Runway
From Lostpedia
The Hydra • The Arrow • The Swan
The Flame • The Pearl • The Orchid
The Staff • The Tempest
The Looking Glass • The Lamp Post
[[:Category:{{{Images}}}|Images]]
The Others constructed a runway or landing strip on Hydra Island by clearing a straight path of vegetation and rocks.
In 2004, Kate and Sawyer were captured by the Others and forced to remove large rocks and debris from the field as hard labor.
Juliet previously claimed she did not know the purpose of the runway, but offered one (probably tongue-in-cheek) possibility: ("Through the Looking Glass")
| “ |
| ” |
According to the Official Lost Podcast of March 19, 2009, Jacob ordered the runway to be built. It seems highly probable that Jacob was expecting the arrival of Flight 316.
2004 construction
Sawyer and Kate were abruptly taken from their cages by a group of Others, under the leadership of Danny and Tom. They were assigned different tasks by Danny, who appeared to be the site's supervisor. Kate was forced to break apart rocks while Sawyer wheeled them away. There appeared to be a number of other people performing similar jobs. ("The Glass Ballerina")
Danny also employed a very strict system of rules and punishments at the runway; he used a taser, previously employed by Juliet, to help keep Sawyer and Kate quiet and obedient. Juliet appeared to hold equal, if not greater, authority than Danny, as freely she offered Sawyer a drink from her canteen without any objection from Danny. ("The Glass Ballerina")
Alexandra Rousseau sneaked into the work site in order to ask Kate about Karl. ("The Glass Ballerina")
Alex sneaked into the runway site a second time, attempting to free Kate and Sawyer. She inadvertently set off an alarm and was quickly captured by Danny. Before being taken away, she managed to tell Kate, "Don't believe a word they say. They'll kill your boyfriend just like they did mine." ("I Do")
Later that day, Kate was brought to Jack in an attempt to convince him to perform a surgery on Ben. During their meeting, Jack asked her what they were doing at the work site. Kate responded that she did not know, "But it's something big". ("I Do")
After a deal was made that allowed Sawyer and Kate to escape, the Others evacuated Hydra Island and ceased work at the runway.
2008 Off-Island/2007 On-Island Use
Ajira Airways Flight 316 used the runway to land after the co-pilot spotted the strip. ("The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham") ("Namaste") It proved not to be long enough to accommodate the landing of Ajira Airways Flight 316 at such a high landing speed, and the plane veered slightly off the strip into the jungle near the end of the strip. The runway seems considerably more complete than it was in 2004, suggesting the Others have been working on it in the interim.
Trivia
- The purpose of the Others' work on Hydra Island was originally intended to be revealed as early as "The Cost of Living": Danny Pickett asks Sawyer if he knows what they're working on, and then reveals that it is going to be a runway. However, the scene was ultimately cut from the final episode, so Juliet answers Sawyer's question in "Through the Looking Glass" instead.
