Here's to Being Dead

The current, active names on the cave walls are as follows:

4 – LOCKE
8 – REYES
15 – FORD
16 – JARRAH
23 – SHEPHARD
42 – KWON

I assume I don’t have to explain the origin of those numbers, right? As to their significance, Esau dismisses them, saying only that Jacob “had a thing for numbers.” Like much of what Esau is telling Sawyer while trying to win him over, a load of a crap. I’ve previously spoken of the Valenzetti Equation and its relation to the Numbers, using them to calculate “the exact number of years and months until humanity extinguishes itself.” [Lostpedia] It was the goal of the the DeGroots (founders of the Dharma Initiative) to find a way to manipulate those numbers to change the course of destiny and save humanity. Full disclosure, this is all stuff from the online campaigns/games that have taken place during season hiatuses in the past, so I can’t say with certainty that this should be considered show canon.

Those in previous “attempts” were assigned different numbers, apparently. 10 – MATTINGLY; 291 – DOMINGO, etc.

That said, this explanation dovetails nicely into the theory that Jacob was bringing various individuals to the Island to try and save humanity somehow, vis a vis protecting the Island and whatever power it has. Jacob brought Locke, Hurley, Sawyer, Sayid, Jack, and one of the Kwons (Jin or Sun or both, we don’t yet know) to the Island with that intent in mind. Those six human variables could serve as the long-sought-after solution to the problem Jacob has been trying to solve for God only knows how long. How he picked these folks in particular is not yet known, but we know he somehow set them off on the course that would lead them here at various points in history, intercepting them at various points in their lives back on the mainland. Now that one of those six has perished (Locke), will the solution fall apart once again? Not so fast. Counting the Kwons as one, Jacob visited and touched seven — not six — of our castaways back on the mainland.

Yep, everyone sigh in exasperation, this means much more Kate in our futures. Kate, never onscreen during tonight’s episode, could actually be its titular character. Perhaps she will serve as a substitute for Locke and fall into place when she solves the equation by finally picking between Sawyer and Jack. Okay, maybe not quite like that, but you get the idea. Put on your Jeff-reaching-again hats as I speculate on a metaphorical level that Kates constant running is due in large part to her lack of inclusion as one of the Numbers scrawled on that cave wall. Her destiny, ordained when Jacob touched her as a child, was never fulfilled by her assignment of a Number. Now that Locke’s been crossed off, I could see her running finally ended if Sawyer chooses the right one of the three options Evil Locke/Man-in-Black/Esau lays out for him at episode’s end. (By the way, can you guys just finally give us his name, please, Lost creators? All these slashes and nicknames are becoming a pain in the ass to keep track of.)

One, Sawyer could continue to do nothing and just live out his days on the Island, essentially maintaining the tumultuous “life” we’ve witnessed over six seasons. Since this is the final season of Lost, my guess is that option won’t be the first choice, especially since there are no clean underpants on the Island.

Two, Sawyer could replace Jacob as the Island’s ultimate protector, attempting to solve that equation. Picking the variables of the equation is apparently one of the protector’s duties, and we have a slot to fill. While I’m being facetious with the Sawyer/Jack choice Kate would have to make, perhaps it’s more relevant who Sawyer chooses as the replacement #4 (should he choose option #2): he could choose Kate and set her on the path to her ultimate destiny and put an end to her running.

Of course, it looks like Option #3 will be in our immediate futures. Sawyer looks to be all for helping Esau get the hell off the Island, shirking whatever apparent responsibilities are untended now that Jacob is gone. While it’s important we never assume Jacob to be good and Esau to be bad, based on their actions and attire, I have a hard time believing Esau’s leading Sawyer on the path of the light and righteous (a terrified Richard Alpert would seem to agree). Time will tell, but for now things are weighing in the dark side’s favor, whether good or evil.

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