New LOST theories

So, I was watching LOST tonight, and suddenly had an epiphany. Here’s some of what I think is going on.

1. There are three groups involved in the battle for control of the island. Group 1: the "Hostiles, aka "Others." These are the aboriginal people, probably descended from the crew of the Black Rock, who remained on the island after the shipwreck. Some of those characters, like Richard, probably ARE members of the Black Rock crew, as is/was Jacob the Invisible.

2. Group 2: The DHARMA Initiative. We now know that the Hanso family, who funded the initiative, are descended from the Hanso who wrote the Black Rock’s log that was auctioned off to Charles Widmore. Alvar Hanso probably knew about the island, and deliberately placed the DHARMA group there to research its phenomena.

3. Charles Widmore. Widmore owns Widmore Pharmaceuticals, and he wants the power of the island for his own profit.

Now, the Losties are Group 4. It seems, from the flash forwards, that many of them stayed behind, and only 6 left for the mainland. My guess: the final episode of LOST will conclude with the Oceanic 6 returning to the island and reuniting with the rest of the castaways.

So anyway, here’s my BIG epiphany, which suddenly dawned on me tonight while watching Jin’s flashback and Sun’s flash forward. EVERYONE ON THE ISLAND is "unstuck" in time. Some, like Desmond, have become aware of it. Others are experiencing the same phenomenon, but are not (yet) self-aware. I’ve always wondered why the writers chose to tell the story via flashbacks (and no flash forwards). Flashbacks are normally static, and don’t propel a story forward. They just backfill. And yet, LOST does progress, because it’s essentially a mystery, and the revelations drive the mystery.

Time passes "differently" on the island. The island is out of synch with the local universe. The passengers on 815 are now experiencing, in each episode, what Star Trek once called Amok Time.

More later.

Clobberfield

A few thoughts on the movie, Cloverfield, which I took in at the local Regal Cinema Sunday night.

As is well known by now, the film gives a new take on the classic "monster rampages through Tokyo" motif by changing the setting to New York City and using the device of the first-person Handycam point of view.

The discerning viewer could easily sense the hand of LOST producer JJ Abrams in the characterization, theme, and plot twists. For example, Rob, the protagonist, fit the role of angst-ridden overachiever, much as Jack does in LOST. Likewise, Hud (who operates the camera throughout most of the film) was quite similar to LOST's rotund clown, Hurley.

Another aspect borrowed from LOST was the thematic relationship of the characters to the Unknown--unkown with a capital U. Throughout most of the film, the characters are running around, quite literally "lost," and not knowing who to turn to, where to seek help, or exactly what the thing is that's confronting them.

Much has been made of the similarities to 9/11. This is true, and when you think about it, the device makes sense. What was the most scary aspect of 9/11 (besides the president's rendition of "My Pet Goat" while the country was under attack)? The most frightening thing was fear of the unknown--those first crazy hours when we didn't know what had hit those buildings in New York and Washington, or why. Were more attacks imminent? Who among us did not cast a fearful and watchful eye at the sky that day?

Fleeting glimpses of the monster and buildings falling over seemingly without a force behind them, as well as the bugs skittering in the dark, evoked terror and awe much more effectively than, say, Peter Jackson's inartful clobbering of the viewer with monster after monster in King Kong.

Oddly, the critics summarized the film along the lines of "Godzilla for the Youtube generation." Yet, at the end of the movie, the film was booed by a sizeable number of teenage boys, who apparently couldn't grasp its deeper archetype. Fans of classic horror movies like me appreciated the film's cunning references, which were mentioned during the closing credits, including Them and The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms.

I guess the kiddies got flustered because there was no clear resolution to the film, although resolution came suddenly and agonizingly to its four principal characters. That's another idea related to LOST: in art, as in life, resolution is often shrouded in a fog of ambiguity.

Friday Night in Mira Mesa

After a day of slaving away over a hot FrameMaker file, I got the call from my parents and they came over. We enjoyed a pleasant Chinese take-out dinner and watched a movie called "Save the Last Dance 2." I was amazed to learn MTV Studios had actually produced a 1, much less a 2.
The thing had the word "dance" in the title, so my mom wanted to see it. The one strength in the otherwise bland film about a ballerina-cum-hip hop dancer was that the blonde chick who played the protagonist was reasonably hot.

I did enjoy LOST very much last Wednesday. Whenever the story takes a turn for the "dark side," I'm into it. Plus, they restrained their flashbacks to the previous 8 days on the Island. Unless they introduce some new characters, I really feel the writers have dwelt enough on the past lives of the "losties." Time to move the story relentlessly forward, or get off the writing pot!
Harold came over early tonight and is now fast asleep. Which is where I should be, but I must have that newly discovered "night owl" gene and only feel truly awake in the wee hours of the Nox Tenebrosa (Dark Night).

I'm stuck without a van this weekend, as it was hauled off Thursday night to Van Nuys for the Rehab-paid repairs to the back door and lift. I hope to get it returned before the big Mixer next Thursday.

Next Friday, assuming I have the van, I should be taking a class in Adobe Illustrator. It's one of those free adult education classes. Just right for Bonni to pay for, lol.

Maybe I'll go see Spidey 3 tomorrow, if the lines aren't too horrendous.

Snoozefest

This week has been pretty good, in terms of work. I actually have put in near to fulltime hours, for the first time since last September. The work can't come too soon either, since I still have to pay off my damn dentist and car-repair bills.

My parents have been gone all week to Cabo. I haven't heard from them, but I'm assuming they're having a good time. :)

LOST was okay this week. It was good to get back into Hurley's life, and see Cheech Marin playing his dad. But, the VW Bus segment was unbelievable. After all those years lying on its side as a wreck, the van would have lost its gasoline and other fluids, and the engine would have been frozen up. Not to mention, the tires would have been very, very flat.

I know the island's supposed to work miracles, but the episode lacked credibility. We'll see what next week brings!

I missed ROME this week; it was a rerun. All the networks are afraid to run competition to the Academy Awards, though God only knows why they are afraid of that drab, long-winded snoozefest.

Roma Invicta

Last week, HBO's "Rome" debuted its second season. I recorded it on my DVR and have enjoyed two remarkable episodes now. The character development, acting, and scene settings are all soar above the usual mediocre television fare. Bravo to HBO! It almost leads me to forgive you for cancelling "Carnivale."

I've also nearly finished Season 2 of "Lost." And just in time for the beginning of the new season in a couple of weeks. I noticed in the previews on ABC.com that the upcoming shows will explain Jack's experiences in Thailand to us. I'm curious to find out about the tattoo....

In other news, I started the Tech Comm II class at UCSD. It's a hybrid course, with 3 of the 7 meetings in the classroom--the rest online. I'm not a big fan of online classes, but this is the trend for the future, evidently. I can certainly see its uses in adult education. At any rate, I'll be glad to get the certificate finished. Then I can get back to my novel. Yay!

Until the next time, farewell!
David