Lost in LOST - Weekly Blog

Text Box: Lost, Ghosts, and Redemption By Jeremiah Dollins “There are an infinite number of universes existing side by side and through which our consciousnesses constantly pass. In these universes, all possibilities exist. You are alive in some, long dead in others, and never existed in still others. Many of our "ghosts" could indeed be visions of people going about their business in a parallel universe or another time – or both.” (Paul F. Eno from Faces at the Window) Paul F. Eno is a notable researcher in the paranormal, a field that seems perfectly at home in the world of Lost. Eno, according to his bio at the official website for his book Footsteps in the Attic, is a well-educated (ph.B in philosophy, as well as degrees from two seminaries) journalist who has made ghost hunting his life-long passion. Maybe he has had some face time with Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, maybe not, but his quote seems to highlight a couple of the show’s major themes: ghosts and multi-universes. As Lost is getting nearer to its three-hour season finale, the issue of ghosts and the idea of time travel and universe bending have become more important to the show. Here are just a few of the moments from the season: The appearance of Charlie’s specter in the future in episode one, “The Beginning of the End.” Miles’ communion with a dead drug dealer in episode two, “Confirmed Dead.” Desmond’s mental jaunt through time, ala Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse Five, in episode five, “The Constant.” Ben’s ability to teleport, or move through time in episode nine, “The Shape of Things to Come.” The re-appearance of Christian Shephard to both Jack and Claire in episode ten, “Something Nice Back Home.” According to Eno, there are multiple universes co-existing at all times. He says we are alive in some, dead in others, and non-existent is some. In the Lost universe, a concept like this would make sense as we find the show bounces back and forth between past, present and future to the point where many have questioned which is the present time. In episode nine, Ben makes one of the series defining comments after his daughter, Alex, is senselessly gunned down by Keamy: “He changed the rules.” This comment, referencing his relationship with the wealthy Charles Widmore, implies that he had a differing idea of how events were meant to unfold. If Eno’s theory is to be applied here, Ben could have had access to timelines in a parallel universe in which Alex’s death did not occur, in which the rules he and Widmore adhere to are followed. Eno’s theory here, of course, creates a huge mess in the Lost universe. The problems are intense. Firstly, if there are multiple parallel universes, what then is the significance of any of these events? How could Alex’s death be important if she is alive in an alternate reality? The same could be said of any of the supposed “dead” characters. If they are alive in alternate realities, isn’t their importance to the current one diminished? Yet, the idea that a “ghost” could be a vision of something going on in an alternate reality is illuminating to say the least. It would depend on what that alternate reality is and how it is defined by the writers of the show. In C.S. Lewis’ novel, The Great Divorce, the alternate reality is Heaven, and the “ghosts” are the spirits of the dead who attempt to help those facing the afterlife drop all the “baggage” they are carrying before entering Heaven. In much of our literature, the idea of ghosts has usually been in reference to beings who are stuck, or lost, between two worlds: our world and the afterlife. These beings typically have “unfinished business” to attend to before they can proceed leaving this universe for another. In many cases, these ghosts need the help of someone to make their redemption possible. And therein lies the importance of ghosts: they are seeking redemption. In the karmic sense, they are making up for wrongs in another life (i.e. Mr. Eko, Charlie Pace). In the Christian sense, they are obtaining forgiveness for sin (Christian Shephard). While those two concepts may seem to be one and the same, they are quite different. The former is a salvation/redemption through self-effort; the latter is a call for mercy and grace. The questions being asked here then is this: what is the intent of these ghosts? I personally believe Lost is attempting to redefine the concept, reframing ghosts not as entities in need of redemption, but as vessels to bring others to redemption. Christian Shephard’s appearances to Jack are not as ominous as Jack believes them to be. I think Christian is coming to him to bridge the great divide between them, to heal Jack’s gaping psychological wounds. Charlie comes to Hurley to show him the path to redemption by returning to the island. Libby comes to Michael to remind him that he is needed to make things right between himself and the remaining survivors. Whether the redemptive paths each of these characters is on will end happily or not is a moot point; the fact is they are on redemptive paths. And ghosts are the conduit initiating their behavior. Just as Hamlet was inspired by the ghost of his father, Jack will be inspired by the ghost of his. Returning to Eno, whether his theory is true or not is unimportant. In the Lost universe, there is always possibility, and the idea that a supernatural world exists not because of something unnatural, but instead of something metaphysical is a possibility worth exploring. Check out Mr. Dollins’ work on DocArzt.com!

Ghosts and...