# Lost 1.3: "Tabula Rasa" (some unboxed spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 6, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909 "2004-10-06T20:00:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![ElectricZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58f4c7/32.png) [@ElectricZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElectricZ)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/121 "2004-10-08T20:02:25Z")
> [@Antonius Block](#): > > It’s “Oceanic Airlines” which, by virtue of being nonexistent, reduces the possibility of lawsuits. Apparently “Oceanic” was also used in the movie “Executive Decision”, so it seems to have a history of danger. Avoid it like the plague in future! > And whatever you do, keep away from wherever [Jessica Fletcher](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086765/) is staying this week! Dang it! Beat me by a minute! Oh well, at least you answered my “Executive Decision” question. Thanks! EZ ---
**Author:** ![Saranga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Saranga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saranga)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/122 "2004-10-08T20:06:42Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > The pregnant woman is Australian, isn’t she? Yep. So when she has her baby there will be 2 Australians… ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/123 "2004-10-08T20:07:35Z")
The airline is “Oceanic Airlines” (also the airline in “Executive Decision”) My watch has 2 time zones, one of which is set to UTC. So I wouldn’t need to know the Syndey time offset. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/124 "2004-10-08T20:15:03Z")
As for where they are: The [flight path](http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=SYD-LAX%0D%0A&RANGE=&PATH-COLOR=red&PATH-UNITS=mi&SPEED-GROUND=&SPEED-UNITS=kts&RANGE-STYLE=best&RANGE-COLOR=navy&MAP-STYLE=&ETOPS=330) for a Sydney - Los Angeles flight would take them almost directly over [Fiji](http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/australia/oceania_ref02.jpg). Assuming the radio crapped out about 6 hours into the flight, that would have put them probably somewhere close to the Phoenix Islands (very rough guess). If they then turned back toward Fiji, AND wound up about 1,000 miles off course, AND crashed on an island wherein lives (or lived) a French speaking woman, they may well be somewhere within French Polynesia. That would put them between, I would say, about 10 and 20 degrees south latitude, and probably 140-150 degrees W Longitude. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2004, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/125 "2004-10-08T20:28:17Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > What was funny, was them saying, “we can’t remove their hope” then they get back to the beach and the people say, “Did you get a signal?” > > “No. Nothing at all.” :eek: It beats “no, and not only that, but there’s been a signal going for 16 years that no one has responded to… so we’re screwed.” ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/126 "2004-10-08T20:31:17Z")
Hurley could lose weight over the course of the show, but according to the producers the first season is only supposed to cover the first 40 days on the island. I’m guessing from the previews (“We hunt!”) that they’re not all going to be starving, so I’m guessing that while it may be realistic for Hurley to lose _some_ weight, it’s probably not going to be very dramatic. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/127 "2004-10-08T20:35:09Z")
> [@Algernon](#): > > I’m a bit hesitant to continue this hijack, but could you say more about this? How would anyone know that Sydney noon is _exactly_ 10 hours ahead of Greenwich noon? Well, if GMT is a known noon somewhere, a specific line, rather than a zone, then they could just subtract 10 hours from their watches and say to the rescuers “our noon was at 9:42pm GMT”, which would give them an accurate source to calculate from, right? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/128 "2004-10-08T20:35:36Z")
> [@t-keela](#): > > You say the corpses would’ve been **disposed** of? > Never heard of the Donner party have you? The Donner party were fresh kills. They didn’t, um, let them marinate in their own juices in a tropical environment for several days before digging in. :eek: ---
**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:** [October 8, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/129 "2004-10-08T20:37:19Z")
I have a nasty habit of not finishing out a thread before I send a reply. I see my point was already explained. ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/130 "2004-10-08T20:42:37Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > The Donner party were fresh kills. They didn’t, um, let them marinate in their own juices in a tropical environment for several days before digging in. :eek: Not only fresh kills, but there was **plenty** of natural refrigeration up in the Sierra Nevada in the winter of 1846, which was the Donner party’s problem in the first place! I’m amazed that Jack and the redneck could be in the plane cabin chatting away about looting without retching from the stench. At least wear something to cover your noses! ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/131 "2004-10-09T01:05:57Z")
> [@t-keela](#): > > BTW What airlines was this? I didn’t think Qantas ever crashed. [No longer true](http://www.ministers.dotars.gov.au/ja/releases/2001/april/a57_2001.htm). See also [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=117137&highlight=qantas+crash). And actually, they crashed quite a bit in the days before jet travel. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/132 "2004-10-09T02:26:07Z")
**rockle** That’s what I get for listening to a rainman… > [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > The Donner party were fresh kills. They didn’t, um, let them marinate in their own juices in a tropical environment for several days before digging in Weren’t they fresh at first? Sure if you let 'em lay around several days they won’t be fresh anymore but that’s just natures way of tenderizing the meat. I’ve seen lot’s of folks that hang meat for days in an unrefrigerated environment. What are you guys sqeamish…well when you’re eating your shoes. I haven’t seen enough to know what exactly is on the island but I doubt we’d have to resort to cannibalism. But just so you’ll know, you better stay healthy. I’m a good fisherman and know how to build traps and nets…so we’ll be okay. I’ve hunted with snares, spears, traps, and a bow. AND there’s plenty of vegetation that’s edible so y’all don’t worry. But I still like a nice grilled medium rare steak once in awhile. I haven’t hunted any bear in awhile but y’all say there’s one on that island. Man that’s great, we’re gonna eat good. **A/B** you still around…we gonna have a BBQ buddy. Just soon as I brew up some hooch. ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/133 "2004-10-09T03:22:44Z")
> [@t-keela](#): > > **A/B** you still around…we gonna have a BBQ buddy. Just soon as I brew up some hooch. Look two posts up ^^^^, **t-keela**. While you were gone we got the longitude/latitude stuff squared away, I think. I’m gald to hear that you’re a good fisherman – I had suggested **Polycarp** for that job back in post #109, but that was just a play on his name. I also realize that it’s a good idea to keep you busy and well-fed, since now I know your eating ethics I’m keeping an eye open and sleeping lightly. I forget to add in #109 that if this were a “LOSTdope” we’d have some mighty good homebrew in short order, especially if **Colibri** knows as much about tropical flora as tropical fauna. I do a pretty good Steam Beer. ---
**Author:** ![t-keela](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a3d4f5/32.png) [@t-keela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/t-keela)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/134 "2004-10-09T06:29:44Z")
I asked if you were still around cause by now I figured you’d already got your coordinates, rigged up a canoe or something loaded with whatever you could haul and got your ass offa that damned island before the retards there start killing each other. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Sayid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jack\_Sayid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Sayid)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/135 "2004-10-11T19:03:42Z")
Check it out, [Drive Train](http://www.lostfansite.com/images/promotional/The_Moth_02b.jpg) live! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/136 "2004-10-12T21:16:05Z")
Does anyone know if tomorrow night’s _Lost_ will be preempted by the debate? I may die if I don’t get my weekly dose…of _Lost_ you silly! ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/137 "2004-10-13T01:41:00Z")
> [@Encinitas](#): > > Does anyone know if tomorrow night’s _Lost_ will be preempted by the debate? I may die if I don’t get my weekly dose…of _Lost_ you silly! Here in the SF Bay Area, according to [zap2it.com](http://www.zap2it.com), the debate is due to end at 8pm, and LOST will be on at 10pm. You might want to check your local listings at that site, since your area may be different. As an aside, **Evangeline Lilly** (“Kate”) was on the Jimmy Kimmel show last night. [I never usually watch that, but saw her name on the promos so made an exception. She was very charming and poised, at least for someone who was toiling in total obscurity a few months ago, but said a couple of things about the show. The first is only a minor spoiler, more of an anti-spoiler really since it tells us what information we _won’t_ find out soon: Kimmel asked her what crime her character had committed, and she said she still hadn’t been told that yet! If she was telling the truth, then we’re not going to find out any time soon either. They showed a clip of an upcoming episode, in which (and here’s a **REAL** spoiler, so be warned): Kate was up a tree in the jungle, trying to attach what looked like part of a radio transmitter (the already-seen transceiver?) to the trunk, when she sees The Tree-Knocking-Down-Monster approaching. Except that it’s invisible, and so we only see it by where it’s knocking down branches and flattening the undergrowth. Well, that answers one question at least. ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/138 "2005-06-17T19:35:44Z")
Just wanted to note something I noticed about this episode. This is the first time I had seen it. Did we see the first instance of Walt’s powers? Walt and Michael are under a tarp and it’s raining, Michael says he’ll look for Vincent as soon as it stops raining. Walt looks at the rain and it stops. Also reminded me of when Locke was able to predict almost exactly when rain would start. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909/139 "2005-06-17T21:28:12Z")
> [@Odinoneeye](#): > > Just wanted to note something I noticed about this episode. This is the first time I had seen it. > > Did we see the first instance of Walt’s powers? I believe that the consensus in these parts is that Walt had _something_ – but we’re not sure _what_, exactly – to do with the appearance of the polar bear. He was looking at the comic book page with the drawing of the polar bear on it just before the Real Thing appeared elsewhere on the island. It could probably be argued, though, that this was Walt’s first _conscious_ use of his powers, that we know about (if you assume that he KNEW he was going to be able to stop the rain). Although, it could also probably be argued that Walt’s powers are just highly open to suggestion. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-3-tabula-rasa-some-unboxed-spoilers/267909.md?page=6)