We know that it is important for helicopters (recently) and boats (when Michael left with Walt) to follow a very careful heading when coming and going from the island. This apparently this heading either points to a "time rip" or avoids it.

But what about all the people who came by submarine? In Ben's flashback there were no time travel clues.

With Juliet, she was drugged (voluntarily) so we don't know. But Ethan said she would want to drink the orange juice because it is a "bumpy ride".

Did something happen in between Ben's and Juliet's arrival?

Also, why do they even bother with a submarine at all. Why have the looking glass station for submarine loading and unloading?

What do you smart people make of these clues?

I'm not one of the "smart people," but could it still be possible that they followed the bearing on a sub?

I'm not one of the "smart people," but could it still be possible that they followed the bearing on a sub?

Yes, I thought about that. But it seems that even when you are on that heading, you experience a "bumpy ride". Example, Naomi's helicopter went down. Charlotte had to parachute. They had to give Juliet a tranquilizer, etc.

But when the original Dharma people came by submarine....no mention of a "bumpy ride".

So I guess the real question is.....why submarines? Boats can hold much more cargo and people. Why submarines?

Something to do with the consistency of water maybe. Planes and boats are exposed to open air, but water is a very consistent fluid. Of course deep water currents can get turbulent too, but maybe it's easier to control something that isn't getting knocked around by an electrical storm above the surface.

I wonder if the writers have ever seen Charlie Jade. It was a Canadian sci-fi series where the lead character jumps between three parallel dimensions using water to make the jumps. In that show it was explained that the fluidity of water helps break down the fabric between the universes.

I wonder if the writers have ever seen Charlie Jade. It was a Canadian sci-fi series where the lead character jumps between three parallel dimensions using water to make the jumps. In that show it was explained that the fluidity of water helps break down the fabric between the universes.

I checked this out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Jade

Some similarities. Also, the creator's last name is Sawyer.

Very interesting. Thanks for the insight.