I've had suspicions that the island might just be some form of chemical testing ground from the late 70s early 80s. It would explain the animals being there, the security system and the weird illness that seems to have taken The Others. The underground facility (and the quarantine sign on the underside of the hatch) would certainly lend credence to that theory. As would the company logo being on the shark's tail.

What it doesn't make allowances for is the more supernatural elements of the show. All the hints towards the child being special somehow (both Walt and Claire's baby), the relevance of the numbers, how everyone's past seems to be tied together in some mystical manner... etc, etc.

It's also possible that the mad man in Hurley's psycho ward was someone who managed to escape the island - but not before being infected with the mystery illness himself (hence the insanity). It'd explain his knowledge of the numbers... but unfortunately not the bizarre curse the numbers seem to carry with them. Unless Jack's right, and the numbers are just numbers after all. Perhaps it was just pure fluke that Hurley won the lottery with them. And maybe its just an odd coincidence that crappy things began happening to him afterwards...

Locke regaining the use of his legs could also be tied in with this chemical testing ground theory - perhaps the island's purpose was to create some kind of regenerative agent or super serum. It would explain how Ethan Rom was/is so freakishly strong.

Or... this could all be nonsensical guff courtesy of a particularly bored Snrub.

The beauty of Lost is that whether or not we figure out what the "island" is or what it's based on there are still so many factors that lay into this extremely intricate plot and mythology.... no doubt they have combined and initial theory with alot of sci-fi and supernatural phenomenon that can't be all epxlained with one theory or idea that exists out there.

I LOVE it!!!!!!!

I'm home tonight... I can finallu watch it at its time!!!

Whatever's going on, I think the logo on the shark's tail is the biggest clue yet as to the island's purpose. I think that once we find out who or what DHARMA is, a huge chunk of the mystery will be unravelled.

Now all they have to do is figure out a way to cram in as many flashbacks per episode to distract from further examining the facility. That way the show could be stretched out for generations!

Year 55... Sawyer tries to operate the old computer, but crippling arthritis and senility prevent him from getting too far. It conjures up sad memories of a time he tried shopping for a computer.

CAN'T WAIT!!! TEN MINUTES!!!

Hey, is that Katey Sagal sitting near Locke in the flashback?

Edit: Apparently so. I love Katey Sagal!

I was just about to ask the same thing, but I thought I was just getting a bit buzzed, and I've been known to see visions of her when I am.

Dharma is a blonde free-spirited gal who loves life, while being married to a no-nonsense, no-fun man named Greg. Together, oh... what a combination! Catch all the laughs in reruns, Monday-to-Fridays!

Please, somebody punch Jack in the head really hard...

OMG...8mm projector film!

That's how we used to record stuff before the camcorder, and most didn't have sound. All of my pictures growing up where filmed like that.

Hey, it's Ana-Lucia.

Now where are the rest of the tail-end people?

Well, that answered my question.

Boo frickin' hoo Jackie boy. (I want to see him beat on for an episode)

I really like Lost a lot. One of my top 5 shows!

But...

It doesn't compare to Boston Legal.

amazing. This episode pretty much set up the whole season. I imagine the countdown will run out by seasons end.

3 MYSTERYS EXPLAINED IN ONE EPISODE! A NEW RECORD!!

We learned how Desmond, the back end of the plane, and the polar bears came to be there.

Next week looks like it's going back to somewhat normal. Speaking of which, Hurley once again has the funniest line in the episode. "Oh crap"

Fantastic show tonight.

Yeah, it was a great episode.

I'm still in the process of watching Season One through Netflix (saw the first four episodes of the first season and they're greeeeeeeat), but I'm definitely loving this show already.

"Everything is going to change"



Forget about Desmond, Dharma, the button, and the Others...



JIN SPEAKS ENGLISH!!!!!

It's possible that he learned it on the island from Michael or Sun. But his perfect pronunciation leads me to believe otherwise.

After nothing happened in ...In Translation, I figured he would slowly learn English from Michael, having a decent vocabulary by season 3 or 4. I guess they'll explain it in his upcoming flashback.

You know I would be shocked that Jin knows English, but damn Entertainment Weekly kept on speculating it on every article they had about Lost since last year, lol.

It could be a dream sequence where Jin speaks English.. you never know.

That episode was awesome!! Definitely in the top 8 episodes ever of Lost. I loved everything in it, EXCEPT that they didn't tell how Locke got in a wheelchair!!!

Hurley's so funny... like why did he decide to go trekking down the evil hatch which was like 2 miles from the beach when all Kate wanted was Sayid? Hurley's just in it for the ride. Him finding the food was great.

I agree. It was the first episode of Season 2 that I enjoyed, the goings on in the hatch had such an "Outer Limits" type feel that really interested me. Before they showed the film I was worried that somehow it would malfunction thankful it didn't, I'm interested in seeing the other 5 (I think) but I doubt they'll surface.

Is Lost back? I hope so.

I'm guessing they're saving that for a sweeps episode.

Did you notice that little blip near the end? I think something was cut out. Or I'm just over-anylizing it.

Didn't someone say before that spooky Walt's message to Shannon in the woods was "don't push the button"? If so, that means Walt has now said not to open the hatch and not to push the button (presumably the countdown button). If I learned one thing from movies and TV, it is that spooky kids always speak the truth.

At any rate, while Jack may get a little hyper at times, I was with him for a bit. I wouldn't have entered the code. It certainly sounds like someone is screwing with someone here. I would have trouble believing the code was invented to prevent some major catastrophe.

Great episode tonight. A lot of questions answered and a lot of answers questioned.

Can't wait till next episode. Jin speaking perfect English? WTF?

Not sure if this has been said.

But everything seems like a test with 2 sides to everything.

Where is Desmond going > Back to headquarters? The people on the boat are still unseen? The whole faith question and whether to push the button. Etc.

Are they being watched and is everything a test or an experiment?

Also wasn't it conveinent how Desmond remember Jack at the last second as he was leaving.

WOW...

Amazing episode... just amazing!
I mean, it has been amazing since the finale and I don't know if this episode was particularly better than the premiere just because it answered some questioned. But the elements of Locke's faith and the rift between he and Jack was really played out really well. That scene when they scream at each other was just SO GOOD!!!!

Why is it so hard for you to believe?
Why is it so easy for you??

I'll comment more in my longer version posts which no one reads