'Lost' and found: Viewers search for answers about

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'Lost' and found: Viewers search for answers about ABC hit's season finale
By Amy Amatangelo
Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Why isn't Hurley losing weight?

Does Kate get her eyebrows waxed at a clandestine island spa?

And is it the same place where Shannon gets her hair highlighted?

The secrets of ABC's "Lost'' continue to confound. Last week, viewers learned that the "black rock'' was a disintegrated wooden ship. But other mysteries still linger.

What is with those numbers? Why is Claire's baby so important? Who or what is in the hatch? Will those on the raft survive?

With its cryptic clues and rabid fan base, speculation abounds. What will be revealed in tonight's two-hour season finale (at 8 on WCVB, Ch. 5)?




- They are in purgatory (Odds: 8-to-1): This is perhaps the most popular hypothesis. Many believe the survivors are all there to atone for previous wrongdoings. Among the sins revealed in flashbacks this season: Jin, Sawyer and Kate committed crimes. Charlie was a drug addict. Shannon slept with her stepbrother. This theory, however, might prove to be unsustainable and ultimately disappointing in the long run.

- They are not the only survivors (Odds 2-to-1): Are there other passengers from Oceanic Flight 815 somewhere on the island? Michelle Rodriguez certainly wasn't cast for her five-minute scene last week. Rose has long believed her husband is still alive. Plus Boone heard ``We're the survivors'' on that radio transmission. For a really out-there theory, consider this one - the same characters exist in a bizarro world in which Boone is still alive. Perhaps Ian Somerhalder did protest too much about his character's untimely demise.

- They are in a time warp (5-to-1): Similar to the mythic Bermuda triangle, they are stranded on the island of the lost where life is not moving at the same rate of time. They are experiencing months, but in real time, only one day has passed (or the reverse).

This theory quickly fizzles. Viewers haven't seen anyone currently in the outside world, so why would anyone care if their space-time continuum is a little screwy?

- They are part of a government/alien/terrorist experiment (5-to-2): They were sent to the island to be observed as to how humans react in extreme situations. Think "Lord of the Flies'' meets "The X-Files.'' With the island's monster, mysterious healing powers and bizarre hatch, this theory has legs. Plus it could all be an elaborate ruse to snatch Claire's chosen child

They are the figment of another character's imagination (Odds 15-to-1): Remember how "St. Elsewhere'' turned out to be the musings of Dr. Westphall's autistic son? Maybe "Lost'' is Walt's strange nightmare. Or Vincent the dog's? He's been rather quiet all season. If this is the case, it's far too soon to reveal it.

- They are the figment of series creators J.J. Abrams' and Damon Lindelof's imaginations (1-to-1): This is obvious, but the bigger question is whether Abrams and Lindelof know where they are going with this enigmatic show.

Will there ultimately be a gratifying payoff for devoted fans? Abrams' track record is iffy. His other shows, "Felicity'' and "Alias,'' faltered in their third seasons. Too little information tonight and next season viewers may go searching elsewhere on the TV dial.

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