Revisiting the Top 50 Lost Loose Ends #5

Part four of a series revisiting IGN's article, "Top 50 Lost Loose Ends." For part one and for more information about the original article and the series, point your browser here. In this edition, we'll discuss and throw a verdict onto 10 more of IGN's top Lost mysteries, #10 through #1.

Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V



#10: The Disease
UNSOLVED

Little has been mentioned about the disease that ravaged Rousseau's people, if it ever existed. The connection between the Others' injections and the disease is probably non-existent, as we know the injections usually involve pregnant women. Still, the Others are able to make Claire sick and Desmond revealed that those in the Swan were into vaccines. Those the Dharma quarantine and vaccine could have simply been a way to keep the workers pressing the buttons, we really have no definitive explanation for any of it. I assume this mystery will go largely untouched by the writers in the future, but, as always, I could be wrong.

#9: The Healing Powers of the Island
UNSOLVED

This mystery will, most likely, be one of the ultimate reveals of the show. Obviously the island has some sort of strange hearing power, but its properties are limited and/or inconsistent. It can heal, but it cannot save absolutely. The Magic 8-Ball says, "I foresee an answer in Season 6."

#8: Locke's Legs
PARTIALLY SOLVED

Although we do not know the answer to how the island brought back power to Locke's legs (see previous entry), we found out in grand fashion how he lost the ability to walk. Though I envy Locke's communion with the island, I do not envy any man's fall from a tower thanks to a push from his father.

#7: Dead Characters Appearing
UNSOLVED

I believe the ultimate answer to this will stem from the smoke monster, but to this point we have no solid leads. In fact, we really haven't seen a dead character's apparition in quite some time. I would love to see Eko reappear. Based on previews for Season 4, we could be in for a Charlie coda. Back on topic: the answer is still a big mystery.

#6: The Polar Bears
UNSOLVED

The IGN article cites the commonly-held theory that the bears came from Dharma experiments (thanks to the bear cages on the Hydra). Honestly, though, we have no confirmation about much other than the fact that the Hydra has bear cages...

I go with the article on this one: that answer is lacking.

#5: The Unusual Connections Between Castaways
UNSOLVED

Indeed one of the high mysteries of the show, well placed at number five. Playing into one of the central themes of the show, is it coincidence or fate that these characters, so extensively connected outside of the island, all board the same plane? My instinct tells me the answer leans toward the "fate" side of the equation, but of course that seems fairly obvious to most viewers. The answer to this question will probably be one of the most rewarding, well worth the six-year wait.

#4: The DHARMA Initiative
UNSOLVED

We received a glimpse of the Dharma Initiative late in Season 3 and some of the details about the group have emerged. They are now much less mysterious thanks to the fact that we know they were eradicated from the island by the Others. Still, the goals, dealings, and methods of the group are largely unknown. Why are supplies still arriving on the island? Is the Initiative alive and well off the island? All questions we have no answers to heading into Season 4.

#3: Walt's Powers
UNSOLVED

One of the most intriguing questions about the show, what in the hell is going on with Walt? He apparently had special powers before the island, but the Others were keenly interested in him. The most interesting part about Walt is that for all the knowledge of the island and its strange happenings, even the Others were baffled and overwhelmed by Walt. With the return of Michael for Season 4, hopefully Walt and his magic will return as well.

#2: The Monster
UNSOLVED

A great and overlooked aspect from Season 3 was the reveal from Juliet that the Others have no idea what the monster is. The sonic fence keeps him back, but that's about all we really know. The dude sounds like a roller coaster, scans memories like a copying machine, moves like the world's most agile snake, and apparently smokes 42 packs a day. Although the monster might turn out to be nanotechnology, a creation by humans, I believe the monster will most likely turn out to be an offshoot of the island itself. I think it would be amazing if all the apparitions and even Vincent turned out to be Smokey. This mystery will almost certainly be explained at some point; and I look forward to that day with delight.

#1: The Numbers
UNSOLVED

Rounding out an almost completely unsolved Top 10, the numbers certainly merit a spot at number one. Though their significance in the tale diminished greatly in Season 3, they seem to be the black-hole beacon of the island. From the Valenzetti equation to the Swan to the lottery to the radio tower, the numbers loom large over the arc of Lost. If the numbers turn out to mean nothing, I believe the Lost Nation will rise up and devour the offspring of every writer for the series. As the article notes, this aspect of the show is simply too large to go unanswered. One thing is for sure, I believe that 25 years down the road, the thing remembered most about Lost will be 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42.

A Glaring Omission - Vincent

I think the IGN article did an excellent job at covering most of the large mysteries of the show, at least those presented by the time of its publication. If I had created the list, I would have put Vincent in the Top 10. Something big is going on with that dog. Every time something strange happens, the lovable pup shows up. Vincent is there from the very first scene and then later peers ominously at the group heading toward the cockpit. Why? You got me, but I am certain the dog is significant.