It struck me that Hurley's episodes always involve him making a new discovery or dealing with something that's good for the group as a whole.

Numbers - he got a battery for the raft from Danielle
Everybody Hates Hugo - he dealt with the bounty of food in the newly discovered hatch
Dave - The food drop was discovered by the group as he tries to overcome his eating disorder
TTID - He discovers a VW bus full of beer -- and hope.

Maybe as well as attracting disaster to those around him, he also draws bounteous goods for them too.

excellent point!!!!!!!

Great observation! I'd add that Hurley has this desire to be liked, and that is expressed in different ways. Getting Charlie out of his funk here, stuggling with the responsibility of the food, making the golf course. Even though he may doubt himself, he always comes through...

A very nice observation. Hurley has emerged as one of the survivors' greatest providers-- not of boar meat, or medical aid, but of positivity and compassion.

It struck me that Hurley's episodes always involve him making a new discovery or dealing with something that's good for the group as a whole.

Numbers - he got a battery for the raft from Danielle
Everybody Hates Hugo - he dealt with the bounty of food in the newly discovered hatch
Dave - The food drop was discovered by the group as he tries to overcome his eating disorder
TTID - He discovers a VW bus full of beer -- and hope.

Maybe as well as attracting disaster to those around him, he also draws bounteous goods for them too.

That's a beautiful thought! It's interesting that while on The Island, his hands appear full of blessings rather than his perceived "curse."

A very nice observation. Hurley has emerged as one of the survivors' greatest providers-- not of boar meat, or medical aid, but of positivity and compassion.

"Better a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hate therein."

Didn't it break your heart, though, when he tried to get the beach camp folks to come out to the car with him, and no one would? Except Jin, who didn't really understand him... Sometimes his gifts aren't appreciated at first.

That's a beautiful thought! It's interesting that while on The Island, his hands appear full of blessings rather than his perceived "curse."

"Better a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hate therein."

Didn't it break your heart, though, when he tried to get the beach camp folks to come out to the car with him, and no one would? Except Jin, who didn't really understand him... Sometimes his gifts aren't appreciated at first.
Yes, it really bothered me that he was shunned by everyone for merely suggesting they go have fun on a project. People stared and walked away exactly like they did to Kate in Born to Run after Sawyer outed her as being a fugitive and trying to alter Joanna's passport. It just didn't make any sense to make Hurley feel bad. If people weren't interested, it should have been more like in SOS when people gradually drifted away from Bernard's project.
Why are the Losties so apathetic anyway??:undecide:

It wasn't his episode when he did it, but he's also responsible for the (now apparently defunct as we never see it) Island golf course.

I think Hurley is the bringer of hope and the embodiment of good on the Island.

Why are the Losties so apathetic anyway??:undecide:

Maybe Dharma food isn't really good for you? Maybe it's *not* the "blessing in disguise" that it appears to be?

I hope this isn't OT, but the idea of "bounty" made me think about how food is treated in Lost, especially on the beach. If you notice, most of the Dharma food isn't really that good for you (with the exception of a few things like peanut butter, for instance.) Not only is there a lot of highly-processed stuff like candy bars, ranch dressing, etc. - the Dharma food is a continual source of friction and temptation.

It's as if The Island is giving the beach folks a choice. There's the bounty of the Island that's all around, for those willing to exert themselves to find it (remember Locke was hunting boar, and the Island was 'providing' in a way - until Locke got distracted by the Hatch.) Then there's the Dharma food from the Hatch (we see what kind of problems *that* causes), and the Dharma food drop.

Did anyone else see a parallel between the Dharma food drop and feeding people in a cage like they were animals - which is what happens to Sawyer, for instance?

So perhaps the Losties' apparent apathy could be indifferent writing - or perhaps they are indifferent in the same way caged animals become, when they expect their food on a regular basis, and (in some cases) even lose the ability or inclination to hunt or forage for themselves. I think this *may* be a theme to pay attention to, because the Losties' conversation about food ("Do we have any more of that whatever?") comes up right before Hurley appears to recruit help for the car.

A very nice observation. Hurley has emerged as one of the survivors' greatest providers-- not of boar meat, or medical aid, but of positivity and compassion.

Well said! Very well said! That right there proves how Hurley is too important to the flow of the show to be killed off. It would be like killing off Locke or Jack. I loved how he showed everyone to have fun with the golf course.

Maybe Dharma food isn't really good for you? Maybe it's *not* the "blessing in disguise" that it appears to be?

I hope this isn't OT, but the idea of "bounty" made me think about how food is treated in Lost, especially on the beach. If you notice, most of the Dharma food isn't really that good for you (with the exception of a few things like peanut butter, for instance.) Not only is there a lot of highly-processed stuff like candy bars, ranch dressing, etc. - the Dharma food is a continual source of friction and temptation.

It's as if The Island is giving the beach folks a choice. There's the bounty of the Island that's all around, for those willing to exert themselves to find it (remember Locke was hunting boar, and the Island was 'providing' in a way - until Locke got distracted by the Hatch.) Then there's the Dharma food from the Hatch (we see what kind of problems *that* causes), and the Dharma food drop.

Did anyone else see a parallel between the Dharma food drop and feeding people in a cage like they were animals - which is what happens to Sawyer, for instance?

So perhaps the Losties' apparent apathy could be indifferent writing - or perhaps they are indifferent in the same way caged animals become, when they expect their food on a regular basis, and (in some cases) even lose the ability or inclination to hunt or forage for themselves. I think this *may* be a theme to pay attention to, because the Losties' conversation about food ("Do we have any more of that whatever?") comes up right before Hurley appears to recruit help for the car.


That makes a lot of sense, actually. I like the theory. Perhaps they're bored with their island situation, and the fact that they never have to exert themselves for food or shelter anymore or even the fact that they never get a chance to help the big 'loop' people, so when something new comes around like helping out with a van they immediately dismiss him as being too outlandish or irrelevant.

Well said! Very well said! That right there proves how Hurley is too important to the flow of the show to be killed off. It would be like killing off Locke or Jack. I loved how he showed everyone to have fun with the golf course.

He gives so much to other people, and seems to get so little in return sometimes.

That makes a lot of sense, actually. I like the theory. Perhaps they're bored with their island situation, and the fact that they never have to exert themselves for food or shelter anymore or even the fact that they never get a chance to help the big 'loop' people, so when something new comes around like helping out with a van they immediately dismiss him as being too outlandish or irrelevant.

Thanks. I wonder if Sun has stopped gardening ... :rolleyes:

I thought a bit more about it - If you make a list, it gets interesting:

Natural / Island food:
Claire's milk for Aaron, boar, fish, sea urchin, shellfish, fruit (bananas, tropical fruit, coconut), Sun's garden - all which take concentration, effort, skill, physical exercise, and are good for you

Airplane food:
necessary for the first days (because of the emergency situation), but quickly becomes a source of contention, hoarding, etc., especially the alcohol

Dharma food:
IMO the Hatch was never meant to be broken into (note that Walt, Sayid, and Hurley strenuously warn Locke and Jack against it.) Notice the candy, the condiments, crackers (which Hurley binges on in the jungle in "Dave".)

Some of the Dharma food is meant for general or convival use (like the Dharma beer in the van), but gets turned to a selfish use i.e. when Sawyer brings the remaining sixpacks back to his own tent, and drinks alone.

It makes you wonder who the "puppetmasters" really are - I wonder if the "experimenters" (Hanso, the psychologists) thought they were in control, when they were really as much at the mercy of The Island as anyone else...