Lost: So what's your theory?

[Teresa Edgerton]

Of course there are dozens of different theories about what it all means, although space aliens, mad scientists, and they're-all-dead-and-this-is-the-afterlife seem to be the most popular by far.

During the first season, I inclined toward the Purgatory theory. Everyone seemed to have issues they needed to work out before they could find whatever peace they were looking for, not to mention dark secrets, which their adventures on the island always seemed to call up one way or the other.

With Season 2 and the emergence of the Dharma Initiative I swung over into the science experiment camp. But the more we learn about the Others the shakier that theory seems to me, although I'm still not ready to abandon it.

Perhaps there is something deeper going on for which the Dharma Initiative is merely a front -- something so dark and secret that most of those who work for the Initiative have no clue what it's really all about. They honestly think they are trying to save the world, while those in charge have an entirely different motive. Or perhaps some of them have caught on and rebelled, which would explain why there seem to be two groups of Others. Some might still be dupes and true believers, while others are desperately trying to undo the whole project.

Except that would really mean three groups: the dupes, the rebels, and the people in charge.

What does everyone else think?

[HoopyFrood]

I agree with you on some points: In the first series I also noticed how everyone seemed to have some sort of problem that they were coming to terms with and attempting to get over...although I didn't actually believe it was because they're in Purgatory, I've never really liked that idea.
I, too, am edging towards the idea of a scientific experiement, although what it is all about I haven't got the foggiest!

[Brown Rat]

My theory is that whatever theory I pick, that theory will be wrong.

Currently, I'm suspecting that the Dharma Initiative didn't set all these events in motion; they highjacked something that was already occuring--maybe a natural evolutionary process, or one that a previous group (aliens, Atlanteans, whatever) had going for some purpose (picking people for a space mission or building a better society or something).

I am sort of buying into the idea that the island is sentient--or that there's a sentient computer that identifies itself as the island.

[TK-421]

Well, if you followed the little internet cloak and dagger thing over the summer on the Dharma Initiative, it seems there were competing interests in the Hanso Foundation and some very interesting experiments (particularly one about a really old monkey). Check out the website. The book that Sawyer was reading last season fit into the puzzle as well in terms of exposing the Hanso Foundation. I'll see if I can find the website that exposed alot of this stuff.

[Stenevor]

I enjoy watching Lost a lot, I thought the first 2 episodes of season 3 were both great.I cant help thinking that its all going to end up with a real anti climax at the end though. I hope im wrong. Ive pretty much stopped trying to work out whats going on and just watch it now.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Oh yes, TK-421, I would very much like to check out that website, because it sounds very interesting.

[Trey Greyjoy]

Im all for the scientific theory. For the last two seasons I was pretty sure that either the island was some sort of virtual reality or that the lostaway's pasts were "false memories". Now Im not sure what to think. Clues from the finale and this year's episodes "seem" to suggest the island and the flashbacks are real...so...Im kind of just left with the notion that the "others" are somehow related to the Dharma Initiative, either rogue scientists or past experimentees that took over the place.

I havent totally given up on the idea of the island being VR though...

[manephelien]

Having seen the first two seasons I'm still as lost as ever. Just when I think I've got it, something comes out of left field and knocks my theory down a wormhole. I honestly don't have any idea, and I'm afraid that once we do find out, it's going to be an anti-climax.

[climacus]

Maybe the whole point of "Lost" is to make the audience lost.


Climacus

[HoopyFrood]

Well it certainly does do that! I just find it amazing that they've hardly given us ANYTHING, hardly revealed anything about the actual mystery of the island, yet we still continue to watch it!
I'm thinking it will be a scientific thing of some sort...but at the same time I don't want it to be, I want it to be really fantastical and supernatural!

[climacus]

Originally Posted by HoopyFrood

Well it certainly does do that! I just find it amazing that they've hardly given us ANYTHING, hardly revealed anything about the actual mystery of the island, yet we still continue to watch it!
I'm thinking it will be a scientific thing of some sort...but at the same time I don't want it to be, I want it to be really fantastical and supernatural!

Me too Hoopyfrood. There is definitely a what I call destiny-level to it. So something fantastic must happen. The only problem is that they have season 5 written already so it might not happen for a while.

Climacus

[PTeppic]

I agree that it is superb writing, that by the end of two seasons we still barely know whether it's a real island or entirely in someone's mind, whether anyone else is on the island and who they are, and what caused the plane to crash.

[HoopyFrood]

There was the hint that Desmond caused the plane to crash by not pressing the button in time...but it didn;t explain how not pressing the button caused this (apart from that it all seems to be tied to electromagnetism.)

[TK-421]

These websites will be of interest in either confusing or enlightening your Lost experience:

The Hanso Foundation

Hanso Foundation - Lostpedia

The Lost Experience clues - Lostpedia

Hanso Foundation Careers - Powered by Monster

The Lost Experience

Global Welfare Consortium - Lostpedia

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by HoopyFrood

There was the hint that Desmond caused the plane to crash by not pressing the button in time...but it didn;t explain how not pressing the button caused this (apart from that it all seems to be tied to electromagnetism.)

You'll love this one:

Electromagnetism - Lostpedia