I'm surprised none of the reporters asked her who the father of her "child" was. I wonder what her answer would have been had they asked.

She would have said, "Well, there was this kind, one-armed farmer in Australia..."

"And he offered me eggs and bacon..."

And she said the baby was only 5 weeks -- and the reporters believed.

The kid playing the baby is definitely older than 5 weeks, but that's true of almost all babies on TV shows.

Aaron's age is a real credibility stretch. For one thing, there is no way that even the most cloistered, ivory-tower reporter would confuse Aaron with a five week old baby. However, artistic license does generally require that older babies be used on camera; it's just too hard on the really little ones.

That said ... there is still a major problem with Kate trying to pass Aaron off as her own.

I fear this is a case of writers just not being knowledgable about childbirth and children. Kate would have been medically examined upon their rescue - especially as she had just claimed to have given birth. There are post partum complications that can manifest in the first six weeks after birth. A responsible doctor would want to make sure that a post-partum woman's organs are healing properly; that she's not anemic from the birth, etc. Blood would have been drawn, and Kate's blood would have clearly NOT been that of a postpartum woman. Also, if Aaron was supposedly born on the island, he would be breastfed - yet it would be obvious that Kate isn't lactating, and never had.

In short, one look by a medical person and it would be immediately obvious that she's never given birth - and especially not five weeks ago. It's kind of depressing to see writers lay such thick "character shields" on favorite characters, because there simply wouldn't be any way for Kate to get away with it. And as soon as they *did* establish that Aaron wasn't Kate's baby, then the genetic testing and custody issues would start - and the proverbial spit would hit the fan.

Jack gave birth to Aaron, gave Kate all the check ups necessary, and can fake all of her medical records.

Or, they could have said all of those examinations took place immediately after they were found, before they were brought to Hawaii, and supplied supporting documentation.

With all of the other things that happen on the show, I would think this story is pretty credible compared to some things.

Aaron's age is a real credibility stretch. For one thing, there is no way that even the most cloistered, ivory-tower reporter would confuse Aaron with a five week old baby. However, artistic license does generally require that older babies be used on camera; it's just too hard on the really little ones.

That said ... there is still a major problem with Kate trying to pass Aaron off as her own.

I fear this is a case of writers just not being knowledgable about childbirth and children. Kate would have been medically examined upon their rescue - especially as she had just claimed to have given birth. There are post partum complications that can manifest in the first six weeks after birth. A responsible doctor would want to make sure that a post-partum woman's organs are healing properly; that she's not anemic from the birth, etc. Blood would have been drawn, and Kate's blood would have clearly NOT been that of a postpartum woman. Also, if Aaron was supposedly born on the island, he would be breastfed - yet it would be obvious that Kate isn't lactating, and never had.

In short, one look by a medical person and it would be immediately obvious that she's never given birth - and especially not five weeks ago. It's kind of depressing to see writers lay such thick "character shields" on favorite characters, because there simply wouldn't be any way for Kate to get away with it. And as soon as they *did* establish that Aaron wasn't Kate's baby, then the genetic testing and custody issues would start - and the proverbial spit would hit the fan.


How old is Aaron SUPPOSED to be a the time of rescue? Was the huge baby meant to be a believability stretch, or is it just a TV convention? Or a little of both?

Aaron's age is a real credibility stretch. For one thing, there is no way that even the most cloistered, ivory-tower reporter would confuse Aaron with a five week old baby. However, artistic license does generally require that older babies be used on camera; it's just too hard on the really little ones.

That said ... there is still a major problem with Kate trying to pass Aaron off as her own.

I fear this is a case of writers just not being knowledgable about childbirth and children. Kate would have been medically examined upon their rescue - especially as she had just claimed to have given birth. There are post partum complications that can manifest in the first six weeks after birth. A responsible doctor would want to make sure that a post-partum woman's organs are healing properly; that she's not anemic from the birth, etc. Blood would have been drawn, and Kate's blood would have clearly NOT been that of a postpartum woman. Also, if Aaron was supposedly born on the island, he would be breastfed - yet it would be obvious that Kate isn't lactating, and never had.

In short, one look by a medical person and it would be immediately obvious that she's never given birth - and especially not five weeks ago. It's kind of depressing to see writers lay such thick "character shields" on favorite characters, because there simply wouldn't be any way for Kate to get away with it. And as soon as they *did* establish that Aaron wasn't Kate's baby, then the genetic testing and custody issues would start - and the proverbial spit would hit the fan.

Yes, this whole thing was painful.

I'm surprised none of the reporters asked her who the father of her "child" was. I wonder what her answer would have been had they asked.

I was a little surprised about that too, but if they had asked I could see her dodging the question. She'd probably refuse to answer, citing personal privacy and it's not relevant to the crash. No one would push her further because no one would want to come off as being a jerk to the new mother who survived a plane crash.

Still, I wonder if this issue is going to cause problems for her somehow in the future. Even if it's not known at the time of the press conference that she was a fugitive, we do know that people find out as she has that very public trial coming up that we saw in Eggtown. Since she's a wanted woman with a criminal history, doesn't it seem weird that authorities would just take her word that Aaron's her kid? Wouldn't they want to confirm it with a blood test or something?

Even if it's not known at the time of the press conference that she was a fugitive,...

It IS known at presstime because a question is asked about it and that reporter gets cut off by the Decker person stating that the press conference is not about Ms Austens legal problems.

Kate's medical in short....part of the cover up. Those who fabricated the lie also fabricate motherhood story and no doubt present any necessary medical documents.

It IS known at presstime because a question is asked about it and that reporter gets cut off by the Decker person stating that the press conference is not about Ms Austens legal problems.

Thanks for that. I wasn't sure because my friend's roommate came home during that scene and proceeded to stand in the middle of the room and talk to us about his parking problems. We shushed and shooed him away, LOL, but because of that I didn't hear everything that went on at the press conference.

Kate's medical in short....part of the cover up. Those who fabricated the lie also fabricate motherhood story and no doubt present any necessary medical documents.



If Kate had given birth to Aaron, she would have been in her last trimester at the time of her arrest in Australia. No one bothered to check this out with the airport authorities in Sydney or the police station she was jailed at, around the time of her arrest?

And they still would have examined her, regardless of any "documents" she may have possessed. And why wasn't she immediately arrested, following the press conference?

I fear this is a case of writers just not being knowledgable about childbirth and children. Kate would have been medically examined upon their rescue - especially as she had just claimed to have given birth. There are post partum complications that can manifest in the first six weeks after birth. A responsible doctor would want to make sure that a post-partum woman's organs are healing properly; that she's not anemic from the birth, etc. Blood would have been drawn, and Kate's blood would have clearly NOT been that of a postpartum woman. Also, if Aaron was supposedly born on the island, he would be breastfed - yet it would be obvious that Kate isn't lactating, and never had.

I'm not sure what country you're writing from, but in the United States it is nearly impossible to legally give someone a medical procedure or examination against their will. At the very least, for a person who hasn't been convicted of and sentenced for a crime, it would take a judge's order that the person is not competent to make decisions for themself, and/or a medical power of attorney granting that decision-making power to another person, neither of is remotely plausible to be going on here.

Besides that, Oceanic would probably be telling whoever it is that you think would be forcing Kate to take these tests that they are taking care of all the healthcare examinations and treatments. It seemed pretty clear that they were complicit in the lie.

I don't think there's any reason to think the writers are ignorant about childbirth or babies. IIRC Damon Lindeloff's wife, for one, had a baby during one of the prior seasons. Although, with regards to Claire, it does seem like there is some ignorance that of the fact that a woman has to lift up her shirt in order to nurse her baby. ;) I guess that's just how they do it on TV.

I'm not sure what country you're writing from, but in the United States it is nearly impossible to legally give someone a medical procedure or examination against their will.

USA here. If a woman is already under indictment; has fled custody; shows up with a baby she claims is hers ... my guess is the first thought among law enforcement would be kidnapping.

People are forced to submit to medical exams all the time (upon court order) *if a crime is suspected.* But IMO the whole "Kate just walks off the plane with Aaron in arms scot-free" thing is pretty much a stretch, even for LOST. It's one thing to have improbable situations on the Island ("Island mojo" explains a lot); it's another to have them in "our" world.

LostMyMarbles, it's hard to tell at this point how old Aaron is supposed to be. For one thing, we don't know how much time has elapsed between the 06 leaving The Island and arriving in Hawaii. For another, there are some strange time shifts between "our world" and The Island.

I really think using a bigger baby for Aaron than a 3-4 month old is a TV convention, although nothing is certain with this show ...

Aaron was born Nov 1st, 2004, making him a little over 2 months at the present time during ep 4.12. Now, that's older than 5 weeks, so interesting. As far as the medical exams go, there's a lot we don't know yet, so let's not judge.

I also actually don't think Oceanic is complicit in the lie. They have no clue what really happened other than the story they were given.

And she said the baby was only 5 weeks -- and the reporters believed.

Haven't we already determined that this is about the correct age for Aaron? Claire did not give birth right away. The fact that the baby is so big is probably due to rules for working with infants and how old they have to be. The only thing I think that is odd is that if she gave birth while 6 months pg(or did they say that was how far she was when they crashed) either way he is a rather healthy looking preemie.(again they probably did not draw attention to this because they are using a 3month old baby to play a 5 week old baby)
100%
USA here. If a woman is already under indictment; has fled custody; shows up with a baby she claims is hers ... my guess is the first thought among law enforcement would be kidnapping.

People are forced to submit to medical exams all the time (upon court order) *if a crime is suspected.* But IMO the whole "Kate just walks off the plane with Aaron in arms scot-free" thing is pretty much a stretch, even for LOST. It's one thing to have improbable situations on the Island ("Island mojo" explains a lot); it's another to have them in "our" world.


I really think using a bigger baby for Aaron than a 3-4 month old is a TV convention, although nothing is certain with this show ...

I actually asked a Sherrif's officer who goes to other states to pick up prisoners and transport them back if he showed up to pick up a fugitive and she turned to be 6 months pregnant if he would call ahead and tell anyone- he said no.

And she said the baby was only 5 weeks -- and the reporters believed.
No, one reporter seemed a bit suspicious--the one who mentioned that Kate would have had to be six months' pregnant when she boarded Flight 815 with the Marshal. But the Oceanic 6 spokesperson quickly cut him off.

Aaron really is supposed to be that young when they're rescued. The producers tend to cast babies who are a bit older, probably because they're easier to handle.
100%
USA here. If a woman is already under indictment; has fled custody; shows up with a baby she claims is hers ... my guess is the first thought among law enforcement would be kidnapping.
Not after Doctor Jack tells the rescuers that Kate gave birth and he delivered Aaron himself.

All the stories are going to match up. Ask Jack, Sayid, Hurley, Sun and they'll all say "Yep, that's Kate's baby, all right!" It's easy to lie about that. All they have to do is remember how Claire was waddling around the island before giving birth to Aaron, and just mentally replace the name "Claire" with "Kate."

They (Kate, et al) probably told people Aaron was 5 weeks instead of 8/9 weeks to make Kate's pregnancy seem longer and to give more validity to Aaron surviving (he would've been born at 8m instead of 7m) and being healthy. Also, they probably don't even really know how old Aaron is as I doubt there are many calendars hanging around on the island.

If any reporter asked Kate could say, no comment. As to Aaron being older than five weeks, it seemed in the press conference that some reporters did ask a few probing questions(which added to the reality of the situation) but on the whole the press(and the world at large) seems to have accepted the Oceanic 6's story, but if someone dug deep enough I'm sure they could find the holes in the story.

Jack gave birth to Aaron,




This should be in the enquirer!! Just jokin with ya, I know what you mean, it just sounded funny! Anyway, when I heard Kate say the baby was 5 weeks old, I laughed out loud. It's so ridiculous. The baby is so big!

Anyway, when I heard Kate say the baby was 5 weeks old, I laughed out loud. It's so ridiculous. The baby is so big!Well, Walt is big for his age too. :biglaugh: :biggrin:

Well, Walt is big for his age too. :biglaugh: :biggrin:

Well yea. LOL. But try passin' him off as a five week old. :39:

Aaron's age is a real credibility stretch. For one thing, there is no way that even the most cloistered, ivory-tower reporter would confuse Aaron with a five week old baby. However, artistic license does generally require that older babies be used on camera; it's just too hard on the really little ones.

That said ... there is still a major problem with Kate trying to pass Aaron off as her own.

I fear this is a case of writers just not being knowledgable about childbirth and children. Kate would have been medically examined upon their rescue - especially as she had just claimed to have given birth. There are post partum complications that can manifest in the first six weeks after birth. A responsible doctor would want to make sure that a post-partum woman's organs are healing properly; that she's not anemic from the birth, etc. Blood would have been drawn, and Kate's blood would have clearly NOT been that of a postpartum woman. Also, if Aaron was supposedly born on the island, he would be breastfed - yet it would be obvious that Kate isn't lactating, and never had.

In short, one look by a medical person and it would be immediately obvious that she's never given birth - and especially not five weeks ago. It's kind of depressing to see writers lay such thick "character shields" on favorite characters, because there simply wouldn't be any way for Kate to get away with it. And as soon as they *did* establish that Aaron wasn't Kate's baby, then the genetic testing and custody issues would start - and the proverbial spit would hit the fan.
but this is TV and the writers are not going to waste an episode or some minutes on that.
Kate goes to a OBG exam :rolleyes:
it's way more complicated to say that Aaron is some else baby they had to find his relative and later he will separated from the rest of them and he will never go back to the island. and beside no one is supposed to raise him, not even Jack. CS words not mine, "he is where is supposed to be." he was supposed to be with Sawyer and eventually off the island with Kate.

but it's weird that no one asked her who is the father, and why he wasn't there waiting for her and the baby. maybe it's a delete scene...extra footage for the DVD...;)

Before we overanalyze this, I don't believe we have a solid time frame for Kate's "lamming it" in Australia, do we? From that perspective, the only one who would know that she wasn't "that" pregnant would be the U.S. Marshall and he is dead.

b.b.

I'm surprised none of the reporters asked her who the father of her "child" was. I wonder what her answer would have been had they asked.
Surely this came up after Eggtown?

Anyway, the story goes that the Oceanic 6 washed up on Sumba island sometime after day 108 (108 days after Oceanic 815 crashed), when they left Membata island.

If Aaron was "A little over" 5 weeks old, that means they are claiming he was born more than 70 days after the Oceanic 815 crash. That's a whole month after he was actually born. I find it easy to believe they could get away with a 1 month uncertainty in Aaron's true age.

Plus, Kate could say Aaron was born prematurely, allowing another month or so into the uncertainty. The reporter seems to assume that Aaron was born at full term, around 40 weeks. But if he wasn't, then Kate could conceivably (pun intended) have been under 5 months pregnant when Oceanic 815 took off.

A friend of mine is 5 months pregnant at the moment, but you'd never know it just to look at her.

As for the paternity issue, yeah, you'd expect Kate's fame/notoriety to draw at least one potential father out of the woodwork. Maybe she's claimed to have turned to prostitution to make ends meet, or the father is someone who doesn't want to admit it?

I am going to vote for Jason, the guy she robbed the bank with.