DSA]

I think Widmore is coming in support of Smokey and his army. Remember how Jacob and Smokey work? They promise you things. Whether or not they deliver is a different thing, but I'm willing to bet that when Somkey promised Ben control of the island it was a lie. I'm also betting that he gave that same promise to Widmore in exchange for a way off the island.

 

[beelzebozo]

So it's a clone world confirmed? The other ones are Hoffs/Drawler = Flash Forward & the anagram about

Spoiler

Rose and Bernard being the skeletons in the cave

.

what's the second one? i haven't heard that one.

 

[numble]

I think Widmore is coming in support of Smokey and his army. Remember how Jacob and Smokey work? They promise you things. Whether or not they deliver is a different thing, but I'm willing to bet that when Somkey promised Ben control of the island it was a lie. I'm also betting that he gave that same promise to Widmore in exchange for a way off the island.

Maybe Ben just realized that control of the island didn't actually mean anything, like Napoleon and his island.

 

[dave is ok]

Mittleos was an anagram that made no sense

 

[Jeff-DSA]

Maybe Ben just realized that control of the island didn't actually mean anything, like Napoleon and his island.

And that is the empty promise offered from both sides, I feel. You don't need control of the island to have its positive effects. I think the reason the island is such a source for turmoil is because people are trying to control it, when it would be based shared.

 

[Apoc29]

I will accept that Dharma trained polar bears to turn the wheel. I still wonder though how much easier that solution was as opposed to, I don't know, building a simple machine that turned it. I mean, these guys built a frickin' underwater communications station :lol.

 

[Nameless]

An anagram of the principal's name, "Donald Lawrence Reynolds" is "A cloned world nearly ends"


...
:lol :lol

*starts the official Law & Order discussion thread*

this fuckin show. I'm done

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

This show is awesome at doing that to characters. I hated Charlie for the longest time and all of a sudden in the span of 4 episodes they made him likable at the end of season 3.

I was watching the Constant again the other day and I never could have guessed that Sayid would end up being so evil, but they really built up so well to that moment when he crossed over and when you look back at his character it made a lot of sense.

Now the same thing is happening to Ben.

Spot on. Love this so much.


Also, Widmore=

Ben =

All Ben needs is vincent and a talking collar and we're good to go.

 

[Solo]

LOCKE is an anagram for BOSS

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

LOCKE is an anagram for BOSS

BOSS is an anagram for SOBS. Like a bitch. When he tried to kill himself. TWICE.

And failed!

 

[Catalix]

The polar bear bread crumbs the writers dropped along the way were exceptional! They couldn't have been done any better. I give them so much props for that. Perfect example of the kind of mythology resolutions I hope we'll see more of this season.

However the Jughead/pregancy issue connection... not nearly as strong or well-executed imo. I don't get the same satisfying punch of direct intertwining brilliance I did with the Polar Bears/donkey wheel connection. Very limply addressed on the show is all.

But InaudibleWhispa's Popular Mechanics post went a long way in stifling my initial disappointment. That's the logical train of thought I was looking for, really. Good shit, man.

 

[G-Fex]

BOSS is an anagram for SOBS. Like a bitch. When he tried to kill himself. TWICE.

And failed!

I hope Locke never gets his comeuppance and is just shown as the sad tale of John Locke who never succeeded.:lol :lol

 

[Solo]

BOSS is an anagram for SOBS. Like a bitch. When he tried to kill himself. TWICE.

And failed!

JACK SHEPARD is an anagram for PED JAR SHACK. Which means nothing. Like Jack's LIFE.

 

[gdt]

I hope Locke never gets his comeuppance and is just shown as the sad tale of John Locke who never succeeded.:lol :lol

I get a feeling thats what they're going for.

To have Locke back on the island would be crazy, and whatever the writers would have to cook up to get that done would be crazy as well.

Locke X wouldn't be the answer either, seeing as he's happy where he's at (not that he would ever gain the know-how to jump dimensions).

The only way I could see Locke coming back somehow...would be the cliche Locke-overpowers-Smokey-from-the-inside-out. BUT, that might not work either seeing as how thats not Locke's body. Just a copy.

 

[yacobod]

BOSS is an anagram for SOBS. Like a bitch. When he tried to kill himself. TWICE.

And failed!

ETHERED, solo loses this exchange :lol

 

[beelzebozo]

now let's talk

 

[Dead]

JACK SHEPARD is an anagram for PED JAR SHACK. Which means nothing. Like Jack's LIFE.

as opposed to John Locke's fruitful life full of meaning

Spoiler

I don't understand

Spoiler

lol

 

[Yaweee]

So it's a clone world confirmed? The other ones are Hoffs/Drawler = Flash Forward & the anagram about

Spoiler

Rose and Bernard being the skeletons in the cave

.

ETHAN ROM = OTHER MAN

Canton-Rainier Carpet Cleaning (used to transport Locke's body) = Reincarnation

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

They did so much to tease about Locke. They open the season with a big speech about how pathetic he was, and yet, he was different from the rest of them anyways. Special. Tracking shot with MiB on top and locke dead. Locke being carried all the way to the island to begin with.

If that shit doesn't come back around by the end of the season, then the writers really are some cold blooded mother fuckers. OG John Locke needs SOMETHING to hang his hat on, otherwise he's pretty much the most pathetic character I've ever known.


Plus, we GOTTA have one final Locke/Jack exchange. One last time. It has to happen.

 

[Solo]

as opposed to John Locke's fruitful life full of meaning

Locke knew what the fuck was up since day one and dove right in. Its S6 and Jack is just finally dipping his toes into the kiddie pool.