Richard and The Sixth Sense
+8 8 Votes
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By raygun
- Richard and The Sixth Sense
- Created: Oct 19, 2007
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 3.22: Through The Looking Glass
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
Is it possible that “I see dead people” could be more common on the island than we ever imagined?
— raygun
I’ve been lurking on this site since TTLG aired, and I have enjoyed the varied theories and discourse. I make no claim to have enough info to truly flush out this theory, so I look forward to those of you with a more encyclopedic handle on the details to lend it credence, or blow it out of the water.
I have been especially intrigued by the problem of Richard not appearing to age, and as I pondered it, I began to wonder if I could remember any episode when Richard speaks to or interacts with anyone on the island except for Ben. Of course, in “Not In Portland” both Richard and Ethan spoke to Juliet in the process of recruiting her, however, that was OFF the island (and it was ONLY to Juliet).
My proposal is that Richard is a projection of Ben’s subconscious, something that (on the island) only he sees and only he speaks with. More than likely, he is the image of a living, or once living person from Ben’s youth and now Richard serves as a confidant, a sounding board, a devil’s advocate of sorts. And, just as in The Sixth Sense, there was that delightful moment of realization when we looked back at all the previous scenes and we realized that we had assumed that all of the characters could see and interact with Bruce Willis’ character, when “in reality” they did not. Only the young boy could… Is it possible that “I see dead people” could be more common on the island than we ever imagined?
Here’s where the rest of you come in. In each of Richard’s appearances, can you confirm or bebunk this? In each of the scenes that he appears in, if you removed him from the shot, would anything of substance change save the conversation he has with Ben? If he does seem to speak to or interact with someone else, is there a plausible explanation consistent with what I have described? I admit, I cannot devise an explanation for his appearance off island in “Not In Portland” (it could actually be him in the flesh!), but maybe someone here may have an insight.
Well, there you go. Run with it! And thank you all for the fascinating theories!
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben | Benjamin Linus | 3.20, 4.9, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1733 |
| Richard | Richard Alpert | 314 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.22 | Through The Looking Glass | 5-23-2007 | Jack | 1252 |
| 3.7 | Not In Portland | 2-7-2007 | Juliet | 146 |
Interesting, but he does have that scene with Locke where he hands him that red folder containging Sawyers personal info…and they were alone…
I like your theory though!
Hexagon01, I thought of that too, at first. But Locke seems to have the same or better mental abilities as Ben, and the 2 seem connected in some way. Maybe Locke hijacked Richard from Ben. Or maybe Ben’s subconscious sent Richard to Locke, you know how the subconscious mind can work the opposite of what your conscious mind wants.
Well, accurate or not, we won’t know for a while, but this is definitely worth considering, a good theory that I have never seen anyone else come up with, very original.
And just going on memory, which could be faulty, I don’t recall Richard interacting with anyone but Ben and Locke (except Juliette as previously covered). So if he had been removed from the scene, all would have gone on exactly as we saw.
There is that scene in the morgue where Richard and Juliet are alone together and conversing.
I like it .Even though John talks to him he doesnt appear with the Others.Probably due to his busy schedule (outside Lost)but maybe not.
raygun, you got a +1 from me. I searched everywhere I could and other than the examples above, I can only refer to Ben ordering Richard to lead the Others to the Temple.
No where can I find an example where he talks to anyone besides Ben and Locke on the Island. How strange……..
Great catch on your first theory and welcome!!!!!
I like this, but there are the scenes with Locke, Juliette( her’s was off the Island yes so I can’t tie this in). They have both interacted with him. Ben does order Richard to lead the others to the Temple. There is also the scene where Locke tells the Others that Ben is going to take him to see Jacob. Then Locke proceeds to kick the snot out of Mikhal. Richard is in the scene with Tom( Mr Friendly) he is sitting across from him I believe at a table, but it never shows them directly interacting or talking. So I give you a - but also a + so I guess we break even on the score(not that really would have given you a downer.) I like your idea raygun and to also give more detail to your theory, when Locke announces that Ben is taking him to Jacob, Richards reaction is complete surprise. Maybe Ben isn’t communing with Richard like he had in the past, could help with the idea of Locke stealing him away from Ben. Or Richard might be in transition between them, so he is not intune with either of them right now. I still think he is a real tangible person, or maybe there is a Richard but also a Mr. Alpert. (Bi-location) I dunno thats all hope some of it helps, alright +1
I have hear this suggested before.
I think Richard is a unique individual due to the fact that he is “indigenous” to the island (whatever that means), but I don’t think he is a projection of Ben’s subconscious.
I think he is a living and breathing person (of questionable age) and that all of the others including John can see him.
Ben mentions Richard by name when he asks either he or Tom to intervene when Locke beat the snot out of Mikhail.
It’s also been stated that Richard was asked to lead the others to the temple, talked to Locke one on one, and physically handed him a file on Sawyer.
Richard is real… Freaky real but real.
I like the idea but I’m with Sham in that I think he’s a real person. Still I am giving you a +1 because I think this was a brilliant try.
Raygun, Ditto the Sham and The Missus, however this is a very creative idea, which I like it a lot! Bravo, for thinking outside of the box! +1
I look forward to reading more theories from you!
Hi Raygun, I am relatively new myself, but always log on for a read of the new posts. Your post got me thinking about when Ben has Locke tied up before showing him “what’s inside the box”. Richard is with Ben and pushes his wheelchair around to meet up with cooper. Once again it’s only these 3 guys in the scene. I can’t deny I like your thought process : ) Cheers.