LOST - despite the dropping ratings I'm still one of the ones following Lost and obviously since the first episode I've been trying to understand what the blazes is going on. This weeks episode (I believe) has exposed the core "truth". This weeks episode answered so many questions that I'm now just waiting for my conclusions to be confirmed.

The "others" are a collection of scientists (this won't surprise anyone watching). My conclusion is that they're working on the idea of a utopian dream on the Island with a view that OFF the Island mankind is doomed (for whatever reason - I damn well hope it's not going to be carbon emissions since that particular debacle has been shown for the fallacy it is). They've been trying to understand the Island's seemingly magical properties, but ran into a major snag when it turned out the Island won't allow conception of children to take place within It's boundaries. Hence the need for Juliana to join them to "fix" the conception issue. They "replaced" the Dharma corporation who left the island having "run out of money" (more support for capitalism).

The "others" have been stealing children as a reaction to the fact they cannot conceive safely (or more importantly, effectively).

The "others" cannot tolerate the plane crash victims because they are not "perfect". IE the plane crash crowd contains psychotics, killers, criminals, conmen etc. In a brave new world these characters are removed from society, hence the "others" intolerence of them. The "irony" being that the "others" by necessicty have to become killers themselves in order to protect their dream of utopia and in that process become that which they most despise.

The conclusion is going to be a pretty good endorsement of capitalism. The utopian dream will fail (utopia is not part of the ideals of capitalism - capitalism is about the few controlling the many, whereas in a Utopia democracy really exists - despite what the supporters of capitalism may say - a capitalist, like the "others" will tell you what they want you to hear). Not only that, but the opposer's of the dream will also fail. The winner will be the company that funds the scientists on the island. Corporate power is shown to be the true and lasting strength in the modern world (let's not forget ABC is a corporation!). In the end we will be given a typical "American" response extolling the virtues of "Freedom" and "Tolerance" whereby the likes of James (the conman), Kate (the murderer) and Said (the torturer) are shown to have a good side and ultimately the ability to contribute to Society. The tongue in cheek aspect being that the corporations that control America outwardly support such ideals, while in practise have little or no interest in them.

Just as a footnote, no, I am not a Communist. I'm certainly not a Capitalist. If you understand the term Socialist as being someone who believes we all make society the way it is, and have a responsibility to understand that our own actions to affect the lives of others, then by all means label me as such.