Quick question. Did Locke look puzzled to you when it suddenly began to pour (right after the trigger incident and the news of Charlie's death)?? Having watched it again, his expression really caught my eye. He looks surprised to me, confused even...perhaps that he didn't sense this one coming as he's done in the past?? If you get the chance to watch it again, or you noticed yourself on the first go, let me know...

If so, why would that be? Is John losing touch with the island? Does this have any significance?

I was thinking about that ... And, I don't think we should read into it too much.
The writers can't decide when it's going to rain, or they may have to wait a very long time.
If you look at Juliet, or some of the other cast, the look on their faces is almost like "Ugh. Another scene in the rain" .
I'm sure they're used to it by now, that they continue on through the rain, then the producers decide later if the rain affected the scene negatively, if not, they probably keep it. They showed that numerous times in the cages scenes - if you watch the DVD's.

Well, rain has always signified something momentous (usually bad) is about to happen in Lost. When I saw it start to rain, I immediately went into "Uh Oh" mode.

It was not an errant rainstorm on the shoot, especially when it starts at such a dramatic moment. It is always a harbinger on Lost that something significant is happening.

There was a set shot of the eppy where Charlie saved Nadia from the mugger and it showed the rainmaking apparatus they use.

I think the look on Locke's face may have been dismay that he didn't KNOW it was about to rain like he had at one time before. Perhaps he is losing touch with the Island like Ben?

They use 'rain machines' though. When we see rain in that show (most of the time anyways) you can bet it cuz the actors are being doused with water from above. Watch it again, and see what you think...

I believe the rain was made by the crew, and I also thought there was something significant about the scene. I saw Locke's expression, but didn't know how to read it. They also showed Ben looking up at the rain, as if he understood its significance as well.

The helicopter seemed to be swaying in the brief scene we saw it. Was the rain part of an impromptu storm the island "welcomed" the new arrivals with? Dunno.

I noticed that, I think it shows how Locke has maybe begun losing his union with the island. With how crazy he's been lately, maybe Locke not knowing it was going to rain was saying that he's starting to decline in a big way.

Well, rain has always signified something momentous (usually bad) is about to happen in Lost. When I saw it start to rain, I immediately went into "Uh Oh" mode.

same here, i actually blurted out "uh oh!" in the expectation of Smokey sweeping in or something. Locke definitely had an expression of "wait, THAT's not supposed to happen now", as i read it. it seemed not just confusion but also a sort of... concern, perhaps? i'd have to re-watch to be certain but that was my initial impression.

and, uh, yeah. clearly a rain machine. particularly when the camera pulls back it's pretty apparent.

Here's a shot of his expression.
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/1074/rainpy2.jpg
To me, it does look like concern but with bigger issues at hand he seems to get over it quickly.

I noticed right away - Locke and Ben are up to something! It's funny how Jack only trusted Ben to himself but let him go with Locke without thinking twice about it. Love that rain!

Here's a shot of his expression.
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/1074/rainpy2.jpg
To me, it does look like concern but with bigger issues at hand he seems to get over it quickly.


That's the perfect screenshot! Good work. Yeah, I'm really wondering if he's falling out of favour with the island, or perhaps the island is being erratic because of all the ensuing turmoil or something?

Yeah, I'm really wondering if he's falling out of favour with the island

I sure hope not.

I also noticed Locke and Ben's expressions. Locke is usually able to predict rain and this time he didn't see such a storm coming. I'm guessing the island is mad that it's been outed and "bad" people are coming

I know this is a bit off topic, but it still deals with locke. I haven't seen anyone asking why he was in the house with jacob. I guess he and locke are hanging out now. The eye that peaks out the window (locke's eye presumably) looks alot like the screencap of jacobs eye from season 3. Am i crazy for saying that?
and hurly can see jacob too. that's pretty cool.

I found it odd too. Locke looked so confused it just rained as if he felt none of it. But don't forget, Locke only predicted the rain by learning in preparation for his walkabout. Not like it was a Island connection to be able to predict the rain.
But Ben's face was worrying, as he looked just as confused. But as far as we know, Ben has no knowledge of how to predict the rain fall, so something more mystical was happening there.

I thought he did...momentarily.

Rain is usually an omen of bad things about to happen.
Locke mentioned in that scene that they needed to hurry. The rain may have been what clued him that it is happening now. His look to me is not one of surprise or puzzlement, but one of concern. In his mind, if they don't get out of there immediately, they will die.

I don't think he's losing his "communion" with the Island. If anything, his recovery from the gun shot to his gut from Ben shows his bond with the island is getting stronger. The appearance near the cabin, by Hurley also told me that something was up with Locke. I mean why was he near that cabin? Obviously up to something...

Although i'm not sure why Locke isn't pissed at Ben for shooting him in the gut.

Here's a shot of his expression.
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/1074/rainpy2.jpg
To me, it does look like concern but with bigger issues at hand he seems to get over it quickly.

Great shot! It looks like concern to me, too, but not surprise.

I also noticed Locke and Ben's expressions. Locke is usually able to predict rain and this time he didn't see such a storm coming. I'm guessing the island is mad that it's been outed and "bad" people are coming

I'm not so sure he didn't see it coming. He just doesn't say so like he has before.

I don't think he's losing his "communion" with the Island. If anything, his recovery from the gun shot to his gut from Ben shows his bond with the island is getting stronger. The appearance near the cabin, by Hurley also told me that something was up with Locke. I mean why was he near that cabin? Obviously up to something...

Although i'm not sure why Locke isn't pissed at Ben for shooting him in the gut.

Yeah, that was some recovery. I don't even think there was a hole in his shirt. :rolleyes: As for not being ticked at Ben, his miraculous recover would be one reason. He doesn't have to be anger because he now knows he's more powerful than Ben. He'll go back and tell Ben's people what Ben did and there'll be a new sheriff in Other Town. :biggrin:

Lostpedia has a nice list of the numerous occurances of forboding rain . . .

http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Rain

Why the rain during this particular scene?

I imagine too that both Ben and Locke had the look on their faces, as they know that the rain is usually providing foreshadowing of some omen, or answering some question, but regardless, is never good.

I just rewatched the episode and it definitely looks like he's surprised it started raining especially compared to the times we see him anticipating the rain.

I also noticed some weird looks Ben, Locke and Jack share when Ben states that he wants to go with Locke before Jack says that's fine.

he did look different when the rain started, but he also knew exactly when it would stop. so i dont think he's fallen out of favor with the island yet.

Yah I was just going to mention that.. He says something like "Don't worry, it'll stop soon"...
So this may go along with the theory in the HoHoHo thread re: the helicopter coming in from the cold, into the tropic of the island. Read it, if you havent already.