Still Processing "Ab Aeterno"

Online Buzz
This episode is getting great reviews! Everywhere I read, listen, or talk people are just gushing about how phenomenal it was! Normally, anything I find about the show on Wednesday I start to plug into what will become my weekend post. But here it is, not even 24 hours after "Ab Aeterno" aired and I already have a ton of interesting info. So I'm giving you a bonus post this week. I'm sure there will still be plenty for my weekend post. So here is what I've already found.

Details and Easter Eggs
A few weeks back, in a podcast interview with Darlton, the guys addressed the topic of the Smoke Monster. They said they wouldn't say what it was, but that we should be asking what would happen if he ever escaped the island. At the time it gave me visions of a pillar of smoke in the shape of Godzilla destroying Los Angeles.

The name "Isabella" means "devoted to God" or "pledged to God." She seemed to fit that name. Richard knew he would go to hell for his sins and would never see her again. So he became devoted to Jacob instead. But here is something I find even more ironic about her name: In the language Richard and his wife spoke (Spanish), "Isabella" would sound very close to the words "isla bella" which means "beautiful island."

Did it bother anyone else that the priest stole Richard's Bible? I know Richard wouldn't need it once he was dead, but he would've read it that night at least. I guess the writers were trying to send a deeper message. The priest was stealing Richard's' last hope for redemption.

I've heard a couple people nit pick about the boat bringing down the statue. They feel it's unbelievable that a wooden ship could knock over a stone statue. I'll agree that the ship probably should have broken into many more pieces. But I believe just a wave that large would have enough power to bring down the statue with or without the ship.

Some people are wondering why Richard didn't use his feet to reach the nail and the water. I think it's because he feet were chained to the wall as well as his hands.

Isabella told Richard (through Hurley) he had to kill the Man In Black or they would all go to hell. This is the same kid of message Eloise Hawking implied back at the church in "The Lie" When Ben said he may not be able to gather all the people who needed to go back she said "Then God help us all." At the time it was unclear who "us" was but now it seems she may have meant all of humanity.

I totally missed some great symbolism at the end of this episode. I'm hoping I'm not the only one who slept through the class on metaphors in English 101. Jacob used the wine in the bottle to illustrate the evil contained and the cork was the island keeping the evil "where it belongs." He made it seem like the only way the wine could get out was if something happened to the cork. But at the end the Man In Black showed there is another way out. He busted the bottle and the wine splashed all over the log.

The last time we heard someone on the show say the island was hell was when Anthony Cooper said it. The irony is he said it while in chains on The Black Rock. Then Sawyer sent him to the real hell.

Theories
Maybe not all the dead people we've seen were manifestations of Smokey. Maybe Jacob has the ability to some how lift the veil so they can see their loved ones. Or maybe the island itself is a special place where spirits can cross over. During Mile's "job interview" in the restaurant kitchen, Naomi told him she was leading an expedition to an island. She added "This island has a number of deceased individuals... residing on it..." ("Some Like It Hoth) So if the losties are really seeing the spirits of their loved ones (Christian, Yemi, or even Kate's horse), those loved ones could be encouraging them to make the right choice. Like Richard's wife did through Hurley.

Here's a little project for you to think about the next time you are stuck in traffic or bored at work. What lies in the shadow of the statue? Remember that was the riddle Ilana asked people. When Richard gave her the correct answer in Latin it was "He who will save us all." So who could it be? Will it be Richard if he kills UnLocke? Will it be Jack if he becomes the candidate who takes Jacob's place? I feel like we are getting close enough to start making more educated guesses.

Namaste!