Lost Update Twilight Zone - The Parallel

Lost In The Twilight Zone Update: 04/12/2010

With ABC Lost approaching its climatic series finale on May 23rd, the Grassy Knoll Institute has one or two more Twilight Zone Updates to discuss the correlation between Rod Serling’s science fiction television program, The Twilight Zone, (1959-1964) and the current ABC network hit, Lost.

Some Background Before We Proceed:
The Twilight Zone was a classic science fiction television series created by Rod Serling that aired from 1959 to 1964. Each episode intertwined the supernatural with topical moral events in today’s society ending with a twist convoluting the outcome. I argue that the same can be said about ABC Lost. The castaways are more than just stranded on an island. There are mysterious forces at work of powers unknown. And just like the Twilight Zone, a twist is inserted in the story convoluting the outcome.

The Twilight Zone had a standard format. Each episode began with a prologue, usually with the host, Rod Serling doing the voice over introducing the characters and setting. At the end of the show, Serling would offer up a final narration of what the viewer just witnessed.

Tonight’s offering is: Season 4 Episode 113 The Parrallel
Original Airdate: 03/14/1963

I think once you see the similarities of both programs, you will quickly realize that Lost is a modern-day Twilight Zone.

Monologue:
In the vernacular of space, this is T minus one hour. Sixty minutes before a human being named Major Robert Gaines is lifted off from the Mother Earth and rocketed into the sky, farther and longer than any man ahead of him. Call this one of the first faltering steps of man to sever the umbilical cord of gravity and stretch out a fingertip toward an unknown. Shortly, we'll join this astronaut named Gaines and embark on an adventure, because the environs overhead — the stars, the sky, the infinite space — are all part of a vast question mark known as the Twilight Zone.

Synopsis:
Astronaut Robert Gaines, Major, is on a routine space orbiting mission when his capsule malfunctions and he blacks out. However, he awakes on Earth with apparently no major problems and is released from the hospital and permitted to go home.

But things seem very odd to Major Gaines as inconsistencies pop up. He notices that his own daughter doesn't know who he is and everyone calls him Colonel when he knows he's a Major. And he argues with his friends and family that John F. Kennedy is the president of the United States even though no one else has ever heard of the man.

Major Gaines believes that he has slipped into a parallel universe where almost everything is the same but a few major changes in history. He returns to his capsule in hopes of traveling back into space and landing in his own universe but he blacks out again.

Major Gaines wakes up to find himself in his capsule back in space. He finds his landing points and pilots the ship to a safe landing. He thinks that this was just a great big nightmare until Mission Control receives another transmission from space... From Colonel Robert Gaines.

Epilogue:
Major Robert Gaines, a latter-day voyager just returned from an adventure. Submitted to you without any recommendations as to belief or disbelief. You can accept or reject; you pay your money and you take your choice. But credulous or incredulous, don't bother to ask anyone for proof that it could happen. The obligation is a reverse challenge: prove that it couldn't. This happens to be the Twilight Zone.

Lost Tie In:
Desmond is a modern-day Major Robert Gaines.
Desmond embarks on a solo trip around the world in his ship. He blacks out and wakes up on the Lost island. As Desmond continues on his journey, he realizes that something is not exactly right. There are inconsistencies that cannot be explained away. He begins to have flashbacks and flash forwards where people do not know who he is.

As season six approaches its end, Desmond realizes what is happening and tries with great effort to return to his reality. He understands that he is living in both universe's at the same time and that he can control the outcome. Perhaps Desmond controls the blackouts forcing another chapter to further him along to find his home, his world, his universe, his Penny. Notice when Desmond blacks out and wakes up, he is in an alternate reality.

And just as Major Gaines in the Twilight Zone received a message from his alternate in space, Desmond has also send messages to the past and future Desmond. The question however, is where does Desmond ultimately belong?

Submitted for your approval. Please use the comments section below to voice your opinions.

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