Despite last week’s relative step backward (enjoyable as it was), things still feel like they’re moving forward, perhaps because we’re starting to see gaps in our historical knowledge of the Island filled in. Dharma, the Hostiles, Widmore, Ellie Hawking, the four-toed statue, the Temple; all of this stuff is relevant to what we’ve already seen and heard about in four seasons of Lost.
Of paramount importance is Daniel’s statement: “whatever happened, happened.” The past and future are set in stone now that Locke has put the Island back on its “normal” course through space-time. Faraday would have the castaways now believe that each of them has a set path that runs through time; there is no changing their destinies, whether it be in the past, present or future.
Now, does this mean the 815 survivors were always going to be a part of the Dharma Initiative in the early 70’s? I’m starting to feel the paradox headache coming on… If Dan’s right and there’s truly no way to change the past or future, then that’s how we’d have to look at it: Sawyer, Jin, Juliet and Miles were always meant to go back in time and become part of the Initiative from 1974 onward. Where, then, were they during The Purge in 1992? Did they actually die with the rest of the poor souls living there?
All of this is just posturing before I say nay; I don’t think they were always a part of that history. We’ve already seen the past can be altered to change the future. Faraday gave Swan Desmond information that made its way into the memory of “Present Day” Desmond (whatever “present day” actually means at this point) to aid him in finding his mother, Eloise Hawking. Now, despite the fact that Desmond is viewed as “special” because he was exposed to the electromagnetic energy unleashed when he turned the key below Swan Station, my guess is Daniel will come to realize the future can be changed. Why else would he show up in the under-construction Orchid station keeping tabs on Pierre Chang (season premiere)? And if he believed there were no changing things, he certainly would not have helped make this video, right?
And if events can’t be changed, that means Charlotte’s going to die eventually. Before she died, Charlotte told Daniel she remembered a man who liked like him told her never to come back to the Island. Tonight, we saw a devastated Daniel whimper that he’s “not gonna tell” Charlotte; he won’t find her as a child and tell her to stay away from the Island once she leaves. If he says nothing, that would be changing the past. Will it change the outcome of Charlotte’s life? If Daniel does decide to make a go of telling her never to come back, the existing timeline dictates that she comes back anyway and dies. Faraday’s a resourceful guy with a knack for problem-solving. The record of fate is spinning, but maybe he can find a way to change the song after all. We’ve seen enough craziness to know not to get too attached to preconceptions about the laws of space and time on this Island.
What’s the deal with Sawyer having glasses in 1974? He didn’t get them until after they were on the island…is that consistent with the timeline, or might it have any significance?
What do you mean by “He didn’t get them until after they were on the island?” He needs glasses. He found some in the plane wreck (2004 timeline). I’m sure the Dharma Initiative gave him new glasses in 1974.