Whose Timeline Is It Anyway?
“He’s recruiting.”
The Substitute is the key to understanding the purpose of Timeline X, if not its strange, physiologically-baffling nature. How it was created is a mystery, but why it was created could hardly be clearer. The island sunk in this world, flight 815 did not crash, and everyone’s lives are…different, but similar. What makes them different? In this world, Jacob never toyed with their lives to get them to Craphole Island. And one change seems to be universal: everyone (well, most everyone) seems a great deal happier in Timeline X.
- Locke has come to terms with his paralyzation, is marrying Helen, and has a good relationship with Anthony Cooper.
- Claire has Aaron, isn’t worried about mysterious “infections,” and doesn’t have to live in the jungle by herself.
- Hurley considers himself incredibly lucky, seems content with life, is still super-rich.
- Sayid can be with Nadia, and remind her to look both ways before crossing the street.
- Ben is a kindly teacher, likely married to Annie with a young daughter of their own.
The most important thing for all involved though (particularly Jack) is that this is a reset. All of the harm, death, and sorrow from their time on Craphole Island is forever undone (even though they don’t realize it, and not realizing it is the key). Their lives are not perfect, but for the most part, they’re better and (even if their lives are NOT better, as in the case of Jin/Sun, who will still have their marital issues and be unable to conceive theoretically) the reset is a huge blessing in and of itself. Not a perfect world, but it’s better than what they got.
Enter Faux-Locke. He wants off of Craphole Island. He needs “recruits,” according to Ilana. Let’s assume a battle is on the horizon. Unfortunately, being a Smoke Monster isn’t going to win you many friends. So how does he get anyone to join him?
Step 1: Establish that Jacob is the dick in this situation. How? Show Sawyer that Jacob messed with everyone’s life just to get them to this horrible island of death and misery for his own selfish purposes (to find a replacement, a substitute).
Step 2: Show them a world where Jacob never existed. In this case, Timeline X. Looks pretty good to all involved. Sawyer’s gonna like that Juliet isn’t dead anymore, that he hasn’t gone through hell, that he’s still the lovable rogue he used to be. Not only would you be improving your own life, but the lives of the others and those who died. The only consequence? No island.
Step 3: Offer them that world, in exchange for their help (ie “recruitment”). It’s hard to imagine many would turn down Faux-Locke’s offer. Maybe Jin, Sun, the Others (not Ben though), but that would be about it. Jack would definitely want in on such a deal, as would Sayid and Hurley. That leaves only the mysterious “Kwon” as Jacob’s remaining candidate. If Faux-Locke can tempt all of the potential candidates away…bye, bye, Island.
So what does this all mean?
- It means that Jughead did NOT sink the island in Timeline X (all it did - as Miles predicted - was cause The Incident and blast our heroes to the present). Jughead is unrelated to the new timeline. Why did the island sink then? Jacob was not there to save it from…THEM. (alt paradox time-loop theory: because the castaways never arrived to blow up Jughead in the energy pocket, it was never properly contained and the electromagnetic energy was so powerful it dragged the island to the bottom of the ocean. Hence - the lack of Jughead sunk the island!)
- It is unlikely Desmond is travelling between timelines - but still wholly possible.
- Was this timeline created by Smokey, or is he just using its existence to his advantage? My gut tells me Smokey created it, or at least the circumstances that caused it to exist.
What are your thoughts on Timeline X?
