10 Biggest Unanswered Questions From ‘Lost’

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Frequently talked about due to its intricate plotlines, memorable personalities, and contentious finale, the series Lost continues to spark debate among viewers. Over the course of its broadcast, it gained notoriety for resolving one enigma just to introduce two or three new ones immediately afterwards, leaving many mysteries surrounding Lost unresolved even today.

It’s worth noting that certain questions in this set aren’t crucial to the main storyline of “Lost.” In fact, fans have come up with their own interpretations for these questions, but these theories haven’t been officially validated by the creators of “Lost.” Although it seems unlikely that all these questions will ever be definitively answered, we can only hope that a possible revival of “Lost” might shed some light on them.

10
Who Was Shooting in the Outrigger Chase?

As a dedicated admirer of cinematic masterpieces like Lost, I’ve always found the mystery surrounding the identities of those firing at our characters during the outrigger chase in Season 5, specifically in “The Little Prince,” to be an itch that just won’t scratch. During this episode, Sawyer (Josh Holloway), Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell), and others were grappling with time shifts when, while paddling an outrigger canoe towards the island, they were unexpectedly under fire from a group of unidentified individuals. Despite their best efforts to escape, our heroes managed to get away, leaving us viewers wondering who these mysterious shooters were and what their motives could possibly be. This enigma remains unsolved even today.

An Unnecessary Mystery

Damon Lindelof, who was in charge of creating and running the TV series Lost, had originally planned to reveal the characters’ true identities during Season 6. However, the show took a different turn instead. Recent clues hint that the shooters may have come from Black Rock, similar to Sawyer’s group, and were also affected by the time jumps. Yet, this doesn’t explain their motive for shooting at the canoe or their ultimate objective. Sadly, this mystery remains unresolved, as it appears that understanding the characters’ identities was significant in the early stages of Lost, but eventually became just another unsolved question as the series progressed.

9
Why Are Some People “Special”?

The concept of unique or extraordinary figures was initially introduced in Season 1 through Malcolm David Kelley’s character Walt. Following this, other such characters made their appearance, like Hurley (Jorge Garcia) and the Man in Black (Titus Welliver). However, the nature by which these characters were ‘special’ remained unclear throughout the series, a point some viewers argue is deliberate. While this perspective holds water on the surface, it becomes questionable when we consider other characters labeled as ‘special’, such as Locke (Terry O’Quinn), who turned out not to be truly special, leaving us to ponder what being ‘special’ actually signifies within the context of the show.

The Problem with Walt

From a storytelling viewpoint, it’s true that certain characters can embody unique traits, which explains the appeal of the Chosen One archetype. However, for some characters like Walt, this concept didn’t develop as expected, most notably because the actor who played him was written out of the show, leading to a premature end for his storyline. In “The New Man in Charge,” Hurley made an attempt to retrieve Walt and return him to the Island, but this resolution felt unsatisfying and confusing. It left many questions unanswered, such as why he needed to return, why he had to leave initially, how his special abilities would be utilized further, etc.

Essentially, being ‘special’ didn’t hold significant importance in the series. Characters who were labeled as special often failed to meet expectations, while those who seemed ordinary yet weren’t actually special often possessed more abilities and played pivotal roles.

8
What Is Mother’s Story?

Originally guarding the island was Mother (Allison Janney). Later, after killing their birth mother Claudia, she took on the role of adoptive mother to both Jacob (Mark Pellegrino) and the Man in Black. As shown in the controversial episode “Across the Sea,” her aim was to find a new protector for the island, eventually choosing Jacob. She then eliminated the Man in Black’s followers and attempted to stop him from leaving the island, fearing it would bring about its demise. In retaliation, the Man in Black ended her life, thus preventing any further disclosure of the secrets surrounding her past and objectives.

Fleshing out the Island

Immediately, several questions arise about Mother’s background: How did she reach the island? Who was she before her arrival? Moreover, what made it crucial for her to find a new protector for the island, and why wasn’t Jacob permitted to depart via another means? While these inquiries may not be essential to appreciate the series, Mother played a significant role in the narrative. Gaining insights into her origin and activities on the island can help viewers grasp how the island functioned and why Jacob and the Man in Black were so pivotal.

7
Why Was Desmond in Prison?

In the initial scene of the final episode from Season 2 titled “Live Together, Die Alone,” set in 2001, Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick) is freed from a military detention center. The reason for his imprisonment remains unclear; however, his discharge documents suggest he was dishonorably discharged. As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that Desmond experienced time jumps in the army, which caused him to act oddly and disobey orders from his superior officer. This could have led to a conviction for insubordination or desertion, but the true extent of his misdeeds is left for viewers to ponder.

Kind of Answered

Among all the questions on this list, this one might be considered the least crucial in terms of storytelling and also the simplest to infer an answer for. Yet, not knowing its definitive answer can still be frustrating. The question about Desmond’s imprisonment shares similarities with “Why was Libby institutionalized?” Although the reason is hinted at – he may have been incarcerated due to a crime related to his grief – it’s never explicitly confirmed. Therefore, there’s a chance that neither answer is accurate, and we won’t find out for sure unless the creators provide clarification.

6
What Was the Significance of the Toy Truck/Glass Eye/Etc.?

This entry presents multiple questions intertwined, yet it’s clearer to discuss them jointly. Throughout the series ‘Lost’, certain objects appeared mysteriously in unusual locations, suggesting there were hidden events happening within those scenes. For example, during the episode “Further Instructions”, Eko was discovered inside a polar bear cave surrounded by skeletons and a toy truck. Similarly, in “The Other 48 Days”, a glass eye was found in a box at the Arrow station, but its background remains unexplained.

Unsatisfactory Possibilities

One possibility is that the truck or the eye belonged to either a polar bear or an unseen member of the Dharma Initiative, respectively. Yet, both scenarios seem implausible and diminish the intrigue generated by the objects’ strategic placement. We could choose to disregard these items, but then why were they deliberately placed there in the first place?

In addition to normal objects, some unexplained spiritual sightings were experienced by the characters as well. For instance, in “What Kate Did,” the character Kate (Evangeline Lilly) encounters a black steed. This same horse helped her escape when it made a marshal crash his car, but its return on the island remains unclear. Is it a hallucination, the work of the Man in Black, or is it really there, present in the physical world? The mystery leaves the audience guessing, making it harder to comprehend the horse’s significance.

5
What Were the Rules Between Charles and Ben?

Across the intriguing saga, I found myself captivated by the enigmatic bond shared between Charles Widmore (Alan Dale) and Ben Linus (Michael Emerson). Their pursuit for dominance over the Island was relentless, each ready to traverse treacherous paths to assert their authority. Yet, after the tragic demise of Ben’s daughter, Alex, at the hands of Martin Keamy, Ben asserted that Charles had redefined the boundaries between them. He hinted at a pact they held, one that forbade them from taking each other’s lives. But as I followed their tumultuous journey, I found myself questioning who established these rules, what else they encompassed, and why two powerful figures like Charles and Ben felt bound by such an oath.

Other Rules

In addition to Ben and Charles having unclear guidelines, Jacob and the Man in Black adhered to their own set of rules as well. However, these rules, similar to theirs, remained shrouded in mystery for the viewers, making them difficult to comprehend. If Lost ever undergoes a remake, it would be beneficial for the creators to clearly establish the characters’ rules.

4
Who Did Harper Mean by “Her?”

In the episode titled “The Other Woman,” character Juliet attends a therapy session with Harper, one of the Others’ counselors. When asked about her feelings towards Ben, she expresses that he has been kind to her. This prompts Harper to remark, “Naturally, he’s always been nice to you because you resemble someone.” The specific individual Harper is referring to remains unclear and is not further discussed in the series. Some viewers believe that “someone” could be Ben’s late mother, Emily Linus, while others speculate it might be Annie, a childhood friend of Ben’s. However, Annie bears little resemblance to Juliet, and if Harper meant Emily, then Ben’s romantic feelings for Juliet might raise some eyebrows.

The Bigger Annie Mystery

Essentially, it doesn’t matter who “her” refers to specifically in Harper’s line, given the nature of the time-travel and family-oriented series. However, it seemed like that line was intended to foreshadow a larger plot development, and it appeared clear that Annie would have a more significant role. Surprisingly, adult Annie never made an appearance, but subsequent material has confirmed that “her” indeed refers to Annie. Unfortunately, the lack of her presence in the series makes it challenging for viewers to accept this revelation.

3
What Exactly Is the Smoke Monster?

As a devoted moviegoer, I can’t help but reflect on the enigma that shrouded the essence of the Smoke Monster in the captivating series, Lost. This ominous cloud of black smoke had an uncanny ability to transform into different shapes, engage with characters and objects, and miraculously heal from any physical harm inflicted upon it, be it stabbing or shooting. In the episode titled “Across the Sea,” we uncovered the startling truth that the Smoke Monster and the Man in Black were one and the same entities, born when Jacob cast the Man in Black into the heart of the Island. Yet, this revelation only sparked more questions.

Why Couldn’t the Man in Black Leave?

As a devoted movie buff, I can’t help but reflect on the haunting tale of the Man in Black. His fate was irrevocably decided when he made a desperate attempt to flee the enigmatic Island. The chilling actions of Jacob, who served as its guardian, ensured that the Man in Black would be perpetually bound to this mysterious place, until his final breath or perhaps eternity.

However, it’s hard not to question whether this was a self-fulfilling prophecy—a tragic twist where Mother sought a protector for the Island, only to unwittingly birth its most formidable adversary. The heart, which held the power to release him from his prison, was not an option, as it would have inevitably destroyed the Island itself. But I can’t help but wonder: were there other paths he could have taken? If not, I long to uncover the reasons behind this seemingly inescapable destiny.

2
Was the Valenzetti Equation Ever Solved?

In the television series “Lost,” the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42 hold significant importance. These numbers are significant because they were Hurley’s winning lottery numbers (after Lenny kept repeating them), they appear on the side of the mysterious hatch, and Desmond uses them to avert disaster. It seems these numbers were intended to prevent the end of the world, but the specifics of their role remained unsolved.

What we Know

In the fictional series, the Valenzetti Equation was a mathematical formula devised by character Enzo Valenzetti. On the show, this equation supposedly assigns numbers to potential protectors of the Island, such as Locke, Sawyer, and John. Crucially, altering one of these numbers is said to avert global catastrophe. Regrettably, the program did not delve into how or why this is so, leaving the possibility of an impending apocalypse seemingly unresolved.

1
Were They Dead the Whole Time or Not?

In this last analysis, there’s a good chance it’ll stir up debate due to the highly contentious nature of the ending of Lost. Some spectators believe the finale successfully resolved all primary enigmas, while others perceive it as an insult directed at fans who had devoted significant time and emotional investment in the characters. Despite individual opinions, it’s indisputable that Lost‘s conclusion left several unanswered questions. Even among those who argue it was neatly tied up, the ongoing discussions about the ending suggest that, at the very least, clarity wasn’t completely achieved.

Lost Details in the Ending

In essence, the characters appeared alive upon reaching the island; however, there was always a possibility they could have been dead. By the finale, most of the characters had seemingly perished and moved on to some afterlife location, but a few remained on the island for unknown purposes. The show “Lost” deliberately embraced ambiguity in this episode, which is not inherently bad, but it’s misleading to suggest that the events were clear or beyond dispute.

In truth, many items on this list share a similar pattern – while several potential solutions have been proposed, there remains much heated discussion among fans. The most intriguing enigma of all is whether these mysteries will ever be unraveled, and which future series could match the lasting impact and complexity of Lost.

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2025-03-01 23:03