OK, here’s the proper explanation of what’s happening in ‘Lost’
There’s loads of people wondering what the hell is going on as the meta-plot of the TV series ‘Lost’. Are they really just survivors of a random plane crash? Or could it be that they’re the subjects of a Government Secret Experiment? Or that they’re in purgatory, but don’t yet know it?
I haven’t been around the web to see what the answer appears to be; I know the US has already finished the first series and is working on to the second. (I’ve got my fingers in my ears, OK? Don’t tell me what happens. If I wanted to know, I’d read any of the websites.)
So, what the hell’s going on? How have they all survived with barely a scratch between them? Howcome there’s nobody else, no civilisation, but just the right amount of survival gear? What’s the big scary mysterious monster? Howcome Locke was disabled, but wakes up from the plane crash to find his legs work perfectly (I would say again, but we’re not sure if they ever worked.. are we)?
OK, here’s my take. They’re not there at all. They’re on a spaceship.
Yes. You read that right. But here’s the other thing: they’re on a spaceship, and they’re all asleep, having a dream that’s being fed to them by a computer, Matrix-style.
Why? Because it’s a way of passing the time. If they were awake, they’d be sitting around bored as hell; perhaps the spaceship has itself only just survived a crash, and they’re in orbit in the middle of nowhere, with no hope of rescue. Or only a little hope if they stay in suspended animation long enough. And meantime, have a big collective dream.
This works as an explanation, yes? You can have anything happen that you like. Polar bears, big scary monsters, big blue seas, disabled people who recover the use of their legs… and it would also explain why the ‘English’ accents were so excruciating in the flashbacks in the latest episode. No computer can do an English accent.
True, it does take some of the narrative drive away if you remind yourself that it’s not really happening, that it’s just some artefact. But solipsism is the best way to make sense of what it laughably called the plot.
And please, don’t tell me what happens - though you can say what the rival theories are. (No spoilers though please. I want to give it up of my own accord.)
- These posts might be related (the database thinks..):
- So what's that about many eyes making bugs shallow? (25 July 2004; score: 34.31%)
- Ian Hobson succumbs to the lure of "and what's more..." (28 July 2005; score: 33.28%)
- Netimperative: what's wrong with government telling us about technology (12 February 2005; score: 32.23%)
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September 16th, 2005 at 3:56 pm
Lost was created by the same chap who created Alias. Not sure if there are any clues there. In Alias, mysteries tend to reveal greater mysteries when solved, and so on and so on. So, although there are some revelations at the start of season 2 (so I hear), you can bet it won’t be the end of anything.
I did hear a theory that they’re all dead and in purgatory. I personally don’t buy that or the Matrix theory.
September 16th, 2005 at 6:57 pm
Well, there was an article in the Indy a week or so ago by the ‘Everything Bad is Good for You’ guy explaining his take on the series (precis; the series as a cultural artifact heralds the new dawn of enlightenment for western civilisations or some such hyperbole), and in the box out it had a few theories, the summary of which was that most of the insanely conspiratorial/outlandish ones are not correct, and they are definately on an actual Island. This was based on interviews and comments with JJ Abrahms and other crew.
If it’s anything like Alias’s later series it will descend into formulaic set pieces, without ever revealing any concrete, tasty details. I’ve seen the end of this series, but will keep zip. :D
September 17th, 2005 at 9:37 pm
The Butler did it!
September 19th, 2005 at 4:43 pm
I like your thinking Charles, but since Twin Peaks (where the series dropped away after the killer of Laura Palmer was identified, though i carried on watching!) it seems that american tv often sets up a ‘mystery’ and then attempts to hold off on giving the viewer an answer. I suppose i am thinking about the X files here and, although i definitely haven’t seen much of the later series, it did disappear up it’s own backside with conspiracy plot after conspiracy plot like nested russian dolls, but with essentially nothing at its heart / or at least something so confusing and uncertain to be essentially usesless.
does Lost have to have a big mystery at its heart to work?
though i was thinking along the purgatory lines myself.
will
September 21st, 2005 at 1:00 pm
It’s actually Ibiza. They’ve all gone a bit overboard on the partying and have got a bit confused about where they are and started to hallucinate. The signal they are trying to find is actually just a local cheesy dance music station - which is why it sounds like it’s on a loop from 1989. It also explains why they all look so fabulous - but a bit grimy.
May 5th, 2006 at 5:40 pm
Confused? Yes! Lost is the ultimate Big Brother 2006. Contestants are unaware that they have
been selected from thousands of hopefuls to partake in a secret televised series where
Davina McCall is replaced by a very angry polar bear (beats the original host).
Instead of talking to big brother in the diary room contestants are encouraged to sing their
own kind of music, God Help Us.