Flash forward or flash back?
−1 7 Votes
Rate it:
By vegarover
- Flash forward or flash back?
- Created: Oct 24, 2007
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 3.22: Through The Looking Glass
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
But I think the wild card in all of this is the fact that Naomi said that they found the wreckage of their plane and found all the bodies while they were on the island.
— vegarover
Even though most people are convinced that that the scenes with a “bearded Jack” are flash forwards, and I admit the bulk of the evidence suggests that they are flash forwards…there still are some overwhelming inconsistencies and other evidence to suggest they could indeed be flashbacks.
The first and most obvious bit of conflicting information is how Jack continues to talk about his dad as if he were still alive. I’ve heard other people suggest this is because he is popping pills, but I kind of think that if a person is so “jacked” up that he/she thinks dead parents are still alive, they can’t even function properly. Jack was clearly in a haze, but to think he felt his father was still alive seems like a big stretch to me.
Also, was it just me or did the clothing people were wearing in the background seem, dated? I’m not a fashion expert or anything, but something didn’t seem right to me.
Another thing I thought odd was that Kate wasn’t in jail. I don’t think she would be able to hide her identity, especially since they would have become celebrities in a way for surviving the crash and being on the island for so long.
I’ve heard people say that Jack reads a newspaper that says 2007 as the year on it, but can anyone provide a screenshot of it? I watched the last episode from iTunes on my computer and I wasn’t able to see a date.
Also, I heard people say that the cell phone Jack was using was from 2007, and the crash happened in 2004. Can anyone confirm for sure (with evidence) that the phone is from 2007? Even if it in fact is from 2007…could it be a critical mistake by the show creators?
Also, could anyone make out what kind of car Kate was driving? Was it a car built after their 2004 crash?
But I think the wild card in all of this is the fact that Naomi said that they found the wreckage of their plane and found all the bodies while they were on the island. Plus Jack’s obsession with crashing on the island again.
Could the flash forward scenes actually take place just before the crash that we have witnessed since the first episode? Could the island be some kind of place (real or imaginary) that people go to restart their lives…to get a fresh start? But after Jack’s fresh start he quickly spirals downward and he needs to start over yet again?
Anyway, if anyone has any evidence refuting my claims feel free to respond. But please have some way of proving them, not just opinions. I have no problem with anybody proving me wrong, but back it up please!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Christian | Dr. Christian Shephard | 339 | |
| Jack | Jack Shephard | 1.1, 1.5, 2.11, 1.11, 1.16, 1.20, 3.9, 3.22, 3.1, 4.10, 4.12, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1460 |
| Kate | Katherine “Kate” Austen | 3.6, 1.2, 1.3, 2.9, 1.12, 1.16, 1.22, 3.15, 4.4, 4.12 | 714 |
| Naomi | Naomi Dorrit | 175 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.22 | Through The Looking Glass | 5-23-2007 | Jack | 1252 |
Oh no! Not again!
wow, Im sorry, but does anybody aside from veteran members do any research of the theories before they post? I dont mean to be mean, but Ive been gone for a while and there has been so many posts that make me quote trollking above. Im all for new members and their theories, but seriously folks….
‘Could the flash forward scenes actually take place just before the crash that we have witnessed since the first episode?’
If they take place before the crash then Jack has not been to the Isaland. So how/why could/would he want to go back?
Vegarover this may not be new news as it were, but I did think this myself for a while. I am currently undecided but I think it is possible that what we saw was indeed a flashback. This could be what happened just before the beginning of S1. Would explain why Jack and Kate seem rather removed from the situation.
You can check out my version of the theory by clicking on my name if you like. Wasn’t very well received either, lol!
2006 Razor phone: http://bp0.blogger.com/_RrObyQ3XzcY/RlX3t1Yihki/aaaaaaaafnA/8UMxydmKNxk/s1600-h/krzr4.jpg
Jack’s ex is pregnant:
http://bp2.blogger.com/_RrObyQ3XzcY/Rlbw3FYih2i/aaaaaaaafpQ/QOaFl2HCKJU/s1600-h/poster.jpg
LA Times: http://bp3.blogger.com/_RrObyQ3XzcY/RlaLOVYihni/aaaaaaaafnY/eCfTeGbNkYY/s1600-h/paper1.jpg
New chief of surgery:
http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Dr._Hamill
Golden pass:
http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Gold_card
“We have to go back” (Ditto Lojozz’s logic.):
http://bp3.blogger.com/_RrObyQ3XzcY/RlUp-lYihti/aaaaaaaafk4/RLy6OJVT1-s/s1600-h/maps1.jpg
From IMDB: “Yes. The producers confirmed that the events which we saw off Island in the season 3 finale was a flash forward. This is confirmed by evidence in the episode. The phone and the car which Jack uses were both released after the main action of Lost takes place. A date of April 2007 is also visible on the newspaper clipping which Jack is reading. The producers have confirmed that the upcoming seasons will consist of a mixture of flash forwards and flash backs. ”
Namaste
I just discovered my links to screencaps from DarkUFO don’t work. Try this one http://losteastereggs.blogspot.com/ or go to http://darkufo.blogspot.com/ and click on screencaps. All the pertinent caps from TTLG that I mentioned above are there.
Sham, I was hoping you’d show up. I knew you’d have the evidence, fellow shirker good work. :-)
veg, welcome to the site, sham is right. It has all been proven in black and white. Sorry, but try again and please do some research next time, okay?
Just call me “shamshirk”. :)
Vegarover, just like everything else in LOST, I think the clues of it being a flashforward were intentionally few and hard to decipher. It wasn’t until the end when we see Kate and hear Jack say, “We have to get back!” that we could really be sure. It was designed to be a whammy or “snake in the mailbox” moment as they put it.
Looks like it is you and me against the world on this one Vega. I’m sticking with you buddy. I don’t believe a word those producers say ;-)
I’m glad there has been so much feedback.
Instead of responding to everybody individually I figured I’d do it all in one message.
munchkin- I tried doing research, but all I came across was stuff submitted by fans, and not from reputable sources. That’s why I came here…hoping we could get pointed in the right direction.
Lojozz- I’m saying its possible that Jack/Kate have been to the island multiple times…that the last scene of the last episode takes place before the crash that happens in the first episode of season 1 (2004). So the crash we witnessed is actually the second time they’ve crashed. Its I stretch, I know…but that’s what I meant.
shamballa- Your first 3 links don’t work. As far as the wikipedia links, I don’t think too many people trust them. They have a bad reputation for having facts wrong. Same with IMDB. As far as the producers confirming it was a flash forward…do you have a link from a reliable source (such as a newspaper or news station) where they quote the producers on saying that?
Also, in the picture of the newspaper Jack was reading, there is no date visible. Just a caption underneath saying that the paper was from April 5th 2007. Its quite possible that paper was used as a prop, and the articles on there weren’t supposed to be clues to the date of the paper.
vegarover,
I caught that the links didn’t work so I provided a link to a page that has them all (see my follow up post).
I think you meant “Lostpedia” not “Wikipedia” although Wiki runs it.
Here are all the official ABC LOST podcasts. Some have transcripts: http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Portal:OfficialLostPodcast
Here is the one you are looking for: http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Official_LostPodcasttranscript/September21%2C2007
I suppose one could argue that Carlton and Damon have “lied” in the past, but I think this confirms it.
Actually, I agree with the flash back theory, or at least think its possible.
All the evidence I hear from people claiming for sure its a flash forward seem circumstantial at best, just like the flash back evidence.
Vegarover, I think what you are getting at with the newspaper and phone are what’s called Anachronisms. In TV or movies its when a prop or other background imagry doesn’t match the time period that the film was supposed to take place in. It happens all the time.
For instance, in Road To Perdition, a US flag can be seen that has 50 stars, but during the time period the movie takes place there are only 48 states.
I agree with what you say about the paper, and the whole phone thing can be an anachronism as well.
Time will only tell. I actually just signed up here to share a theory and I’m going to post it shortly so I hope people check it out!!!
Vega that was my thought too. The crash is in fact the second crash…
bnp, welcome to the site. I agree that there are always going to be production and prop errors in TV and Film, but I think the use of a 2006 cell phone model was deliberate.
The producers know how thorough LOST fans are and counted on that fact. The “Hoffs Drawlar” (Flashforward) anagram was obviously deliberate as well.
But, as you said, time will tell. I think the producers accomplished their main mission which was to promote discussion and debate. I look forward to your theory.
As long as there’s time travel in this show, your idea has merit. If there’s not, your theory bites. I think it’s too early to condemn or praise your theory.
Vega:
Go to: http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/podcast?dt=20070802
This should be the August 2, 2007 Podcast. This is audio of Lindeloff and Cuse’s panel at Comic Con 2007.
Should be informative.
ok bnp - u can go back to under ur rock again - we don’t want racists on this site!!!
Why are you calling me a racist????
magpie- You are a f*ing moron! Accusing me of being a racist everywhere I post a comment because of my name!? Did you ever once think I’m not from the UK!? Do you think everybody is from the UK or something? You’re a dick! You do know what a dick is don’t you, or where you come from does that have a different meaning?
Well, since the name of the funeral home is an anagram of “flash forward” and Jack is using a phone that wasn’t available before 2007, I’d say this theory is D.O.A.
I just don’t see the point of discussing something that we all know to be wrong at this point.