4 8 15 16 23 42 - Lost in Theory?
September 22, 2005 12:40 PM   Subscribe

4 8 15 16 23 42 - Lost in Theory? Could Genetic Mirror Theory and other Natuarlly Occuring Phenomenon, by Marsille Roussau have something to do with the TV show Lost and those wacky numbers?
posted by Macboy (113 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I wish the guy who wrote this piece would locate the Theory of Spellcheck.
posted by quadog at 12:47 PM on September 22, 2005


There is no record of a book by Marsille Roussau anywhere in the Googleverse.
posted by zeoslap at 12:47 PM on September 22, 2005


Yeah, um. It'd be interesting, if there was anything to this, and you explained it to someone who wasn't watching the series, and... yeah.
posted by blacklite at 12:51 PM on September 22, 2005


and "Genetic Mirror Theory" doesn't show up anything either. I grow suspicious. Err... more suspicious.
posted by gambit at 12:51 PM on September 22, 2005




There is no record of a book by Marsille Roussau anywhere in the Googleverse.

I was about to post the exact same thing. I couldn't even get a result searching for "Genetic Mirror Theory". I've seen this exact post all over the Lost-o-sphere today, and the fact that it coincides with that fake script page (something they've done in the past) and the complete lack of anything coming up in Google makes me think the Lost creators are just yanking our chain.
posted by emptybowl at 12:52 PM on September 22, 2005


They're building landing strips for gay Martians.

And luring them to Earth by means of a big pink bunny signal!
posted by ericb at 12:54 PM on September 22, 2005


So does everyone think these are false spoilers? Because even though it's not theory in real life, if this was going to be how Lost is resolved, it's pretty damn good. Will their actual plotline be better than this? This would indicate that the writing is actually well-planned with a central storyline that was designed well in advance. Unlike my crushing disappointment with the resolution of the X-Files, I would love this.
posted by peep at 12:57 PM on September 22, 2005


This book (and author) does not, in reality, exist. It exists in the world of LOST. It's just presented ambiguously on the linked site. And yes, this would be a kick ass way for the story to progress. I sort of hope it's false spoilers becasue I'm a little angry at myself for reading it.
posted by lyam at 1:00 PM on September 22, 2005


So does everyone think these are false spoilers? Because even though it's not theory in real life, if this was going to be how Lost is resolved, it's pretty damn good. Will their actual plotline be better than this?

I'm really enjoying Lost but if the do resolve it with this kind of crap, I'm pulling a Pink Floyd and the damn television is going right out the f*cking window.
posted by jperkins at 1:06 PM on September 22, 2005


Given the astounding number of variables in someone's genetic makeup, I'd say the idea that you have a twin is pure rubbish.

The writing sounds like a crackpot/scammer style, too. Color me skeptical of any plot that hinges on that. It wouldn't pass my "give me a f'ing break instinct!"
posted by teece at 1:06 PM on September 22, 2005


Check out last season's final show. The two henchmen in the boat that kidnapped Walt are twins. Last night show, the man in the SUV that died in the ER, looks alot like Locke.

Isn't it great to have a TV show that makes you think?
posted by Macboy at 1:12 PM on September 22, 2005


By the way, when I refer to the "fake script page", here's what I mean: go here, click on the barcode next to "Theory Board", and enter "theislandiswaiting".
posted by emptybowl at 1:12 PM on September 22, 2005


Last night show, the man in the SUV that died in the ER, looks alot like Locke.

Actually, the man in the SUV was referred to as "Mr. Rutherford", who is probably Shannon Rutherford's father.
posted by emptybowl at 1:13 PM on September 22, 2005


What a load of crap. Pretty damn good? No, about the worst plot idea since Plan 9 from Outer Space.

Of course, I have my own theory, but it involves time travel, uberpowerful psychics and the end of the world, none of which sound much better.
posted by solid-one-love at 1:15 PM on September 22, 2005


Damnit, I really hope those weren't spoilers.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 1:15 PM on September 22, 2005


That's garbage.

Four degrees of separation, maximum 23 years apart, whatever, you could say that about any set of numbers. It's just some fan trying to get attention.
posted by JWright at 1:15 PM on September 22, 2005


And hasn't the French woman been on the island for 16 years?
posted by Macboy at 1:17 PM on September 22, 2005


I would love to get into this "Lost" thing. I actually tried last night, but 3 commercial breaks in the first 27 minutes was too much for my content oriented mind. Sorry, but Lost will remain so with me until they tone down the useless adverts...
posted by DuffStone at 1:18 PM on September 22, 2005


Thanks to BitTorrent, I haven't watched a commercial in more than a year.
posted by solid-one-love at 1:20 PM on September 22, 2005


Duffstone: you really need to start at the beginning to understand what is going on. Fortunately, season 1 is on DVD now. Wait for the summer reruns to catch up on season 2. Either that or rent season 1 and watch the whole thing before next Wednesday.
posted by NoMich at 1:27 PM on September 22, 2005


I think this is just something a fan made up. I mean, it seems pretty likely that the character Rousseau's name comes from the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, just as Locke's name actually is that of the philosopher John Locke. The characters' philosophies sync up pretty well with those of their respective namesakes, if so—with Locke preferring order and Rousseau nature.

If that's the case, why would the creators of the show invent some new Rousseau (or "Roussau")?
posted by cerebus19 at 1:27 PM on September 22, 2005


TiVo is your friend DuffStone.
posted by zeoslap at 1:28 PM on September 22, 2005


Lost is the single greatest show I have seen on television. I'm not one for blind advocacy, but run out and buy the first season DVD if you haven't already gotten hooked. My friends and I spend hours speculating about the show.

I'm so giddy I blew off a girl for last night's episode. Well worth it.

I love how every episode, we learn more about the characters and story, but instead of really answering any questions, it only reveals more mysteries. Superb writing.

And a second love to bittorrent.
posted by Mach3avelli at 1:28 PM on September 22, 2005


Without my DVR I would never watch this program. I fast foward through all the flashbacks (okay they're all related, doctor lost someone, his wife, something whatever) and the talking and the poor dialogue. If it wasn't such a mystery this show would suck, all these beautiful people haven't showered in how long? And their clothes and person look that clean? That's not even nitpicking.

Of course the show really, really better do something. I noticed this episode (which was basically the last 15 minutes) actually tried to do something. I was sure that it was going to end with the big light coming up through the hatch. At least the X-Files solved the situation at hand, even if the overarching plot resolution sucked.

If I may, as a disgruntled fan, collect a short list of things that must be solved or else I consider the show bunk:

- The Polar bears
- The baby being sent on the plane by the psychic.
- Locke being able to walk
- The significance of the numbers
- The forest with whispers
- Jack seeing his father

I mean the reason everyone is watching is for the mystery. I heard the writers talk about how the show isn't about the island but the story of the people. Let's admit it, the stories behind the people are pretty sappy all around. An alcoholic doctor and his son in an easy to solve moral dilemna, a pathetic survivalist donates a kidney to a man claiming to be his father and the man ditches the son after he gets the kidney, rock star is a loser -- I mean this is soap opera stuff. This isn't how real people act all.
posted by geoff. at 1:29 PM on September 22, 2005


Incidentally, Wikipedia has a very good article describing the events of all of the first season of "Lost."
posted by cerebus19 at 1:29 PM on September 22, 2005


geoff, you're right to a certain extant about the flashbacks. However, after carefully reviewing them you will see that they quite often offer clues about the mystery of the island. In fact, the mystery on the island would seem quite anemic to me without the backstory of the characters.
posted by lyam at 1:32 PM on September 22, 2005


Very suspicious. This all smells of guerilla marketing courtesy of ABC. First of all, I being lazy will take gambit and zeoslap's word for it that Google search turned up empty on this so-called theory. And second, how did Joe Random Blogger, who's day job happens to be creating "interactive content" (ie. flash advertising) know the super-secret login to web site that is obviously a glitzy marketing tool for the show? Gimme a break. This is paid buzzvertising.

Lost has been a quality show so far, no need for manufactured buzz. Some dweeb at ABC marketing needs to be slapped.
posted by StarForce5 at 1:35 PM on September 22, 2005


geoff - Kill yourself now. With your attitude life will bring you no satisfaction.
posted by tkchrist at 1:36 PM on September 22, 2005


cerebus19 - thanks for the nod to Wikipedia. I've been looking for a synopsis of last night's program and found it there, as well.
posted by ericb at 1:37 PM on September 22, 2005


Lost has been a quality show so far, no need for manufactured buzz. Some dweeb at ABC marketing needs to be slapped.

YOU'RE talking about it, right? People who don't even watch the show are talking. So obvioulsy said marketing exec should be promoted.
posted by tkchrist at 1:39 PM on September 22, 2005


Isn't it great to have a TV show that makes you think?

It makes me think they are just making shit up as they go along. As mentioned above, they haven't resolved much and keep introducing new things.

I mean, there were zombies on Alias, another show by JJ Abrams.

This isnt' going anywhere. Enjoyable, but there is no mystery.
posted by dig_duggler at 1:42 PM on September 22, 2005


I had been googling a bit before I found the rest of you had... but on reflection, it wasn't even necessary. Even with all the wonderful scientific synchronicities in world, "Genetic Mirror Theory" had alarm bells going off in my head when I read "Roussau's genetic mirror theory says that everyone in the world has an exact twin somewhere, however according to the theory you never encounter this person, by laws of probablitly and other natuaral occuring phemnomen" and by the time I got to "16 stands for the maximum amount of people that could encounter thier twin all at the same time" it should have been confirmed that this was pure crackpot stuff.

But yeah, what cerebus19 said.

Interestingly enough, Charles Whitehead (who was very real) had a "Social Mirror Theory" which asserted that we cannot have mirrors in the mind unless there are mirrors in society, which is tangentially related to the concepto f a twin (after all, everyone who has a mirror has a twin, no?).

I don't watch the show. Anyone named Whitehead on there?
posted by illovich at 1:42 PM on September 22, 2005


I'm so giddy I blew off a girl for last night's episode. Well worth it.

Cough *dork*

Lost is a very dramatic show. In fact, it's too dramatic, it's like crack. It's not Art for Art's sake, it's about addicting you -- and it does a very good job.

But I can't stand it, I get so 'into' the story line and I'm dying to know what happens, but I know I never will. It'll be like the X-Files, there's no truth, no resolution until the ratings go down, maybe years from now.

So good luck with all that.
posted by delmoi at 1:48 PM on September 22, 2005


I heard the next episode Jack and Locke find domesticated polar bears in the underground vault. The vault people ride around on these polar bears like they're riding horses. It's pretty cool but then someone shoots Jack in his spine and the bear gets angry and is on a destructive rampage because he's scared and has a guy on his back. In the episode's climax Locke needs to help Jack off a polar bear to calm it down.
posted by I Foody at 1:48 PM on September 22, 2005


...and then Locke tells a paralzyed Jack how to walk again?
posted by iamck at 1:50 PM on September 22, 2005


Art for Art's sake is too pretentious. Who needs it?

Everybody knows that television exists to garner repeat viewers. That's why advertisers pay networks.

So, the real question is, do you like the show or not?

It better not be stringing me along like the x-files, though.
posted by lyam at 1:50 PM on September 22, 2005


This isnt' going anywhere. Enjoyable, but there is no mystery.

Indeed, dig_duggler. These [great mystery]/[bizarre reality you don't understand (but will)] shows are very, very risky. I can only think of two off the top of my head that really worked: The Sixth Sense and The Matrix (and that one went to shit once the novelty was gone). Dark City sort of worked, too, I guess.

But it's really hard to pull off, building up such a huge sense of mystery. Too often, when the mystery is revealed, it's just: "that's it! I watched all this time for that! #$@G#$G!" (See any recent Stephen King movie).
posted by teece at 1:52 PM on September 22, 2005


Geof, They do shower btw...had one built when they moved to the caves. They also have various hygenic items like scissors/razors etc that were found in luggage bags.
posted by samsara at 1:52 PM on September 22, 2005


Rubish : "The 42 stands for the maximimum number of years your twin and yourself can be alive at the same time"

Everyone knows that 42 is the answer. But then again, what was the question?
posted by nkyad at 1:53 PM on September 22, 2005


Lyam

I'd say they're probably stringing us along. I said all summer I wouldn't watch again if they didn't resolve a lot of stuff in the first episode. Which they didn't do, but I'm still hooked.

Damnit.
posted by slapshot57 at 1:54 PM on September 22, 2005


Geoff: I feel the flashbacks are what will stick to you, the emotional hook of the show, which are good enough to make ER's scenes look like Scrubs. You could also say they are there for the older generation who has already figured out the sci-fi mysteries and or god/awe invoking aspects of the show, which although broadly painted and inventively transformed for a new show, can be boiled down to time-tested archetypes. When it ends we won't care how the polar bears got there its how the characters faced their inner demons and won and 'lost'.
posted by uni verse at 1:54 PM on September 22, 2005


Obviously: 6x9
posted by lyam at 1:55 PM on September 22, 2005


This would indicate that the writing is actually well-planned with a central storyline that was designed well in advance.

I'm pretty sure that the writers of this show wrote a pilot and maybe 10 episodes, the show got picked up, they were happy because that meant they were going to get a lot of money, and have been making it up as they go along ever since. Same thing with Twin Peaks. Same thing with any television show. If they had that much vision about something, they wouldn't put it on tv, where the chance it would get cancelled are pretty good against you.

I agree that this is guerilla marketing. It's ingenious and if it works it could really work out in the filmmakers' favor. If enough people pass this link around it could be something that the writers play with, leading the part of the audience that is aware of this down a certain path and then changing course again.

But I really, really doubt that someone had this in mind all along.
posted by billysumday at 1:56 PM on September 22, 2005


This is AMAZING!!!!!!!

In related news, I just found out my name is backwards....backwards!

Total bullshit article. Sorry, Lost fans.
posted by sdrawkcab at 1:57 PM on September 22, 2005


I forgot to add: it's really hard to pull off this mystery thing in a movie. I suspect it is more or less impossible in a TV show. Having a real resolution would involve a finite number of episodes in mind, and the fact is that the show's producers have no idea how long they've got, but will go on for as long as they can. They can't resolve anything unless they find out in advance when their last season is, which they may not get. And if they do, it could be years away.
posted by teece at 1:57 PM on September 22, 2005


If they had that much vision about something, they wouldn't put it on tv, where the chance it would get cancelled are pretty good against you.

Babylon 5, meet billysumday. billysumday ... meet Babylon 5.
posted by WolfDaddy at 2:05 PM on September 22, 2005


...In the episode's climax Locke needs to help Jack off a polar bear to calm it down.
posted by I Foody at 1:48 PM PST on September 22 [!]


Well done, I Foody. Well done.
posted by woj at 2:12 PM on September 22, 2005


WolfDaddy: I see your point but I guess what I'm saying is that since a show can't know how long it will be on air, it can't have a grand design. It can have a good design that will point it in the right direction and then the writers hope to figure it out after that. I've never seen Babylon 5, but generally speaking if an artist has a completely clear vision about something, they make a film or a mini-series, not a tv show.
posted by billysumday at 2:14 PM on September 22, 2005


I should add, aren't UK television shows generally of finite length? It sems I heard somewhere that they were made more like as a thought out two-three season runs then meant to last 10 years or until the writers totally exhaust all avenues of ideas.
posted by geoff. at 2:21 PM on September 22, 2005


Mach3avelli: I love how every episode, we learn more about the characters and story, but instead of really answering any questions, it only reveals more mysteries. Superb writing.

This is how Days of Our Lives and similar shows have managed to remain on TV for decades. I've never seen LOST, but from a lot of comments it sounds like a soap opera that airs in prime time instead of day time (plus less adultery, I assume?). If I were one of the people making money off this series, I sure as hell wouldn't introduce any type of closure into the episodes.

Like Delmoi said...the only chance of resolution in these types of shows is once everyone has already lost interest.
posted by wabashbdw at 2:21 PM on September 22, 2005


Isn't it great to have a TV show that makes you think?

NOVA.

I agree with delmoi. I think they're stringing you/us/them along. It's easy to set up millions of mysteries. Providing satisfying explanations is nigh impossible.

TVOP is a good place to catch up on previous seasons of soap-opera style TV. Dunno how good their Lost writer is.

I was teased into watching last year because somebody compared it to Twin Peaks. I didn't like it as much.
posted by mrgrimm at 2:25 PM on September 22, 2005


Cow spelled backwards is "woc", but "woc" spelled backwards IS NOT "cow"
posted by TwelveTwo at 2:26 PM on September 22, 2005


billysumday:

Which is why HBO, Showtime and such are so great. You can have a grand design. Someone can say, "Ok, we've mapped out the Sopranos to last six or seven seasons," and then, if the show does well, it can have its run. If it bombs, then they pull the plug - but there seems to me, at least, to be less of an attempt (see: Friends bleeding into Joey) to keep a show on life support and push it past its intended destination just to keep viewers along for the ride.
posted by kbanas at 2:28 PM on September 22, 2005


Whoever compared it to Twin Peaks needs serious help. And I heard the same for DHousewives and almost exploded (because I was holding to more than 13 simultaneously).
posted by uni verse at 2:29 PM on September 22, 2005


should be
posted by uni verse at 2:30 PM on September 22, 2005


(holding more than 13 contradictions simultaneously) sorry.
posted by uni verse at 2:31 PM on September 22, 2005


Wait, if I read this, will the finale of "Martin" be ruined for me?
posted by tpl1212 at 2:34 PM on September 22, 2005


MetaFilter: Enjoyable, but there is no mystery.
posted by Duncan at 2:37 PM on September 22, 2005


kbanas: Maybe you're a tv writer, so you know better and in which case please correct me, but... who's going to write seven seasons of a television show without knowing if even one episode will get picked up? And who are the highly coveted tv writers who would rather turn down guaranteed cash on another show that is already on air to work on plotting out seven years' worth of possibly futile work? That's why good shows have a team of really great writers working all the time - so that they continue to come up with new ideas and direct the show where they think it should go. Even if someone did have seven seasons planned out and the show got picked up, the new writers would change everything anyway, so what would be the point?

If you are a screenwriter and want your Unchangeable Ultimate Vision to come across to an audience, you don't write tv shows.
posted by billysumday at 2:40 PM on September 22, 2005


will the finale of "Martin" be ruined for me?

He kicks Pam out.
posted by sonofsamiam at 2:42 PM on September 22, 2005


uni verse: Why is it insane to think that both Lost and Twin Peaks were made up as they went along? And where should I go to get serious help? Please tell me more about how awesome tv is.
posted by billysumday at 2:43 PM on September 22, 2005


I read somewhere that Abrams already wrote the outline for the season premieres and finales for five seasons. That way they know where the show is headed beforehand, but don't have to write every complete episode beforehand. During a given season, they fill in the blanks for each episode to connect the beginning and end of the season. And, of course, if along the way somebody has a great new idea, they'll modify the outline to incorporate it.
posted by Gamblor at 2:46 PM on September 22, 2005


Well then, how about that.
posted by billysumday at 2:50 PM on September 22, 2005


By "wrote the outline for the season premieres and finales for five seasons," I believe they meant he just made doodles of things that sound pretty cool. Like ghosts, polar bears and ninjas. For instance, the outline for the series premiere was just an airplane and next to it said "wicked fast, oh no, island!" Then there was an island with a palm tree, it had a sad face.
posted by TwelveTwo at 2:52 PM on September 22, 2005


No one's mentioned 24, a show with resolution each season.
posted by Mach3avelli at 2:53 PM on September 22, 2005


Here's what makes me think they at least have a rough plan for where the show is headed: The black smoke things in the season finale were hidden in the pilot (go back and watch the plane crash on the beach), which means they had been planning them all along (for the first season, at least).

Also, there were several instances in season 1 where the events in subsequent episodes could be seen happening in the background of current episodes --e.g. You can see Hurley, after he won the lottery, on the television in Sun and Jin's apartment. So they had to have a lot of events planned out ahead of time.
posted by Gamblor at 2:53 PM on September 22, 2005


SHUTUP!SHUTUP!SHUTUP!
posted by recurve at 3:00 PM on September 22, 2005


Two possibilities:

1) It's bullshit. The thing just sounds crazy, it's too difficult to explain on TV and frankly, it just doesn't make any sense. I don't see any reason why they would go down this road, especially since they seem to be more sensible than that. I've seen theories about Walt being a 'miracle-maker', hence Locke being able to walk, and other such unusual things going on. There is also some speculation as to the new guy, Desmond, being another miracle-maker (Jack healing Sarah).

2) It's guerilla marketing, or an alternate reality game like the one they did for A.I. (called the Beast). This theory about the numbers is the rabbithole, and I wouldn't be surprised if a raggedy copy of the book appeared somewhere and pointed to some other information and websites, that sent people off on a chase for more information, etc etc etc.

I'm not sure how I would feel if this was true - a part of me thinks that it's a pretty neat idea for an alternate reality game, especially the fact that it would be 'really real' since the guy is posting on an actual fan discussion board. Another part of me wishes that they ran an ARG during the summer, in between seasons, where they explored some of the characters' backstory. It would've been a glorious game. Oh well.
posted by adrianhon at 3:24 PM on September 22, 2005


On the topic of whether or not there's a master plan, here's a quote from Harley Peyton, one of the writers on Twin Peaks:

And at any rate, the way we wrote -- we made it up as we went along -- made it impossible to ever project that far into the narrative future. The [notion that fans' speculations on the characters' history and motives are equally as interesting as the writers' intent] is absolutely spot on. Once we made or wrote something, it was out of our hands. And the incredible amount of speculation that followed was --and is -- in my opinion, every bit as valid as what appeared on the screen. And let me reiterate one point, the writers were often speculating right along with the audience, and in this way, many of the characters evolved into more complex creations. And sometimes, it just seemed to blossom out of nothing. We would take character names from movies we liked, join them together, and others would take those names as some kind of sign. And would then speculate and ruminate on the various implied meanings. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. But most of the time...

Let's couple that with a quote from Damon Lindelof, co-creator of Lost:

"The island just serves as a conduit to tell character stories," he says. "No one is really watching the show for the answers to those mysteries. They're watching to see: Will Kate and Jack hook up?"

So prepare to be disappointed.

As if the opening of the show, the big reveal of the contents of the hatch, being almost exactly like the first 30 seconds of a Volkswagon commercial wasn't disheartening enough.
posted by unsupervised at 3:28 PM on September 22, 2005


I'll watch the show because the "mystery" is addicting - but the acting and character situations are predictable and cringeworthy - they only succeed in being cliché through self mockery and ironic distance (although I'm not sure if the show does that).
posted by iamck at 3:31 PM on September 22, 2005


"No one is really watching the show for the answers to those mysteries. They're watching to see: Will Kate and Jack hook up?"

Wow, talk about being out of touch with your audience. Yeah, prepare to be disappointed indeed.
posted by davejay at 3:56 PM on September 22, 2005


I don't care if it's all made up, it's TV! I want it to be all made-up and half-baked. That's why I watch TV! If I want resolution, I'll read a damned book.

And Lost is like television CRACK. I can hardly wait until next week for my next hit.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 4:07 PM on September 22, 2005


Damn, 5 seasons? I think the show is great but nobody will wait 5 years for the end of a mystery.

The questions I have about last night's show are (feel free to speculate answers):

+ Is Desmond alone down there? I noticed he slept on a bunkbed but everything else seemed to indicate he was on his own.

+ He made some kind of protein shake. It was a powder and he dropped some other stuff in. The lack of "real" food would indicate he's been there for a long time with no additional supplies being dropped off. Also, all the equipment seems to be from 70s/80s.

+ When he met Desmond at the stadium, Desmond says he was training for a race around the world. Does that have anything to do with where he is?

+ He injected himself with something. The label said "4 8 15 16 23 42." Is that some kind of a disease? Maybe related to what made the fat dude's friend go crazy? He had what looked to be a huge supply of this stuff and the hatch said "quarantine."

Man, wondering about this stuff makes me feel like a loser.
posted by b_thinky at 4:09 PM on September 22, 2005


Marketing has you by the balls. It's that simple.
posted by Acey at 4:10 PM on September 22, 2005


Desmond's drug vials read -- CR 4-81516-23 42, FOR INJECTION, 30ml Multiple Dose Vial, Rx-1.

Also, the octogan logo that appears on his jumpsuit, medicine cabinet, walls of the hatch and computer is reproduced here. Are the markings I-Ching?
posted by ericb at 4:15 PM on September 22, 2005


Also, all the equipment seems to be from 70s/80s.

And the master computer that seems to be running Hatchworld...is that an Apple ][???

While Desmond's decor is 70s/80s ... I don't think Desmond has been down there that long. He met Jack in the past, but that meeting, based upon Jack's age, couldn't have been more than 10 years in their past, and that's a long estimate. Which means he's been on the island for a shorter period of time than Rousseau herself, who stated she'd never seen the hatch, nor knew what purpose it served. Of course she's borne herself out to be a liar so who knows? I haven't been able to get to The Fuselage all day, but the boards there are full of mentions that the sum of the numbers is 108 and connected that to Japanese Buddhist temples in which a bell is rung 108 times on Dec. 31st. 108 is the number of "bad desires" with which the human race is afflicted, and ringing the bell is supposed to release you from your baser nature.

Given that all the Lostaways thus far are definitely lost souls, some of whom definitely have worries about baser natures and "bad desires", it makes a crazy kind of sense. More sense than the Genetic Mirror Theory ;-)
posted by WolfDaddy at 4:24 PM on September 22, 2005


I read somewhere that Abrams already wrote the outline for the season premieres and finales for five seasons.

I want to believe this, but didn't I also read somewhere that George Lucas had all nine six Star Wars movies all planned out from the beginning, too?
posted by Robot Johnny at 4:50 PM on September 22, 2005


He did. I'm sure the end product was different, but he was quite clear that he had roughly plotted out nine films: Three before, three after. Fortunately, we won't be afflicted with the final three...

What puzzles me about this is: Why? I mean, this is such a horrible, horrible idea that I can't imagine them actually using it, so why throw it out there? What's teh purpose of intentionally fucking with the minds of your audience? Aren't they the tiniest bit afeard of alienating folks?

(And when did you folks see Desmond injecting himself? Was it right in the beginning or something -- I came in five minutes late, but I watched all the way to then end. I thought. Since I watched the first five minutes of "Invasion". Which I swear by all that is holy I will NOT get sucked into, even if it does have William Fitchtner in it....)
posted by lodurr at 4:56 PM on September 22, 2005


If Abrams was secluded at DriveShaft Ranch, and had surrounded himself with sycophants and fluffers then I'd probably be less optimistic. But he has written four (going on five) seasons of Alias, and managed to keep it intelligent and involving. No guarantees, but so far I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.
posted by Gamblor at 5:05 PM on September 22, 2005


He did. I'm sure the end product was different, but he was quite clear that he had roughly plotted out nine films: Three before, three after. Fortunately, we won't be afflicted with the final three...

Please. The clone wars, the trade federation/birth of the empire, midichlorians? I'll believe that he always knew that Vader was Luke's father, but I'll guarantee that nothing from the 3 prequels was ever in his head (apart from the possibility of there even being 3 prequels) in 1977.
posted by Robot Johnny at 5:12 PM on September 22, 2005


I've never seen LOST, but from a lot of comments it sounds like a soap opera that airs in prime time instead of day time

Pretty much all dramatic television shows are soap operas now. Read Johnson's Everything Bad is Good for You.

I believe they meant he just made doodles of things that sound pretty cool. Like ghosts, polar bears and ninjas. For instance, the outline for the series premiere was just an airplane and next to it said "wicked fast, oh no, island!" Then there was an island with a palm tree, it had a sad face.

And somewhere there was a midgit. Don't forget the midgit. He was there at the beginning.
posted by kindall at 5:14 PM on September 22, 2005


And he talked backwards.
posted by I Foody at 5:26 PM on September 22, 2005


And when did you folks see Desmond injecting himself? Was it right in the beginning or something

Yep. Episode synopsis.
posted by ericb at 5:29 PM on September 22, 2005


What? Norton was Ralph Kramden's neighbor???
posted by zaelic at 5:29 PM on September 22, 2005


And he talked backwards

Walt's backward whisper deciphered: "Don't press the button. No, button's bad."
posted by ericb at 5:31 PM on September 22, 2005


...Ralph Kramden's neighbor???

AHEM. You mean "neighbor", don't you?
posted by lodurr at 5:44 PM on September 22, 2005


uni verse: emotional hook of the show, which are good enough to make ER's scenes look like Scrubs.

So you mean it makes them better?

Or are you the guy who's hoodwinked NBC into keeping ER doddering around?
posted by Sinner at 5:48 PM on September 22, 2005


What's teh purpose of intentionally fucking with the minds of your audience?

Because it's fun? See also: JK Rowling.

Man, you guys need to step off Lost. Yeah, it's a cracky show, but it's the good crack. It keeps your head spinning, and you see Josh Holloway with his shirt off a lot. It's network TV, and it's entertaining, and that's all it needs to be. Sure, there probably will be disappointing when one of the key mysteries is revealed, but I'm just going to enjoy the ride while it's fun.

I skipped class (I somehow wound up with Astronomy Wednesday nights even though I remembering not scheduling any classes on Wednesday evening. I guess the class was rescheduled and since it didn't cause any other conflicts I didn't notice at the time) to see last nights premiere, and I got my roommate hooked. She wants me to buy the dvds so we can watch it from the beginning. :)

I don't what I'm going to do next week though, hopefully ABC will rerun the eps on Saturday evenings like they used to. If not, bittorent to the rescue!
posted by kosher_jenny at 5:54 PM on September 22, 2005


bittorrent even
posted by kosher_jenny at 5:55 PM on September 22, 2005


Fortunately, it appears Lindelof != Carter, which is a relief. Toward the end, the X-Files "monster of the week" episodes were still fun, but the backstory episodes were unwatchable.

After the season 1 Lost finale I was pretty pissed off: Carterian teasing about the shaft, and the feeling that the raft guys pretty much got shat upon by the writers. Certainly having Cigarette Smoking Man step into view at 9:59 ("oooh! scary!") couldn't have made things any worse.

But the season 2 premiere was good. Bones were thrown us-ward. So I'm still hooked.

4 - death
8 - wealth
15 - Merritt Parkway
16 - 2^4 (or 4^2!!!)
23 - see Illuminatus Trilogy
42 - see Hitchhiker's Guide
108 - 9 * 12. 12 reminds me of months, and 9 of them = human gestation period
posted by kurumi at 6:28 PM on September 22, 2005


I'm so giddy I blew off a girl for last night's episode. Well worth it.

Cough *dork*

Guilty as charged. I'll take quality programming over pussy any day, because we all know which one is harder to come across.
posted by Mach3avelli at 6:42 PM on September 22, 2005


"No one is really watching the show for the answers to those mysteries. They're watching to see: Will Kate and Jack hook up?"

Ouch, just read that quote. Kinda disheartening. Ah well, guess I'll just have to lower my expectations.
posted by Mach3avelli at 6:46 PM on September 22, 2005


I agree, I've never come across quality programming. (P.S. come means two things, come = cum)
posted by I Foody at 6:48 PM on September 22, 2005


Bah, you killed you joke with the explanation. Easier to let the quick-witted chuckle and the slow pass over it because they wouldn't appreciate it anyway.
posted by Mach3avelli at 7:07 PM on September 22, 2005


I only started watching LOST when the 1st season DVD came out... I feel like the show is really entertaining, but honestly, there is no reason to stretch it out for multiple seasons. Really, it'd be nice if they had wrapped it up in 8 or 9 episodes. As it is it looks like it's going to continue on and on ala X-Files so long as the show is profitable - which means the story lines will get increasingly convoluted and unresolved.

Already in just the first season there were plenty of dead ends and false starts. Remember the black & white stone that Jack finds on the mummified corpses when he first entered into the cave? What about the corpses themselves - are those who moved to the cave just living next to them? There are probably other examples from the first season and I'm sure some of them will be resolved in later seasons - but this format of long running 20+ episode seasons is done not for the sake of story telling but simply to put eyeballs in-front of the television to generate ad revenue.

I don't have high hopes for the show to be satisfactorily resolved and I don't think I'll commit myself to seriously to the second and subsequent seasons.
posted by wfrgms at 7:34 PM on September 22, 2005


The Rousseau book story would be cooler if it was more believable. They lost me at "4 degrees of separation, not 6". (No pun intended, re: "lost")
posted by easternblot at 7:36 PM on September 22, 2005


Hello from inside twinland
posted by longsleeves at 7:46 PM on September 22, 2005


Can we have a nip/tuck FPP next?
posted by mek at 8:36 PM on September 22, 2005


Heh. I recall, years back, when Twin Peaks first (and even second) season was on. I would meet folks every Thursday (I think it aired on Wednesday) and we would geekily go about discussing episodes after class in the student union. TV is all about entertainment, people, and we all know how rare that really is. I love Lost, its goofy and fun and mind boggling, and any show that that can channel the best parts of all that has come before (The Prisoner, Twin Peaks, American Gothic, B5, etc) is way worth your cable bill.

Everything is derivitive. Or, as the Bard said, "There's nothing new under the sun."

Enjoy it.
posted by elendil71 at 8:59 PM on September 22, 2005


not soap-opera

search-opera

and yeh, that article is bullshit
posted by oliyoung at 9:28 PM on September 22, 2005


As much as I love the show to the death, 4 more years of lost seems like an eternity just for a mystery to be revealed. It's like M.Night's ghostwriting.

1.How did Locke get paralyzed?
2.Press what button? Execute? Locke say's "I wouldn't do that right before jack pushes it.
3.What's the deal with the big magnet, which means the lostees compasses are WRONG!
4.Shannan banged her brother, sweet.
5. Why do they want the special kid and not the baby? Why was the baby supposed to go?
6.Is Ethan an other? Is he a Rosseu-ite, or did he have the budden bunk, he was trained to kill!


Actually, I've hung on every episode of the Sopranos for god knows how long and I'm still hooked. The series just got extended to January 2007 for the final 8 episodes.

Fucking great.

Nip tuck owns them all.
posted by AMWKE at 10:06 PM on September 22, 2005


I am not reading this thread for fear of spoilers! Why did I even write this comment? I don't know!
posted by poppo at 5:50 AM on September 23, 2005


Lost is the single greatest show I have seen on television.

Guess you have never seen The Shield then, which I think is the Best Thing Ever. YMMV etc.
posted by phearlez at 7:37 AM on September 23, 2005


Isn't Danielle (French woman on the island)'s last name Rousseau?
posted by superkim at 7:40 AM on September 23, 2005


Another little tidbit: you can't see exactly what Desmond types in the opening sequence, but the spacing on the keyboard and the rhythm of the key strikes seems to indicate "4 8 15 16 23 42" with key presses in between.

Yes, I did watch it five times, and yes, I am a huge geektool.
posted by ruddhist at 7:44 AM on September 23, 2005


Didn't Desmond tell Jack that he looked like he was running from the devil (and he was ahead of desmond at the stadium)... and has everyone had some sort of 'miraculous' thing happen to them? I was thinking, maybe they made a deal with the devil. Also, the only one that couldn't have made a wish was the baby and it got taken away. That was the first thing I thought of at the end of that episode, but I've only seen 3 of them.

Then again, I also think that they threw in polar bears in the first episode so that they could 'sell it' during the pitch. "HOLY CRAP, POLAR BEARS ON AN ISLAND!? HOW DID YOU DO THAT? BUY! BUY! BUY!"
posted by kookywon at 9:34 AM on September 23, 2005


Didn't Desmond tell Jack that he looked like he was running from the devil (and he was ahead of desmond at the stadium)... and has everyone had some sort of 'miraculous' thing happen to them? I was thinking, maybe they made a deal with the devil. Also, the only one that couldn't have made a wish was the baby and it got taken away. That was the first thing I thought of at the end of that episode, but I've only seen 3 of them.

Then again, I also think that they threw in polar bears in the first episode so that they could 'sell it' during the pitch. "HOLY CRAP, POLAR BEARS ON AN ISLAND!? This means something. BUY! BUY! BUY!"
posted by kookywon at 9:43 AM on September 23, 2005


Twin Peaks! someone mentioned Twin Peaks in the same breadth as Lost? blasphemy!

/affecting pretentiousness

I don't care about the puzzles and the mysteries and the codes, I just watch it because of the guy who plays Sayid. As long as they don't kill him off, they can put giant pink rabbits in it and have everyone speak backwards and then end it by revealing it was all a dream by a lonely little girl in an orphanage who lost her parents in a plane crash, it'll still be great tv.
posted by funambulist at 11:08 AM on September 23, 2005


I agree with all who vote for guerilla marketing. I was listening to a morning drive radio show in the DC area that was talking about the show. Someone called in and presented this theory. Later another caller claimed to be a math major in college that had actually read the book.
When my google-fu failed to return any results I became suspicious. Now that none of you have found it either I know this was marketing. The second caller also gave the "theislandiswaiting" clue. So this all could be a load of crap, but I give them a pat on the back for effort.
posted by Mark5four0 at 11:41 AM on September 23, 2005


Not only that but:

The airplane that crashed was Oceanic Airways Flight 815.

Kate, in her flashback, wanted to open safety deposit box #815 when robbing the bank. (Episode 12 - Whatever the Case May Be)

Charlie, in his flashback, was selling a copy machine with the model number C815. (Episode 15 - Homecoming)

Mr. Rutherford, (Shannon's father?) died when Jack elected to save his bride-to-be at 8:15.

Also: 4+8+15+16+23+42 = 108, the number that appeared in the mural in the hatch. Additionally, 108 = 6 squared + 6 squared + 6 squared...
posted by Macboy at 1:32 PM on September 23, 2005


Dude: 108-741-8880

crap...doesn't work....
posted by lodurr at 5:53 AM on September 26, 2005


CRAP!!!
posted by Macboy at 1:43 PM on September 29, 2005


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