LOST-Theories.com

I’ve no idea what the pasta dish means.

— jazprof

I was rewatching “Not in Portland” to write up the next Group1 post and started looking more closely into the Room 23 video. Lostpedia provides a pretty good breakdown of the images in the video. I went through that list and tried to come up with interpretations or connections of what the images might mean. The parts following the numbers are all taken from Lostpedia. Then I followed the descriptions with my breakdown. A good place to see a slowed down version of the video can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_etPt9J-jI

1) “Plant a good seed and you will joyfully gather fruit” superimposed on a yellow flower, a pink flower, an orange flower.

This is seen through the door and then over Sawyer’s shoulder. Later it repeats—we see it projected onto Sawyer’s face. I think the flower colors relate to the colors of Kate’s dress and shirt—suggests to me that she’s pregnant.

2) “everything changes” superimposed on: eight various antique coins, a 1921 silver dollar, a wax cylinder on top of a scattered pile of 4 CDs, a wood-burning stove, a thick pipe with a wheel valve, a drafting compass, three electronic piano keyboards.

Taken together the images show: currency, recording, energy, mapping, and perhaps the means to change. The pun on change/changes suggests that we look for doubled meanings. The wax cylinder and 4 cds leaves out a lot of the intermediary steps of change in recording devices, including records—which is what we see used on the show. So two things here—jumps in time? And the island perhaps stuck at a particular time? The three electronic keyboards—the means to bring about change has to do with musical frequencies—good vibrations.

3) 10x10 octagonal image matrix with the two central horizontal and vertical rows being two cells combined and the central four cells being combined. The images change in symmetrical patterns and include: a bright white light shining into a dark cave, a Sailboat on water in silhouette in front of a setting sun, fireworks exploding in sequence, an obstetric ultrasound.

Still on the theme of change. The matrix itself suggests the kind of blotting paper LSD is packaged on. Mind-altering drugs are tied to the real Dr. Richard Alpert, and also to the kind of CIA brain-washing techniques that are suggested by this whole sequence. I think all the images here might indicate what is possible with change? The light shining in the cave—Plato’s cave—changing one’s perception and seeing reality. Also seems to connect up to the caves on the island and the bright flashes of light that sometimes come from smokie. Sailboat—ability to leave the island, fireworks—release of energy, ultrasound—pregnancy.

4) a sequence of close ups of doll’s faces.

The dolls’ faces become more and more lifelike. The last one looks rather like Kate.

5) a statue of Buddha, close-up of a high contrast painting: a face focusing on the eyes and nose, magenta and blue plaid morphing patterns, a video clip of the Earth’s moon as it changes from half-full to full.

Mostly I’ve got nothing here—except—Buddha: need for detachment in order to bring about change, and that the video shows change happening to moon progressively, unlike the image of the wax cylinders and cds.

6) “We are the causes of our own suffering” superimposed on: a sequence of about 6 various stills of black-and-white insects, a sequence of about 5 various stills of orange fish (not in water but dead piled onto each other), an energy-saver light bulb curving to resemble a yin-yang symbol, a 3/4 full moon, a bird’s nest, a necklace ornament resembling an eye (from Turkish mythology; see Nazar), a speedometer from a 1992 or 1993 Honda Accord with the needle at zero, close-up of gears, probably from a watch, a pasta dish (no, NOT mac ‘n’ cheese!).

The insects and the fish—perhaps meaning it’s a mistake to give up free will. The energy saver/yin-yang—Dharma messed things up by tapping into energy? The ¾ full moon—instead of going from the half-moon to the full moon we are now stuck at the ¾ mark. Bird’s nest has no eggs—pregnancy problems. The Nazar—the amulet and what it protects against are called the same thing (Nazar means “evil eye”). Perhaps the numbers? They opened up something dangerous (the doors of perception—eyes) and then become the means to try to combat the danger. By causing our own suffering we have ahem zero accord. The watch has stopped. And I’ve no idea what the pasta dish means.

7) “God loves you as He loved Jacob” superimposed on yellow carpeted stairs, then—magenta and blue plaid morphing patterns and a changing white squiggle (possibly a light bulb filament) pattern superimposed on: the inside of a factory or similar facility with many pipes (sequence of three different stills), close-up of stone wall, close-up of African wooden mask, Alvar Hanso in window.

Not sure but the stone wall, the mask and Alvar Hanso’s image all suggest the them of guarding or being guarded. In addition to the fact that Hanso looks as if he might be a prisoner, his name (from Lostpedia) means supernatural guardian (Alvar) and his island (Hanso). Suggests some connection between Hanso and smokie. The light bulb filament—either the energy Dharma tapped into and is now trying to guard, or the way to break through the guarding/imprisonment.

8) “think about” and then “your life” in bold white letters superimposed on a black background morphing into a octagonal matrix of symmetrical image squares that include: a bee, a mask or face statue art, a black object with a round bottom and three prongs at the top.

One important thing here is that these words are again seen projected on Sawyer’s face. And he is by this time mesmerized by the video (Kate and Alex are not.) Kate has to scream “help” at him to get his attention. The bee—similar to the insects and fish. Sawyer maybe in particular wearing masks and being guided by instinctual and group behaviors (even though ironically he thinks of himself as a loner)? Can’t tell what the last image is.

9) partially obscured text: “–-ER” and “–Y” and “–THE” superimposed on: Gerald DeGroot, then “another way”.

DeGroot’s face is projected onto Karl’s suggesting a family connection? Instead of Dharma (The Way), they have to find another way?

Key characters

Short Name	Full Name	Episodes	Theories
Kate	Katherine “Kate” Austen	3.6, 1.2, 1.3, 2.9, 1.12, 1.16, 1.22, 3.15, 4.4, 4.12	711
Sawyer	James “Sawyer” Ford	3.4, 2.3, 2.6, 2.13, 1.16, 3.10	451

Key episodes

#	Title	Aired	Central character	Theories
3.7	Not In Portland	2-7-2007	Juliet	146

Comments