Flash Sideways is the Matrix?!

[zooch]

I think that the flash sideways is a kind of prison for the losties and especially the candidates. This "prison" is a manipulated existence created by MIB/FLOCK/SMOKEY as a result of his eventual escape from the island. MIB must keep everyone trapped there in order to preserve his existence off the island, kinda like in the Matrix movies. So by giving everyone "what they want most" in a fantasy world, they will never go looking for the true world they used to live in on (and before) the island, since that would destroy MIB's freedom.

But just as in the Matrix, people can discover that there is another world outside of this contrived world, and eventually escape to discover the island and the world were they have true freewill and true love. So in a sense, it's like a hell where everything keeps them just comfortable enough that they won't go looking deeper, more fulfilling lives.

Desmond has a great life, he has everything he ever wanted, Widmore's approval, a great job, and a life of status and comfort.

The only catch is that when they come into contact with of prisoners of this manufactured reality, there is bleed through.

So Desmond is like Neo in the Matrix, where he has the ability to crossover and bring down this fake reality. And he's doing it. And spreading the word to other losties. He's like Neo and Morpheus rolled into one, freeing people by showing them the truth of their previous lives, and the love they left behind.

Eloise is remotely similar to the Oracle, but a more mean and nasty one. She knows what going on, but still lives within this false world because she gets to have her son alive.

The more I start to think of the this theory, the more connections I find.

Any takers?

[spinaltumor]

I just don't see the sideways world as a dream come true place. Sun and Jin would not be wanting Sun to be shot. And what they'd probably want most is the Ji Yeon Sun already has and loves, yeah? Not an unborn one?

And wouldn't Sayid want to actually BE with Nadia instead of her being married to his brother?


I know Eloise said Desmond had what he wanted most, but he still really didn't. He wants Penny above all else. Wouldn't his dream be to continue his life with her as it always was with their son Charlie?


And what about characters like Libby and Charlie who have experienced flashes of their Island lives as well? They're dead. How can they be under some MIB spell?

[zooch]

I meant to say that I DO think that the flash sideways does represent a 'do over' in terms of everyone's lives up until the moment of the original crash.

My theory assumes that MIB's island escape plans SUCCEEDS, and the flash sideways is the result. So, the MIB's plan for freedom somehow gives him enough power to reshape the world as he sees fit, and as long as he keep the losties and candidates from somehow un-doing his escape, he will remain free and in control of this false world.

After thinking about this for few days, I still think this is a possible.

In fact, what makes this so interesting to me is that what we're watching now with the on-island story precedes the flash sideways world. In the same way that everyone thought that Julliet exploding the bomb created the flashsideways timeline, I actually think that it is the escape plan/conflict on island that is leading us toward the creation of the flashsides.

Meanwhile, Desmond's actions are setting into motion an effort for the losties and candidates to re-capture MIB from the flash sideways world, and re-imprison him onto the island, with a new Jacob to oversee it all.

It's a lot to expect from just 5 more episodes, but I think it would kick ass if this happens!

Any thoughts anyone?

[LongLiveLocke]

I think you missed spinal's main point though, which is that the sideways reality really isn't all that great. If MIB were wanting to create a reality they wouldn't want to escape from, he would have given them their heart's desires, not some pale shadow of what they could have had that would have them longing for their island lives.

[zooch]

Well, I can definitely see that, and you're right, the flashsideways isn't that great, perfect and rosey.

But I don't simply believe MIB created a false world for the losties just to trapping them with the wool pulled over their eyes. Like everything else, it's a loophole. He went around gathering recruits, claiming that he would give them "what they desire the most". But the devil has a twisted sense of humor, like the genie in the lamp. For instance, he may fulfill his promise to Sayid, by arranging to have Nadia back in Sayid's life, but married to his brother instead. After all, Sayid was not specific, he was vague, and MIB capitalized on that.

Since season 2, it has been implied that Desmond seeks Widmore's approval, presumably so that he and Penny could be happy together with her father's blessing. But maybe the lesson is that Desmond place to much significance on Widmore, and not just on his relationship with Penny. After all, he did leave Penny to join the military, when he could has stayed with Penny and worked on his personal demons.

For all we know, it may be revealed in the island timeline that Jack very much wants to have a son, and MIB may trick him into following him off island.

Also, even in the Matrix, Agent Smith admits that humans rejected an early version of the Matrix that gave everyone happy perfect lives, suggesting that humans need misery to define themselves. And although I'm not at all suggesting that the Lost writers are copying the storypoints of the Matrix, I will say that a persistent theme of the flash sideways is freewill.

I definitely don't think that this theory could ever be the whole truth, but I do think I've touched on some ideas that may be revealed as part (even a small part) of the endgame.