I like your theory - but I have some reservations about it. Spoiler I agree that it would be hard to believe that Ben would let anyone that he could use leave if he could still use them, but Michael would have intersepted the freighter with Walt on a small boat. Wouldn't the people on the freighter find it strange that a freighter worker arrived with his son from a near by place via a small boat? It has been the producers' intent to have Michael return to the show (he is still on the opening credits), but there would have to be a developed story how Ben made Michael work on a boat after being set "free".
Spoiler I really like the idea that Michael is the inside man on the freighter. I'm not sure how the logistics of that would work. Perhaps there was some communication equipment on the boat he sent Michael and Walt out on and after Michael left they got in contact with him and told him what they needed. The rocket gaining 31 minutes was intriguing...but I don't understand how it works. It can't happen to everything to makes it to the island, because then communication between the island and freighter wouldn't be possible. They'd say something to them and not hear anything for 31 minutes. But cell phone signals seem to be normal. Not sure what that means. And I didn't feel as bad about Sayid as some. I didn't see it as him betraying his friends, but merely putting himself in a position to get off the island and to maybe help those people left on the island at the same time. The bracelet matchup seems to indicate that the people on the freighter are the same ones that Sayid is killing, so if they really are there with a naughty purpose in mind, then his list killing is good. I bet the "Economist" is Penelope's dad.
One more thing on the Oceanic 6... Spoiler I think the Oceanic 6 could just be the KNOWN survivors, who reach celebrity status. This would mean Jack, Hurley, and Sayid are confirmed. Ben and Kate are shown off the island, but it's never been explicitly stated that they are part of the six or that anyone knows who they are yet.
Well, in the "scenes from next week's episode" it looked as though they were showing clips of Kate with a bunch of reporters and even a short shot of her doing some modeling or something. So I'm fairly certain that she is one the Oceanic 6.
Spoiler No, Kate is DEFINITELY one of the 6. From what I've read, next week contains a flash-forward showing her murder trial after she leaves the island.
Ah, well I stand corrected. I guess that won't be such a big reveal next week then. Specifically the part where they say 'next week another member of the Oceanic Six is revealed.' Spoiler I Google'd it. According to lostpedia it plays a recording (which I'll spare) but there's this part: 085 - 054 = 31
Well I have one problem with that sceen . . . Spoiler . . . If they guy knew who Sayid was by name .. . and Sayid is a bit of a minor celebrity . . like hurly . . why would he not know him by face??? Especially if he was someone who would potentially be coming after you to kill you . . . . . Rocket River
One More thing . . . . The 'Man' on the ship . . . . Spoiler I am more and more thinking it has to be Michael . . . . .and this is why Oceanic Six. .. if they got off and been missing for whatever .. . They became somewhat celebrities *IF* mike left the Island. . how the h*ll did he REENTER his life without EXPLAINING HIMSELF????? *someone* would remark that he was on that flight! Also . . . If he did . . .. and people accepted it . . . .He is the SOLE SURVIVER . . then 6 more show up??? He got MORE EXPLAINING TO DO! Rocket River
Spoiler Wow, excellent point, RR. Everything we have seen so far this season seems to indicate that Michael and Walt NEVER made it back to civilization. THat doesn't leave much else other than them being picked up by the freighter.
Kate getting a flash-forward should still be interesting, even if we knew about her since the S3 finale. When she met with deranged future Jack at the airport, she left saying she had to get back to "him." This episode should fill in that gap: Sawyer? Her and Sawyer's son? Some new random guy that Kate's hooked up with (let's be honest, she has gotten around on this show)? I'm also looking forward to more Miles scenes. He's a fun mouthy guy. Evan
Interesting thought!! That the "him" she has to get back to is her son, it makes sense in a convoluted way.
About the ending of this week's episode... Spoiler I know she said "Eric" (I rewinded it several times to be sure), but was the baby actually Aaron!?!? Because if so, that would put an interesting spin on the earlier scenes in the episode (namely the ones with Claire and Aaron), as well as explain why Jack wouldn't see the baby.
Spoiler I thought she said Aaron. Then again I was expecting to hear the words Aaron from the moment Claire asked Kate to pick him up. Almost positive she said Aaron though.
Regarding the entire episode: Spoiler I heard Aaron. Then the music got all dramatic like it was a revelation and we were supposed to recognize the name (Aaron). Of course, I was thinking this was going to happen when they had the scene with Kate, Claire, and Aaron halfway through the show. I wonder if Aaron is considered one of the Oceanic 6? NOTE: Lostpedia also says she said "Aaron". Anyway, interesting story that the "6" told everybody. That only 8 survived the crash and that 2 of those died afterwards. Locke being a badass with the grenade. Interesting that helicopter hasn't gotten back to the boat yet. I wonder if this has any connection to the rocket and the time difference on the clocks from the last episode. Maybe they didn't leave on exactly the same heading they came in on as Daniel instructed them to.
