Wizard of Oz, TTLG and “Something Nice Back Home”
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By jazprof
- Wizard of Oz, TTLG and “Something Nice Back Home”
- Created: May 6, 2008
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 4.10: Something Nice Back Home
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
I wonder … whether both the Shephard sibs in this episode are being drawn to a transition between realities: Claire gave in to that transition and left; Jack resisted in resisting going “under” [Oz=Australia=a land down under; also “under” as in down the rabbit hole].
— jazprof
I remember thinking that when Claire’s house blew up that there was a Wizard of Oz reference and that Claire was the Witch of the East to Kate’s Witch of the West. But now with Claire disappearing (and mentioning visions), I wonder if it’s more that she’s playing the Dorothy role and that the house explosion has propelled her into another realm (metaphorically anyway). (Just thinking of how I’d cast some of the rest of Wiz of Oz characters: Jack/Scarecrow [in fact, he was losing his stuffing in this episode ;-)], Sawyer/Tinman [who we see chopping wood fairly often], and Des/Cowardly Lion—though could also be Hurley).
I wonder since unconsciousness is shown as accompanying mind travel, and is more generally associated (not just on Lost) with travel between realities (Dorothy hits her head before going to Oz), whether both the Shephard sibs in this episode are being drawn to a transition between realities: Claire gave in to that transition and left; Jack resisted in resisting going “under” [Oz=Australia=a land down under; also “under” as in down the rabbit hole].
Hurley’s comment about them being dead—taken metaphorically—I’m thinking again about how they’ve all returned (Kate being the exception) to roles they were playing pre-island. A metaphorical meaning for death could be to cease change/growth. Then that ties in with my idea that the island force allows for change, for changing destiny. And Smokie as the balancing natural force (the course corrector)—kills the pilot when he ceases to be of use to the island. But also metaphorically going on what the pilot says before being killed—he was trying to retrace their path—to go backwards, not to change, to die. (Thinking about the Red Queen in “Through the Looking Glass” explaining movement in the looking glass world because Alice keeps trying to move away from the house through which she entered that world and finds herself always on the path back to it [like Hurley and Jacob’s shack]—the RQ tells her that you have to keep moving as fast as you can just to stay in one place.) Also Eko’s refusal to admit that anything in his life could be changed—he doesn’t need forgiveness.
Ah-one more thought that just came to me ‘cause of referencing TTLG—everything in that world works in reverse. Dan tells Des at Oxford that you can’t change the future. Is the reverse true on the island?
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claire | Claire Littleton | 2.15, 2.12, 1.10, 1.15, 1.21, 3.12 | 384 |
| 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 | 1459 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.10 | Something Nice Back Home | 5-1-2008 | Jack | 140 |
If Claire’s feet had been poking out of the edges of the rubbled house then I’d buy into that Oz witch theory. ;o)
Anyway - it’s difficult to say Claire ‘gave in’ to her transition. The house blew up with her in it. She didn’t get much say in the matter. I’m sure she would have resisted if she had. And Jack did resist, but went under too. Net result is the same, no?
And your last point. Your saying the future can’t be changed anywhere, but it can be changed on the Island? And Smokey works to foster that change, and will remove anyone that is resistant to it? Hmm. Not bad. I’m not too keen on the Smokey angle, but the future being potentially changed on the Island certainly stacks up with what’s “supposed to happen” and rules being changed. . .
Don’t look too far into things, dude…but +1 for trying really hard.
I enjoyed that. Thanks.
Keep looking far into things “dude”, this site would be “dead” without your posts…
Thinking binary, and in global metaphor, Hurley’s dead comment means to me island is life. It is a comment on us, the viewers who live in this world. We are dead, the oceanic 6, superstars of their universe, are dead, living in this prefabricated shadow world.
How does smokey tie in? Smokey is the security system, the limit of the individual, the revenge of the past, striking down eko when, echo tries to step out of the valley.
So, I think I basically agree with your course corrector idea, where the course corrector is the limit or boundary line which no one is allowed to overstep; kind of akin to a categorical imperative, or a bedrock natural principle whose overstepping provokes retribution.
+1 jazzie, great references, loved it!!!
YOU’RE GAY!!!!!!!!
“Dan tells Des at Oxford that you can’t change the future. Is the reverse true on the island?”
+1
Now we’re talking! :)
Whoa great detail!! Maybe more than is required but +1 for effort.
check out chrisleerooks’s theories.
I believe the creators of the show use many references to literary works, but I don’t believe those references will give us insight into what is coming next. Now the last part about the island being the place where fate can be changed is an interesting theory. I do believe the show is taking us to a place where fate can be changed. I’ve often thought that Jack is the ‘chosen one’ when it comes to changing fate. But maybe its the island itself. +1
I bet that Claire is now in “OZ” as we speak. Remember that the three toe statue still unexplained so far, and it’s a clear indication of another kind of beings or civilization inhabiting the island.
I still think that the island is not in time it self, not in the past, not in the present as we know it and neither in the future. It’s outside the fabrics of time thus a gateway to any time. And if miss used has the potential to destroy anything, so Smokey isn’t just the course corrector it is the gate keeper. I still buy the “heaven” and “hell” theory with Smokey being Cerberus.
The bad guys we know now are just the begining.
Nice post.
Chrisleerooks problematic people project their unresolved issues into others. So why don’t you just step out of the closet?
No one will care if you’re gay. Better be a polite gay then an ass hole. I’m not interested in anything that has a penis but I’m certain that once you put that out from your chest you will manage to find someone that will give that special treatment to your ass that you so desperately looks for, trust me.
AC Claires feet aren’t exaclty sticking out of the rubble but there is still a Wizard of Oz reference in there imo.
Great post Jaz!! I always enjoy reading your interpretation of these scenes and characters.
Great comments by retroactiveman also.
Glad I checked 3 pages back and found this ;-)