Smoke Monster and Whisper’s: The Solaris Connection
+5 19 Votes
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By CrazyPolarBear
- Smoke Monster and Whisper’s: The Solaris Connection
- Created: Sep 5, 2007
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 3.5: The Cost Of Living
- Status: Current
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Has anybody read or seen the film of Solaris?
After watching the 2002 adaption of the novel Solaris (by Stanislaw Lem) and reading xiv’s theory about there being ‘smokies’ and they being responsible for the whisper’s, it occurred to me that Smokey and/or the whisper’s may be a phenomena similar to what the researchers encounter in Solaris.
In Solaris, a team of scientist’s are in a research station above an alien planet (Solaris) which is covered by what appears to be a vast ocean covering the entire surface of the planet, but is in fact a complex alien lifeform which has the ability to create complex organism’s at will.
The scientist’s are studying the lifeform, but it eventually become’s apparent that it is in fact the lifeform which is studying them. The lifeform seem’s to have the ability to see into the researchers mind’s and when the team become more aggressive in their attempt’s to communicate with it, it respond’s by creating thing’s which play on the reasearcher’s most secret thought’s and painful experience’s.
The main character, Chris Kelvin is traumatised by the appearence of his dead wife aboard the research station, who is identical in every physical detail to his wife and know’s everything that happened between the two of them. They also discover that one of the lifeform’s constructs has been impersonating a member of their team for some time, when they discover his long dead body hidden away.
The my point is (and I am not suggesting Smokey is an alien) is that the Smoke Monster(s) could something similar, perhap’s some kind of living research tool made by the DI or maybe even a creature which evolved into this state due to the prescence of the magnetic anomalies on the island.
I believe it could have been what Ben meant by ‘the magic box’, and that the Smoke Monster could have it’s own personality and intelligence. In Solaris exactly why the lifeform is creating these construct’s is never made completely clear, perhap’s it was judging them for some reason? or was that simply it’s own alien way of defending itself against threat?
If this is what the monster is then it may also explain the whispers (xiv pointed out that the whisper’s were saying ‘he might see us’ in his post) But I’ve mostly been intrigued by the one’s which Shannon heard in which Boone’s voice was heard to be saying ‘Hi Sis’ and ‘I want to see my sister’
I think it is possible the writer’s thought of the monster with Solaris in mind and that it may create construct’s from the losties mind’s (Jack’s Dad, Shannon, Dave, Yemi, Ben’s Mum maybe even Cooper) and that once constructed, the construct’s themselves may even believe themselves to be the real McCoy.
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.18 | Dave | 4-5-2006 | Hurley | 135 |
You know, you may have a point, there. Lem is one of my favourite authors —although Solaris is quite gloomy for what he had read— and yes, there seem to be similarities between the alien lifeform in that novel and my suspicions about the functions of Smokey.
Quite good, chap. There goes a plus from me.
[Correction: where I said “for what he had read”, I should have said “for what I have read”. Anyone seen my brain?]
Haven’t actually read the book only seen the 2002 adaption but I’m definetely gonna be on the look out for it. Cheer’s for the vote, Occam.
While you are at it, try and grab a copy of “The Star Diaries”. You may have a big laugh, and some of the tales would probably make you think…
Interesting, CPB.
CPB: I haven’t read the book or seen the movie, but your theory spells it out quite well.
Once again, a very well thought out, well written theory. +1 :)
“I looked into the “eye” of the Island, and what I saw was beautiful”.
John saw Smokey and saw the mind’s eye of the Island.
The eye is the window to the soul…
The Island is neither good nor bad. It is a catalyst for what we truly are.
Like Smokie, our pupil’s react both to outside stimulous, our mood and both.
In John’s eyes, maybe it sensed awe. In Eko’s, it may have sensed pride or defiance and therefore a threat?
Just some thoughts from the road to Shamballa. :)
Although I havent either read the book or seen the film I like this. good comparison. +1
I have seen the movie (with George Clooney if I remember right). And I liked it, mostly because of the atmosphere of this movie. I love movies that gives you this kind of feeling.
I’m sure the novel must be better than the movie, but since I haven’t read it, I found the story of Solaris very original and captivating.
Actually I love weird movies like “2001 A Space Odysee”, “The Final Cut”, “The Machinist” (a must see!), “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, “The Jacket”, …
My two all time favourites are “Requiem for A Dream” & “Memento”: if you haven’t seen these two, go rent them this weekend! :)
Forgot to add that you got a +1 from me
“Silent Running”, xiv?
I’ve seen the older Russian movie, and have to say I’m seeing the connection CPB. Good one.
Interesting.
But …the whispers often seem so conflicted and tentative, and Smokie tends to take bold, aggressive action. To me the whispers and the smoke look like two completely different “characters.” Their behaviors to date seem too inconsistent conclude that they are the same phenomenon.
Your theory does, however, clear up the mystery of the missing apostrophes in every other post on this web site. You have them all. (not every word that ends with “s” gets an apostrophe)