Sometimes it is possible for a show to give the audience so much information without actually explaining anything to them. In recent years, shows such as
Alias,
The 4400, and
The X-Files have lent themselves to this kind of storytelling. While sometimes it can work for the show (
The 4400, which is so character driven that the main story takes a welcome backseat), it can also either hold off the explanation for so long that eventually the audience simply gives up on it (
Alias, which eventually lost semblance of the show it started out being), or it is so coy in the explanation that the audience feels conned for waiting so long (
The X-Files, which took seven years to explain the mystery of the show, which ended up being nothing the audience really wanted).
Lost prides itself on this kind of storytelling.
Orientation is a strange episode. There is a lot going on in it. The audience has spent weeks and months trying to figure out exactly what has been going on with the Hatch, only to have a large amount of information dumped on them in a five minute period. This essay will try to go through that information and attempt to draw some kind of conclusions.
We’re Gonna Have to Watch That AgainOnly hours have passed since the beginning of season two, and Lack and Lock have set themselves up as the main characters of the season so far. There have only been glimpses of the other survivors of flight 815 who we got to know in season one. The overlying theme of the season so far has been the battle between science and faith. Jack and Locke are at odds, and now it appears they have to work together inside of the Hatch. As the two confront Desmond, the man inside the Hatch, along with Kate, some history of the Hatch is revealed through an orientation video.
The Hatch is part of something called the Dharma Initiative, a research institution founded in 1970. The purpose of the Initiative was to create a kind of research community to further studies that could aid mankind. The Hatch is labeled the Swan, which is station number three of six. Its focus is on electromagnetism, although the other stations possibly delve into zoology, psychology, and parapsychology. It is unknown where the other five stations are, although it is presumable that they might also be on the island. The Dharma Initiative was funded by the Hanso Foundation, which is owned by a man named Alvar Hanso. The man hosting the orientation video says that there was an incident on the island. Ever since then, the Hatch has been used as some kind of failsafe. Every 108 minutes, the numbers must be entered in order to stop the alarm from sounding. There are pieces of the video missing that might explain more. The video is copy written 1980, which explains the state of technology inside of the Hatch.
There are usually two people inside of the Hatch to perform this function. Desmond says that he has been on the island for three years after crashing there during his race around the world. He was pulled into the Hatch by someone named Kelvin, who we assume was a friend of his. But Kelvin died, and Desmond was left alone. The sheer psychological trauma of that would be astounding. Imagine never sleeping for more than an hour and forty five minutes at a time, or the stress of this having this responsibility you do not fully understand.
Assumedly, the incident on the island was some kind of outbreak, and by pressing the button it keeps the Hatch from destroying itself. Desmond injects himself with something the premiere, possibly to keep himself safe from this outbreak. As he flees the Hatch and his responsibility, Locke takes in on for himself, believing it to be part of his destiny. He does this on faith alone. Jack must give into his faith in order to perform this task with him, although Locke must convince him to do so. All of these questions will, hopefully, be revealed in subsequent episodes.
We’re the Survivors of Flight 815In the season one episode
Dues Ex Machina, Locke and Boone come across a downed smuggling plane from Nigeria. While they do not know how it got there, there is a working radio on board. Boone gives his life in an attempt to send out a message, informing whoever might be listening that he was part of the survivors of flight 815. The reply was something that sounded like, “No, we’re the survivors of flight 815.” While this has been the source of much speculation, it seems the answer to this has been answered. When the plane crashed, it split in two. As the show has followed those that survived from the front end, it appears those from the tail end have survived as well.
After surviving the attack on their raft, Michael, Sawyer, and Jin have been taken by these other survivors. Ana Lucia, who talked to Jack in the first season finale, questions them on where they are from after they are beaten and thrown in a hole in the ground. The actions of the tail-end survivors are understandable. Their life on the island seems to have been far worse than those the show followed in the first season. There is not much to go on past that. They are far more violent and distrustful. Where Jack is the leader of his group, Ana seems to be the leader of hers. Their days on the island are unknown, and one can only assume that these questions will also be answered.
Don’t Tell Me What I Can’t DoAs looks to be the formula this season, the character flashbacks delve deeper into the past of those on the island. This episode focuses on Locke, who is trying to get over the betrayal of his father (which we saw in
Deus Ex Machina). But now there is a woman, Helen, who seems to understand what Locke is going through. Locke’s acceptance of his father’s betrayal mirrors the acceptance of his new responsibility in the Hatch. It is still not revealed how Locke was confined to a wheelchair, or what happens to Helen by the time of his confinement. Helen is the name Locke gives the woman he walks to on the phone in
Walkabout, and also what he calls Kate in that same episode. She obviously becomes the love of his life between the time periods shown in these flashbacks. Although what happens to her has yet to be seen, it will also most likely be revealed.
Questions UnansweredAs is standard with
Lost, more questions are raised in the process of answering so many. We know that the Hatch was built by the Dharma Initiative, which is found by the Hanso Foundation. But what exactly these organizations are is still unknown. Are they even still around? What would happen if the numbers are not entered into the computer? Is it possible that the experiment has nothing to do with electromagnetism, but actually whether or not someone will keep entering the code? Have these organizations simply forgotten about the Hatch, or are they still monitoring it? Where are the other five stations and what are their purposes? What happened to the tail-end survivors of the plane during the first season? How are they connected to the Others? Where is Walt? As the season plays out, these questions will hopefully be answered, with many more questions coming to light.
Jack and the Dharma Initiative logo.
The founders of the Dharma Initiative, Drs. Gerald and Karen Degruit.
Polar bears.
A city featured in the orientation video, which apparently looks exactly like some Norwegian city.
Alvar Hanso.
