# Lost 1.9, "Solitary" (SPOILERS) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 17, 2004, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371 "2004-11-17T23:13:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/141 "2004-11-19T16:01:53Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Jack’s dad and hence Jack being named “Shepherd” is meaningless? 🙂 Of course, on this show NOTHING is meaningless, not even shots of Shannon’s shapely behind (it meant that my attention didn’t wander for a few seconds), but in this case Jack’s last name means the writers aren’t always as subtle and obscure as they are with the philosophers. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/142 "2004-11-19T16:05:26Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Of course, on this show NOTHING is meaningless, not even shots of Shannon’s shapely behind (it meant that my attention didn’t wander for a few seconds), but in this case Jack’s last name means the writers aren’t always as subtle and obscure as they are with the philosophers. Oh I don’t know. Could also be a reference to that noted philosopher Jesus of Nazareth (the Good Shepherd). ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/143 "2004-11-19T16:11:30Z")
I don’t think we CAN count the comic book polar bear now. Walt read that comic only a couple of weeks ago. But Danielle sounded like she was used to bears being on the island already. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/144 "2004-11-19T16:12:07Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > Oh I don’t know. Could also be a reference to that noted philosopher Jesus of Nazareth (the Good Shepherd). Wasn’t that exactly what **Dropzone** said? Or am I being wooshed? ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/145 "2004-11-19T16:25:55Z")
> [@Eats\_Crayons](#): > > Wasn’t that exactly what **Dropzone** said? Or am I being wooshed? Not quite. **spoke-** is clarifying that the historical Jesus, also known as the Good Shepherd, can be thought of as a philosopher along with Rousseau and Locke. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/146 "2004-11-19T16:35:39Z")
_sigh_ That’s okay. I’m used to being ignored. 😉 But, **spoke-** , Jesus ain’t as obscure to the average American TV viewer as, say, Locke or Rousseau. Tried reading Hume once. Got half a page (or one sentence, depending on how you look at it) in before giving up. The advantage of reading philosophers who did not write in English is that their translators feel compelled to make clear what the author said. We’re expected to understand the ones who ostensibly wrote in our own language. ---
**Author:** ![Paisley\_Park](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Paisley\_Park](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paisley_Park)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/147 "2004-11-19T16:35:52Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Of course, on this show NOTHING is meaningless, not even shots of Shannon’s shapely behind (it meant that my attention didn’t wander for a few seconds), but in this case Jack’s last name means the writers aren’t always as subtle and obscure as they are with the philosophers. > [@Askia](#): > > Not quite. spoke- is clarifying that the historical Jesus, also known as the Good Shepherd, can be thought of as a philosopher along with Rousseau and Locke. Could it be [Jean Shepherd](http://www.flicklives.com/Misc/who_is.htm), “a philosopher without portfolio, a wit who never tells a joke”? Nah, it couldn’t be. That would just be way too cool. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/148 "2004-11-19T18:03:28Z")
> [@Max Carnage](#): > > I don’t think we CAN count the comic book polar bear now. Walt read that comic only a couple of weeks ago. But Danielle sounded like she was used to bears being on the island already. Excellent observation. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/149 "2004-11-19T18:23:42Z")
> [@h.sapiens](#): > > …and in a couple of future episodes, a “Richard Malkin” [playful wank] “Malkin” is historically a personification of female carnal desire and animal nature. (“Put on the shape of order and humanity, or you must marry Malkin the May Lady.”) This is why cats are called “Toms” or “Malkins,” depending on their gender. “Malkin” has also come to have strong associations with witchiness and divination. The most famous “Malkin” is the Maid Malkin who was paired with Robin Hood. (Later “Marion.”) Their story is about pairing up in the wild, separate from the conventions of society – and _creating_ enough society and convention for their own happiness. “Raised by Another” is Claire’s back story. I might guess that “Richard Malkin” is either her father or her husband, which would make _Claire_ the series’ “Malkin.” My best guess would be that this episode will feature Claire coming to terms with her present situation (and whatever turmoil she had going on _before_ the crash, since the pattern is that everyone has their own stuff to work through on the island) and the relationship that is developing between her and Charlie will be much less tenuous by the end of the hour. [/playful wank] Of course, it’s a pretty common name, too, and might signify nothing at all. If it does mean _something_, however, then those would be the lines I’d be looking when we’re faced with the actual story. ---
**Author:** ![Paisley\_Park](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Paisley\_Park](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paisley_Park)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/150 "2004-11-19T18:31:33Z")
> [@h.sapiens](#): > > I looked on the IMDB and the only regular character who has a last name listed is John Locke. Of the credited guests, there is Danielle Rousseau, and in a couple of future episodes, a “Richard Malkin” and a “Dr. Shepherd,” neither of which sounds meaningful to me. Everyone else is first name only. What about Charlie? His last name is … Pace - Not sure if his name was revealed on the show or not. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/151 "2004-11-19T18:51:01Z")
Charlie Pace would be a good example of the writers’ penchant for ambiguous wordplay. His problems stemmed from the _pace_ of his rock-god lifestyle. “Pace” is also the ablative case of “pax.” So it works for either his problematic hectic pace, (or “pacing himself,” later) or his eventual destination, which is to be “With peace.” ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/152 "2004-11-19T18:55:30Z")
Crap. Sorry for ignoring your spoiler box. (I’m pretty sure that the Pace Bros’ name is common knowledge though- I knew it, and haven’t looked at anything apart from these threads.) ---
**Author:** ![vd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b19c9b/32.png) [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/153 "2004-11-19T19:17:27Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > His problems stemmed from the _pace_ of his rock-god lifestyle. Would that be the pace driven by the _Drive Shaft_? ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/154 "2004-11-19T20:33:21Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > “Raised by Another” is Claire’s back story. I might guess that “Richard Malkin” is either her father or her husband, which would make _Claire_ the series’ “Malkin.” > > My best guess would be that this episode will feature Claire coming to terms with her present situation (and whatever turmoil she had going on _before_ the crash, since the pattern is that everyone has their own stuff to work through on the island) and the relationship that is developing between her and Charlie will be much less tenuous by the end of the hour. My WAG is that the double meaning of “Raised by Another” (if there is one) is going to be that Claire isn’t gonna make it through the delivery and Charlie is going to be the “Other” that will raise the child. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/155 "2004-11-19T20:42:25Z")
Cuckoorex: interesting speculation. My WAG: I thought it might be that the writers will stoop to another form of wordplay for a title with dual meanings. Claire swears she’s being attacked… maybe, “ **Razed** By Another.” Is she? Or is she delusional? Might this be a form of the sickness Rosseau warned about? Hmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/156 "2004-11-19T21:05:23Z")
I’d just like to say that I get a kick out **Cuckoorex** speculating about what “Raised by Another” might mean. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/157 "2004-11-19T22:49:21Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > I’d just like to say that I get a kick out **Cuckoorex** speculating about what “Raised by Another” might mean. 😃 Well, we _are_ the experts in that department, after all… ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/158 "2004-11-19T23:28:50Z")
Or perhaps Claire is a surrogate, hence no mention of a boyfriend/finace/husband. Or Claire was adopted! Or the Elephant Lady will say “Hey, Baby Alex!” and take the baby! Or perhaps the one who was raised by another IS Alex… Raised by polar bears, now King of the Jungle, Crusher of Trees! Somebody stop me! ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/159 "2004-11-19T23:36:13Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > The advantage of reading philosophers who did not write in English is that their translators feel compelled to make clear what the author said. Spoken as one who clearly hasn’t ever attempted to read Kant. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2004, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371/160 "2004-11-20T01:29:07Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > … **“Malkin” has also come to have strong associations with witchiness and divination.** > \ > “Raised by Another” is Claire’s back story. I might guess that “Richard Malkin” is either her father or her husband, which would make _Claire_ the series’ “Malkin.” > … The line I bolded makes more sense in relation to the identity of Richard Malkin. Claire goes to see a psychic named Richard Malkin. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-1-9-solitary-spoilers/275371.md?page=9)