# Lost 4.9: "The Shape of Things to Come"
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [April 24, 2008, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670 "2008-04-24T13:35:08Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/1 "2008-04-24T13:35:08Z")
Thread rules:
> [@](#):
>
> Information about all episodes aired to this point – including the current week – will be unboxed.
> Information about this week’s episode’s “next week” teasers will be unboxed.
> Information about future episodes taken from spoiler sites/inside sources, including Podcasts, will be boxed. This includes links to promo photos and screencaps from future episodes.
> Speculation based on events in episodes aired up to this point (including teasers) will be unboxed.
> Speculation based on spoilers for upcoming episodes will be boxed.
>
> Please remember, links inside spoiler boxes are readable even to those who don’t highlight.
It’s baaaaaack! 5 more episodes this season. Remember that the new time slot is 10PM (you central/mountain time folks can figure out whether it’s 9PM where you live).
Carl is dead. CFL may be dead. Michael resurfaced on the freighter where Desmond and Sayid went in the chopper. Ben has rescued himself, at least temporarily, from being chained in a room. Where will the writers take us from here? Let’s hope this is a good episode!
From the preview on Lostpedia for this episode (actually from my TV listings, as Lostpedia doesn’t have anything yet):
\*\* “The Shape of Things to Come” \*\*: Locke’s camp comes under attack, and Jack tires to identify a body that has washed ashore.
**Some useful Café Society links are given below:**
Thread index for Season 1 Episodes: [1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=277083) [2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=278382) [3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=279542) [4](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=280792) [5](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=281998) [6](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=283328) [7](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=284665) [8](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=285925) [9](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=287237) [10](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=289514) [11](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=290718) [12](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=295320) [13](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=296591) [14](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=297760) [15](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=301602) [16](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=302710) [17](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=303909) [18](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=304986) [19](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=309511) [20](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=310613) [21](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=315048) [22](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=316088) [23](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=317139) [24](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=318051)
Thread index for Season 2 Episodes: [1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=335991) [2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=337167) [3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=338307) [4](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=339366) [5](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=340432) [6](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=343878) [7](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=345144) [8](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=346239) [9](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=347177) [10](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=353542) [11](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=354691) [12](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=355716) [13](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=357834) [14](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=359015) [15](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=361048) [16](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=363982) [17](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=365010) [18](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=366081) [19](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=367064) [20](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=370033) [21](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=371010) [22](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=371991)
Thread index for Season 3 episodes: [1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=390771) [2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=391722) [3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=392661) [4](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=393629) [5](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=394542) [6](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=395368) [7](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=407398) [8](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=408446) [9](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=409378) [10](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=410362) [11](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=411321) [12](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=412292) [13](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=413323) [14](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=414347) [15](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=415259) [16](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=416195) [17](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=417197) [18](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=418222) [19](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=419145) [20](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=420116) [21](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=421113) [22](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=421996)
Thread index for Season 4 episodes: [1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=453462) [2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=454618) [3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=455630) [4](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=456811) [5](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=457801) [6](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=458668) [7](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=459619) [8](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=460501)
[The Official Lost Jargon Thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=286221)
Official “Lost” Questions Thread[Season 1](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=284542), [Season 2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=336040), [Season 3](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=390739)
**Here are some interesting external links:**
[The Lost Report](http://hometown.aol.com/qcotms/myhomepage/index.html): A very well written summary of the most current episode often containing interesting insights. I don’t think you’ll find spoilers.
[The Tail Section](http://www.thetailsection.com/): Excellent site for still frame photos of key scenes, along with some good analysis. But… beware of spoilers!
[Sledgeweb’s Lost… Stuff](http://lost.cubit.net/): Pretty good site, but again beware of spoilers. I use it mainly for the Timeline section, which is an incredibly detailed breakdown of “how long since…?” for almost anything you can think of (pre- and post-plane crash).
[Door Map from Episode 2.17](http://www.thetailsection.com/uploaded_images/cleanwall-707484.jpg). A nicely cleaned up version of the diagram Locke saw while pinned under the lockdown doors. No spoilers.
[Lostpedia](http://www.lostpedia.com/wiki/Main_Page): The wikipedia of Lost information. Quite a comprehensive site, but beware of spoilers!
[ThEmIsFiTiShErE](http://themisfitishere.blogspot.com/): The Misfit offers his whacky commentary on “Lost”. Is he a nut-case or a clever insider? Careful, though, possible spoilers.
---
### Author:  [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/2 "2008-04-24T14:04:43Z")
Hells yeah! I can’t wait. I need my fix.
ETA: I hope this episode is worth the wait.
---
### Author:  [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/3 "2008-04-24T14:12:59Z")
While we wait, [another interview](http://www.avclub.com/content/interview/losts_damon_lindelof_and) with _Lost’s_ Damon Lindelhof and Carlton Cuse. No spoilers for future episodes.
---
### Author:  [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/4 "2008-04-24T15:36:07Z")
The guy who writes the TV column in the local paper says that, according to the Lost podcast,
We learn more about the smoke monster in this episode.
---
### Author:  [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/5 "2008-04-24T15:53:24Z")
**Shoeless** , if they give us ANYTHING on that, it will be a good episode.
---
### Author:  [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/6 "2008-04-24T16:09:10Z")
I can confirm that the Podcast did say what Shoeless says it said.
---
### Author:  [@StinkyBurrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StinkyBurrito)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/7 "2008-04-24T17:15:10Z")
Yeah Lost! I’m doing my [Happy Dance](http://youtube.com/watch?v=DaJUEXxf8pY).
---
### Author:  [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/8 "2008-04-24T17:18:50Z")
Woo hoo! It’s back!😃
---
### Author:  [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/9 "2008-04-24T17:30:50Z")
A body washes ashore, eh? Charlie’s perhaps? Mikhail’s?
---
### Author:  [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/10 "2008-04-24T17:44:19Z")
Over [here](http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-04-23-lost_N.htm) they have several user submitted Lost theories, with commentary from Cuse and Lindelof. One of them they commented was very close to the mark. I’ll spoiler it just in case:
[spoiler]There is an off-island presence for Dharma that is working to get back onto the island to finish their work with the Valenzetti Equation. Ms. Hawking (the white-haired time-traveler who crossed paths with Desmond) was a former Swan worker and developed the same ability Desmond has. Ms. Hawking accidently got this ability during the original incident. She survived by finding her constant — Brother Campbell — and left the island. After leaving the island, her visions developed, and she has seen what needs to take place in order for Dharma to regain control of the island.
Her visions include a complicated pattern of people that are required to be on the island in order for a set series of events to occur for Dharma to return to the island. With the help of others, including Christian Shephard, Richard Malkin, Nadia and Libby, the group ensures that specific people are on the plane in order for the series of events to occur.
Desmond must reach the island to cause Flight 815 to crash; Locke must locate the hatch to keep Desmond alive. Desmond must influence Charlie to turn off the jamming device. Jack calls the freighter.[/spoiler]
Being a big fan of the Ring Lady episode, I am looking forward to seeing how this develops!
---
### Author:  [@mshar253](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mshar253)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/11 "2008-04-24T20:51:08Z")
[QUOTE=cmkeller]
A body washes ashore, eh? Charlie’s perhaps? Mikhail’s?
[/QUOTE]
Gee, thanks.
---
### Author:  [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/12 "2008-04-24T21:02:21Z")
Hoooorayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Oh man, I’m going to have to double-check the popcorn and frosty beverage supplies.
I hope we get more Charlie!
---
### Author:  [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/13 "2008-04-24T21:27:46Z")
[QUOTE=HoboStew]
Over [here](http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-04-23-lost_N.htm) they have several user submitted Lost theories, with commentary from Cuse and Lindelof. One of them they commented was very close to the mark. I’ll spoiler it just in case:
[spoiler]There is an off-island presence for Dharma that is working to get back onto the island to finish their work with the Valenzetti Equation. Ms. Hawking (the white-haired time-traveler who crossed paths with Desmond) was a former Swan worker and developed the same ability Desmond has. Ms. Hawking accidently got this ability during the original incident. She survived by finding her constant — Brother Campbell — and left the island. After leaving the island, her visions developed, and she has seen what needs to take place in order for Dharma to regain control of the island.
Her visions include a complicated pattern of people that are required to be on the island in order for a set series of events to occur for Dharma to return to the island. With the help of others, including Christian Shephard, Richard Malkin, Nadia and Libby, the group ensures that specific people are on the plane in order for the series of events to occur.
Desmond must reach the island to cause Flight 815 to crash; Locke must locate the hatch to keep Desmond alive. Desmond must influence Charlie to turn off the jamming device. Jack calls the freighter.[/spoiler]
Being a big fan of the Ring Lady episode, I am looking forward to seeing how this develops!
[/QUOTE]
Holy cow.
I’m in! See you all later…
---
### Author:  [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2008, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/14 "2008-04-24T22:56:01Z")
[QUOTE=HoboStew]
Being a big fan of the Ring Lady episode, I am looking forward to seeing how this develops!
[/QUOTE]
Ooo, that’s awesome.
---
### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/15 "2008-04-25T02:06:55Z")
[QUOTE=mshar253]
Gee, thanks.
[/QUOTE]
It was Eckley.
---
### Author:  [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/16 "2008-04-25T02:41:06Z")
Wow.
Alex is gone forever
Wow.
---
### Author:  [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2008, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/17 "2008-04-25T02:47:47Z")
Well, between Danielle and Alex I guess we’re tying up loose ends pretty damned quick.
-Joe
---
### Author:  [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2008, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/18 "2008-04-25T02:50:20Z")
[QUOTE=Merijeek]
Well, between Danielle and Alex I guess we’re tying up loose ends pretty damned quick.
-Joe
[/QUOTE]
We’ll find out next week if Danielle is alive or not. I hope she is alive.
---
### Author:  [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/19 "2008-04-25T02:55:38Z")
I like Ben. He’s always got something up his sleeve. And even when all his scheming and getting himself captured and beat up ultimately fails him… He can still summon the goddamn smoke monster down on your ass.
Hell of an episode. Two people lost in space in time. The last of the tailies steps up. Big old body count, a visit to Iraq before the surge fixed everything, and I’m not even to the closing sting yet.
---
### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [April 25, 2008, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-4-9-the-shape-of-things-to-come/446670/20 "2008-04-25T03:02:42Z")
Was that three red shirts biting the dust?
Favorite moment, shotgun in the piano bench.
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