LOST: The Economist [ANALYSIS]

Time Dilation

Faraday's rocket didn't arrive on the island when it should.  In fact, it would seem to have been affected by some sort of relativistic action, most obviously time dilation.  The fact that it arrived way late, and that the clocks were different, is a no-brainer.

But why?  If the Swan hatch and presumably the black hole, or other space-time-magnetic device contained therein have been destroyed, then what is going on?  Maybe the Swan didn't contain anything of the kind, but merely a mechanism to keep the space-time side effects in check?

That kind of makes sense if you think about it, especially if you consider Faraday's remarks.  "This is not good!"  Maybe the spacetime distortion surrounding the island is getting worse?  I wonder, if that's the case, is there some sort of "event horizon," that once passed, will eventually render the island lost (ha) forever?

For those who don't know, any gravitational field has relativistic effects on matter passing through it.  When you hear the terms "red shift" and "blue shift" this is general relativity at play.  Light moving away from a large graviational mass will lose energy, resulting in a shift in its frequency downwards, towards "the red."   Similarly, light approaching a gravitational mass gain energy, and gets shifted towards "the blue."

But it will also have special relativistic effects, such as time dilation, which we've witnessed here.  As the rocket approaches the island's "black hole" (for lack of a better term.)  it increased in energy and speed to the point where the rocket's time started to slow down.

Consequences?  I can't wait for the explanation behind this one!

More curious is Frank's warning to Faraday about hanging up on Minkowski.  Just another physics in-joke or something more sinister?

Jacob's Cabin

What do you mean it's gone?  Is Jacob PO'd at Locke and just doesn't want to talk to him right now?  And again with the ashes/sand!  What's the significance?  If it's not to protect Jacob, or to "cage" him, then what?

The Bracelet

So who is "R.G."?  Regina?  Someone else?  The initials don't ring a bell for me.  Maybe I'm forgetting something key from previous episodes?  And why would Elsa have a nearly identical bracelet, in the future no less?

The Faustian Element

But of course the big story of "The Economist" is Sayid in the future.  Just as he said, apparently at some point he started to trust Ben.  In the process he's "sold his soul," and returned to what he does best, I suppose.  I can't imagine the process that led up to this, but I'm guessing we'll find out at some point.

Anyone care to put a guess on the table as to who our dead Italian was?  Mr. Avalino(?)  Again, it seems obvious that he should be scared of Sayid, and more importantly scared of...

Ben of the Future

It's also clear that Ben makes it off the island now.  AND it's clear
that he's not one of "the Oceanic Six."  Did he sneak off the island
separately?  Was he hidden from everyone else? Protected by the other
six?  Maybe that is him in the box Jack went to visit?! Could it
possibly be Kate's "him?"  Is he pulling everyone's strings in the
future? Argh!

And what of Sayid's discovery of Ben's stash of civilian clothing, money and passports.  Seems pretty clear that indeed he has been off the island in the past.  Several times, under several different identities.  We are left to assume that all of this occurred before the destruction of the submarine, of course.  But exactly when, and for what nefarious purposes?

But why is everyone out to get Ben?  I'm starting to question my Abaddon is DHARMA theory.  Although its still in the back of my mind.  Like I said last week, he did affect the termination of the entire DHARMA island experiment.  But is there another reason?  I'm starting to wonder if his involvement doesn't go beyond that?  And, going out on a limb, maybe its something that Alpert is involved in also?

Elsa's Boss

Ah, but just who is Elsa's mysterious boss man?  Abaddon, perhaps?  Maybe we're witnessing the beginnings of the the war between the "bad guys" and the "good guys" here?  Since Sayid was out to get him, presumably on Ben's orders, he's probably pulling some of the strings, which makes Abaddon an obvious choice.

Two to Go! (not one! )

Who's the last two of the Six?  Honestly I find this "Oceanic Six mystery" kind of a distraction from the core of the story.  Sure its important but they're playing it to the max, aren't they?  Next week we are supposed to find out more, and the preview would indicate that there'll be a lot of Sawyer....  surely not?

Desmond

So, if Naomi knows about Desmond, does the rest of the freighter crew?  What will become of that little scenario?  Frank claims to not know who Penny is.  Do you believe him?

Other Stuff

Did I miss anything?  I'm pretty sure I did miss a couple of not-so-key bits, like the title of the book on Ben's shelf that Sayid saw.

Speaking of "Other" stuff....  One thing that's bothered me about this season so far is this:  Where are the rest of the Others?  We've not seen them once so far.  The last we heard from them was when Ben and Alex went after Jack on his way to the radio tower.  They were heading off towards "The Temple" if memory serves.  But why are they staying out of all of this?  Just to stay under the freighter crew's radar?

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