This isnt really a unified theory in itself, more of a meta-theory.
I think we need to bear in mind a few points by which to make and judge Lost theories.
1. THE PILOT WAS MADE BEFORE THE MYTHOLOGY WAS EVEN FULLY SCRIPTED
The pilot was made by JJ Abrams, and was simply made to be open so that if it was accepted, they could then go on to right the rest of the story, which took a few months!
So, there are no clues in the pilot! Stop it!
(One of the most stupid theories I read, drawn out from the pilot, which, I dont think was a joke, is that ORANGE JUICE was the key to Lost!! Lol!)
2. The writers have to write something which the fans will appreciate.
Sometimes I read theories, and they seem to make sense, but, guys, you really need to take a step back and ask yourself, would they REALLY write that? What would people say? And if they did think that initially, wouldnt they reconsider?
Its late, so I cant think of too many great examples.. but i think you get what I mean.
Yeah yeah I know Lost always pulls surprises, but you know, like its not all gonna be a dream, or some stupid game, blah blah cos people would revolt.
3. Lost is a character driven story
The producers have said time and time again that Lost is more character- than mythology- driven. At first this disappointed me cos i frickin love all the crazy
smoke time travel polar bears psychics visions whispers immortals
on Lost, but what I think this really means is that the mythology is character driven.
I hope that makes sense?
Let me put it this way: the final showdown, whatever the hell that is going to be is going to revolve around the characters and their relationships and individual struggles:
Jack - a hero complex!
Hurley - bad luck/ good luck/ changing your luck
Kate and Sawyer - redemption
Locke - rebirth/ destiny
*Desmond and Penny - Love that crosses time and space*
This last one I think is central to the show, as shown by probably the most moving episode ever "The Constant".
In fact, THIS EPISODE IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
This episode beautifully tied up mythology and drama, in a way that only Lost could.
My point is (yes, i do have one), is that your theories should bear this is mind, and remember that the over-arching theme of Lost will tie in myth and character like this episode did.
4. Read/ Listen to the podcasts!
They are awesome for pointing out stuff which you might not otherwise have noticed, or validating ideas which you might have had.
In the latest one, they confirmed that fate would not let Jack die either (just like Michael), and also that the same kind of fictional logic is what is preventing Ben and Widmore from killing each other. This kind of Fate theme most probably ties in with the 'rules' that Ben and Widmore have*.
(* Darlton has intimated that these 'rules' are by some 'higher power', which must mean fate).
5. There probably isnt a unified theory!
I think most people have cottoned onto this by now, but, yeah, similarly, the producers have hinted at this idea.
(By this I mean that smokey, Jacob, the island, Widmore, etc, wont be explained by one narrative.)
6. We don't know enough yet
Again, the producers have said this time and time again. For example, in season 1, even in season 2, would you have guessed that some guy/thing called Jacob was trapped by the leader of the Others in a creepy cabin?
Another little metaphor for you: imagine Lost has 2 dimensions.
(1) The first one is that of the mysteries and general craziness on the island (and now, i guess, off it).
eg Jacob, the Others, DI, smokey, the numbers
These are things which all exist in the Lost universe, and which (hopefully) the producers have a full explanation of somewhere in their incredible minds. Probably the most exciting part of Lost is exploring what these are, from the pov of the Losties (and sometimes from other characters).
This is like a puzzle, and we the viewers are trying to put together the pieces.
At first, I thought this was all that Lost was, especially in the first half of Lost.
(2) The second dimension is the story. This has really only come into fruition, understandably, since the writers new about an end point. Now, we really get the sense that the story is racing towards somewhere. This, in itself, has allowed the revelation of new secrets, but mainly involves Lost telling us a story in fragments, which, again, is a mosaic that we have to put together.
WHAT IM SAYING IS
that these theories are really useful for joining the dots between things we may not have seen before.
Lost is a product of the age of the INTERNET.
We are watching Lost as one big online community. Its like when you watch an episode of Lost with a group of mates, and someone points out something you didnt notice (like Ben breathing out icy air.. hmmm), except we have thousands of people online doing the same thing, deconstructing every scene!
If it wasn't for you guys, Lost could never be as complex, in depth, tantalizing, teasing, brain freezing, because people just wouldnt get it!
I for one would definitely forget that Aaron was not to be 'raised by another', that Libby gave Desmond his boat, that Locke's mum claimed he was immaculately conceived, that Danielle mentioned a 'Sickness' in Season 1, that Adam and Eve were found with one black stone, one white stone*
*(By the way, the producers have intimated that Adam and Eve are the longest set-up in Lost, indicating they probably hold many, many secrets.)
All i want is reasonable theories that recognise the limits of what they can achieve. I can guarantee that no one will be able to predict the last scene of Lost right now.. but we can join some dots and expand the experience of an incredible show that sadly is about 34 hours away from its end!
Theory by brown bear
I think we need to bear in mind a few points by which to make and judge Lost theories.
1. THE PILOT WAS MADE BEFORE THE MYTHOLOGY WAS EVEN FULLY SCRIPTED
The pilot was made by JJ Abrams, and was simply made to be open so that if it was accepted, they could then go on to right the rest of the story, which took a few months!
So, there are no clues in the pilot! Stop it!
(One of the most stupid theories I read, drawn out from the pilot, which, I dont think was a joke, is that ORANGE JUICE was the key to Lost!! Lol!)
2. The writers have to write something which the fans will appreciate.
Sometimes I read theories, and they seem to make sense, but, guys, you really need to take a step back and ask yourself, would they REALLY write that? What would people say? And if they did think that initially, wouldnt they reconsider?
Its late, so I cant think of too many great examples.. but i think you get what I mean.
Yeah yeah I know Lost always pulls surprises, but you know, like its not all gonna be a dream, or some stupid game, blah blah cos people would revolt.
3. Lost is a character driven story
The producers have said time and time again that Lost is more character- than mythology- driven. At first this disappointed me cos i frickin love all the crazy
smoke time travel polar bears psychics visions whispers immortals
on Lost, but what I think this really means is that the mythology is character driven.
I hope that makes sense?
Let me put it this way: the final showdown, whatever the hell that is going to be is going to revolve around the characters and their relationships and individual struggles:
Jack - a hero complex!
Hurley - bad luck/ good luck/ changing your luck
Kate and Sawyer - redemption
Locke - rebirth/ destiny
*Desmond and Penny - Love that crosses time and space*
This last one I think is central to the show, as shown by probably the most moving episode ever "The Constant".
In fact, THIS EPISODE IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.
This episode beautifully tied up mythology and drama, in a way that only Lost could.
My point is (yes, i do have one), is that your theories should bear this is mind, and remember that the over-arching theme of Lost will tie in myth and character like this episode did.
4. Read/ Listen to the podcasts!
They are awesome for pointing out stuff which you might not otherwise have noticed, or validating ideas which you might have had.
In the latest one, they confirmed that fate would not let Jack die either (just like Michael), and also that the same kind of fictional logic is what is preventing Ben and Widmore from killing each other. This kind of Fate theme most probably ties in with the 'rules' that Ben and Widmore have*.
(* Darlton has intimated that these 'rules' are by some 'higher power', which must mean fate).
5. There probably isnt a unified theory!
I think most people have cottoned onto this by now, but, yeah, similarly, the producers have hinted at this idea.
(By this I mean that smokey, Jacob, the island, Widmore, etc, wont be explained by one narrative.)
6. We don't know enough yet
Again, the producers have said this time and time again. For example, in season 1, even in season 2, would you have guessed that some guy/thing called Jacob was trapped by the leader of the Others in a creepy cabin?
Another little metaphor for you: imagine Lost has 2 dimensions.
(1) The first one is that of the mysteries and general craziness on the island (and now, i guess, off it).
eg Jacob, the Others, DI, smokey, the numbers
These are things which all exist in the Lost universe, and which (hopefully) the producers have a full explanation of somewhere in their incredible minds. Probably the most exciting part of Lost is exploring what these are, from the pov of the Losties (and sometimes from other characters).
This is like a puzzle, and we the viewers are trying to put together the pieces.
At first, I thought this was all that Lost was, especially in the first half of Lost.
(2) The second dimension is the story. This has really only come into fruition, understandably, since the writers new about an end point. Now, we really get the sense that the story is racing towards somewhere. This, in itself, has allowed the revelation of new secrets, but mainly involves Lost telling us a story in fragments, which, again, is a mosaic that we have to put together.
WHAT IM SAYING IS
that these theories are really useful for joining the dots between things we may not have seen before.
Lost is a product of the age of the INTERNET.
We are watching Lost as one big online community. Its like when you watch an episode of Lost with a group of mates, and someone points out something you didnt notice (like Ben breathing out icy air.. hmmm), except we have thousands of people online doing the same thing, deconstructing every scene!
If it wasn't for you guys, Lost could never be as complex, in depth, tantalizing, teasing, brain freezing, because people just wouldnt get it!
I for one would definitely forget that Aaron was not to be 'raised by another', that Libby gave Desmond his boat, that Locke's mum claimed he was immaculately conceived, that Danielle mentioned a 'Sickness' in Season 1, that Adam and Eve were found with one black stone, one white stone*
*(By the way, the producers have intimated that Adam and Eve are the longest set-up in Lost, indicating they probably hold many, many secrets.)
All i want is reasonable theories that recognise the limits of what they can achieve. I can guarantee that no one will be able to predict the last scene of Lost right now.. but we can join some dots and expand the experience of an incredible show that sadly is about 34 hours away from its end!
Theory by brown bear
