506 - "316"

Finally - proof positive that Time Loops are real and that the version of events we all saw in Seasons 1 - 4 were one set in a series of Iterations - each one different, but with similarities to its predecessor. In this, the Final (?) Iteration, the first major difference I’ve noticed is that Jack, Kate and Hugo all remember the previous Iteration.

The Ep opens with an eye opening - a left eye - Jack’s left eye. He’s waking up, on his back in a bamboo grove. Welcome back to Ep 1, Scene 1. Except not quite. Vincent doesn’t come prancing through the jungle, Jack does not have a bleeding back and the first thing he hears are Hugo’s cries for help.

He follows the sound of Hugo’s voice, sees him floundering in a pool below a waterfall - possibly the same pool in which James and Kate found the gun-case and in which Paulo found Nikki’s script bag. Amazing how something familiar looks so different from another Point of View.

Hugo - who appears to have cannon-balled out of Flight 316 is floundering around with the now-soaked guitar-case he brought on board. I’m guessing he brought the guitar at "Charlie’s" request. Somebody is going to have to program the LG jammer at some point in the past/present/future. Note that Brennan, in 505, also brought a soaked musical instrument case to the Island.

After dragging Hugo into shallow water, Jack swims over to Kate, who’s lying inert at pool-side. Her question, upon waking is: "Are we?" Jack’s answer: "We’re back"

"46 hours earlier" (whatever that means):
Eloise leads Jack, Sun, Desmond and Ben through a door marked; "Caution: High Voltage. Do not enter this enclosure" and down the winding stairs, past a DI hatch (marked with a "lamp" symbol) and into the Pendulum Room. Note that The Lamp-Post is a reference to "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" and "The Magician's Nephew", the first and sixth books in the Narnia series. In the books, a lamp-post marks the passage between Narnia and the real world.
Once through this hatch door, we see a "live" wall-mounted latitude/longitude board. Ms Hawking tells us that "this is how they found the Island". When Jack asks Ben whether he knew about this place, he says he didn’t (and yet we know that he met Eloise upstairs in the Church). When Jack asks Eloise whether Ben’s telling the truth (as if that could possibly matter), she says: "probably not". Huh!? She wants Team Jack to distrust Ben more than they already do? Whatever.
We see a photo of the Island with a caption at its bottom: "9/23/54 US Army Op 264 (one day shy of exactly 50 years before the crash of FDlight 815) Top Secret EYES ONLY" - which, when I Googled it didn’t come back with anything obviously relevant. So ... the US Army figured out how to find the (moving) Island during the 50's and sent the Jughead gang (possibly in the Galaga) to seize and/or destroy it, but were defeated by 1954 Team Richard. And the reason why Ms Hawking displays this photo is ... ?

After she finds the binder she had in mind ("Ah ha!"), Ms Hawking enters Pedantic Teacher Mode:
"The room we're standing in was constructed years ago over a unique pocket of electromagnetic energy. That energy connects to similar pockets all over the world. [including Tunisia] The people who built this room, however, were only interested in one."
"The island," Sun guesses.
"Yes, the island. They'd gathered proof [from the US Army?] that it existed. They knew it was out there somewhere, but they just couldn't find it. Then, a very clever fellow built this pendulum on the theoretical notion that they should stop looking for where the island was supposed to be and start looking for where the island was going to be ... This fellow presumed, and correctly as it turns out, that the island was always moving. Why do you think you were never rescued? Now, while the movements of the island seem random, this man [Horace - Mathematician?] and his team created a series of equations which tell us, with a high degree of probability, where it is going to be in a certain point in time. Windows, as it were, that while open, provide a route back. Unfortunately, these windows don't stay open for very long. Yours closes in 36 hours." Someone went to a lot of trouble at some point in time, to keep the Island moving and therefore highly inaccessible.
Note that the (Widmore-sponsored) Kahana crew knew the Island was moving [in Space-time]

Finally - "proof" that Somebody deliberately selected, trained and herded our Losties onto Flight 815 - which was then flown into a "window" (including the "instrument malfunction" and consequent route change). Note that the in-air break-up of Flight 815 was not accompanied by a Whiteout like the one on Flight 316 - which sent our Losties into the early 1970's. Hence the "same" dates on/off-Island for the 815 survivors. At this point it looks like Team Widmore were responsible for Flight 815. Note also that Widmore sent Desmond on his Sailboat Race - which also intercepted the Island. CW knows a thing or two about Island location techniques, possibly including the funding and staffing of the Antarctic Listening Post. Note that the "real-world cause" of Flight 815's break-up over the Island was Desmond’s 9/22/04 System Failure. Talk about one big Game of "Mousetrap".

As I’d thought some time ago, Desmond’s "message" to Eloise was entirely unnecessary. She was already doing what she could. The real (Widmore) mission was IMO to offer Penny and Young Charlie up as bait with which to lure Ben into a murder attempt.

Ben’s grim look when Desmond told him he was looking for Daniel’s mother was exactly what I’d thought: Ben now knew that Widmore had sent Desmond to LA. The fact that Ben emerged from his encounter with Penny seriously injured implies that Widmore sent some muscle to guard his daughter.
It seems to me that Desmond is too important to be permitted to Play House with Penny and Young Charlie for long. If Penny’s dead, Desmond might very well be on a Vengeance Mission of his own.
Ms Hawking’s grim look when she tells Des that the Island isn’t yet done with him tells us that she knows something about Ben’s upcoming Assassination Attempt.
Note that Desmond is tuned into the Game aspect of the story. Note also that his advice to Jack ("whatever she tells you to do, ignore it") is quite similar to Sayid’s "do the opposite" advice to Hugo - which didn’t enable either of them to avoid flying the friendly skies of Ajira.

Note that within the Pendulum Chamber, there are several carved stone columns - strangely out of place in this high-tech environment. I didn’t spot any glyphs on them.

The Flight 316 co-ordinates - 34 degrees, 03N 118 degrees, 14W Guam
Some super-geek might be able to find some meaning in these numbers

Ms Hawking tells Jack that if he doesn’t round up all of the O6 that the results would be "unpredictable". So ... since Aaron was only a "half-person" on 9/22/04, the results should be "fairly predictable" ?

With the rest of the Class dismissed, Jack is asked to stay behind for a "detention", during which Ms H hands him Locke’s suicide note. Note that she told Jack that Ben and Sun had heard all that they needed to hear. For a moment, she sounded to me like The Oracle in "The Matrix " She added that the issue of Locke’s Suicide Note did not concern them - encouragement not to "share" info.

It seems to me that Locke’s suicide made a strong impression on Jack - as though (to Jack) Locke willingly died in the service of his commitment to his "faith".
Eloise’s next few lines, concerning the necessity of "giving" Locke’s body something belonging to Christian, the better to serve as a Christian proxy/substitute struck me as a Voodoo technique. Note that the "soul jars" in Jacob’s Cabin also derive from the Voodoo Religion.
Her key line: "Stop thinking how ridiculous it is and start asking yourself whether or not you believe it's going to work. That's why it's called a leap of faith, Jack." This line helps push Jack into Believing. Locke delivered this same line to him back in Season 2. Locke had heard it from Helen.

When Jack re-enters the upstairs Church and Ben asks what Eloise told him, Jack replies: "Nothing that matters" . My best guess as to why Jack didn’t expound is that he thought all this Voodoo stuff would have sounded ridiculous.

When Jack asked Ben how Ms Hawking knew "all this", Ben (looking at the Doubting Thomas painting) replied:
"Thomas the Apostle. When Jesus wanted to return to Judea, knowing that he would probably die there, Thomas said to the others: 'Let us also go, that we might die with him.' But Thomas was not remembered for this bravery. His claim to fame came later when he refused to acknowledge the resurrection. The story goes that he needed to touch Jesus' wounds to be convinced."
"So was he?"
"Of course he was. We're all convinced sooner or later, Jack." So ... Ben’s non-answer helped lead Jack into believing, like Locke, that Miracles like resurrection were possible.

A bar: Jack stares at an undrunk drink when his phone rings.
An Old Folks Home: Jack’s Granddad Ray has been retrieved on his fourth escape attempt and is "enjoying" a Magic Show, the announcement for which ("Join us for a Special Magic Show") might as well apply to LOST. The Show included a rabbit. Note that "Magic" often involves Illusions. Note also that Arthur C Clarke wrote that "Sufficiently-advanced technology is indistinguishable from Magic."
As Jack unpacks his Granddad’s Getaway Suitcase, he finds a pair of new shoes which turn out to have belonged to Christian. Just the right items to "give" to Locke, made extra meaningful when we learn why Christian wore white tennis shoes in "White Rabbit"
I’m guessing that Ray is not Christian’s father - who gave him The Watch. If I’m right, that would make him Margo’s Father. After Jack tells Ray (but not his Mum?) that he’ll be going away "for a while" (as in "forever"), he enters his clean and tidy condo/apartment. Molly Maid’s been very busy over the last few days. While Jack (after looking into various cupboards) fixes himself a drink, we hear his front door open (no knock) followed by a some quiet strides, followed by a soft thump. Kate’s dropped in for a visit.

Kate looks emotionally numb. My best guess is that Aaron’s been murdered. If not murdered, then at least kidnapped. If he’s been kidnapped, it appears he’ll be Raised By Another, because Kate has (finally) been persuaded to Go Back. I’m guessing that either Gabriel or Jeffrey or both paid her a visit after she drove home from the Long Beach Marina.
When Jack asks her what happened, she says: ""Don't ask questions. If you want me to go with you, you'll never ask me that question again. You will never ask me about Aaron again. Do you understand, Jack?" For once, he doesn’t press. Maybe he’s learned (the hard way) to Let Go. They kiss and then they fuck - the kind of sex that follows Great Fear. We never get to see whether Jack drinks that drink or not.

The next morning, Jack’s up early and makes coffee and juice for Kate.
As he moves Christian’s shoes off the table, Kate says: "Those don't make much sense for the Island. You might want to consider hiking boots."
"Those were my father's. When I went to pick up his body in Sydney, my dad didn't have any nice shoes. My mother wanted to have the funeral as soon as I landed back in L.A. and I thought, 'Who the hell is going to see his feet?' And I had these old white tennis shoes and I just said "use these, put these on". I guess he wasn't worth a nice pair of shoes to me or the time it would take to go out and get them."
"So why don't you get rid of them? Why hold on to something that makes you feel sad?"
This slightly surreal banter seems brittle and is mercifully interrupted by the phone. Exit Kate, Running Away - again.

Ben, battered, injured and bleeding is calling from the North Beach Marina - where I’m guessing he had trouble tying up his loose end. He sends Jack to pick Locke’s body up from Jill the Butcher. Note that Desmond appears to have sailed from England to LA - presumably through the Panama Canal. It would therefore seem that his meeting with Daddy Widmore occurred several weeks prior to his encounter with Ms Hawking. If Penny is dead, her Daddy basically sent her to her death. If so, it would seem that Desmond has a new Mission - to Kill Ben. And he even has an appropriate Boat on hand!

As Jack changes John’s shoes, he says: "Wherever you are, John, you must be laughing your ass off that I'm actually doing this. Because this, this is even crazier than you were."
Jack then takes the envelope out of his pocket and tucks it into Locke's clothes. "Anyhow, you can have this back. I've already heard everything you had to say, John. You wanted me to go back, I'm going back." He closes the casket. "Rest in peace."
Note that JL (with a lot of help from Team Ben) achieved 90% of his Mission even though he died believing he’d failed.

Airport: Once again, Jack is trying to get a coffin on board an airliner. Easier going this time, though. Note that when the clerk asks Jack what his relationship was to the deceased, that Jack answers: "Friend" (as opposed to his answer to the same question a few days earlier). I even think it’s true. I think that Jack has finally (tentatively) embraced the Man-Of-Faith aspect of his own personality, taking him one step closer to becoming the Great Leader that Achara saw in him back in "Stranger".
After checking in, a fellow passenger tells him: ""My condolences. I'm sorry you lost your friend." I’ve seen this actor before - but not on LOST. I’m sure we will see him again. His (actor) name is Said Taghmaouj and he ends up sitting beside Hugo on Flight 316.
In Security, Sun approaches Jack and they chat for a bit, during which she says that: "If there’s even a chance that Jin is alive, I have to be on that plane" Even if it means abandoning Ji Yeon - who is now one more child being raised by a Granparent. Can’t wait for the Sun-Jin reunion.

During the Security scan, we see Sayid being marched through (cuffed) and escorted by a (female) Marshall. Shades of (gender-reversed) deja vu! Team Ben’s been busy indeed. We also see an Oceanic Poster on the wall.
At the Gate (#15, natch), we see Hugo reading another Spanish Comic Book. This one features The Last Man on Earth, whose face looks like a skull and whose name appears to be Yorick - as in Hamlet’s Yorick. Yes indeed, our writers know their Eng Lit.

It would appear that Lawyer Dan and/or Gabriel/Jeffrey have, uh, reasoned with Hugo, who has now accepted his Fate, but has decided to spare as many civilians as possible the near-certain death (for them) to come. He has bought all 78 of the empty seats. LOST fans have got to love Hugo. The "civilians" at the Gate, however, will never know how he spared them. In fact, had they known he stopped them from getting on that plane, they would not have thanked him. And ... there was no way he could have explained himself by telling them the Truth. He would not have been believed. This is exactly the situation in place between the Season 1 Losties and Family Ben.

When Jack and he meet at Gate 15, Hugo actually says: "OK, then. Let’s do this" The Cowardly Lion has found his Courage. As Jack passes (seated) Sayid - already on board - Sayid seems surprised to see him. Sayid looks Grim. Kate - still looking Grim is also already on board. The last passenger to board is Ben.

Hugo, with the Guitar beside him, leaps up when he sees Ben and says: ""Wait, what's he doing here?"
"Hurley," Jack says.
"No, no, he can't come!"
"Hurley," Jack says, "if you want to get back, this is how it's going to have to be." [Why? Ben wasn’t on Flight 815]
"No one told me he was going to be here," Hurley says. [What did they tell you, Hugo?]
"Who told you to be here, Hugo?" Ben asks. [Like he doesn’t know]
The flight attendant asks, "Is everything okay?"
"Yes," Jack says. "Yes, everything is fine." He looks at Hurley. "Right?"
"Yes, Jack, I'll be fine." Hurley sits. Grim

Note that all of the O5 plus Ben are seated in First Class.
As Jack and Ben chit-chat about the Suicide Note that’s been course-corrected back into Jack’s hands, Jack glances back at the Economy passengers and asks: "And the other people on this plane, what's going to happen to them?"
"Who cares?" Ben says. [Stone Cold, it would seem. But. I think Ben knows that the LOST End Game will result in the deaths of millions and that a few dozen here or there simply don’t matter. How this squares with his earlier "I will kill no innocent people" speech to Kahana Michael is yet to be explained] Note that Jack, while using his Oceanic Golden Pass was similarly onconcerned with the fates of his fellow passengers.

Once the "unfasten your seat-belts" sign lights up, Jack pays Kate a visit, during which he asks: ""Hurley, Sayid being on the same plane. How did they end up here?"
"They bought a ticket." Kate = Traumatised Skeptic
"You don't think it means something? We're all back together." Jack = John

This is the "merger" between Jack and John that I’ve been anticipating for a long time. Note that "Jack" and "John" are interchangeable names.

We then find out that (as I’d expected) our captain is none other than Frank Lapidus, being course-corrected back to the Island - and he realises this as he spots Sun, Hugo, Sayid and Kate in First Class. "We’re not going to Guam, are we?" And then, instead of frantically trying to change course, he just rolls with it.

While Jack waits nervously for Turbulence, Ben is reading "Ulysses" by James Joyce.
According to Lostpedia, the novel is a story about the journey through Dublin on a single day (June 16, 1904) by its main character, Leopold Bloom. Damon and Carlton told viewers to read this book on one of the Dharma Special Access videos. A quote from page 316 of the novel is hidden in the source code of the Ajira Airways website. The final chapter [of Ulysses] is named "Penelope".
Note the tender concern that Ben shows to Jack: "No, Jack, [Locke’s suicide] wasn’t your fault ... Let me give you some privacy" [to read the Suicide Note] Ben simply cannot concern himself with the fates of inconsequential "civilians" because his energy is devoted to the Important Players on Team Jack

The note reads: "I wish you had believed me". John’s wish came true. And it was no coincidence. After Jack wakes up on his back, the note fragment he retains reads: "I wish" Once again, we are reminded that on LOST, certain Very Special people can Manifest their Wishes - maybe even posthumously.
As the (expected) turbulence hits, Hugo glances over at his fellow passenger and says: "Dude, you might wanna fasten your seatbelt" - as he fastens his eye-mask! [Classic]

The ensuing Whiteout should have clued us in to the fact that our Losties have been Time-shifted.
The Flight 316 survivors are spread out. The shiny DHARMA van looks like it just drove off the Back to the Future parking lot. Jin’s DHARMA symbol appears to resemble a Sheriff’s star. Maybe he was sent out to look for crash survivors. His hint of a smile implies that he recognises and remembers his fellow Losties. He’s been living in this time period long enough to have landed a DHARMA job. Is Daniel working in the Orchid basement at this moment? Is James hauling rocks?

Will we see 2008 Ben bump into his early 1970's self?

What role, if any, will our Losties have in the upcoming (early 1990's) Purge?
Note that the left-behind children will "now" have 30 years to grow up and ... get to the Island in 2004 Island Time?

Will the Island resurrect Locke as Locke? Or ... (my best guess) as Jacob?

I’m currently of the opinion that the Island has - or will have - a "split personality" a Jekyll/Hyde conflict (remember that Beer clue?) within itself ... a black/white civil war reflected among the Island inhabitants themselves. I think it may be this "Family" that John/Jacob is supposed to "bring together again" per Boone’s Sweat Lodge comment