Bill’s Lost Site

The preceding post discussed what we know about the monster. Now let’s talk theories.

There are two competing thoughts on this. One is the “Pull” method while I labeled the other the “Push” method.

The two methods refer to whether the monster is extracting/pulling data from Echo or whether the monster is implanting/pushing memories. They are vastly different theories that present different problems.

On the Pull method we see the monster as something that is able to read our minds. It can extract information from our minds in the form of images. What the monster is doing with that information is anyone’s guess. Is it reporting back to the “Others” information about that person? Is the monster even under control of the Others? Could the monster have been originally contained and then somehow gotten out and now does its own thing?

The Push method is the better theory in my opinion. This theory states that the monster is putting those images into Echo’s head. Echo didn’t really have a brother that died on the drug airplane. That was a planted memory in Echo’s mind. Echo wasn’t really a drug dealer - again another planted memory.

Now, I believe that Echo and Locke weren’t afraid of the monster because it was familiar to them. They don’t know why or how or what it is - but for some reason they have no fear. I believe the monster was used initially to plant memories in Echo’s mind. The monster was used to modify the memories of all our Lostie’s. The flashbacks they have are simply planted memories to reinforce the experience of the island.

Think about it this way … is it more likely that Echo’s drug plane flew from Nigeria to this mysterious island and crashed or that there was a crashed plane on the island and Echo’s memory was adjusted to make the plane have a connection with Echo’s past? Did the island heal Locke’s disability or did Locke simply think he was disabled based off the false memory’s implanted? We do know that modifying someone’s memory is possible and has been done (under categories click on Psychology for some stories on that) in the past.

Finally, I can see a lot of power in being able to plant memories in people’s minds - this would support the Push theory. I have a hard time seeing how the random flashbacks in Echo’s life would really benefit any scientist on the island or the monster for that matter.

In the latest episode Mr. Echo comes face to face with the “monster”. He becomes the 2nd person that we know of that has seen it. There are several facts that are beyond dispute.

First, the monster appears to have great strength since trees fly out of the ground when it appears, trees are pushed around as it travels through the forest (think back to Season 1) and it was strong enough to capture Locke and drag him down a hole.

Second, the monster does not appear to have any mass. If you had to describe the monster most would agree that looked like a cloud of smoke.

Third, the monster was intelligent. The monster moved with purpose, changing it’s shape.

Fourth, the monster showed images from Echo’s past. We don’t know what Locke saw at this point.

Fifth, neither Locke nor Echo appeared scared. Locke went on to say that what he saw was beautiful. Echo, when asked, said he was not afraid.