Although Hurley's psychic was clearly acting fraudulently on the behest of his dad, I saw some interesting parallels between that scene and the scenes in Raised by Another, with Malkin and Claire. The most significant to me was the psychics holding their hands and getting a dramatic "reading" from them.

Clearly, the writers could have chosen a number of different means for Hurley's dad to try to convince him the curse was broken. They chose this for a reason. Was it to shed more light into Malkin?

To this day, I am still torn as to whether Malkin was a) a fraud who got paid by Dharma to get Claire on the plane, or b) a sometimes psychic who genuinely saw danger for her and Aaron.

or was Malkin paid by Christian Sheppard to get his daughter and grandchild back to the United States???

or was Malkin paid by Christian Sheppard to get his daughter and grandchild back to the United States???

Good catch. I never thought of that one. ;)

I think there's a third alternative jenny. Malkin could have been another person reliving his life like Desmond and the ring lady. Maybe he seemed psychic like Desmond did only because he knew what would happen.

But either way, I noticed the parallels too. The first thing I thought of was "another phony psychic" and the hands shot was too obvious not to be intentional. I think they are telling us not to put our faith in those things and that the ability to determine and change one's fate has to come from inside. Hurley had to find it for himself. It's very Wizard of Oz isn't it? Reminds me of Professor Marvel.

I don't think DHARMA has anything to do with Claire being on that plane.

I think it makes much more sense that Malkin probably had a genuine psychic vision.

or was Malkin paid by Christian Sheppard to get his daughter and grandchild back to the United States???
Oooh, that is such an interesting point! Despite all the speculation about him being Claire's father, I haven't heard anyone say that before. Claire was going to meet a couple in LA.... But hm, actually.... she met Malkin when she had just found out she was pregnant. Christian went to Sydney to find (presumably) her, just a week or so before the crash. I'm not sure the timeline works.

I think there's a third alternative jenny. Malkin could have been another person reliving his life like Desmond and the ring lady. Maybe he seemed psychic like Desmond did only because he knew what would happen.
And another new idea! This is intriguing too.

I'd like to see Malkin again in a future flashback.

Although Hurley's psychic was clearly acting fraudulently on the behest of his dad, I saw some interesting parallels between that scene and the scenes in Raised by Another, with Malkin and Claire. The most significant to me was the psychics holding their hands and getting a dramatic "reading" from them.

Clearly, the writers could have chosen a number of different means for Hurley's dad to try to convince him the curse was broken. They chose this for a reason. Was it to shed more light into Malkin?

To this day, I am still torn as to whether Malkin was a) a fraud who got paid by Dharma to get Claire on the plane, or b) a sometimes psychic who genuinely saw danger for her and Aaron.

I tend to think Clair's psychic authentic, but trying not to blow his cover as a 'course redirector'. His authenticity is proven through his daughter's gift.

How would you reconcile these theories with the popular fan theory that Hurley "wasn't supposed" to be on the plane from a destiny standpoint? Just curious, do you think this helps or hurts that theory?

This is an interesting point. In Hurley's f/b in Exodus the numbers are actually trying to prevent him getting on the flight. So are the numbers part of his destiny, helping him towards his destiny, because he wasn't supposed to be there, or was catching the flight his destiny and the numbers - the "curse" - actively working against it?

How would you reconcile these theories with the popular fan theory that Hurley "wasn't supposed" to be on the plane from a destiny standpoint? Just curious, do you think this helps or hurts that theory?
I don't know. Maybe you could elaborate the theory a little bit? To me, it would seem like he was supposed to be on the plane, since destiny ties him to the island through the numbers. The psychic he visited, while trying to fake him out, did keep him on that path.

I don't think DHARMA has anything to do with Claire being on that plane.

I think it makes much more sense that Malkin probably had a genuine psychic vision.

How does that "make more sense"; do you have anything to back that up?

If DHARMA put Claire on the plane, we'd have to assume that they also inadvertently put everyone else on the plane aswell, since everyone seems to be there for a purpose.

Claire's psychic never asked her to take off her clothes...

(Did Hurley's dad put the psychic up to something else too, a little beyond the call of duty of reading Tarot cards? :snerk: )

I am glad someone posted this thread; not so much did I notice any parallels between the two psychics but instead how much the show leaned towards false predictions and prior knowledge...we already know about the Easter egg with Malkin...the fact Hurley's psychic would put on such a show ignites Claire falling for an elaborate trick.

How would you reconcile these theories with the popular fan theory that Hurley "wasn't supposed" to be on the plane from a destiny standpoint? Just curious, do you think this helps or hurts that theory?

I think there are two forces on the island. The original, indigineous whatever kinda thing it is, and the others. I think the Others have a way to manipulate, or attempt to interfere with what the force of the island is trying to achieve. That's about as far as I can go without having my post dumped, or moved to theories. But, anyway, I think Hurley was pulled to the island by the Island's manipulations, however they may be, but the 'Others' kept attempting to stop him from being on the plane. There is a pattern. The 'Others' manipulations are more physical, more real...the Island just kinda drops you into it like fate. Example: Hurley's clock plug pulled out of the socket, or burned out (can't remember which) is similar to Juliet's X getting hit by a bus. But the lottery is pure chance. No one can controll the balls, especially after they are validated. No one can make a guy repeat the numbers over and over again.

Did anyone see how that scene with Hurley's psychic could be interpreted differently? If you watch it carefully, it's not all that clear that Hurley's father owned up to asking the psychic to lie. And as for her saying his dad put her up to it, would any of us do the same for 10k?

Malkin always reminded me of Whoopie Goldberg in Ghost. Someone who made their living putting on a dog and pony show, pretending to be a psychic. Then Claire showed up and he actually did have a psychic vision of some sort and it scared the crap out of him, so he pushed her away. Then it kept haunting him, so he started bugging her so it would leave him alone.

Now as far as how that makes the show make sense ... I got nothing.

Everybody has one or two basic things that make them tick and I think it's superstition that drives both Hurley and Claire. It's the reason they're both on the island.

I don't know where she got it, but Hurley got it from Mom. Dad knew that so he figured he fall for the psychic trick. Malkin may be Dharma, but I don't think this woman is important.

Did anyone see how that scene with Hurley's psychic could be interpreted differently? If you watch it carefully, it's not all that clear that Hurley's father owned up to asking the psychic to lie. And as for her saying his dad put her up to it, would any of us do the same for 10k?

I recall Hurley offering $1000, then she said something about the arts of the dark not being put on for bribe. Then Hurley said Okay, $10,000. Then the chick said 'your dad put me up to it."