The switch from the ’90s to the 2000s was like the switch from the ’70s to the ’80s. Science to emotion. 1984. That’s the tonal shift that goes through all of Lost – science to faith and spirituality. From the science of the Vietnam War, back to ancient Egypt, Sumer and Mesopotamia.

In 1984, the world didn’t end – but the world as we know it ended. In string theory, there are 11 dimensions. In 1984, something came through the veil, something so terrible and vast, that even the two Cold War enemies could be united against it. [Fictional references – Watchmen, Akira, FullMetal Alchemist, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Stranger Things, Hellboy, Gravity’s Rainbow.]

People called in the 1920s, and something answered in the 1940s. People called in the 1970s, and something answered in 1984. Heck, some calls in the 1920s, didn’t come through until 1984. What was called to in the deep? It’s all very Lovecraft. That’s the kind of stuff I liked about Lost.

There are more irrational numbers – that can not be represented with fractions – than rational numbers, and even more transcendental numbers – like pi, that can’t be the solution, in an algebraic equation – than even those.

Maybe Lost is secretly on a good exoplanet, with Earth-like oceans and a stable atmosphere. Minecraft and Lost aren’t After the End; they’re new beginnings. After Earth. But in a good way.

I like the idea of the smoke monster appearing differently, to every person. The smoke monster is whatever you want it to be. And, of course, for someone who so desperately needs to believe, like Locke, the smoke monster would be beautiful.