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'Lost': A spine-tingling theory!

Oct 26, 2006, 03:06 PM | by Scott Brown

Categories: 'Lost'

13032__locke2_l The theorizing has begun: Whose cancer-ridden spine was that in the X-rays on last night's Lost? Lost-ologist Ryan McGee is hoping against hope that the preview teaser was a deliberate misdirect -- and that the owner of the afflicted backbone isn't Head-Other-in-Charge Ben but Locke (Terry O'Quinn, pictured), he of the still-mysterious paralysis.

The Ben theory makes more conventional sense, of course. It would explain the sequestering of Jack, it would bind hero and ostensible villain in a morally ambiguous situation, etc. But, as a character, Locke is still adrift (in my opinion), and this twist -- that the Others once had an interest in him, and perhaps still do -- might nudge him back toward's the show's sweet spot.

That's my Halloween wish. I probably won't get it, if my previous wishes are any indication: Now and Again still hasn't returned to air, I am still not married to Linda Cardellini, and the Bloomin' Onion I ate several days ago is still with me, despite prayers and entreaties. But a boy can dream.


btduwfepr flpcrutd Mon, Feb 18, 2008 at 09:33 PM EST

fqngsuld utwf zadgnpi lebtkap kcuex yebxgkz daopfs

Robert Tue, Nov 7, 2006 at 08:21 PM EST

I've always praised the show for being realistic in an extremly far-fetched concept. But when Jack ACTUALLY TRIED TO HELP one of the dying Others?! These people that capture, torture, and completely keep him in the dark- and show him no respect at all- I don't care if he has a 'hero' complex. I don't care if it's a 'doctor ethics' thing. I wouldn't have done it. And neither would you (and you know it). That was the most unrealistic thing I've seen on the show- And they have polar bears and smoke monsters.

robert Tue, Nov 7, 2006 at 08:14 PM EST

I don't like the new characters. And where is Ms. Clu?

Lost Exposed Spoilers Thu, Nov 2, 2006 at 01:25 AM EST

Now we know, it was Ben with the tumor. It would have been an interesting twist if really it was Locke and the tumor caused his paralysis. This would be a good twist to throw at us later on, that there is a big ruse going on.

Bobby T Tue, Oct 31, 2006 at 05:24 PM EST

i think that Locke maybe had the x rays with him on the plain and that the others recovered them. they must of found out that it was Locke's because of someone else who told them that he had been in a weelchair. i dont know that is what i think. but do you think that the second island is for people who are to be quarantined from a sickness or something? maybe like Desmond. but also when sawyer and michael where on the boat when walt was taken, why didnt they see another island?

jane Tue, Oct 31, 2006 at 02:23 PM EST

I really dont think its Lockes tumor. I think its bens tumor. This show is amazing but i dont feel there is enough in each episode. Last season each episode was FULL of info and it just seems like this new season is going kinda slow. I hope a lot goes down soon! i am betting it will.
they could also be using that tumor as a ploy. they already fooled sawyer with the heart stunt.
oh and btw what is up with this "other island" they are on... why cant we see the island from the beach? they seem to see it fine dont you think locke would have noticed it.

Huh? Fri, Oct 27, 2006 at 03:16 PM EST

What a sec - Locke worked at a box company? Hurley purchased a box company after he hit the lotto, right?

Sorry if I'm a little slow on the uptake - I joined the show late and I'm playing catch up on DVD

Also, I didn't understand how Juliet could be a fertility specialist and not know her way around an OR. In medical school and her first year internship she'd have to rotate through departments, including surgery. The other thing is that fertility specialists often perform OB/GYN surgeries to repair damage and what not. Maybe she's a PhD and not an MD?

mark in nyc Fri, Oct 27, 2006 at 12:39 PM EST

I think there ae some great theories going on here but think some of them are way off. From what I have seen of the others they 1) did not bring anyone there, they were as surprised as anyone else that the plane crashed, otherwise they would have ben more prepared for it.
2) Are not as all knowing as some think they are. There equipment is not state of the art and most of it (from what we have seen) is breaking down. even the Claire episode does not make me think different.
3) So most likely they do not have the capability to clone anyone.
4) If they are the "good guys" then who do they think are the bad guys? Another group maybe, but they are the ones that took the kids as someone stated earlier Goodwin said the children are fine, and he was an other. Also, do you remember when Kelvin said he was off to see the "hostiles". So he had some clue there was another group on the island. Who they are, we don't know.

JakesBoy Fri, Oct 27, 2006 at 10:52 AM EST

I've got a theory - and I could be totally off but....

I think "The Others" can't procreate. For some reason (Dharma experiments, the island) they can't reproduce on their own.

This is why:

They steal children - to keep thier race alive.
They kidnapped Jack, Sawyer and Kate. (Jack and Sawyer to be "donors" - Kate to be the universal "mother".

This could also explain why they gave Kate the dress to wear and have been sort of flauting her in front of Sawyer (to get him in the mood) and also why Pickett screamed at Kate "Do you love him?" while he beat Sawyer. He knew that killing Sawyer would not help his race - so he wanted to make sure Kate loved him and if there was a possibility that Kate and Sawyer could mate - then he couldn't kill him.

Also - Juliette told Jack Wednesday that she is a fertility doctor......hhhmmmmm

Anyway - I could be way off - but this has been bubbling in my mind as of late.

Who knows?!?!

http://jakesboysbigbadblog.blogspot.com/


Anyway -

Regan Fri, Oct 27, 2006 at 09:40 AM EST

I think Diana is on to something with the idea that the xray could have been Locke's, but that it was not taken recently. We know Locke has had medical visits before, and would have had xrays before he donated a kidney to his father. Locke was probably about 40 at that point. If the Others really have a full history of Jack, they could surely have a full history of Locke as well. They could have obtained a copy of his old xrays and know that his tumor, by now, should be far worse. But will the Others be surprised to learn that the island seems to have healed Locke, or do they already know it's a possibility?

Zack B Fri, Oct 27, 2006 at 05:32 AM EST

It's been a while, so correct me if I'm wrong...but I thought it was implied during Season 1 that Locke's paralysis resulted from a car accident, not some malignant growth. I think the x-rays might belong to Sawyer. It seems to me the Others require some service from Sawyer that isn't entirely obvious, and perhaps Jack is just there to keep him alive and kicking, and Kate is there for "emotional support".

Josh Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 10:17 PM EST

I loved "now & again" and love you for the reference! He's fine on Without a Trace now but Eric Close was magnificent in that role!

Brian Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 05:01 PM EST

The producers said the monster will be back sometime this season. Also, if Swayer is 35 Locke can easily be around 45. I don't see him being sub 40. My question is if Locke and Rose leave the island (as Rose hinted to Bernard) would there illness comeback? If so, maybe the Others have issues to. They want to leave the island but they all have a disease when they leave the island? So that is why Juliette is a fretility doc...(to alter genese in there children before birth) and Jack is need (a doctor to treat certain patients. That would also give meaning to why the Others Live on one Island and have an Alcatraz Island as well.

Andrew Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 04:34 PM EST

Maybe this is the wrong place to ask this, but here goes:

What happened to the smoke (or spirit, or something else indecipherable) monster that plagued the Losties in season one? I know Eko had a face-to-face, but how come the beastie has cooled it? Wasn't it going to drag Locke somewhere in an episode?

It just seems like too big a mystery to leave unanswered or unaddressed.

Jakeem Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 04:09 PM EST

When Henry Gale (Ben) was being held in captivity inside the hatch, didn't he tell Locke he had come for him?

Marilee Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 04:04 PM EST

Hmmmmm, interesting theory. That would jibe with my idea that all the Losties were pre-screened and deliberately brought to the island - each for some reason. But why not just have Locke go to the PPO and get surgery, why move him 8000 miles at great expense just to get Jack's medical services? Maybe really the tumor is Ben's or another Other. Friend's clues blog is at http://www.LostExposed.com/ . Also, maybe the tumor is Julliette's and that explains all the time she is devoting to Jack. You have to think that if this is all about getting Jack to do an operation, why not have just asked him in the first place, nicely. Jack was protecting Fake Henry when the Lost-aways had captured him and imprisoned him. Why not just make a connection and ask. I don't see Jack turning down such a request.

Mia Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 04:01 PM EST

I would like to think that the tumour belongs to one of the Others but used to belong to Locke and "The Island" is acting as a balancing force.

What I see as happening is that Locke's tumour transferred from him to an Other. Even if Locke didn't have a tumour, something caused his paralysis and now one of the Others is facing the same.

The Other was killed by Sun, Eko was saved by Locke.

Sun is pregnant, maybe someone lost a baby -- good thing the Other's have a fertility specialist.

Chris Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 03:47 PM EST

Don't go dogging the Bloomin' Onion!!!

Diana Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 03:44 PM EST

When was that x-ray taken? When was Locke's kidney surgery (back when he had hair for certain)?

Whomever that x-ray belongs to has to be at least 40 but could be much older. If the Others have a file based on Jack's entire life, there's likely to be one for Locke too. I hope so at any rate. I'd love to see his character become more front and center like last season.

jt Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 03:32 PM EST

The tumor belongs to the creepy guy in the surveillance footage...(from the previews)...who is also...Ben's Twin!

Or could be Juliette's twin...

Roxanne Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 03:24 PM EST

I don't think it's Locke's, but only because of the "40-year-old man" reference. The Others have shown that they can get hold of info, and if it had been Locke's, it may have been from before island-time. And that they are showing it to Jack to prove that the island can cure disease (though not gun-shot wounds). I don't remember if there was any reference to it being cancerous, which would be hard to tell from an x-ray anyway, from what I understand.

But like I said, the age is wrong for Locke. Ben? Too obvious. Mr. Friendly? Jack would probably be just as happy to let him die. Jack himself? Sawyer? Michael?

Sparkler Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 03:13 PM EST

I'm pulling for the x-ray to belong to Jack's dad, only half because I'm clinging for dear life to my "Christian ain't dead" theory.

And since Jess B. mentioned the island's healing powers... I wonder if it's possible that Rose will get sick again and Locke will have trouble walking now that the giant magnet is gone. Or did the power come from somewhere else?

Rahul Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 02:39 PM EST

If Locke in fact has a tumor on his spine, you really think he would defiantly go to the outback for the walkabout in Season 1? Locke was in his wheelchair at the box company for some time before he went to Australia, if my understanding of the timeline is correct.

Sally -the Others have contact with the outside world; they could get anything.

toonces Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 02:24 PM EST

Locke cannot be 40-yrs old. no way no how
can't be his.

Benry it is.

sally Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 02:23 PM EST

Wait, if you think it's Locke, when would they have taken the x-rays? When did the Others have him?

e Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 02:19 PM EST

but if we believe the previews (which i know we can't always do, because they are so manipulative), jack tells someone they have a tumor next week or the week after. i just don't think locke is going to find jack in the next two episodes.

and i am a HUGE locke fan. i just don't think it is him with the tumor. but it will be fun to find out!

newbie Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 02:18 PM EST

Scott, try some Tums. It would be interesting if it is Locke's back, esp when I've been wondering if Locke and Ben are twins separated at birth. It would explain the back and forth of the paralysis, though wouldn't he be in excruciating pain? Could the Others(presuming his father was an Other) have implanted something sinister when they removed the kidney? Did they actually remove that kidney or were they monitoring this tumor that is really some kind of a something that makes one an Other? Have I proven I have no clue what I am talking about yet? Boy, only a show that great could make guessing and being wrong so much fun!

Jess B. Thu, Oct 26, 2006 at 02:16 PM EST

The x-rays could very well be Locke's. A tumor on his spine could pinch off the nerves to his legs, which would explain the wheelchair. And the Others are obviously capable of getting that sort of information!

Also, if it was Henry, that'd be really odd. Someone with a serious tumor on his spine wouldn't be moving around as easily as he does. Then again, the island has healing powers... but then again, wouldn't that have gotten rid of the tumor anyway?

Whatever the case, I love this show! I dunno' why people complain about the mystery, 'cause that's the best part.


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