Understanding LOST: A Fan Guide

Have you been watching ABC's hit show LOST for years now and are still, well, as LOST as the shows captivating characters? Are you wondering if this will all come together in the end and actually make sense, or will we be left at the very end of the series, with nothing more than confusion over what happened on that island, why it happened and wondering if it is still happening?

If you are pondering all of this, you are far from alone. Here you will find videos and links to shed a little light on the mysteries of LOST, as developed by the internet's top LOST philosophers. Sure, they obviously had a bit of time on their hands, but many of these theories required intense research and are far beyond what you would ever imagine.

It seems that within the show, there is a character that everyone can relate to, understand or be sympathize with. They're all struggling with questions that most every human asks at some point in their life:

• Why am I here?
• What are we supposed to be doing? What is the purpose of it all? Is the goal mere survival, or is there something more?
• Who, exactly is in charge of all this? It appears that something is directing the events that are taking place -who is it?
• Are all events simply a matter of destiny? Or the result of free will?
• Why me (or us) ? Were the crash survivors brought there for a reason?
• What are the rules? It seems that they are trying to function in a place where the normal, acceptable rules simply don't apply anymore. The dead are walking around talking, people are seeing visions, things from their past, and there are countless connections between the survivors from times previous to their stay on the island.
• More recently, what happens when they leave the island? Hurley suggests that they are really dead. Is he losing his mind?

Obviously, there are more questions than answers, although you will find countless theories have been proposed on various forums across the internet. This struggle to understand, that the viewer shares with the characters, is what makes the show so interesting. Rarely do you know much more than the characters. You, as a viewer are as deeply lost as the survivors. Okay, so maybe you are not being chased by a polar bear or having your appendix removed in a tent on the beach, but you get what I mean!

The Vortex Theory:

One of the latest Lost theories was developed after the episode that covered the history of Charlotte and her ship mates. We follow Charlotte to an archaeological dig in the desert, where she sees the remains of a polar bear, with a collar from the Dharma Initiative. How did the polar bear get there?

This theory suggests that there are spots all over the globe (like the Bermuda triangle) that are vortexes of energy, creating portals. There is, of course one on the island that perhaps Ben knows how to use, since he just turned up randomly in the desert last week, not quite aware of the year, but certainly familiar with the experience. There is a clip circulating (that I don't think has been aired yet), of Jack "waking up" in the jungle in a suit and tie.

There is far more to this theory than I can cover here, as the person who developed it went to great lengths to prove how and why it is true. To find out more about this and a library of other Lost theories, go to Lost Theories.

Another subject of interest has been those pesky numbers that keep turning up everywhere. What are they all about? There are some incredible theories, that clearly took hours upon hours of research, but are basically impossible to prove. For a complete history of the LOST numbers and references, check out 4 8 15 16 23 42

For all thing related to LOST, including spoilers, rumors, explanations, themes and discussion forums, see DarkUFO

Want a closer look at Rousseau's map of the island? Check out a replica at

The Lost Map

Here is a blog where you will find recaps and discussions about the lastest episode: http://jopinionated.blogspot.com/

If you just don't have time to read up on all of the latest LOST talk, you can catch up with a podcast at LOSTCasts. Join Matt and John for detailed discussion on the newest revelations and speculation.

If this isn't enough to keep you busy, check out LOSTpedia which covers absolutely everything you could possibly want to know, from what book Sawyer was reading in season one to ongoing themes. if you are putting together a theory of your own, this is the place to go.

I know, I know, everyone is all caught up in the Jack-Kate-Sawyer storyline. Poor Kate, how could she choose, seriously? I find Desmond the most interesting and his time bouncing story line is always a little different from the rest. He struggles with seeing possible futures, and wants to prevent the coming tragedies. He simply must contend with the fact that he is not in control, he cannot effect long term the destiny of others. He can't even get his own situation straightened out.

He is initially presented as a coward, but redeems himself again and again on the island, by consistently putting himself in harms way in a futile attempt to save Charlie's life. Most recently, when leaving the island, he has a Slaughterhouse 5 style time travel experience that almost kills him. This is an obvious reference to the book, as one of Desmond's military buddies has the same name as the main character in Vonnegut's classic.

As is typical of this show, we are left wondering, yet again.

What was that all about?