"Lost" in thought: On second viewing

As a kid, I obsessed over Hardy Boys, Encyclopedia Brown and Choose Your Own Adventure novels. The spirit of solving mysteries didn't really stick with me as an adult. Until now.

A big reason why I love "Lost" is because, much like those childhood books, the show wants you to figure out the answers before you get to the end. It's a test, really. Are you paying attention enough? Are you taking what we, the creators, give you in subtle and not-so-subtle doses? So while I've abandoned crafting grand, all-encompassing theories since Season Two, armed with the knowledge that "Lost" still has to function under a simple enough premise that it can be both understood by and explained to the most casual viewer, I feel like its secrets are there for the taking. Not all the puzzle pieces, mind you. But enough that the course can be set with at least 60 percent accuracy. OK, maybe 40. OK, 10.

With that in mind, I'm going to try to watch each episode twice this season so I can see if anything pops on a second, clear-minded viewing. I'm also reading basic, day-after reviews on major Web sites, but staying away from obsessive fan ones since most die-hard theorists are not only wrong, but working on intellectual planes that couldn't possibly be incorporated into a popular TV show.

So upon second viewing ...

Line of the episode is Matthew Abaddon's (Lance Reddick) "Are THEY still alive?" For some reason, more clarity came with hearing Abaddon utter that question a second time. The logical, widely-held belief is that there are six survivors (thusly named the "Oceanic Six," as per Hurley's bellowing), and since we know there are more that six people who need to get off the island, Abaddon's "THEY" must refer to those left behind.

Does that make sense, though? If we're to assume that Abaddon is working with the bad guys from the freighter -- who, again, we'll safely assume are evil-doers because both Ben and Locke are legitimately scared and Penny is not affilated with them -- then why isn't he able to check on the island himself? If you couple that premise with the knowledge that Hurley, Jack and Kate are protecting a secret upon return to the real world, perhaps it makes sense that Locke and Jack's factions eventually work together to defeat Abaddon's crew. Locke and Jack also team with Ben's people (maybe not actually Ben because I have a feeling he dies, but say, Richard Alpert or a new leader), and once they regain control of the island, a deal is cut. Everyone knows the island's purpose and now realizes why it must be protected at all costs. Just like Michael being given the proper coordinates, whoever wants to go back can go back -- the Oceanic Six accept this offer -- with the only requirement being that the island's secrets must forever stay on the island. It is then concealed to the world again (as it was before Charlie un-jammed the equipment), and Abaddon is now on a search to find the island and discover if HIS people are still alive.

Logically speaking, this explains the return of the Oceanic Six, the secret they're holding, their ability to get off the island, and finally, why Abaddon is seeking answers. It doesn't explain why Hurley, and later Jack, feel so compelled to get back the island, unless that's a piece we're just unaware of at the moment. That before the deal to leave is cut, there's unfinished business that must be taken care of, and the Oceanic Six chooses to ignore it. That business could be something Jacob controls, for instance, an individual moral mission, much like Charlie endured on his redemptive road from junkie to hero. After all, a lot of "Losties" are learning about themselves on the island, yet many appear to be completely unaware as to how they've changed. I'm also not sure where Penny's people come into play, though I like Andy Behrendt's idea that she and Desmond stay on the island so they can be together. You also have to factor in that several people could -- and likely will -- die over the next few seasons, which could explain why only six make it off.

Also to ponder, if there were Oceanic survivors on the island against their will, would the revelation that Jack is happy to be home really stick? We're talking about a man who wanted to kill Locke because he feels compelled to play savior to his fellow castaways. If only six made it off and someone like Sayid was still in danger, does anyone really think it fits Jack's M.O. to be all "la-dee-da" back home as a spinal surgeon?

That brings us to two hidden moments that are impossible to see on second viewing. I couldn't make out that Christian Shepherd was sitting in Jacob's chair during the scene where Hurley peers into the cabin. Similarly, when Charlie presses his hand to the glass during Hurley's interrogation room scene, you can only make out a scribble, not that it reads, "They need you."

Other random thoughts the second time around:

Naomi only had to press two, maybe three buttons to change the radio settings, so Jack was clearly capable of doing so. Yet the Minkowski fellow on the other end deliberately asked for Naomi. While we already know that the freighter is full of baddies, it didn't occur to me on first viewing that Naomi was probably speaking in code to them before she died. As Locke later pointed out, it appears Kate fell for Naomi's ruse.

The interrogation scene with Hurley is revealing because there's no mention of the island or a wide spanse of time. Instead, when the cop asks about Ana-Lucia, he says, "Maybe you met her on the plane?" We can assume that everyone thinks Ana-Lucia and the other "survivors" died on impact. Again, that goes back to the secret held by the six. It also leads me to believe that time might be completely different post-Island. When Jack and Hurley get back, they'll arrive as though it's the day of the crash so as not to arouse suspicion as to their whereabouts on the island. They'll simply be plane crash survivors found amongst the wreckage. Maybe? Probably? No?

OK, so maybe I'm still theorizing a bit too much. With this blog, it just seemed like a good place to organize some thoughts and revisit them over time. I might go 1 for 40 on predictions, but hey, at least I'm trying.

That's all for this round. A new episode of "Lost" airs tonight at 8 p.m.

-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com