Dear Mr. Quinn,

I've got a bit of a complicated question for you. (I hope I can word it so that it makes sense...) Locke's reactions in "Hearts and Minds" got me thinking. When Boone explains what he saw in the jungle, Locke doesn't seem to be too surprised. I mean, obviously he knew that the fruit goop was a hallucinogenic, but imagining that your sister is dead is a pretty surprising thing. Did Locke know--or have an idea--of what Boone would see? Did he know that thinking Shannon was dead would make Boone feel relieved? I've been looking back over the last few episodes, and Boone doesn't seem to let on anything about his relationship with his sister...not to Locke anyway. So, I suppose my main question is "How much does Locke know about the other survivors?"* Really, he seems sort of omnipotent, which is a little creepy. Did he always know this much, or did seeing the island monster give him special mind-reading powers? (That one's a little bit silly, I know.* ;) )

Well, enough rambling from me. I hope you can make either head or tail (or both!) of this question....* :-\

Thanks very much,
Jill

Hi Jill,
I don't think Locke had to be omnipotent to see that Boone was obsessed with Shannon and that she didn't seem to care much about him. When Boone attacked Locke in the caves after he saw Shannon "die," Locke said, (at least in the script,) "Is that what it made you see?" Locke didn't know what Boone was going to see on is "trip," but must have had enormous faith in the Island to reveal something to Boone. It's almost as if Locke thinks of the Island possesses some sort of conciousness, and believes in it's benevolence, or at least it's rightness. Hey, I'm curious too.

Thanks, Jill

Terry