I didn't see this anywhere but I have an inclination that this is a big tell just like the scar from opening of LA X that there is no alternate reality. I'm not buying what Jack's mother said to be true even though it may actually be the reality for her. Think about how nothing is pure happenstance in this show. Using the age of 7 or 8 is important because by that age anyone would remember a traumatic event like having your appendix removed. When Jack looked in the mirror he was clearly confused but not to the point of never remembering it ever taking place just the when and how was completely unfamiliar.

We all know that in season 4 Juliet removes Jack's appendix on the island. At the time it was very very pointless if you think about it. Needless filler because lets face it, no one honestly believed Jack was in any danger. So why do it? Why write that in? Unless of course you knew that somewhere down the line it would connect the dots in a major way and you could use the appendix removal as a vehicle to what is occurring in season 6

They harped to us about "course correction" at the midway point in the series. So the reset happened in 1977 and for anyone who was never on the island the reset is simple. Since we know the island operates in a different plane of time (Season 5) the events on the island all actually happened independent of the time line we all know. So if the island is underwater and not "existing" to fix the time line for anyone who went to the island the universe needs to course correct itself to fit in all the people who were on the island because they are all anomalies in time. By fixing it the memory to Jack's mom and everyone who know's Jack (people who have nothing to do with the island) is that his appendix was removed when he was 8 even though in reality it never happened that way. But if Jack were to come across Juliet there may be that hazy memory that she in fact was the one who operated on him.

I think as time goes on more people are going to have deja vu moments where the course correction memories are going to conflict with their real memories. Which is why Locke looked at the alarm and it sounded like a countdown in The Hatch. It is also why Claire was quick to name her son Aaron and how for a split second Kate seemed shocked. It also explains Jack's reaction to Desmond on the plane. Anytime an event is being referenced or connected that actually happened on the island is where the conflict is going to going happen (ie Clairs baby, Jacks appendix). When Hurley meets Locke and when Locke meets Ben nothing in the conversation would lend itself or connect it to the island so there is no hesitation or conflicted memory.

So I guess what I am saying is that there really is only one time line and its a course corrected time line as if the island doesn't exist in the future but that doesn't mean that the events on the island never happened if that makes sense.

I made a post like this after the first episode. Everyone at the airport and in the plane were giving each other second looks, etc. Why would that happen if it's "alternate reality"?

So I guess what I am saying is that there really is only one time line and its a course corrected time line as if the island doesn't exist in the future but that doesn't mean that the events on the island never happened if that makes sense.

If the island is the past and they are living now w/ residual memories in their head, i.e. the "alternate reality" is the present and only one then what's the whole point of the show? :o

So I guess what I am saying is that there really is only one time line and its a course corrected time line as if the island doesn't exist in the future but that doesn't mean that the events on the island never happened if that makes sense.

I'm inclined to believe that there are indeed two separate realities in existence, but only one of each character. I think everything that's happened on the island since the crash all the way up to now is directly affecting the alternate timeline, despite never having actually occurred in that reality. The characters seem to be living both realities simultaneously, and changing according to their experiences in each.
100%
I made a post like this after the first episode. Everyone at the airport and in the plane were giving each other second looks, etc. Why would that happen if it's "alternate reality"?

Like I said, maybe the characters are living both lives and just don't realize it on a conscious level. That would explain why they might be struck at the sight of eachother with a sense of deja vu despite never having met eachother in that reality.

Have you ever seen Donnie Darko? In the end, Donnie had to destroy the new timeline in order to preserve the original, but when he succeeded at this all of the characters he'd affected in doing so awaken with that same inexplicable sense of deja vu. Frank, for example, raised his hand to his left eye where Donnie had shot him. Of course Donnie never shot him, not in the original timeline- but for the briefest of moments Frank seemed to remember being shot in the eye anyway and needed to check just to be sure. It's as though the events of the secondary timeline were still with the characters even though they never actually happened, like a foggy dream you can't remember but can't quite shake off.

So I guess what I am saying is that there really is only one time line and its a course corrected time line as if the island doesn't exist in the future but that doesn't mean that the events on the island never happened if that makes sense.

Pretty much what I'm thinking as well.

Speaking of "course corrections" you are missing the biggest one. Jack's father being missing. I'm going with his father is the candidate (not Jack) and stays on the island therefore his body disappears.

There's also the blood spot on Jack from the very beginning of LA X which I expect will be someone from the island. Honestly, I thought that was pretty much a dead giveaway at the time.

This also means the island hasn't sunk yet, which I expect to occur in the finale.



If the island is the past and they are living now w/ residual memories in their head, i.e. the "alternate reality" is the present and only one then what's the whole point of the show?

Short version

- They lost their way in life
- They go to the island to learn a lesson, find their way, whatever
- They find their way so they get off island

For example Locke refused to except his condition and then after the island excepts it.

We all know that in season 4 Juliet removes Jack's appendix on the island. At the time it was very very pointless if you think about it. Needless filler because lets face it, no one honestly believed Jack was in any danger. So why do it? Why write that in? Unless of course you knew that somewhere down the line it would connect the dots in a major way and you could use the appendix removal as a vehicle to what is occurring in season 6

I didn't think it was pointless in season 4 , i thought it was about jacob and his healing qualities...apparently like Rose said and like Ben he was sick on island...when has always healed very fast and Rose too. We also know from Pickhett in season 2 that Jack wasn't on jacob's list...was it a lie or was he added later??? Or he's this something more to it...


At this point i think the bodies of the losties in the alttimeline are from 2007 but their consciousness seems to be from 2004. Maybe they are experiencing something like Desmond in The constant. And maybe it could explain the womb Richard was showing to Juliet...for Juliet it was a 70 years old woman...but Richard said it was from a 24 years old woman or something like that...

Maybe, just maybe this just another "difference" in the ALT. Jack had his appenidix removed in the original timeline and it was removed in the ALT....just at an earlier age. Though I guess that theory wouldn't call for much speculation.

I think your right Calypso...FBYE & The Constant surely are huge clues to this alt. Time stuff. Thank you for bringing up that womb very relevant!

His scar was still to fresh to be there since he was eight. Also it was on the wrong side wasn't it? When I got out of the shower yesterday I looked down and after come searching (because it's just a faded line) I found it . Went to the mirror and it was still on my right side in the mirror not reversed so that it looked like it was on my left side as everyone was posting yesterday. Also when Jack was wrapped in the towel and kind of opened it to take a second peek he was looking at his left side. But Jack didn't say anything about the placement of the scar, he just noticed it looked more recent than it should.

I thought it was very interesting, because of course seeing the scar immediately made me think of the island. I think he was remembering, and I think the memory of him having it taken earlier that his mom told him about was a story...for a moment there, it looked like something in his subconscious wasn't buying.

I didn't notice it was reversed, rocker--interesting, more mirror imagery!

Screencap (http://gallery.lost-media.com/displayimage.php?pid=136054&fullsize=1)
Screencap (http://gallery.lost-media.com/displayimage.php?pid=136051&fullsize=1)

Scar looks to be on the proper side to me.

Screencap (http://gallery.lost-media.com/displayimage.php?pid=136054&fullsize=1)
Screencap (http://gallery.lost-media.com/displayimage.php?pid=136051&fullsize=1)

Scar looks to be on the proper side to me.

In the mirror it is on Jack's right side. In the second screen cap it is on his left.

Edit to add: Never mind, both shots are in the mirror.

In the mirror it is on Jack's right side. In the second screen cap it is on his left.

There both looking at from the same angle, Devera. Both shots are looking at the mirror.

There both looking at from the same angle, Devera. Both shots are looking at the mirror.

My bad, I misunderstood.

My bad, I misunderstood.

No worries. I made it confusing by posting both caps :dongetit:

What year did ALT-JACK get his appendix taken out?
I have no idea how old Jack Sheppard is supposed to be or when his birthday is. Which means I have no idea if Alt-Jack got his appendix taken out before 1977 or after 1977 (or rather pre or post Incident).

For reference, from "The Lighthouse":

JACK: Good. Now, mom, when did I have my appendix taken out?
MRS SHEPARD: You were seven, or eight, maybe. You collapsed at school. Your father wanted to do the procedure himself, but they wouldn't let him. You don't remember that?
JACK: Yeah, I... I guess I do.

It's interesting that the ages 7-9 is coming up a lot. We were just discussing Sawyer's parents being killed some time in the 7-9 range.

For reference, from "The Lighthouse":

JACK: Good. Now, mom, when did I have my appendix taken out?
MRS SHEPARD: You were seven, or eight, maybe. You collapsed at school. Your father wanted to do the procedure himself, but they wouldn't let him. You don't remember that?
JACK: Yeah, I... I guess I do.

It's interesting that the ages 7-9 is coming up a lot. We were just discussing Sawyer's parents being killed some time in the 7-9 range.

So now all we need is the year Jack was born. I looked on lostpedia and couldn't find it, although I didn't spend an hour looking for it there either.

So now all we need is the year Jack was born. I looked on lostpedia and couldn't find it, although I didn't spend an hour looking for it there either.

I checked with the Fox Den, and they reminded me that Christian says to Sawyer that he has a son around Sawyer's age. That makes Jack the same age (perhaps give or take a few years) as Sawyer.

Could this also be another separation point in time? When our Losties are 7 or 8 or whatever their age is in 1977 when the Incident happens, could they be having their own "incidents"? IE Jack with his appendix (serious issue if it bursts and he collapsed at school), Sawyer with his parents getting shot (no explanation needed).
How old was Kate when she got busted for stealing the lunch box? Or rather what year was it.

Locke, Hurley ?

you are a shrewed man! great post!

Could this also be another separation point in time? When our Losties are 7 or 8 or whatever their age is in 1977 when the Incident happens, could they be having their own "incidents"? IE Jack with his appendix (serious issue if it bursts and he collapsed at school), Sawyer with his parents getting shot (no explanation needed).
How old was Kate when she got busted for stealing the lunch box? Or rather what year was it.

Locke, Hurley ?
It was in the 90's when Kate stole the NKOTB lunchbox.

Has anybody noticed that jack's tattoos are gone? No Thailand, no Achara. yuuupeeee

Has anybody noticed that jack's tattoos are gone? No Thailand, no Achara. yuuupeeee

I didn't notice that not sure why...any screencaps on that one

this is the best one i got, so now I am in doubt. /but they clearly tried to hide his arms...
http://gallery.lost-media.com/displayimage-1526-10.html

this is the best one i got, so now I am in doubt. /but they clearly tried to hide his arms...
http://gallery.lost-media.com/displayimage-1526-10.html

Ty! Wow

It looks like there are some on his left arm. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/Leuthen2/Screencaps/S6E5_Jack003.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/Leuthen2/Screencaps/S6E5_Jack003.jpg
This shows Jack's tattoos (http://getlostpodcast.iimmgg.com/image/c7dd55b4a67aee413c48aac3eb4237c8) from Whatever Happened, Happened

It looks like there are some on his left arm. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/Leuthen2/Screencaps/S6E5_Jack003.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/Leuthen2/Screencaps/S6E5_Jack003.jpg
This shows Jack's tattoos (http://getlostpodcast.iimmgg.com/image/c7dd55b4a67aee413c48aac3eb4237c8) from Whatever Happened, Happened

It's the same left arm in both, too. Wonder if the tatts are real? I doubt it. But, if they were trying to hide them they could have used make-up.