The Road to LOST, Season 5: An Extensive List of Questions & Theories (By Character)

I took extensive notes during a recent re-watch of Season 4. Below is a comprehensive list of lingering questions and theories as we head into Season 5 this week, broken down alphabetically by character (major, minor & one-hit wonder) and where they were when we last saw them.

Caveat:
As is my personal policy, I have not read any Season 5 spoilers or recaps whatsoever, nor have I visited or posted on any Lost message boards since last summer or regarding S5 (with the exception of a few ideas on DocArzt and my time as Bentham). These are my notes from each episode, but due to the fact that there are thousands of Lost blogs and forums out there, it is entirely possible that some of what I have to say has been said before. I would never claim to be the first or most original with these thoughts; this is simply my unfiltered stream of Lost consciousness. This post has been created in the spirit of and for the passionate and enthusiastic Lost community; a little thought-provoking fun for all of us as we gear up for 17 weeks of our favorite show.

Key:
F4: Freighter Four
O6: Oceanic Six

AARON {O6; Claire's son/Jack's nephew/Christian's grandson}
Status: off island in care of Kate

Claire's psychic warned her that she had to raise Aaron alone, Ghost Charlie sent Jack a message (via Hurley) off island that "you're not supposed to raise him" and then Ghost Claire admonished Kate with "don't you dare bring him back." It seems as if the island really wants to reunite mother and child...

ALEX {Ben's daughter; deceased)
Status: murdered by mercenary Keamy on island

Was she ever aware of Ben's frequent trips off of the island? Who supervised her when she was younger while daddy was out time traveling?

ANA LUCIA {deceased}
Status: murdered by Michael

Will Ana Lucia reappear in ghost form to anyone off or on the island, just as Libby did?

ANNIE {Ben's childhood Dharma friend}
Status: last seen as a young girl on the island, current whereabouts unknown

Did Ben arrange for her safety when he orchestrated the purge, or was she already off island by then?

Will we see her again, or have we without realizing who she is?

BEN {Other mastermind; off island}
Status: at Bentham's coffin with Jack

If he was having the Others build a runway over on the smaller Hydra island, did he have a plane and pilot on hand and awaiting his call, or was he planning to return to the island via plane in the future?

Is it possible that Alex really was his biological daughter? Could he and Rousseau have actually been a couple at one point in time, or at least briefly enough to create a child together?

The photo of Ben that Miles brought to the island appeared to be from an earlier era, yet Ben wasn't much younger in the photograph. Was it taken when Ben was off island and in a time shift? Did Abaddon provide it to Miles before departing for the island?

It seems that with his many trips to the outside world, Ben could have had more than one VHS tape on hand. So why use the same Red Sox tape to record Widmore's beating of an off-island Other? Did Ben film that footage himself?

What is the true significance, if any, of his black baton, and why would he briefly hand it off to Locke at the Orchid?

This is a lingering question that has been bothering me for many seasons...if Ben knew everyone on and everything about the island, and had video cameras monitoring the Swan hatch long before Flight 815 survivors broke into it, he must have known Desmond's connection to Widmore. Why did he never utilize that or interact with Desmond at all? Will he attempt to find Desmond off island, because he wants to harm Penny?

BERNARD {original 815 survivor; Rose's husband}
Status: on the beach when island moved

Bernie has more skills than that of a normal dentist, including Morse Code interpretation. Will we discover more about his background, and did it involve any kind of military training?

"BIG MIKE" {works for LAPD; Ana Lucia's former partner}
Status: interrogating Hurley after his car crash

Miles made reference to a 'buddy at the police station' in LA. Given that there are no coincidences on Lost, I'm assuming that Big Mike and Miles have a connection because not only did he work with Ana Lucia, he was also the officer who interviewed Hurley after the car crash in LA.

BLACK SMOKE MONSTER {tree & people-crushing entity w/a penchant for flash photography}
Status: pummeling Keamy's mercenaries in New Otherton

Will Locke enter Ben's secret chamber and figure out to unleash it now that Ben is off island? Are there other ways to summon it, and is Alpert responsible for doing so?

CAPTAIN GAULT {captain of freighter; deceased}
Status: murdered by Keamy on freighter

How much did he know about his employer, Charles Widmore? Could he also have been working for Abaddon?

Was he involved with the placement of the fake 815 wreckage?

Had he read the Dharma Second Protocol before Keamy opened it and returned to the island? Was he aware of Dharma's presence on the island and what the real mission involved?

CAROLE LITTLETON {Claire's mother; off island}
Status: at Christian Shephard's funeral, informing Jack that Claire was his half-sister

When Claire left Australia on Flight 815, her mom was still in a coma. Carole seems to have made a full recovery in the meantime; coincidence/miracle, or island/Dharma intervention?

CASSIDY & CLEMENTINE {Sawyer's ex & his daughter}
Status: possibly living in Albuquerque, where Sawyer opened a bank account for Clementine

If and when Cassidy meets up with Kate again, this time when Kate does that favor for Sawyer, will Kate tell Cassidy the truth about his whereabouts or her relationship with him?

CHARLES WIDMORE {Penny's father; off island, in London}
Status: approached by Sun about a mutual interest

Does the original Black Rock journal that he purchased contain information about how to find the island after it relocates?

Could he have been the captain or a crew member of the Black Rock?

CHARLIE {deceased}
Status: at Santa Rosa Mental Health Institute visiting Hurley

Even though many characters on Lost are from England, only Charlie and Naomi were from Manchester. Both are deceased, but will we learn of a connection at some point?

Will he and Claire reunite as living ghosts, off island?

Does Ghost Charlie visit anyone else, in addition to Hurley?

CHARLOTTE LEWIS {F4; anthropologist}
Status: on beach when island moved

Before Miles alluded to it, had Charlotte ever imagined that she was either born or raised on the island? Were her parents part of the Dharma Initiative?

She seemed to know exactly what she was looking for when she unearthed the polar bear collar in Tunisia; was she researching the Dharma Initiative because she knew she was linked to it somehow? Is that why Abaddon chose her as one the Freighter Four to go to the island?

With Faraday out at sea, who will Charlotte attempt to befriend now that she's stuck on the vanished island with the 815 group and Miles (who is an acquaintance but not necessarily and ally).

CHRISTIAN SHEPHARD {Jack & Claire's father/Aaron's grandfather; deceased}
Status: on island, in Jacob's cabin w/Claire; off island, in Jack's office

Is Christian the only deceased character who is able to speak on Jacob's behalf?

CINDY {Oceanic flight attendant on 815}
Status: on Hydra Island, observing Jack in cage; presumably still on island when it moved

Was she subjected to tests and Room 23; is that why she seemed content to be an observer on behalf of the Others?

Was she on 'the list,' and if not, why did the Others kidnap her from the tail section beach? Was she specifically selected to be a surrogate to Zach & Emma during their transition into Otherville?

CLAIRE {Aaron's mother; possibly deceased}
Status: hanging in Jacob's cabin w/Ghost Dad Christian when the island moved, making off island appearance at Kate's house

Is it significant that Ghost Claire was at Kate's house in her island clothes (as opposed to cleaned up Ghost Charlie and suited up Christian Shephard)? Is that an indication that she's still alive and well back on the island?

Has Ghost Claire appeared to anyone else?

DANIEL FARADAY {F4; physicist}
Status: on Zodiac raft when island moved & freighter blew up

Who is the woman in his flashback, the one who appears to be his caretaker?

Given that his notebook is filled with island secrets, it seems rather obvious that Faraday has been there before but is unable to recall due to his memory loss. At some point prior to his arrival on the island on this mission, did he travel back in time to warn of the hostiles vs. Dharma fight and first purge, and was he the one videotaping Pierre Chang in the 1970's Barracks video? He certainly knew what the Dharma Secondary Protocol meant, and set out to prevent it.

Logistically speaking, wouldn't the Zodiac raft need to refuel during Faraday's runs between the freighter and the island? And now that both are gone, where will Faraday take the raft and passengers?

If Faraday has his notebook with him on the raft, will he find a note about how to find the island if it vanishes?

DANIELLE ROUSSEAU {Alex's mother; deceased}
Status: murdered by Keamy & his mercenaries on island

If she can speak English, why did she create the distress transmission in French?

Where is the boat which she allegedly arrived on the island in, and where is her expedition team buried?

Why hadn't she made efforts to see and take Alex back from the beginning?

If she made a deal with Ben to raise Alex, what did she receive in return? Freedom to co-exist on the island with the hostiles and Others? Was she planning to give Alex up for adoption before crashing on the island with her team?

DESMOND {only non-815, non-O6, non-Dharma, non-Other who ever lived on island}
Status: on Penny's rescue boat

When and how will Desmond discover that Ben is looking to harm Penny? If Daddy Widmore knows where he is, will he reach out to him to protect his daughter even though he loathes Desmond?

Was Charlie's vision about Claire on the helicopter and subsequent mission down in the Looking Glass all for nothing? Or, if she's still alive, will we see her get rescued in Season 6? And will Lapidus be the chopper pilot?

DONOVAN {Desmond's best friend, off island}
Status: London

Again, it can't be simple coincidence that Donovan is a professor of physics, just like Faraday. Also, when Desmond flashed back the first time, Donovan was the only person whom he revealed his whereabouts and experience to. So it's possible that Donovan then informed Penny, who set up a search beginning with the listening station manned by the two Portuguese men.

ELSA {deceased, off island}
Status: romanced then murdered by Sayid, presumably at the behest of Ben

Was Elsa working on behalf of Widmore or Oceanic?

EKO {deceased}
Status: playing chess w/Hurley at Santa Rosa

Does Ghost Eko hang out with Ghost Charlie?

EMMA & ZACH {Flight 815 tail section kids}
Status: on Hydra Island observing Jack in cage, presumably there when it moved

This is a total stretch, but...at Comic-Con last summer, there was a woman named Emma working the Dharma booth. Either it was a wink-wink in our direction, or that woman is an actress who will appear in a flash forward as tail section kid Emma.

ERIKA {Doctor at Jack's practice; off island}
Status: LA

She happens to show up at exactly the two moments when Christian Shephard appears to Jack at their office. I have a feeling we'll see her again...

ETHAN ROM {deceased Other}
Status: murdered by Charlie after kidnapping Claire

We know that Ben sent Goodwin to the Tail Section of flight 815 on purpose, knowing quite well that he'd meet his death in the process (which was Ben's intent and revenge for Goodwin's relationship with 'his' Juliet). So what would cause Ben to also send Ethan, his only island surgeon, to the Fuselage section to meet a similar fate? What did Ethan do to cross him?

FRANK LAPIDUS {F4; Oceanic Air & helicopter pilot}
Status: on Penny's rescue boat

If he landed the chopper unharmed on the island after Faraday, Charlotte & Miles bailed out using parachutes, how did he sustain those injuries?

He believed that there were survivors from flight 815 and that he'd encounter them on the island, but why study the manifest in advance of the mission?

Is Frank still technically an employee of Oceanic Air? After he returns from the mission, does he investigate the genesis of and responsible party for the fake wreckage?

When everyone returns to the island, will Frank be their pilot?

HARPER STANHOPE {Goodwin's estranged wife/the Others' therapist}
Status: appeared to warn Juliet in the jungle, presumably still on island when it moved

Because Jack actually saw Harper when she was speaking to Juliet, it seems that she wasn't an apparition. So is she living among the Others who abandoned Other Village or does she roam with Richard Alpert and his formerly hostile crew? How did Ben speak to her while in captivity under Locke's care?

Will she be a part of the hostiles or Others on the island in S5?

HELEN {Locke's ex}
Status: turned down Locke's proposal, hasn't been seen since

While this certainly isn't confirmation or a spoiler, when I met Katey Sagal at Comic-Con last summer and specifically asked whether or not she'd appear during Season 5 (given that Locke will be off island and may seek out Helen), she smiled quite wide and simply said "I love Hawaii and working with the amazingly talented Terry O'Quinn."

HENRIK & MATHIAS {Portuguese tracking station team}
Status: Henrik was on Penny's rescue boat

How did Penny find these guys, and is it significant that they speak Portuguese?

Was Penny able to hire them to man that listening station with her own funds and keep it a secret from Daddy Widmore? Or are they working for him as well; did he use their electromagnetic anomaly discovery to locate the island and send the freighter out as a result?

HORACE GOODSPEED {deceased Dharma}
Status: appeared in Locke's dream, building Jacob's cabin

Something tells me we haven't seen the last of him. He was there the day that Ben was born, just as Alpert was present at Locke's birth...

HURLEY {O6}
Status: leaving Santa Rosa for a safer location w/Sayid

After Hurley ran from his restored Camaro because 'the numbers' appeared in the speedometer, at what point did he change his mind and decide to drive it, and why? (we see him crash it after seeing Ghost Charlie)

Hurley caught a brief glimpse of Christian Shephard in Jacob's cabin on the island. Did he then recognize the photo of Christian at his funeral off island a few months later?

THE ISLAND
Status: moved/shifted

Ben made a comment that the Dharma crackers (in his Orchid-signaling box of tricks) were 15 years old. Was that the last time that someone utilized the frozen donkey wheel to 'move' the island? If so, who was responsible for that (keeping in mind that whomever turns it must leave the island forever); Widmore?

It seems that when it disappeared, the smaller Hydra Island vanished along with it. So should we assume that the displaced Others, Flight Attendant Cindy and tail section kids Emma & Zach were still living there?

Was the Black Rock marooned there when the island moved during a previous turn of the frozen donkey wheel, only to resurface suddenly and take the ship with it?

There is an inactive volcano on the island, and the image of the island as it is about to disappear (see image above) certainly makes it look like a giant crater. I believe that the volcano plays a significant role in the history of the island (see my article "The Tempest, Tectonics & The Volcano" on Doc's site for further elaboration).

JACK {O6}
Status: at Bentham's coffin w/Ben

Does Jack ever tell Kate that Claire is his half-sister and Aaron is actually his nephew, or did Kate overhear Claire's mother telling him?

He doesn't believe that Locke moved the island, but after seeing it disappear and trying to go back for years after rescue...does he believe/know that Ben did?

Bentham told Jack that 'very bad things' happen because he left the island, but did he tell that to the others (Hurley, Kate, Walt) as well? Does Jack have a larger role on the island than we've previously thought; does Jacob have plans for him?

JACOB {who the hell knows}
Status: in his cabin w/Claire & Christian when the island moved

Does the line of ash surrounding Jacob's cabin relate to the inactive volcano on the island?

JIN {allegedly deceased}
Status: on freighter when it blew up

If the O6 and others must return to the island...doesn't Jin have to as well? Does Ben know whether or not he is alive?

JULIET {ex-Other}
Status: on beach when island moved

Apparently she resembles someone significant from Ben's past; his mother? That would be Oedipally appropriate for Ben.

This is random, but I've always wondered how she dislocated her shoulder four times. What else did my favorite fertility doc do in her spare time before arriving on the island?

Will Juliet return to Ben's house in New Otherton and figure out how to use his communication system? Will she be able to somehow contact her sister Rachel?

Does Richard Alpert consider her to be an ally or enemy at this point?

KAREN DECKER {Oceanic Air PR rep}
Status: Holding Oceanic press conference after 'rescue'

Was she assisting the O6 or Oceanic by going along with their story of rescue?

Does she work with or for Matthew Abaddon?

KARL {Alex's boyfriend; deceased}
Status: killed by Keamy & his mercenaries

He was around the same age as Alex. Could his parents have been among Rousseau's crew, or were they Dharma and did they die in the purge?

KATE {O6}
Status: off island, raising Aaron as her son

Did Abaddon, Oceanic or Widmore pay off the judge to remand Kate to jail without bail? It also seemed quite convenient that the terms of the deal mandated that Kate remain in the state, which would (at least in theory and in the eyes of the law) prevent her from returning to the island.

Does Kate travel to Albuquerque to deliver Sawyer's message to Cassidy and/or Clementine? How will she react when she realizes that she and Cassidy have met before?

Who called Kate at the very moment that Ghost Claire appeared in Aaron's room?

Who does Kate claim is Aaron's father? Under intense media scrutiny for O6 and her criminal trial, you'd think that would be a common question.

KELVIN {deceased Dharma; Desmond's former Swan bunkmate}
Status: accidentally killed in skirmish with Desmond

What was he actually doing when he left the Swan hatch every day?

LARA {unknown}
Status: in 1970's Barracks video with Pierre Chang and a mystery baby

Was she Chang's wife? Could the baby be Miles?

Could she be the woman in the portrait hanging in Ben's house in New Otherton, and/or the woman whom Juliet supposedly resembles?

LIBBY {deceased, murdered by Michael}
Status: appeared to Michael on freighter before it blew up & off island in his hospital room}

Will we find out that her deceased husband David was Hurley's invisible friend Dave? Was her husband's illness a result of being on the island at some point, or working for Dharma?

Was she an employee of Widmore? It was entirely too convenient that she gave Desmond her sailboat so he could compete in Widmore's race around the world, which resulted in his arrival on the island.

Given that Jack & co. decided to give Libby's name as one of the 3 passengers who originally survived the crash but perished shortly thereafter, wouldn't it be likely that more information about her would be then be published in the press...and Hurley would discover why she seemed so familiar; that she was a patient at Santa Rosa when he was there before the crash?

LOCKE/BENTHAM {newly elected island leader}
Status: Locke was on island when it moved, Bentham was in coffin in LA

The obvious first question is HOW does Locke get off of the island? Is he assisted by Alpert?

When did Locke leave the island? How much time passed between his arrival and his death?

Did Locke choose the Bentham pseudonym, or was it assinged to him by Alpert or another source?

Do the island's healing properties dissolve once one leaves? Does Locke become paralyzed again upon his return?

We know that Bentham visits Walt and most of the O6, but does he either use the information he has about Charles Widmore or seek out the man himself?

I find it fascinating that Locke visited/warned Hurley, Kate, Jack and Walt as Bentham when he left the island. Given that Sun was in Korea, I understand why he didn't see her, but could he simply not locate Sayid or was there a reason he avoided him? And what exactly did he tell the four that he approached?

The island wouldn't let Locke die...until it did. Did he complete his mission on its behalf by informing some of the off island people that they had to return?

When they do finally return to the island, will Locke (or his spirit/essence) become the new Jacob? Was that the plan all along?

Perhaps he knew that Jack wouldn't believe him, but why on earth didn't Locke ever tell Jack that he'd been in a wheelchair prior to crashing on the island?

MATTHEW ABADDON {allegedly an Oceanic attorney}
Status: visiting/threatening Hurley at Santa Rosa

After he goes to Locke during rehab (after he was pushed out of the window) and encourages him to go on a walkabout, he tells him that 'you'll owe me one.' Does Abaddon find out that Locke has left the island, and if so, does he finally call upon that favor?

Did Abaddon ever visit other 815 people long before they crashed on the island? Was he able to influence others to eventually wind up on that flight?

Who is his employer? Oceanic or Widmore?

MICHAEL {Walt's father; deceased}
Status: on freighter when it blew up

Even though their interaction was brief, why didn't Michael inform Sayid, Desmond, Jin or Sun how to actually escape and reach the outside world via boat?

When Michael was in the hospital after the car suicide attempt, the patient sharing his room has two entirely different types of breathing apparatus in two different shots in that scene....is that indicative of a time shift? Ghost Libby appears at Michael's bedside in between shots, so it seems plausible.

We know that Locke took the name Bentham upon his return to the real world, so did Michael also assume a similarly germane identity during his reentry?

This may seem trivial, but photos of all passengers from flight 815 would have been plastered in the world press for months following the alleged crash, and there were very few African Americans on the plane. So how is it possible that Michael is able to roam freely upon his return, with absolutely no one recognizing him? Outside of a beard, he didn't exactly take any measures to disguise himself...

MILES STRAUME {F4; ghost whisperer}
Status: was on beach when island moved

Miles knew immediately that Michael was not Kevin Johnson when he joined the freighter crew. Had Libby spoken to Miles from the great beyond? Remember that she did appear on the freighter and he communicates with the dead...

Does Miles interpret 'the whispers' on the island, and is that how he knows more than he has let on thus far?

Even though Miles is still on the island, does Ben ever get him the blackmail money when he leaves the island? And in exchange, does Miles lie about Ben's whereabouts?

Is he Pierre Chang's son? Remember that he is one of the many people who have said "I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be." In addition, is it possible that his ability is a result of having been born or raised on the island or in proximity to dad's Dharma experiments?

MR. AVELLINO {deceased, off island}
Status: murdered by Sayid, presumably at the behest of Ben

Did Avellino work for Widmore or Oceanic?

MR. PAIK {Sun's dad, business acquaintance of Charles Widmore}
Status: dealing w/Sun's stealthy takeover of Paik Industries in Korea

Are he and Widmore business competitors or partners? Are they both investors in Oceanic?

MS. HAWKING {ring lady in London in Desmond's first flash back in time}
Status: sitting with Desmond on bench in "Flashes Before Your Eyes"

*This is a great theory which one of my readers just emailed me the other day, so I in no way take credit for it. He wishes to remain anonymous, but I'm allowed to say that his name is Mike. At some point in the near future, I will expand upon and explore this further.

We now know that time travel and shifts are prevalent...is it possible that Ms. Hawking is actually Penny; did she travel forward in time to course-correct Desmond's path? Recall that Hawking appears in a photo with the Monk where Desmond worked, the same location where Penny went to the monastery to pick up wine and met Desmond for the first time...

NADIA {deceased, off island; love of Sayid's life & recent wife}
Status: murdered by unknown party

She was living in Orange County, CA after escaping Iraq. So what was she doing in London (when Charlie saved her from muggers)? Could she have ties to Widmore, Naomi or Charlotte?

Did Ben have her killed in order to recruit Sayid over to his side; to work as his secret spy assassin off island?

NAOMI {hired by Abaddon to assist F4 to island; deceased}
Status: killed by Locke after parachuting onto island

Each of the F4 seemed to have their reasons for going to the island, and Naomi had a photo of Desmond & Penny with her when she arrived. We know she wasn't working for Penny, but did Daddy Widmore hire her to either retrieve or kill Desmond?

Who's initials are RG, the ones engraved inside her bracelet? Regina, the woman on the freighter who jumped off ship wrapped in chains? Or Gault, the freighter captain who was murdered by Keamy?

PENNY WIDMORE {Charles' daughter, Desmond's girl}
Status: on her rescue boat w/Desmond

If Daddy Widmore knows that Ben cannot return to the island, does he somehow arrange for/enourage Penny to go there with Desmond so that she's safe from Ben, who is seeking revenge for Alex's murder?

PIERRE CHANG {Dharma doctor, a.k.a. Dr. Marvin Candle/Edgar Halliwax/Mark Wickmund}
Status: in 1970's Barracks video, warning about purge

In the Orchid video, he is wearing a wedding band (which I did not notice in any other Dharma video). Was he married to Lara, the woman who's voice we hear during the Barracks video, and could Miles be his son?

RACHEL {Juliet's sister}
Status: shown on video in Mikhail's Flame station, playing w/her son in FL

Was her cancer remission and healthy child bearing a result of island/Dharma destiny?

Had her cancer returned, as Ben had told Juliet on the island?

Who is the father of her miracle child? Please don't let it be Ben...

Has Rachel been searching for Juliet? What was she told when Juliet didn't return after six months, if anything?

RADZINSKY {deceased Dharma; Kelvin's first bunkmate who created blast door map}
Status: allegedly killed himself in Swan

If we witness the island during the early days of Dharma, will we meet the artist formerly known as Radzinsky?


RICHARD ALPERT {former Hostile, current Other}
Status: in jungle w/Locke when island moved

Submarines are not the fastest method of tranportation, so how did he and Tom travel back and forth from the island during their many trips on behalf of the island and Ben, respectively?

Had Alpert tried to recruit any of the other 815 passengers to the island before, besides Locke?

Given Alpert's failure to recruit/lure Locke to the island on many occasions, was he responsible for getting Locke on Flight 815 and the subsequent crash?

Will Alpert ever inform Locke that they'd met several times off island, prior to the crash, and reveal in what capacity?

What is Alpert's relationship with Jacob?

After Locke leaves the island, is Alpert in charge?

After the island moves, is Alpert still able to travel back and forth to the real world?

If he doesn't already know, will there be consequences if Alpert finds out that Locke didn't actually kill his father, a sacrifice that the island demanded?

ROSE {original 815 survivor; married to Bernard}
Status: on beach when island moved

One of the reasons that Ben and the Others were interested in Locke was because the island healed him...so will Alpert and/or Jacob become more interested in Rose now?

SAWYER {original 815 survivor}
Status: jumped out of helicopter/sacrificed rescue; on beach when island moved

Now that Jack is out of the picture, will Sawyer become the de facto leader of the remaining 815 group?

We know that 'very bad things' are coming, but will the island keep him alive because he has work to do?

SAYID {O6}
Status: moving Hurley from Santa Rosa to safer location

Will he find out who murdered Nadia?

Did he kill Bentham?

SUN {O6; Ji Yeon's mother, Jin's wife}
Status: visiting Charles Widmore in London

When Sun reminded Widmore that 'we are not the only ones who left the island,' was she referring to Locke? If so, is Widmore the one who kills Bentham? Or was she talking about Desmond, knowing that Widmore is trying to locate Penny? OR...was she basically handing Ben over to Widmore on a platter, in order to protect Penny & Desmond?

Does Sun use funds from the others in the 06 to help purchase a majority of the shares in her father's company?

Does Ben convince Sun to return to the island with Ji Yeon by telling her that Jin is alive?

There are a few candidates for the second person whom Sun blames for Jin's death (the first being her father), but I believe it is Jack; he insisted that the helicopter take off from the freighter w/o Jin and then forced her to lie as one of the O6.

TOM {Ben's Other henchman; deceased}
Status: off island in NY following Michael...and indulging

If the timeline is right, it would seem that Tom brought Anthony Cooper with him back to the island after first convincing Michael to join the freighter.

WALT {Michael's son; off island}
Status: living w/grandma in NY; visiting Hurley at Santa Rosa

Does Tall Ghost Walt make any other appearances while Locke is still on the island?

Who paid for/arranged Walt's trip across the country to see Hurley? Bentham or Ben?

Did Bentham visit Walt off island because he was special or because he thought that Walt could convince some of the others to return?

Does Ben seek out Walt for any reason off island?

Does Walt think that his dad is still alive and living on the island, or does he know that he died?

If Walt returns to the island with the others, does he assume Locke's leadership role? Ben and the Others were certainly interested in him (as they were Locke from an early age)...

MISC.

"All of you have to go back."
I believe that 11 of them must return as a group to the island; in addition to the O6 and Locke, this would include Ji Yeon, Ben, Desmond and Walt. But if Ben is never to return to the island after turning the frozen donkey wheel, does he arrange for/escort them to a point and then part ways?

CT scans
Do we know who the 26 year old woman is whose CT scans were shown to Juliet Mittelos? Given her condition, it is likely that she lives on the island.

The Economist
Could be any of the following: Abaddon, Ben, Bentham, Paik, Widmore.

Frozen Donkey Wheel
Is there any particular reason that it is frozen? What mechanism is maintaining that temperature below the Orchid? Or is there an entirely new and separate cold region/village located below the island where the displaced Others are living and hiding?

Jacob's List
His list clearly had nothing to do with those who wound up as the Oceanic 6 because we know that Kate and Sayid weren't on it. So who the hell was on the that list, and will we ever find out?

Favorite Theory From S4
I created the Bentham blog last summer because I am convinced that Jeremy Bentham and John Locke are two different people. In the Orchid video, a bunny clones itself and Dr. Halliwax (Pierre Chang) makes reference to both a 'shift' and the Casimir Effect. Without getting too scientific...I just have a feeling that during Locke's bumbling efforts to follow in Ben's footsteps, he somehow activates a time shift which creates a clone: Bentham.

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Let's be honest, there are endless theories and questions as we head into Season 5 of Lost. These are just the ones which I'm curious about, so let me know what you think and if you have a list of your own!

Thank you very much for visiting and reading. Apologies for the length!

LOST Showdown: Best Moments From 4 Seasons

From now until mid-February on ABC.com, you can watch video clips of popular scenes from the last four seasons of LOST and then vote for your favorite moment (bracket tournament style).

Click here to sign up and play along!

Of the choices we have right now, my top 2 would be:







The Double Murder














The Sacrifice






...but something tells me that it will come down to:







The Cage Match












The Phone Call





So...are your favorite scenes included, and which did/would you vote for?

Paging Dr. Candle/Halliwax/Wickmund: An Interview with Francois Chau!

Lost fans, it is a great pleasure to be able to share with you my interview with Francois Chau. He was kind enough to grant me a few minutes of his time, and although I would not consider any of his responses to be spoilers...be fair warned that there is a very small, potential piece of information within the interview that you may or may not consider to be spoilerish.

• Hill Street Blues


• Wiseguy


• China Beach


• Baywatch


• MacGyver


• ER


• Melrose Place


• Walker, Texas Ranger


• JAG


• Stargate SG-1


• Alias


• 24


• Grey's Anatomy


• Numb3rs


• Medium

Although many of us will forever associate Mr. Chau with his role as the mysterious Pierre Chang on Lost, I encourage you to reflect upon his vast television career because it is quite impressive (he has appeared on all of the shows above, and more)!



Before we begin the interview...a video refresher! As of right now, what we know about Pierre Chang and his many pseudonyms has been strictly gleaned from several Dharma Orientation Films:

Barracks Video (aired during Comic-Con '08)


The Swan Orientation Film


The Pearl Orientation Film



The Orchid Orientation Film


And now, an interview with Mr. Chau, the man behind the multiple names on our favorite island.



Jo: Prior to being on Lost, you appeared on 2 Carlton Cuse shows (The Adventures of Brisco County Jr and Nash Bridges). Is it a coincidence, or have you and Carlton maintained a professional relationship through the years?

FC: To tell you the truth, I might have met Carlton very briefly at an audition session many years ago. I can't really remember for sure if I did. I'm sure he doesn't remember me. I hope I get a chance to meet him before Lost wraps. Maybe he'll give me a job on his next show!

[minor spoiler alert!]

Jo: I try to remain as spoiler-free as possible, but I did notice on IMDB that you are slated to appear on the first episode of Lost in Season 5 ("Because You Left"). Can you confirm that to be true?

FC: Since it is already on IMDB, I guess I can tell you that 'yes,' I have shot some stuff for Season 5. However, I can't confirm whether or not some of it will appear in the premiere episode.

Jo: You have the distinction of being the only character on Lost who has four names (Candle/Chang/Halliwax/Wickmund). Are you given any clues about your character, regardless of what his name might be in any given scene?

FC: I have not been given any information as to why he uses the different names on the 'orientation' films. I am assuming that 'Chang' is his real name, but of course, this is Lost, so who knows?

Jo: Whenever you appear on screen, the eyes of many Lost fans are immediately upon your left arm; there are myriad theories about exactly when and how your character lost his arm. I assume that they haven't informed you as to why he has a prosthetic arm on occasion, so...if you had to create a back story or take a logical guess, how do you think Pierre Change lost the limb?

FC: Ah yes. The arm. Sometimes I'm not sure myself if the arm is prosthetic or not. Why would he pretend to have a fake arm? My theory is that he did lose the arm, and it happened during the 'incident' that was referred to in the first orientation film.

Jo: When you filmed the Orchid video in 2007 and the Barracks video in 2008, were you aware that they were going to be played during the Lost panels at Comic-Con rather than during regular episodes?

FC: We shot the Orchid video with the rabbits first specifically for Comic-Con, then shot it again for the show itself. The Barracks video was also shot specifically for Comic-Con '08. I don't know if it's going to be used in the show.

Jo: Do you watch Lost to keep up with the story and characters for future appearances, or simply as a fan?

FC: I have to confess that I did not watch the show on a regular basis during the first 2 seasons. I watch it now, not just because it's a great show, but because wherever I go, people ask me all sorts of questions, so I have to sound like I know what I'm talking about!

Thank you so much to Francois Chau for being so generous with his time! I am so appreciative to have such an opportunity, and look forward to checking in with him after he appears on Lost again this season.

Annie & Ben, Meet Boo Radley...

Everything always happens for a reason.
I guess it was never meant to be.
But it's just something we have no control over.
And that's what destiny is.
- Eminem, "Mockingbird"

This is how my brain works...

The Lost Book Club has been on my mind, and I've been thinking about the ones from the list which I've actually read. Today I was researching To Kill a Mockingbird for a work project and something just...clicked. It was as if my Lost brain cranked up to 11 (Spinal Tap anyone?); the wheels starting spinning at a rate usually reserved for mid-season. I had an epiphany, connecting a particular scene from the movie adaptation to Lost:

In To Kill a Mockingbird, the kids find a boy & girl doll set carved out of soap. In episode 3.20 of Lost ("The Man Behind the Curtain"), Ben's childhood friend Annie gives him a boy & girl doll set carved out of wood.

Although I do not find significant symbolism between Jem & Scout and Ben & Annie (especially given that we know so little about her character...so far), one rather obvious correlation between the book and the show is Boo Radley and Jacob:

• Creepy and mysterious
• Never leaves home; recluse
  
• Perceived as bad/evil/scary

I suppose we shall see if the elusive Jacob ever emerges from his cabin (if indeed he takes human form), and if he turns out to be one of "the good guys" like Radley in the end.

Radley eventually saves the children, and there are numerous parallels on Lost:

• Until recently, Ben took orders directly from Jacob. He was obsessed with fertility and repeatedly asserted that kidnapped children Zach & Emma were "in a better place" on the island.
  
• Ben stole Alex from Danielle when she was an infant, more than likely a mandate from Jacob.
  
• Jacob used Grandpa Ghost Christian Shephard to ensure that grandson Aaron was taken care of when Claire allegedly passed away.
• Juliet's sister Rachel had cancer but was able to get pregnant and gave birth despite being sterile. Ben had off-island access and could have provided the miracle medicine to Dr. Burke's lab on behalf of Jacob.
• Jin's infertility was 'healed' by the island/Jacob, allowing Sun to become pregnant with JiYeon.
  

Then again, Jacob probably orchestrated the kidnapping of Walt. Perhaps he believed that Walt deserved a better father figure than Michael.

And then there is the matter of Clementine Phillips, Sawyer's daughter with his ex/con Cassidy. Many of us assume that Sawyer whispered a quick request to Kate about Clementine before he jumped out of the helicopter at the end of Season 4, and we saw that Kate was putting those wheels in motion after she was off-island. As you know, there are no coincidences on Lost (case in point: Cassidy and Kate's flashback intersection and interaction in "Left Behind"). So the question is - what was or will be Jacob's role in Cassidy's life?

I could keep going, but I don't want to bore you. Take all of this with a grain of salt; I always post theories with the knowledge that there are many holes and immeasurable counter arguments. But I enjoy the hell out of connecting the dots, even when they don't complete the circle.

Are we there yet?

Lost Book Club Contest: Winners! (Updated)

I would like to thank those of you who entered this contest, because your contributions made me laugh and also truly appreciate the enthusiasm which we all share for Lost.

Below are all of the fantastic and creative entries, alphabetically. In addition to my own thoughts about each, I solicited opinions from a jury of your peers; a small group of my friends who happen to be Lost fans (none of whom entered).

The 5 winners are listed at the bottom of this post; if you are one of them, please email me with your shipping address! I aim to ship all of them out by next weekend via regular mail or ground.

** apologies to Cat and Christine, whose entries I read when they were posted on my FB group wall but I somehow failed to include with this original post!

AGENT385:
“The top 9 reasons why I'm the biggest Lost fan:

#9 My ears perk up every time I hear the WORD 'Lost.' My father came in the other day and said 'We were on our way to Best Buy and we got lost." And I thought 'What? Who? Where? What about Lost?'
#8 Every time I visit the in laws, I bring my clothes, toothbrush and LOST DVDs...Oh yeah, I bring my kids too.

#7 Every time I'm bored, I type 'Lost' into Yahoo and click on anything that comes up.

#6 I played the Dharma Initiative Recruitment game and did not cheat. And yes, I did print up my Dharma Initiative ID card even when my husband was laughing and making fun of me.

#5 My 4 Lost puzzles that I got from my in laws are my FAVORITE Christmas gifts this year. I've already put together the first one. I had to go to Lostpedia to figure out the edge code, but I did look at the back at the glow-in-the-dark images.

#4 My mother in law got me a shirt that says 'Dharma Initiative Rabbit Stenciler' and I wear it PROUDLY! My brother in law says I beat him at being a LOST nerd vs. him being a Star Wars nerd and that's saying A LOT.

#3 I had never added strangers to my Facebook account until I met other Lost fans. And yes, my Lost friends are as dear to me as my other friends.

#2 Last night while playing the Harry Potter DVD Scene It game, I kept thinking 'Is there a Lost version?'

#1 The fact that I'm on here hoping to win a book!”

ANONYMOUS:
“I'm the biggest fan of Lost because...I'd be the biggest fan...oh, ok!! I'm not the biggest fan, BUT I would be 'that much closer' to being one IF I won one of these books. I just 'know' I would!”

ASHLIE H:
“No one I know (in real life) watches Lost. I wear a Dharma Swan Station hoodie, I carry my groceries in an Oceanic Airlines tote bag. My fiance thinks I'm crazy when I cry after watching 'The Constant' for the fourth time, or while I frantically try to watch a new episode at the same time as I post on TheFuselage for the live east coast feed. I force myself to read books that just happen to appear in scenes, as well as books that are just mentioned by the geniuses that are Darlton (still working on the Illuminatus! trilogy). I watch the video podcasts at the gym, just hoping another Lostie will notice so I will have someone to obsess with. I've done the puzzles, I've played the video game, I've pored over all the special features and I bought a PS3 for the sole purpose of being able to watch the DVDs in Blu-Ray and play the video game. I'm also trying to convince my fiance to honeymoon in Oahu, so I can visit the set (he's not really buying it yet). And of course, I get my dose of Get Lost with JOpinionated, Nik at Nite, DocArzt, DarkUFO and Dispatches from the Island. Truly, I am a Lost fan.”

AUNT J-HA:
“Whenever I see or hear a jet fly over my head I expect it to tear in two and come crashing down to earth. As it passes, I wonder if anyone on-board is secretly hoping it crashes and they end up on THE island. I have dreamt that I am Charlie's little sister (and he's younger than me). I have dreamt that Kate, Sun, and Juliet found an unknown hatch which lead them to the command center of the island, where Alvar Hanso was monitoring every moment of the island's history at the same time. During random conversations with friends or family I'll bring up Kate, or Sawyer, or any other character as if they were a personal friend of both of us. But what makes me the BIGGEST fan, more so than anyone else...is that I am already sad to think by the end of May 2010, LOST will be finished. We'll have all the answers and the poetry that is LOST will be told. Sure, we'll always have the DVDs, but no more new content. I can fully understand the reason for this end date and appreciate the succinctness it has lent to the overall story, but I know I am going to miss it. I am the biggest fan because I never complained about the length of the hiatus. Every day brings us closer to a new episode and I plan to savor every moment of this journey, this gift that is LOST."

CAROL B:
“I am the biggest LOST fan for several reasons. I believe that I am a reincarnated Dharma member, that I was killed in the first Purge by Benjamin Linus and Richard and have been reborn into the body of a single mom. My son bears a striking resemblance to Aaron, and even though he is only 2, he knows the numbers are cursed and that I am his constant. I have watched, studied, and researched almost every new aspect of the shows as they come out. I have paused the DVDs so much on specific images that my pause key is worn down to a nub. Even though I own all 4 seasons of LOST on DVD and have watched them over and over again, I still Tivo all the episodes repeated on both SciFi and G4 and watch them repeatedly. I believe that Jin is alive, I believe that we will see Charlie again. I believe that Michael may still be able to make amends with Walt (why? because Ghost Walt told me). I have influenced my entire family, I have educated them, and they are now addicted to LOST. I have all the LOST magazines in plastic and have everyone, including most of the special edition covers, since the very first magazine. I LOVE LOST. The days and hours are only counting down to one thing, the return of the best show on TV. LOST is my constant.”

CAT:
"I feel I am definitely the biggest LOST fan. I have watched every episode at LEAST 10 times, I have met Matthew Fox, Michelle Rodriguez, and Blake Bashoff (Karl), I also waited 10 hours to meet Terry O'Quinn in 10 degree weather, but he never came out. I also have my walls plastered with LOST posters, and I mean so much that its wallpaper practically. I have over 10 LOST shirts, my dog even has one, I have 3 calendars, all the trading cards, all the figurines, finished 2 of the 1000 piece puzzles, have over 50 Lost autographs. I have written over 60 letters to the main and supporting cast of lost, 11 just to Evangeline Lilly. Carlton Cuse has even sent me a cast-and-crew-only hat that Damon is wearing in the new Season 5 interview. I also have an Evangeline Lilly group on Facebook that has become the #2 largest on Facebook. I don't really know how else to explain how big of a fan I am...I mean the most I can say is that my life would drastically change if LOST was never in it...honest."

CHRISTINE:
"I am without doubt the biggest LOST fan. I watch avidly, enthralled, entranced, yet at times I'm bewildered by the events that unfold and lead me on to the exciting expectation of yet another installment of the compelling, undeniably LOST."

DOUG D:
"Wow, there are some great posts here, but I will put my thoughts down here. Well, one thing for sure, I know I'm the biggest LOST fan in the Nike+ running community. I am constantly posting theories, thoughts, and the like on the forums there. During the 3rd/4th season Hiatus, I had a large group of running challenges and involved a group of runners in LOST based challenges to pass the Hiatus. I created challenges that stepped through the first 3 seasons and led up to the 4th season (1miletogo.wordpress.com/nike/lost). I posted a theory to the USA Today contest and got A's on my theory from both Damon & Carlton. That was awesome to see them talk about my theory. Too bad there wasn't a trip to the set involved. I was actually contacted by USA Today while I was in the middle of running a relay and got the whole relay team excited about getting my theory posted. I have watched and rewatched and rewatched many of the episodes. I have enlightened my wife to the world of LOST and we often have LOST-athons. I own seasons 1&2 on DVD & 3&4 on Blu-Ray (wow, Blu-Ray was created for LOST!) Watching LOST on DVD is like potato chips, you can't just watch one, and often my wife will be like "let's watch one more." I have a watch on Amazon to be notified when Season 1 becomes available on Blu-Ray. I read LOST books, magazines, & websites. I enjoy watching the numerous LOST videos on YouTube and many of the fan-made videos that allow you to see the show in a totally different light. I have played and completely searched the Via-Domus game (was totally expecting a more searchable environment, but I hope that after season 6 another completely searchable game will be released). I have visited the LOST-SL location. I always fill in the LOST fans and non LOST fans with information on the show and I'm always looking to convert non-Losties to the awesomeness that is LOST. I am the informant for people to fill them in on mild spoilers and things coming down the pipe. I am often visiting sites to get updates and news on LOST and posting to theories. So, there you have it, I love the mystery, the characters, and everything about LOST. I have never seen a bad episode, yes some are better than others, but all are great. My mind is always thinking about the theories & Mysteries of the show. The LOST community is an awesome group of people that I'm proud to be a member of. I think I went over the paragraph limit, but my feelings for LOST go longer.”

FARAMIR:
“I think I'm the biggest Lost fan, at least in my neighborhood, because the show ate my life since May 2006, when I watched the first two seasons in about twenty days. I've become an amateur podcaster, with a segment of the first Italian podcast about Lost, Lostpod. That recurring segment eventually became a podcast in itself, called Lostbooks: it's about the books that inspired Lost that were inspired by the show. Last April I managed to get my theory to Darlton, because it ended between the top 20 of USA Today's contest: I still hope it is one of the two the authors declined to comment on because they were 'too close'. I'm planning to write a book about Lost, together with some friends from an Italian forum. After a sudden migration, last summer, to the Lostpedia Italian forum, we've been known as the Oceanic Six... because, yes, we are six. But we won't go back. Books, theories, and books again: that's why Faramir, in Italy, is a synonym of Lost-addict.”

HEATHER:
“I love LOST and protect it at all cost. Yes I am obsessed a little. Who isn't? When new episodes come on I warn people to let me be and watch the show. I even have a sign I put on the front door: "If you dare ring this bell, beware, you have summoned the smoke monster and it is not going to be pleasant!" Every episode leaves me wanting more and I love it! I re watch each episode several times looking for anything I may of missed. Weird thing is now, when I hear people whispering I think the others are coming! I think I scared my neighbor more than me! I guess I have to be careful with those torches!”

HILLARY P:
“I love Lost. There is rarely an occasion that I don't bring it up in one way or another. I talk it up to friends and family as a show that encompasses so many genres seamlessly; it has something - usually several things - for everyone. We host Lost parties for premieres and finales. We hook up friends with seasons to watch and get them hooked. I love reading theories and interviews with the cast and adore everything Darlton. And while I may not have started watching until S3 (for lack of cable during S1 & S2), I watched 3 seasons non-stop until the S4 launch. I think Lost is the most fantabulous show because of its stellar writing and acting, the camaraderie of the cast off-screen (which totally shows through), and the both intelligent and moving characters and story lines. Does this make me the biggest fan? Who knows. All I know is Jan 21 can't come fast enough and I get very antsy waiting a week for the next episode.”

IVIBEBLK:
“I'm the biggest Lost fan there is. I am because I am totally prepared for the new season of Lost. I am watching every episode from the first to the last...now that's some serious fandom right there. I also ordered the Dharma Initiative Laptop Skin for my laptop for a gift for me. I so am the biggest fan that I actually have Lost EpS4 on pause while I write my comment right now. Finally of course only a true true Lost fan would want to spend their winter break watching over 80 episodes of Lost. So I'm the biggest fan.”

JOSHUA L:
“Well, I missed the deadline. Reason for being late: Wow! I was watching Lost! I'll admit I wasn't one for the show when it first came on, it took years before I finally became an addict, which was the 2nd to last episode of Season 3, but when I did become an addict, I was hooked. I had seen a few episodes here and there but I finally decided to see what the show was about. So I bought the first season. In a day and a half I had watched the entire collection and then sought after Season 2 and devoured it just as quickly. When the Seasons 3 and 4 box sets came out, I was late to work so I could be the first one to buy them. This year my one major purpose for going to Comic Con was for the Dharma Initiative recruitment. I waited near their booth for hours so I could make sure I was able to be interviewed since I was only there for one day, and sure enough I one of the lucky few able to get an interview on the first day. I'm such a fan I kept believing that the Jeremy Bentham Facebook could "indeed" be real, though my gut was telling me otherwise, and tried acting like a soothsayer in spreading the word of the MacCutcheon-loving-geezer. Indeed! It's true! Most folks around me always hear the random Lost-banter and are sometimes annoyed by this. On my backpack there is a patch for the Arrow Station. During Halloween I dressed in a white lab coat and put on a patch of the Staff, and plan to wear it at this year's Comic Con. I've also managed to spread the Lost-addiction to three co-workers, one friend, and re-spawned the addiction in another who lost interest after Season 2. I've also written a few songs that are inspired from the show. All and all that is why I believe I'm the biggest Lost fan.”

KATHRYN L:
“I am without a doubt among many who call themselves 'the biggest Lost fan' so I cannot isolate myself from my other Lostie friends. I will say that I am hopelessly consumed with this show, watching reruns, discussing theories and dissecting all that is Lost. My kids know to leave me alone when I am watching Lost and my husband joins me to watch and then talk about what is happening, has happened and what we think will happen. I am so intrigued by the writing for this show, it is well thought out, purposeful and imaginative-it leaves one thinking well after the show is over and I love that. I will be intrigued with Lost long after the last episode has aired, watching reruns, analyzing different theories with my Lostie family and friends, and rereading Lost books. I suspect I will continue to love all that is Lost for a very long time.”

MAVEN:
“I believe I am the biggest LOST fan, and I deserve to win one of the BOOK CLUB prizes. I have always taken the INITIATIVE when it comes to being involved in watching Lost. I PURGE all non-Lost thoughts from my mind whenever a new episode airs. I'm so anxious for it to start I wish it would begin at 8:15 instead of nine. I batten down the HATCHES and my total ORIENTATION is on the television screen. No OTHERS can talk to me. If my husband WHISPERS something to me while the show is on, I don't pay attention. In fact, I am so cold to him he thinks I'm a POLAR BEAR! I make sure to go to the JOHN before it starts. I JACK up the COMPUTER on my lap and take copious notes. My greatest fear is that it will CRASH. Sometimes I get a CHARLIE horse in my hands from typing so much. There is so much to this show, I can post comments until the SUN comes up. I've BEN a fan since day one. Many NUMBERS of my friends and family (at least 108 of them) think I'm totally obsessed with this show. They believe I become a MONSTER when I want to talk to them about it. And I'm always trying to SMOKE out other fans.”

NURBY:
“I started with the first episode, not knowing what to expect. While others were watching to see who would get fired, I got hooked on Lost. Although the show was only a hour long, somehow hours would go by online while I literally got lost. Numbers, those numbers… what does it mean. Trying to make sense of everything and surrendering to not understanding anything. Attempting to discuss with others proved hard. But then I got introduced to JOpinionated. Observing the show, rather than just watching it, frame by frame. One might think I was crazy, as I have to watch with complete silence. Knowing that if I divert my eyes or make a noise I will miss a very important piece to the mystery. Patiently now I wait for the next season. Lingering between anticipation and fear for what might happen next. Each day is a countdown to January 21. A teaser and some theories keep me going for now. So many unanswered questions waiting to be answered. Enjoying every moment of it, I can’t wait to start discussing again soon!!!”

SHANNON K:
“First I would like to say that I am thrilled to hear that Damon loves The Watchmen. I have already read that book (It's amazing and am happy you've included it among the others because it's such a great read. We've already watched the movie via satellite here on the island. It was very exciting, even though it took a little extra effort and wheel turning to get it). Anyway, this is why I believe I should win your contest. I AM an other. If you don't believe me you can check out my pics on Facebook. The truth is in the pictures. I was also the first Other to be interviewed in full "Other" garb by ABC online as a representative of our people. I was raised in CA for a number of years until I was recruited to the island. They needed my help in educating some of the younger recruits. While most of the books you are offering can be found in one of our homes or hatches here on the island, Sawyer seems to have tampered with most of them. Plus, we're kind of on the down-low at the moment, so a good book would be nice to pass the time. How about this agreement: You award me with a book and I'll tell you all about our island pet Smokey.”

And the winners are:

• Agent385
• Aunt J-Ha
• Carol B
• Doug D
• Maven

Thank you again!!