Unsolved Mysteries: My Top 5

One of the hallmarks of this show is its ability to leave doors open, while not losing (too many) viewers to frustration. If you look back at the first season of the show, we thought about the possibility of Others on this island, and wondered about it with the same intensity that we now wonder if Juliet is good or evil. In other words, look at how far we've come. Many decry the show's arrogant attitude toward viewers, claiming that they pose more questions than they answer, knowing that they don't have to answer to anyone because they won't lose addicted viewers. But that's the beauty of LOST. Not to go sound like a religious fundamentalist, but there is a master plan, a storyline, a point A and a point B. And the best part of "The Answer" is the journey we take to get there. As such, the writers make that journey all the more scintillating by carefully manipulating storylines and plot points, leaving some doors wide open, shutting some and throwing away the key, and leaving a few others open just a crack. And be glad they do because, like it or not, it's what makes this show so good.

With that said, there are a few questions that plague me still. The top 5 that give me fits and prevent me from getting to sleep are:

5. What happened to Jack?
Something happened. You don't just go from unadulterated anger to a Kennedy Family Football Game without something going on. Brainwashing? Possible, but that would've messed him up more. A deal with Ben? Also possible, but I don't think a mere deal (from a notorious liar such as Ben) would be enough to so drastically alter Jack's demeanor. I really just don't know, but I think all of it is part of Jack's new plan -- to fend for himself. Looks like the good doc is taking a page out of his new girlfriend's book. And that's interesting, coming from the man who coined the titular phrase of last season's finale: "Live Together, Die Alone."

4. Jack and Juliet's Plan.
Nobody would argue that there is a plan after last week's eerie ending, where the two coyly hinted at a hidden agenda. But what are they hiding? My Lost Sixth Sense tells me it can't be something too evil -- if it were, they would've done a much better job of hiding it instead of acting like a 3rd grader with a playground secret. I have a hard time believing their plan will hurt the Survivors, as they don't have a reason to do that (that we know of). Rather, I think it's a matter of them making good on their promise to each other to survive and get rescued... no matter what. But how do Naomi, the phone, the helicopter, Ben's ominous "see you in a week" warning and the rest of the survivors play into that promise?

3. How does Locke fit into Ben's plans?
Locke is unlike anyone Ben has ever dealt with. His connection with the island is stronger than anyone's, so much so that Ben seems to think it was Locke (and his powerful mind) that brought Cooper to the island. Someone as manipulative as Ben has surely put LOADS of thought into how to best use Locke to serve his purpose. But how will he do that? And, maybe a better question, what is that purpose?

2. The Corporate Overlords.
Maybe I watch this show too much. Maybe I'm too liberal. Maybe a little bit of both. But I find myself unable to part with the idea that there is a connection between corporations like the Hanso Foundation, Paik Industries (Sun's dad's company) and The Widmore Corporation (Penny's dad's company). All of these corporations leave their mark all over the show; from Widmore-brand pregnancy tests to a Paik Industries banner hanging from the building in the background of a Charlie flashback to the explicit mention of the Hanso foundation in the Pearl Station's Orientation film. It's hard to imagine what kind of a common thread there might be here, but my guess is that the leaders of these corporations are in some sort of concord. Apart, they are mere faceless corporations. But together, they could pose a much more sinister threat, with the ability to do something like, ummm, I don't know, stage a plane crash? (Cue that melodramatic "Duh duh duh" music.) If there is a tie, it's importance can't be understated (hooray for conspiracy theories!).

1. The Other Others.
We've been told (those of us who nerd out and listen to interviews with the writers) that there are, indeed, two groups of "Others" (and I use the term "Others" loosely). Patchy alluded to a "purge," in which Dharma scientists were pitted against some sort of insurgency (if I remember correctly, Ben's crew is comprised of said insurgency, or at least remnants of it). But why? What led to conflict? Who's good, who's evil? Who's left? Who really won? And what effect does "The Purge" have on the current island structure. I think this is something that will be at least touched upon, if not thoroughly addressed, in this week's offering: "The Man Behind the Curtain," a Ben-centric episode. An enormous lingering part of this mystery: Jacob. Who is this man that Ben fears so much, and who seems to have some sort of omnipotent presence? I could talk more about that, but what would I write in Wednesday's preview? (That, my friends, is a tease. See you Wednesday).

Far too much time on my hands,
Charlie.