I thought from when they first showed it that what Desmond built was a lighting rod. I never thought that maybe it caused the storm.

As soon as Ben told Sawyer that they put a pacemaker in that he was lying. Contrary to what LOST and Pulp Fiction show, a) you would never need to put a needle 'through the sternum', b) any needle strong enough to actually go through the sternum would be about as thick as a pencil, c) there are really only 2 times you need to put a needle in someone's chest like that and that is for a cardiac tamponade or a tension pnuemothorax (the latter typically done near the clavicle). I hate that TV and movies do anything medical to make it dramatic. End of rant.

I think that whole scene with Desmond and Claire was another glimpse into his ability to 'see the future' that we saw last week with Lockes speech.

He knew the lightning was goig to hit so he asked her to move down the beach and the roof was a scapegoat. Thats why he persisted and built the lighting rod 'experiment'.

Something I noticed last week about Lockes vision during his visit to the sweat lodge has me thinking. When Boone was pushing him through the airport in the wheelchair, you can see Ben (leader of the others) doing security scans on some of the passengers using a hand-held metal detector. What gives? Any thoughts on this?

This season has definately been one of my favorites so far! After all this time we finally get to see what the 'others' are up to!

I agree that Desmond had fore knowledge that the lightning was going to strike where Claire and the baby were located. This is why he built the lightning rod to redirect the lightning.

I don't buy the separate Island bit. It is just a projection. Of course in real life it is there, since they do film on Hawaii. The Windward view mountains of Oahu are often prevalent in various scenes. So is some of the same valleys used in Jurassic Park.

I say it is the same Island because of the Dock in last weeks where the one lady was shot was on this Island and it is where Jack, Sawyer, and Kate were captured. They others didn't take a boat to try and capture Jin and the other survivors. Although it was night when she was shot and it was at least morning when they brought her back. This could be explained however due to the fact that the dock as a good hike from where they were at. Also, if the polar bears escaped from the cages that Sawyer and Kate are in, how did they get to the other island?

One thing I just remembered was that when Ben came to get Juliette it sounded like he said 'The sub is back'. Anyone else catch that?

One of the theories I have is that the spinal xray is a picture of the mysterious person that is in charge of the Others. They have mentioned before that there is a leader, but Ben and Julliete say they are equals.

The 'sub' comment could explain how they got to the dock without a boat.

Yep - I caught the sub comment - forgot to mention it. Must be some small sub.

Also - I don't thiknk Julliete and Ben are equals. I think it was obvious to me that they may SAY they are, but Ben is really in charge. (Remember in ep1 how tired she seemed of the whole thing.)

I think much like how the survivors are all equals, but it takes one person taking charge to get them to do anything, the others are all equals but Ben has been taking charge for so long he (and they) are acclimated to it now and don't notice he really is running things.

Desmond built a lighting rod to protect claire. Shows his new found pyschic ability.

The tumor is ben's, in the preview they show him and then Jack talking to someone saying that the tumor is going to kill you. But they dont ever show who he is talkin to.

He also did say the sub is back, I have a clip on my lost site http://www.lostreview.com

No one mentions the two islands?

so the lady is a fertility doc . . . i wonder if they need sawyer and kate to do the love hustle and have a child. that's why the guy was so emphatic with the "do you love him" when he was beating on sawyer. they need kids to keep their secret civilization going. i know i'm a genius for thinking that up, thank me later

I don't agree Evan. I don't think Desmond was trying to protect her - I think he was forcing the storm.

I did mention the island in my review and I think folks already commented on it Evan.

oops i must have missed that.

I def think he was trying to protect her, thats why he nearly insists that she let him build her a new roof and that she should move to another location for the day.

she declines then he throws up the lighting rod. It was another instance for us to see his new psychic abilities.

I didnt see Desmond doing any rain dances. Theres no way he conjured up the storm. He new it was coming and thats why he tried to fix Claires roof, and then built a lighting rod to attract the lighting to it rather than her tent.

I agree with Evan that this was just another way he was testing his newly found psychic abilities, like when he predicted Lockes speech.

I don't know - I mean - why say he can tell the future but then say it would be silly for him to force a storm. Both seem rather magical. ;) But - considering his Locke prediction, I think you guys are right.

Remember the first season they were kidnapping all of the kids. That might play into the fertility doctor.

As for two islands, polar bears can swim so that is not a factor.

I did find it odd that Ben took Sawyer up to show him they were on two islands. Instead of preventing an escape, it seems to give him more information for an escape. At least now he knows what to plan for.

Scott - I had the same thought - it looked like the island could be close enough to swim to. Maybe?

Also - darn good point on the kids. Where in the heck are they? Why don't we see the parents wailing? I'd be fighting every day like Michael was.

I also think the 'flashback' showed us something about Sawyer. His loyalty can be bought (which pretty much goes with being a con-man) and I think the Others are going to try an exploit that.

you know - as mch as i liked the flashback, the more i think about it, the more i think im getting a little bit tired of the 'con man with a heart of gold' routine. we know he aint all bad. it is time to move on. :)

Ray - The only 'tailies' left are Eco and Rose. I don't think either of them had kids.

Also, remember, there were not only kids taken, but people on 'the list'.

Seriously - those are the only ones left? Hmmmpth. My memory is failing.

Ok guys - this is my last post till I get back home. Have fun.

Bringing the conversation full swing back to MAX2006...

Did anyone else notice that in the Day 1 sneak peeks, Dreamweaver 9's code name was "Hanzo"?

Desmond called building the lightning-rod an 'experiment'. I think he already knows he can see future events (such as lightning hitting Claire's shelter). What he was testing was whether or not he could *change* the outcome. That was the experiment, imho.

I am probably thinking too much into this, but I can't help but wonder if the lady Sawyer had coned was conning him when she told him about the kid. All she had was a picture... Maybe she was working for the government to try to get Sawyer to rat out the $10 million.

The only two talies left are Eco and Bernard, as Rose in the other section with the original cast.

Desmond can somehow see the future (maybe he lived it? After all, he was found running around the forest naked, and said something along the lines that 'they' stripped him and left him there...) The lightning rod 'experiment' was to draw the lightning away from Clare and the baby. He had to call it an experiment to Hurley, as he couldn't explain how he knew what was going to happen.

What I want to know is how the Losties have never seen the second island before? In season 1, Sayeed went on a walkabout around the island, and made it at least halfway round. They have also sailed part way round, and the tailies lived on the opposite side of the island. In all of that time, how could they not see another island on the horizon? It can't be an image/project/mirage.... thoughts?

I think it is the main island itself. It definitely has odd properties (you can only escape if you head out in one direction).

My theory? Desmond can't see the future -- but he can see the past. See, all of this has happened before. Nobody knows, though -- except for Desmond (and perhaps the Others). It's kinda like Doc Brown in Back to the Future, harnessing the lightning to send Marty back. That's why Desmond knew Locke would make his little speech, because he did it before and Desmond was there seeing it. Of course, Locke, like every other Lostie, has forgotten. Don't forget that the island is a huge experiment, and experiments are only worth their salt if their results can be consistently reproduced.

Seems to make more sense to me than Desmond's sudden ability to predict the future -- but hey, it's just my opinion!

- Sung