If killing Anthony Cooper was the only way for James to resolve his issues about his parents’ death, then he didn’t learn shit.

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Ultimately though, what difference does it make if the show really provides answers channelled from another source or is just a well-constructed TV show if either way it is helping people with their own lives? Why do you take issue with the reason why people feel they are being helped? However people feel they are being helped, let them believe that. If your god is science and you like to believe that everything can be rationally explained using the laws of the universe that we can decipher and this makes you feel better then go ahead and believe it.

I’ve read and/or watched a lot of well-constructed stories that have not spoken to me in the least. Most of the Academy agreed that “Hurt Locker” was a much better movie than “Avatar.” I found it well made but forgettable and I did not resonate with its message. To me, “Avatar” had a much richer mythology and was far better at communicating an important message to audiences.

I don’t see why it is necessary to view LOST as just a show, and definitely don’t see why it should matter one way or the other to anyone. I write from my perspective. If it resonates with someone and helps them on their journey, great. If not, then perhaps they can find that source elsewhere.

In my book I talk about how writers are modern-day shaman. They likely don’t even realizing the extent to what what they are channeling. Ultimately though, like Star Wars and the Matrix, they are helping to weave the tapestry that is our modern-day mythology. We are outgrowing the stories from thousands of years ago but keeping their inner truths. The souls of those stories are still being used with our new ones, but now the containers they fit in are more in line with updated concepts that make them easier for us to understand based upon our current level of scientific and spiritual understanding. Our modern myths can now talk about multiverses and alternate dimensions and proxies whereas the stories of the Bible could only allude to them with metaphor and hidden meanings. We are getting closer and closer to understanding how the world really works and one day our modern myths will no longer have to be metaphors at all but completely on the story surface because we will be ready to understand it.

Ultimately, I don’t think the details really matter. My point it that Sawyer came to the island with an issue that the island is trying to solve. His issue is learning to get over his grudge and healing from a major loss. This is a two-part healing process that would involve him purging the hatred (killing Sawyer) and getting over losing a love (Juliet).

I’m not sure if you’ve read my book, but my arguments might make more sense within the context of the bigger theory I explain there–whether it be the literal explanation of the show, or just the metaphorical explanation.

I enjoyed this recap, it was very moving and insightful. I partially agree with ‘The Smoke Monster’, who said that you may be looking too deeply; but if you can find that kind of truth in a TV show, more power to you.

I think the theory that the flash-sideways is the epilogue of our characters makes a lot of sense. I don’t read many theories, but this has been mentioned a few times by various writers. If it turns out to be true, it’ll be interesting to see how the writers execute the reveal without it seeming too much like “reincarnation”. That said, I don’t see how the flash-sideways could be anything else and still be meaningful. We’ll find out soon enough.

The second issue builds on this last statement. Many people are viewing “LOST” as something bigger than it is. They’re thanking LOST for showing them this, that, or the other, when in fact, it’s just a well-constructed fictional drama penned by people just like you and me. They have no special or privileged insights that anyone of us already have. LOST is not a supernatual knowledge source, though to read many comments in these and other fora, you’d think it was. Again, it’s just people (writers) telling relatable stories to other people (viewers). It’ll do everyone good, especially as the frenzy builds towards the Finale, to remember this basic fact of reality. Enjoy the show, just remember, it’s only a fictional show.

Sawyer wanted to get off that Island. He got on the plane saying, its time we get off this rock, Freckles. So, lets not pretend like Sawyer willingly stayed back at the end of season 4. After all Bens teasing about who Kate would choose in the real world, it was no surprise that even if he shared looks with Kate in the copter, Sawyer still felt no good, and he felt Kate wanted to get off that Island more than anything, so he jumped.

The rest is history…so I am not sure where you have linked Juliets death into this as some kind of “retesting”. Retesting of what exactly? Sawyers growth with Juliet was in realising that he was good enough to be loved by a woman. That he did have leadership qualities. With the safety of Juliet and their environment and no competition for Juliet, he was able to flourish as a man, a boyfriend etc etc. That is why he fought tooth and nail to keep that little bubble going. Juliet dying is not a retesting of sawyer letting go. Juliet dying as far as Sawyer is concerned, is just confirmation that he is not meant to have anything good in this life. He lost his parents at an early age. He never believed Kate loved him and even when he thought of giving it a shot, those old insecurities came back and he “lost” her. Then he thought he had found some sort of Calm with Jules and she dies.

Sawyer hung on to the guilt and his initial reaction was to kill Jack but I don’t think he let go of that because he had “grown up”. Cooper destroyed his parents. Jack had a plan that they all agreed to go with. Juliet agreed to go with the plan because SAWYER did something that confirmed her fears. So, thats the difference I am pointing out to you.

There is no similarity b/w Cooper and Jack. IMHO. If anything Sawyer is more the Cooper in Juliets demise because he actually did things that affected her that led to her death. Jack simply had a plan, and Juliet was collateral damage. Should families that lose loved ones in wars carry out vengeance on the ministries of Defence in whatever country undertook the war? NO. Juliet was collateral damage and if anyone should really be blamed it is Juliet herself, who chose to go ahead with a plan so that she never gets to meet Sawyer, so she never has to lose him. I don’t even know where to start with that but its redundant now.

I don’t see Juliets death as a test on Sawyers ability to let go. I don’t see “letting go” as a Sawyer major issue. Self hate is a bigger issue for Sawyer and there Juliet played a part in the tapestry of the sawyer story because she helped in making him realise that he was worth loving, and she had his back and they were loyal to each other. Sawyer is seeing that he may have caused the death of this person because of his uncontrollable feelings for a woman who he doesnt think loves him or ever did and thats what is eating at Sawyer. Meanwhile, we as the audience know better. We know Kate loves Sawyer but again, Kate no longer believes Sawyer loves her and that for me is what makes the Sawyer and kate story this season a pleasure to watch….but I digress….

In summary, Sawyers issue is not so much letting go, its self hate. Jack and Cooper are not similar. Juliets death was not to retest Sawyer.

Although I find it hard to believe that Darlton planned these episodes to be so deep, if you think about it the whole show could be a way for the universe to guide us towards our correct paths.

I enjoy reading your articles, they always make me feel so philosophical. Thanks for your time.