Alvin Fox 02-21-2009, 05:54 AM
Okay, I've got a few things and might ramble on or repeat some of what's already been said.
First, who knows their bible verses? John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Mix John Locke, the episode title/ flight number (316) and Locke's suicide note "I wish you had believed." So this seems to really be slanting towards a religious outcome. Or maybe it's all imagery.
I don't think the plane to Guam crashed but there are some other things to point out. During the time skips when Locke and Co. get back to the beach and find everything at the camp in shambles because some time has passed they find the boat with an Ajira Air bottle in it. Could it be at least 3 years passed and those were people from flight 316? If so, who did Juliet shoot while they were paddling around they island?
I don't think the plane crashed because there was the hum and the flash of light. I think only those involved with the island went back in time to the late 70's, early 80's. That would be Lapedus, Jack, Kate, Hurley, Ben, Sun, Sayid and the two other people in first class. The pilot and everyone in first class just suddenly disappeared off of the plane in midflight. But their time skip isn't in sync with everyone else's. Because Jin is now with Dharma as is Faraday from the first episode this season. But it seems like they've been infiltrating for awhile. So Jin didn't just skip to that point where he found Jack, Kate and Hurley. Now it does seem like it could be Hurley reading the numbers when Russo gets to the island.
Also, 815 crashed because Desmond was late in pressing the button that one time. No button when 316 flew over.
Finally, something random and a little eerie. Ben's line. "How can you read?" "My mother taught me." Is that sarcasm or an actual plot point? Ben's mom died in childbirth. Grrragh!