Here’s what crossed my mind this morning…

Is it possible that the vial of sand that Richard brought to young Locke as one of the objects was actually ASH instead of sand?

Wouldn’t that make the ash connection that much more interesting?

I know that Lostpedia says it’s sand, and we have generally thought sand to represent the island…but I am going out on a limb and thinking it could be ash.

I have to rewatch the scene with this at some point.

BTW – Roland, good thoughts on bringing Ilana back into the mix! She definitely needs to be explained, but I like how you pointed out that she potentially looks very different now than she might have before. Good call!

I have been thinking about what Dogen said to Jack about Sayid. He said “There’s a darkness growing in him. And once it reaches his heart, everything your friend once was will be gone.”

I have the feeling there’s something to that sentence, because everything Sayid once was, was, in particular, a torturer and killer. At least that’s what the writers made clear to us.

Could it be that it actually means exactly the same as “he will lose his innocence” (Ben)? As we all know, Ben has a very dark side to him.

It would mean that Richard is responsible for the growing darkness inside Ben, and that he could very well be in cahoots with MIB/Smokey/Darkside.

She took Aaron because it was what she wanted and needed. Now, she has chosen to be ‘selfless’ and is making choices in the best interest of others, specifically Claire and Aaron. By doing this, I think Kate will end up finding the peace which has alluded her.

It makes sense because if she is finally living beyond herself (as in no longer protecting herself under the guise of protecting others) then it is very similar to Jack finally living up to his ‘destiny’ and I see how these two roles will be so significant to the “sides” among the Losties on the island. And besides, it’s not only Jack living up to his destiny (as opposed to thinking he can control everyone else’s) but that is really going to be the ultimate question for all the remaining Losties – even (dead) Locke.

For some reason Ben’s line “Destiny is a fickle bitch…” is what comes to mind as I keep thinking about Kate and her destiny… yes she’s been fickle, but I think the implications of fickle meaning ‘unpredictable’ is nagging at me with her.

Thanks for the comments and continued discussion!

We finally saw in both timelines where Kate is finally running “to” something rather than “away” from her circumstances or as you (Dabs) point out, herself. Her acknowledgment of it in this episode felt a lot like Jack’s acknowledgment of his trust issues and him not trusting himself. I would think that this kind of acceptance or ‘letting go’ is key to them (and us) figuring out the bigger picture, or what they are ‘destined’ to do.

I was happy to see you tackle many of the issues you caught that many missed, and even a few that I didnt think anyone got…one being Jack touching Sayid, and possibly saving him. Great job summerizing as well.

The Jack and Sayid thing…that will be one of those argument starters once wind picks it up…

I can say that viewing this from 2 womens perspective makes understanding Kates story easier, and I am serious with that comment.

Its interesting. Sawyers babys momman says the very same thing about why she lied about Aaron…she needed someone to give her life purpose. Sawyer left her, she picked up Aaron…and Jack briefly.
But the point is, she has always been selfish in that manner.
By her doing this…attempting to help Claire keep Aaron, gives her life purpose that benefits someone else.

I did talk about Kates meaning Kim…I believe it was something along the lines of her being more than the bottom of an on island triangle…She has to have some great meaning…some very large role.

I like this theory a lot, and have to go over all the points again, but it is great to have out before the new episode.

She is definitely not someone who is easily understood. I feel I actually know less about her than I did in the beginning, but am not picking up on many of the clues.

I do feel that Kate’s perception of herself was ‘skewed’ and that what she was running from has always been herself. Perhaps, Aaron’s presence in her life, has given her purpose, beyond herself.

Once again, nice work.

I wish I could have posted sooner, but oh well…what happened, happened.

I seem to remember someone (AES, perhaps?) recently talking about how Kate is still a mystery at this point. Isn’t that interesting that this MAJOR character that she is still leaves us wondering at times, and then this Kate-centric episode is the follow-up to “LA X”? Yes, I would say it’s laden with clues and meaning, and we are probably exactly where the writers want us to be.

Thanks for the comment, Dabs. I’ll go check out your theory while I can.