Did anyone happen to notice any time and date clues from the flash forwards with Hurley and Jack? Obviously this flash forward happens before the other flash forwards from TTLG, but I'm wondering in the scene where they are playing basketball how long it has been since they left the island.

Jack mentions that he is thinking of growing a beard. So did he grow a beard and then keep it for a year or so until he started to have the breakdown in the FF from TTLG?

Just wondering if anyone caught any clues as to what place in the timeline these FFs should occupy.

(first post :) )

I was wondering the same thing. How long between the bball game and Jack's flash forward? How long does it take to grow a beard like that?

If it's a couple years, maybe the person Kate references in TTLG, stating "He'll be wondering where I am" is her son.

welcome ilovetivo, congrats on the first post :biggrin:
I think the beard reference wasn't meant to give a specific timeframe, it was simply there to make clear that this FF takes place before the one in TTLG.
It might take a couple of months to grow such a beard, but keep in mind what else has to happen to get Jack where he is in TTLG.
When he meets Hurley, Jack is still convinced he won't ever go back to the island. In TTLG he was desperate to get back. Something must have happened to change his mind (an apparition similar to Charlie telling Hurley the others need him?).
And in TTLG, Jack tells Kate that he's been spending his weekends flying Oceanic, hoping to crash. I don't remember if he tells her for how long, but considering the state he's in (his addiction, his apartment strewn with maps, his despair that no matter what he tries, he simply doesn't manage to get back, his attempt to kill himself...) some time must have passed between those two FFs, and my guess is that it's much more time than it takes to grow such a beard.

welcome ilovetivo, congrats on the first post :biggrin:
I think the beard reference wasn't meant to give a specific timeframe, it was simply there to make clear that this FF takes place before the one in TTLG.
It might take a couple of months to grow such a beard, but keep in mind what else has to happen to get Jack where he is in TTLG.
When he meets Hurley, Jack is still convinced he won't ever go back to the island. In TTLG he was desperate to get back. Something must have happened to change his mind (an apparition similar to Charlie telling Hurley the others need him?).
And in TTLG, Jack tells Kate that he's been spending his weekends flying Oceanic, hoping to crash. I don't remember if he tells her for how long, but considering the state he's in (his addiction, his apartment strewn with maps, his despair that no matter what he tries, he simply doesn't manage to get back, his attempt to kill himself...) some time must have passed between those two FFs, and my guess is that it's much more time than it takes to grow such a beard.

Yeah, I think there might be at least a year or two that's gone by from this FF to the previous one of Jack's. Seems I remember someone mentioning Jack's cell phone in his FF was a recent model. That could mean nothing or it could be an easter egg. We may not know for certain until we see a few more FFs.

Welcome ilovetivo!! Awesome first post - It hadn't occurred to me that the "he" Kate referred to was her son.

Considering Jack's complete emotional turmoil, unkempt beard (it takes a while for a beard to grow that long & full), and full-blown obsession, including what seems like a LOT of plane rides, I'd say it's plausible that a year or two separates the two flash-forwards.

Welcome ilovetivo - good post. I have thought Kate was refering to her son since TTLG but so many think she is with Sawyer so thanks for the positive reinforcement! I too believe last nights FF was much before Jack's FF in TTLG. Their exchange during basketball leads me to believe it is rather soon after their "rescue". I will rewatch tonight on my TiVo :) to look for date specific items!

also jack pours a drink the morning he goes to see hurley.. just a drop of vodka in the OJ..
that indicates the beginning of his alcoholism.. way before the beard and straight vodka days.

(first post :) )

How long does it take to grow a beard like that?
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Definitely not a couple of years. It all depends on the person, but I could get a beard like that in 2-3 months easy. Others quicker, others longer. :)

I got the impression this was just a few months after they got off the island, like maybe 6 months or so. Jack seemed pretty happy and was just beginning his downward spiral with the alcohol. I'd say there's about 2 years or so between this FF and the FF in TTLG.

also jack pours a drink the morning he goes to see hurley.. just a drop of vodka in the OJ..
that indicates the beginning of his alcoholism.. way before the beard and straight vodka days.lol good observation, "the begining of the end..."

I didn't get the impression Jack was happy in last night's FF. More that he was faking it and trying to cover his real feelings about something - whatever he didn't tell and didn't want Hurley to tell. Something very bad happens from this point, that much is clear. Jack gets back with the 6 and something sinister is covered up. I don't remember him pouring a drink, but if so, that would support that he's already in a downward spiral internally, even if it's not obvious outwardly yet. We know he hates to be called a hero. I would guess that the new scenario will parallel the car wreck, where he causes the situation and then ends up getting the credit. Plus Jack showed his willingness to sacrifice Locke last night, so we know that he's kind of off the rails.