We Need To Clarify Terms[]
Looking over the article I think there needs to be a real attempt to clarify terms and definitions. For example they've got Tale of Two Cities listed as a Juliet flashback ep. I racked my brain trying to think of what the hell they're talking about since it was clearly a Jack flashback ep. Obviously the article is refering to the scene at the Barracks. To me this isn't a flashback. The flashbacks are the narrative devices not any events taking place in the past. Similarly I wouldn't list the scene between Karl and Alex in the s3 finale as a flashback. I think we really need to clarify what exactly counts as a flashback.
Theories & Commentary[]
One theory (my own) is that the "flashbacks" aren't real and are instead the imagined backgrounds that characters are having of fellow survivors. This would explain the numerous coincidences regarding the numbers and more, while also providing the opportunity of plenty of twists later on. For example, we may find out Hurley is even more delusional than we originally thought and isn't even a millionaire and only first saw the numbers on Danielle's map - his overactive imagination has him believing that those are the numbers he played with to win the lottery. The flashbacks of his life are perhaps imagined by Charlie. These imagined flashbacks/backstories could also be in the minds of the Others. This theory allows for the possibility that these backstories were imagined before the crash, concurrent with the storyline, long after the events on Lost, or even a combination of all three. LeonMofo 23:11, 6 May 2006 (PDT)
- The "Note" section of the flashback main article says the producers have dismissed the suggestion that the flashbacks are fictive or implanted.
I'd like to know if there is any confirmation that the character featured in each flash is actively remembering/experiencing the flash. We know that the subject of the flash is directly relevent to the situation they are in on the island thus usually explaining the character's insecurities and such, but are they sitting there thinking "this is just like that one time...." I only bring this up in reference to Jack's Flash Forward. Does he have a bad feeling about what he is doing? does he have the images just like desmond but does his best to ignore them out of stubborness? Is he having horrible day dreams about what he might encounter back in life? OR if these are just for us and do not cross into his consiousness at all how does that affect all of the flashbacks? --Dazey2322 09:53, 11 June 2007 (PDT)
Cross Reference[]
Has anyone thought of doing a listing of which characters make appearances in other characters flashbacks? Maybe be able to organize the pre-crash events into a coherent timeline? PanSavant 20:18, 7 May 2006 (PDT)
Check out the Character Relations link.--Tricksterson 10:50, 8 May 2006 (PDT)
Thanks PanSavant 14:36, 8 May 2006 (PDT)
Walkabout[]
The 4th episode of Season 1, Walkabout, had flashbacks on the island (showing John Locke getting up), so this is actually the first. --SilvaStorm
Temporal Exceptions[]
I've removed the following from this section about flash backs before the plane crash and given my reasons below emboldened:
- Pilot's flashbacks take place on the plane, just prior to the crash.
:I think that last 5 words explains it.
- Exodus's flashbacks take place on the day of the flight, leading up through boarding.
:Again, that statement alone shows it took place before the crash.
- In Tabula Rasa, one scene takes place on the plane. This overlaps with the Pilot's flashbacks.
:The scene takes place before the crash.
- Desmond's flashbacks in Live Together, Die Alone occur mainly, but not entirely, on the island.
:All of Desmond's flashbacks are before the crash in this episode. His last flashback is the point at which he fails to press the button. Once he does stop the system failure, we see no more flash backs. Then its about two minutes before the plane crashes. Therefore, they are before the crash flashbacks. -- Plkrtn talk contribs email 07:46, 20 October 2006 (PDT)
Is it still necessary to list the flashforwards in temporal exceptions? Should the exceptions be re-defined to not include them?Congested 19:03, 16 February 2008 (PST)
- I came here exactly to point that out. There are three seasons plus five episodes left as of March 2008, and it wouldn't be wrong to expect a lot more. We should have those listed in Flashforwards. -- c blacxthornE t 04:06, 9 April 2008 (PDT)
"Note" should be relocated to theories[]
The second part of the "Note" paragraph reads, "There is some danger associated with having a flashback episode: Shannon, Ana Lucia, Eko, Nikki and Paulo were all killed off at the end of their centric episodes, and Charlie in the episode after his." This is a theory and should be relocated to the theories page. Though some characters are killed of at the end of their centric episodes, most are not, so it doesn't really indicate a pattern. From a narrative point of view, backstory is especially significant when a main character is about to exit the show anyway, so it's not unusual that the death of Shannon, for example, should be preceded by flashbacks about her character.
question[]
With the flashbacks, are the characters actually remembering the event or is that just to inform us of what's going with that character. I know that with Elliott in LOST: Via Domus, he does remember and it helps him with his journey, but that was just a game and they could have just thrown that in there to get the flashback in the game and be practical at the same time.--Sawbucks 15:14, 11 November 2008 (PST)
- I think it's a little bit of both. I think the characters are reminiscing about their past, but it's also part of the show to inform us about the chatacters' past. In the case of Elliott, he was actually remembering his past, rather than reminiscing. -- CTS Talk Contribs 15:23, 11 November 2008 (PST)
- Also in the cases of Ben ("The Man Behind the Curtain") and Locke ("Cabin Fever") we see part of the past which they never witnessed (pre-birth) and part of the past which they can't remember (as infants). Also in rare events we actually see that the person is remembering (Kate in "Whatever the Case May Be" connecting the plane mobile to her past; Juliet in "The Other Woman", connecting The Tempest, Harper and Goodwin to her past; Sun in "D.O.C.") where she remembers the reasons she is suspicius of Jin being the father). Orhan94 21:03, 25 January 2009 (UTC)
Desmond is also one of the other seven characters with a flashback where they first appear in. Look Miles, Charlotte and Frank in Cormided Dead, Juliet in A Tale Of Two Cities, Jack in pilot part 1, Jacob in the Inicdent part 1& 2 and Desmond in Man of science, Man of faith.--Station7 09:49, 7 July 2009 (UTC)