# Lost 1.18 "Numbers" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 2, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600 "2005-03-02T15:48:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/261 "2005-03-07T19:28:58Z")
Anyone else speculating that Locke’s accident that cost him the use of his legs drove Sam Toomey to his death? Perhaps Locke made a trip to Australia for his walkabout, encountered Toomey, had an accident and the guilt caused Toomey to commit suicide (it would be the second person he crippled.) Then, it took Locke four years to re-train and try again. It is just weird that “four years ago” is used twice. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/262 "2005-03-07T19:50:03Z")
I thought the episode “Numbers” made it clear that Sam committed suicide to escape the bad luck that surrounded him, not out of guilt over those affected by the luck. And Locke’s episode “Walkabout” showed us what a major undertaking, financially, a trip to Australia was for him. I very much doubt he could have done it more than once. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there’s a connection between the two events, but I also think it’s one we’re not going to guess. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/263 "2005-03-07T20:01:33Z")
> [@Fiver](#): > > And Locke’s episode “Walkabout” showed us what a major undertaking, financially, a trip to Australia was for him. I very much doubt he could have done it more than once. Meh, Locke may have been much better off before an accident that crippled him and possibly left him depressed. Having to find work at a box company probably didn’t help matters. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/264 "2005-03-07T20:03:01Z")
> [@Fiver](#): > > I thought the episode “Numbers” made it clear that Sam committed suicide to escape the bad luck that surrounded him, not out of guilt over those affected by the luck. How are the two different? If one doesn’t feel guilt over the results of the bad luck around them, why would they care enough to commit suicide? > [@](#): > > And Locke’s episode “Walkabout” showed us what a major undertaking, financially, a trip to Australia was for him. I very much doubt he could have done it more than once. Interesting point. How long did he say he had been saving for? ---
**Author:** ![Ivar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ivar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ivar)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/265 "2005-03-07T22:33:19Z")
> [@watsonwil](#): > > Interesting point. How long did he say he had been saving for? Let’s not forget he was spending $89.95 an hour talking to phone sex girl, and he paid for a ticket for her as well. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2005, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/266 "2005-03-07T22:35:56Z")
True. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/267 "2005-03-08T15:08:45Z")
> [@watsonwil](#): > > How are the two different? If one doesn’t feel guilt over the results of the bad luck around them, why would they care enough to commit suicide? To make the bad luck end. I may not feel personally guilty about a bear that’s rampaging through the city, but if I have the shotgun that will make it stop, I’ll do it. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/268 "2005-03-08T17:07:59Z")
To answer a few posts: Hurley mentioned that his nickname was because he was squeemish and hurled a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/269 "2005-03-08T17:30:13Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > To answer a few posts: > > Hurley mentioned that his nickname was because he was squeemish and hurled a lot. When did he actually say that? That’s what I’ve always assumed, but I didn’t think he’d ever confirmed it. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/270 "2005-03-08T17:57:35Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > When did he actually say that? That’s what I’ve always assumed, but I didn’t think he’d ever confirmed it. He implied it by what he said and did while trying to help Jack work on that injured guy. He said something to the effect that he’s squeemish and then when JACK PULLED THE METAL FROM THE GUY’S WOUND, hUGO rEYES QUICKLY WENT OFF SCREEN MAKING SPEW NOISES. (I’m on a semi-secure government spay computer, btw, in case you’re wondering.) ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/271 "2005-03-08T17:59:00Z")
Spay is the new spy. I think I’ll go for a walk now… ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/272 "2005-03-08T18:36:14Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > He implied it by what he said and did while trying to help Jack work on that injured guy. He said something to the effect that he’s squeemish and then when JACK PULLED THE METAL FROM THE GUY’S WOUND, hUGO rEYES QUICKLY WENT OFF SCREEN MAKING SPEW NOISES. That was episode 2 (part two of the Pilot), and there weren’t any spew noises. After Jack pulled the metal, Hurley said “Dude” a couple of times, looked weak, and then his eyes rolled up in his head (as Jack said, “Don’t even think about it!”) and Hurley just fainted… He made a few queasy noises before he fainted, but I didn’t hear anything to indicate that he actually threw up. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/273 "2005-03-08T18:39:48Z")
> [@Monstre](#): > > He made a few queasy noises before he fainted, but I didn’t hear anything to indicate that he actually threw up. I actually watched the first episode this past weekend (initiating a couple newbies–they then made me watch every episode there is), and you’ve got it right. He fainted right across the marshal, no puking involved. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/274 "2005-03-08T19:26:17Z")
After re-watching this episode (all my friends know I record it, so they come over here when they’ve missed it), I feel pretty sure that Hurley was once a patient in the nut house along with Leonard. If you listen to the dialogue with the doctor, it sure sounds like he wasn’t just there volunteering. Plus, the writers went overboard with Charlie saying Hurley was acting crazy about every 10 seconds. It still blows me away that no one is really trying to figure out what’s going on on the island. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/275 "2005-03-08T20:14:03Z")
> [@](#): > > It still blows me away that no one is really trying to figure out what’s going on on the island. Here’s my hope for the season finale: We open with the eyeball thing. It pulls back to reveal Jack. He’s awoken to another typical morning on Mystery Island. He wonders how he’ll spend his day; flirting with Kate, fighting with Sawyer, hanging out with Sayid or Charlie. Maybe they’ll be confronted by one of the island’s mysteries. Suddenly his thoughts are interrupted… “Uh, hi, it’s Jack right?” “Yeah.” “Good, I thought so. My name’s Carl. You seem to kind of be a leader of your little group am I right?” “It’s a long story. You see back in America-” “Sorry, hate to interrupt, but we’re kind of a deadline. We took a vote last night at the assembly -” “The what?” “The assembly. Kind of a town council kind of thing. Sally’s a county supervisor back in New Hampshire so she knew the details. We set it up back in the first week to organize things. Anyway, like I was saying, we took a vote and figured we should invite you guys on the boat.” “What boat?” “What do you mean what boat? Haven’t you guys been paying any attention at all? We’ve spent the last two weeks building a boat. Didn’t you notice us hauling all that wood around?” “How on earth did you build a boat?” “Wasn’t that big a deal. Frank and Karen are both carpenters so they knew a lot about building. And Terry’s spent years on sailboats, so he knew all about what we needed. We started on the boat as soon as we finished the cabins.” “Cabins? You’ve got cabins?” “Sure. I mean, no offense, you guys seem to like living on the beach and in those caves, but the rest of us wanted some shelter.” “I’m just amazed that you’ve done all this.” “Well, I have to admit there’s been some bad feelings. We’ve been working all this time and you guys just seem to hang out talking about yourselves and running around in the jungle.” “We were trying to figure out what was happening. You know the polar bear and the mysterious monster and the radio signals and the metal hatch…” “You guys are still bothered by all that stuff? Jeez, you should have said something. We noticed all that stuff back in the first few days. George and Tim and some of the other guys went out to see what was going on. Turns out it was nothing to worry about. We were even able to get some supplies from the people on the other side of the island.” “There’s people on the other side of the island?” “Wow, you guys are really out of touch aren’t you? It’s like you’ve been living in your own little world. Anyway, as I’ve been trying to say, we’ve finished our boat and we’re all stocked up on supplies. We plan on leaving with the next tide. Anyone who want to sail back to Australia with us is welcome. If you want to stay you can have the cabins if you like. Could you pass the word to the rest of your people? Thanks. I’d like to stay and talk but there’s a million last minute things to do. See you.” ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/276 "2005-03-10T04:37:06Z")
Please help a fellow _ **Lost** _ addict. I have missed several episodes (pilot 1, pilot 2, 3 Tabula Rasa, 6 House of the Rising Sun, 8 Confidence Man and 11 All the best Cowboys… - cable was out tonight, the dirty SOB’s). Can anyone loan me copies? I will gladly reimburse costs. Contact: merlin853 at hahtmail daht cahm. Also, what is the first season - 26 episodes? So we have 6 weeks of repeats (probably ones I have seen), and then up to 6 to complete the season? ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2005, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/277 "2005-03-10T04:38:44Z")
p.s. **Nemo** , your post just above is friggin hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/278 "2005-03-12T22:06:41Z")
I caught this in the Tribune the other day: “The Lansing State Journal reports that 215 residents of Michigan used a sequence of six numbers that were heavily featured in the March 2 episode of “Lost.”” It then went on to briefly describe the episode and that the numbers were cursed. ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2005, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/279 "2005-03-13T06:12:59Z")
> [@kidchameleon](#): > > I caught this in the Tribune the other day: > > “The Lansing State Journal reports that 215 residents of Michigan used a sequence of six numbers that were heavily featured in the March 2 episode of “Lost.”” Ah, but did they **win** with those numbers? ---
**Author:** ![Skott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2006, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600/280 "2006-02-03T23:31:10Z")
Is it just me or does [Hurley’s old doctor](http://lost-media.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&album=305&pos=316) (wish I could have found the direct on screen cap) look a little bit like an older version of the [guy in the orientation film](http://lost-media.com/modules.php?name=coppermine&file=displayimage&album=737&pos=199)? Or am I suffering from [ATPLA syndrome](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_099.html)? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-18-numbers/292600.md?page=15)