Blog Like An Egyptian
The Egyptian civilization is more interesting than possibly any other in recorded history. From their unbelievable feats of architecture and art, their legendary pyramids, heiroglyphics, and customs have produced a number of theories that, while not always plausible, often carry enough backing to at least be considered. Many have suggested aliens guided Egypt through the construction of several pyramids (some of which align perfectly with stars and planets, strangely), backed up by heiroglyphics, Egypt’s ahead of its time technology, and the parallel of much of the Central American civilizations. Some have suggested that the area around the Sphinx was once flooded, backed up by water damage and landscape issues, a strange thing for a desert, made even stranger as it is (for the most part) unrecorded. So…would it be too unbelievable that Craphole Island has an Egyptian connection?
The first clue was the heiroglyphs that appeared when the 108 Swan Countdown hit 0. This also tells us that DHARMA was well-aware of the Egyptian connection when constructing the Swan - and sought to respect it in their design. Strange thing for DHARMA to do given how little respect they have for the island as a whole. Perhaps the secret lies in what message the symbols make once their countdown is complete: “Underworld.” Given the dead’s presence on the Island (and their power, as seen in Jacob, ChristianSpirit, the whispers, Smokezilla, and now Locke), perhaps the meaning is even greater. Once the numbers were gone and an “event” was imminent, the message may have carried with it something more…
Our second view of the Egyptian influence was much larger - than what we originally saw at least. The remains of a large statue was seen by Sayid and the Kwons, but given little thought - even though this particular statue had a Simpsons-esque (pretty much all cartoons-esque actually) four toes. It was not until right before Sawyer (soon LaFleur) and his fellow Left Behinders went to DHARMA-times that they saw the statue fully (from behind at least). And although this quick flash was meant to tease the viewers, one can gather quite a bit from looking at what little was shown. The statue looks a great deal like it could be (and odds are, is) the Egyptian god Anubis (the ears are a dead giveaway). Who you might remember from the heiroglyphics in front of the central Smokezilla vent in The Temple… (the one depicting the dog-headed person and the zig-zaggy monster)
Speaking of The Temple, one question bursts to mind. Our first knowledge of it was when Ben told Richard and his erstwhile Others to go hike there and stay for the remainder of season four. Then when Ben finally gets around to drawing a map to The Temple for Alex, Karl, and Danielle, the map he provides has a DHARMA-logo marked “TEMPLE.” While I didn’t see anything remotely DHARMA-esque in The Temple, we must know that DHARMA at the very least is aware of it. After all, the Smokezilla-Calling-Puddle-Sink tunnel is located right below Benjamin’s house - which used to belong to an unkown DHARMA-ite. Not only that - but DHARMA built the supersonic fence. Odds are it wasn’t to keep The Hostiles out - initially, at least. If that was its only purpose, they could have built a stronger fence that, ya know, might actually keep them out. No. The fence was DESIGNED to keep Smokezilla out.
So is there a DHARMA station at The Temple? No. No station. But was it used for something by DHARMA? They tried, at least. To understand what Smokey was (and really, what The Island was). That little experiment failed rather spectacularly though. And so…the fence.
So what do we know? “Underworld.” Anubis worship. Smoke monster made of dead powerful spirits living in a temple and judging those living for their sins and their commitment to repentance. Do these things have anything in common?
Anubis - for one - is Egypt’s own god of the afterlife. Oh…well there’s an “underworld” connection right there. Anubis protected the dead on their journey to the afterlife. Seems mighty appropriate for Craphole Island. Ready for shit to get REAL crazy? Anubis is real. Sort of. Ol’ Smokezilla - while composed of the dead spirits of others - is Anubis. When the spirits merge with The Island they - like the Power Zords of centuries past - form (what could be called) Anubis. God of the Underworld. Appropriately located beneath the ground. Even travels beneath the ground. Judges those who inhabits its realm for their worthiness and purity.It should come as no surprise that Radzinsky (possibly all of DHARMA) referred to it as “Cerberus.” Another mythical religious symbol, with the head(s) of a dog (Anubis was a jackal, but why split hairs?). But what Radzinsky (and possibly all of DHARMA) failed to comprehend was that this “monster” was more than just a guardian…it was a god. And this was its realm.
Unfortunately (or maybe luckily) for those fighting for control of Craphole Island, Smokezilla has no biases or stakes in who “wins.” Smokey will always be the true ruler of Craphole Island.But where did it all begin? How does this help explain anything? In a word…
Richard Alpert. Okay, that was two words.
The Egyptians believed that the deceased would live again. Ever hear of anything like that happening? *cough cough* Christian and Locke *cough* Even though Smokey may represent Anubis - someone familiar with Anubis had to give it that label. That someone is ancient Egyptian immortal servant Richard Alpert. A great long time ago, Richard Alpert was something bigger (or irrelevant, depending on how much you love the island) - perhaps even a Pharoah, but far more likely a priest. While travelling through Algeria (just a hop skip and a walk away from Egypt), there was an electrical storm and a flash…and Richard and a few of his people awoke on Craphole Island. Most of those who came were unworthy - and were dealt with swiftly by Smokezilla (an eternal presence). Richard was the only truly worthy one - and was forever given the gift of immortality and the honor of being Smokey’s great servant. Only he knew that this could only be Anubis - the god who controlled death and the afterlife.
Also, Anubis - being part jackal - would probably have four toes.
LOST
Next time: Widmore, Ben, and Angry Spirits!
