Something which may actually be nothing

[Captain Murder]

In the last episode, Locke said that he had spent most of his life in Tustin, California. Well, we don't know much that is that specific about the other survivors, and since I had never heard of the place, I thought I would check it up online.

The city is known as "The City of Trees," and up until 1999 (*about* 4 years ago), it was the site of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. The station was closed down then, and I guess it's being moved somewhere else (or already has been moved).

I don't know that this implies that Locke may actually have had something to do with the military, but at the very least, he "spent most of his life" in an area where the base most obviously would have been a big deal to the community. Then there's also the "City of Trees" thing, which is kind of funny given Locke's interaction with what another poster has called the "treeshaker."

Maybe it doesn't mean anything, but I've just heard enough about J.J. Abrams' shows to think that "little" things like this aren't unimportant.

[bigmouth]

Actually, Captain, I noticed this, too. Tustin is indeed home to a big military base. Perhaps Locke was in the military after all.

a&w

[Wynter Zera]

I half hope he was military. Wouldn't that be great? Boy would the others freak out if they had some kind of covert military guy who was crippled and now isn't? No one would ever trust him. :lol

[Rene]

Just an FYI there are several cities in California that call themselves the city of Trees. It seems to be a common thing in Cal. Another interesting thing about Tustin though is its Native American and Spanish Missionary history, didnt someone figure out that the red cross type flag in Lockes room was a Spanish Mission type flag. (Yes I am grasping for anything to try and link something to just about anything else).

[azteclady]

It could also be significant in explaining / supporting Locke's fascination with strategy games and military paraphernalia - he may have wanted to be in the military and not been qualified, for whatever reason.


Another red herring for the basket, me thinks.


Beto
member of STOP - Society To Oust Purgatory (theories)

[drabauer]

Another red herring for the basket, me thinks.
Maybe, maybe not.

I am herewith starting a new category for the index: "There's no place like home," to record discussions of where each castaway came from.

Abrams leaves nothing to chance.

[Yorke]

Abrams leaves nothing to chance.

Okay, then why have "Something which may actually be nothing"? Warning: Broken Record Alert: JJ may be having a laugh fest at our expense for being so cute with us, and it maybe fun to put together a 5000 piece puzzle without the picture on the box, but let's not lose site that this is still story telling. And that has to follow a set of writing rules, at least to me, perhaps not to JJ. There has to be structure. Perhaps the lack of structure is "Lost"s selling point, but I am sure if I had written the series so far for a college composition class, the prof would have asked to see me after class.
Sub-plots need resolution, questions raised need to be answered (I know, it's still early in the series), but still I fear a shrinking audience if this continues. I mean, I LOVE Wild Oats natural vanilla cookies, but if I have too many, I don't feel good in the tummy. I dare say the same with "red herrings" and "somethings that are nothings". On the other hand, Seinfeld was successful being a show about nothing....maybe I should just be quiet and stick to being a musician and leave TV writing to the pros:\

[drabauer]

Yorke as a fellow musician I say we know a thing or two about structure and continuity--well, at least I like to think so. I feel that my knowledge of musical form informs the way I look at fiction, and at how elements relate to one another.

I guess that I'm saying it may all add up yet, or it may be a formless improv, but we're in the development, and I'm waiting for the recap (hope we get it by the end of the season)

[Captain Murder]

I wrote the title the way I did 'cause that's kind of the way I talk. I thought it was humorous :) But yeah, I also just thought I'd bring it up on the board since I hadn't seen anyone else do it yet (apologies if someone already had), but even then I thought that it might not have been important at all. Heck, for all we know, one of the writers may have a favorite aunt who lives in Tustin. I admit I'm one of the people who gets mega-caught up in looking for "symbols" in the show--man, it's even gotten to the point that I'm making special notice when I see a black or white thing IN MY REAL LIFE--but silly though it may be, it gives me something to occupy my thoughts Thursday through Tuesday.

[Rene]

Captain I dont think Yorke was asking you about why have the title of your post. He was speaking about JJ Abrams having a bunch of meaningless stuff in the show.. I think.. anyone back me up on that.. And its a good post.

[Yorke]

^That's what I meant!:D