I totally think it’s fair to consider that Aaron is primed to become more like MIB than Jacob…it’s one of those truths that Flocke has strategically alluded to…and I think that’s why it’s worth considering that if Aaron is one half of the ‘new’ equation, who is his counterpart?

I do remember you talking about a little babe for Kate, so I figured at this point it’s worth bringing back up. Especially now that we’ve also seen a fatherly Jack, transformed and a bit more free from his daddy issues in the Sideways timeline. It would be interesting to see this on-island “I’d be a terrible father” have that come to be reality in both timelines. (I still have no idea what to call them, so “timelines” it is for now.)

If Kate is pregnant, I would have to jokingly call it destiny at this point… Here is another way of looking at it, too…is Aaron supposedly going to be the last Shephard we see? Or will David come back into the picture? If at the end of the series Jack is the one who sacrifices himself for the “greater good” or something, then it would seem appropriate to have an opportunity for the Jack Shephard lineage to continue somehow. I think Jack’s freedom from his daddy issues needs more resolution beyond what we saw between him and David. His child is a fitting way to bring that about…so if it’s David, then okay, I’ll just need to see more of Sideways Jack’s life to believe it.

About the Sideways timeline or “occurrences” as you bring up…

I don’t think we have given enough thought to the purpose behind the timeline. That’s why I’m not satisfied simply calling it MIB’s timeline. Just like the Flashbacks revealed “who are these people, what are their stories, why are they doing (or not doing) the things on the island that they are…?” I think it’s worth looking more closely at the behaviors and choices as they coincide with on-island storylines. (Hope that big long sentence makes sense.)

That’s why I agree about Kate’s “running issues” and how we’re finally going to get back to those soon. So she’s been ‘caught’ by Sawyer now… It’s their second interaction since LAX, and he will either let her go (again) or we’ll see some more development that will probably overlap with what is happening on island. (Wouldn’t it be interesting to see Mars shoot Sawyer in Sideways timeline?) I think whatever Sawyer thinks he’s plotting on island is going to connect with whatever comes to be in Sidewaysville. I’m sure there will be some trust issues and ultimately getting back to “why Kate runs” from another perspective. Ben chose not to sacrifice Alex, so will Kate choose to stop running or will she just finally get caught for good?

Thanks for the kind words. You know me…I love a good character analysis any day. Looking forward to your post, too.

You are totally right about what would have happened to Ben if he had followed Flocke’s directions. The “protecting of the island” appeal was just to play to Ben’s power issues. Isn’t it interesting how for someone who looks as if he is giving some pretty straightforward ‘answers’, he is contradicting himself to the point of lying at times? Jacob’s lack of straightforwardness could be construed as deceitful, too…but so far from what I can remember, I wouldn’t say he’s lied to anyone.

Im glad to see theorizing on small bits of the show, rather than chasing the ‘dream’ of uncovering Lost…

That conversation with Kate was amazing…not unlike every conversation Locke has had with anyone this season.

My favorite line so far came in this episode, “Its kill or be killed…and I dont want to be killed.”

This line you wrote…
Remember discussions last year about how Kate and Jack’s little pre-316 overnighter could have produced a little Jack2 in Kate? Hmmm….

Lol…that is kind of the end to my “Greatest…” theory that I wrote right before the season started…good stuff. I am aware of the likely-hood of it going down the way I said it, but I cant help but feel that there is a purpose of Kates night visit with Jack, right before returning…good call…

You present some good options for Kate.

I have to ask though since you brought it up, do you think Kate was ‘pushed’ into visiting Jack…she was in and out…Sawyer himself couldnt have pulled a better one nighter?

I find it interesting that Kate has interactions with the people off island, that she seemed the closest with on island. Claire and Aaron, Sawyer, and even a quick scene with jack on the plane.

Many things like this lead me towards the direction of off island being more of an ‘occurrence’ that will turn up not exactly real…but as you allude, it obviously will mean something.

Bens redemption off island leads to his redemption on island, at least from a narrative perspective.

Im glad you are following Kates story, its something many here are ignoring, seemingly out of ‘boredom’. But its a tale that carries significance due to not having a clue what Kates role is now.

I think as Kate does what she does, which is ‘run’ (makes you think back to Jack screaming “RUN KATE”)…people will follow.

It wont be until Kate stops running, which I feel will occur off island first, that she will find her role in all of this.

I do think that she will not let Claire go. The idea of her sacrificing makes sense.
She feels responsible for leaving Claire and separating her and Aaron, and I feel she will do everything possible to fix what she feels that she broke…the question is, if she herself carries a child, how would that affect her decision making skills in regards to a self sacrifice…hmmm indeed…
;]

A great post. Im very happy you are staying with Kate…a very different path than many here have chosen…

I have more to say on this, and Im trying to get something out before the episode on tuesday…but I will come back to this…good post, and I really hope you can get a handle on Kate.

I feel its something that many are steering clear of due to lack of information and ideas…again, great job…